RANDOM THOUGHTS ON SATURDAY

I'm stuck in the house with a throat infection, feeling rotten, and for the want of anything else to do, I'm passing the time looking at Twitter and Facebook.

And how depressing is that today?

Here's just a small selection of the stories that are coming up on my feeds.

A million elderly Brits are malnourished as councils reduce the meals on wheels service. The welfare state is being dismantled on a daily basis. And there is often nothing left to take its place. There are, of course, families and volunteers to fall back on. But that's not really like it was before when millions of people, often middle and upper class women, had time on their hands for good works. Everyone has to work so hard now just to get by, that there is not the same amount of free time for helping others. Cameron doesn't seem to see this.

There has been a 600% increase in the last four years on people with mental health problems being sanctioned by the DWP. It seems Iain Duncan Smith has hit upon the idea that folk with mental health issues are less likely to kick off about being sanctioned... and it's a neat way to make money.

Then there was this beauty. Someone needs to tell the DWP that a man who has suffered 4 heart attacks, and has a variety of other illnesses, including fluid on his lungs, and all at the age of 61, is truly unlikely to be able to find a job, and should be left in peace. How many people need to die for IDS to save enough money for DWP management bonuses. 

And there is this story about a guy who, on hearing a threat that his money was to be stopped, had a heart attack and died. More money saved, Iain. Maybe some fresh underwear on expenses? Or another £40 breakfast?

Some of the comments on Paris have been sad. Johann Lamont joined Humza Yousaf to respect the dead in Paris. It's something you would have thought might have promoted a bit of harmony between Labour and SNP... but no. Some of the comments made dreadful, sickening and disheartening reading.

Then I saw this story. It seems that if you live in England you must be careful not to upset Mr Cameron. This lady was protesting at cuts which were causing people to die, and shouted out to Cameron that he had "blood on his hands". She was charged (and allegedly beaten) by the police. 

The judge said that her comments "must have hugely upset" the prime minister, and what she said could "hardly have been more insulting to anyone, whether a politician or not".

For the judges information (and from the safety of Scotland) I'd liek teh judge to know that I can think of thousands of things that I could say to Cameron which would be far more insulting. Never mind that her particular comments were true. He is responsible for his government and his government is responsible for death and misery across the four nations of the UK. He has got blood on his hands both in the home countries and in Libya where he took part in a campaign that completely wrecked a reasonably stable if unpleasant regime. And one which had excellent public services, unlike the ones he oversees.

Worrying that it is now a punishable offence in England to upset the Brit PM as if he were one of his Gulf royal mates or his Chinese buddy. The company he keeps has been rubbing off on him.

DEAR JEREMY HUNT... WORDS YOU MAY NOT OFTEN HEAR TOGETHER...

Dear Jeremy Hunt MP,

I am a newly appointed NHS Consultant and receive £313.54 for my on call supplement per month. My on calls per month add approximately 120 hours of work in addition to my normal working week. This is made up of being on call one day per week and one weekend in 5 - 5pm on Friday to 8am on Monday. Simple maths says that works out as £2.61 per hour - significantly less than the minimum wage let alone the living wage.

I have never looked to opt out, even though financially it would make sense. I am genuinely offended that you have openly questioned my professionalism and vocation or that of my colleagues. I am no different to the thousands of Consultants, Junior Doctors, Nurses, Physios, Pharmacists, Secretaries, Speech Therapists, etc. We don't go on strike, we don't hold the country to ransom, we don't compromise patient care because we were meant to go home 2 hours ago, instead we go above and beyond, understanding the true meaning of professionalism and being exemplar to any health service in the world. Without this silent and diligent commitment, the NHS would have crumbled many years ago.

Would you mind enlightening me as to the percentage of Consultants within the NHS who have actively opted out of weekend work? I have looked on the Department of health Website, on NHS England and can find no details on this, or further information regarding your plans for implementing 7 day working.

It is self evident that either your expert advisers are missing or your speech writers incompetent. As a workforce we are very understanding and forgiving. We are often verbally and even physically abused by people who are confused and clearly don't understand how they got into such a state; we forgive them and do our best to fix them. I would urge you to simply apologise for the language you have used, and look to engage in a conversation rather than an ultimatum.

I,  my colleagues and the Royal Colleges and agree with the principle of the NHS working efficiently every day of the week. The NHS has spoken clearly that the current proposals do not address the problem, and are not a viable solution.

Yours sincerely

Karan Kapoor

ENT Consultant

****************************

For further information on how completely inept Hunt is, see this coverage of his history in government.

SNAPS ON SUNDAY

Too busy, too posh, too thick? Nah, just too hated
Send Flipper instead.
Never mind the fact that we have a Secretary of State
who is supposed to be Scotland's man in the Cabinet.
Get the bloke who is an opposition backbencher in to do it.
That way when if all goes belly up, it's not our fault.

Chicken Dave: What was it he said, something about doing
everything that was in his power to keep Scotland in the union?
Did he mention any exceptions?

Absolutely, you don't. Not a bloody word you big posh girls' blouse.

Yellow Dave. Apparently Tories are to get free transport in Manchester this week.
Welfare state for rich Tories

Have you caught it yet?

Brilliant wee lad at the rally

The Ugly Face of Westminster

The Uglier Face of Westminster

Bloody Hell. Apologies in advance to John Brownlie

Free Transport for Brown too

This one is for Deano

Welfare state when it's not about Tories getting free transport

And then, just for a laugh:

True....

No wifi here, speak to each other! (For the Urchin)

Such an important part of the democracy...yeah right

There had to be one attractive image in the photos

And last, and absolutely least, here's Mr Pointless.
(Even if it should be North British Governors General)