What did you really give them, for Christmas?

Picture courtesy of Erna Reihana

Well, according to the associated press, if you've given them yet more electronic items, you may have just given them a healthy dose of behavioural problems and delayed social development. 

One topic our family was discussing this Christmas was just how computer savey kids are now. The discussion started with an acknowledgement that kids text rather than talk, possibly because they can do it that much quicker. But that's not all that they can do, according to the article (see link below) the average three year old can now master a tablet.

Parents try and convince themselves that their kids are gaining through such things as so called 'educational apps', but the reality is often less comforting-imagine-if a three year old can handle a tablet that means they can stream uncensored video, be in contact with who knows who on Facebook and such alike. Even something as simple as 'keeping them quiet in the back of the car' is eroding our kids ability to be patient. Psychologists tell us that one of the known characteristics of Sociopathic individuals is their poor 'impulse control' i. e. their inability to put off what they want now, until later.....in other words, to have patience.


Thanks to Michael Sestak for sharing this:


http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_KIDS_AND_TABLETS?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2013-12-24-10-22-32

Recognise this?

Thanks to MIUI ROM

The day Russian diplomacy came of age.

Picture courtesy of BBC news

Anyone who has taken on the playground bully knows how hard it is to confront aggression without physical intervention; yet how much trickier is it when we cannot really discern who the real aggressor is? What if both are equally to blame?

We used to happily bandy about the phrase 'they need their heads banging together' but who would seriously say the 'get tough' stance would actually work in Syria today.

After the ripples of Milband's surprise tsunami were felt across the great pond, nearly drowning Obama in a wave of over democracy;  in a further shock development, Russia has become the voice of reason.

Who'd have thought, even a week ago, that anything other than a US/France military intervention was likely. Yet here we are today, with President Putin offering all a face saving way back from the precipice. A seemingly weak United Nations, unable to come up with the answers that anyone wants to hear can once again take centre stage, over-seeing Russia's proposed disarmament of the Syrian chemical arsenal.

Obama can hang back and assist in such action; Cameron can stop hand-wringing and also offer specialist expertise to any inspection; Hollande can get back to concentrating on the myriad of other reasons for which he is the most unpopular leader in French living memory.

So well done to the Russians! World Peace isn't going to suddenly break out but its a start.

And what has this to do with Kids today? Well I, for one, will remember, next time I have to intervene in a schoolyard bustup, and I can't see the wood for the trees; perhaps I'll just remember to listen to the small voice of reason that may come from an unexpected source......and I may not have to follow the inevitable path of escalation , too.

Uk Schools encouraged to change holidays!

photo courtesy of BBC news

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-23756809

This isn't a helpful move to enable parents to avoid peak prices for holidays abroad.

This isn't to help pupils and teachers get more regular breaks.

It isn't to prevent kids from getting bored or parents running out of ideas.

It's not to give schools more flexibility to plan the curriculum.

SO WHY THEN?

It's a cynical plot permitting successive governments to pressurise schools into cutting down on holidays.

AND WHY'S THAT THEN?

Simples! 

School is a relatively cheap form of child-care; look at what they've done to the school day (in the state sector in the UK)-they've extended it so parents (mostly mothers) can work longer.

They are working under the misguided assumption that this will increase economic productivity. It won't! All it will mean is children spending even less time being loved, cared for, socialised, raised by their own parents.

It will lead to more disaffection, exclusion and social isolation and ultimately more crime.

Wolverine (2013)

According to IMDb Wolverine 2013 is:

"Summoned to Japan by an old acquaintance, Wolverine becomes embroiled in a conflict that forces him to confront his own demons."

It is a superbly entertaining film involving loyalty, betrayel, special effects and NINJAS! However, it is also TOTALLY inappropriate for a 12A rating!!!!

I saw this film this week and was shocked to see a boy who looked about 8 sit through a film which had a 40+ friend of mine cringing at the violence.

The film has a 12a rating here in the UK so what does that actually mean? If you thought 12 and above, you’d be wrong! According to the BBFC it means:

“The A stands for ‘accompanied’ and ‘advisory’. Children younger than 12 may see the film if they are accompanied by an adult” 

Well-Heavens above! Surely there is a lower age limit?!?! The answer from the BBFC is a resounding

NO

The adult is allowed to make the decision, and on that logic:

Responsible adult…

“No way are you watching these torture scenes and other example of gratuitous violence”

Irresponsible adult…

“What do I care….I'm irresponsible, remember!”

So, in conclusion, if you like Bruce Lee style fight scenes; Indiana Jones style train rides and Marvel comic style characters then this is the film for you….that is, if you are over 15 and with a strong stomach.

If, on the other hand, you are under 15 or subject to the guidance of an irresponsible adult, give the film a wide birth….that is until you are at least mature enough to contextualise what’s going on.

Who am I fooling? You are going to see it anyway; you like all that excitement, whether or not it’s good for you.

Parents, if you have any say-please don’t take your under 12 to see this film and encourage your 12-15 to hold off a bit. It's worth the wait.

Good luck!

Eric Cantona's double.

aka 'what is it with beards?

A boys transition to manhood is partially marked with him starting to shave:

But an alarming new trend may soon bring this rite of passage to a halt!

This weeks episodes of Trial and Retribution, (A Lynda La Plante crime series on ITV) showed a man with an alarming resemblance to ex Manchester United and, briefly, Leeds United superstar soccer icon-Eric Cantona.

Eric Cantona, courtesy of http://www.golfmagic.com

Doppelgangers naturally arouse our curiosity and research suggests there are at least two or three versions of ourselves out there, somewhere. 

But, even though this may be worrying to some-I don't know what alarms me more....my awareness that some lucky soul/s is/are walking around with my distinctive countenance or.....

the sudden emergence of a preference for beards!!!!!!

Now the ancient Romans oft scoffed at the lesser civilised Greeks for their random affinity to the beard, and some associate the decline of the Roman Empire with an increase in beardo behavior.

Marcus Aurelius-exception to the rule!

The sensible among us know the folly the lies inherent therein should we slide into unkemptousness.  

Here's England Rugger star Joe Marler, before he faced Scotland:

Courtesy of the Daily Mail

and here he is again following some sensible advice from ex England manager Sir Clive Woodward:

Courtesy of the Daily Mail

That way we English strive to at least appear civilized and avoid that crazy Gaul look, as sported by French rugger legend Sebastien Chabel!

The truly frightening thing is that our Lord and Savior may approve of this recent trend.

When people fret over Priestly celibacy, Women Priests etc; I just hope and pray that the next Pope doesn't make beards a requirement.

Pope Resigns!

I can't help but think that the Holy Father has been under sustained attack, for a long time now, by the forces of evil.

We must hope and pray that those same forces  don't succeed in undoing all the good he has done.

Gay Bishops???

Picture courtesy of ebibleteacher.com

It is time, dear brethren of the Anglican persuasion, to come back to mother Church.

We knew it could only end in tears when you broke away to allow an errant king to pursue his own base nature. Upon such a foundation collapse was inevitable; build your house on sand....etc and you know what to expect. (Matthew 7:24-27).

So we shouldn't be too surprised when the Church of England allows:

Gay Clergy,
                   in civil partnerships,
                                                  to become Bishops...
                                                                                           

                                                                    as long as they remain celibate!?!?!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-20918806

Yes-you read correctly!

I'm not going to even attempt to unpick the thinking behind this inherent madness; suffice to say that this is what happens when we stray too far from the central teachings of Christ, as given through the magesterium of the Church; this is what happens when we follow what we think might be true and turn away from what we know to be true. I imagine this may still be a minority sport, two Bishops getting hitched, but I can't somehow see them being reserved a place on Noah's ark.

24

That said, my dear brethren, we do want you back; we pray to welcome you back into the fold; its time to come home.

^* “Everyone who listens to these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on rock.^r25The rain fell, the floods came, and the winds blew and buffeted the house.^s But it did not collapse; it had been set solidly on rock.26And everyone who listens to these words of mine but does not act on them will be like a fool who built his house on sand.27The rain fell, the floods came, and the winds blew and buffeted the house. And it collapsed and was completely ruined.” 

Matthew 7:24-27

image courtesy of http://arkansasgopwing.blogspot.co.uk

      
                                                                                         

A huge (Russian) bear hug for Depardieu!

GD playing the part of Russian monk Rasputin, in a recent film.

Driven away by Hollande's oppressive Tax regime, known Rusophile Gerard Deparieu may embrace Russian President Putin's offer of Russian citizenship and a stunning flat personal rate of 13% income tax.

To gain the generous 13% break, GD could live in Russia for six months in each tax year or take Vlad's generous offer.

Don't be surprised Mr H if Gerard goes for dual-citizenship...or even gives up his French passport altogether. At a time where parents are struggling to send their children to even the most reasonably priced, but excellent, schools like Chavagnes, this socialist French government seems to be doing all it can to make life difficult.

Well done to those who stand up to Tax bullies, everywhere.