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Friday, November 19, 2004

Turning cold again this evening. Fire is blazing away, so should be cozy.

Helped Cousteau-cub during the afternoon with some photos to send to Thai friends for Christmas. The Silver Vixen spent time packing. I must do similarly soon. Spoke with Urban-cub, who was busy at work, said she may pop in if she had time, but I suspect she won't make it.

One of the phone lines seems to be playing up... BT arranged to send a phone doctor next Friday morning (which was the first time convenient for us).

So, Charles Clarke Minister for Education has a go at Prince Charles. Why? Well Prince Charles had the temerity to write a memo. In it he said:

"... What is it that makes everyone seem to think they are qualified to do things far beyond their technical capabilities?"

"This is to do with the learning culture in schools as a consequence of a child-centred system which admits no failure.

"People think they can all be pop stars, high court judges, brilliant TV personalities or infinitely more competent heads of state without ever putting in the necessary work or having natural ability.

And Charles Clarke objected. There lies the rub. This is the exact problem that New Labour poses. "You can have or aspire to what you want without putting the work in"... thus we have benefits culture, thuggery and theft, as people "aspire" to things without the wherewithal to get them. What is it about New Labour that seems to try and reduce everyone to the lowest common denominator? (Ooops, probably not allowed to call the denominator "common" as it may be deemed insulting and non-PC). I guess that's why so many people vote for them. It's easier than working for what you want... and they encourage it.

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