The bears are a-stirring

Back to work in 2004

Erratic sleeping patterns sometimes makes one consider vying for the helm of the Insomniacs Anonymous.

Where we can discuss all sorts of remedies for sleep or rather ways to occupy one's time once that horrid nightmare or physiological condition has jerked you awake for the fourth time in 3 hours of chicken coup head nodding slumber.

Having no screaming toddlers in the house, the annoying situation of sleep deprivation without external influence hardly prepares one or allows one to empathise in truth with regular parents who incessantly complain of sleepless nights brought on by restless sprogs in the teething stage of life, which lasts for 4 years and then another 14.

Self-medicated slumber

In years gone by in Africa, self-administering Valium as a soporific agent with aplomb raved only to arrive in the West and realise it was considered a social malady worthy of more therapy, sympathy and treatment as an addictive condition.

Sleep whilst it is good for restfulness and restoration has it dangers if one needs to escape from one's dreams. In a drug-induced state, one loses the motor functions to come out unscathed, suddenly sitting upright and breaking out in a sweat to rival Niagara on a wet morning.

Anyway, one was up at 03:00hrs by the captain's log and saw no more respite for the rest of the day. So, starts an early day when some outrageously rude ticket counter attendant tries to impose linguistic superiority on one as one asked for a monthly pass.

Modern Dutch

Dutch is hardly the language of oppression for this age, having given us the word apartheid; the proponents of the 'speak Dutch' campaign at times really expose their inability to speak English ignorance.

Bless their hearts, people need refuge where they are strong, but Amsterdam Centraal Station is hardly the Dutch outback, anyone employed at those counters should be multi-lingual or be sent to tend sheep in the far North.

Beginning the working day at 07:00hrs, two of the early-shifters were already at the call desk, and the chorus of Happy New Year greetings becomes the theme of the day, apart from recounting what one did over the holidays - at least the presentable and decent parts - too many unspeakable secrets in this life to shock the Puritans with.

Caffeine managed

By 10:00hrs, the results of a sleepless night were struggling to gain ascendancy over the awakening effects of caffeine. Caffeine advocacy by intravenous injection is becoming a marketable prospect.

Suppose each office had a Caffeine chair, very much like the chair of American expression - the Electric Chair - only this time one convulses to the influx of caffeine as it hits the heart and turns you into an a hyperactive misfit ready to wreak havoc on the day's duties - deal with the effects later.

Well, gladly the Pen Pushers Posse were not subjected to the caffeine chair, they were just coming out of hibernation, three questions in all with one email requesting information by accusing one of inaction.

Hey! Everyone wants an update, I have been away for two weeks and one is trying to catch-up with the dregs that should have died with the year just dead and gone.

Gladly, one was back home by 19:03 on the bus that detoured because, help me again, they are constructing something on that road that has seen more makeovers than a Dallas belle has.

The first working day of 2004, passed without much event, but I am glad it started with restraint.

World-stage village politics

Taking yourself off the social map

Gaining independence from the 4th of October 1830, this country struts the world-stage in many significant areas.

Initiated through their monarch the Scramble for the Partition of Africa; an historical term dignifying the 19th Century Europeans with the poise exhibited in carving up Africa.

This country now offers its capital city as the headquarters to a number of world and European organisations, a bilingual little-Stan with a big voice and presence, welcome to Belgium.

Village politics

This piece of news or rather gossip may not have made front covers but it made such interesting reading that one had to comment on the underlying issues that create such a farce.

The punch line goes "It's sad that because of village politics, the country gets ridiculed". How two senior diplomats with 37 years of combined experience could resort to this sort of petty tyranny is unfortunate but signals an opportunity for change before it gets out of hand.

Nadine Goertz reports in the New Year's print edition of Wall Street Journal Europe with the by-line "Tiff Between Belgian Diplomats Leaves Party Guests a Bit Frosted"

Diplomatic squabbles

The Kingdom of the Belgians has two top diplomats in the United States, the UN Ambassador Jean De Ruyt and the Consul General Stephane De Loecker.

It so happens that the ambassador was once the CG's boss at the UN with both of them having 20 and 17 years respectively in the Belgian diplomatic corps.

By circumstance, when the former Consul General left her post in October 2002, the ambassador who lived in an apartment near the UN moved into the more spacious Fifth Avenue location in December 2002.

This location happened to be the swanky location where the Belgians entertained important guests as is customary for its status.

Conflicting receptions

On instruction of the Belgian Foreign Ministry, the current CG was advised to organise a reception for the 15th of November commemorating the King's Day held annually in honour of the king.

Therefore, invitations went out concerning that event to the business, political, important and good friends of Belgium, and 75 in all.

As it transpired, the office of the Ambassador tried in vain to rescind all those invitations without offering an alternative venue.

On the night, being the first cold night of the winter the guests who did not receive the cancellation notice were stood at the locked gates of the venue. The doorman sticking out his head announced, "No party is going on".

Not a party to attend

Typical of what might be announced to one if trying to gatecrash a private party in some rundown location, but not when invited to a grand occasion like the Belgian King's Day in Upper East side New York offering impressive views of the Central Park from large windows.

Anyway, the guests received a letter of apology at the gates and the representatives who were summoned by the Foreign Minister to explain this debacle have since returned to their posts.

One is surprised that the real and underlying issue has not been addressed. A case of petty tyrants who having represented their country for so long, have evolved beyond understanding the privilege of representation into an embarrassment.

No scruples should have been pulled in serving them their golden parachutes and allow others who would pride themselves more in serving the country selflessly to mend the fences in this regard.

Egg on faces

The CG even had the integrity and dignity to offer his resignation, however, one's view is the Belgians are worthy of better.

We see the poise and dignity of Justine Henin-Hardenne, Kim Clijsters and Xavier Malisse, who as individual lawn tennis sports personalities have done a lot representing their country that these diplomatic dinosaurs seem ready for fossilisation.

One has liberally quoted from Nadine Goertz's news piece, and there might be a lot more to this story than we both have access to. However, the King's Day should have been celebrated and the guests feted by both representatives at the customary venue.

It also transpires that it is in the office of the CG to invite guests to such an event, so for the ambassador to attempt rescinding the invitations was at worst cack-handed and uncivil.

Failing the first test

Whenever the differences were between the ambassador and the CG, even though the ambassador's residence is used to host these parties, which he would well be aware of, they should not have been played out on an important diplomatic occasion as this.

In fact, with 37 years between them, they had failed the first test of diplomacy or rather tact, which by the Merriman-Webster dictionary definition is - a keen sense of what to do or say in order to maintain good relations with others or avoid offence.

If on such a small issue they have not acquitted themselves well, they cannot handle the bigger issues of world stage politics with the panache that equates the status of Belgium.

Back to Diplomacy 101

Having served as ambassadors to Poland, NATO, Ethiopia and some other African countries between them, this one misdemeanour is too great a faux pas in these times of delicate diplomatic relations with the United States and on the issues of NATO to go without a re-schooling on what diplomacy is all about.

They have served and they should now go. It is unlikely; the renown of Belgian parties in New York would have recovered sufficiently for the same guests to grace the next King's Day celebration.

The representatives have taken Belgium off the social calendar.

Six hours on the German ICE trains

Returning Home

One is a proponent of the short away break; travel seems to have that therapeutic recovery effect after a week or weeks of slugging it out at work, the energy, politics, results and downright disgusting ethic assuming airs of professionalism.

One's wish this year is not to have to deal with that level of activity that tests one's patience, resolve and temperament. Hoping that the people concerned have made a New Year's resolution to be aligned more closely to what they are paid to do.

Maybe they would have found the gene-switch that exudes respect, consideration, politeness, goodwill, integrity and candour. Wishes or wishes, one is resolved to see the year through productively whatever the case. Positive thinking and sanity would be my bedmates.

Travelling 1^st Class

Returning from Berlin, which is 6 hours in total with one stopover at Duisburg, was supposed to be a breeze. At least one expects that the purpose for travelling first class is the idea that one is in considerate and civil society.

By inference, others who travel first class recognise their rights and responsibilities in the context of others around them. No noise, no anti-social behaviour, low volume chatter, no swilling wine straight from the bottle and no tattoos exposed if on the lower arm.

Unfortunately, the ability to afford a luxury or privilege does not bestow on the person the cachet of belonging to that acquisition. Gone are the times when class, upbringing and money defined the person.

Highly fed but lowly taught

In fact, there is nothing wrong with class or money, the problem is really in the upbringing or breeding. A recognition of the rights of others is reciprocated in their recognition of your rights and hence a civil society.

Imagine the chaos of an uncivil society, everyone dropping litter wherever they want, making noise without due regard to other passengers, annoying phones and polyphonic phone tunes ringing incessantly in supposedly silent carriages, and conveniences left it unusable states.

The civility of the majority is what makes society workable; the anarchy of people who do not conform to civility creates general resentment against which not many would deign to complain, no matter how inconvenient the situation is.

Unprepared for scouts

One had the pleasure of 3 hours of knocking and fidgeting created by 12 youngsters in their early teens with their minders. Some benefactor had provided for their travel in the first class carriage in which one was.

Where usually people are able to recline and nod off into snooze-land, these hyperactive kids make the journey close to a living hell until one had to remonstrate to the handlers to handle the situation with a bit more consideration.

As kids, all it required was one look from mother and we all behaved, no entreaty could placate the tearaways. In the end, they disembarked and peace reigned for 30 minutes to one's stopover.

The ICE pleasure

The German express trains called ICE (InterCity Express) attract a supplement when boarded as part of an itinerary, with the comfortable reclining seats, headphone points to listen to music of which the classical variety is a soothing accompaniment for relaxation.

Most seats have a printed leaflet of the journey, arrival and departure times, distances between the stations and possible connections from those stations within the hour of arrival. One can also be served in-situ amongst other pleasures of premium value travel.

Speeds of up to 300 kilometres an hour are possible, though the highest displayed speed was 250 km/h somewhere between Hannover and Hamm.

Comparisons of sorts

The United Kingdom's train services are like a coach and crippled horses compared to the German, French or Dutch railway infrastructure.

Using the DB BahnCard acquired at a cost - which is a discount card, one can get 25%, 50% or even free travel though at even greater cost on the ICE trains, all worth it if one does more than four long journeys into Germany.

The Netherlands has a similar card with offers 40% off off-peak fares to all destinations in the Netherlands.

Those “lovely” kids

At Duisburg, after a bit of confusion, platform 13 was the boarding platform for the Frankfurt am Main to Amsterdam train. Locating one's reserved seat, one met with a melee of toddlers about 8 in number.

Then one came screaming like a banshee down the aisle, it made one's truculence in regard to one's first journey seem a tad over-reactive.

Quick take; seek a seat in another carriage before insanity gives way to uncontrollable violent abuse. After 6 hours and 23 minutes, home at last.

Check answer phone messages, make a few phone calls and prepare for the pleasures of work on the morrow.

The Knights of the Oval Office

The Knights of the Oval Office

The quest for the Holy Grail of democracy in the Middle East through pre-emptive wars leading to regime change and eventual self-determination continues apace in Ur of the Chaldees.

Just as we know that the that quest made and destroyed lives of those knights, the ability for history to repeat itself by legend and fable turning into reality is as fearful as thought of the plunder that accompanied the noble acts of the Crusades.

In fact, one can say that those events are acting out of a screenplay that combines the adventures of Robin Hood with the quest of the Knights of the Round Table with the Crusades theme. Call it the Eighth Crusade.

The principals include King Arthur (President George W. Bush), Sir Gawain (Tony Blair), Sir Lancelot, Sir Galahad and Lady Guinevere (Condoleeza Rice, but not as we know the lady of the story).

There is no scope for the romantic slant in this vivid dramatisation. However, you are called to view the issues of the day in the light of the presented screenplay.

No doubt, one would expect some human emotion and expression of a humane disposition in deciding who the best actor is.

This is evidently absent when all acts are taken with such Messianic zeal, humans are playing God in action, purpose, determination and execution.

How else does one explain the fact that Iran - a country that has already captured Al-Qaeda suspects and holds them in custody - is now expected to hand over those suspects to the US?

Is the war on terror just about the US and its fears or about the world and its safety? One is not aware of an extradition treaty between the US and Iran. They have had no diplomatic relations for over 20 years.

It ought not to be so, we cannot have a nation state above all states deciding who belongs to the leagues of nations of this world, who rules the peoples of other lands and threatens or uproots governments of other lands with impunity on the premise of pre-emptive strikes.

It is reckless and irresponsible for a state that is in the flux of imperfect democratic processes to advocate any form of democracy in other states. Democracy cannot be imposed on the tips of uranium depleted bombs.

This is evidenced by the insurgencies the occupying forces in Iraq have encountered since the end of hostilities in May 2003.

The myth of a Robin Hood taking the government of the corrupt and tyrannical elite and giving it to the people would have been fine, it were true.

However, the majority of that ruling council constitutes exiles with scores to settle, hurts needing healing and great self-interest non-representative of the people they portend to lead.

Declaring a liberation day in honour of the American liberation or banning alternative news sources that are at variance to the preferred spin do no constitute the priorities of people who have been oppressed for over 35 years.

The faux pas of disbanding the army of the de-Baathification of Iraq is absurd.

For 35 years, people who wanted to live in Iraq and make a living had to be members of the Baath party, just as many had to be members of the Communist Party to gain any privilege or influence in their lives and the lives of others.

They have gotten it all wrong and are not in the frame of getting it right in the near future. We need to rid ourselves of this God-like resolve and consider our humanity, vulnerability and multi-lateral purpose of co-existence.

No matter how bad the Sheriff of Nottingham was, it did not justify the acts of Robin Hood who just happened to be a nice bandit.

The quest of the Crusades has not resolved that self-same problem of the Jews, Arabs and Christian peoples sharing the cradle of the birth of their religions, it did not then and it would not now.

Dialogue, communication, respect for all parties is needed, not belligerent disregard expressed through military might but no transfer of civilised values.

Just because one nation cannot handle the humiliation of being attacked by such low tech methods in view of their sophisticated weapons defence systems, does not mean the whole world now has to adopt policies that Stalin would have considered so radical and authoritarian.

2004 offers ample opportunity to turf these knights out of the Oval Office before the free democratic world has no moral high ground for the suppression of dissent, the propensity of unilateral action and protection of human rights.

All nations need to rise to defeat the new fascism masquerading as the war on terrorism; the world is no safer since this whole debacle started.

Americans need to receive the same treatment they give to others who visit America. Then would the electorate be stimulated to do the right thing and make their votes count.

I rest for now, but the case is in debate.

Addendum

The Crusades

Internet Medieval Sourcebook

The Crusades and the Contributions of Islam

A History of the Crusades: Electronic Facsimile

Movie: The Crusades (1935)

The Knights of the Round table

King Arthur & The Knights of the Round Table

Britannia King Arthur Knights of the Round Table

Movie: Knights of the Round Table (1953)

Robin Hood

The Robin Hood Project

Movie: Adventures of Robin Hood, The (1938)

Unbelievably absurd

A mad-cow burger in your fast food joint

It is incredible, it beggars belief, but the truth is, until the 30th of December 2003 mad cow meat has been put into the food chain. Though not all downer cattle is presumed sick or infected, it is amazing that any non-perfect animal is slaughtered for food.

Traditionally, that is a complete abomination for the want of a stronger word, both the Jewish and Islamic religions forbid the use of blemished animals in food or sacrifices, if those still exist.

One remembers that in rural Nigeria we never used blemished animals even for the sacrifices to the god of iron; supposed to protect adherents from motor accidents. In that instance dogs are sacrificed for appeasement.

With this revelation, one wonders where else issues like this abound and in what countries this kind of practise is sanctioned and abetted.

This brings us to the issue of Zero-risk again. One should simply contend that zero-risk is only valid for what science knows, which in many cases does not constitute full scientific proof of zero-risk, but is limited to the extent of scientific knowledge at that point in time.

Gone are the days when the scientist, politician or even the station master was the authority on any issue. One cannot validate time on the station clocks again, since on railway company decided there were 66 seconds in a minute a few years ago, to account for tardy timekeeping.

The Youth

In fact, one does really hope that those days are gone, but no, they have not. More and more, people seek information and authority from other sources rather than make the judgements themselves based on the analysis and assessment of the information presented to them.

Last year, during the Dutch electioneering campaign, a number of web sites sprung up helping people to decide what their political leanings and affiliations were.

To the extent that they were advised about which party to vote for people in their 20s and 30s if they are liberal, conservative, radical or anarchist to which one should add utterly clueless.

Herein, lies the danger of democracy, a vote in the hands of the clueless, ending up electing a clueless party - then it was the Pim Fortuyn Lijst party that became the second largest in the Dutch parliament based on a sympathy allegiance owing to Pim Fortuyn being gunned down 9 days before.

The government lasted 6 months with the wrangling that tore the PFL to bits reminiscent of a fish-wife's brawl, hand-bagging each other into a state of comatose.

Then, there is the issue of discomfort when being addressed as gentleman or lady. Why anyone should feel strange at the appellation escapes one. However, society has evolved into a monster lacking in integrity, trust or honesty.

The rarity of having friends who are good at timekeeping, keeping their word or being principled is striking.

Well, one is fortunate to have a good few worthy friends as gentlemen; however, strangers make no attempt to give a good impression of integrity, the first step to creating a trust-worthy setting for acquaintance leading to friendship.

One would explore that further in another rant.

Berlin

One has been in Berlin for 3 nights and spent a cold uneventful New Years Eve looking for a concert or some culture entertainment at the great risk of betting blown away by exuberant kids tossing fireworks with reckless abandon.

Anyway, the beauty of Berlin stems from the historical two cities of the East and West which were divided by the Berlin Wall which came down in 1989. Then it is the only city in about 50 years where such a large architectural project of buildings has been erected to befit the status of a capital city.

If you have never been - I would be your guide soon. 

My appreciation and regrets

Dear Supporter,

You are getting this message because you were unable to complete the transaction of donating to my blog. I am sorry that you have encountered difficulties or probably changed your mind.

In any case, I acknowledge your good intentions and hope that in the not too distant future you will be persuaded to complete the transaction.

If you encountered any difficulties, please let me know by leaving a comment so that I can work and resolving the issue.

Thank you for visiting my blog and offering to support me.

With the kindest regards,

Akin Akintayo

Blog the New Year

Thanks for it all

As usual my religious background contends that at the New Year one gives thanks for the opportunity to see another year.

Seeing all the perils that have befallen many over the last year and the circumstances in which one has escaped or been protected from the lot can only create a thankful disposition for being spared.

Knowing that there is a greater One beyond us with whom all things consist makes all that difference if thanks are muttered or shouted out loud in the assumed hysteria of gushing and heartfelt thanks.

One is thankful, for some many things, the possibilities for mishap, misfortune, accidents and bad luck abounded, but one has seen good health, prosperity through the mercy of God and His abundant grace.

There have been times that one has wondered how each day has passed into history offering new opportunities for hope and privilege. How the past with its lessons have provided useful insight for the future that promises great change and scope to remain relevant and thanks remain a constant feature.

The New Year is another opportunity; a leap year is a greater opportunity. One should also remember that on February the 29th an ex-boss turns 10 - bless him.

The thankless "representatives"

In the UK, the Queen offers honours to citizens of the Commonwealth for their services to their communities or other spheres of influence that they command.

It is commendable that there are societies where people are honoured just as a recognition of their work or status.

There is no doubt that the award system have by and large been abused, but that is the substance of privilege.

Like it or not, every endeavour of life is subject to varying degrees of validation scrutiny and a reward system serves to quantify that validation process.

In schools it is exams and the individual's success that defines abilities, in business knowing a product that the customer wants and then offering it the way the customer wants creates value and profit.

In every other undertaking there is recognition of the successful, the average and the failing. The ability for people to transcend these validation processes represents that person’s response to change and ability to change.

Monarchy

We are a constitutional monarchy in the UK but the real governmental power is vested in the House of Commons with the House of Lords being the revising chamber.

It is unfortunate that both the monarchy and the House of Lords are undergoing so much reform when it is the House of Commons that needs the most reform.

The democratic institutions in the UK offer platforms to three parties and rarely meritocratic opportunity to independents.

Once the election is over, constituency representation is at a lower priority to party politics and policies that do not necessarily reflect the electorates' interests.

We are a monarchy anyhow and we just have to live with it till the electorate decides for a republic.

There is no doubt that if the head of our political process is a jousting dandy politician rather than the aloof Queen, the value of that representation would diminish into the interest serving system we recognise in countries like the United States.

A political and governmental system requires a wise figure-head like a monarch representing our heritage or an apolitical president like those of Germany or Italy.

Awards

The news has been awash with information of certain individuals who have been honoured but have rejected the honours for whatever reasons.

This brings to the fore a classic example of people who are representative of a self-serving lower esteem class of people who are still in the throes of integration even after three generations in the UK.

One is glad that being born in England, one grew up in Africa where one's race had never been an issue. Escaping the race and deprivation politics of the 70s and 80s has done one a whole world of good. It helps one realise that racism and its effects are a thing of the mind and self-realisation.

Where that aspect of esteem is resolved, there is no need to herald one's race or suffer the unnecessary taunts of rude inference masquerading as light hearted jokes.

One sees that having a quick wit so easily puts paid to those things. Illustrated in a few examples below:

Internet Chat setting.

Q: Do you Africans still live on trees?

A little research reveals that the inquirer is from Sweden, so obtain the full title of the King of Sweden.

A: Yes indeed we do, in fact, when King Carl XVI Gustaf visited, we put him on the tallest tree and fed him bananas.

The shock expressed by the inquirer after that most definitely extracted more than an apology. That one had inferred that his king was a monkey was just desserts be trying to be too smart.

A conversation at work.

Person: Akin, the guy you borrowed your suit from wants it back.

The person happens to have some envelopes on him.

Answer: I see you have a delivery service, would you take it back?

One never heard such smart jokes from the person again. Others within earshot also learnt not to mess around with such issues.

Take the honours and inspire others

Conversely, those issues represent a situation of unparalleled rudeness, literally unbelievable and supposed to upset you seriously.

One could have viewed them as the vituperative insults that they were and launched a whole racism complaint process for the crowds to latch onto. No, when one is self assured, you give as good as you get and even better.

About the awards, they represent nothing but recognition, they do not even come with a prize as with the Nobel Prize.

Every well mannered individual would accept the honours with thanks and still continue in the work that was recognised in the presentation of that honour.

However, if the activity being honoured has not been resolved with sincerity in the hearts and minds of the recipient, the urge to reject becomes compelling.

It is a great disservice however to the others who have integrated into the society they find themselves, who's contributions are worthy of recognition but are not recognise because of the selfish leftwing agendas of the refuseniks.

Once again, we are a constitutional monarchy, honours and recognition of service will still be offered and presented by the monarch till we become a republic. The republic would not make it to the radar screens for generations.

I say, "Take the honours and inspire others".