Darren Smith - A Wonderful Example of Human Excrement

Given that knife related crimes are endemic in many parts of Scottish society; The Big Dollop has previously advocated that anyone caught in possession of a knife without legitimate reason, once charged and found guilty of doing so in a court of law, should be the recipient of a long enough custodial jail sentence which is at the very least “commensurate” with perceived public opinion on such matters.

Darren Smith

 A Wonderful Example of Human Excrement

Today I had the misfortune to read an article in the Scottish edition of the Sun Newspaper which highlighted the case of a loathsome tosser by the name of Darren Smith who incredibly was walking the streets instead of languishing behind bars after being convicted on four separate occasions for the illegal possession of knifes on his person.

Yesterday Smith was convicted and sentenced to serve 19 years for the cold blooded murder of a 22 year old man, whom he stabbed through the heart after a brief difference of opinion.

This Nugget had the even audacity to wink to his relatives in court after the judge handed down his deliberations.

It’s just a shame the judiciary had to wait until this wonderful example of human excrement took an innocent life before incarcerating him for a period of time long enough for him to reflect on the senselessness of his actions in arming himself with a blade.

It is simply incredible that this turd was not banged up in jail for a considerable stretch after he was found guilty the second time he was caught in possession of a knife with no good reason for doing so.

For reasons which I explained here - I am all in favour of Judges using their discretion into the individual circumstances for people accused of unlawfully carrying a knife in a public place, however if anyone previously convicted is caught again in possession of a knife in similar circumstances, he should IMHO, serve a mandatory five years in the pokey, there is simply no excuses what so ever for doing so.

Presently at the Holyrood the SNP dominated Parliament have placed a great emphasis on tackling the blight of sectarianism as practiced by a significant percentage of the Scottish population. (Albeit it they have primarily linked it with football)

Calling people names in relation to their “questionable” parentage, blessing them or singing folk songs about a battle fought long ago in 1690 has not to my knowledge, actually killed or maimed anyone.

However well intentioned, our so called Lord and Masters in Holyrood should be giving precedence to the mayhem caused by Scotland’s knife culture, it just seems like they have got their priorities slightly mixed up when they are legislating for a 5 year custodial sentence in relation to someone’s small minded intolerance to another individual’s perceived religious beliefs yet they are apparently indifferent to the Darren Smith's of this world - cowardly little toe rags who think it’s cool to carry a knife and stab someone through the heart.

No wonder the country is going to the dogs.
.

Parades Are Fine And Well - Truly Supporting Our Armed Forces is Something Else Completley

The people of Scotland can feel mighty proud of themselves this morning for the fantastic show of appreciation by turning out in tens of thousands in support of HM’s Military during the 3rd annual Armed Forces Day at venues in both Glasgow and Edinburgh.

Celebrating  Armed Forces Day - 2011

At a time when the war in Afghanistan is by consensus - a total Clusterfuck, it is absolutely amazing over 100,000 people chose to line the streets in Glasgow and Edinburgh in  support of our servicemen and women.

The Big Dollop like many others may have had certain reservations regarding the veracity behind the reasons given by those in the corridors of power to deploy our military into harm’s way in a fashion which left a lot to be desired, however disillusioned I may have been of politicians of various hues in their inept prosecution of the war in Afghanistan – like the tens of thousands who lined the streets yesterday, my support for the lads and lassies in uniform has been 100% solid.

The politicians responsible for the continued deployment of our young men in women in that god forsaken country simply don’t have an ounce their fortitude and fidelity, indeed it is a total disgrace many of our airmen currently on deployment in Libya with the RAF are coming home to their P45’s at the end of their tour.

Parades are all fine and well, however the authentic measure of support by which our military personnel and their families will feel truly appreciated will manifest itself in the manner by which this latest shower of charlatans the Coalition Government will treat them when the austerity measures kick in.

With cuts to all three services in the pipeline, the future does not augur well for our brave soldiers, sailors and airmen currently serving in HM’s armed forces.

The Last Ocean Going Paddle Steamer In The World - The PS Waverley

The Big Dollop finds the following video to be very therapeutic in so far as it reminds me so much of the greatest country in the world - Bonnie Scotland. 

The Last Ocean Going Paddle Steamer

In The World - The PS Waverley

As a young man in my teenage years I was fortunate enough to serve an apprenticeship  as a marine engineer building pumps for a well known engineering firm in the Cathcart  area of Glasgow, during which time I worked with my journeyman on a re-fit of this magnificent little ship -  unfortunately at the time I was to young to  realise what a privilege it was. 

Defending Your Home - A Sword of Damocles

The Big Dollop like the vast majority of my fellow citizens will have certain feelings of sympathy for the father and son who this morning find themselves in severe trouble after confronting a gang of balaclava-clad men who were trying to break in to their home.

In defending their property a fight ensued during which one of the burglars was fatally stabbed which resulted in him dying after after his cohorts carried him off and dumped him in the street 200 yards down the road.

The man who died was apparently out on bail for a similar offence committed some time during the course of the past month - therefore you will understand my reticence to publish any degree of compassion for the demise of a thieving bastard an individual who along with his criminal colleagues have wrought nothing but heartache and pain for law abiding citizens in what should have been - the safety of their own home.

The law as it stands dictates that an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death of this individual will ensue, an investigation which for the father and son concerned, is going to cause them a shit load of worry during the coming weeks and months.

This family now have a sword of Damocles hanging over their heads over an incident which they had no control over – the prospect of a possible jail sentence for the involuntary killing of a man breaking into their home is one which will fill them with dread.

Regrettable though the loss of a life is, in this circumstance it would be a travesty of justice if any members of this family were to be formally charged in relation to this tragic incident.

The man who was stabbed was part of a four man gang who were in the process of unlawfully breaking into someone’s house with the intention of burglarising it.

In this instance the powers at be would be quite justified in writing this off as an occupational hazard associated with the business of burglary – a “finding” which the majority of law abiding of people in the UK would probably agree with.

A New World Record For Skinny Dipping

The Big Dollop had a wee chuckle to himself on reading an article which featured a story concerning a successful attempt to break the world skinny dipping record when some 394 hardy souls stripped naked and defied the blustery conditions by dashing into the sea at Llangennith Sands, in Rhossili Bay in Wales  beating the previous record of 250.

Let’s just say it has been a long long time since the Big Dollop indulged in a spot of skinny dipping – indeed going by the portly physique which I now possess thanks to Mrs BD’s superb culinary skills - perhaps going for a Chunky Dunk might be a better description in my instance, hence the reason for my wee chuckle to myself.

Advice on Tackling Lifes Imponderables

Anyone reading my profile published under the head line “The world According to the Big Dollop” will see that I do not profess to be a scholar or indeed an authority on many aspects of life which effect each and every one of us as we try to meander through the challenges which  might arrive on our doorstep on a daily basis.

 That notwithstanding I would like to share a few anecdotes which I have learned during the course of my adult life - anecdotes which have stood me in good stead and come in the form of friendly advice.

1. I have learned  not argue with an idiot. He will only drag you down to his level and beat you with experience.

2. The last thing I want to do is hurt you. But it’s still on my list.

3. Light travels faster than sound. This is why some people appear bright until you hear them speak.

4. If I agreed with you, we’d both be wrong.

5. We never really grow up, we only learn how to act in public.

6. Knowledge is knowing a tomato is a fruit. Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.

7. To steal ideas from one person is plagiarism. To steal from many is research.

8. Leaving school I thought I wanted a career. It turns out I just wanted a regular pay cheque.

9. Whenever filling out an application, in the part that says, ‘In case of emergency, notify: - it might be prudent to write “ DOCTOR.”

10. A clear conscience is the sign of a fuzzy memory.

11. Money can’t buy happiness, but it sure makes misery easier to live with.

12. There’s a fine line between cuddling and holding someone down so they can’t get away.

13. You’re never too old to learn something stupid.

14. Nostalgia isn’t what it used to be.

15. Going to church doesn’t make you a christian any more than standing in a garage makes you a mechanic.

 Hopefully my advice on tackling life's imponderables will  have brought a  wry smile to your face - Have a nice day.

The SNP's Anti Sectarianism Bill - Are They Serious?

Previously within the pages of my humble blog The Big Dollop has posted his thoughts on a subject which has impacted on many aspects of Scottish society – that subject being the scourge of sectarianism and bigotry.

Click Picture For Source

It is a subject which has been very much in the public domain recently, mainly due to the circumstances concerning certain threats waged against the manager of Celtic Football Club – Neil Lennon.

These threats against Mr Lennon manifested themselves in a rather sinister form when some idiot sent nail bombs to him through the Royal Mail, a circumstance which prompted by public indignation  induced the SNP administration in Edinburgh to legislate for a change in the law whereby they could not be accused by their political opponents of sitting on the fence.

Therefore later on today the Scottish parliament will vote on an Anti Sectarianism bill which according to various media reports will make it a possible offence for people to sing “God Save The Queen” -  that’s right an offence to sing the national anthem. WTF!

According to the same report it will also be a crime for anyone to bless themselves by making the sign of the cross - In the name of friar tuck what is going on in Holyrood if Scottish MSP’s are seriously thinking of implementing any of these two proposals.

If this legislation is brought on to the statute books in Scotland then I’m afraid the police are in for a torrid time – they are going to be run off their feet on a weekly basis.

Such is the psyche of some followers on both sides of the old firm, it will be impossible for the police to implement such a law especially on match days, sure I have no doubt they could make an example of a few unlucky people in a crowd attending a football match, however, no amount of legislation will stamp out the singing of “perceived” unpalatable songs - points deducted by the SPL might eradicate the singing of certain songs in Scotland’s football stadiums, crazy unworkable laws won’t IMHO.

The Big Dollop is of the opinion the SNP administration in Holyrood have taken their eye off the ball (no pun intended) regarding the situation surrounding the threats against Mr Lennon, it should be introducing laws whereby anyone found guilty of sending threatening correspondence (to anyone) be it by post, e mail, text message, newspaper forums etc can look forward to the prospect of a minimum two year long holiday courtesy of HM’s Prison service, anyone found guilty of sending incendiary devices through the post can look forward to a minimum of ten years in the Bar L.

By implementing such a policy I believe the SNP administration would garner the support of a majority of the Scottish people, their proposals as they stand now are a joke - for them to try and introduce legislation where singing the National Anthem (in certain circumstances) is deemed to be offensive is almost laughable, however the scourge of sectarianism which is a blight on Scottish society is one which is anything but funny.

The Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders Are Welcomed Home

The Big Dollop was especially pleased to read in the Daily Record that the Argyll and Sutherland highlanders have been awarded the freedom of Renfrewshire after their return from a six month tour of duty in Helmand province in Afghanistan.

 The Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders

 Proudly March Through The Streets of Paisley

The Argylls - the 5th Battalion, The Royal Regiment of Scotland - have a special place in the heart of the Big Dollop as my Father and Grandfather served with the Argylls, both attaining the rank of sergeant.

Therefore I would beg my readers indulgence, for it is truly without prejudice or to the detriment of soldiers serving in other regiments in the British Army that I state the following opinion – there are no better soldiers in HM’s Military than those serving with 5 Scots, the fighting spirit of the "Jock" is exemplified in everything they do.

Welcome Home Boys.

A Prime Example of The Compensation Culture Which Prevails In UK Society

Back in October of 2009 the Big Dollop published a critique of a crew on board an Air India aircraft who conducted themselves in a manner which endangered the integrity of the flight they were on by indulging in a fist fight whilst the aircraft was flying at 30,000 feet in the sky’s above Pakistan.

Today I happened to come across an article which highlighted the same degree of unprofessionalism from an air crew which will see them suffer the same fate as the Air India crew – kicked to the kerb - although in this instance it has to be stated the safety of the  aircraft on which they were travelling on was never in any danger of being compromised.

This flight was one hosted by Virgin Atlantic on their Orlando to Glasgow service during which two crew members accidently sent what they thought was a private message to two of their colleagues taking a nap in empty seats, unfortunately the message was broadcast  on the TV screens of all the passengers seated in the Premium Economy section of the aircraft, a message which in  all essence, left a lot to be desired.

The passengers were slightly peeved when the message GET UP YOU C**TS  appeared on their screens whilst watching the in-flight movies, a message which unsurprisingly engendered a torrent of complaints from those on board.

It would appear from the report that the insensitivities of some of those passengers were aggrieved to such an extent that they are now seeking some kind of financial recompense for their apparent distress.

In all sincerity I have to ask if these people have a sense of humour, being that it was no more than a crude attempt at humour between colleagues - the culprits will be suitably reprimanded by Virgin Atlantic Airlines and will in all probability find themselves singing on at the labour exchange in the near future.

For anyone to try and seek compensation for supposed indignation on this matter just smacks of avarice in my humble opinion – if they are really that upset over their “treatment” by Virgin Atlantic then they can always use the services of one of their rivals.

Seeking compensation over physical injuries which a victim has no blame attached is one thing, seeking it over upset feelings is something else completely.

I'm afraid these cretins people will simply have to put it down to experience and move on - there are  far more important issues for the courts to be dealing with than that of pandering to the insecurities of a few poor souls who have apparently had a  "sense of humour" bypass operation sometime in what passes for their sorry excuse for a life.

.

Happy Fathers Day Dad

The Big Dollop would like to take a moment and acknowledge the love and affection that I hold for my father therefore - (begging your indulgence) - it gives me a great deal of pleasure to dedicate the following post to my Dad on Father’s day.

Happy Fathers Day Dad.

God took the strength of a mountain,

The majesty of a tree,
The warmth of a summer sun,
The calm of a quiet sea,
The generous soul of nature,
The comforting arm of night,
The wisdom of the ages,
The power of the eagle's flight,
The joy of a morning in spring,
The faith of a mustard seed,
The patience of eternity,
The depth of a family need,
Then God combined these qualities,
When there was nothing more to add,
He knew His masterpiece was complete,

And so, He called it ... Dad.

Footnote:  Just a note of clarification for the record -  I have the same degree of love and affection for my mother.

.

Absent Parents V Non Custodial Parents - A Different Thing Completley

Since the last general election The Big Dollop has occasionally offered his critique on the policies being “legislated for” by the Coalition Government since they assumed the reins of power in May of 2010.

A major problem with those policies has been the fact that practically no one in the UK actually voted for them, resulting in a majority of the electorate being decidedly unhappy with the course the country finds itself traversing in.

Take the latest no brainer which has been attributed to the Prime Minister David Cameron who chose this weekend to try and extol the intrinsic merits of fatherhood – honourable sentiments given that tomorrow is Fathers Day.

However well meaning he was in his attempt to address a serious issue which affects way too many families in the UK, he effectively branded all absent fathers as being irresponsible and asked for them to be treated in a manner similar to that in relation to the socially unacceptable consensus that society holds against Drunk Drivers.

He is quoted as saying:

It's high time runaway dads were stigmatised, and the full force of shame was heaped upon them.

"They should be looked at like drink drivers, people who are beyond the pale.

"They need the message rammed home to them, from every part of our culture, that what they're doing is wrong – that leaving single mothers, who do a heroic job against all odds, to fend for themselves simply isn't acceptable."

So there you go folks, another sweeping generalisation by a senior member of the Coalition Government, this time by the PM himself who like his effluentual (not a typo) colleagues has engaged his mouth and spoke without understanding the potential pitfalls of a subject which because of his privileged background - has very little knowledge off.

Going by the experience of two of my friends who have gone through the pain of divorce, both of whom have lost touch with their kids, mainly due to the inflexibility of their ex partners attitude in maintaining regular contact with their children, this in spite of them both making regular payments of child support through the CSA.

One of them had to go to Manchester to find employment and the other who is unemployed and simply not in a position to pay more than he would like to, had a difference of opinion with his ex’s new man which because of provocation ended up in a wrestling match on the front lawn in front of his children, an incident which he now regrets, however the damage has been done and he now very rarely, if ever gets to see his kids.

There are many reasons why relationships breakdown and fail, in the majority of these cases any children will be placed into the custody of the mother, that my faithful readership is a just a simple fact of life when it comes to the court system here in the UK.

Like the CSA, Mr Cameron is wrong in my humble opinion in so far as he does not make allowances for the individual whom I class as being a Non Custodial Parent as opposed to the politically correct example of the “Absent Parent” who he is obviously addressing.

There is a vast difference in being a non custodial parent than that of an absent one, circumstances sometimes prevail where it is beneficial in the long run for the dad to move away, whether it be to look for employment opportunities or to keep the peace in a relationship which just can’t be reconciled.

My friends don’t deserved to be stigmatised by society simply because they don’t have regular contact with their children, in my humble opinion they are both good fathers  and will spend tomorrow (Fathers Day) with nothing more than the prospect of a phone call with their children.

Please forgive me for being slightly cynical for a moment, it would appear that absent dads have been added to the list of those (the old, the young, the overweight, the disabled, single mothers, the unemployed, smokers, drinkers,  motorists etc ) who the Coalition Government are blaming for the  fabric breakdown of society in the UK.

Perhaps Mr Cameron would be better directing his concerns with the breakdown of the “Family” by addressing the inequality which many fathers experience whilst going through the court system when divorce and separation come along.

Happy Fathers Day to the Dads in my readership.

Daisy The Cow - A Bovine Einstein

From time to time the Big Dollop features a video which is either pure brilliance in concept or one which can be deemed to be of inspiration, the following video falls in to both categories which is very surprising indeed when one considers its subject is a cow named Daisy.

Daisy The Cow  - A Bovine Einstein 

A farmer from County Armagh in N.Ireland thought he had a major problem of cattle rustlers trying to steal some of his prized livestock after he found them wondering about his farmyard after personally locking them up for the night.

His worries of attempted theft were proven to be unfounded when the eventual culprit was unveiled after a video camera was set up in a bid to catch the thieve(s) red handed carrying out their/his impious act of skulduggery.

To say the farmer was dumfounded on finding out the reason behind his cows wandering about his farmyard would be understatement of the year - enjoy the video – the reporters one liners are just pure class.

A Lesson Learned The Hard Way

The Big Dollop originally came across this video on the live leak website which I wanted to share with my small but loyal band of denizens.

It features a poor sod who in the space of thirty seconds or so managed to get himself run over by two motor vehicles in a scene which would not be out of place in a Laurel and Hardy film.

Seriously though, the video does impart a serious message for each and every one of us to remember and apply the handbrake when alighting from our car's – this guy learned the hard way.
.

Tomfoolery or Animal Cruelty ?

In the past three years or so since the Big Dollop embarked on recording my rambling thoughts through the pages of my humble blog I have never had occasion to feature an article from the Philippines.

This article is one which just beggars believe for it features a halfwit who thought it was amusing to hang his puppy dog on the washing line then post a picture of it on his Facebook profile.

Tomfoolery or Animal  Cruelty ?

The Photograph sparked a fair degree of indignation when his crude attempt at humour was brought to the attention of the general public in the Philippines – indignation which resulted in animal rights activists  there raising concerns with the police about the dogs’ welfare.

When challenged, the teenage owner of the dog was at first unrepentant about his apparent faux pas insisting he had only hung the dog on the line to dry him off after giving him a bath, however the degree of hostile public disquiet coming in his direction (threats against his person) engendered a change of mood and he has since removed the offending photograph and tendered an  unreserved apology on his facebook profile.

If charges of animal cruelty are brought against this halfwit and he is found to be culpable - there is every possibility he could serve up to two years in prison for his apparent tomfoolery - a very hard lesson to learn on his part.

By Your Charitable Thoughts and Actions

The Big Dollop would like to take 5 minutes and acknowledge the outstanding achievements of a former footballer by the name of Lloyd Scott who this year embarked on what turned out to be a “thankless task” in raising a magnificent sum of £20,000 for the children’s charity Action For Kids by crawling on his hands and knees the entire 26 mile course of the London Marathon dressed as Brian the Snail from the television programme – The Magic Roundabout.

In the interests of regularity I must state for the record I have nothing but profound admiration for his undoubted indefatigability – that's notwithstanding the physical pain Mr Lloyd must have endured in raising the £20,000 either, for it is not my opinion his labours were deemed as being "thankless" but rather the trustees of the Action For Kids charity who had issues with his tireless efforts.

Apparently Action For Kids were unhappy that Mr Lloyd only raised £20,000 and took an incredible decision to revoke his services as a fundraiser giving him the excuse he hadn’t raised sufficient revenue during his latest venture.

Action For Kids founder Sally Bishop confirmed that the Board of Trustees asked Mr Scott to leave the charity:

"He was given notice according to his contract with us, due to losses incurred in his latest marathon - our priority is always to our donors, and the children and families we support - So it is with regret we had to take this decision."

Ms Bishop added:

"Whilst Lloyd's involvement in the marathon significantly raised our profile it did not result in any increased funding, and in fact, cost the charity several thousand pounds."

Well guess what Ms Bishop, the profile of your organisation has been well and truly raised in the public domain – your charities decision to malign the magnificent contribution of Mr Lloyd smacks of pure avarice, in this present economic climate where every penny is a prisoner to many people, the acquisition of £20,000 is a tidy sum of money not to be sneezed at.

Mr Lloyd has a proven track record in raising funds for charity during the course of the last 10 years or so earning over £5 million in the process, human beings of his calibre are few and far between - yet you and your colleagues at Action For Kids deem him to be unworthy simply because in your eyes, he didn’t raise enough money – shame on you lady and shame on your board of trustees too !
.

Justice Delivered ? Not hardly !

Back in January of 2009 and again in July of 2010 the Big Dollop published his tuppence worth on an Oakland police officer who was caught on video shooting an unarmed suspect in the back who was lying face down on the ground handcuffed having already being apprehended.

 11 Months Jail Time - Justice Delivered ?

 

Johannes Mehserle - the errant police officer, who was subsequently sentenced to serve a two year sentence after being found guilty of involuntary manslaughter was released this morning after serving just 11 months of that sentence having being given an early release because he was well behaved whilst serving his time in the jail.

There has been much speculation in the US media concerning the fact that the police officer happened to be White whilst the unfortunate victim was Black, a simplistic outlook which The Big Dollop is of the opinion bears no relation to the actuality of the events on that tragic night in January of 2009 when a young man by the name of Oscar Grant lost his life in tragic circumstances at the hands of a totally incompetent police officer who was out of his depth in a situation which is only too prevalent in many aspects of US society.

For the likes of organisations like Fox News to suggest this tragedy was/is somehow race related is ignorant at worst and given the history concerning  racial tensions in the Oakland area of San Francisco – dangerous in the extreme.

Anyone who tries to make this out as a purely racial issue simply has their own agenda to promote, for although I can understand the anger of Mr Grants supporters  in their search for a degree of viable closure concerning his untimely demise, I am of the opinion they too are wrong to play the race card in this instance, they should (by means of civil litigation) lawfully pursue Officer Mehserle for his self - evident negligence in their quest for justice to prevail - to play the race card makes them just as ignorant/dangerous as Fox News in my humble opinion.

Provision For a Pension - No More Than A Pipe Dream

The Big Dollop happened to read a report in the Daily Record which stated up to half a million Scots were highly likely to find themselves in a financial bind this month and will have no choice but to use the overdraft in order to make ends meet.

A more worrying statistic is the news that 130,000 of that number will fall in to the RED without the permission of their banks permission to do so.

Unfortunately the opening statement is one which until very recently resonated with the Big Dollop on a regular basis, indeed if it was not for the fact that I had built up a good business relationship with my particular bank over the course of the last 30 odd years or so, then I am afraid Mrs Big Dollop and I would have sunk a long time before now.

Thankfully from our perspective we have now cleared all our debts, and now find ourselves with a healthy sum in the bank - albeit we had to emigrate in order to separate ourselves from the financial tsunami which engulfed us after Mrs BD was made redundant in December of 2009.

This report just emphasises the way in which certain elements of the Coalition Government have got their heads stuck up their arses buried in the sand when it comes to what I consider a totally unrealistic standpoint concerning the future provision of pensions in the UK.

How can they honestly advocate that each of us should place aside funds on a regular basis for the provision of a pension when literally tens of thousands of people are struggling on to provide the basic necessities for their families on a daily basis?

The cost of living in the UK is going through the roof, food inflation, fuel duty and day light robbery by the utility companies are every day issues which the vast majority of people in this country are struggling to find the money to pay for, its time these politicians got real, for they simply have no idea what everyday life is like for people trying to hold down a job and bring up a family whilst everything is spiraling in an upward trend.

The prospect of owning a beach house in some future utopia surrounded by the grandkids is a pipe dream reserved for a few pompous dickheads masquerading as politicians in HM’s Coalition Government, sadly the rest of us only have the prospect of an ever increasing grind to look forward to, either that or an early grave.

                                               

A Sorry Debacle - Southern Cross Care Homes

Over the course of the past two weeks or so there has been much speculation banded about in the UK media concerning the care home provider Southern Cross who are reported to be struggling to maintain their commercial viability with regards to their apparent struggle to pay the rent to their landlords in some 750 homes country wide.

This sorry debacle comes about because of managerial decisions taken in 2006 when its previous owners sold all of its properties and decided to rent them back, thus sowing the seeds of destruction which has brought Southern Cross to the brink of insolvency.

In the interests of regularity the Big Dollop would like to go on record as stating he has very little sympathy with the position Southern Cross finds itself in with regards to its executive management and shareholders.

Their platitudes on the level of care and attention they are providing for their clients would be almost laughable if it were not for the fact their clients are amongst the most vulnerable people in society.

Southern Cross chairman Christopher Fisher was quoted as saying: "The company's primary concern was the continuity of care to all 31,000 residents"- one of whom happens to be my own father, therefore with all due respect sir – Bullchit !

My father who is in the final state of dementia has been a resident for the past three years in one of your care homes in the Glasgow area, during which time we as a family have paid the best part of £650 a month for a duty of care which in all honesty - has been absolutely piss poor heartbreaking to witness.

Without meaning to be xenophobic, why have you implemented a policy whereby the majority of your staff appear to be not of British heritage? I ask this not as a statement to express any degree of intolerance on my part, but only to highlight a policy which could be argued is one which maximizes your companies profit margins.

Am I being too cynical? - Not at all in my book, your company have proven themselves to be a complete and utter bunch of incompetent shysters who are only interested in one thing - lining your own pockets, you are no more interested in the welfare of your clients than I am in quantum physics.

For you to pontificate as fact Southern Cross’s paramount care is the "well being" of its clients is a bare faced lie self evidently untruthful - like all other companies in the care home business, your priority is to ensure your shareholders get a good return on their investments - I just wish you would stop treating your clients as cash cows and the rest of us (your clients relatives) like fricking idiots.

Means Tested Incapacity Benefit

Once again the Big Dollop finds himself shaking his head in condescension at another statement attributed to the Coalition Employment Minister - Chris Grayling which was featured  in a report concerning a proposal whereby many of my fellow citizens are to be means tested as to their continued eligibility to collect Incapacity Benefit. (I-B)

The Coalition Employment Minister

Chris Grayling

The Big Dollop being a working class individual is only too well aware there are many people who are recipients of this benefit who’s personal circumstances are such that in actuality they should be deemed fit enough to be taken off the allowance, a fact which I have no qualms what so ever - placing on record within the pages of my humble blog.

Where I am at variance with Mr Grayling is his ridiculous assessment that the 30 percent who will fall foul of the new regulations will somehow find viable employment in a one million jobs bonanza which he says is expected to materialise as the UK emerges from the present economic difficulties - difficulties which the vast majority of the people in this country are experiencing on a day by day basis.

With as many as nine people already chasing every job vacancy in Scotland, these jobs simply don’t exist!

For Mr Grayling and his cohorts in the Coalition Government to paint this initiative as a programme to assist people who are deemed as being “less than fortunate” the means to establish themselves in a manner whereby they can support themselves in “The Big Society is manifestly tactless in my humble opinion.

This exercise should be called for what it is:

 A straight forward attempt to curtail the massive strain which I-B has on the public purse.

To portray it as anything else is extremely disingenuous to say the least.

Placing Mr Grayling's deluded submissions to the side, the real reason as to why so many people are in receipt of I-B can be placed at the door of previous Tory and Labour governments who both used it as a tool to obscure the unemployment figures in order to engender a sense of well being in support of their separate ideological policies which were then prevalent.

So whilst I can find some common ground with Mr Grayling in so far as one should stand on his own two feet in order to contribute to society as a whole, I can’t go along with his premise that it is the fault of those on I-B that the country is effectively going down the tubes.

Being pragmatic – it is simply inconceivable that 800 000 people who are going to be forced off I-B are going to find jobs in an economy which is going to be in the doldrums for the foreseeable future, especially when the country is effectively being invaded with tens of thousands of economic migrants from all over Europe.

One Lucky Lady Indeed

The reporter in this interview can thank her lucky stars this guys reactions are lightening fast - she is one very lucky lady indeed.

Ryan Giggs - Odious And Reprehensible

Back in March of this year, the Big Dollop posted his thoughts on the excellent service Ryan Giggs had given Manchester United in a trophy laden career spanning some twenty years since he made his debut for the Red Devils as a mere boy of eighteen in a 0-2 defeat by Everton.

Whilst I stand by my observations and dare I say it - respect for Mr Giggs in his capacity as a professional footballer, I can’t however - say the same for him as a human being.

I have to state for the record, that I was quite indifferent to his alleged affair with the Big Brother celebrity Imogen Thomas, he is after all, human and as such, open to any temptation which may have come knocking on his door, indeed many a man with his wealth and status would jump at the chance to “succumb” to the obvious attractions attributed to Ms Thomas.

Please don’t get the Big Dollop wrong, for I am in no way condoning his errant behaviour in first bedding Ms Thomas and afterwards, when he effectively accused her of blackmail in order to sustain a super injunction granted in his name to suppress the media from reporting allegations of his impropriety with the “said” Ms Thomas.

Placing the alleged affair to one side - he has behaved in a totally reprehensible manner regarding his responsibilities towards his wife and young family, his well documented shenanigans which have been splashed all over the media/blogosphere like a rash, have been compounded this morning with the startling news that for the past eight years he has been indulging in an extra - marital affair with his Brothers Wife.

If these allegations are proven to be true, then Mr Giggs is not only guilty of a despicable act of betrayal, against his wife, but also against his brother.

Mr Giggs may look back on his career as a footballer for Manchester United with a great deal of pride and satisfaction, however a fair amount of water will have to flow under the Severn Bridge before he look’s himself in the mirror and not see an odious scumbag looking right back at him.

Och Aye The Poo

Published without comment - Just enjoy

Cadburys Racist Advertisment

Reading this morning’s newspapers, I happened to come across such an article which featured (in my humble opinion) a slightly paranoid lady who has taken issue with an advertisement which she declared - was racist in nature.

The lady in question - the so called super model Naomi Campbell – took offence to an advertisement placed by the chocolate maker Cadburys who in their latest advertising campaign, apparently had the audacity to compare Ms Campbell to one of their products - Dairy Milk Bliss.

Racial In Nature ?

The advertisement featured the line: "Move over Naomi, There's a New Diva In Town" – a line which Ms Campbell espoused her opinion the advertisement was:

“In poor taste on a number of levels, not least in the way they likened me to their chocolate bar”.

The Big Dollop is by nature a fairly tolerant individual when it comes to people expressing a point of view which may be at variance with my own ; however in all sincerity I just cannot see any connotations by which Ms Campbell could possibly conclude this advertisement as being racial in nature.

It is my humble opinion, Cadburys were referring to her fucked up attitude reputation  where she has thrown her toys out of the pram over the most trivial of matters her well documented  diva like  behaviour rather than any reference to her heritage. (Inferred or Otherwise)

Could it be that Ms Campbell was more likely than not - cheesed off that her name was used to promote a Cadbury’s chocolate product without receiving a suitable remuneration for doing so.

Sorry Ms Campbell, but you come across as a lady who has some unresolved confidence issues when it comes to seeing the name “Naomi” in the media, I wonder why.

Pond Scum In Greenock

Reading an article in the Daily Record today has truly rattled the cage of the Big Dollop.

It would appear that some pond scum in Greenock have got it into their head that it is quite in order to repeatedly desecrate the last resting place of a soldier who was killed in Afghanistan whilst on deployment with the Scots Guards.

Lance Corporal Stephen Monkhouse, was tragically killed by enemy fire in the Lashkar Gah district of Helmand province on July 21 2010 whilst trying to save the life of a heavily wounded colleague in circumstances which ultimately earned him a posthumous Military Cross.

Dedicated to the Finest Soldiers in the World.

The human excrement responsible for the continued violation of his grave will never ever ascend to the stature which L/C Monkhouse and thousands of other young men and women  who are serving in that God Forsaken country "humbly" command - stature which is exemplified  in the video published above.

These cretins really need to catch a grip of themselves and abandon any more notions of going anywhere near the cemetery where L/C Monkhouse is interred.

IMHO, anyone caught trashing his resting place should have his forehead branded with the word’s “I AM SCUM” – at least that way the good people of Greenock, will have the opportunity to point the fucker out to their children (as someone to avoid) when going about their lawful business in the town center.