When is Lying Justified?

By Dean McCleland in Opinion Pieces 1 Comment

Lying is one of the first social skills that one learns as a child. Even if the consequences are not severe but merely a mild rebuke, children will nevertheless lie egregiously to protect themselves from being scolded. Even as adults we are brazenly disingenuous or dishonest. Instinctively we will lie if one’s wife had to ask, “Do I look fat in this dress?” But where do we draw the line between deceitfulness and mere white lies? This blog will consider some of these issues.

Main picture: Lord Byron’s justification of why he would lie

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The Generalship of “Uncle Bill” Slim Assessed

By Dean McCleland in History, Military History 1 Comment

I have received a number of responses to my blog rating the Generals of WW2. Some of the correspondance is highly provocative but as none of these respondents used the comments facility, I will instead engage them in future blogs. Their cogent comments deserve a wider audience that my inbox. This is the first of them that I will share.

Main picture: “Uncle Bill” Slim in his classic pose.

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Rating the Generals of WW2

By Dean McCleland in History, Military History 13 Comments

My brother Blaine posed me a question the other day. “How do you rate the Generals of WWII and why?  I’ve listed my candidates and was wondering what your opinion of them is?” To do this topic justice, I would have to do some extensive research. Due to time constraints, my opinion would not be based upon an ex libris search. Instead I would do the equivalent of an ad-lib speech and improvise.

Main picture: Erwin Rommel in North Africa during June 1942. Many, if not most pundits, would rate Rommel as the best General of WW2. His ability to smash the Allies line at its most vulnerable point on numerous occasions begrudgingly made him a hero in many Allies eyes.

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The 1965 and 2015 South African Student Protests Contrasted

By Dean McCleland in Current Affairs, Historical 0 Comment

The first student protest in South Africa occurred 50 years ago on 8th April 1965; these were not some radical English speaking students from Wits or UCT but rather conservative Afrikaans students. Their grievances related to mother-tongue education and the removal of liberal lecturers. Contrast this protest with the #FeesMustFall campaign in October 2015 when students once again held protests in Pretoria.

 Main picture: The caption reads South Africa First Continue reading

Zuma’s Reckless Decision

By Dean McCleland in Current Affairs 0 Comment

Zuma’s decision to banish Nhlanhla Nene to the South African equivalent of the Siberian salt mines is more than reckless. Like a wildly swinging wreaking ball, it destroys everything in its path. The one centre of sane thought and policies within the ANC Administration has always been Finance. It was the voice of common sense & reason in the midst of Zuma’s shambolic management of the South African economy.

Now that too has gone.

Main picture: The regard that Zuma has for South Africa, the one-fingered salute

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The Namib and Namibia: Vistas and Animals Galore

By Dean McCleland in Landscapes 1 Comment

Namibia is a cruel, wild and unforgiving place. Most of the landmass comprises inhospitable desert and semi-desert. Despite this it is home to a full complement of wild animals. The most remarkable are the desert elephants. It even has the desert hyena which is forced to scavenge along the barren coast line. For such a huge country, it only comprises a population of 2 million people. Yet despite these scenes of desolation, its vistas are stunning.

Main picture: The Orange River somnambulantly winds its way through the arid Richtersveld
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MTN’s Exorbitant Fine: Another Nigerian Scam or Good Governance

By Dean McCleland in Current Affairs 0 Comment

My first reaction was incredulity. It must be a scam against a profitable company. Many people have voiced similar concerns. To say that I was dumbfounded would be an understatement. Knowing Nigeria’s reputation as the epicentre of scams such as the notorious 419 extortion racket, the imposition of a fine amounting USD 5.2 billion is out of all proportion to the crime committed. This nightmare scenario for MTN would not be out of character – morally and financially – for a bankrupt government.
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The English Language: Its Use, Abuse and Ultimate Fate

By Dean McCleland in Other Opinion Pieces 1 Comment

Like everything else, language also changes. It is a constant process. Nevertheless it performs a utilitarian purpose in allowing one to communicate succinctly and comprehensibly with another person. This fact is even more crucial when one or both of the parties to a conversation are conversing in English as a second language. Why should we be concerned? What is the future of English?  Continue reading

The 50th Anniversary of a Book that Profoundly Impacted Me

By Dean McCleland in Current Affairs 1 Comment

Very few books, songs or photographs leave a profound impact upon anybody. Like bubble gum, most are enjoyed for a few moments and then spat out. Ironically I read this book about the devastating effects of racism whilst serving three months in the Army on the Zambian border. It was ironic for another reason too. Prior to reading this book, I was under the mistaken belief that the Jim Crow laws in the USA and Apartheid laws in South Africa benefitted my black brethren. Why did it have such a profound effect upon me?

Main picture: The modern equivalent of a 1960s issue: Blacks lives do matter
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