Dean McCleland, Author at The Casual Observer

Health Care: What can we expect in the near future?

By Dean McCleland in Current Affairs, Health 27 August 2015 0 Comment

Amongst the most promising lines of research currently generating all the hype relates to stem cells. Stem cell research and therapies are undoubtedly at the cutting edge of science, with regular breakthroughs being announced in the field but the subject provokes fear and anticipation in equal measure. Whilst in the long term, this line of research will result in spectacular progress, what can we expect in the short term which will have an equally profound impact?

Alzheimer’s or similar senile dementias

The one area which is, in my opinion, not receiving sufficient funding – I have no bias in this viewpoint – is that relating to dementia especially those experienced in one’s dotage such as Alzheimer’s.

Main picture: Olive oil – does it prevent heart disease?
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What is the Appeal of a Donald Trump?

By Dean McCleland in Current Affairs, Opinion Pieces 25 August 2015 0 Comment

Donald Trump is not one’s stereotypical version of a politician. He does not fit the mould but not in an iconoclastic manner. He abhors the existing rules of the game. His public persona is the very antithesis of a polished politician – brash, bombastic, rude, disingenuous to the point of absurdity and with no sartorial sense at all. Whereas other politicians will appease all potential voter groups from the greenie-beanies, the homosexuals, the working mothers, the bleeding heart liberals, the war weary, the gung-ho militarists, the Black Americans, the Asian Americans. The list is endless. If even one vote can be gained for any of the 1000s of groups, the candidate will promise them some gravy as well.

What is the inevitable result: a plethora of innocuous platitudes, polished inoffensive sound bites and generous financial benefits. If the potential costs of meeting all these promises were rigorously costed, the nation would be bankrupted in short order. Would it even be possible to achieve even a fraction of the goals set and promises made?

Main picture: Donald Trump will his signature hair style misbehaving

The Blue Wildebeest Hiking Trail – August 2015

By Dean McCleland in Hiking, Personal 24 August 2015 1 Comment

The Blue Wildebeest Hiking Trail outside Badplaas cannot by any stretch of the imagination be classified as tough let alone difficult but it was just what the members of the Quo Vadis Hiking Club needed: an insouciant hike through the savannah on the escarpment overlooking Swaziland in the distance.

When I first started hiking 35 years ago, I would vehemently oppose any suggestion of doing an easy hike. About five years ago without so much as an official injunction, the hikes evolved from route marches into – how should I put it without deflating too many egos – little more than a walk in the park. I have firmly placed this lackadaisical attitude to rights. Our next hike will be a 3 day affair in the Drakensberg Mountains.

Main picture: Arthur the Greek’s sketch of the view from the hut

When a Coalition of Cheetahs comes for a Closer Investigation

By Dean McCleland in Animals 21 August 2015 0 Comment

What happens when a coalition of cheetahs takes the injunction to do some of their own game viewing to a new level; except that in this case the animals which they wish to perform a closer inspection of, are humans. Bereft of options, the human animals had the presence of mind to remain calm and rather to shoot them – on camera of course. The expression of one of the human under surveillance is indicative of both surprise and anxiety.

The real reason for the cheetahs clambering upon the land rover become instantly clear. It was not hostile intent or to satisfy their hunger pangs but rather to use the height of the vehicle as a vantage point to perform some game viewing of their own.

If these photographs had not been taken, none of the individuals would have been believed when they returned with tales of having a tet-a-tet with a coalition of cheetahs.

Main picture: An anxious moment is shared with no amicable wave
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When curiosity gets the better of common sense

By Dean McCleland in Other Galleries 21 August 2015 1 Comment

I suppose that we can forgive them for as the adage goes “They know not what they do”. Taking the metaphor further, curiosity killed the cat could have applied in this case. Fortunately misfortune did not befall any of these curious individuals. Of course none of the culprits possessed common sense and part of the process of growing up is to make mistakes which one must do unless they result in serious injury or death.

A personal misdemeanour that I was reminded of later in life, but which I do not actually recall as I was too young, was when my father was constructing a canoe. I attempted to use the thin wooden strips as a walking beam which snapped under my weight.

Main picture: What sanction does one impose in this instance? No pocket money for the next 50 years?

In the Name of God

By Dean McCleland in Current Affairs, Religion 19 August 2015 0 Comment

The past week or two has witnessed a number of revolting episodes which belie the various religions’ credentials as loving humane institutions. Instead they erode confidence in religion’s ethics and cast further doubt on the role of religion as a moral ethical institution. What lamentable actions have again brought religions in disrepute?

The incident that first raised my ire occurred in Dubai last week when the father of a 20-year-old daughter watched as she drowned to death at a beach in Dubai.

What he did was to prevent the rescuers from doing their job to save his daughter’s life. When they attempted to go against his wishes, he became violent and restrained them physically. His actions kept them from getting to the young woman in time.

Main picture: (1). Rescue boats retrieving the body of drown 20 year old female in Dubai after father prevented rescuers from saving her. (2) Ahmed Burqibah, the Deputy Director of Dubai Police’s Search and Rescue Department

Cape Town in all its Splendor

By Dean McCleland in Landscapes 18 August 2015 0 Comment

Cape Town must easily rank as the most stunning city in South Africa. Some Vaalies condescencingly claim that if there was no mountain, Cape Town would be a fraction of itself. There is truth in this assertion but Cape Town is so much more that one mountain. Its historical heritage, its colourful people, especially the Cape Coloureds with their own enchanting vernacular add a surreal mix to the equation.

The hinterland also bears a mention. With its numerous wine farms first introduced to South Africa with the arrival of the French Hugenots in the 1700s, add another flavour to the various strains that is the Cape.

Noakes Vindicated: BMJ Endorses LCHF Diets

By Dean McCleland in Health, Other Opinion Pieces 15 August 2015 1 Comment

Change to deeply ingrained ideas is never like a switch. It meanders through the societal consciousness igniting controversy at it proceeds and gathers momentum. The Banting or LCHF diet is no different. From the mid-1970s when the eminent Dr Ancel Keyes convinced the US Department of Health that fats were injurious to one’s health, as fat correlated with cholesterol, the received wisdom has been that fats except in extreme moderation were to be avoided. Now scientific evidence is inexorably negating this flawed thinking.

The case of the elusive cure for ulcers is illustrative of all the prevailing forces that hobble the forces of change: these are the existing dogma, entrenched industries and supposed scientific evidence buttressing the existing ingrained ideas. This requires the abandonment of a set of well entrenched beliefs that conflict with the new ideas.

Main picture: The British Medical Journal now condones the consumption of fatty food except that the sales assistant must be sternly informed to hold the chips and the bun but to put a few dollops of cream on it.

Life-like colourised photographs of WW2

By Dean McCleland in Historical, Military History 13 August 2015 3 Comments

World War Two black and white photos that are researched and colorized in detail by Doug and other artists from the ‘Colourisehistory Group.’ This is an example of their work.

Main picture:

A Finnish Brewster Buffalo 239 fighter (BW-352) of (Squadron) Lentolaivue/24 at Selänpää airfield. 24th June 1941. (Source – SA-Kuva. Colorized by Tommi Rossi from Finland)

Lions retreat before an indomitable foe

By Dean McCleland in Animals 10 August 2015 0 Comment

Sometimes even the mighty lion is intimidated by another animal. In this case it was the pesky fly. Due to the recent rains in the Serengeti, the grass was an ideal breeding area for these annoying creatures. The pride of lions was literally forced to pocket their egos together with ferocious mein and retreat to the sanctuary of the tree.

As many as 15 lions can be seen in the tree with some of these animals precariously balanced in the branches. Way above the ground based flies, the pride of lions could resume their sophorific activities while whiling away the time during the heat of the day.

The Opinion Pieces are an eclectic bunch on current affairs & history often with a human interest aspect. The Movie/DVDs reviews are mainly on documentaries with a smattering of movie reviews.

Author: Dean McCleland