Dean McCleland, Author at The Casual Observer

NO! They will Never Learn

By Dean McCleland in Current Affairs 10 May 2016 0 Comment

After last week’s Opinion Piece on the folly of using obnoxious racial terms especially in South Africa, one would have expected such outbursts to only be the preserve of the callow youth, the mentally retarded or the morally challenged – to use a non-PC term. After an honours student was exposed for using the K-word, I expected a period of quietitude on the racist rant front for a while. I did not bargain with human nature, except that the culprit this time is somebody who is not a bottom feeder in society but rather an exalted high court judge, Mrs Mabel Jansen.

History repeats itself again.

Let us consider some other examples.

Main picture: High Court Judge, Mrs Mabel Jansen

Mugabe’s Legacy after 36 Years in Power: The Tragedy Unfolds

By Dean McCleland in Current Affairs, Rhodesia / Zimbabwe 8 May 2016 0 Comment

Almost forty years ago – 39 to exact – I worked for Price Waterhouse in Rhodesia as it was then known. The objective was to complete my articles while at the same time avoiding military service – the interminable “camps” – in South Africa. What this interlude provided me with was an insight into Rhodesia that has provided context for much of what has occurred since independence in February 1980. Is the end game in sight?

Main picture: The recently announced “Bond Notes” will ultimately become as worthless as the billion Zim dollar note

Who could imagine a Burka coming in handy?

By Dean McCleland in Current Affairs, Other Miscellaneous Topics 7 May 2016 0 Comment

The SAS did. Since their inception during WW2, the SAS has been involved in numerous audacious missions. After narrowly escaping closure at the end of the war, they established the relevance in the Iranian embassy siege and during the Falkland’s war. Currently they are deployed in Iraq, Syria and also in Libya.

Main picture: The SAS squad disguised themselves as ISIS commanders’ wives to infiltrate Raqqa

An Innovative Method of Clearing Land Mines

By Dean McCleland in Military History 6 May 2016 1 Comment

Princess Diana would have endorsed this method of clearing mines if she were still alive. Initially the only way to clear land mines fields was by hand using bayonets. The hand held mine detector came next. This meant certain death to the Engineer slowly advancing through a mine field into the emplaced machine guns. After countless deaths, more mechanised methods were adopted such as the flail tank where chains were mounted on rotating drums on an armoured vehicle. Many other techniques have subsequently been employed such as pushing rollers or using dogs. Recently a brand new technique with African origins has been developed. Tell me whether you endorse this method.

Main picture: The African pouched rat hard at work sniffing out mines

Port Elizabeth of Yore: Railway Station

By Dean McCleland in Port Elizabeth of Yore 5 May 2016 2 Comments

In the modern era when multiple modes of travel are available, the importance of railways is forgotten. It was the only means of rapid transport of bulk commodities and passengers over vast distances. It made industrialisation possible. Visit any industrial area and disused railway tracks are still in existence. The ease of transport for all but bulk commodities has been replaced with trucks and cars.

Main picture: Railway line from Uitenhage to Port Elizabeth

Will the real Julius please stand up?

By Dean McCleland in Current Affairs 4 May 2016 0 Comment

Julius professes to be South Africa’s premier corruption buster yet he is implicated in financial imbroglios with Brett Kebble whilst a member of the ANCYL. Julius pays homage to the poor at every turn yet he himself dresses in faux Gucci style Tuxedo at an EFF party in Sandton immediately after the Manifesto launch as if his forbearance in having to dress down with his beloved poor had to be erased. Malema bemoans fraudulent leadership votes yet he himself rose in the ANCYL using those tactics.

Main picture: Members of Julius Malema’s Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) (in red) clash with security officials after being ordered out of the chamber during President Jacob Zuma’s State of the Nation address in Cape Town, February 12, 2015. The opening of South Africa’s parliament descended into chaos on Thursday as security officers fought with far-left Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) lawmakers after they disrupted President Jacob Zuma’s speech.

When Will They Ever Learn?

By Dean McCleland in Current Affairs, SA Heroes and Mamparas 3 May 2016 0 Comment

Perhaps I am revealing my age when the latest incidents of “foot-in-mouth” disease went viral. In what can only be described as serendipity, I recalled these words in the first verse of an old classic by Peter, Paul and Mary entitled “Where have all the Flowers Gone?”

Where have all the flowers gone, long time passing?

Where have all the flowers gone, long time ago?

Where have all the flowers gone?

Young girls have picked them everyone.

Oh, when will they ever learn?

Is being Overweight a Life Sentence?

By Dean McCleland in Current Affairs, Health 2 May 2016 0 Comment

Reality TV shows in which contestants lose enormous quantities of weight seem to suggest otherwise? In what can only be described as results vindicating those who are unable to lose weight, the release today in the Obesity Journal – 1^st May 2016 – of the tests performed on those contestants seems to confirm the dismal performance of diets. In an article entitled The Science of Fat, Gina Kolata presents those findings.

Main picture: The most expensive artifact is the Space Station at USD 150 billion

Assessment of the Cradle of Humankind 21km race on 27th April 2016

By Dean McCleland in Running 27 April 2016 0 Comment

Since the Krugersdorp Road Runners Club relocated their race from Central Krugersdorp to the Kromdraai / Sterkfontein Caves area over a decade ago, this race has definitely been one my favourite races. It is a genuine country run without the traffic flashing past at great speed. The undulating hills interspersed with game farms including a well-known lion farm provide an additional incentive to participate in this race. Again we were not disappointed as a liger was visible.

Main picture: Prior to the start, a hot air balloon silently floated over. All pictures by Margie Asprey Continue reading

Will the Bicentennial of their Arrival provoke Vilification or Celebration?

By Dean McCleland in Current Affairs 25 April 2016 1 Comment

Being of 1820 Settler Stock, the year 2020 looms large in my mind. The bicentennial represents a time when our family can reflect and rejoice on our time in South Africa and how much that hardy band of Settlers have contributed to South Africa’s development. Will any form of large scale celebration merely bring opprobrium to those celebrating it or will it bring mutual rejoicing as everybody shares in the commemoration? I fear the latter response.

Main picture: The Campanile was constructed between 1920 & 1922 in order to commemorate the arrival of the 1820 Settlers a centuary before

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