Churchill vs Lady Astor: The Age of Classic Insults and Witticisms

By Dean McCleland in History, Opinion Pieces 9 Comments

In a long-forgotten era, the telling insult did not incorporate foul language or invective using four letter words mainly commencing with an F. Instead they exemplified the participant’s erudition, class, intelligence and wit. The putative insults between Winston Churchill and Lady Astor exhibited Churchill’s mastery of this art form. What is less well known is Lady Astor’s equally acerbic tongue and repartee skills. This lack will be put to rights in this blog.

One of the witticisms that have not yet made it into the history books, is one of the classic Mike Paxtonisms – a fellow runner – that he is so prone to intone. If Mike should ever obtain the recognition due to him and that he so richly deserves, this is one that he will be remembered by:

“I am not saying he is a slow runner, but the organisers know the race is over when he finishes”

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His Master’s Voice: The SABC Betrayed

By Dean McCleland in Current Affairs, Opinion Pieces 0 Comment

The decision at a meeting of the ANC’s Party Communicators late last week that the SABC’s journalists should be “forced” to give President Jacob Zuma “even more love” on the broadcaster’s channels, is merely a long line in the political interference in the editorial policies of the delinquent and dysfunctional institution.

Before 1994 and the dawn of democracy, the SABC was rightfully regarded as the propaganda arm of the Nationalist Party. Under the tutelage and control of the NP, it was disingenuously called the SABC instead of the Nationalist Party Broadcasting Corporation [NPBC] as that would have been too blatant. Instead the SABC was packed with NP lackeys. The top echelons and their corner offices being reserved for the crème-de-la-crème, the Broederbond.

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My Unintended Journey from Communist to Racist

By Dean McCleland in Current Affairs 0 Comment

The abhorrent South African tradition of denigrating one’s political opponents by mis-labelling them continues unabated under the ANC. Instead of being castigated as being Communists, white opponents of the ANC are now being labelled as racists and black opponents as white apologists.

The first time that I became aware that I might have Communist proclivities was in the Army at 3 SAI Oudshoorn.  Continue reading

The Tale of Four Women and the Sexual and Gender Liberation

By Dean McCleland in History, Opinion Pieces 2 Comments

A century ago was the dawn of the sexual and gender liberation. It was a fitting time as it witnessed the passing of the eponymous Victorian era with the death of Queen Victoria in 1901. Like the commencements of all epochs, it was marked by stubborn resistance, resilient reformers and societal backlash. These four women in diametrically opposed manners led the charge for sexual and gender liberation.

Some innovators and crusaders will forever have an unblemished legacy, most however being stubborn and dogmatic in their opposition to the status quo; often create implacable foes in their endeavours. Whilst these traits might be overlooked in the broad sweep of history and change, they will forever be remembered both as bold reformers and as flawed characters.

Main picture: Marie Stopes in her laboratory in 1904

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SONA 2015 epitomises everything that is wrong with South Africa at the Moment

By Dean McCleland in Current Affairs, Opinion Pieces 0 Comment

Most reports have focused on only one or two aspects of SONA 2015. Yet I contend that that it is indicative of a deeper malaise within South Africa at the moment. These encompass the protection of an incompetent leader in Zuma, high-drama within the EFF and the blocking of various signals.

No wonder Zuma was in such an ebullient mood when he was interviewed by the Press Club on Monday. He was apparently unperturbed by the prospect of the EFF attempting to disrupt his State of the Nation speech. Speculation was that either Zuma would pull the proverbial rabbit out of his hat during the speech or alternatively that the ANC had a trick up their sleeve as regards how they would handle any EFF disruption.

Main picture: The violent and forceful removal of the EFF members

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Exorcising the Demons of the Past

By Dean McCleland in History, Opinion Pieces 1 Comment

It is not just the sufferers of torture who suffer but their families and more surprisingly often their torturers. Usually their sense of anger and hatred are suppressed for their whole lives but occasionally instead of retribution, unconditional forgiveness is given. Such a man, Eric Lomax, cast off those demons to confront his nightmares both real and imagined.

I first “became acquainted” with Eric Lomax in the mid-1990s when I encountered his harrowing book, “The Railway Man.” But this “encounter” was via a circuitous route. Sometime before hearing about the “Railway Man”, I had attended a book launch by a fellow compatriot of Eric Lomax.

Main picture: Eric Lomax and Takashi Nagase

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How accurate is the Historical Record?

By Dean McCleland in History, Opinion Pieces 0 Comment

How much reliance can be placed on historical facts especially those at the dawn of the age of writing? For that matter aren’t even current events recorded in a manner to represent and mirror the social milieu prevalent at the time?

Whilst reading an article on the earliest known writings on the nascent Scotland – it was then five disparate unrelated kingdoms – this fact struck me.

Calgacus is proudly proclaimed as the first authentic voice that Scotland produced. Apparently Calgacus was one of the Caledonian Chiefs who rose up against the invading Roman Army under Agricola in 80AD. His ignominious defeat by Agricola in a battle at Mons Graupius is recorded by Tacitus. Agricola’s son-in-law some 20 years later.

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Does the adage “Everything in Moderation” apply universally?

By Dean McCleland in Current Affairs, Health 2 Comments

Like all generalisations, the exceptions disprove the rule. In this case does smoking, snorting cocaine or injecting heroin in moderation apply? Certainly not. It probably applies with eating and drinking but what about exercise? Is strenuous exercise good for one’s health?

This maxim is often bandied about as a justification for behaviour that is clearly suspect or injurious to one’s health. Yet those protagonists of its use would never use this saying in other contexts where they disbelieve its veracity.

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Falling Oil Prices: Is that a Good or a Bad Thing?

By Dean McCleland in Current Affairs, Opinion Pieces 1 Comment

Without a doubt all South Africa would concur that it is a positive development. They would immediately point to the price of petrol and, if they were more astute, they might allude to the fact that Eskom is spending R4 Billion per month on diesel to power their “emergency” open cycle gas turbines. On the other hand is this positive affirmation universally true?

Firstly what is driving the price of this finite product down? From a South African perspective portion of the cause is highly illustrative as it is a contentious oil extraction process which is currently under debate.

Main picture: The Saudis have the lowest cost per barrel of oil in the world. Their aim is to destroy the expensive producers such as the offshore oil production and especially the fracking industry in the USA.

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Life Orientation: A Cinderella or Vital Subject at School

By Dean McCleland in Current Affairs, Opinion Pieces 0 Comment

On initial consideration, my first reaction – like most other people – is to dismiss it out of hand. Upon reflection it could form a vital component in the development of critical thinking skills which is so vital for the inculcation of cognitive abilities.

Being an avid fan of 702 Talk Radio what frequently exasperates me is the facile thinking process that the average person utilises when proposing a solution to a problem. If the presenter attempts to force the listener to be more specific about what must be done to alleviate or prevent the problem at hand, the person is at a loss for words in order to provide any constructive suggestion. Alternatively the suggestions made often have unintended consequences which are worse than the problem being addressed.

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