The Casual Observer

The Narvik Landings Fiasco: In its wake why was its progenitor Churchill appointed as Prime Minister

By Dean McCleland in History, Military History 1 May 2014 0 Comment

A Personal View – April 2014

The Parliamentary Session in the British House of Commons on the 9^th May 1940 was acrimonious. The emergency debate revolved around the catastrophe in Norway.

This campaign had been Churchill’s brainchild as the First Lord of the Admiralty. As Churchill rose to speak, he instinctively knew that this speech would probably be the most important speech in his entire political career. At 64 years of age, his life-long ambition of holding high political office could possibly remain a pipe-dream.

Main picture: Untrained British forces landing at Narvik, Norway

Social Media: Is there Life after Death?

By Dean McCleland in Other Opinion Pieces, Religion 30 April 2014 0 Comment

A Personal View – April 2014

Last Sunday’s 21km Race run in the Kromdraai / Muldersdrift Area was appropriately called The Cradle of Mankind. It is an amazing run; out of the hustle & bustle of Joburg with game farms dotted about. It is also a haven for cyclists as there are wide shoulders to accommodate two abreast.

The course is very undulating but not very steep apart from the start at Kloofzicht, a cosy lodge and spa with dams and streams. Being decidedly slower nowadays and a backmarker to boot – I refuse to be called tail-end Charlie in case somebody confuses it with a sexual activity – I was forced to admire the scenery as I did not have any of my usual running mates such as Myer to accompany me on the journey.

Ashley Wood – In Memoriam

By Dean McCleland in Personal, Running 30 April 2014 4 Comments

The Meeting

Like plenty of other great people in my life, I met Ashley Wood on a run. It was a half-marathon in Hammanskraal. Through dusty streets & past ramshackle shacks we scurried. I tried my level best to catch a runner in the pink vest in front of me but he would not slacken his pace. His speed never varied as he strided effortlessly in front of me with his long legs. Then at the 15km mark, his pace slackened off for the first time. Now was my opportunity. I kept on pushing until I drew level with him and then slowed to his pace.

Elizabeth – the Movie

By Dean McCleland in Movies & DVDs 29 April 2014 0 Comment

Summation: Lush production highlighting the intrigue, politics and religious conflict during this era

Rating: 5 out of 5

This was certainly not a carefree period for a monarch to reign in England let alone a woman. By breaking with the Catholic Church when the Pope would not grant him a divorce, King Henry VIII had formed the Church of England. This had caused a rift with the Catholic Church. Queen Mary 1, Elizabeth’s half-sister was fiercely Catholic whereas Elizabeth was just as committed religiously but as a Protestant. As such Mary despised Elizabeth and attempted to convert her to Catholicism. Mary’s advisors, chiefly the Duke of Norfolk, attempted to have Elizabeth executed for treason. Mary agreed to her being send to the Tower but relented and instead put her under house arrest. Before she can again be convinced to execute her, Queen Mary 1 dies of ovarian cancer.

The Internet & Blogs: How Accurate, Reliable & Trustworthy are they?

By Dean McCleland in Opinion Pieces 28 April 2014 0 Comment

A Personal View – April 2014

Supposedly the internet has liberated mankind. It has allowed the dissemination of information and bypassed censorship imposed by the authorities. The posting of video clips exposing nefarious practices & indiscretions has become legendary.

What did it replace? As a medium of communication, the newspaper, had numerous failings, foremost amongst them were lack of immediacy and depth. What it had in its favour was well researched facts. This focus on accuracy was driven by necessity. It was liable to be sued for libel if it got its facts wrong.

How does the internet compare against the traditional information providers?

Hitler: Was he complicit in the death of his half-niece Geli Raubal?

By Dean McCleland in History, Military History 28 April 2014 0 Comment

A Personal View – April 2014

Hitler was unable to form normal relationships with other people. During WW1 he rarely if ever fraternised with his fellow soldiers but studiously avoided them. Bravery he had in abundance which is attested by the fact that he was awarded the Iron Cross not once but twice; one was First Class while the other was Second Class.

Fellow soldiers describe him as a loner. He was considered for promotion but it was declined on the basis of his anti-social tendencies.

Main picture: Hitler with his niece Geli Raubal

The Victoria Cross: What it takes to Acquire One

By Dean McCleland in Military History 28 April 2014 0 Comment

The use of an obtuse title with the word acquire instead of earn in it was purposeful as Victoria Crosses can be acquired but not earned. Currently the unissued medals total seven waiting to be awarded. They are valued at a paltry £1.80 each. Essentially this junk metal is worthless. On the other hand, the issued medals are estimated to be worth between £150,000 & £250, 000. The physical differences between the two versions are the details engraved on its rear: the name of the recipient, the Regiment & the date of the action.

Moral values: Immutable, Transient or Relative?

By Dean McCleland in Current Affairs, Inspirational, Religion 27 April 2014 0 Comment

A number of issues arising over the past week have made me reflect on this subject. [Mid April 2014]. These made me contemplate whether values were truly immutable as in a Biblical sense. Perhaps Biblical Values merely represent the outward manifestation of values rather than the core value. Maybe values are not immutable but are indeed transient and conceivably even relative. Anchored in another epoch, perhaps Biblical values reflect the norms and values of a bygone age rather than truth.

Let me commence with the issue in the Saturday Star which firmly set the ball rolling and that issue was sex on the Big Brother Show. We are not talking about movies or TV Shows where the actors are play acting sex scenes. This was the Real McCoy down & dirty or close & personal whatever one’s preferred idiom or metaphor is. It was raw unadulterated passion & sex.

What issues did the Reporter take issue with? Maybe it should have been the sex scene itself albeit blurry through the frosty glass or perhaps the fact that the guy was cheating on his girlfriend or even the fact that they were not married?

Oscar: From Hero to Zero in Four Easy Shots

By Dean McCleland in Current Affairs 27 April 2014 0 Comment

A Personal View – March 2013

I have never been a fan of Oscar Pistorius mainly because, despite being a road runner myself, I have no real interest in the sport apart from watching Usain Bolt in action. His turn of speed is mesmerising. His galloping style enthrals me as he powers past the opposition.

Of course I will admit that I used to admire Oscar immensely because of the challenges that he had to overcome in order to become a world champion in spite of his impediments.

Performance Bonuses: Are they justified & do they drive the correct behaviour?

By Dean McCleland in Current Affairs 26 April 2014 0 Comment

A Personal View – April 2014

This issue has been on the agenda since the concept of bonuses was first invented but with the bonus levels in the overseas Banking Sector in particular now being at obscene levels, various governments world-wide including the EU [European Union] have stepped in by proposing legislation in an attempt to curb the awarding of unrealistic bonuses.

Possibly one of the most far-reaching is the vote by the EU on the 21^st May 2014 on this issue. What has raised the ire of Regulators especially in the UK was the case of RBS [Royal Bank of Scotland] where the Executives were paid handsome bonuses from the bail-out money provided by government. This action has enraged all parties in the UK except the bonus recipients themselves as they shamelessly defended their grasping behaviour.