Author Archives: davidsberry

About davidsberry

Local ex-councillor, tour guide and database designer. Keen on wildlife, history, boats and music. Retired in 2017.

Channelling John Wayne

This week, democracy in the USA again came under threat as former president Trump held a rally in Waco, Texas, where in 1993 a 51-day government siege of the headquarters of a religious cult gave birth to the modern anti-government … Continue reading

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Words to the Wise to the Winner

Three candidates stepped forward, laid out their stalls, clashed in debate and this was supposed to be the quiet run on as SNP members voted for their choice. Then two of the candi dates for SNP leader questioned the election … Continue reading

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R.A.S. Puttin

The first anniversary of Putin’s “Special Military Operation” to envelop Ukraine back in the arms of Mother Russia has been the focus of much media attention. However, most of it has focussed on plucky and resolute Ukraine and the unexpected … Continue reading

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In the Nicola of Time?

Nicola Sturgeon’s decision to step down as First Minister of Scotland and Leader of the SNP took everyone by surprise, including most of her Cabinet. At a hastily called press conference in Bute House, she explained that having given ither all … Continue reading

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Out of Steppe

By late January this year, Ukraine’s President Zelensky had realised bountiful Western aid, on which his country depends for survival, would not keep flowing if significant amounts of it wound up lining private offshore accounts. He has therefore stepped up … Continue reading

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Na Zapad vs. Drang Nach Osten*

(*To the West (Rus) vs. Urge to the East (Ger)) There has been much wringing of hands on both sides of the Ukraine war over the matter of the West supplying modern battle tanks to Ukraine. These are to offset … Continue reading

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House of Cads

So far this year in the US Congress, Democrats are generally staying out of the way and letting Speaker Kevin McCarthy and his House Republicans edge closer to making fools of themselves. In order to garner enough votes to become … Continue reading

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It’s the Ergonomy, Stupid!

Part II—The Remedies? While “Ergonomics’” is the science of making the work environment safe and efficient, “Social Ergonomics” is a new term, coined to describe efficiency derived from the mental attitude of workers toward a common work ethic. Part I … Continue reading

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It’s the Ergonomy[1], Stupid!

Part I—The Problem “We are facing the worst few years in our financial history.”  —Paul Johnson, IFS Director Now we know the low-tax mantra preached by Truss & Kwartang has been thrown on the bonfire of vanities and Chancellor Hunt … Continue reading

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Economic with the Actuarité  

“It’s our old friend being economical with the actualité.” —former Minister Alan Clark to the Matrix Churchill trial, October 1992                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Those in charge seem to have become similarly flexible when taking care of Joe Public’s financial futire. On November 9th, Michelle … Continue reading

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