Blogger panics as Internet connection breaks

I have had that sinking feeling, this morning as a result of my Internet connection failing (which I am informed is just a temporary blip, but any how I have come down to my local library to see if my contingency plan a works.

So far I've moved on to my second machine and problems with the ancient antique KCC computer thingies freezing is a bit of a pain, also it appears that voice dictation is not an option unless I can persuade one the staff to take dictation(best not), I am reliant on my own abilities, just hope the damn spell check works.



Apparently there is a time ration for each of the users and but I think I will be allowed an extra couple of minutes, anyway its quite quiet here, as I decided that KCC Gateway was not for me so I've nipped down to Cliftonville Library which remarkably unlike Gateway, does not have performance artists or snaking queues of Thanets finest form fillers (you know the sort, on disability benefit, since their bottoms are permanently glued to the sofa cushions).



In fact apart from the occasional enquiry at the adjacent desk and of course the Internet terminals this is about as much like a Library as your going to find thank God.



Since I understand the rationed time in this establishment is one hour, I have no time to compose one of my finely tuned essays with all the usual concomitant research.



What would I have written about, well Human Rights is one issue, I understand (and this is all guess work) that Olympic host China apparently told a few porkies, on the application form for staging the Olympics which I suppose given the complexity of these things is always a danger.



Still from what I recall China a country which is no stranger to controversy as in having no qualms about supplying arms to tinpot African states for the purpose of er.... killing their citizens etc. The specific problem though I have in mind is their apparent claim that they would clean up their act as far as human rights, which of course they have done nothing of the sort. I was hoping to give a reference point since Amnesty International issued a story on this earlier in the week, this computer is too slow to be trying to Google( you'll have to do it yourself).



Not much on the local front as I say my thoughts are with the hypocrisy and bollix about the Olympic spirit, at the same time as china still occupies Tibet, imprisons bloggers and continues to persecute religious minorities. Well done Olympic Committee ! Keep taking the money.



Still I just hope that when all these Chinese businesses arrive, most likely courtesy of a lot of fawning from local politicians, that they wont be bringing, their corrupt disregard for democracy and or take a leak in our water table. Still I'm sure local politicos, are far more pragmatic than me, and whilst I want to see more jobs in this area, I don't want to be taking crap from the Chinese government.

Blimey 55 minutes! you might just find a few errors!

Police block Margate roads due to Explosion risk

Police sealed off part of Northdown Road and Trinity square a couple of hours ago due to a risk of explosion from a gas leak, someone also mentioned to me the possibility that other explosive materials might be present and that it was a bit more than just a Gas Leak although I could see Gas company vans, no fire engines appeared to be present (probably cooking dinner), lets hope this all a fuss about nothing and the likes of me will not be impeded much longer in attempting to by their supper from ALDI.

Anyway no doubt the local media will be in attendance.

Apologies to Kent Highways

Uncomfortable as it is, I owe Kent Highways an apology, recently I had a good old bitch about the pigs breakfast made to the Lower High Street in Margate and works in Market Street and Lombard Street.

Well not happy with the apparent laggard approach, from KCC I rang and demanded answers, which I got once I was through to the right person and they were only to pleased to help.

It seems that our own, Thanet Council have been in the driving seat on this one which makes the performance all the more remarkable.

From what I can gather, this has been dealt with I believe, by Thanet Councils "Major Projects Department" (also responsible for the councils Dreamland master plan) and I also understand Kent Highways is not to happy with the level of complaints coming not just moaning bloggers like myself but ordinary punters.

Just how a contractor can leave a work site in such a poor state, is beyond me, how Thanet council can be either ignorant or unaware of this fairly large development being left in such a state is beyond me.

When I made my initial complaint it was because apart from the general untidiness of the work site some aspects were clearly unsafe, like a paving slab left lying around at the bottom of the High Street (just the right size for some yob to put through a window), materials just dumped on the pavement, a loose and broken manhole cover.

If our local council were responsible for this job, you would have thought, they might have just keep an eye on work in progress, there office is only just up the road for god sake.

MP's revelation reminds me of my own trauma

Last week's Isle Of Thanet Extra, carried a story concerning South Thanet MP Stephen Ladyman, who revealed his experience as a teenager of being stabbed, made even more poignant by the fact the perpetrator was someone he thought of as a friend.

I too recall a similar memory, in my case, there was no actual stabbing with a pointed object, but the sense of betrayal has yet to leave me. Sometime in the nineteen nineties, I was befriended by a group of people who appeared to share similar values and aspirations, I spent many hours listening to their advice their plans and hopes.

All they ever asked in return, was that I would, at some point, fill out some paperwork for them, eventually I had the opportunity to assist.

Well that was 11 years ago, since then, I've been sucked into financial commitments I have difficulty in maintaining and in addition have less freedom to say and do what I want than I once did, having become a second class citizen in my own country.

That's right I put my mark on the ballot paper and since then I've been a victim of labour spin crime, stabbed in the back when they took away free higher education, again when Scotland was given greater democracy and more of my money, repeatedly mugged ever since by the same gang.

We the voters have to make it clear that bollix policy promises are not acceptable, Harriet Harman yesterday made some sort of nonsense comment about continuing to protecting those working very hard who are finding it a struggle to make ends meet, etc. Which is news to me since labour have done everything possible to attack British workers during their time in office, particularly in encouraging " essential workers" from Eastern Europe and at the same time continuing to pamper career welfare scroungers of whom there are many.

Last week Gordon Brown, received a warning from Scotland, which in some ways is rather ironic, since labour have been very generous north of the border.

For me and many others, it is astonishing given, the goodwill and support that labour had in 1997, how little they have done for ordinary working men and women of this country, when I mentioned this recently, one of our local councilors actually blamed Margaret Thatcher, apparently oblivious that his crowd had been power the last 11 years.

Thanet pride in the sunshine

Yesterday's Thanet pride event, proved once again how popular Margate is, when people are provided with a bit of entertainment. I believe this is the second year for of Thanet Pride, although I have heard rumours that it may be the last, which would be regrettable, since it appears popular with the local community.

Obviously on a nice sunny day Margate Beach, will always be popular, but events such as Thanet Pride will have enhanced visitors experience with some additional entertainment Also the Big Sky Jazz Festival has started and is on until the 2nd of August, details of which if you will find if you click here.

Naturally there is a limit, to the amount of events that can be held in Margate, so to my mind, something else is needed in Margate apart from the Turner contemporary and something which our council need to address is the whopping great big hole behind Marine Terrace, owned by property speculators which used to be dreamland (attracting two million visitors a year).

In fact with the property market going tits up, and developers going bust, maybe now would be the ideal time to talk to the owners of the site about making a serious attempt, to bring dreamland back from the dead. Anyway the sun is shining and Margate is looking good which is more than can be said of some of our local leaders!