After all the hype about it (and damn good marketing – but does it need it?), we went to see Skyfall at the new local cinema, Cineworld.  Every anticipation was exceeded, despite the critics who found it ‘boring’ after the first ten minutes, but it wasn’t.  Craig is a very good Bond, probably the best one since Connery, but I’ve got the feeling he may be coming to the end of his association with the franchise, maybe one or two more pictures?  We’ll have to wait and see.

I wrote to my local MP about the need for different punishment for those who commit the most heinous of crimes, in particular the two police women that were shot dead in September.  Whoever is responsible, I argued, should be given the ultimate penalty, the death sentence.  But, and this is a big but, the decision should not be left to a judge putting on the black cap; it should go to the highest court in the land, The Supreme Court, for their verdict. In most cases I would think, they would baulk at sending a murderer to their deaths, but there is always the final sanction which could be implemented.  The stopper in all this of course is Europe. The UK parliament abolished the death penalty in 1965, reaffirmed it in 1998, then in 1999 Protocol 6 of the European Convention on Human Rights was signed by the UK, effectively abolishing the death penalty in all signatory countries, such that no person  can be condemned to such a penalty.  The only way this can be rescinded is if the Convention is denounced.  Given our relation with Europe and the convention of Human Rights discussions that take place practically daily, would this ever happen?  The Euro-sceptics would have us believe that they can take us out of Europe’s obsession with Human Rights, but those who support European edicts argue that integration of Europe into one state is the best way to go.  Well, I don’t think Europe has done much for us, and judging by the amount of money we have to donate every day for little return, the bureaucrats who sit fat, dumb and happy in Brussels are quite happy for this to carry on.  In addition what do France and Germany do about European directives? They stick two fingers up (except of course the capital punishment issue) and say we ain’t doing that, but those two countries were the main instigators of the European Union. It’s only countries like Britain that accede to every directive and edict that comes out of the bureaucratic mess that is Brussels, and pay the fines or money demanded so that unelected fat cats can draw their expenses and salaries for doing apparently very little.  I blame Ted Heath for getting us into this mess, I mean why would a dance orchestra leader want us to go into Europe?  It makes about as much sense as the political Ted Heath wanting us to.

The autumn has is well and truly into its stride, the trees have turned wonderful shades and the leaves are falling thick and fast. Bonfire night is over, and it’s only 6 weeks to Christmas, deep joy but in contrast concerts are there to be seen. We saw Fleetwood Bac the other week and they were excellent, musically and visually, although the guy playing Lindsey Buckingham had a dodgy wig, could play a bit though. The girl playing Stevie Nicks had an excellent voice as the did the Christine McVie keyboard player who absolutely nailed ‘For You’ recently a hit by the girl singer whose name escapes me.  They did over two hours and covered just about all the phases of the original band, including an excellent rendition of ‘Oh Well’, the Peter Green vehicle; but I would have liked to have heard more from the early days, despite the fact that they were playing as the Fleetwood Mac from the 70’s/80’s.  Overall a superb night out and well worth going to see if they are ever in your area.  We’re off to the Royal Tournament which has been worthily resurrected and nearer Christmas we are seeing The Beat, should bring back memories of the days I was in a band in the 80’s.  As usual I’ll report on these events.

Again, I hope you enjoy my ramblings and if they spark controversy, I would be pleased to hear from you using the ‘Comment’ link below.  See you soon.