Trolls, mules and parenting skills

There is nothing more therapeutic than writing about things that bug you. And that is exactly what this blog entry is about - a therapeutic whinge!

There have been two news stories that have been given a lot of airtime this week that have prompted a lot of animated conversation in my household - and more than a few Tweets.

The first story involved the tragic death of a teenager prompted by internet bullying, which led to hours of analysis by every UK media corporation. Day after day, they hauled in experts from here, there and everywhere, in a vain attempt to get an agreement that the internet was the online equivalent of some evil Bondesque villain that has to be stopped from World Domination!

A week of discussion was summed up in an "interview", on BBC Breakfast this morning, of the grief-stricken father of the victim, whose said that the internet had to "change".

FFS! The internet is not a person, it is an evolving technology.

If anything needs "changing", it is the attitude and behaviour of today's parents. The same parents who, according to another report yesterday, are happy to give their 5-year-olds mobile phones!

And that leads me on to the second story that was given, in my opinion, far too much airtime by BBC News and Sky News this week - the Peru drug mules.

The first impression that I had of the two "victims" were of a couple of spoiled brats who thought that they could just flutter their well-mascara'd  eyelashes at the Peruvian customs officers and they would be allowed to swan off to Madrid with their £1.5m cocaine haul.

Instead they, like hundreds of other UK "victims" enticed by the thought of making a quick buck, were swept off to a local jail cell, protesting their innocence with that well-known playground cry of "But he made me do it, Miss".

The only difference for this pair (who I refuse to name) - compared to the many others who get themselves embroiled in this illegal activity - was the publicity machine that swung into action to highlight their misfortune, which included footage of Daddy jumping on a plane within hours of his daughter's incarceration, flying half-way around the world and posing for a tearful reunion photograph that hit the front pages of many UK newspapers.

Their parents were quoted as saying "we thought they were in Ibiza". So again, a good example of exemplary parenting skills and communication within the family unit.

Which begs the question: As a parent today if you do not know what your child is doing, then are you fit to be a parent?

Winter Fuel Allowance - The Madness Continues

Must be that I'm getting a tad on the elderly side, as not a day goes by when I don't see or read about something that makes my blood boil - and today is no exception.

I certainly did not expect to be blogging yet again on the issue of Winter Fuel Allowance. However, on reading the latest report from the BBC relating to illegal workers in the UK, I just had to fingers to keyboard for the second day in a row.

An investigation by the Beeb - aided by a Freedom of Information request - relates to the fines handed out to UK company's found to be using illegal workers:  http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-23535938

According to the statistics provided, the Home Office has issued something in the region of £80m of fines - but only collected around £25m. Leaving a gaping whole in the finances of some £55m.

Now, given 'Boy' George Osborne's determination to save money at any cost I think that it is a bloody cheek that the same Government cannot put its house in order and collect nearly double of what would be the proposed WFA savings, by collecting the fines issued to those businesses using illegal workers.

Pensioners who have paid their dues (NI and taxes - and many expat pensioners still pay taxes to the UK!) should not be penalised by way of removal of funds that provide necessary heat during the winter, while those breaking the law are getting away with it and laughing all the way to the bank.

And to add insult to injury, the Guardian published this little number today citing how tax breaks by mobile phone networks are only now coming under scrutiny, due to them paying little or no corporation tax:

http://www.theguardian.com/business/2013/jul/31/tax-breaks-mobile-phone-networks?CMP=twt_fd

So once again, we see this coalition Government targeting the easy prey, while veering and hiding away from the more difficult decisions and tasks in life.

Oh, if only we could all do that.