5 hours ago
26 April 2010
The Moral of the Pig Farmer
A businessman was over from London and found the time, after his meeting, to take a tour of the Jersey countryside. During his visit he saw a farmer feeding a pig in a most extraordinary manner. The farmer was lifting the pig up to a nearby apple tree, and the pig was eating the apples off the tree directly. The farmer then moved onto the next pig, which he moved from one apple to another until the pig was satisfied, then he would start again with another pig. The city man watched this activity for some time with great astonishment.
Confused, he approached the farmer and said, "You know, it's none of my business, but if you just shook the tree so the apples fell to the ground, wouldn’t it save a lot of time?”
The farmer replied, 'Time? What does time matter to a pig!?'
Confused, he approached the farmer and said, "You know, it's none of my business, but if you just shook the tree so the apples fell to the ground, wouldn’t it save a lot of time?”
The farmer replied, 'Time? What does time matter to a pig!?'
23 April 2010
Teachers Demonstration Tomorrow
Time4Change is pleased to be supporting the public sector workers tomorrow.
The march will start at Noon and go from Howard Davis Park and finish at the Opera House.
People will start to gather in the park from 11am.
Please attend if you are free.
Time4change has prepared the following leaflet:
¡Ya basta! - Enough is enough!
Time4Change supports Jersey Teachers in their fight for free and open negotiations on conditions and pay.
The decision to freeze pay shows contempt for all public sector workers and is symptomatic of the disregard that this government has for ordinary workers.
Demonstration is not enough. Fundamental change is needed at the very centre of government.
The current government represents the interests of the wealthy, as is shown by the presence of so many multi-millionaires in the Council of Ministers.
Why does the Jersey voter constantly put the same people back in power who ultimately act against their interests?
• We believe things can change
• We need an organised opposition
• We need politicians who unambiguously represent the economic interests of working people
Let’s take back our island – it’s time for change
Join us in our vision for a fairer society.
The march will start at Noon and go from Howard Davis Park and finish at the Opera House.
People will start to gather in the park from 11am.
Please attend if you are free.
Time4change has prepared the following leaflet:
¡Ya basta! - Enough is enough!
Time4Change supports Jersey Teachers in their fight for free and open negotiations on conditions and pay.
The decision to freeze pay shows contempt for all public sector workers and is symptomatic of the disregard that this government has for ordinary workers.
Demonstration is not enough. Fundamental change is needed at the very centre of government.
The current government represents the interests of the wealthy, as is shown by the presence of so many multi-millionaires in the Council of Ministers.
Why does the Jersey voter constantly put the same people back in power who ultimately act against their interests?
• We believe things can change
• We need an organised opposition
• We need politicians who unambiguously represent the economic interests of working people
Let’s take back our island – it’s time for change
Join us in our vision for a fairer society.
19 April 2010
Spectres of Haut de la Garrene haunt Question Time
Questions to do with Haut de La Garenne, child abuse and related issues, including the ongoing issues surrounding the suspension of the Chief Constable and the proposed appointment a new one, are set to dominate question time tomorrow in the States. Eight written and six oral questions have been submitted, in addition to an urgent oral question by Deputy Bob Hill. (It will be interesting to note the answers as well as the coverage given to these questions by the 'mainstream' media)
Below is a list of the oral questions that have been submitted (taken from the http://www.statesassembly.je/)
Question time starts shortly after roll call, at 9:30am, and can be listened to on 1026AM, or viewed in the public gallery which has an entrance on Halket Place opposite Morier House.
URGENT ORAL QUESTION
The Deputy of St. Martin will ask the following question of the Minister for Home Affairs -
“Will the Minister inform Members whether he broke a confidentiality clause by claiming on the BBC Talkback programme that the Wiltshire Police had identified what the Minister claimed to be a ‘scandal’ involving a senior ACPO officer, and if so, why; would he further state what the conflict of interest was and with whom the person involved agreed to intentionally omit certain matters in ACPO reports? Has the Minister made an official complaint to ACPO?”
(This was an urgent oral question tabled at the last meeting which was unable to be answered because of the absence of the Minister. It is tabled again as an additional question which will not form part of the 2 hour allocation for oral questions.)
Oral Questions
1. Deputy M. Tadier of St. Brelade will ask the following question of H.M. Attorney General –
“Given the renewed interest generated by Senator S. Syvret's web log surrounding the decision not to extradite Mr. and Mrs. Maguire, would the Attorney General undertake to reconsider the legal advice given not to prosecute and, failing that, take all measures possible to make the exact grounds known on which prosecution was advised against?” *
6. Deputy T.M. Pitman of St, Helier will ask the following question of the Minister for Home Affairs –
“Following analysis of the sworn affidavit of the suspended Chief Officer of the States of Jersey Police will the Minister advise the Assembly whether he has fully investigated every possible allegation of a conspiracy existing to remove the Chief Officer from office, further still, is the Minister wholly satisfied that no such conspiracy to remove the Chief Officer or to try to discredit him to justify his removal existed?"
10. The Deputy of St. Martin will ask the following question of the Minister for Home Affairs
“At the police press conference on 12th November 2008 it was stated that under Haut de la Garenne there were no cellars but there were floor voids in which a grown up person could not stand up straight, will the Minister inform Members of the height of the deepest void/cellar investigated at the premises and state how many allegations were received of abuse in the areas under the floorboards?”
11. The Deputy of Grouville will ask the following question of the Minister for Home Affairs-
“At the press conference on 12th November 2008 the Senior Investigating Officer stated he was not questioning that, historically, serious offences had been committed against children but that ‘there will however not be the number of court cases or prosecutions which were originally reported’; will the Minister state whose comments the SIO was referring to, when they were made, what numbers were originally reported and the reasons for the shortfall?”
14. The Deputy of St. Martin will ask the following question of the Minister for Home Affairs –
“In a written answer on 23rd March 2010 to a question on who was requested to provide the Metropolitan Police Interim Report, the Minister stated that it was a Detective Superintendent, “the name of whom has been supplied to the questioner”; as I have not been supplied with the name, will the Minister give the name and rank and state whether that person was the sole author of the Report?”
15. Deputy M. Tadier of St. Brelade will ask the following question of the Minister for Home Affairs –
“Will the Minister inform members of the exact date the Metropolitan Police commenced work on their report into the historic abuse investigation; how many officers were assigned to it and the rank of the officers involved?”
--------
* With regard to question 1, it is worth viewing Rico Sorda's Blog as he posts and comments on the reasons the attorney general gave for not pursuing the charges.
Below is a list of the oral questions that have been submitted (taken from the http://www.statesassembly.je/)
Question time starts shortly after roll call, at 9:30am, and can be listened to on 1026AM, or viewed in the public gallery which has an entrance on Halket Place opposite Morier House.
URGENT ORAL QUESTION
The Deputy of St. Martin will ask the following question of the Minister for Home Affairs -
“Will the Minister inform Members whether he broke a confidentiality clause by claiming on the BBC Talkback programme that the Wiltshire Police had identified what the Minister claimed to be a ‘scandal’ involving a senior ACPO officer, and if so, why; would he further state what the conflict of interest was and with whom the person involved agreed to intentionally omit certain matters in ACPO reports? Has the Minister made an official complaint to ACPO?”
(This was an urgent oral question tabled at the last meeting which was unable to be answered because of the absence of the Minister. It is tabled again as an additional question which will not form part of the 2 hour allocation for oral questions.)
Oral Questions
1. Deputy M. Tadier of St. Brelade will ask the following question of H.M. Attorney General –
“Given the renewed interest generated by Senator S. Syvret's web log surrounding the decision not to extradite Mr. and Mrs. Maguire, would the Attorney General undertake to reconsider the legal advice given not to prosecute and, failing that, take all measures possible to make the exact grounds known on which prosecution was advised against?” *
6. Deputy T.M. Pitman of St, Helier will ask the following question of the Minister for Home Affairs –
“Following analysis of the sworn affidavit of the suspended Chief Officer of the States of Jersey Police will the Minister advise the Assembly whether he has fully investigated every possible allegation of a conspiracy existing to remove the Chief Officer from office, further still, is the Minister wholly satisfied that no such conspiracy to remove the Chief Officer or to try to discredit him to justify his removal existed?"
10. The Deputy of St. Martin will ask the following question of the Minister for Home Affairs
“At the police press conference on 12th November 2008 it was stated that under Haut de la Garenne there were no cellars but there were floor voids in which a grown up person could not stand up straight, will the Minister inform Members of the height of the deepest void/cellar investigated at the premises and state how many allegations were received of abuse in the areas under the floorboards?”
11. The Deputy of Grouville will ask the following question of the Minister for Home Affairs-
“At the press conference on 12th November 2008 the Senior Investigating Officer stated he was not questioning that, historically, serious offences had been committed against children but that ‘there will however not be the number of court cases or prosecutions which were originally reported’; will the Minister state whose comments the SIO was referring to, when they were made, what numbers were originally reported and the reasons for the shortfall?”
14. The Deputy of St. Martin will ask the following question of the Minister for Home Affairs –
“In a written answer on 23rd March 2010 to a question on who was requested to provide the Metropolitan Police Interim Report, the Minister stated that it was a Detective Superintendent, “the name of whom has been supplied to the questioner”; as I have not been supplied with the name, will the Minister give the name and rank and state whether that person was the sole author of the Report?”
15. Deputy M. Tadier of St. Brelade will ask the following question of the Minister for Home Affairs –
“Will the Minister inform members of the exact date the Metropolitan Police commenced work on their report into the historic abuse investigation; how many officers were assigned to it and the rank of the officers involved?”
--------
* With regard to question 1, it is worth viewing Rico Sorda's Blog as he posts and comments on the reasons the attorney general gave for not pursuing the charges.
14 April 2010
Happy just to be Content
Over the weekend heard two 'synchronistic' things that got me thinking.
A few of us had gone away to Sark, camping overnight and making the most of the fine weather and a friend and I got talking about the nature of relationships, marriage and the like.
The first 'thing' was in the form of a question by a friend who first made a comment that [paraphrased] 'things were simple for his parents. They met each other (fairly young) and got married.' He then asked me if and why I thought things were generally different nowadays.
Initially, I commented that it was the added stress of modern life, largely driven by the pressures of an increasingly consumerist society, saying that people were influenced by elusive, mythical images or love, perfect partners and lifestyles, all of which could be theirs for the right price and if they worked hard enough. And quite apart from that they were offered fairy tale endings at every turn only to realise these false dreams evaporate quickly when faced with the banality of everyday life.
The following day, when I woke in my tent in Sark, I switched on my clockwork radio (after a bit of winding) and stumbled upon an programme called 'Broadcasting House' on Radio 4 which was essentially on that very theme. The host was interviewing Linda Kelsey who, like Dawn French and Lenny Henry, was preparing to divorce after more than 20 years of marriage.
The discussion was very compassionate and there was no acrimony, simply a recognition that the two had drifted apart and that there was responsibility to be taken on both sides.
But the comment that stuck me most was this:
There are of course many reasons for the shift in attitudes towards marriage and more generally what people expect out of life, but I particularly find her comments about self-entitlement and the 'right' to happiness very interesting...and challenging. I do not believe she meant it as a criticism, but it did make me realise that
The interview with Linda Kelsey can be heardhere. 31 minutes in.
A few of us had gone away to Sark, camping overnight and making the most of the fine weather and a friend and I got talking about the nature of relationships, marriage and the like.
The first 'thing' was in the form of a question by a friend who first made a comment that [paraphrased] 'things were simple for his parents. They met each other (fairly young) and got married.' He then asked me if and why I thought things were generally different nowadays.
Initially, I commented that it was the added stress of modern life, largely driven by the pressures of an increasingly consumerist society, saying that people were influenced by elusive, mythical images or love, perfect partners and lifestyles, all of which could be theirs for the right price and if they worked hard enough. And quite apart from that they were offered fairy tale endings at every turn only to realise these false dreams evaporate quickly when faced with the banality of everyday life.
The following day, when I woke in my tent in Sark, I switched on my clockwork radio (after a bit of winding) and stumbled upon an programme called 'Broadcasting House' on Radio 4 which was essentially on that very theme. The host was interviewing Linda Kelsey who, like Dawn French and Lenny Henry, was preparing to divorce after more than 20 years of marriage.
The discussion was very compassionate and there was no acrimony, simply a recognition that the two had drifted apart and that there was responsibility to be taken on both sides.
But the comment that stuck me most was this:
'The difference between our generation and, say, our parents generation is that we have this great sense of self-entitlement; we believe that we have the right to be happy and that if we're not happy we have to go and seek happiness, whereas our parents thought much more in terms of loyalty and longevity.'
There are of course many reasons for the shift in attitudes towards marriage and more generally what people expect out of life, but I particularly find her comments about self-entitlement and the 'right' to happiness very interesting...and challenging. I do not believe she meant it as a criticism, but it did make me realise that
'It is much more important to be content than happy... and I am much happier now for having realised that'
The interview with Linda Kelsey can be heardhere. 31 minutes in.
13 April 2010
Welcome
Dear Reader
You have found your way to the new blogsite for Deputy Montfort Tadier.
As I prepare to publish my first 'proper' blog, I thought it would be useful to fill this space by telling you a little bit about myself, why I have started blogging and what you can expect from this site going forward.
I was elected as a deputy of St Brelade no. 2 in November 2008 and I work alongside Deputy Sean Power as one of the two deputies of the district, which comprises the vingtaines of Les Quennevais and La Moye (both schools which I attended).
I attended Hautlieu from 1993- 1997 and then went on to Study Modern Languages at Sheffield University. But before this starts to sound like too much of a CV (I can post that separately sometime) let's get onto the more interesting (and daunting) subject of blogging.
It is fair to say that whilst blogging is not a new phenomenon, it does very much remain in a primitive form in Jersey - dare I say like the politics of the island. And so, this is a very exciting time to be a blogger (and a politician).
The reasons I have resisted blogging so far are primarily two-fold:
the initial consideration was one of time. As you might rightly imagine, the demands on any States Member's time - even those without ministerial or scrutiny responsibilties - are great and so it was always a question of how and where to find the time. Secondly,whilst some are of the opinion that it is a sin for any serious states-person not to have a her own blogsite in this day and age, I always felt it much more unforgivable to have a blog and then not update it regularly. I did not simply wish to create a blog for the sake of it. To do so would be quite self-indulgent.
The reason I changed my mind? Well, partly due to local pressure, but also a growing realisation (which really came to fruition during my recent Westminster visit) that if one is to preach transparency, accountability and the virtues of being in touch with one's electorate, one should really act accordingly and make oneself as accessible as possible.
So in this respect, I see the blog as another tool for engaging with constituents. Blogs are not here to rival, but compliment other forms of communication, all of which are useful in engaging with the electorate.
And one last thing before I sign off for today: Do not expect this blog to conform to any particular concept that you have of other [local] blogs. The beauty of the web log is that each is fashioned in its own particular idiom. Naturally, many of the posts will be political in nature, some to do with islandwide issues, and many others to do with parish matters; but like all blogs, the content will reflect the personality of the author, so do not be surprised to posts on more general themes, ranging from the arts, music, environment and my thoughts on Andrew Marr's latest radio 4 episode of Start the Week (who incidentally had a very interesting guest in mathematician-cum-journalist Alex Bellows, author of the Alex's Adventures in Numberland - can't wait to read it!)
You have found your way to the new blogsite for Deputy Montfort Tadier.
As I prepare to publish my first 'proper' blog, I thought it would be useful to fill this space by telling you a little bit about myself, why I have started blogging and what you can expect from this site going forward.
I was elected as a deputy of St Brelade no. 2 in November 2008 and I work alongside Deputy Sean Power as one of the two deputies of the district, which comprises the vingtaines of Les Quennevais and La Moye (both schools which I attended).
I attended Hautlieu from 1993- 1997 and then went on to Study Modern Languages at Sheffield University. But before this starts to sound like too much of a CV (I can post that separately sometime) let's get onto the more interesting (and daunting) subject of blogging.
It is fair to say that whilst blogging is not a new phenomenon, it does very much remain in a primitive form in Jersey - dare I say like the politics of the island. And so, this is a very exciting time to be a blogger (and a politician).
The reasons I have resisted blogging so far are primarily two-fold:
the initial consideration was one of time. As you might rightly imagine, the demands on any States Member's time - even those without ministerial or scrutiny responsibilties - are great and so it was always a question of how and where to find the time. Secondly,whilst some are of the opinion that it is a sin for any serious states-person not to have a her own blogsite in this day and age, I always felt it much more unforgivable to have a blog and then not update it regularly. I did not simply wish to create a blog for the sake of it. To do so would be quite self-indulgent.
The reason I changed my mind? Well, partly due to local pressure, but also a growing realisation (which really came to fruition during my recent Westminster visit) that if one is to preach transparency, accountability and the virtues of being in touch with one's electorate, one should really act accordingly and make oneself as accessible as possible.
So in this respect, I see the blog as another tool for engaging with constituents. Blogs are not here to rival, but compliment other forms of communication, all of which are useful in engaging with the electorate.
And one last thing before I sign off for today: Do not expect this blog to conform to any particular concept that you have of other [local] blogs. The beauty of the web log is that each is fashioned in its own particular idiom. Naturally, many of the posts will be political in nature, some to do with islandwide issues, and many others to do with parish matters; but like all blogs, the content will reflect the personality of the author, so do not be surprised to posts on more general themes, ranging from the arts, music, environment and my thoughts on Andrew Marr's latest radio 4 episode of Start the Week (who incidentally had a very interesting guest in mathematician-cum-journalist Alex Bellows, author of the Alex's Adventures in Numberland - can't wait to read it!)
05 April 2010
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