As Libya descends into total anarchy and a navy ship is sent to rescue British Nationals, we await the reaction of our political masters with interest.  Along with François Hollande, Cameron ‘cheer led’ the removal of Gaddafi, to the extent of using air power to support the rebels.  So the regime got changed, replaced by what?  A state of total lawlessness now exists as rival groups struggle for power, déjà vu if we substitute Iraq for Libya, Bush & Blair for Cameron & Hollande.  And who will be running Afghanistan in a year’s time?  Gaddafi and Saddam Hussein were appalling tyrants but we knew that, and within reason could counteract the worst of their excesses.  Could they possibly be replaced by something worse?  Sadly, we think they might be, so get used to the idea of more excuses and hand wringing from those we vote into power. Our politician’s memories are short, their ability to be blameless and unaccountable nothing less than astonishing.  Their favourite saying is ‘we must learn lessons’, but they never do.    

    It seems as though the appearance of the driverless car is closer than we think.  We’re clapping our hands at the thought of not having to appoint designated drivers for our ‘jolly boy’ outings.  It does raise a few questions though.  Who has right of way in tight situations, who gives one-finger salutes to the inconsiderate and how do you tell the car to ignore speed limits when you’re in a hurry? All are imponderables, but we look forward to the trials.  The highlight is certain to be when passengers in driverless cars jump out for a completely new version of road rage!

    This week will see the latest list of cronies that party leaders add to the Lords gravy train.  We already have the second largest legislature in the world, only China bigger.  With allowances of £150/300 per day depending on attendance, expenses additional in some cases, the appointed Lords cost the public purse dear.  For public purse, please read taxpayers.  The payments received by this chosen few are in the public domain.  Call up the payments on the web and see how many claims were made in the month of February 2014 alone, but make sure you take your blood pressure tablets first.   Retirement is by death, and a glance round the Lords on warm days, suggests that some are still claiming after passing on!

    Big coverage this week of a national sperm bank that is to be set up in Birmingham.  Apparently there is a shortage throughout the UK while the number requesting the service is growing, a significant number single women.   The shortage seems to stem from the removal of anonymity from donors in 2005; probably predictable.  When considering the pressure on NHS funding and the restrictions that NICE place on certain life extending drugs, we have to wonder how spending priorities are set.  As Ben remarked, “the sperm bank should be in Newark, if only to reflect those who set the priorities.”

     An academic, Dr Ben Pitcher, a senior lecturer in sociology at the University of Westminster, has suggested that Gardeners’ Question Time discussions on soil purity and non-native species promotes nationalist and fascist beliefs. Presumably, Nick Griffin will shortly be demanding to join panelists on GQT if he reads the doctor's comments and assumes GQT and himself have common interests.   When will academics like Pitcher realise that their comments simply stir the pot and are part of the problem, not a contributor to the resolution of racism? 

    Researchers from University College London have completed some work that suggests the secret of happiness is low expectations.  The lower they are, the more likely you are to exceed them and be pleased with the results.  It’s a shame the work has only just been published since we could have approached the World Cup with a different mind set.  If we hadn’t expected to qualify, we would have been ecstatic just to be in Brazil and collect one point.  If we extend the thinking to business productivity and individual performance, it shouldn’t take long for us to become the happiest Third World country on the planet.   Mind you, at our age we don’t set long-term targets, so waking up to a new day always puts a smile on our faces.