Nicotine Rage

I have been meaning to make this post for a couple of weeks now, but life has been getting in the way. The article caught my attention immediately. It is completely outrageous and serves as proof, if proof were needed, that some people's behaviour is completely inexcusable.

Linda Buchanan, 58, is senior managing consultant, who works in London. She was shoved onto a railway line by 2 young men after she asked them to stop smoking. She landed beside the 750 volt live rail, which would have killed her, had she touched it. She escaped with burns, bruises and a broken wrist, which were all treated in hospital.

Linda is quoted saying, "I just feel I'm lucky to be alive. It could have been a lot worse than it is and I'm shocked by the whole experience."

Linda had already asked the 2 men to stop smoking, twice during the week. They responed by verbally abusing her. So she told them to grow up. During this 3rd altercation, one of the men pushed her and she toppled backwards and fell onto the track.

Linda was saved after quick-thinking staff turned off the power and pulled her to safety. She was taken to hospital after suffering injuries during the incident at Farningham Road railway station near Swanley in Kent, just after 7am. Another commuter, Audrey Hescombe said, "The platform was packed, as it always is at that time. I saw them smoking but didn't say anything. The woman was braver than me and simply asked them to put out their cigarettes. They started hurling abuse at her and then pushed her onto the track. Everyone was horrified because the station is very busy with trains at that time of the morning. She's lucky to be alive."

Police have launched an attempted murder investigation and are studying CCTV from the platform to try and trace the 2 men, who were in their 20s and dressed in T-shirts and shorts.

A spokesman for the British Transport Police said, "A woman was pushed on to the tracks after a dispute with another passenger, possibly about smoking on the platform. She was pulled from the tracks by a member of staff and is receiving treatment in hospital."

Train services between Kent and London were disrupted when the power was turned off. A spokesman for rail operator South Eastern said, "We are appalled by this incident and hope the perpetrators are quickly identified."

Smoking is banned on all train platforms in Britain under the new smoking ban, introduced in April 2007. It is outrageous that these men, felt slighted enough to almost kill a woman. Who simply asked them to stop doing something illegal. Before they might have been facing a fine for their criminal behaviour, now they are looking a jail time. Because of the their stupid irrational actions.

Furthermore, it is now known that this event was not captured by CCTV, which is absolutely astonishing in the UK. Since it is possible to be a Big Brother contestant here, without going anywhere near the Big Brother house. People, in particular Victoria Coren, a reporter for the Observer, seem to think that poor Linda Buchanan had it coming. Victoria Coren all but states these mens actions were perfectly justified. It's true Linda was being a busybody and not a hero, but she was making stand for the people on that platform.

The following is an excert from Victoria Coren's column.

'There's nothing heroic about 'ticking off' a smoker whose air you're not obliged to share. That's like 'ticking someone off' for parking on a yellow line, or for swearing in a private conversation: not doing something right, but something self-righteous. It is done by those who look around the world in smug disapproval of everything, who make personal remarks, who bitch and criticise, who feel superior. It's rude.'

There's nothing heroic about ticking off a smoker whose air you're not obliged to share. So we should just allow people to smoke in restaurants, bars, clubs and on train platforms where the smoking ban is being enforced. If some poor waiter gets verbally/physically abused or even stabbed for asking one of his patrons to stop smoking, he had it coming. If we let people under the radar regarding the smoking ban, then what was the point of introducing it.

I myself am not a smoker, but I am not anti-smoking. Some of my friends smoke and before the ban I didn't mind my friends smoking in bars and clubs, or even in their own house. However. I would have objected to them smoking during a meal, in a car - if I were sitting in the backseat and the front windows were open, or in my house. I found this annoying, as I was aware I sounded preachy and judgemental.

No, Linda Buchanan is not a hero, championing the rights of others. I don't think anyone said that she was. But the men who assaulted her are thugs. They were breaking the law and felt slighted when they were asked to stop. They seriously injured and almost killed somebody, and now a reporter for a national newspaper is defending them. It really is a crazy world, but thankfully the police appear to taking this matter seriously. Lets hope they don't share Victoria Coren's views, or the thugs will get off scot-free, whilst Mrs Buchanan serves jail time for enfringing on the human rights, of the thugs who assaulted her.

Foreigners, Go Away?

My Bubble of Happiness and Frivolity has been burst. I know, I said I had done the political bit. But I find myself outraged again, no this isn't a gay thing, today I will be championing the rights of legal immigrants and some of the illegal ones (I guess). Anyway, this morning I was in town with some of my friends, we were in Castle Court. Suddenly this girl starts a rant, without any provocation.

"Fucking foreigners, go home you little bitch. Stop coming over here and taking our jobs. And don't speak to me or my daughter like that."

This came about, because a cleaner (Eastern European) asked the girl's daughter to use the other toilets, because the ones behind the food court were closed for cleaning. The young daughter burst in to tears, presumably because she was desperate to use the toilet. But her mother's rant was completely unjustified.

The mother was probably 18 or 19, she had 4 kids (including the daughter, who started to cry). There she stood resplendent in her fake Juicy Coiture Pink Velour Track-pants, Trainers (Probably Nike), 2 different coloured Tank-tops - so small Kate Moss would have struggled to fit into them - even though she was at least a size 16, a Nike Track-jacket and her tiny fake Fendi Tote Bag. Complete with Gold Hoop Earrings, Gold Bracelets, Gold Necklaces, tacky Argos Rings and Croydon Face-lift Ponytail. Sorry I said Gold, I meant "Gold". In short she was the sort of girl, who if cut bleeds fake Burberry. Her oldest child was about 5, which means she was 13 or 14 when it was conceived and born.

I might be falling victim to prejudice here, but I doubt she had, has had or ever will have a job. I am fairly certain she was a social security lifer. Under these circumstances, I think she is not entitiled to use such an argument to support her bigotry. Furthermore, through my best friend's fiancee, I know someone who has chosen to be a social security lifer. This guy has no intention of ever looking for work. But he would use the same argument to support his bigotry. This is stupid, he doesn't want the job, so someone that does want it gets it. The fact that they are not from this country is irrelevent, they live here now - in most cases completely legally and they are willing to do the work.

I personally don't see a problem with immigrants, coming here and seeking employment. They are just trying to make life better for themselves, isn't that what everyone is trying to do. Besides the sad fact is, that frequently immigrants end up doing the jobs no one else wants too. I personally think this aspect of the situation is wrong. But immigrants deserve employment, however menial the job might be. These people are more deserving than those, who would sit around expecting money for nothing and getting it.

Starbucks

Ok, I've done the political bit. Now I want to get off my high horse, if only for a little while.

I know most people hate Starbucks, or at the very least have some sort of complaint to make, regarding Starbucks. But I am going to stand up for Starbucks (maybe I should ask for some sort of payment, everytime the word Starbucks appears in this post). Anyway, I like Starbucks. I know the coffee isn't great, I've had better, I've made better. But I still like Starbucks.

Whilst the coffee does require various, assorted, flavoured, syrups and a gallon of sugar to make it pallettable. The staff are efficient and friendly, in my case well-trained, no I don't work in Starbucks I just go there so often that the staff know my order, without me ever opening my mouth. But I still speak, I make my order and have a brief conversation, which brightens up my day and hopefully the day of whoever I spoke too.

One of the big complaints about Starbucks is the queues, I do have a problem with the queues, which are always rediculously long. It doesn't matter which Starbucks you go to. But I can cope with the queue because of Mario, he's a delightful and very handsome Polish guy. He's very friendly and speaks better English (with a sexy slightly Polish twang) than some of the native speakers, I've encountered. He's really the only one who remembers my order, except when I feel like a change. What more could a person want, in a crush.

The other big complaint about Starbucks, is Starbucks speak. You know "I'm not ordering a Grande, why can't you just call it Regular"? Personally I think Starbucks speak is a bit of fun, I like to try and place an order using Starbucks speak. Maybe I'm just weird. The only time I have a problem with Starbucks speak, is when I go to Esquires (they have the best Chai Latte). But it is a little confusing because a Tall beverage is a different size in each of the 2 establishments.

Starbucks count: 16 (including titile).

Iris' Outrage, Silver Lining

Continuing a theme, Iris Robinson's anti-gay rhetoric appears to have had an unforeseen side-effect. The Pride organisers and several other sources in attendance have announced, that this years' Parade had a record turn out.

Saturday saw the largest crowd, Belfast Gay Pride has ever had, since the 1st Parade was allowed by the city council.

I still disagree with what Iris said, how could I possibly agree with such bigoted muck-raking. But maybe some good will come out of those negative, uneducated statements. I am sure a Bouquet is winging its way to Iris right now, with a card signed by the Belfast Gay Pride Commitee.

Re: Gay Pride

I know my community will disagree with me. But this is my blog and my opinion, am not detracting from the opinions of others, simply making the opinions of me heard.

Gay Pride

Gay Pride is here again. I am not going to the parade or doing anything this weekend.

I am still disillusioned, with the gay community. Obviously, it has only been a day.

It's such a joke, most of these guys will be walking stereotypes. Camp Queens, Drag Queens, Muscle Marys and Promiscuous Slappers with the occasional Butch Lesbian thrown in for good measure. All of them are involved in a "Political Movement" that has gone as far as it can politically. The fact of the matter is that bigotry will always exist, as society is unwilling to combat it. Iris Robinson has been invited to this years' parade, by the organisers. I know in my heart she won't attend. Why would she? After all she hasn't shown any signs of repentence, for her hurtful, demoralising and uneducated comments.

However I do feel the gay community is becoming a victim of Gay Pride. All Pride does now is enable others to perpetuate hurtful and inaccurate stereotypes. There are the floats with Drag Queens and elaborate costumes, these are fun and are a part of gay "Culture". They are certainly interesting to watch. But where are floats with the young gay professionals, in their suits and ties. Or the floats with men who are proud to be gay, but don't have great bodies and faces, the men who don't wear the annual output of L'Oreal in their hair.

These are the people I want to represent my community in political matters, the ones who will get taken seriously. Not the ones who take to the streets dressed as ballerinas and Las Vegas showgirls.