Tax Unhealthy Foods - A Fat Tax?

So the latest effort by those wishing to see a "Nanny State", is to introduce a tax on "unhealthy foods" because the population is becoming more and more obese. Now how is that going to work?

Is there such a thing as an unhealthy food? Let's take a look at one of our favourites. Fish and chips. Now what is unhealthy there? Are the potatoes unhealthy, or is the fish? What about the peas? No.

What about sugar? Huge calorific content, but does that make it bad for you? No.

What about a burger? Is that unhealthy for you? No.

What is unhealthy is when all or any of the above, and virtually anything else that is consumed is eaten in excess. It is not the food that is unhealthy, it is the fact that some people consume far too much of it.

Are we really going to raise a tax on the local fish and chip shop because it is unhealthy? I love fish and chips but I don't eat them very regularly in exactly the same way that I don't eat a lot of take-away food. Are we really going to go into a bakers and find that bread is taxed at one level but a Chelsea Bun is taxed at a higher level because it is seen as less healthy?

What about the good old English breakfast. Is fried bacon going to be taxed at one level but grilled bacon another? Fried eggs more than poached?

Gee up Neddy. This really is a silly proposal. Food does not make us fat, but the decisions we make to eat more of those foods that can do that rather than those that don't is the problem. Ally that with not taking enough exercise and Bingo, we have a full-house. It is the decision of the individual how fat they are in 99.9% of all cases. The individual makes the decision about what to eat. Unfortunately, those same individuals are making the same decisions regarding their childrens eating also and that is a huge problem. Personal responsibility. There are huge amounts of information out there that tell us what is a healthy diet and what isn't and also tell us of the need to exercise to remain healthy. If people do not wish to take notice of that and act accordingly that is completely down to them. Taxing the food they eat is not the answer.

This idea has been dreamed up by so-called "Academics". Well if that is the limit of their ideas then I would suggest they are not overly "Academic" are they?

Leave this idea well alone!!!!

Author Commits Heinous Crime - Army Act 1955

Just been tidying up cupboards etc. and throwing away lots of stuff that make up my personal history. One of the things that I have found is a charge sheet relating to the only time I was ever caught doing something wrong during my 23 year service in the Royal Corps of Signals. Here are the details which took place at 13 Signal Regiment, Birgelen, West Germany (BFPO 40):

24925260 LCPl O'DARE SJ

Neglect to the prejudice of good order and military discipline contrary to Section 69 of the Army Act 1955, in that he at Mercury Barracks on (or about) 19 July 1977, lost his MOD Form 90 (ID Card for the uninitiated).

This was dealt with by way of a hearing in front of my Officer Commanding on the 29th July 1977.

The Finding was: GUILTY
I was fined £10.00p.

Oh the shame!!!!!!

I don't know how I managed to come by this document, I must have nicked it when nobody was looking. They didn't catch me for that though, did they? Great times.

Give It Up For ...........

Just what does that mean? I am going to have a bit of a rant on this. Why do people ask audiences to "Give it up for........."? Give it up!! I thought we gave things up for lent or because they weren't good for us.

"Give it up for" is totally inane in this context. What is wrong with "Please welcome to the stage" etc.? That actually means something. I can actually put up with "Show your love for.....", although it is very post-Princess of Hearts and all that malarky, but "Give it up for" .... no.

Next time you are at a show or somesuch where this is said, boo....... You know it makes sense!!!

Olympics - What A Fantastic Day

Last Thursday I attended a Test Event, The London International Basketball Invitational, at the Olympic Park as part of my efforts to become a Gamesmaker volunteer. What a day it was. The Olympic Basketball Arena is a magnificent sight both from the outside and the inside. Going into this 12,000 seat arena was enough to raise the hairs on the back of your neck.

This was the first Test Event to be held in the park, most of which seems to me to still be a building site, although that is not surprising as it is a huge area, and as such the eyes of the whole Olympic organising committee were on the event. Needless to say it went without a hitch as far as I am aware.

The day consisted of an orientation period within the arena, including the front-of-house, the arena itself and the back-of-.house. This was followed by some role specific training and then we took part in several scenarios designed to build personal confidence in the volunteers and also to develop the teamwork necessary for us to do the job. After a lunch-break we watched the game between France and China, which, althought the arena was less than half-full, really brought home the excitement and atmosphere that we will be working within. Brilliant.

All in all a really worthwile experience and one that has made me even more determined to gain selection as a volunteer at the 2102 Olympics. Fingers and everything else crossed that sometime between September and Christmas I will have my place confirmed.

Investment In Skegness.

Are we as a town too narrow-minded when it comes to allowing investment?

Are we prepared to let the town change and move forward so as to encourage investment?

Are we open to new ideas?

Is there enough understanding as to what investment is and what those proposing to invest are looking for?

Is there an understanding that no investment is ever going to be perfect and will most probably affect some individuals and interest groups negatively but may be good for the town as a whole?

Is there an understanding that there is very limited opportunity to dictate to those that wish to invest as to what they should invest in?

Do we understand that our requirement priorities may not match those of people wishing to invest?

Do we think that major investment is ever going to happen?

Just a few questions to cogitate on and hopefully get some discussion going.

Olympics - Big Day Nearly Here

Imagine my excitement when I switched on the TV this morning and saw a piece on the International Basketball competition taking place in the Olympic Basketball Arean in the Olympic Park. Why should I be excited? Well on Thursday I will be there taking part. I won't be playing basketball I hasten to add but I will be there as part of the Test Event Team as I am in line for selection as a volunteer.

As some of you will know I have been selected for training as part of the Anti-Doping Team for the Olympics. Thursday will be a huge step along the road for me as I will have the opportunity to do this for real and show what I am capable of. Fingers crossed all goes well and I am successful in my attempts to be selected for the games themselves.

My excitement was heightened further at lunchtime when I received a phone call from Rod Whiting at Radio Lincolnshire. They want to do a piece on me and have me talk about the event live sometime on Friday. I recorded a short piece for them today. Have to say that I dried up at one point. Honestly I did. This will come as a real surprise for those that know me. Hope that doesn't happen when I go live on Friday.

Roll on Thursday. It can't come quickly enough.