Tuesday 15 April 2008

IN DEFENCE OF DELIA

I have been reading an amazing amount in my paper about how bad Delia Smith is for doing a TV series and bringing out a book showing people how to cook the simple and easy way.
There have been people writing letters to the editor about it! Are these folks barmy? Just let me tell you a little story----
I have never cooked in my life. Well, I am married and have a woman to do all that sort of stuff.
However since I retired I have thought how nice it would be to cook for the little lady & as for the first time in my life I have some time I would give it a go. But where to start. What do you do to cook. Which pan to use. What to cook. What to add to the meal for extra taste. I had no idea about any of this--so how could I start?
Then I came across "How to Cheat at Cooking" in the supermarket and thought I would give it a go. Cor Luv a Duck Guv---you will never guess---I can cook!
OK so some of the ingredients or out of a tin. So what? Some of the dishes I have made are fantastic--so tasty.
Food snobs may not like it & I do not give a fig (not that I have cooked a fig)
What this has done is made me want to cook more and try new things so I am going to be more adventurous. This would not have happened without this book.
So go away food snobs-I am in my sixties and trying new things all because of Delia.
Delia I think I love you!

Sunday 13 April 2008

PETE DOHERTY AND JAIL

I see that Peter Doherty the singer (as a music lover that is not how I would describe him!) has been jailed for 14 weeks for breaching a probation order. After all the chances he has had I think he has got away very lightly.
Although this case is not in it's self at all important. It has however brought to light a very serious issue regarding how long a prison sentence should be.
In days gone by a 14 week sentence would mean 14 weeks, more or less.
However it seems to me that almost all criminals only do half of this. The public likes to think it is getting protected from the undesirable elements in society and who can blame them? As a result of this a judge may pass a sentence of 6 years on an armed robber in the full knowledge he will probably be out in 3 years. This then avoids an outcry from the public but is in effect letting the public down.
However an even greater injustice is taking place that most people do not realise. Because the government has failed to plan for the correct numbers, jails are now full, and Mr Brown and his gang has come up with a scheme to help with this. They have introduced the End of Custody License which is a cunning plan to get criminals back on the street and avoid them sleeping 6 to a cell.
Under this scheme Doherty may serve as little as a month. Is it worth the bother I ask myself. Why not do away with jails and let everyone do what they want. Well this seems to be the direction we are headed.

Mind you the real losers will be the British public. Because when Doherty is out he is going to start singing again.

Perhaps they may let me in jail to avoid that!
(If there was room)