Stories the great leveller

Yesterdays news of the tragic death of David Cameron’s son Ivan touched a chord in the nation, and a chord in the heart of Gordon Brown; himself a parent who has had to learn how to grieve for a child.

That is the power of story. In a moment all animosity fades and a mutuality is found that crosses the greatest of devides. That’s why I am so passionate about what we are seeking to do here at Stories from the Street.

 Came back from my travels this morning having spoken with a longstanding  friend wanting to explore a book for those who have disability issues.

Wow!

 The sound of many voices being heard. Bridges of understanding being built.

Stories, the fabric of society that either binds it together or tears it apart.

A path worth walking I believe.

Monday morning blues

Okay so who is going to have the Monday morning blues this week.? Well first of all those who most definitely wont.

The snowmen! ( and the occasional penguin ) This is like a proper winter. Loving it!

Liverpool fans. Its not yet over.

Camelot without a doubt. The only business certain to prosper during economic crisis. Proven fact..poor people buy the most tickets. More of us are getting poorer.

Anyone going to see Slumdog Millionnaire. I have to  go this week and just cannot wait to walk in that land.

And me! Going to see my childhood hero tomorrow, footballer Eddie Gray. Only one of you clicked on the link of his wonder goal the other day……..so another opportunity to see it. PS I was there!

………………And those who are going to wake with a real heartache or headache.

President Sarkosy without a doubt. The echoes of the radical left and the riots of 3 yrs ago will be ringing in his ears. Do not envy him.

Gordon Brown. Bad week for him last week. Is this dispute on the edges of GB the start of deeper rumblings?

Jonathon Ross’s publisher. Sales have slumped since Manuelgate. The British public more discerning than normal.

Caroline Petrie. Suspended on full pay, not for hitting or verbally abusing a patient but for offering to pray; a sad reflection on our PC world.

Mrs Berko. of Croydon. How tragic was that.

Have a good start to the week everyone. Self medication is the key-essential in fact. Thanks south coast spirit guide for that reminder.

HBOS Fears of Nationalisation?

Fears? What Fears?

The soon to be ousted Lord Stevenson has been up all night penning a letter to shareholders outlining fears for HBOS if it gets nationalised – see BBC story.

I am at a bit of a loss to understand what these fears are? More capital raising by tax payers – well don’t we own 40% anyway? Share price decline is cited as another threat/ Pardon. The shares were £11 two years ago and are now less than £1 – how much more decline does he expect.

Across the pond both Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac were nationalised so why not HBOS here?

No comment as yet from Gordon, though the two rogue ex executive bidders {well not quite bidders because they didnt actaully have any money}, have said that they don’t like the nationalisation route.

I’d quite like to see it nationalised. Far fewer job losses. Borrowers would be guaranteed fair and competitive rates. Sooner or later it will all start making money agin which will be good for the coffers. No big bonuses or bungs to investors.

And we get to keep Howard as well as Gordon.

Perhaps HBOS does need that little ‘xtra’ help?

Tim Ocsko

An ‘interesting’ interest rate cut by BOE.

Well I suppose that kills the myth once and for all that the BoE operate independently of the government with another further  ‘Brown’ inspired Keynesian move. The autobiographies and revelations of the official secrets act in 25 years are going to keep universities busy up and down the country.

Good to see the Banks react with their usual ineptitude – withdrawing new tracker products. Ho hum! Least we can blame the government where the bank is almost owned outright by them. A bit naughty really but no surprises.

The sad thing is though for many borrowers being tied into a fixed rate will prevent them from feeling any benefit. I do wonder in this post laissez faireworld which Brown is engineering whether some move to subsidise those caught in fixed deals whilst at the same time introducing some short term tax breaks for those who rent – would really stimulate the economy rather than fill the boots of the banks – who helped us get into this mess.

Tim Ocsko

Bradford and the Credit Crunch…

….check out this article posted on the BBCs homepage about kids in Bradford West.

Scandalous.

This existed before the credit crunch. And will exist when its all blown over.

Someone said a lot of years ago that we would always have the poor with us.

We seem to have taken it as an instruction.

Gordon Brown promises to halve child pverty by 2010. Shame on you Gordon. Halving it is 50% too little.

Tim Ocsko