Year: 2000

“That is not the way to make policy in Britain and as far as I am concerned it never will be.” – Tony Blair.

Totally agree Tony. Well said. We can’t have a government that is dictated to, that’s the entire point in voting, elections and the democratic process.

Slight problem though, aren’t the people we voted for supposed to act on our behalf? Aren’t they supposed to listen to what we say, take it on board and at least consider it? Mr.Blair’s reaction seems rather childish. He is already lifting what is a simple campaign, based around one simple idea (we pay too much for our petrol) into the political arena, and trying to stamp his authority on the matter. Aside from that small matter of not being able to take someone… who uses pauses…. far too much…. when speaking to…. the public, seriously, I think this is another example of the basic flaw that every politician develops.

We think we are paying too much for our petrol. The government says, we’ll sorry…tough. So we ask again and start a small scale campaign (the ‘don’t buy on the 1st of the month’ one). Response from the government, yes we do hear you, but we can’t do anything. We start a blockade. The government gets twitchy and starts getting authoritative.

So, we ask, and ask, then act. The government politely declines us twice, then clamps down (to stop the matter getting out of hand, no doubt). What is stopping them acting? What are they afraid of?

They have just launched a £1billion initiative to get more of the UK online. What the hell are they spending it on? The last published figures, from the government, stated that around 60% of households in the UK are online, with over 85% owning and using a computer. Schools all have computers (usually shiny new iMacs that no-one uses, the staff not having received any training).

We work longer hours than every country in Europe, pay more tax, and earn less. So, the government receives, per head, more money from us than any other company. We have less in our pockets, so obviously we shouldn’t mind paying high prices for just about everything.

What is the government afraid of? They are afraid that if they act over the current petrol dispute, they will very soon be put under pressure to lower prices, tax etc on many, many other things.

We need a strong government. I don’t doubt that. I am fully aware that there is no quick fix. Mr.Blair and the Labour party need to learn one thing very quickly. What they are doing right now is not being strong. They have been pushed into a corner, and want to come out fighting. This is not a display of strength, this is a display of petty schoolboy (public schoolboy?) arrogance. I’m all for keeping integrity, and stay focussed to reach goals that will benefit everyone. The hardest part of keeping your integrity is learning when to give it up.

Flirting is fun. Hell, I don’t need to tell you that! But why do we do it? I’m very happily married (I love her), so why do I flirt?

Initial thoughts of those who have not adopted the flirting doctrine (if it moves, flirt with it) is to try and categorise flirters by saying “You’re actually cheating on your partner, not physical, but mentally”…eh…Excuse me? Admittedly men are worse than women when it comes to ‘looking’, as in we make it more obvious, but both sexes do it, committed or not, and that is not flirting, that’s looking/gawking/staring (delete as applicable).

The reason I flirt is because it can be fun. It is important to note here that it is only fun if both parties are comfortable, and realise that flirting goes no further than the suggestive. Where does the fun come from? I’ll fully admit that it comes from the excitement of something illicit, the sense that you are starting down a path you shouldn’t be taking. Flirting is naughty.

It is a strange thing, comparable to outdoor sex, for want of a better comparison. There is nothing wrong or bad about the activity, but it still feels naughty, and that’s where the fun is. It may be an odd description, but I suppose flirting is a kind of rebellion, of doing the wrong thing. The beauty of flirting (bearing in mind the above note) is that, unlike other illicit activities, you can’t get caught. There is no end consequence, nothing happens. The day finishes, and the flirting stops, with no harm inflicted, no blame to be laid, and no guilt of having done the wrong thing.

Admittedly the above wouldn’t ring as true if my relationship with Louise wasn’t as strong as it is, and obviously flirting is not a sole occupation, but at the right time, in the right place, with the right people, it can be damn good fun.

Addendum:
Since writing this, and re-reading it a few days later (before I published it for your greedy eyes), I’ve had a nagging feeling that the tone wasn’t quite right. I was going to re-edit it, but decided to leave the original intact, and try and clarify a few points here.

I do not flirt with everyone. You can’t as you run the risk of offending. Flirting should only be done with those who realise what is going on. It is possibly to take flirting too far, blatant flirting at the exclusion of others it not to be condoned. Flirting should be subtle affair (although this does depend on the people involved), and should not affect anyone else, only those directly involved.

To clarify, flirting is not a precursor to sex, it is mischievous, suggestive fun, the end goal is fun, not the exchange of bodily fluids.

OK, serious bit over.

And for the record, when she wants, Louise can out-flirt me without even trying!