Total Incompetence?

If it wasn't for the fact that I enjoy my life so much, I think I'd start to lose my marbles. And now, seeing the first of the year's flowers coming into bloom, it's something that gives me a great sense of a job having been well done. Unfortunately, quite unlike the rest of us mere mortals, I'm now absolutely sure that our government is wholly incapable of getting any job that it tackles done well. And as for achieving any sense of satisfaction, clearly it doesn't even begin to know the meaning of the word. Total incompetence? Now that's something they understand very well.

Today, I heard once again that our troops in Iraq and Afghanistan are still having to deal with shoddy weapons and equipment in their fight against tyranny. Why is it that after we finished paying off our debt to the yanks, something we owed them for them helping us during WW2, we seem unable to provide our brave troops with sufficient weapons and equipment that actually work? I'll tell you this, if some tin pot country was suddenly seen to be beating its way to our own front door, where those MPs families, lives and possessions would immediately be under threat, they'd be tripping over themselves to arm as many of our young people as they could, and the cost wouldn't even be the slightest consideration.

The present situation is so different to this scenario, what with our troops being so far away and fighting in countries that we shouldn't even be in. Our government seems to have lost touch with reality and what's going on out there. I wouldn't mind betting that the enemy have no problem in getting weapons that work. I also bet that they don't go around saying to each other "we'd better not go out tonight, there's not enough night vision goggles for all of us." or, "don't shoot off too many rounds, chaps, or we may have to resort to throwing rocks at the next bod we meet." What's worse is the fact that the enemy may even be using weapons made in this country, or elsewhere in the EEC. It's certain that they don't appear to have any problem in arming themselves, so why should our armed forces be put under such tight-fisted miserly constraints? The government say that the troops have more than enough weaponry. Well, they would, wouldn't they? Oh, and have you noticed just how quick the government were to prop up the failing Northern Rock? Obviously, taking over a failing bank is seen as being a lot more urgent, than to help save the lives of a few more of our brave soldiers by equipping them correctly.

I recently received my bill from the water company I use, and I'm sure that it's something that many of you will share in common with me at this time of the year. As usual, and in keeping with all of these service providers, prices have risen once again. Fair enough, I hear some of you say, but do they really have to send a request from Wateraid, asking us to spare £2.00 a month to help those who somewhere in this world of ours, do not have fresh water as we do? Why is it that they think that we can afford to give yet more money away on top of this year's increases? Why not give this Wateraid some of the grossly high profits they make from us as their customers, instead of trying to make us feel guilty with their underhanded requests? I'd gladly use a little less water during the year, if it's in order to help the needy. After all, mister water company, you have a whole lot more money than I have... Now, don't start me going on about my pension again.

Despite that we've been having bright sunny days of late, the garden pond has been completely frozen over. Our friend, Froggy doesn't like it when it's too cold, so unless the weather warms up a bit, he'll prefer to stay hidden away for a little longer.

Bob (Still standing in for our friend, Froggy)