The Significance of Dates - Such as 25th January

Nowadays many newspapers and magazines seem to use a date (in newspapers usually the day of issue) to check upon the birth of people or famous/notorious incidents the rest of the world might have come across in some way.

I look at today's date and ask myself - off the cuff - is this a date that is to me significant in any way?

The answer is - nope.

That said, I'm sure that to someone out there it is noteworthy: maybe a birthday, death, marriage anniversary - regarding themselves or a loved one.

The one thing I hope not to read about is that this was the ... of someone who was a proved notorious killer, gangster, fraudster etc. This sort should be kept off the page.

There is, of course, a need to reopen cases where serious errors have been made with prosecutions, wrongful arrests followed by penal servitude.

This is where newspapers and the press in general are useful, if their self-proclaimed boasts are followed: - of serving the public, finding the truth, upholding the basis of a free society etc. etc.

Having said all that in 3 days time, 25th January, I will raise my glass and toast the immortal memory of ROBERT BURNS one of the most celebrated men who has ever lived.

Robert Burns (25 January 1759-21st July 1796)

Once more I will ask myself why I do this; why has his fame lived on; why has it even increased as the years roll by?

Is it because the more the world hears about him and takes on board his messages, the more wonderful his insights appear?

Perhaps he has just had a 'good press' - though given the prejudice of the time against a poor farm worker - and not one of the London cognoscenti I would disagree.

Many countries have individuals in their histories that have been equally great poets, have been more heroic, have said great things that should be memorised and lived up to.

Nevertheless, "A Man's a man for a' that" will be sung in countless countries, cities, towns and villages around the globe.

"Auld Lang Syne" will echo from the rafters at the end of numerous gatherings.

It has become almost a moment in itself for world peace.

The IMMORTAL MEMORY will be given with heart-felt fervour by nervous orators around the world. They must not get this wrong, because here was a man who never denied his faults - and there were many - who could use irony and satire to spike arrogance, hypocrisy and superstition.

But he also set out to inspire love: for mankind, of all flora and fauna, to uphold the principles of justice for all, mercy, clemency and forgiveness - to care for our neighbour.

And that is just a start.

The British Honours List - Bah!

Today the papers are full of the 'winner's' in this year's so-called Honours List. There is nothing honourable about it.

It is a sickening throwback to centuries gone by, and a sort of reminder that nonentities such as me should remember who our betters are. What a sham!

I find nothing exasperates me more than this annual jamboree for the Establishment in this country. 

The argument pushed by the 'in' people is that a reward is being given to those individuals who have risen above the common levels of public service to society: services to theatre, to music, to drama, to literature...blah...blah...blah.

Absolute nonsense - it is merely privilege dressed up!

Yes - there are a few worthy people out there - but they are lost in the midst of undeserved rewards given for loyalty by individuals, especially to the political party in power that they support (despite the so-called parity argument put out by one Parliamentary group to the other).

Isn't it because they donate money and other public support to that particular political party? 

And why are so many political figures - and others from society living 'so well off the hog' - rewarded anyway?

Why do  nonentities (but mostly millionaires) from business, finance, sport, film, the pop music world and other self-serving, self-congratulatory elites receive 'gongs'?

All they have done is lead well-rewarded careers, with a minimum public service or none at all - maybe a donation, which can be well-afforded, or perhaps they have opened a Garden Fete or two.

For someone who is genuine and loved for what they do, and doing so unrewarded, a carer, for example, this is what should be done: give the person providing that wonderful help financial reward, or maybe a piece of equipment that makes giving that aid so much easier.

The fact that one-upmanship is being practiced in this annual hand-out of baubles cannot really be refuted; it is a truth that can be proved by a glance at what has happened in all the years gone by.

How can there be a democracy with such a 'top to down' feature hammered into British society?

I have lived a long time hoping to see this annual feudal ritual end. I am still waiting, but with little hope.

With such hypocrisy flaunted, how can any other people or country believe a word our leaders say?

Like honorary degrees, Lords of the Realm, Dukes, Earls, Barons, Knights, and all the other rubbish, they should be swept away.

Those who know they do not deserve an 'Honour' should hand it back with a 'No Thank You' attached. I can think of a few that did - let us have more of them.

Where is the honour in all this?