Unexpected consequences

As you've probably worked out by now, I'm a believer in Equality. Which doesn't seem hugely popular out there in the real world.

Anyway, read this .

A massive extension of maternity leave across Europe was last night voted for by the Womens’ Rights Committee of the European Parliament to make it compulsory for employers to pay mothers for a minimum of 20 weeks on full pay.

Now, let's assume for the sake of argument that the average women will in her lifetime have 2.5 children. That she's probably going to have them between the ages of 20 and 40.

Yes, I know these numbers are both flawed - I'm picking them to keep things simple.

2.5 children * 20 weeks = 50 weeks... essentially a year. We assumed a time frame of 20 years - so for 1 in 20 years they are a cost, not an asset.

That is, they are 5% less effective over that time.

This "women's rights committee" will have done more to undermine equality and fairness with this proposed law then...then... I can't think of a good enough example.

People don't usually shoot themselves in the foot with anti-tank weapons.

Logic and Law - not so much

Once again politicians are doing silly things.

Have a look here, with a quick quote.

New powers to crack down on lap-dancing clubs

New powers to crack down on lap-dancing clubs will be given to local councils, the Home Office has said.

Currently residents can object to venues for licensing reasons only, such as crime and disorder, nuisance, public safety and protecting children.

LGA culture chairman Chris White said: "Parents' concerns about what their children might see during their walk home from school ....

But here's the thing - I didn't know where the local lap dancing club was till it was pointed out to me as I walked past with friends. In a city I've lived for years - that's discrete.

But children *do* walk past the local Anne Summers shop (which sells very adult toys) every single day.

If you want to do something, do it. Don't blame it on "protecting the children" - because it isn't.

On waking

We all know dreams disappear so fast on waking. Seconds, minutes at most.

Sometimes good - nightmares that fade away in daylight.

Sometimes bad - happy places that can never be.

Or tragic. A hauntingly beautiful song that slips away - the faster you try to write it down, record the two voices the quicker it dissolves away from you.

Leaving 2 lines of chorus that mean little and are nothing special, even to you.

We know where you come from;
We know why your here.

Believe me

I want you to believe me.

I want you to believe me when I tell you that here, in this bottle is miracle stuff. This stuff goes in your washing machine with a couple of clothes - say, a cloak.

You wash your cloak in water and this magic stuff. It tumbles round in the water, spins and soaks. Just like any other washing cycle.

But after all this - believe me - it will be more waterproof.

Sounds like madness, doesn't it.

Smells a little like PVA glue.

But that is where we are now. You can go down to the shops in most towns and buy a liter of stuff that sounds like witchcraft. Fifty years ago they'd laugh at you.

Three hundred years ago they'd burn you at the stake for such a claim.

That's where we are now - we can buy miracles.

Here.