When playtime has to end.

Acrylic-bob · 12-07-2005, 06:18

I have in the past made the occaisional cynical observation that our sterling Boys-in-Blue have a higher than average propensity for dramatic overreaction. I have not quite gone so far as to describe them as a bunch of testosterone fuelled drama queens living out their juvenile action fantasies at the public expense instead of getting on wih the job. That would be rude. And it would denegrate the often deeply unpleasant and dangerous work they are sometimes called on to undertake.

But it must come to something when one of the premier newspapers of these islands has this to say about the organisation of our Police's response to the latest murderous outrages in the capital.

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article...690090,00.html

What do you think?????

entwisi · 12-07-2005, 06:46

Its quite hilarious really. In the same way that in the NHS we have all these layers of management whilst the real heroes at the ground level do sterling work those above just make the service an inefficient monster the guys who had to clean up the mess, tell people loved ones have been killed etc are lumbered with this shower as leadership.

Peter principle in full effect me thinks.

garinda · 12-07-2005, 08:34

[QUOTE]But it must come to something when one of the premier newspapers of these islands has this to say about the organisation of our Police's response to the latest murderous outrages in the capital.[END QUOTE.]

The Thunderer? It used to be an august institution. Reading that makes me sad at how soon tradgedy is turned into political point scoring.

That piece of journalism would be worthy of one of The Time's and it's owner's other stablemates. Shame.

Boy's in blue? Thought we also had those other ones as well now? You know those with breasts?

Women,? Thats it, women.

WillowTheWhisp · 12-07-2005, 09:43

I know it isn't a laughing matter but if you didn't laugh you'd cry at times.

We recently flew into this country from an arab muslim country (no implication that anyone coming from such a place is necessarily a threat) and were able to walk through with not a sign of a customs official or anyone else in sight.

In contrast I once came back from Germany and was refused entry through customs as my luggage had decided to go on a hioliday of its own and I couldn't decalre that I had nothing to declare as my "nothing" was nowhere to be found. They eventully relented as long as I made a list of all the contents of the suitcase, right down to numbers of pairs of knicks!

But for the total outright prizewinner of my travelling experiences we have to go back a few years.

I used to travel quite regularly between England and Ireland visiting family and friends. (Most are now either deceased or have moved to England) During the "troubles" we were all given questionnaires to fill in before we got off the plane. Questions included:
Occupation................
Purpose of visit.......................

I once asked what would happen if I put "terrorist" and "bomb delivery" and the answer was a nervous laugh followed by "A real terrorist wouldn't put that though would they?" PRECISELY!

grannyclaret · 12-07-2005, 09:52

we live in a very sick world today,,, it doesent bear thinking about ..

lettie · 12-07-2005, 11:07

Working for a major institution in this country, I can confidently say that these services, NHS, Police etc, are not badly managed......... In most cases they are over managed. For every new government initiative or target to meet, a manager is designated to oversee it. They will then call a meeting and appoint a chairperson and form a steering group. A working party is then formed and the whole kit and caboodle will have endless meetings which actually achieve a whole load of nothing. These meetings take people off the shop floor in order to attend them. Excuses such as 'we're too busy' 'we have criminals to catch' are vetoed therefore leaving the services understaffed. These meetings happen for one thing or another pretty much every day of the week (except weekend when aforementioned managers don't work). At these meetings you are usually presented with paperwork containing boxes, some which you tick, some which are designed to lump the proposals together. There is never a tick box which actually applies to the situation you are in. When this is mentioned (usually by a shop floor person) another meeting is called to discuss the lack of aforementioned relevant tick box, and the whole process starts again...

Does anyone think I'm bitter.....

WillowTheWhisp · 12-07-2005, 11:10

Possibly, just a teeny weeny bit there Lettie.

entwisi · 12-07-2005, 13:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by WillowTheWhisp

But for the total outright prizewinner of my travelling experiences we have to go back a few years.

I used to travel quite regularly between England and Ireland visiting family and friends. (Most are now either deceased or have moved to England) During the "troubles" we were all given questionnaires to fill in before we got off the plane. Questions included:
Occupation................
Purpose of visit.......................

I once asked what would happen if I put "terrorist" and "bomb delivery" and the answer was a nervous laugh followed by "A real terrorist wouldn't put that though would they?" PRECISELY!

Or how about when you buy IT kit from Dell and there is a question

'Is this equipment to be used in the production of Weapons of Mass Destruction?'

To which a guy I know from a newsgroup legitimately had to answer yes as he works in the missile industry!.

Just after 9-11 Julie and I went to Acapulco. This meant flying directly over N-Y, Washington and within 20 mins flying of numerous other big cities. Landing at Orlando for refuelling we all had to fill in these questionaires etc. Be marched off the plane, through customs who promptly took the questionaries and threw them away without so much of a glance. I pointed out that we had just flown over all these major cities and don't you think that if we were going to fly into something we would have done it already! About 90 mins later when all our luggage had been unloaded, Xrayed and then reloaded we could get back on and continue our flight, After 30 minutes we were no longer in US airspace.

On the way back at Acapulco EVERY suitcase was opened, thoroughly checked before you could go to the checkin desk.

Ian

grannyclaret · 12-07-2005, 13:11

dont try to understand it ,you nead a degree in psycholigy...................

pendy · 14-07-2005, 17:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by grannyclaret

dont try to understand it ,you nead a degree in psycholigy...................

I've GOT a degree in psychology and I STILL don't understand it.