Don't blame the Partido Popular for Bob Houliston crossing the Council Chamber!

Councillor Bob Houliston

There has been a tremendous amount written in the last few months and weeks, including some by myself, about the relationship of CLARO Councillor, Bob Houliston with his former tripartite (Partido Socialista Obrero Español, Los Verdes and Centro Liberal Renovador) government colleagues and the Partido Popular opposition of the Orihuela Town Council.

Since his election as the first CLARO Councillor in May 2011 we have read of; his greedily accepted appointment as Councillor for the Coast, Beaches and International Residents, independent of his CLR/CLARO election list coalition agreement; expulsion from the CLR/CLARO group on the Town Council; reduction of his duties as Councillor for the coastal area of the Orihuela municipal by the Mayor; his resignation as Councillor for the Coast; his threats to vote with the PP opposition in the Pleno (Town Council Meeting); his crossing, metaphorically, of the Council Chamber floor when during the Pleno on the 29^th March 2012 he voted with the opposition in a vote of no confidence against the Alcalde's (Mayor) decision to cease with the position of Councillor for the Coast.

His actions have put the future of the tripartite government in jeopardy. The electorate that voted for the parties of the coalition are, naturally, looking for someone or some group to lay the blame upon for the current situation and the uncertainty for the future of Orihuela.

Ultimately almost all the blame falls fairly and squarely upon the head of Bob Houliston. But there are others who must bear some of the resentment.

The next possible candidates could be the members, the electorate who voted for them, and the elected Councillors of the PP. However I don't blame them for Bob Houliston crossing the chamber. I accept the opportunistic strategy they have adopted in capitalising on the opening given to them on plate by him and others.

Those who created Councillor Bob Houliston must all share their portion of blame!

Having said this I don't think one should include his parents and family as they couldn't have known how their offspring would develop seventy plus years later.

The spotlight should shine on the following conspirators. All of them in varying degrees of complicity acted in a Frankensteinian manner and created the monster, a CLARO Councillor, that by natural selection would not have been brought to life. Having created him, like Dr Frankenstein with his version, the creators have lost control of their prodigy! It didn't surprise me.

Firstly the members and executive committee of the CLARO party who for the last six years, since the 2006 conception of the party, have allowed themselves to be fooled by the public relations deluge, a lot of it being economical with the truth, from Bob Houliston and his closest allies as to the future power and influence of the party lead by him. The levels of his egocentrism were amazing. Were the party members being naïve in their belief that Bob Houliston as a CLARO Councillor would be the panacea to all problems in Orihuela Costa?  Yes!

Secondly Clr. Pedro Mancebo, the leader, and his executive committee of the CLR party. Without them the possibility of life would not have existed for a CLARO Councillor, the monster would have remained lifeless. It would not have been born as there would not have been enough life force (votes) from CLARO supporters power base alone. Because of the CLR's own desire for extra political power (councillors) it entered into a bipartite coalition election group with CLARO in the hope of gaining a transfusion of their votes. By placing CLARO nominees low in the election list I believe they hoped for the votes but didn't really want a CLARO Councillor. They miscalculated and some of the power surge went the wrong way. It went from CLR to CLARO. The monster's heart received its life blood, it started to beat and it drew its first breath. They helped to create a creature that they later found they could not control.

Thirdly Councillor Monserrate Guillén, leader of the LV party, who is currently holding the position of Alcalde (Mayor). Having been appointed; or is it more accurate to say assumed by default as the lesser of three options ('evils' is too strong a word); as Mayor he gave an additional surge of power to Bob Houliston by appointing him Councillor for Orihuela Costa. This was done without consultation with, the life giving, CLR/CLARO group leader. This added fuel to what I believe are NPD (Narcissistic personality disorder) tendencies of BH. Having realised what he had done, the Alcalde has shown his green party credentials by recycling ('changing' to non-environmentalists) time and time again his decisions on the responsibilities of the Councillor for the Coast, in order to alter and reduce the power of this position, depending who was shouting loudest.

A megalomaniac has the desire for power and more power. Bertrand Russell in his interpretation of megalomania is reported as saying: "The megalomaniac differs from the narcissist by the fact that he wishes to be powerful rather than charming, and seeks to be feared rather than loved” Little did those responsible, in particular Pedro Mancebo and Monserrate Guillén, for the current political situation in the Orihuela Town Council realise at the time (hindsight is an excellent quality) that they were creating the ideal scenario for Councillor Bob Houliston's desire.

With there being 25 Councillors in the Pleno, 12 for the tripartite government (PSOE 6, CLR 3, LV 3) and 12 for the PP opposition, he (BH) as the only independent (CLARO) Councillor would have all the power he desired with his deciding vote. He needed to isolate himself from the tripartite group so he resigned as Councillor for the Coast, Beaches and International Residents. He expounded spurious reasons for this decision but none of them can hide what I believe was his real reason. I tend to favour Bertrand Russell's interpretation.

I don't blame the Partido Popular for Bob Houliston crossing the council chamber to support them when he wants to, to suit his needs. I think they are being used. He is cleverly seeking  to use the PP's own group narcissistic tendencies to his advantage to attain a personal ambition of political utopia for himself.

Is some homophobia self-phobia?

A series of psychology studies have been reported as demonstrating that 'Homophobia' is more pronounced in individuals with an unacknowledged attraction to the same sex and who grew up with authoritarian parents who forbade such desires.

The study, conducted by a team from the University of Rochester, the University of Essex, England, and the University of California in Santa Barbara, is the first to document the role that both parenting and sexual orientation play in the formation of intense and visceral fear of homosexuals, including self-reported homophobic attitudes, discriminatory bias, implicit hostility towards gays, and endorsement of anti-gay policies.

Netta Weinstein, a lecturer at the University of Essex and the study's lead author makes the point that "Individuals who identify as straight but in psychological tests show a strong attraction to the same sex may be threatened by gays and lesbians because homosexuals remind them of similar tendencies within themselves". Co-author Richard Ryan, professor of psychology at the University of Rochester who helped direct the research made the further point that "In many cases these are people who are at war with themselves and they are turning this internal conflict outward".

Read more of the interesting article on ScienceDaily: Is some homophobia self-phobia?

This article does make me wonder about the attitiude towards homosexuality of the, enforced, celibate clergy of the Roman Catholic Church amongst others!

Summer temperature variability may increase mortality risk for elderly with chronic disease

New research from Harvard School of Public Health (HSPH) suggests that seemingly small changes in summer temperature swings -- as little as 1°C more than usual -- may shorten life expectancy for elderly people with chronic medical conditions, such as diabetes, heart failure, chronic lung disease, or those who have survived a previous heart attack. and could result in thousands of additional deaths each year. While previous studies have focused on the short-term effects of heat waves, this is the first study to examine the longer-term effects of climate change on life expectancy.

Antonella Zanobetti, senior research scientist in the Department of Environmental Health at HSPH and lead author of the study makes the point that "The effect of temperature patterns on long-term mortality has not been clear to this point. We found that, independent of heat waves, high day to day variability in summer temperatures shortens life expectancy, this variability can be harmful for susceptible people."

 Read more in ScienceDaily: Summer temperature variability may increase mortality risk for elderly with chronic disease

Girl blown by a plane - YouTube

This young lady decided this was a good idea to dry her hair after swimming in the sea. WOW what a hair dryer! Is she stupid or what?

I could be investigated by the RSPCA e-div.

Whilst the power and extent of the world wide web normally does not surprise me this is not the case this week.

Following my recent article on this weblog entitled Vacuum cleaner euthanasia or not? I am amazed to learn that I am possibly to be investigated by the electrical division of the Retailers Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Appliances. As far as I can understand, at this early stage, that having somehow become aware of my article, there is a suggestion by society members that I may be being cruel by overworking my appliance when it is in a poor state of health.

Should the RSPCA consider there is a case to answer and the matter be taken to a trial, and if found guilty, I will only be allowed to use my friend for a maximum duration of one hour thirty minutes per day and must allow a full forty eight hours rest between work periods, until satisfactory repairs are carried out . In addition I could be placed on an electrical retailers blacklist and barred from purchasing an additional vacuum cleaner for six months. This seems strange, but the law is not always logical, as a new workmate would mean less work for my older cleaner to do.

Euthanasia or redundancy are not permitted options, to solve the problem, as my vacuum is entitled to the job for the duration of its natural life.

White rice increases risk of Type 2 diabetes, study claims.

The risk of type 2 diabetes is significantly increased if white rice is eaten regularly, claims a study from the Harvard School of Public Health. The authors looked at previous studies and evidence of the association between eating white rice and the risk of type 2 diabetes. Their study sought to determine whether this risk is dependent on the amount of rice consumed and if the association is stronger for the Asian population, who tend to eat more white rice than the Western world.

A significant trend was found in both Asian and Western countries with a stronger association found amongst women than men. The results also show that the more white rice eaten, the higher the risk of type 2 diabetes: the authors estimate that the risk of type 2 diabetes is increased by 10% with each increased serving of white rice (assuming 158g per serving).

Read more in ScienceDaily:White rice increases risk of Type 2 diabetes, study claims

Entre Naranjos – For Sale!

The following is an article I have posted on to the 'No to censorship on Entre Naranjos and Facebook group' facebook page. Entre Naranjos is a urbanisation (housing estate) within the Orihuela Town Council area in Costa Blanca in Spain.

Has anyone else heard the news?

I understand that the Alcalde of Orihuela is putting forward a motion at the next Pleno that in order to save costs on the municipal budget that the Entre Naranjos urbanización is not to be 'Adopted' in the future, although it has been fostered for some time. It is to be put up for sale by auction.

Apparently following investigations by a subcommittee lead by the Concejal de Hacienda and including the Concejal de Urbanismo, the Concejal de Infrastructural y Services, and the Concejal Delegado de Pedanías, the conclusion has been reached that the urbanización will never be profitable for the Council. The costs to maintain it will exceed the tax revenue from the IBI collected from the property owners. It is not worth the hassle its residents create by wanting more and more luxury services.

It's reported that following the recent petition by a few of the more militant residents of Entre Naranjos demanding a local doctor's surgery the Alcalde was heard to exclaim “¡eso es el colmo!”

It is thought that discreet approaches have been made to both the San Miguel de Salinas and Los Montesinos Town Councils to accept Entre Naranjos as a gift. Both declined without any hesitation.

My source of information within the Ayuntamiento, Sra. Esperanza Anónimo, believes that an approach is possibly going to be made to the previous quasi-mayor of the urbanización, imposed unilaterally by the past Partido Popular government on the residents. As 'that person' allegedly acts as if 'that person' still has that position, enquiries are to be made to see if 'that person' wants to, and can afford to, buy it (Entre Naranjos). A preferential discount could be available to 'that person' as well as the added incentive of the compulsory purchase of all known PSOE supporter's properties on the urbanización by the Council prior to the completion of any sale. This would be a way to censor possible trouble makers towards 'that person'.

Perhaps the current quasi-mayor of the urbanización, this time around, imposed unilaterally by the PSOE element of the tripartite government of Orihuela on the residents, ought to be considered as a future owner. This would alleviate any compulsory purchase of properties.

This could push up the final sale price of Entre Naranjos which would help the Orihuela municipal budgets.

The future could be interesting amongst the oranges when the sale goes ahead.

(To the Editor: No names have been included so as to maintain anonymity and keep this non-personal, except for my source as she won't mind. Where used the term 'that person' could relate to either gender, to avoid this news item being censored for being sexist.)

Red meat consumption linked to increased risk of total, cardiovascular, and cancer mortality

A new study from Harvard School of Public Health (HSPH) researchers has found that red meat consumption is associated with an increased risk of total, cardiovascular, and cancer mortality. The results also showed that substituting other healthy protein sources, such as fish, poultry, nuts, and legumes, was associated with a lower risk of mortality.

"Our study adds more evidence to the health risks of eating high amounts of red meat, which has been associated with type 2 diabetes, coronary heart disease, stroke, and certain cancers in other studies," said lead author An Pan, research fellow in the Department of Nutrition at HSPH.

Red meat, especially processed meat, contains ingredients that have been linked to increased risk of chronic diseases, such as cardiovascular disease and cancer. These include heme iron, saturated fat, sodium, nitrites, and certain carcinogens that are formed during cooking.

Read further details in ScienceDaily Red meat consumption linked to increased risk of total, cardiovascular, and cancer mortality

Vacuum cleaner euthanasia or not?

Can't show cable as the retraction mechanism says no!

My vacuum cleaner friend has survived another day's work!

The right rear wheel fell off 5 times but the left one only came off 3 times. The cable rewind mechanism constantly grabs the cable back trying to restrict my roaming area or pull the plug from the wall. To turn it on or off means plugging it in or unplugging it from the power socket in the wall as the plastic on/off switch doesn't work. The HEPA filter is randomly ejected from the rear of the cleaner, depositing its collected dust on the cleaned floor, depending on the strength of the air flow and the heat of the plastic moulding surrounding it.

I am wondering if it is time for retirement, or even euthanasia, of my little friend. Is it cruel to make it continue to struggle, to work on, when the prognosis can only be for worse to come.

What makes my decision more difficult is that it was only brought into our family on 28^th January 2010 when we adopted it from the Carrefour Home brand stable at a special offer price of £51.78 (€60.00 in pretend money). I like to push the boat out occasionally!

I have to consider my little friend's pride, will it feel it has given us value for money? Will it consider that we have understood its little foibles as mitigation towards its survival?

I think I'll have to think about it a little longer. Perhaps modern science will come up with a solution for extending useful life. If all else fails I could use some sticky back plastic (no trade name advertising on my weblog) as a temporary life support. My vacuum cleaner friend survives for another day's work.

The Woodsman’s Cottage Mystery.

 For many years the villagers have wondered about Woodsman’s Cottage. The small secluded building stands like a sentry on the edge of common land at the entrance to the ancient wood. It has been uninhabited for some twenty plus years. The small garden surrounding it becoming very overgrown. The crimson flowered rhododendrons have taken total command of their domain, defeating any other shrubs that may have survived alongside them in the past, allowing only a small glimpse of the red brick cottage to passers-by.

The older villagers can remember when Bill Clayton lived there but his sudden departure from village life was unexplained then and remains so to this day. He was a private man who liked the isolation of his home on the outskirts of the village. As far as those who thought they knew him were aware, Bill had no family. He was an only child, his parents had died, and he was single. There are many rumours about his disappearance. Had he just decided to move away, had the witches of the wood spirited him away, was he dead; no one knows the truth.

The cottage hadn't had any visitors until the day that the 'Property for Auction' sign went up. In fact none of the villagers saw the sign being put up. If it hadn't been for the Auctioneers name and telephone number the mystery would have continued. Several of the more inquisitive locals had made telephone enquiries pretending to be potential bidders at the forthcoming event. All they could find out were the basic details of the cottage, and when and where the auction was to be held. No news about Bill or the seller if it's not him. The mystery continued on.

On auction day a couple of volunteer village spies attended the sale as did John Messenger. He desperately wanted to be, had to be, the new owner of the property he'd coveted for many years. Bill had refused to sell it to him, many times, and they had argued about this.

John found himself bidding against two others in the room. One he recognised as a builder from the nearby market town, and the other was Sarah Clarke another local villager. He couldn't let them buy Woodsman's Cottage. The builder started the bidding at the guide price of £80,000: the battle commenced between the three protagonists. The bids increased by £5000 a time quickly reaching £125,000 and then slowing to £1,000 increases. Sarah stopped bidding first and then the builder leaving John with what he thought was the winning bid at £139,000. This was £14,000 above what he could really afford, but needs must as he felt it was his right to own the property.

The auctioneer started his closing speech: “The bid is with the gentleman seated on the right at one hundred thirty-nine thousand pounds for the first time.” After allowing a short pause he continued: “At one hundred thirty-nine thousand pounds for the second time. Make no mistake I will be selling it.” John's heart was banging, trying to get out of his chest. The air in the room seemed to be thinner as he couldn't get his breath properly. The room had become hotter, his hands were becoming clammy. “This is your last chance ladies and gentlemen: the bid is at one hundred thirty-nine thousand pounds for the third time,” the auctioneer said as he raised his gavel.

“One hundred forty-five thousand” shouted one of the auctioneer’s colleagues, holding a telephone to his ear, sat at the table to the right of the auctioneer, as the gavel started its downward journey.

“We have a new bid on the telephone at one hundred forty-five thousand pounds,” announced the auctioneer, stopping the falling hammer in mid-flight, as he looked in John's direction, in hope of an increased bid from him.

John felt his world fall from beneath his feet. Although desperate to own the cottage; he couldn't respond to this new much higher bid. His ambition had been pole-axed. He looked at the auctioneer and slowly shook his head, left and right. After a new closing speech the gavel was brought down onto the block with a resounding bang. The mystery telephone buyer had won the day with the single surprise bid.

The villagers still had no news about either Bill or the new owner. Woodsman's Cottage was not going to give up its secrets easily, the mystery surrounding it lives on . . .

Edited: 02.12.2012

Continuation story: The mysterious O'Neills