Racism at its worst

Happily we do not see much racial prejudice in the UK nowadays.

Having said that Annie and I were listening to a Radio phone-in programme the other day and we were absolutely gobsmacked to hear an Englishman caller make insulting, nasty remarks about people who are non-English. When the host of the radio phone in accused him of being a racist, the caller rather proudly replied – “Yes I am” – absolutely staggering!

Come on!! This is 2009 not 1909. Insularity is terrible. I am extremely proud that Britain is so multi-racial, so cosmopolitan - I see this as one of Britain's greatest strengths. I think it enriches my life tremendously to meet so many wonderful people from all over the world regardless of colour, religion or origin.

Ironically enough I received this last week from my good friend JK – a regular contributor to Simplicity Blog. JK has clearly received this from someone and it says in the body of the e-mail - as you will see – that this is a true story.

Who knows if it is true? But if true, how sad is this?

Good & true Customer Service - A Real incident......

This took place on a BA (British Airways) flight between Johannesburg and London. A white woman, about 50 years old, was seated next to a black man. Obviously disturbed by this, she called the air Hostess.

"Madam, what is the matter," the hostess asked.

"You obviously do not see it then?" she responded. "You placed me next to a black man. I do not agree to sit next to someone from such a repugnant group. Give me an alternative seat."

"Be calm please," the hostess replied. "Almost all the places on this flight are taken. I will go to see if another place is available."

The Hostess went away and then came back a few minutes later.

"Madam, just as I thought, there are no other available seats in the Economy class. I spoke to the captain and he informed me that there is also no seat in the business class. All the same, we still have one place in the first class."

Before the woman could say anything, the hostess continued:

"It is not usual for our company to permit someone from the economy class to sit in the first class. However, given the circumstances, the captain feels that it would be scandalous to make someone sit next to someone so disgusting."

She turned to the black man, and said, "Therefore, Sir, if you would like to, please collect your hand luggage, a seat awaits you in first class."

At that moment, the other passengers who were shocked by what they had just witnessed stood up and applauded.

This is a true story. If you are against racism, please send this message to all your friends.

• 
  

George, 97 years young, completes 120mph skydive

Do you want to live to be 100?

I’ve often said I want to be the captain of my own 5-a-side football (soccer) team for over 100 year olds. People laugh … and I guess I'm only half, maybe 75%, serious.

I've become deadly serious having seen this http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/7983045.stm

George Moyse – 97 years young – you are an incredible man – long may you live!!

• 
  

Thank you Frank

Frank is a good friend who I met through Simplicity Blog and my book Simplicity is the Key. We first corresponded about three and a half years ago.

My initial connection with Frank was when he gave me some really helpful and insightful comments about my writing style and my book content.

Ever since those first rich comments over three years ago I’ve regularly sought and valued Frank’s feedback on my writing. I’ve sometimes sent Frank my written material for feedback before I publish it.

I was shocked in October 2008 when Frank told me he had recently been diagnosed with Colon Cancer. We have kept in touch and the latest email I had from Frank moved me so much I asked him if he minded if I publish his words on my Blog. I’m happy to say Frank agreed.

Everyone knows someone touched by Cancer and if you are like me you sometimes wonder in your private moments ‘How would I cope with the diagnosis of Cancer?’

Frank’s words below are just inspiring to me.

He is facing his uncertain future with pragmatism, a sense of humour, honesty and most of all bravery.

Thank you Frank and rest assured many prayers are with you. I'm pretty sure there will be many more prayers after Simplicity readers have have absorbed Franks powerful words.

This is a part of what Frank wrote to me in his most recent email:

“I have just finished my own first six chemo laps. The last ones were pretty tough, but they are already history and long forgotten :-)

The results were mixed. Deep down secretly you hope for some sort of recovery over time, which means that the volume of cancer cells has to drop, at least gradually. However I seem to have reached a plateau which is flagged as ‘stable.’

Neither significant improvements nor significant deteriorations. So although this is a sort of OK, it's not the one you mention as your childhood's dream;

‘What do you wanna be when you grow up?’

‘Stable Miss’ :-)

So as long as it doesn't deteriorate I should be able to get a life again by following a lighter continuous chemo regime (without the heavy stuff). I have to find out in the next couple of months what this would mean for the quality of life (how do I regain physical fitness, can I work again, part time yes/no etc.) Also nobody knows how long these stable periods will last. It could be 9 weeks as a minimum or maybe even a couple of years. We just have to find out.

So the bad news is that I got a lifetime sentence where you run your steeple chase, try to stay ahead of competitors with reapers and hope that science finds additional cures just in time.

The good news is that I haven't lost my sense of humour and day by day life is not bad at all. You just have to learn to live with uncertainty and accept that you are no longer Master of your own life (come to think of it: Was I ever).

So given the fact that the road took an unexpected left or right turn (whichever you prefer as a metaphor) I am enjoying the trip, see where it goes, look for silver linings, be grateful for all the good stuff and try to accept the nasty things :-)”

• 
  

New Hope ... I hope

Photo from BBC News.co.uk

It was absolutely brilliant to hear President Obama in London this morning talk of his belief in the ‘very special relationship’ between the UK and the US.

I suggest Britain has always been the staunchest of all allies to the US. Long may that continue as far as I am concerned. I feel privileged to have a number of great friends in the US. When I hear your new President talk in such warm terms about my own country I have sense of great pride.

To learn from each other; understand each other; help and support each other seems a great place to start from whether we talk about nations or individuals. President Obama inspires far more confidence than his predecessor. It feels like a new dawn. It is not about who is the senior partner – it is about working together.

I’m convinced President Obama has the potential to be the leader who changed the balance from an obscene worship of money to the care, development and support of people.

I certainly wish him well from this side of the pond.

•