MonTemplar's Journal: Late News - 14th August 2003

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TODAY'S HEADLINE :

• How to rebuild police forces in war zones
• Dads can't keep up with techno-sons
• Council bans 'lover-ly' welcome

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How to rebuild police forces in war zones
BBC News Magazine has the story of Inspector David Atraghji, of London's Metropolitan Police, who spent a year in Kosovo helping to train a new police force.

What amused me and frustrated me was how the corrupt culture of policing from the old regime had stuck. Some recruits' aspiration was to join the traffic police because they thought that was where the money was. That's the way they'd lived under Serbian rule; because the police service was so poorly paid, officers augmented their salaries with bribes.

Another hurdle was the use of force. During self-defence classes it became obvious that they were used to the previous police force being... brutal is not quite the right word, but a lot more physical.

[...]

We had to tell the recruits that any disputes or clashes due to ethnic tensions wouldn't be tolerated and they'd be summarily dismissed. Over the 12 weeks, each contingent drew together and there was camaraderie there.

While I was there, we had the first joint passing out ceremony - they call it graduation - which was a really big deal. Previously only ethnic Albanians would attend; the Serbian recruits felt they couldn't because of the hostility that could be there.

So the first multi-ethnic ceremony was a potential flashpoint and a big security operation. It went off really well - we had Serbian and Albanian recruits shaking hands and congratulating each other. I wouldn't be as soft to say it was moving but it was a landmark.

We can only hope that a similar miracle can be worked in Iraq in the coming months...
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Dads can't keep up with techno-sons

A survey in the UK by Stuff Magazine examined the attitutes of kids and their fathers towards new technology. No surprise to learn that the older generation has problems getting to grips with things like MiniDisc and MP3 players.

In comparison, sons aged 16 to 24 are more likely to try out new technology and think broadband internet is the greatest invention of the 21st century.

The most techno-savvy young men in the country live in the Midlands, with MP3s topping their list of favourites.

But when it comes to entertainment, dads joined sons in citing Sony's PlayStation 2 as their preferred games console.

Some dads still cling to hazy retro memories. The survey found that the Sinclair Spectrum ZX was their third favourite gaming device, even though it is long extinct.

Since I can remember the ZX Spectrum (BBC typo? Whatever next!), I suspect this means I officially qualify as the older generation, even though I have no kids. Fortunately, my Dad at least half-understands things like Broadband, the Internet, MP3 and computers, having worked in television for many years and been exposed to computer systems and digital video during that time. I just help fill out his understanding now and again...
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Council bans 'lover-ly' welcome

Bristol City Council has decided, for reasons unknown, that council workers should not greet visitors using Bristolian names like 'dear', 'love', 'babby' or 'treasure', but should instead stick to 'sir' or 'madam'. But residents say the Council is being silly in trying to tone down the local dialect.

"I think they should be encouraging it, not banning it," said Pat Dallimore.

"We get people from America coming to visit us with out quaint old English accent - that is good for the city.

"It is stupid - how can they ban people from talking?"

As a former part-time resident of the county of Somerset (or Zummerzet, in Wurzel *grin*), to the south of Bristol, I think they've got a point. I suggest dunking the official who came up with the idea in a large barrel of cider until s/he see the error of his/her ways... :-)
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Bristol city council.

[spumoni_fettuccini]

Do they not realize the charm they are getting rid of?!? Dorks! I'd love to be in a country and be made to feel welcome by the local lingo instead of PC/Dinseyesque [in my case] Sir. Call me mate and I'll call you dude :) True Californian, I even call the ladies dude :D

killing the charm

[dubiousdave]

I agree with using friendly local expressions. I love going to a little hole-in-the-wall restaurant and having the waitress drawl "honey" or "sugar" at me. I used to go to a little family-owned Mexican restaurant where my favorite waitress referred to everyone with little pet names like that. She also scolded and teased people who didn't finish their food. It was like having lunch with a humorously cranky aunt.

Political correctness drains the color and joy from life.