Manx Bean

Anyone want to guess what the Fat Controller is going to say in his Presidential Address to the Nation on Thursday? My guess is "We will be monitoring the situation in the adjacent Isle very carefully" followed by a round of the usual fuckwit questions from our local "journalists"

Don't be silly. It's already being fully utilised as the Bus Driver's Canteen. I kid you not.

Do our Politicians and Senior Civil Servants not remember we are trying to claw our way out of an economic downturn? It seems not - now Dandy Dan Davies and Razor-sharp Cregeen are looking to build a 'HUB" that will accommodate all three of the emergency services. Is this the right time? Do they really need new premises? Do they really all need to be in the same place? It seems to me that to achieve that they would need a pretty huge site. Huge site = huge capital spend = chunky overspend. https://www.manxradio.com/news/isle-of-man-news/emergency-services-hub-to-replace-douglas-fire-station/

Fear not. The heavyweights are entering the ring. We'll all be able to sleep tonight- https://www.manxradio.com/news/isle-of-man-news/castletown-mhk-asks-for-reversal-of-bank-decision/

Well said. Yesterday's dramatic Howard announcement just goes to underline that the policy now needs to be rapidly reviewed. The fact that it had to be held at 10am on a Sunday finely illustrates two things - Howard loves creating a drama and its also trying to emphasise the Island's very badly out of control paranoia. Was it necessary? In my opinion, no. Apart from the drama, there was also the cost of putting it all on. Frankly, it could have waited until today. But when you think through the subject matter, it was to say that a person who had been off island had travelled to the island, self isolated, been tested and was positive so was remaining in a further 14 days self isolation. However, the flip side of that is that it would appear that every other person on the flight was not considered to be a risk according to the contact and trace team. Stop there for a minute and pause. Ok, so this tells us that: Of the several thousand residents that have gone away and then returned, or have repatriated one, ONE, ONE has tested positive. So, therefore, if we combine that fact with what we are being told about the efficiency of the processes and procedures in place, why can we not now look at allowing in close family of residents on a controlled basis i.e. so many per day/week?

Whatever it is, Howard and his comms cronies are obviously going into full panic/war mode again. Unless we are about to be attacked by a flotilla or infected zombies, I would have to question why this couldn't wait until Monday. But no, our Howard does like to create a drama, puff out his chest and "Captain the ship" - Titanic or otherwise.

I'm really uncertain about the need to charge £50 for the test. It seems pretty petty against the background of the other statements getting wheeled out yesterday - the economy, mental health - if not just been seen to be doing the right thing for residents. In the general scheme of things to charge this fee is silly. Knowing IOMG, by the time they have developed a process and system to administer it would have been more cost effective just to test everyone for free on arrival.

Call me cynical, but on the very day the CM is due to make a State of the Nation address over COVID, our state sponsored radio station publish the following article which is basically referencing Level 3. Oh, and as if by surprise one of the interviewees is a Suzi Holland who is a part-time journalist whose husband was a former spin doctor for the IOM Gov. What a coincidence... https://www.manxradio.com/news/isle-of-man-news/uk-based-manx-people-call-for-iom-border-change/

It is really though, or is it maybe that the Police are wanting to avoid paperwork so are giving people a bollocking and not recording it anymore?

Well, you either love him or loathe him - but Mr Ian "don't give a fuck what anyone thinks" Longworth has done it again. This time it seems he is helping preserve lives of our StayCation/Guermsey visitors by refusing to accept a £9k cash bailout from the local Mountain Railway supporters citing the reason as it wasn't a "formal offer" - in doing so preventing any runaway carriages managing to come hurtling down the side of Snaefell -or, is it maybe that him and the group of generous anoraks are at loggerheads and this is his way of just brushing them to one side? Let's face it, with the Horse Trams being confined to the stables all summer and the fuss he makes over them, you think he'd be biting these folks hands off, wouldn't you? https://www.manxradio.com/news/isle-of-man-news/offer-to-pay-for-snaefell-mountain-railway-wasnt-formal/

Personally, I suspect that all most people will care about is the fact they have a long weekend and couldn't give a flying turd about the alleged "purpose" - which we all know is a sham to back-peddle from the cancelled Senior Race Day cock-up. The irony of course is that it is really there to say a "Thank You"to the key workers who worked long hours during lockdown - the same people who are still working on shift rotations and won't benefit from it. Genius.

Well, it will soon be time. Whoever does get elected, I sincerely hope that they take their oath of office seriously, specifically the part that says that they will: "... carry out their duties as MHK without fear or favour, and to do no wrong to any man." Because too many in the past have forgotten that bit, and think their office is life of self-entitlement.

And in fresh news, the boy David announces it is too soon to relax the border restrictions. Is it? How much longer can we go on living in a bubble without seriously damaging trade, tourism and totally pissing off EasyJet? Thoughts? https://www.manxradio.com/news/isle-of-man-news/too-soon-to-relax-border-restrictions/

Well, the Requisition Meeting was predictable really. No real stars to speak of, although its fair to say that Tony Allen, Michael Josem and Clarie Christian put in a creditable performance. The rest were mainly a bunch of wet weekends. Those that have turned out a manifesto have made a reasonable effort, although words mean nothing me without delivering on them. And, if you are at a loose end and fancy a game of Spot the Difference aka "Manifestos made easy".... https://www.gov.im/media/1353138/manifesto_dsouth_billmalarkey.pdf https://mmo.aiircdn.com/61/5f3a663386e5d.pdf

I stand corrected.