Daily Archives: November 2, 2014

Europe’s rudderless strategy on boat people – FT.com

November 2, 2014 By in Greece, Immigration, Italy, People, Spain 1 Comment

This is an important editorial article from the FT. Check it out!

via Europe’s rudderless strategy on boat people – FT.com.

I agree with the FT that Italy has been largely struggling alone on this issue and has taken a humanitarian approach. I also accept that the response from the European Union (EU) is seriously inadequate, with a tiny budget compared to say the Common Agricultural Policy.

However, I disagree with the FT that ultimately Europe must relax her immigration policies.

Immigration, both legal and illegal, is one of the most hotly debated issues across the European political spectrum. As the Italian statistics show, the crisis is growing exponentially. My view is that the more that the EU dithers, the greater will be the pressure from Africa and the Middle East.

For me, this is, once again, an example of where the European Commission is without an effective strategy. It’s the same for the absence of an effective strategy on energy, defense and foreign policy, as highlighted by John Gelmini.

Any thoughts on a humane policy for the EU on the boat people?

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Opinion – Junk food, alcohol and gambling sponsors ‘saturate’ sport – Sydney Morning Herald – John Gelmini

November 2, 2014 By in Business Administration, Food, Healthcare, People, Politicians, Politics Leave a comment
Junk food copy

Junk food copy (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

English: Male abdominal obesity.

English: Male abdominal obesity. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Dr Alf may know that this practice arises because the bad reputation of junk food and drink has to be countered by clever advertising designed to confuse the public.

The way it is done is by an NLP process known as “anchoring”, plus image association.

First, the product, perhaps Pepsi or Coca Cola is shown, then the viewer is switched to an image of a sporting victory complete with wholesome sporting hero and uplifting music such as Chariots of Fire, the theme from “Rocky” or “Eye of the Tiger”, the product is shown again, then the sporting victory complete with music then the product and so on.

The process creates the same effect as Pavlov did with his salivating dogs who associated the ringing of the bell with the taste of the piece of meat.

People then associate the consumption of junk food and sugar filled unhealthy drinks not with obesity, flatulence and diabetes but with athletic and sporting prowess, Olympic success, fame, fortune and attractiveness.

In the end, the mere playing of the music is enough to trigger a response strong enough to induce that person to go into MacDonalds and order one of their cheeseburgers, french fries and a coke.

John Gelmini