Bonkers or What?

In the UK the boss of a recruitment firm said she was told she could not place an advert for ''reliable workers'' because it discriminated against unreliable people. Yes – you read it right.

Nicole Mamo, 48, wanted to post an advert for a £5.80-an-hour domestic cleaner on her local Jobcentre Plus website.The text of the advert ended by stating that any applicants for the post ''must be very reliable and hard-working''.

A Jobcentre Plus worker claimed that the word ''reliable'' meant they could be sued for discriminating against unreliable workers. Bonkers or what?

You cannot now take pictures in London, particularly near Government buildings without being stopped by the police checking that you’re not a terrorist. Similarly, you cannot take pictures on a beach or near a school or a public playground without risking being called a paedophile. Bonkers or what?

Spotted Dick is now deemed too rude to be included on menus.

Warwickshire police chiefs have advised officers against saying ‘Evening All’, over worries of cultural confusion. ‘Evening’ has been deemed by bosses as a ‘subjective term’, which does not necessarily mean the same across cultures and nationalities.

Children are no longer encouraged to sing ‘Baa Baa Black Sheep’ for fear of upsetting those in schools who are not quite white.

Even in America, it is reported that the Obama family changed the name of their festive tree from ‘Christmas Tree’ to ‘Holiday Tree’.

Jim Fitzpatrick, a transport minister, has said that drivers who display the Union Flag, the cross of St George, the Welsh dragon or the Scottish saltire on their number plates are liable to a £60 fine and a failed MoT for having an illegal plate. Only the blue flag with gold stars of the EU is permitted.

And do you know that it is technically illegal to fly any national flags (e..g. the Union Jack) from sloping poles or from windows in the UK without permission but as the EU flag is deemed to be an advertisement, it does require clearance from the local planning authority. Bonkers or what?

And talking about local authorities, have you heard that a teacher who put up "missing" posters in a bid to find her beloved cat Fluffy was astonished to be hit with a £75 for graffiti by her local council?

I could go on and on but I’d go bonkers.

PS - lovely weather we're having at the moment - see picture - 8 inches of snow yesterday!