And So Another Year

Well yesterday was the Winter Solstice. The days now start to get longer. Here the change is much more pronounced, the change of the seasons a roller coaster of a ride from dark to light.

All the best for the new year.

G20 Tax and Growth Option

Gordon Brown has gone to the G20 with recommendations for tax cuts etc to stimulate growth. We have covered this in other blogs such as BBC Newsnight Editor Paul Mason's and his discussion on the method for a new financial order. It is not our preferred approach.

Celtic Lion believes Our Option is the best and safest.

Wandering About The Dish Rag and 11th Hour

While looking for news references for ecology we came across The LA Times The Dish Rag, with even a comment there from Celtic Lion.

Expressing the views of Leonardo DiCaprio on the Bush Presidency, Caprio's film the 11th Hour is recommended for those wanted a serious perspective on the planetary ecological challenge.

View here

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-2174195060267517042

Celtic Lion Our Option

Interest

Thank you for your visit to Our Option.

The future is the most important commodity we all share. Without the future you would not be able to read this sentence after the last one. A concept so crucial but simple we forget at times how vital and central a sustainable future is to all our lives.

Was part of the 2001 proposal to use the Millennium Dome London as a global environmental management centre.

There is a planet in peril, our planet, our future. Celtic Lion has been, are doing something practical about the situation. And now increasing the scope of our project to meet the requirements of the present and future.

Our option is for those with an interest in their life and the planet on which they live.

Information

You will be probably be aware of our influence already. The agenda for the 2005 G8 in Perthshire of climate change and Africa was derived from our work. The assessment that climate change is a greater threat than terrorism was ours. Used by world leaders, environmental organisations and even Al Gore when notified of his Nobel Prize. Though we could be considered one of the world's most influential strategists, that is all we were. Influencing through 3rd parties. Now is the time to work direct on the challenges to be resolved.

We are not a political organisation. We do not offer hope. We are directed at implementing practical solutions, from a background of engineering and ecology, amongst others.

The seas of our planet are contaminated by waste, enough plastic in the Pacific to cover Texas. Toxic chemicals and dangerous wrecks need cleaning up. Extinction rates of animals and planets are increasing, all part of the web of life of which we are part.

Teenagers kill each other or themselves without the knowledge of a better option. People and states make war without realising there is a common cause.

Climate change is being addressed using politics and economics, an ecological approach needs to be introduced to balance other means, ensuring an effective response.

A broad agenda of known and yet unknown challenges, which though important, exist in the gaps between the responsibilities of other organisations.

The magnitude of the projects we need to address is in a spread of £30-80 billion per year in the first instance, using the conventional assessment of money.

The heart of our project is compassion for all life and a love for this planet.


Involvement

Please make our option and project known to others who share our values, if they are also yours.

To initiate the projects we wish to raise £2 billion in the first instance, a fraction of that given to the banks and financial system in the UK in recent weeks.

How much is the future is worth to you and our planet? Please make a contribution to ensure that future.

For contributions over £50 a membership pack can be supplied if requested. Also recommended for members of the media for use as a press and information pack.

We use PayPal at present. For larger contributions, commercial work and further information towards a better future for our planet, please contact us.

My thanks

Roger Jardine Thomas
Director of Strategy
Celtic Lion Ltd

What is Phlebotomy?

There I was last week in a waiting room at Perth Royal Infirmary, Scotland, quite content to pass the time with the thoughts going round in my head while I waited for a blood sample to be taken.

"Roger Thomas". My name was called.

"Sorry you had to wait so long", said the lady who was going to take it.

"Not at all," I replied, "I didn't think I had to wait long, besides I was writing an article in my head about sine waves".

In truth it was something similar to Kondratieff waves.

Too late I had opened my mouth, the look given me was a bit iffy, a bit unsure. I had to reply.

"Paul Mason, the Economics Editor for Newsnight has put an article on his site about creating a new global financial order and I was just thinking about my next contribution".

I couldn't tell whether the expression returned was inquisitive or oh my God I've got the nutter. When in a hole stop digging might be an appropriate phrase to consider. But no not me I keep going.

"Most people know my work, but not my name, the agenda for the 2005 G8 in Perthshire, climate change and Africa was derived from my work. When Al Gore was notified of his Nobel Prize he referred to my work on the risk assessment of climate change and terrorism, but he says the British Government, not me, hardly anybody knows me but many know my work".

"Like us". She replied.

"Phlebotomists?" I said.

"Yes". Was the acknowledgement. We had got there, the common ground, I knew what her proper job title was.

"Perhaps you could write about us, hardly anyone knows what we do, we don't get paid much and we have to work behind closed doors", nodding to the closed door of the treatment room I was in. "Its not really safe".

"Yes I will try and do something. I have a website it gets a reasonable number of hits, but not too many but the people who visit I think are of a thoughtful nature".

With the blood taken, I thought, give me a few days then search Celtic Lion Phlebotomy.

"OK".

I left and checked the time. I had been in the hospital for exactly one hour. I had booked in, had an initial small blood sample taken. Then seen a nurse for my weight and blood pressure, spot on OK. Then seen the Doctor, then had another blood sample taken and was on my way. No complaints there about inefficiency. It couldn't have been done much quicker.

Now on top of a 100 other things, I had to think about Phlebotomy. How do you approach that? First I thought about safety and behind closed doors. Now this isn't a problem specific to Phlebotomy. Many people have to work one to one. Any problem here is a problem of society in general. Phlebotomy, if it feels it has a problem, really needs to join in a greater movement to create a better society, a better world.

Down to specifics. I remember being really ill in hospital at one point. It seemed my whole day just consisted of blood being taken either from my arms or my fingers. Just pain on top of pain. Discomfort when I wanted to be left alone.

"Here are the blood suckers for you." the other patients in the ward would shout and laugh when the trolley arrived for another sample.

"Vampire time". Would go the call time after time.

Here, I would suggest, is the problem with Phlebotomy. It has too many associations with the painful dark side of culture and society. Phlebotomy is the one who sticks the needle in and draws the blood. Behind them and unseen are those in the labs who do the analysis and those who do the assessment and those who provide the treatment.

But is is those blood sucking vampires who stick the needle in, these are the front line. Without them none of the rest could do what they do. Blood and the information derived from it, leaves the patient, circulates around the health service and returns to the patient, in another form, as treatment. A positive cycle which begins with the Phlebotomist.

Blood has many positive connotations. Blood, the word on its own can mean family, kinship. Which leads to such positive values as trust, support, togetherness. Blood is thicker than water.

Perhaps those vampiristic, blood sucking agents of pain need a make over.

Phlebotomy: The Life Blood of the Health Service.

But does Phlebotomy help itself. I needed to research, so I put Phlebotomy into Google and clicked on Wikipedia to see what they said. I think that despite the millions of entries that the site contains, no one from Phlebotomy has taken the time to write an entry describing what they do, how it is done or anything that may interest the public about the subject.

Change begins with the profession. What about letting us know a bit more about you? There must be a Phlebotomy association or similar with someone who could write an entry in one of the largest first point of call reference sites on the web.

A journey of a 1000 miles begins with the first step.

Believe in yourself, let others know about you.

In a months time it would be nice to see a proper entry in Wikipedia. The next time I visit PRI a pleasant little affirmation message about yourself wouldn't go amiss.

Even if it is just a small poster with Phlebotomy: Life Blood of the Health Service, or something devised which you think is appropriate.

You are very important, just let others know how important.

Life Blood.

PS The Google dictionary doesn't even recognise your profession either.

Yet.

Celtic Lion's Contact Update

Thanks to everyone who has been visiting the site while we haven't been posting. There have been a few updates and pictures added. Some appropriate music has been placed in the page elements. Though at the moment we are not sure if the element or screen can be re sized to accommodate all the video. Once it has played the appropriate YouTube page does open full size on replay.

Our email has changed now using the celticlion.org. Please contact us now on info@celticlion.org.

Let the ceremony begin. We have a life to live and a planet to rescue.

Should Ecologists Call for Obama?

With Barack Obama taking an advantage in the Democratic nominations for the US Presidency, should the environmental consensus support him?

With speeches of passion and rhetoric, Mr Obama is running an inclusive campagn. Not with talk of when I will be President, but rather we are a movement of change.

Does this movement of change involve the US taking a lead in global sustainable ecological planetary mangement? There have been some comments that the US elections have not touched a great deal on environmental issues. Such as from La Marguerite. Mr Obama will probably admit himself that as a civil rights lawyer his campaign has been more socio centric than eco centric.

Despite only minimal talk on the environment Mr Obama has a bizarre relationship within the race to become the next president of the US. He was cosponsor of the Climate Change Stewardship and Innovation Act with Republican front runner John McCain and also Joe Lieberman.

Should the ecological movement call for Obama and become part of the movement for change?

Should Celtic Lion Ltd support Obama? Should Celtic Lion apply to Barack Obama to advise on his environmental campaign and strategy?

Celtic Lion has already made initial enquiries and we thank the number visitors to our site from Washington DC, Illinois and Chicago.

Celtic Lion has already successfully advised ex Prime Minister Tony Blair on the timing of the 2001 UK General Election when surrounded by the uncertainty of the Foot and Mouth epidemic.

President George W Bush came to the 2005 G8 in Scotland to discuss climate change and Africa, an agenda derived from our recommendations in a UN Environment and Development report commissioned by the UK Government. Ex Vice President Al Gore also uses our risk assessment, that climate change is a greater threat than terrorism.

Is there a more suitably qualified organisation to advise Barack Obama than Celtic Lion? Should we make him the offer?

Celtic Lion:The Same Difference

Celtic Lion Blog Post of 3rd January 2008

Alex Salmond's Celtic Lion: A Cultural Vision

http://thecelticlion.blogspot.com/2008/01/alex-salmonds-celtic-lion-cultural.html

See also Newstart 18th January 2008 Vol 10 No 417, a magazine for economic development professionals

or

The Scotsman 15th February 2008

http://business.scotsman.com/scotlandseconomy/The-Celtic-Lion-and-Celtic.3781350.jp

or

The Scotsman 14th February 2008

http://news.scotsman.com/scotland/Salmond--casts-net-wide.3776022.jp

or

Alex Salmond's speech

http://www.scotland.gov.uk/News/Releases/2008/02/13162505

Celtic Lion keeping ahead of the pride

Celtic Lion and the Global Stock Market Crash

We got contacted over the holidays by Newstart, a magazine for regeneration and economic development professionals, with a readership of about 30,000. Our task was to do an initial assessment of the Scottish Government's economic development strategy. A reworking of our Alex Salmond's Celtic Lion: A Cultural Perspective, was published in Newstart Friday 18th January Vol 10 No 417. The Lion Rampant.

It covered the 'single pursuit of economic growth' and a resulting dependence 'on an out of control and increasingly chaotic global dynamic'.

Three days later the global stock markets crashed. At time of posting it is not known how much the French banking fraud contributed to this, but at least that showed how much one person can affect the global system.

Alex Salmond's Celtic Lion: A Cultural Perspective

The Scottish Nationalist Party waited more than 70 years until in May 2007, under the leadership of First Minister Alex Salmond, they formed the new Scottish Government. After an election campaign of pure genius, ideas, music, graphics and more contributing to the attrition of the Labour lead, the country waited for the next big idea.

On the world stage, not in Scotland, but at the Council for Foreign Relations in New York on the 12th November, Alex Salmond revealed his vision - the Scottish Celtic Lion. A Scotland equalling the economic growth rate of the UK as a whole by 2011 them matching that of other small independent EU countries by 2017.

So where did Salmon's Celtic Lion come from? A series of transpositions which began in the 1980s. The rapidly expanding Asian economies of South Korea, Singapore, Hong Kong and Taiwan, got dubbed the East Asian Tigers. From 1994 Ireland's economy boomed, due to a number of factors. Membership of the EU, often given as a major influence, with up to 4% of GDP being transfer payments from other member states. Access to the markets of Europe, US investment, assisted by an English speaking, low wage workforce at the time of a high technology boom, amongst others. With a growth rate almost matching the Asian economies, Ireland became the Celtic Tiger.

So after the economic success of it's near neighbour, the SNP want Scotland to become the Celtic Lion.

Here the comparison could break down. Celtic Tiger is a descriptive term from 1994. Celtic Lion is a much older symbolism which may not fully reconcile itself with Alex Salmond's vision, but could provide broader, more expansive, inclusive and aspirational objectives for Scotland. A alternative version of the Celtic Lion which if the Scottish Government considered, might be more compatible to the interests of Scotland and more in keeping with the underlying small print of Alex Salmond's Celtic Lion vision.

As Alex Salmond in New York referred to, and at a later Gaelic college, Sabhal Mor Ostaig lecture, in Edinburgh on the 19th December spoke on, the need for a strong economy and a strong culture to go hand in hand. Perhaps the origins of the Celtic Lion need to be explored.

The Celts were a culture, not an empire, which covered most of Europe in pre Roman times, around 400 BC. A decentralised, trading network made up of individual tribes. After the rise of Rome, the culture continued in the Celtic fringe, Ireland, Wales and Scotland. Jewellery and artefacts show the lion was a common symbol in Celtic culture. Without a written record it is difficult to be precise, but it would not be unrealistic to consider it is similar to today's associations in terms of meaning. Courage, leadership, light, justice etc. The lion also having many meanings in heraldry, depending on how it is presented. The Scottish lion rampant, face in profile, is magnanimity.

Celtic culture had a strong affinity with the natural world, a relationship which persists today, whether in music or simply the way brand Scotland is marketed. Mountains, wildlife, lochs and surrounding seas. In terms of a cultural identity, Celtic Lion is perhaps more representative of leadership in environmental issues, rather than a single goal pursuit of increasing economic growth.

For the SNP Government it is not unreasonable for them to place increasing economic growth at the centre of their vision for Scotland. Alex Salmond is an economist, and one area of contention for the party is Scotland's oil. In the 1980s, when the high growth economies of Asia were taking off, they had to watch Scotland's assets contribute to fuelling the consumerism and business centric policies of Margaret Thatcher's UK Government. A situation they feel Scotland did not get the best end of the deal from. Now in power, why not have the attitude of "we can do that"?

The world has now moved on. Though world leaders discuss climate change, it is only one small part of the need to manage the planet more sustainably. Away from the headlines, beneath the veneer of traditional policies is the quest for the 'new development model'. Is there a better way to run a country or a planet than the strategies that have brought us to the edge of global ecological life support system collapse?

This may be the vision of Scotland's Celtic Lion given form, this may be the strategy that fulfils the subtext of the First Ministers speeches better than the pursuit of narrow economic growth strategies. In the quest for independence from the UK, Scotland runs the risk of being dependent on an out of control and increasingly chaotic global dynamic. Far better for Scotland to create it’s own destiny and even have the ability to lead the world to a better future.

The Scottish Government has exceeded many expectations in it's achievements and conduct so far, golf courses aside. The question is, do they have the courage to surpass their own aspirations? There is a way forward for Scotland which leaves the goal of increasing economic growth in the 80s. Is Scotland brave enough to seek the thistle and grasp it?

Considered Views Please on Scottish Development

Celtic Lion would like to request the impartial views and comment of the Scottish blogging community, political journalists and anyone else who would like to express an opinion.

This the situation. On Monday 17th December Celtic Lion Ltd got a phone call from a leading regeneration and economic development journal asking if we could provide an assessment of the Scottish Government’s economic development strategy.

After some conferring with the editor, I was asked whether I was aware of the SNPs approach and policy of relating Scotland to nearby countries such as Norway and Iceland.

Below or here is a development strategy that I was asked to write in February 2006. If you scroll down to Northern Tundra Alliance, this contains the paragraph.

"Scotland needs to form a group with its biome partners Sweden, Norway, Finland, Iceland, Greenland, Northern Russia and Alaska".

This was sent to all MSPs at Holyrood at the start of April 2006. 3 weeks later David Cameron turns up in Norway for his much publicised photo shoot with the huskies. Annabel Goldie's office acknowledgeing they had a copy by receipt. Then Cameron rebrands the Conservative Party, with a strategy remarkably close to the development strategy for Scotland, just without all the specifics to Scotland.

I contact SNP HQ to see if they can help in case any thing has gone on. I am put thorough to Kenny MacAskill’s people, as he was legal and justice spokesman at the time. They request a copy of the document, which was supplied. They never get back in touch despite phone calls and emails.
11 months later in the Perthshire Advertiser this appears from Pete Wishart MP, SNP.

"We have a detailed plan to deliver Scottish economic success. We have learnt lessons from our successful neighbours – Ireland, Norway and Iceland – each in the top six richest nations in the world. We believe Scotland can join them at the top of world wealth tables, but we need to be free to prosper.

From then on the SNP are relating Scotland to it’s nearest neighbours all the time, Ireland, Iceland and Norway.

Coincidence, prescience or what. All views from Scottish political and other bloggers on the matter would be appreciated.

Celtic Lion: Director Profile

Roger Jardine Thomas. Born in rural Cheshire of Welsh and Scottish descent he now lives near Blairgowrie, Perthshire, Scotland. His first interest has always been in the environment as long as he can remember. Childhood influences include Jacques Cousteau, Galileo and James Lovell commander of Apollos 8 and 13.

In his first job as a trainee metallurgist, he was fortunate to experience one of the world’s top engineering training systems while working within and implementing a quality control system for a factory of 2500 people. Also attending college for his qualifications he was awarded the year prize at Stoke-on-Trent Technical College. Finishing his metallurgical studies at Manchester Polytechnic he achieved the highest marks ever awarded in the subject. His contribution to R&D work on Ministry of Defence contracts is still saving lives around the world and reducing CO2 emissions.

Returning to ecology he sought to improve on the predictive system techniques of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology behind "The Limits to Growth".

After showing young or unemployed musicians how to stage national quality events he was first choice as tour and technical manager for a Manchester band. As he had other commitments he had to decline, though they still sold more than 50 million albums without him. 25% of those who attended his workshops did go on to get full time employment as TV producers, stage managers or professional musicians.

Working as a countryside ranger his leading edge techniques in management, integration, education and appreciation soon spread to become standard practice.

Roger was once asked to give a 1 hour introductory lecture for a college course on Business and the Rural Economy at a residential in the English Peak District. Arriving the night before believing it would snow, they all awoke the next morning to find they were cut off by the blizzard. As no other lecturers could attend, he taught the entire 3 day course without preparation or notes. The snow thawed in time for the external assessors to pass all his students.

His proposal to run the Millennium Dome as a centre for global environmental management was so strong it immediately attracted the finance to be implemented had an open competition been permitted. Though some of the ideas anticipated those of the Government since, many still await their beneficial contribution to the environmental challenge.

Extensive work on climate change and sustainable development has continued since. From the first meetings to produce the new generation of climate and Earth system models (Quest), to correctly advising the PM on the outcome of FMD, being a contributor to Government reports, submitting evidence to House of Commons select committees and advisory work for the Cabinet Office.

Recently he was brought in to set up the site of one of Europe's most intensive civil engineering projects. After completing that ahead of time and within budget he was given front line logistical control. HM Chief Inspector of Railways singled him out as setting up and managing a site which was "a model for the future of the rail industry". Network Rail liked it so much they ran another project from it, halving it's set up costs at a stroke.

Occasionally he still does metallurgical design on race winning rally and oval cars.

Amongst others HRH The Prince of Wales has read his work on prediction of socio-economic and ecological trends and effective strategy implementation. He has also given him permission to use quotes to explain the methodology.

He is now writing a book on the next generation of global environmental management technologies. His work on both the scientific and political aspects of climate change, including United Nations reports and the agenda for G8 summits has made him one of the least know but most influential strategists of the 21st century providing the solutions to the global environmental challenges we face.

He is the Director of Celtic Lion with the ambition of making it one on the most useful and practical sustainable development, regeneration and planetary management strategists.

About Us

Welcome to Celtic Lion. The Celtic Lion is a symbolic creature involving many attributes. Guidance, leadership, compassion, strength are some. Concepts particularly applicable to sustainable strategy in a world of uncertainty.

You will already be aware of our work through it’s incorporation in policy and strategy of Governments, international organisations, environmental groups and in the words of world leaders.

We cover ecological, economic and political analysis. Conceptualisation of sustainable development strategy. Implementation guidance and futurology. From the personal to the international we can assist in creating a better future.

Local to global, individual to organisation. Please contact us to discuss what you would like, what we have done and how we can help you and this planet.


Roger Jardine Thomas

Director
Celtic Lion