Hogtown City Limits III

The press here in Toronto are expressing surprise that an individual unconnected with the Toronto Transit Commission has produced a transit map far superior to those issued by the commission itself.
How can it be that one bright man in his spare time can outwit all the sinecurists, consultants, committee wallahs, and meddling politicians in Hogtown?
Their surprise is based on a lack of understanding. Bureaucracies can never agree on an action plan; a bureaucrat's greatest pleasure is to thwart the plans of his fellow bureaucrat. They do not live in a competitive world so the "customer," or passenger in this case, will get what they are given from a cult of mediocrity.
Toronto's "large imperfect" Mayor, David Miller has recently installed placeman Adam Giambrone as TTC Commissioner. According to the Globe and Mail Giambrone thinks the map is "cool."
The TTC have apparently been goaded into a website redesign which is going out to tender. Bring on the sinecurists, consultants, committee wallahs, and meddling politicians.
For more Hogtown folly go here and here and here.

Greedy Greene King lose out

News from Lewes and the Lewes Arms boycott indicates that Greedy King [the new Watney's] is losing the battle of the beers. Readers will recall that they took out the Harvey's beer against the wishes of the customers, who now drink elsewhere.
The Suffolk accountants will be getting a daily message from the till that all is not well. Presumably they also have a load of Suffolk beer on their hands that they can't sell. Oh what a shame, never mind!
Don't say they weren't warned. For more see PunchBuggy passim here and here.

Hand in your pocket

I'm supposed to be having a day away from the news but the consultants won't let me.
See PunchBuggy passim here and here.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

Greetings to all readers of PunchBuggy.

Brown in denial

The Telegraph reports it "is a "dirty tricks" operation being orchestrated by his enemies within Labour..."
With friends like these.

An Inspector Calls

While Blair meets Knacker at Number Ten, Brown is now a person of interest it seems. Whiter than white, purer than pure.

Greene King shutter Hardy & Hansons

If you want to know what Greene King do to rival small brewers read on.

Greedy Greene King turns nasty

The argument at the Lewes Arms in Lewes, East Sussex over the sale of Harvey's beer has gone sour. Greedy King have yanked the local Harvey's beer, on sale in the pub since anyone can remember, and customers be damned. Just in time for Christmas the greedy Suffolk conglomerate has decided to play scrooge.
But just who is responsible for this sickening behaviour:

Rooney Anand, GK chief executive, knows more about cake mixes, it seems, than respecting the traditions of British beer. Allegedly Greedy King know the price of everything and the value of nothing.
Now loyal customers of the pub have launched a boycott. The Suffolk accountants shall not pass. More power to their elbow!
See Friends of the Lewes Arms blog.
See also Viva Lewes Issue 50 for update, also comment by Charles Wycherley [separate article]:
Favourite pub? "The Lewes Arms. But I think I’ll boycott it now they’re not serving Harveys. I’ll probably go to the Elephant now."
More from The Argus.
The Sussex Express.
The Morning Advertiser here and here.
Updated: The Publican.

You'll never get justice

Two ladies in the EU theatre of the absurd.

You'll never walk alone

Freddie Marsden is gone. Bless him.

Motorists wunt be druv

Lewes, Sussex: The mysterious case of the exploding parking meters in the Daily Mail.