You can't blame the government for trying, but let's face it, unless there is some sort of radical change in the mindset of the unions, the government call to them to keep those strikes peaceful is going to fall on incredibly deaf ears.

Our so-called 'strike season' has been marked for years by wanton acts of mindless violence, which of course have never been on the part of 'our members'. It's always the other union, or a 'third force' or whatever that has trashed businesses, looted shops, beaten, murdered, etc. Well, perhaps this year it will be different - but don't hold your breath.

Still on the subject of trashing, Douglas Kruger has a step-by-step process for those bosses out there (and yes, there are such morons) on how to trash a great team.

Do we live in a classroom or the real world, asks Courtney Bentley. As we all know, our education system is ... well... you know ... but apart from the basics that any decent education system should inculcate into its pupils, Bentley reckons there's a need to teach some basic life skills as well.

For all you petrol heads out there, our tame motoring editor Henrie Geyser reckons the new Volvos are as smooth as Irish coffee, and as a man noted for his cheery, chiselled features, he also reckons the baby Merc gets A for looks. Well, come on... he knows... wouldn't he?

To end... don't forget to vote in the Times' Creative Press Ad Challenge and stand a chance to win yourself a Samsung tablet.

Rod Baker, Content Director

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