Eskom’s Maroga… er no Godsell resigns!

The usual ruling party interference and bumbling around in the dark without a light switch. This while the usual rabble rousers raise race as the issue whenever failure stares them in the face.

One could expect greater clarity from the kids in a kindergarten they may even be better at interpreting the English language.

Then again who would expect more from these clowns, the only surprise is that the lights have stayed on despite the continued ineptitude we have been forced to endure. My guess is we should thank the global downturn and not Eksdom for that.

Remind us again who was responsible for the demise of the coal stockpiles and the wasted time and expense on the pebble bed research? Must be the same saboteurs that were dropping the bolts in Koeberg?

That we must endure this ineptitude while the organisation is facing an expansion crisis of funding is astounding and extremely bizarre to say the least and goes a long way in explaining how Eksdom got into its current funding crisis in the first place.

no surprises, the race card is pulled and all hope for an efficient Eskom just went down the drain.

Definitely a racist thing. The ANC looking after their own at the expense of the White Man! The Fat Cats are going to ruin this country financially. Too many black hands in the till!

I am not worried. I have an “illegal” electricity connection for my house. So it does not effect me either way. he he. he

It would be a pity if the “race card” is now pulled by a tired succession of bloggers, since it would only serve to reinforce the myth that has been planted by the ANCYL, BMF and others that this is a racial thing – which it is not. It is a corporate governance thing – and the state (meaning the “executive” – Barbara Hogan and Zuma) have committed a gross error of judgement in allowing the matter to unfold as it has done. Godsell, considering the no-nonsense man that he is, was never going to stick around once he was hung out to dry by his sole shareholder (who had head-hunted him to sort out the mess, mind you). It is sadly symptomatic of the distortion of power relations that exists in so many of our institutions.

I’d love to be a fly on the wall in the next Board meeting: “Yes, Mr Maroga. No, Mr Maroga. Three bags full, Mr Maroga…”.

Opstoker,

The race card has been played regarding the views of some bloggers i.e mismanagement at Escom.

This than begs the question: If Bobby Godsell, being a champion of capitalism could not prevent such alleged mismanagement, and in view of the fact that he is white – perceived by some bloggers as uber competent, presided over the decay at Escom, what was his managerial abilities and why should we bother about his resignation from Escom?

Patrick, you do not know how a board works. Bobby can only implement his recommendations through the MD, being one black man. This one black man is the bolt in Koeberg, the off switch in Eksdom. The black as in no lights.
Once again reverse racism is at work. I no longer feel guilty about white apartheid.(not that I ever did) We now have black apartheid.

Patrick, if you have a vague knowledge of the Eskom saga, you’ll know that Godsell only joined them recently (at the sole shareholder’s request) to get them out of the mess that they had got into. Considering this fact, it is nonsensical to tie his (and the Board’s) hands when robust action is needed to make progress. And to turn it into a conflict between the “baas” and the “boy” is just plain ridiculous.

One thing must be clear: as Barbara Hogan said, it cannot be solely pinned at Maroga’s door. The state failed to listen to the warnings over numerous years (and before you lay that at the door of the ancien regime, those responsible include present ministers). Maroga himself only took the reins quite recently. It is now reported that the ANC NEC has once again failed to heed the message that we are buying electricity at subsidised prices – effectively, asset-stripping on a grand scale, and selling out the next generation for short-term political expediency.

The only thing that should be relevant to any Board worth its salt, is: Does he have the personal skills and leadership ability to drive the utility to become an effective, cost-efficient and reliable supplier? They appeared to answer this question when they accepted his resignation.

You may find this interesting, from http://www.mg.co.za :

Meanwhile, the latest developments at Eskom were a “complete disaster”, analyst Adam Habib said on Monday.

“Now we’ve clearly got a public crisis at the level of Eskom,” said Habib, deputy vice-chancellor of research at the University of Johannesburg.

“It appears as though the authority of the board is being undermined. The corporate governance at Eskom seems to have been rocked very badly,” he said. – Sapa.

Meanwhile, go chop some firewood.

chokingonmywhiskey,

You still have not answer my question.
What was his managerial abilities and why should we bother about his resignation?

Good questions Pat. Furthermore, where’s is the letter of resignation from Maroga?
It seems as if Bobby fabricated this resignation of Maroga when it became clear that the board shared the blame in Eskom’s mismanagement.
Therefore do not worry much about the peripheral sentiments on this blog.
Again, if Maroga’s obscured resignation was accepted by the entire board, why only Bobby is resigning? The board has a lot of answering to do. For now it looks as though Bobby handled this one in an immatured manner.

@Patrick. To answer your question. Bobby Godesll was CEO of AngloGold Ashanti. How good was he? You’d have to look at that company’s performance, relative to the industry standards, during his time in office.

The problem with corporate governance is that the board of directors (under the chairman) can only recommend. It is management (under the CEO) who implements.

The directors (including the chairman) are elected by the shareholders. In this case the S.A.Govt. They have the right to expect shareholder support – constructive criticism included.

Com’on Bobby, how do you accept an verbal resignation, rather how do we trust that he really said it?
Yes I agree you’re not a racist, given your track record with NUM leaders. But why? You have yourself to blame comrade!!
In deed, the way you handled this matter benefits Maroga. Sorrrrrrrrrrrry!!!

Such an important matter for the nation, and yet such empty heads making loud noises about it! I withdraw from the “debate”.

“Well done to Bobby Godsell for demonstrating something seldom seen in SA these days: an honourable leader electing to walk away from a fight that would damage the organisation further.

The impossibility of leading Eskom well under the current racially charged circumstances is not of his doing, and not his to fix.

ANC and BMF racial ideologues will have to learn the hard way at the expense of all South Africans, if at all. “

Patrick, as Dave said. The mere fact that Bobby resigned shows that he is a man of mettle. Gatvol so to speak. The black man clings to the gravy train at all cost, even of the country. Look at the BCM saga. Now they are in, then they are back.

@Patrick, I have given up on beer and whisky, and exchanged it for the local Transkei brew, cause that is all that is left, so I can only cry in my calabash.

Attached shows clearly that all this comes down to the mans skewed racially charged mentality. No doubt cheered on by the rest of the other racially charged rabble rousing cronies.

His so called “Strategy” document attached now lays the blame for Eskom’s failures on the past and white mentorship being responsible for the failures of black appointed senior management. Get real.

These guys are clearly scraping the bottom of the barrel as usual.

http://www.politicsweb.co.za/politicsweb/view/politicsweb/en/page71654?oid=150054&sn=Detail

Patrick, Bobby Godsell is a very rich man. He didn’t join ESKOM for the money. He was head hunted by ESKOM. Why? Because he knows how to manage big business. I agree with MGQuote, the bigger man walked away. Now he can just sit back and watch EISHKOM sink even further instead of putting up with all the ‘politics’ happening there.

Put away your hatred towards ANC and accept that Bobby dug his downfall, hence others accusse him of racism.
How on earth do you accept a verbal resignation, let alone not recording the bites/audio.
Bobby fumbled this one BIG TIME!!
His skills may be used elsewhere.

Instead of bitching about who was right and who was wrong and who’s more racist, we should focus on how to fix the problem. Who cares about race. If the electricity in this country goes off, it’ll bankrupt every company as they can’t do business anymore. So shut up about race, and find a solution

@Phumzo. Criticism does not constitute hatred. As a general principle of law, verbal is as binding as written – though a lot harder to prove.

Regrettably, the ANC does not have a proud history when it comes to management of state enterprises or local / provincial / national government. Invariably, there is a power struggle involved and, just as invariably, it’s the citizens of South Africa who suffer.

Cut the cackle. It is time to appoint people on merit and to give preference to those who have the courage to make important decisions even if those decisions are unpopular in the short-term.

Otherwise we are going to have to blog with paraffin-powered computers.

“Doesn’t matter”

read Mr Maroga “Strategy Doc” (Link shown above) and you will see that race is at the heart of the mans understanding of the causes of the enterprises past failures.

Clearly cronism and incompetence do not even enter his mindset.

So according to Mr Moroga race does matter and can always be used as the Joker to deflect from the facts and actual performance and that my friend is at the heart of the problem and is why good men must stand aside.

I think these “Barnicles” in these parastatals are only prised loose by a hefty, HEFTY golden handshake. aka SABC SAA

Perhaps thats what he’s waiting for??

Good comment Dave, particularly that verbal resignation is hard prove or accept as evidence in a legal wrangle.
So why can’t you see that Bobby is at fault here?
With regard not good in managing state resources. We don’t have a govt that’s got a good history in that regard. The huge apartheid debt and unreported corruption is an case in point.
With the deep-rooted legacy of apartheid in our social fibre, we can’t expect any ruling party sail smooth, thus weathering the storm. I like your last comment my man. That’s what I want read from you guys when ever I get a chance to open these bloggs. Keep’t up!!

But Pumza, if it was unreported how do you know it happened? or is it an assumption? and you are right in saying that our society is still struggling with the apartheid legacy, but the only way to over come it is to stop blaming race (be it white, black, indian etc etc) yes it may take a generation or two, but if you don’t try and route out hatred in your own life, how you gonna teach your kids not to hate

Whether we like it or not, we are saddled
with Maroga.
Perhaps the new acting chair of the Eskom board, Mpo Makwana, will bring calm and sanity.
My experience of him is that he is an intelligent, considerate and calm person who who can lead. Above all, I do not think that he has racial prejudices.
Give him a chance.

@ Doesn’t matter, brother I hate no one but apartheid remnants still rooted in the minds of some bloggers. Instead of participating in youth activities at my tender age, I had to decide whether to submit and allow apartheid to reign, or fight the injustices of apartheid to our people. I decided to fight and put an end to the hard-earned freedom you now enjoying. That’s I regard many of the comments here as a mere bashing of the ANC.

@ Doesn’t matter, beside getting it from our spies and reknowned journalists like Max du preez, A Harbour, Leister, Slabbert, FW’s brother, Black Sash, PFP, Helen Suzman and the host of transformed white folks.
Help yourself more;
APARTHEID DEBT
AS ILLEGITIMATE DEBT

Witness: M.P. Giyose (South Africa)

The film presented the case of South Africa to explain how certain debts are illegitimate because the contracting parties were illegitimate and the use of the loans contributed to the violation of the human rights of the population.

Apartheid Debt as Illegitimate Debt

The much spoken about miracle of the political settlement of 1994 is not sustainable in the short term never mind the long term. The goal of social upliftment is fast disappearing as the legacy of apartheid conspires to transform itself into an all-consuming monster. [Visuals of present day South Africa: Failure of housing and land reform the Bredell Case and visuals of the Landless Peoples Assembly in Durban; TAC campaign for AIDS medicines and the refusal of the government to fund anti-retrovirals; The struggle of COSATU against privatisation and job losses]

Enduring poverty, growing unemployment, criminal violence, vigilantism, land occupations are the first warnings of a new flood of social conflict threatening South Africa.

Today, apartheid, which was universally condemned as a crime against humanity lives on through the apartheid debt. [Footage of UN condemnation of apartheid regime]

Credit to the Apartheid government was critical in financing the system that denied the majority of South Africans their humanity, that confiscated their land and homes, condemned millions to live in the human dumping grounds of the homelands, that restricted peoples movement through the infamous pass laws, that detained, tortured and killed the thousands who opposed their system and that through military incursions destabilised South Africa’s neighbouring states. [Visuals of forced removals, pass laws and apartheid repression and destabilisation in Angola and Mozambique]

Impact of the Apartheid debt

[CLIPS FROM NEWS ARCHIVES]

In his first budget speech (March 1997) finance minister, Trevor Manuel, stated that “The first charge against government revenue is interest on government debt. The bigger our deficit, the more we have to borrow, the higher the interest bill and the less money there is available to invest in social development, in poverty relief and in the development of our human resources. It is for this reason that reducing our debt burden is important. It is important because it will free up the resources we need to create a better life for all.

What this means in very simple terms is that for every rand of tax we collect, about 24 cents is spent on interest on government debt. This leaves 76 cents to be divided up between all other government programmes. Clearly this situation is both untenable and unsustainable.

Through these loans the apartheid regime was able to offset the effects of sanctions.

The odiousness of the apartheid state encouraged foreign companies and international financial institutions like the IMF and the World Bank to openly support the regime. The profits for TNCs were amongst the world’s highest, interest on foreign loans was repaid easily, and democratic opposition was crushed. Under these conditions, the World Bank began making $200 million worth of apartheid loans in 1951, three years after the repressive Nationalist Party was elected in a whites-only vote. The loans included $100 million in Eskom electricity credits which provided power to white areas, while black townships were without electricity until the 1980s. Because South Africa became an “upper middle income country” in 1967, the Bank ceased lending, and all the loan obligations were discharged within the next two years. However, so as to build several controversial, scandal-ridden Lesotho mega-dams in 1986, the Bank opened up a secret London credit line that effectively served apartheid South Africa as a “financial sanctions-busting” devise (according to the first ANC water minister, Kader Asmal). All of these Bank loans are amongst the high-priority apartheid-era debts that campaigners have begun to highlight as cases that deserve reparations.

What foreign governments and international financial institutions did instead was to rely on the commercial banking system in supporting apartheid. The part played by international banks in actively supporting apartheid lay primarily in short term inter bank loans and trade credits.

For the apartheid regime as well as their willing bankers, a major attraction of the short-term loans was their anonymity; transactions on the inter-bank credit markets are never published. Short-term loans thus allowed banks to trade freely with the apartheid state without third parties’ knowledge. For this reason, short-term loans were an ideal sanctions-buster. . [Interview with Fatima Meer, Ndungani or Tutu]

Another sanction busting method of providing credit to Apartheid South Africa was through trade credits. Trade credits provided apartheid with a major form of new credit at a time when international banks were coming under increased pressure to restrict their ties with the international outcast. Not only did they make it possible to import products, including capital goods for expansion, but they allowed long-term borrowing to take place. It is for these reasons that the Governor of the Reserve Bank exhorted importers to use foreign credit during difficult foreign exchange periods. [Voice over of Rudin with visuals of sanction demos]

In the light of the debt moratorium announced by the apartheid regime of PW Botha in September 1985, a compelling case can be made against the foreign banks that did business with apartheid South Africa. In spite of the pressure on the banks to take punitive action against South or to require major political reforms as the price for allowing the apartheid regime to renegotiate its debt, each time a new rescheduling agreement was negotiated, major concessions to Apartheid South Africa were made.

Instead of using their leverage as creditors the banks provided further breathing space to the apartheid regime by granting an extended period for redeeming their stock of debt.

[CLIPS FROM NEWS ARCHIVES]

The ANC was so outraged on the occasion of the third such agreement that they were provoked into condemning the Arrangement as an act of “inhumanity” whose purpose was that:

“of helping perpetuate the evil system of apartheid…. When the time comes, the South African people will not be unmindful of the role of banks in making profit out of the misery of our people.”

The culpability of the world banking community in perpetuating apartheid is aptly, if inadvertently captured by the then director of finance and previous Reserve Bank Governor, Chris Stals:

If the world banking community should effectively exclude South Africa from international trade and payments systems, it would be a much more effective sanctions measure than trade sanctions applied by governments.

[CLIPS FROM NEWS ARCHIVES]

Thabo Mbeki in a recent document offers an insightful explanation.

“The Apartheid ruling group imposed on the country an unprecedented debt burden whose acquisition had to do exclusively with shifting the balance of force during the period of transition from Apartheid to democracy, so that this anti-democratic group would not be as weakened, politically, as it would otherwise be, in contradistinction to the democratic movement.” [Interview with Giyose Chairperson of Jubilee South Africa]

(Source: The State and Social Transformation)

No foreign loan granted to South Africa during the apartheid years could have been legitimate because the apartheid state was itself illegitimate; and any attempt to claim ignorance of this fact would not be credible. This single circumstance means that no lender would have a valid claim against democratic South Africa for any loans outstanding from the apartheid years.

The Sharpeville Massacre of 1960 resulted in the militarisation of the state, a transformation that grew at a phenomenal pace after the Soweto Uprising of 1976. Sanctions-busting, together with its corollary of stock-piling, was also enormously expensive. Loans helped pay for all these costs in a multitude of ways, many of which might appear, at first sight to have nothing to do with apartheid.

A large number of the inter-bank loans, for instance, had no direct connection with apartheid. Yet, the foreign exchange given for a seemingly innocuous purpose – ranging from the development of ESKOM to the financing of a domestic home – was recycled as part of apartheid’s sanctions-busting strategy. Similarly, some foreign loans were used for purposes of international trade and, in this respect, were no different from those regularly found throughout the world. Yet, even the seemingly most pristine of these trade loans were tainted by apartheid. The simple fact of trade with South Africa inescapably meant helping to sustain and reproduce the structures, practices and life-styles normalised by apartheid. No loan could avoid this institutional contamination.

Outline of the Doctrine of Odious Debt

Interview with Rudin on the Doctrine of Odious Debt

Conclusion

Interview with Giyose setting out why the apartheid debt must be cancelled, loan repayments returned and reparations made. This is why the debt is illegitimate and why all loans made to dictatorships for oppressing the people are illegitimate. [Visuals of rural poverty, squatter housing as against the wealth of apartheid's agents]

The testimony was in the format of a documentary film. M.P. Giyose was the main resource person in the film.

@Phumzo. The issue of apartheid debt is one that encourages a lot of debate.
For a starting point, why doesn’t the ANC do something about corruption and mismanagement? It doesn’t solve the problem of apartheid debt, but if the creditors see that the current government is honest and business-like in its dealings, they’ll be more amenable to negotiation.

Phumzo, I say ha-ha ha. If you okes new you were fighting for a debt ridden country, would you still have fought for it. I mean, where would all the money come from for the politicians and fat cats to consume after the New South Africa was formed.
All that is bull and you know it. This country blossomed into the economic powerhouse of the African continent. The ANC is now allmost 3 terms in power, and the country is only going backwards.
The govt pulled out of the new billion rand military aircraft deal only because the whistle was blown before bribes could be put in place, not because they cared about the South African people.

Dave, I don’t get your broer, please expatiate your point further. I know that the article above is revealing all facts you’re not telling your children. That’s the syllubus they read these days. Denialism and hypocrisy is exposed. Let’s tell the past as it is so that we can move on to the future. It becomes an embarassment when the artchitects deny it. Eskom is bigger than Bobby and Maroga. But I repeat, Bobby’s administrative expediency and bungling turned agianst himself. That’s the gospel truth!! This does not mean Maroga is not to blame here. As a CEO, the buck stops with him and the board.

Blah blah blah blah blah.

Phumzo. Slow down with the big words mDoda. English is my native language (can I use the N-word in the new South Africa?) and it dents my ego to use a dictionary.

I’m not denying anything. The problem with the past is that there is more of it every second. And every day we have more things that are being blamed on apartheid – simply because people are looking backwards instead of forwards.

In a medical case, the first thing a doctor does is stop things getting worse. For S.A. that means an end to corruption – by anybody and everybody.
The second thing a doctor does is effect a cure. For S.A. that means good governance and responsible management.

A doctor does, of course, look at causes. After nearly 16 years, there is nothing of importance left to say about apartheid.

So let’s be creative. If we can stop the corruption and show that South Africans really do have their act together, we can trade debt for investment. Something along the lines of “Dear (insert name). Because the apartheid government we have a debt of (insert amount). Instead of taking payment, we invite you to invest in (name industry) on favourable terms”.

Business is about profit. If the government simply refuses to pay the pre-1994 debt, the investment that we do need to eliminate unemployment, poverty etc will be that much harder to find. If, however, the creditor nations see that S.A. is a safe and profitable investment, they are more likely to put more money into our economy. We have job-and-wealth creation. They have a profitable investment that repays them more than merely having repayment of debt. Everybody can win.

It will take time and hard work, we can’t change that. But, like a physical disease, the longer we delay the more difficult is the cure.

The past is history. Get over it!

“The way you now think, feel and believe will not exist in the far future, but that which causes them will”
With due respect Dave, the past determines the future. You use the past lessons in order to avoid committing them in future. This what you regard as looking back. Please Dave!!

Phumzo, you state that the past determines the future, but remember that the future will also determine your past and your childrens past.
Stop acting like a child now and grow up.
You and Patrick make us all look like idiots!!!
Eskom is a disaster at the moment. It was effecienctly run during the past. What has changed?? You know very well!! Mismanagement. Incompetence.
You can argue all you like, but the truth is staring you in the face!!!! You only want to see what you want to and you only believe what you want to, which makes you very “small” minded and childlike!!

Blah blah blah.

But Dave, although I said I’m outta here, you have provoked me: as a matter of fact, as far as I know the “apartheid debt” was paid long ago (by the new government). We are only now going into debt again (and not through the fault of the new government). Of course, we’ll have to extend our debt-levels significantly to reverse the asset-stripping that has happened in our parastatals.

Fair point Opstoker. I was (am) more interested in moving ahead than worrying about the finer details. As long as we have people trapped in the past, it doesn’t matter if the debt is accumulating interest or was paid by the Neanderthals. Turn on brain and move ahead was the gist of my blog. Rhubarb. Rhubarb. Rhubarb.

So Phumozet feels that the new govt should not be held liable for the debts of the previous regime ????
The same Phumozet who continually bleats about how Britain must remain liable to Zim and how the west “owes” Africa.
Let’s play by your new rules Moz….now stick that begging bowl up your jacksie.

Gavin, why on earth must we pay the money that was used to kill our freedom fighters?
Britain as a country that invaded and stole Zimbabwe’s wealth is shares a bigger blame in the turmoil in that country. It is therefore what it is because of Africa’s mineral resources. Why are you proud of a stolen resource, and why defending thieves?
Britain must not renege from Lancaster House Agreement, but finance the equal redistribution of resources in that country. And they (same colonialist) must do the same in SA, or else the stolen land will be taken to the rightful owners (African masses) by force. I’m afraid the time bomb is already ticking. So guys protect the colonialist at your own peril. But you must not blame us tomorrow.

Jan, Phumzo is inciting violence here and threatening with his “the stolen land will be taken to the rightful owners (African masses) by force. I’m afraid the time bomb is already ticking. So guys protect the colonialist at your own peril. But you must not blame us tomorrow.”. Please reign him in.

I sincerely think he is becoming the biggest racist on these blogs and is also becoming a danger now.

I try ignore his pittiful ramblings but when he starts war talk, that is when it is time to say enough is enough!!! He makes us all sick in the pit of our stomachs!

I agree with TJ. He should be banned or exposed. But he is probably such a coward that he won’t reveal his true identity and/or address. I bet he is the only one in his entire community/workplace/area that holds those views. It is quite sickening. Stick to the topic or butt out.

“Gavin, why on earth must we pay the money that was used to kill our freedom fighters?”
Quite simple really….. YOU WANTED THE COUNTRY. When you take over any country/govt you take it “as is”.
Ask DA or Cope or AWB if they want a country with gross corruption, failed health system, poor education, race issues, over the top murder stats, rotting corpses, declning infrastructure, millions starving, mass unemployment, highest Aids figures on the planet etc etc etc. They would jump at the opportunity !!
WHY ????? Because that is politics. The chance to get your snout into the golden trough. You inherit other peoples sh*t… for better or worse. You cannot just choose what you want to inherit. You are NOT buying a new car.

Gavin this subjected has divided the gurus in the IMF and World Bank – for and against.
Who is going to pay for sky-rocketed prices asked by the current owners of our land? I can hear you say ‘the state’
what for? Why must we finance the stolen land? If the former colonialist is prepared to pay these sums of money, the better.
Enlighten yourself more;
Gwanya cautions against willing-buyer, willing-seller model November 03 2009 , 6:20:00

Land Reform and Rural Development Director-General (DG) Thozi Gwanya says farmers continue to sell land to the State at overstated prices because the willing-buyer, willing-seller model remains a stumbling block to land reform and redistribution. Gwanya was explaining his Department’s spending plans for the next three years.

He says farmers have a tendency to overprice their land once they find out the State is a potential buyer. The DG has cautioned against the willing-buyer, willing-seller model further indicating that he is redrafting the Expropriation Bill together with his public works counterparts.

The Bill was thrown out of parliament last year following concerns over its constitutionality. It gives the Land and Public Works Ministers powers to expropriate land for reform and redistribution purposes.

“It gives the Land and Public Works Ministers powers to expropriate land for reform and redistribution purposes.”

It gives them the power to send SA down the same route that Mugabe has led Zim.
Yes Moz the farmers will inflate their prices because at the end of the day they know that they will have to settle for about half that amount. That’s the way it is.
One of the pineapple farmers who was forced to sell his land at Fish River under the Nats Homeland Policy only got paid out “fair value” in about 2002. That was after almot 30 years of legal wrangling.
Stop your African mentality Moz.
You want to wear a £10000 Gucci suit but then wander about barefoot because you can’t afford shoes and with sh*t in your underpants.

What is African mentality Sir? Expose your brainwash

@ Phumzie. No need to ask Gavin this question. Look back and read your many, many, many ongoing ramblings and you’ll find the answer.