I'm currently writing letters. You know, proper ones, with a fountain pen and real paper (I have already been asked once if my computer has broken down). Its something I used to do a lot, and have neglected over the past two years or so. But it is strangely therapeutic, and something intend to continue, assuming that my correspondents reply....
The decision not to deport the killer of theLondon headmaster has caused some controversy, but I cannot see how a decision to deport would be in the least justified. If someone has lived here since he was 5 , speaks no English, and has no relatives in the other country to which he has nominal connections, then trying to pass the buck is neither fair nor reasonable. I can just imagine the reaction of the hanging-and-flogging brigade if it was the other way around and Italy wanted to dump its non-English speaking recalcitrants upon us
Saturday, August 25, 2007
Friday, August 24, 2007
More lunacy from the Nigerian nutter....
Last week, another missive from Gauleiter Akinola, Homophobe-in-Chief of the Corruption Centre of Nigeria (known also as the 'Anglican Church'). Full of the usual hyperbole - chuck out the queers and the liberals or we are taking our toys home - if only they would, it would do everyone else a favour!
Turns out that Akinola didn't write it himself. Now, that should come as no real surprise. It was largely written by self-created 'Bishop' Martyn Minns, as was most of the other diatribes accredited to GA. And this has been discovered by the Church times.
Now, most normal people would withdraw quietly, observing a discreet silence. Not our Nigerian fiends and their fundie followers. They are trying to brazen it out and guess what - all ofn us who note that this is really not very honest behaviour are racist.
lets make this clear. I couldn't care less where Akinola comes from. He remains a homophobic fundamentalist with ideas above his station, and the sooner he takes his squalid and corrupt organisation out of the Anglican church, the better. And whilst he is doing so, perhaps he could take his mates in Reform, Anglican Mainstream and the like, with him.
They certainly won't be missed, and they will be much happier hunkered down intheir laager, where they can all complain about how wicked gays and liberals are taking over the world....
Turns out that Akinola didn't write it himself. Now, that should come as no real surprise. It was largely written by self-created 'Bishop' Martyn Minns, as was most of the other diatribes accredited to GA. And this has been discovered by the Church times.
Now, most normal people would withdraw quietly, observing a discreet silence. Not our Nigerian fiends and their fundie followers. They are trying to brazen it out and guess what - all ofn us who note that this is really not very honest behaviour are racist.
lets make this clear. I couldn't care less where Akinola comes from. He remains a homophobic fundamentalist with ideas above his station, and the sooner he takes his squalid and corrupt organisation out of the Anglican church, the better. And whilst he is doing so, perhaps he could take his mates in Reform, Anglican Mainstream and the like, with him.
They certainly won't be missed, and they will be much happier hunkered down intheir laager, where they can all complain about how wicked gays and liberals are taking over the world....
Everton FC ballot
So, common-sense has prevailed and the discussions relating to the move to Kirkby are to continue.
I had a vote and voted Yes. despite the noise from the antis, the clear majority - 60-40 - have voted in favour.
I think we are all fond of Goodison Park, but it does have its limitations, and I hope that this will prove to be a move which will be positive for our club. What find quite amusing is the view expressed that the areas of Liverpool outside the city boundary are somehow 'not Liverpool' . Is Bootle, Kirkby, Huyton not Liverpool?
I had a vote and voted Yes. despite the noise from the antis, the clear majority - 60-40 - have voted in favour.
I think we are all fond of Goodison Park, but it does have its limitations, and I hope that this will prove to be a move which will be positive for our club. What find quite amusing is the view expressed that the areas of Liverpool outside the city boundary are somehow 'not Liverpool' . Is Bootle, Kirkby, Huyton not Liverpool?
Thursday, August 23, 2007
The Liverpool shooting
It had to happen, and as ever it has brought forth all the usual stereotypes. I doubt whether most of the London-based reporters who talked about the poverty of croxteth had any idea that the event happened not in the council estate which spawned Wayne Rooney, but a large private housing development of semis and detached houses, Croxteth Park.
We don't really know all the facts as yet, but clearly its a tragic event. I think that there is nothing new about gangs in urban areas. But what is relatively recent is the importance and influence of drugs, and the availability of guns.
I don't have any easy answers, but for what its worth, there seem to be two things which are abundantly clear
1. We do not want or need to follow the American pattern in terms of gun availability
2. The 'war on drugs' and prohibitionism is not working at all.
We don't really know all the facts as yet, but clearly its a tragic event. I think that there is nothing new about gangs in urban areas. But what is relatively recent is the importance and influence of drugs, and the availability of guns.
I don't have any easy answers, but for what its worth, there seem to be two things which are abundantly clear
1. We do not want or need to follow the American pattern in terms of gun availability
2. The 'war on drugs' and prohibitionism is not working at all.
Wednesday, August 15, 2007
the silly season...
That's what August is often referred to owing to the lack of genuine news. Not very different this year...
So, we have had the realisation by vatican plc, UK branch, that they can do nothing about a head teacher (local to here) who has entered into a civil partnership. Quite right too, although once again the church headed by a former member of the HITLER Youth is showing its true colours. The conservative Anglican sites are still making lots of noise, and it remains anyone's guess as to how it will all pan out. One thing is sure - that gay people have far more sense than to waste their time on an organisation which can't come to terms with its openly gay priests, but allows those with the mental illness of self-oppression to become clergy. I'd love to see how much gay porn litters their computer hard disks (well hidden behind the pictures of Wifey they post on their websites!)
Enough of organisations for losers.
Everton have certainly delighted me by winning our first two matches. Having Man City and Everton at the top of the premiership is certainly something of a novelty. I think we are still after another midfielder and striker but I haven't heard anything firm as yet as to new signings. The hot topic here is what to do about the new stadium. I think the answer is quite clear.
WE NEED TO VOTE YES and move to Kirkby. All Evertonians love Goodison Park, and its atmosphere is undoubtedly a plus for Everton. But there isn't the ability to expand, and Liverpool as a city are not offering anything as good as the possibilities for Kirkby. So, I have voted 'yes'.
Over the last few days I have also written a few real letters. proper ones, not the 'e' variety. Something I used to do very regularly but have let lapse.
Another thing I am thinking about is whether I should rejoin the Labour party. The Tory party haven't changed: they are still essentially the same bunch of people, and I would not like to think of them winning power again. But I am more than aware that post-Iraq, I have sat on the sidelines, and perhaps the time has come to re-enter the fray. Any views or thoughts would be appreciated!
So, we have had the realisation by vatican plc, UK branch, that they can do nothing about a head teacher (local to here) who has entered into a civil partnership. Quite right too, although once again the church headed by a former member of the HITLER Youth is showing its true colours. The conservative Anglican sites are still making lots of noise, and it remains anyone's guess as to how it will all pan out. One thing is sure - that gay people have far more sense than to waste their time on an organisation which can't come to terms with its openly gay priests, but allows those with the mental illness of self-oppression to become clergy. I'd love to see how much gay porn litters their computer hard disks (well hidden behind the pictures of Wifey they post on their websites!)
Enough of organisations for losers.
Everton have certainly delighted me by winning our first two matches. Having Man City and Everton at the top of the premiership is certainly something of a novelty. I think we are still after another midfielder and striker but I haven't heard anything firm as yet as to new signings. The hot topic here is what to do about the new stadium. I think the answer is quite clear.
WE NEED TO VOTE YES and move to Kirkby. All Evertonians love Goodison Park, and its atmosphere is undoubtedly a plus for Everton. But there isn't the ability to expand, and Liverpool as a city are not offering anything as good as the possibilities for Kirkby. So, I have voted 'yes'.
Over the last few days I have also written a few real letters. proper ones, not the 'e' variety. Something I used to do very regularly but have let lapse.
Another thing I am thinking about is whether I should rejoin the Labour party. The Tory party haven't changed: they are still essentially the same bunch of people, and I would not like to think of them winning power again. But I am more than aware that post-Iraq, I have sat on the sidelines, and perhaps the time has come to re-enter the fray. Any views or thoughts would be appreciated!
Friday, August 10, 2007
The delights of fundy Christian employment practice
I don't buy Domino's pizza. Two good reasons: first, the pizza is dreadful, second, the company is owned by a homophobic conservative Christian.
But it seems that this company is offering full backing to one of its franchise holders who has been exploiting migrant workers, by taking so many deductions from their wage that they actually owed the company money
Just more evidence that 'evangelical Christianity' and 'morality' are mutually exclusive concepts.
But it seems that this company is offering full backing to one of its franchise holders who has been exploiting migrant workers, by taking so many deductions from their wage that they actually owed the company money
Just more evidence that 'evangelical Christianity' and 'morality' are mutually exclusive concepts.
HIV in South Africa
Some years ago, I recall a writer called Jad Adams, linked, I think, to the magazine 'Living marxism' - then the Revolutionary Communist party (it was neither), now the Institute of Ideas/Spiked Online, who came up with the view that HIV had no connection with AIDS. The Sunday Times took this case up for a while but abandoned it when Andrew Neil departed - I don't think they would recall this as their finest hour.
Unfortunately, South African President Mbeki still seems to think that this sort of quackery is worth listening to. He has dismissed his deputy health minister who was pursuing sane policies based on supply of anti-retroviral drugs. No doubt the policies of the health minister, including the use of beetroot and garlic - and - lets be frank - treatment via witch doctor - will be revived. With Mbeki's likely successor being someone who thinks that you won't become HIV+ if you take a shower after sex, the future is not looking hopeful. South Africa continues to have one of the worst AIDS problems in the world.
And the limitied success of other schemes are being threatened by Bush's insistence on abstention-based sex education in order to receive money.
Blood on their hands, the lot of them
Unfortunately, South African President Mbeki still seems to think that this sort of quackery is worth listening to. He has dismissed his deputy health minister who was pursuing sane policies based on supply of anti-retroviral drugs. No doubt the policies of the health minister, including the use of beetroot and garlic - and - lets be frank - treatment via witch doctor - will be revived. With Mbeki's likely successor being someone who thinks that you won't become HIV+ if you take a shower after sex, the future is not looking hopeful. South Africa continues to have one of the worst AIDS problems in the world.
And the limitied success of other schemes are being threatened by Bush's insistence on abstention-based sex education in order to receive money.
Blood on their hands, the lot of them
Wednesday, August 08, 2007
Having a little play.....
As I have some time free, I am intending to try and tart the blog up a little and include some links to sites I like, and so on
So you may see things chganging frequently until I have it the way I want it. Though I shall keep it simple and straightforward.
So you may see things chganging frequently until I have it the way I want it. Though I shall keep it simple and straightforward.
The Islamist
Currently reading this interesting book, written by former islamic radical Ed Husain.
Anyone else here read it? Any thoughts? The fact that the completely clinically sane Daily Mail commentator mel Phillips approves is certainly a down-point.
Anyone else here read it? Any thoughts? The fact that the completely clinically sane Daily Mail commentator mel Phillips approves is certainly a down-point.
Ex-gay survivor video - worth watching
http://a_musing.blogspot.com/2007/08/ex-gay-survivors-in-nashville-tn.html
We need to remember that those who suffer from repression of their sexuality are themselves ill, and in requirement of therapy to help them accept the people they really are. The first aspect of that needs to be recovery from the adoption of fundamentalist forms of religion, as without adherence to this delusion, their task would become a good deal easier. indeed, there would be very little need to continue to repress.
The self-repression movement will continue to make their usual excuses, though. It is fair to say that this movement has different 'strands' within it. the more fervently fundie will suggest that actual change of orientation is likely, or even necessary to 'prove' one's christian commitment. More moderate or catholic voices will pursue a 'carry your cross' position. In the UK, they are exceptionally weak, largely because conservative religion is a minority sport, and those likely to be involved are young people who are unfortunate enough to have been born into one of these religions. Thankfully, most leave these groups, although there are some who try and pretend they have 'really changed' (yet are so sensitive that when challenged, their action is always the same - to ban those from their sites who suggest their sexuality may have simply been repressed, not changed)
There simply can't be any compromise on this one. These groups are dangerous, can damage people's lives, and need to be firmly opposed. happily, the number of young people coming out and the way that gay people are clearly rejecting the church means that their mission is certainly failing. All repression ministries and the very basis of conservative Christianity is a negative and destructive force. It should be treated inn the way we treat the beliefs of the BNP - allowed in a democratic society, but certainly not socially or publicly acceptable.
We need to remember that those who suffer from repression of their sexuality are themselves ill, and in requirement of therapy to help them accept the people they really are. The first aspect of that needs to be recovery from the adoption of fundamentalist forms of religion, as without adherence to this delusion, their task would become a good deal easier. indeed, there would be very little need to continue to repress.
The self-repression movement will continue to make their usual excuses, though. It is fair to say that this movement has different 'strands' within it. the more fervently fundie will suggest that actual change of orientation is likely, or even necessary to 'prove' one's christian commitment. More moderate or catholic voices will pursue a 'carry your cross' position. In the UK, they are exceptionally weak, largely because conservative religion is a minority sport, and those likely to be involved are young people who are unfortunate enough to have been born into one of these religions. Thankfully, most leave these groups, although there are some who try and pretend they have 'really changed' (yet are so sensitive that when challenged, their action is always the same - to ban those from their sites who suggest their sexuality may have simply been repressed, not changed)
There simply can't be any compromise on this one. These groups are dangerous, can damage people's lives, and need to be firmly opposed. happily, the number of young people coming out and the way that gay people are clearly rejecting the church means that their mission is certainly failing. All repression ministries and the very basis of conservative Christianity is a negative and destructive force. It should be treated inn the way we treat the beliefs of the BNP - allowed in a democratic society, but certainly not socially or publicly acceptable.
Monday, August 06, 2007
One down, six to go....
From PINK NEWS : ENGLAND: Catholic Care will end its 100-year-old adoption service, which places 20 children with new families every year, because it does not want to help same-sex couples adopt. The Sexual Orientation Regulations, passed earlier this year, protect gay, lesbian and bisexual people from discrimination when accessing goods and services. Now all adoption agencies have to accept same-sex couples as possible parents.The charity is one of seven Catholic leader Cardinal Cormac Murphy O'Connor threatened to close because of the laws. They receive a total of £10 million a year from local councils.Ben Summerskill, who as head of gay equality organisation Stonewall spearheaded oppoosition to an exemption for Roman Catholic-run adoption agencies, told Pink News:"Our clear view is that if you run a public service then you have to abide by the health and safety legislation, and equality legislation too. That applies to adoption agencies just as it does to anyone else.""It is not entirely clear that this is the only reason that Catholic adoption agencies are considering closing. Because of the way that social services are now contracted out, a number of smaller agencies have been closing in recent years. It would be utterly reprehensible if the Catholic Church were to use closures that were going to take place anyway as an excuse for alarmist claims about important new legislation that supports equality."
So, while I was away....
Foot and mouth appears once again. I don't want to appear overly cynical, but there aren't many votes for Labour in Surrey or Somerset.
The fallout from the Hereford church homophobia case drifts on, with all but one somewhat risible commentator recognising that it wasn't a good outcome for the church. It is truly abhorrent to watch them all try to find ways to discriminate based on their supposed 'principles', and truly pathetic to watch the closeted and the oppressed and deluded at the front of that argument. The reality of the church becoming the bolthole for the bigoted is ever more true.
I am also wondering if the hounding of Morat with regard to the disappearance of Madeleine McCann is another case of picking on the 'weirdo'. There have been a whole string of suspects in all sorts of cases who have actually been proved not to be guilty but have fitted a particular pattern. Sadly, the public campaign came to nothing, and perhaps a repeat will not be on the cards. I hope not.
The fallout from the Hereford church homophobia case drifts on, with all but one somewhat risible commentator recognising that it wasn't a good outcome for the church. It is truly abhorrent to watch them all try to find ways to discriminate based on their supposed 'principles', and truly pathetic to watch the closeted and the oppressed and deluded at the front of that argument. The reality of the church becoming the bolthole for the bigoted is ever more true.
I am also wondering if the hounding of Morat with regard to the disappearance of Madeleine McCann is another case of picking on the 'weirdo'. There have been a whole string of suspects in all sorts of cases who have actually been proved not to be guilty but have fitted a particular pattern. Sadly, the public campaign came to nothing, and perhaps a repeat will not be on the cards. I hope not.
Sunday, August 05, 2007
Late, but I hope worth waiting for
We have been enjoying a trip to Europe - hence the lack of blogging. We started out at Hull, took the ferry to Zeebrugge, and then spent time in Luxembourg and a week in Alsace, in eastern France.
Alsace produces the best wine in the world, and that was one of the reasons for going - many wines do not get exported to the UK and that includes some of the best ( and after the killjoys have slapped tax on it the price of the best stuff is astronomical in any case )
First stop was Luxembourg. We opted to stay just outside the city, in a small spa town called Mondorf-les-Bains, and found a very good value 'gourmet break' in the Hotel du Grand Chef, which is highly recommended. No air-con though...fortunately it wasn't too hot. The food was good, nothing very adventurous, classic French, but no problem there....one of the waiters looked exactly like Mr. Dead, from the Harry Enfield TV prog.
Time in Luxembourg was spend divided between culture and wine. Luxembourgeois wine is good stuff, though largely unknown, and the Moselle valley is attractive and well set up for wine tourists. The city itself is modern and has a new contemporary art museum, opened last year, which we thought was excellent - at the moment they have an exhibition which focuses on the links between art and science fiction, which is more than worth seeing.
We thern drove down to Alsace, to our gite in the village of Bergheim. Alsace is a strange place. Its French, yet it isn't. All the place names are Germanic, the food is certainly more akin to German than French (unfortunately...) and at one time many people spoke Alsatian, a High German dialect, but we heard only the owners of the gite (both over 70) use it. Its also both very pro-Europe, and right-wing. It was the most pro-Sarkozy region, and has a very strong National Front vote. There are a couple of interesting academic papers on this phenomenon - http://www.uwm.edu/Dept/21st/workingpapers/boswell.pdf and http://mondediplo.com/1998/05/07bihr.
We seem to have majored on Right-Wing Holiday Destinations this year! On the Sunday, the village had its local fete which highlighted the excellent gewurztraminer wine produced in the area, and they had a parade which was on the theme of famous Alsatians in history. One of them simply wouldn't be considered acceptable in the UK. The participants were 'blacked up' and one was dressed as a gorilla. We were almost expecting the free bananas.
But we enjoyed the trip. Lots of wine tasting and purchasing, a fair bit of culture - the Unterlinden museum in Colmar being a particular highlight - and some good food too. Much Alsatian food doesn't appeal - pardticularly choucroute - but we did find plenty of good places to eat. The culinary highlight was Le Table de Gourmets, in Riquewihr. http://www.jlbrendel.com/main.php?set_lng=en is the website.
Alsace produces the best wine in the world, and that was one of the reasons for going - many wines do not get exported to the UK and that includes some of the best ( and after the killjoys have slapped tax on it the price of the best stuff is astronomical in any case )
First stop was Luxembourg. We opted to stay just outside the city, in a small spa town called Mondorf-les-Bains, and found a very good value 'gourmet break' in the Hotel du Grand Chef, which is highly recommended. No air-con though...fortunately it wasn't too hot. The food was good, nothing very adventurous, classic French, but no problem there....one of the waiters looked exactly like Mr. Dead, from the Harry Enfield TV prog.
Time in Luxembourg was spend divided between culture and wine. Luxembourgeois wine is good stuff, though largely unknown, and the Moselle valley is attractive and well set up for wine tourists. The city itself is modern and has a new contemporary art museum, opened last year, which we thought was excellent - at the moment they have an exhibition which focuses on the links between art and science fiction, which is more than worth seeing.
We thern drove down to Alsace, to our gite in the village of Bergheim. Alsace is a strange place. Its French, yet it isn't. All the place names are Germanic, the food is certainly more akin to German than French (unfortunately...) and at one time many people spoke Alsatian, a High German dialect, but we heard only the owners of the gite (both over 70) use it. Its also both very pro-Europe, and right-wing. It was the most pro-Sarkozy region, and has a very strong National Front vote. There are a couple of interesting academic papers on this phenomenon - http://www.uwm.edu/Dept/21st/workingpapers/boswell.pdf and http://mondediplo.com/1998/05/07bihr.
We seem to have majored on Right-Wing Holiday Destinations this year! On the Sunday, the village had its local fete which highlighted the excellent gewurztraminer wine produced in the area, and they had a parade which was on the theme of famous Alsatians in history. One of them simply wouldn't be considered acceptable in the UK. The participants were 'blacked up' and one was dressed as a gorilla. We were almost expecting the free bananas.
But we enjoyed the trip. Lots of wine tasting and purchasing, a fair bit of culture - the Unterlinden museum in Colmar being a particular highlight - and some good food too. Much Alsatian food doesn't appeal - pardticularly choucroute - but we did find plenty of good places to eat. The culinary highlight was Le Table de Gourmets, in Riquewihr. http://www.jlbrendel.com/main.php?set_lng=en is the website.
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