The headline report in todays Independent online relates the problem of Ethiopia and the return of famine.
It is clear that a range of issues have conspired to lead to this - climate change and the lack of rain is clearly an important factor.
But there is one sentence hidden away in the centre of the report which no-one will face up to, particularly the religionists who have far too much influence over aid policy
Referring to 1984-85, when one million inhabitants died:
"Ethiopia's population has doubled to 80 million".
Read that again. Because there has to be a recognition that there can never be prosperity or even the ability to feed the population whilst it continues to grow at this rate. It is vital that African populations are stabilised and this means that all foreign aid must be dependent on the implementation of a population control policy
If there is no willingness to implement this, then any money given is wasted and the people in Ethiopia must be left to their inevitable fate. Putting off the inevitable by shipping in food aid without doing something about the ludicrous increase in population is pointless
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Last Richard Searling show on Smooth Radio NW next week
Radio in England as far as music is concerned is blander than bland. Most stations sound exactly the same and follow a safe and unchallenging music playlist. Smooth Radio has slid into this category over the past year: its pleasant enough but oh, so safe.
One of the highlights has been Richard Searling's soul show, which has always been worth a listen - despite being on Saturday 5-8pm, when many people are not around. Sadly, for reasons unknown, Smooth Radio have decided that as of next week it will be no more. No doubt they will replace it with something suitably mainstream and dull.
In the meantime at least we have Jazz FM and American radio on the internet!
One of the highlights has been Richard Searling's soul show, which has always been worth a listen - despite being on Saturday 5-8pm, when many people are not around. Sadly, for reasons unknown, Smooth Radio have decided that as of next week it will be no more. No doubt they will replace it with something suitably mainstream and dull.
In the meantime at least we have Jazz FM and American radio on the internet!
Friday, August 28, 2009
Disappearing children
The latest is a girl who went missing for 18 years. I cannot believe that anyone would have stayed hidden in adulthood without evidence of Stockholm syndrome, particularly likely when ones captor is also the father of one's children. There would have been opportunities to go but clearly she chose not to.
More curiously, exactly how hidden can something be for just about everyone to avoid it for 18 years? A young woman and two children living in a series of tents in a back garden, and absolutely nobody noticed? What does this say about extreme privatisation of life?
More curiously, exactly how hidden can something be for just about everyone to avoid it for 18 years? A young woman and two children living in a series of tents in a back garden, and absolutely nobody noticed? What does this say about extreme privatisation of life?
RyanAir: a model for public services?
I don't think so.
The problem with treating public service as something one 'chooses' is unrealistic. can choose whether to fly by RyanAir, or, indeed, whether to fly at all
Most recipients of council services have no effective choice or their choice will affect others. Lets say that bin collection is charged for. What happens to those who will not pay. The rubbish piles up outside. The inhabitants of that house say: we don;t care, we love our maggotty and ratty friends, and we don't give a shit about our neighbours. We want to do what we like.
Libertarian loonyism at its best.
Of course, their actions will affect others, which is why we opt for public services and collective provision in the first place. Applying this sort of consumerist model will not do anything other than harm those most in need.
It is interesting how the different strands of Toryism are already starting to show their very different characteristics. This approach is essentially libertarian and concerned with reducing public spending. The effect will be to harm those who are either unknown , unseen, or who do not make enough noise or who cannot afford the extra charges. The communitarian approach of Iain Duncan Smith and his think-tank would suggest as far more collective and interventionist approach based far more on catholic social teaching
The problem with treating public service as something one 'chooses' is unrealistic. can choose whether to fly by RyanAir, or, indeed, whether to fly at all
Most recipients of council services have no effective choice or their choice will affect others. Lets say that bin collection is charged for. What happens to those who will not pay. The rubbish piles up outside. The inhabitants of that house say: we don;t care, we love our maggotty and ratty friends, and we don't give a shit about our neighbours. We want to do what we like.
Libertarian loonyism at its best.
Of course, their actions will affect others, which is why we opt for public services and collective provision in the first place. Applying this sort of consumerist model will not do anything other than harm those most in need.
It is interesting how the different strands of Toryism are already starting to show their very different characteristics. This approach is essentially libertarian and concerned with reducing public spending. The effect will be to harm those who are either unknown , unseen, or who do not make enough noise or who cannot afford the extra charges. The communitarian approach of Iain Duncan Smith and his think-tank would suggest as far more collective and interventionist approach based far more on catholic social teaching
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
RIP Teddy Kennedy
I'm quite a critic of much American policy, and no politician is perfect. I think Teddy Kennedy knew that all too well. Yet he was a brave and passionate campaigner for many causes which were not popular, he always throughout his career spoke out for minority rights, and was well aware of the deficiencies of American health care.
Lets hope his memory can be kept with some progress on health provision in the US, something he always worked tirelessly for
Lets hope his memory can be kept with some progress on health provision in the US, something he always worked tirelessly for
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Well done Kenny MacAskill
It is always heartening when a politician makes the right decision, even when he is being pressurised not to do so.
In the case of the so-called Lockerbie bomber, those who have studied the case in depth, including the most intelligent and rational relatives of the victims such as Martin Cadman and Jim Swire, have concluded that he was very unlikely to have been involved. It is all too easy to hold a show trial and reach the conclusion the US government wanted and which suited labelling the bogey government of the day.
In any case, the release was not parole or anything like that - purely an acknowledgment that in civilised countries we allow dying men to be released in compassionate grounds. There is no such equivalent in American law, which speaks for itself
We really must stop being America's poodle. Arms length is the best place to be. The Atlanticists are terribly upset about this decision because they seriously believe that a 'special relationship' exists - it doesn't, and neither should we wish it to. If this emphasises that point, then all the better. And the next step is to tell them to get on with Afghanistan on their own.
In the case of the so-called Lockerbie bomber, those who have studied the case in depth, including the most intelligent and rational relatives of the victims such as Martin Cadman and Jim Swire, have concluded that he was very unlikely to have been involved. It is all too easy to hold a show trial and reach the conclusion the US government wanted and which suited labelling the bogey government of the day.
In any case, the release was not parole or anything like that - purely an acknowledgment that in civilised countries we allow dying men to be released in compassionate grounds. There is no such equivalent in American law, which speaks for itself
We really must stop being America's poodle. Arms length is the best place to be. The Atlanticists are terribly upset about this decision because they seriously believe that a 'special relationship' exists - it doesn't, and neither should we wish it to. If this emphasises that point, then all the better. And the next step is to tell them to get on with Afghanistan on their own.
Thursday, August 13, 2009
The NHS
There is no perfect health system. It would be nice if there was, but there isn't. And if we were going to puck an ideal, then it certainly wouldn't be the American system. Hugely expensive to run, and beneficial only to those who have the money to pay. Any academic analysis shows that the US alternative is poor value for money and does not cater for those who do not have that money
It has its faults - but if its a choice between waiting for treatment, or as the poor in the US experience, no treatment at all, or the very basics, then its the NHS every time. When health care is provided by markets, then those who cannot financially compete will suffer.
It has its faults - but if its a choice between waiting for treatment, or as the poor in the US experience, no treatment at all, or the very basics, then its the NHS every time. When health care is provided by markets, then those who cannot financially compete will suffer.
Alan Duncan...
... doesn't have a great deal on common with me , politically, but I share his view about the ridiculous over=reaction to the MP's expenses issues.
In any case, I don't think undercover filming of someone giving of his own time says very much about those who opt for those methods
In any case, I don't think undercover filming of someone giving of his own time says very much about those who opt for those methods
Sunday, August 09, 2009
APA opposes self-repression
Goran, an occasional commentator on this blog, has brought
http://rallianceblog.blogspot.com/2009/08/new-apa-study-repudiates-so-called-ex.html
to my attention.
It is notable that no reputable organisation working in this area supports self-repression. It is a relief that at least some people do manage to escape although not always unscathed
http://rallianceblog.blogspot.com/2009/08/new-apa-study-repudiates-so-called-ex.html
to my attention.
It is notable that no reputable organisation working in this area supports self-repression. It is a relief that at least some people do manage to escape although not always unscathed
Friday, August 07, 2009
Puritanism is never the answer
There is an interesting article in today's Guardian, raising the issue of the political Left and its abandonment of its 'puritan' tradition.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2009/aug/06/labour-moral-market-gambling-society
I am a fierce opponent of puritanism, I think it is a negative, depressing and ultimately deadening philosophy. What Hunt has one is to confuse the life-enhancing benefits of choice and social liberalism with the diktats of the market. Neither Crosland nor Jenkins would have used market freedom to justify change, as might some elements of New Labour.
However, the alternative as prescribed by Hunt would be a censorious and judgmental society based on his narrow and conservative idea of 'morality'
I trust that he will realise that this is not the sort of message which any left-liberal party should be supporting or promoting. We are all too aware of the usual moral-panics cries of those scared of change. What we should be doing is enabling proper regulation which should not be directed either by the market or by moral disapproval.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2009/aug/06/labour-moral-market-gambling-society
I am a fierce opponent of puritanism, I think it is a negative, depressing and ultimately deadening philosophy. What Hunt has one is to confuse the life-enhancing benefits of choice and social liberalism with the diktats of the market. Neither Crosland nor Jenkins would have used market freedom to justify change, as might some elements of New Labour.
However, the alternative as prescribed by Hunt would be a censorious and judgmental society based on his narrow and conservative idea of 'morality'
I trust that he will realise that this is not the sort of message which any left-liberal party should be supporting or promoting. We are all too aware of the usual moral-panics cries of those scared of change. What we should be doing is enabling proper regulation which should not be directed either by the market or by moral disapproval.
Thursday, August 06, 2009
Father David Heron - speaking truth to power
As regular readers know, my disillusion with the church is almost terminal, but its good to see that there are still those who are prepared to speak out
Have a look at http://fatherdavidheron.blogspot.com . It is the satirical site of Father David Heron and his excellent expose of another blog by a prominent supporter and advocate of the self-hatred movement.
We need to remember that these people may be deluded and self-oppressed, but they are also dangerous, because they can and do fuck up others lives than their own. Some admit their delusion and /or mistake, and move on to do some good work - http://www.courage.org.uk being an example. But those who do not need to be vigorously opposed and challenged. They are too fearful to do this with those who understand that, as a contributor to David's blog notes " it's very strange for a robustly heterosexual man, particularly a member of the clergy, to maintain a website on the topic of how much he enjoys sticking it to the missus"
Have a look at http://fatherdavidheron.blogspot.com . It is the satirical site of Father David Heron and his excellent expose of another blog by a prominent supporter and advocate of the self-hatred movement.
We need to remember that these people may be deluded and self-oppressed, but they are also dangerous, because they can and do fuck up others lives than their own. Some admit their delusion and /or mistake, and move on to do some good work - http://www.courage.org.uk being an example. But those who do not need to be vigorously opposed and challenged. They are too fearful to do this with those who understand that, as a contributor to David's blog notes " it's very strange for a robustly heterosexual man, particularly a member of the clergy, to maintain a website on the topic of how much he enjoys sticking it to the missus"
Tuesday, August 04, 2009
Nerds and national security
The extradition agreement with the UA was clearly something signed in something of a hurry. It is lopsided and relies on much stronger evidence one way - and so should never have been signed at all
That being said, I am quite sure it was never intended for herds with Asperger's syndrome spending all their time searching for UFO's
Alan Johnson should try Gary McKinnon here and his punishment should be something useful, putting his computer skills to the good.
And shouldn't the Pentagon try and patch some of those security failures??
That being said, I am quite sure it was never intended for herds with Asperger's syndrome spending all their time searching for UFO's
Alan Johnson should try Gary McKinnon here and his punishment should be something useful, putting his computer skills to the good.
And shouldn't the Pentagon try and patch some of those security failures??
Assisted suicide
I welcome the recent judgment and hope it will be the first step to a much saner policy on this issue.
I think that the reality is that the medical profession has extended the possibility of keeping people alive, and there has to be the option for people to say - no. I do believe that personal autonomy over the time of our death is something which is well overdue.
I think that the reality is that the medical profession has extended the possibility of keeping people alive, and there has to be the option for people to say - no. I do believe that personal autonomy over the time of our death is something which is well overdue.
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