The semi...
Bulgaria
A number of 'mood music' pieces in the contest. This one is rhythmic, with a lot of electronics and the vocal used more as part of the whole than following a melody. Its haunting but I'm not sure if it will be remembered after 28 songs have passed by.
Israel
The incongruity of these lyrics has not been missed. One can only hope for a much deserved 0 points and perhaps a Lebanese entry instead next year? It couldn't be worse than this. Garbage.
Cyprus
This has been a fan fave since the outset, but it leaves me totally cold. Sung in French, its a very boring and predictable disco track. I hope it will go the same way as Kate Ryan and Xandee who have entered similar tedium and have not done well. The worst Cypriot entry for many years.
Belarus
Well...if you can't beat 'em, copy 'em. This is a thinly disguised copy of last years Russian entry only its not such a good song and he doesn't have such a good voice. And you wouldn't want him to come and do the plumbing. Uninspiring
Iceland
This is one of those stadium rock type ballads. I don't like the lead singer's voice and its all a bit overblown and lugubrious. Not a bad song, but the way its presented is another matter.
Georgia
Their national final saw the singer dressed in something resembling a blancmange. Musically, this is one of the most unusual entries . Think a Caucasian Bjork. I think this is brilliant but to try and describe what this actually sounds like isn't easy. Love the voice and the whole dramatic feel of this. If this doesn't qualify there's no justice!
Montenegro
Another very loud rock song. Largely tuneless and unremarkable. Dated, too.
Switzerland
The opening is OK but then it turns into another slightly silly entry. If it wasn't about vampires, would it be remembered? I doubt it. Also, it reminds me of something else although I can't put my finger on what. Take On Me?However, musically, its not as bad as i thought it might be...
Moldova
Another rock-influenced entry - of which there are a few this year. This actually isn't bad - I like the verses, but the chorus and the choppy guitars spoil it for me.
Netherlands
Edsilia is a great singer and she will sing this well - but there's only so much you can do with a turkey of a song like this one. It screams 'average'. A pity - as she could have pit in anything else from her album and it would have been better.
Albania.
This is a curious song. The latest version is certainly more acceptable than the original, but its still a doomy, deathly slow ballad with little in the way of a tune. I often like depressing Balkan ballads but this isn't a good example. It hasn't really been improved by a translation into English. Given the quality of the semi its actually in my top 10 nonetheless...
Denmark
This is the sort of music I recall from gay clubs in the 1980's. Old-fashioned hi-NRG. Very dated, but its catchy and cheerful and in a semi with so much which is simply forgettable, I'd imagine it will qualify. Very memorable chorus.
Croatia
Midtempo rock : forgettable and boring. Hard to say very much more.
Poland
A bit of a surprise from Poland - this is a reasonably authentic stab at a contemporary R&B/dance track - think Beyonce - and although its three songs in one, their performance was really impressive in their NF. Might qualify as it is that bit different.
Serbia
One day - I hope - a ballad will win again, and this just might be the one. This is great stuff - dramatic with a real tune! My third joint favourite.
Czech Republic
Their first entry. Its heavy rock. Lordi without the masks. I find it hard to comment. I hate heavy rock
Portugal
This is the best Latin in this years contest - its really cute and sweet, and deserves to qualify. I really like the use of the brass instruments in the chorus. Good stuff!
FYROM
Dramatic stuff with a big chorus and slightly syncopated rhythm - again more of a mood music piece than anything else. Well sung and has a slinky feel about the verse which the chorus rather loses - shame. Still a good entry.
Norway
This years attempt by Scandis to do Latin belongs to Norway. This is Latin done cabaret schlager style. As erzatz as you can imagine, down to the castanets. One way trip to next years semi, I trust. Dire.
Malta
Olivia Lewis has been trying for so long, that its a real shame that she has to enter with this cacophonous mess of a song. Pure earache from start to finish.
Andorra
So we have the Andorran version of Blink or Busted. I just don't like this sort of music. Its very loud and fast and has huge Jemini potential for a lousy performance. Cheap and derivative
Hungary
Good to see a country entering something genuinely good which would stand up musically outside the contest. This is a bluesy, soulful ballad in the Amy Winehouse mould and with a good performance, could do well (particularly given the pace of the semi entrants - this is one of the few ballads)
Estonia
See Croatia. I can't believe that such a nothing piece of averageness will get anything more than a handful of votes. Might even get the big 0. Just such a non-event.
Belgium
I love this! Its very much like a late 70's soul/R&B groove - think Heatwave, or Earth Wind and Fire. Not a great song, but nice to have a bit of this style of music in the contest, and I hope it makes the Final.
Slovenia
Opera meets disco. Bizarre combination and personally I don't think it works
Turkey
This could do must better than predicted. he's a good singer and although its not a great song, the chorus is memorable. A definite qualifier I'd say. Style wise, Justin Timberlake all the way.
Austria
After a year sitting out the contest, Austria's returnee is a Pop Idol loser singing a loud and tedious piece of guitar led pop-rock. This is the sort of thing i don;t listen to radio 1 to avoid. Horrible.
Latvia
The semi will end on this pseudo-operatic note. I think its an almost certain qualifier and certainly its very well sung, but there's just something about it which is all a bit smug and 'heard it before'
Finalists....
Bosnia and Herzegovina
This years opening song is a slow, moody, atmospheric song in the style popularised by Lane Moje and its successors. Very good singer and this will definitely pick up a clutch of Eastern votes. I think its classy and I like the musical arrangement.
Spain
A very visually appealing boy-band (fit lead singer!) and this is the best Spanish entry for years. Catchy and upbeat, but their singing style is actually very cool and that gives it a restrained feel. Like this a lot.
Ireland
This is my joint favourite. Dervish sing Irish folk music, and this is an anthemic example with a rousing chorus. If this is your bag, then you will like it - everyone I know who likes Irish music loves this, but again, its not everyone's kind of music. But its certainly mine!
Finland
The hosts have chosen a deep-voiced female singer who sounds and looks like a Gothic drag queen. The song is another one of those boring rock guitar led items which would encourage me to retune the radio. Hate it.
Lithuania
My other favourite. Its this years 'quiet song' - a gentle. drifting jazz-influenced ballad which is simply too classy for today's Eurovision. Still, at least it gives us something which will definitely be worth listening to in the Final, and the quiet songs haven't done badly in recent years (think Latvia 2005). This is the sort of music I'd listen to outside the Contest.
Greece
Ricky Martin lives - oh, that vida loca. Shameful rip off, but its jolly enough and he has snake-hips!
Sweden
I cannot express how much I hate this ghastly, revolting piece of crap. I mean, why the hell does anyone want to sound like the Sweet? Weren't they bad enough first time round? If there was any justice then this and the UK would be propping up the rest with a double zero.
France
Well, its different. Its a joke entry, I assume. I really don't like it at all. Its very 'French' but is it supposed to be parody or what? Hard to describe
Russia
Again Russia have entered one of the most commercial and contemporary songs. The problem is that this really doesn't do much for me - but then why should it as its aimed at 15 year olds? Could do very well but I wouldn't choose to listen to it again.
Germany
Germany goes jazz again - but this time its swing. having seen the singer, he is an outstandingly good performer and will certainly sell the song well. The more I hear this, the more I like it, but it is jazz, and not everyone likes jazz.....
Ukraine
This isn't music as such but actually this is quite funny. Put it like this - anything to take votes away from the UK is fine by me. If it wins that's another matter.
UK
NUL POINTS! The worst song in the contest - along with Sweden. Pathetic turd of a song for brain dead queens and babies.
Romania
Novelty song, with an interesting draw alongside two others. I haven't heard it since its selection, and it doesn't sound as bad as I remembered, but still doesn't do much for me
Armenia
A surprisingly 'straight' ballad without much hint of Eastern flavour. In a contest with so few ballads this could do well. On record, one of the best singers in the contest and its a wistful tune. One of the songs which immediately makes one wish for the return of the orchestra
Saturday, April 28, 2007
Friday, April 27, 2007
Texas
Been back a week now and still haven't written anything about Texas....
We decided that we wanted to see parts of America that weren't on the coasts, so headed for 10 days in Texas, hiring a car and spending time in Houston, Austin and San Antonio, with some drives out to the country.
Each of the cities are very different. Houston is business-centred with a fair bit of old oil money splashing about, Austin is laid-back and studenty, and San Antonio is very Mexican. All three had plenty to offer and lots to see, and in such a short visit we couldn't do everything.
Some observations
1. Texas really is very big. So are the buildings, and the people. It was nice to feel relatively slim!
2. Not everyone in Texas is a right-wing Republican. OK, most are, but not in Austin, and both San Antonio and Houston have a Democratic presence as well.
3. There are places in Texas which really are a lot like the places you see on the Western movies
4. Texas has a very strong independent identity, as strong as the American one, certainly
5. The food portions are vast. See 1.
6. The Space centre in Houston is fantabulosa. They dress their staff up in pastel blue indoor space suits similar to those worn by astronauts. making a young man who must have weighted 30 stone is tantamount to cruelty. See 1 and definitely 5.
7. Best places we ate in each city - Houston, either Mark's American Cuisine or Brennan's. Austin - go to the Salt Lick barbecue or the Texas Chili Parlour. Not a fine dining city. San Antonio, the wonderful Le reve
8. We enjoyed out day out in the Hill Country around Fredericksburg. Some very good wineries in Texas ( did you know Texas made wine?) 80% of people there voted for Bush.
9. We visited an underground cave where one of the young men working there - about 19, I'd say - told us he had never been outside Texas and had been no further than Houston - once! This is an hour or so from the Mexican border!
10. Best museum - Austin's Texas State History museum. First class.
11. Best place we stayed - the Hotel Icon in Houston was excellent.
We decided that we wanted to see parts of America that weren't on the coasts, so headed for 10 days in Texas, hiring a car and spending time in Houston, Austin and San Antonio, with some drives out to the country.
Each of the cities are very different. Houston is business-centred with a fair bit of old oil money splashing about, Austin is laid-back and studenty, and San Antonio is very Mexican. All three had plenty to offer and lots to see, and in such a short visit we couldn't do everything.
Some observations
1. Texas really is very big. So are the buildings, and the people. It was nice to feel relatively slim!
2. Not everyone in Texas is a right-wing Republican. OK, most are, but not in Austin, and both San Antonio and Houston have a Democratic presence as well.
3. There are places in Texas which really are a lot like the places you see on the Western movies
4. Texas has a very strong independent identity, as strong as the American one, certainly
5. The food portions are vast. See 1.
6. The Space centre in Houston is fantabulosa. They dress their staff up in pastel blue indoor space suits similar to those worn by astronauts. making a young man who must have weighted 30 stone is tantamount to cruelty. See 1 and definitely 5.
7. Best places we ate in each city - Houston, either Mark's American Cuisine or Brennan's. Austin - go to the Salt Lick barbecue or the Texas Chili Parlour. Not a fine dining city. San Antonio, the wonderful Le reve
8. We enjoyed out day out in the Hill Country around Fredericksburg. Some very good wineries in Texas ( did you know Texas made wine?) 80% of people there voted for Bush.
9. We visited an underground cave where one of the young men working there - about 19, I'd say - told us he had never been outside Texas and had been no further than Houston - once! This is an hour or so from the Mexican border!
10. Best museum - Austin's Texas State History museum. First class.
11. Best place we stayed - the Hotel Icon in Houston was excellent.
Wednesday, April 04, 2007
Local elections
I sent this letter to the local rag this morning - any comments?
My voting card arrived this morning. If this were a national election, I would be amongst the many that see nothing at all to inspire or excite amongst any of the main parties
This being a local election, however, local issues should be the focus on the decisions we have to make. I would, thus, propose three questions to all of the candidates:
1. Given that the matters over which local government has any real influence over have been drastically reduced, and the actual political decisions are made by a small coterie of councillors – the ‘cabinet’ – what is the purpose of so many additional councillors? Their role appears to be little more than an unqualified low-level welfare service, sorting out management failures of the council, given that they have no real political role any longer. Could we not manage with many less councillors given that no party is suggesting a return to direct service provision?
2. Would not a properly funded, trained, and independent Ombudsman service which operated locally be a more effective way of sorting out these problems? I accept that many councillors – including those in this ward – work hard and are sincere and genuine people – but its their actual role which I question, now that they have no political ‘say’ any longer unless a Cabinet member.
3. Given that Sefton Council has no overall majority and no party is principled enough to walk away from power, what we have is essentially an officer-run authority with an all-party coalition cabinet. Why, then, so much inter-party bickering in election literature when the decisions being criticised are the responsibility of all three parties?
I will be interested to receive any responses – my vote is up for grabs!
Forget nice....
So now we have that disgusting little worm, the Bishop of Hereford, Anthony Priddis, deciding to interrogate and turn down a gay man for a post as a youth officer.
Why, for goodness sake, can't people see just what a waste of time the institutional church is? There is no point in being part of something which is oppressive and has a homophobic message - its just not good for you! Would a black person join the BNP?
I find myself in a difficult position on one level. I can see nothing worthwhile in the Church, and ever more, see humanism as more appealing than Christianity. Yet the latter has been a large part of my own life and identity for quite a while....and I know there are things I still find attractive about the Christian message.
I'm going to do some proper reading about humanism and atheism. In the meantime, the fence will have to do, although its not terribly comfortable...
Why, for goodness sake, can't people see just what a waste of time the institutional church is? There is no point in being part of something which is oppressive and has a homophobic message - its just not good for you! Would a black person join the BNP?
I find myself in a difficult position on one level. I can see nothing worthwhile in the Church, and ever more, see humanism as more appealing than Christianity. Yet the latter has been a large part of my own life and identity for quite a while....and I know there are things I still find attractive about the Christian message.
I'm going to do some proper reading about humanism and atheism. In the meantime, the fence will have to do, although its not terribly comfortable...
Saturday, March 24, 2007
OK, I'll try to be nice
Fluffy bunny-dom was never my thing, but I seem to have given people the impression that I make Marcus Brigstocke look like a happy, cheerful person, so I will try very hard NOT to appear furious in today's post.
But WHAT THE HELL am I meant to say about Scooch? I mean, come on?? This utterly talentless troop of jokers win our ESC selection with an act that's already been tried, a song so mindless that a two year old could have written it, and to cap it all the BBC cock up the broadcast. You couldn't make it up.
As for the Budget, I never feel I have a lot to say. Our joint earnings put us well into the higher earner bracket and I tend to think that we will never really be affected by any Budget. Is that right? Theoretically, no, but its not going to change - because no party can win an election on the votes of the poor.
But WHAT THE HELL am I meant to say about Scooch? I mean, come on?? This utterly talentless troop of jokers win our ESC selection with an act that's already been tried, a song so mindless that a two year old could have written it, and to cap it all the BBC cock up the broadcast. You couldn't make it up.
As for the Budget, I never feel I have a lot to say. Our joint earnings put us well into the higher earner bracket and I tend to think that we will never really be affected by any Budget. Is that right? Theoretically, no, but its not going to change - because no party can win an election on the votes of the poor.
Thursday, March 22, 2007
Sexual Orientation Regulations passed in Parliament
Excellent news - the Sexual orientation regulations have been passed and become law in April.
As you can imagine, the conservative Christians are absolutely apoplectic about it. They simply don't get that things have moved on and that their ludicrous beliefs and prejudices no longer mean much to the vast majority of people. It was amusing to note that the issue was hardly covered on the news at all once the decision had been made - to listen to that lot you would think the world had ended.
Naturally, Vatican plc are still whingeing on about keeping their adoption agencies open and how they may have to close. Well, they have a simple choice. They stop discriminating. Or they close. No problem there. They wouldn't be missed, anyway - plenty of other agencies could take on their role.
The other piece of interesting church related news is that the American Episcopal Church has told Williams the Spineless to get stuffed and that they wonlt be playing his little game. Its about time someone in the church actually displayed a bit of principle - now, where are the so-called liberal Bishops in the UK, who should be speaking out in favour of the US stance and making it clear that they stand with them, not with Nigeria and puppy-dog Williams the Coward.
Changing Attitude seem to have gone very quiet, too - perhaps because they recognise their strategy has failed and they too are going to have to make some hard choices.
As you can imagine, the conservative Christians are absolutely apoplectic about it. They simply don't get that things have moved on and that their ludicrous beliefs and prejudices no longer mean much to the vast majority of people. It was amusing to note that the issue was hardly covered on the news at all once the decision had been made - to listen to that lot you would think the world had ended.
Naturally, Vatican plc are still whingeing on about keeping their adoption agencies open and how they may have to close. Well, they have a simple choice. They stop discriminating. Or they close. No problem there. They wouldn't be missed, anyway - plenty of other agencies could take on their role.
The other piece of interesting church related news is that the American Episcopal Church has told Williams the Spineless to get stuffed and that they wonlt be playing his little game. Its about time someone in the church actually displayed a bit of principle - now, where are the so-called liberal Bishops in the UK, who should be speaking out in favour of the US stance and making it clear that they stand with them, not with Nigeria and puppy-dog Williams the Coward.
Changing Attitude seem to have gone very quiet, too - perhaps because they recognise their strategy has failed and they too are going to have to make some hard choices.
Monday, March 12, 2007
Ist anniversary
We celebrated our first official anniversary the weekend before last - returning to the boutique hotel where we had the ceremony for a meal. We were offered free champagne and it was a lovely evening. Its good that we are now recognised. A lot of people have askewd me if it feels any different now its official. i suppose the answer is, not really, as we were always committed to each other in any case, but its good to know that we aren't second class citizens any longer. As I recall US comedian Scott Capurro say - closets are for clothes.
The Goods and Services regulations have been announced and are broadly as expected. The religious homophobes will be allowed to discriminate within their temples of prejudice, but as i don;t frequent them any longer, that's not a problem.
Funny how these things work out.I think there's a typical pattern
1. Government announces gay rights legal reforms to bring equality for gay and lesbian people
2. Conservative Christian groups oppose changes, usually saying that they 'do not support discrimination' in the case of the more wishy-washy of them. Various outlandish suggestions are made as to the outcomes of this legislation
3. Government passes the legal changes
4. The world carries on, and none of the outcomes follow through
5. Everyone else gets on with life and conservative Christians continue to fulminate. Only their words appear ever more hollow and hysterical because few care about their obsessions.
I'm sure this will be the same.
The ESC is still to choose just two songs, one of which is the UK> When thats chosen I will probably put together a review of the contest again.
Seems as if the political parties are falling over themselves to be greener than thou. But isn't it the classic NIMBY issue? Just about any suggestion which actually involves any sacrifice - road pricing, for example - will be met with a cry of protest. Being green costs, and I'm not convinced that people really want to pay.
I'm really going to make an effort to blog more often.I made a promise to myself that I wouldn't talk about work - nothing more boring than blogs which moan about their workplace - but I realise this has meant a scanty number of posts since I've never got into a pattern of regular blogging. Today ; we went over to Harrogate to see a friend of David's and his wife who are soon to be spending two years on the Falkland Islands. Certainly not doing things by halves. I'm sure it will be an adventure, but I'm not sure I could handle the isolation or lack of privacy.
The Goods and Services regulations have been announced and are broadly as expected. The religious homophobes will be allowed to discriminate within their temples of prejudice, but as i don;t frequent them any longer, that's not a problem.
Funny how these things work out.I think there's a typical pattern
1. Government announces gay rights legal reforms to bring equality for gay and lesbian people
2. Conservative Christian groups oppose changes, usually saying that they 'do not support discrimination' in the case of the more wishy-washy of them. Various outlandish suggestions are made as to the outcomes of this legislation
3. Government passes the legal changes
4. The world carries on, and none of the outcomes follow through
5. Everyone else gets on with life and conservative Christians continue to fulminate. Only their words appear ever more hollow and hysterical because few care about their obsessions.
I'm sure this will be the same.
The ESC is still to choose just two songs, one of which is the UK> When thats chosen I will probably put together a review of the contest again.
Seems as if the political parties are falling over themselves to be greener than thou. But isn't it the classic NIMBY issue? Just about any suggestion which actually involves any sacrifice - road pricing, for example - will be met with a cry of protest. Being green costs, and I'm not convinced that people really want to pay.
I'm really going to make an effort to blog more often.I made a promise to myself that I wouldn't talk about work - nothing more boring than blogs which moan about their workplace - but I realise this has meant a scanty number of posts since I've never got into a pattern of regular blogging. Today ; we went over to Harrogate to see a friend of David's and his wife who are soon to be spending two years on the Falkland Islands. Certainly not doing things by halves. I'm sure it will be an adventure, but I'm not sure I could handle the isolation or lack of privacy.
Thursday, March 01, 2007
Its that season again....
Eurovision season, of course!
I am preparing to write full reviews of all the songs in time, but so far this year, it is proving to be a little strange. There have been some good songs selected over the past few days, but there are also some absolute horrors. Most of all Israel's entry. Supposedly a satire, but how can Israel of all countries satirise nuclear weaponry??
As for the UK, we have six songs to choose from, three are good, two OK- and one diabolical.
I am preparing to write full reviews of all the songs in time, but so far this year, it is proving to be a little strange. There have been some good songs selected over the past few days, but there are also some absolute horrors. Most of all Israel's entry. Supposedly a satire, but how can Israel of all countries satirise nuclear weaponry??
As for the UK, we have six songs to choose from, three are good, two OK- and one diabolical.
The latest from the Church
I hate to say 'I told you so'
But I did.
It has been obvious to me that the Church is deeply and thoroughly homophobic. It is no good trying to make excuses or trying to pretend that things are any different.
What we now have is a simple choice. Either you can support gay and lesbian equality. Or you can leave the church. But trying to do both together is simply giving succour to an organisation which has had chances to change but has resolutely resisted such change.
The other question which i think requires attention is, quite simply, does Christianity really add up? Or has its good points been fatally and permanently outweighed by its prejudices?
But I did.
It has been obvious to me that the Church is deeply and thoroughly homophobic. It is no good trying to make excuses or trying to pretend that things are any different.
What we now have is a simple choice. Either you can support gay and lesbian equality. Or you can leave the church. But trying to do both together is simply giving succour to an organisation which has had chances to change but has resolutely resisted such change.
The other question which i think requires attention is, quite simply, does Christianity really add up? Or has its good points been fatally and permanently outweighed by its prejudices?
Wednesday, January 24, 2007
First blog of the year
I'm really not doing too well at this, am I?
Anyway, a few thoughts.
Let's start with vomiting. By all accounts it is regarded as the world's most unpleasant sound.
Clearly, those who cited that example must be regular churchgoers, for the sound of vomit is the only think which comes to mind in listening to their latest garbage
We have the arrant hypocrisy of the Roman Catholic Church, Vatican plc, who deliberately covered up child abuse,pretending to have a position relating to 'morality' regarding adoption.The Catholic Church shouldn't be allowed any where near children . In addition, I do not believe that any self-respecting gay person should want to do anything with the Catholic church other than copiously vomit at its sheer evil and hypocrisy.
As for Rowan Williams. Well, what a pathetic specimen he is.This is the man who used to live next door to a gay couple, one a priest, bringing up a child with severe learning difficulties. This is also the man willing to sacrifice his friend because of institutional homophobia.
Williams, there is no-one in the world I despise more than you. You have no principles, you are a windbag who writes impressive looking, meaningless garbage. But you have nothing worth saying, and you are quite incapable of offering any sort of inspiration or leadership. Do us all a favour and piss off, eh?
I shall never return to the church until it splits and discards the nonsense it promulgates to the unthinking and deluded. No, lets be honest. I'm not going back to the church. I'm better off without it
Anyway, a few thoughts.
Let's start with vomiting. By all accounts it is regarded as the world's most unpleasant sound.
Clearly, those who cited that example must be regular churchgoers, for the sound of vomit is the only think which comes to mind in listening to their latest garbage
We have the arrant hypocrisy of the Roman Catholic Church, Vatican plc, who deliberately covered up child abuse,pretending to have a position relating to 'morality' regarding adoption.The Catholic Church shouldn't be allowed any where near children . In addition, I do not believe that any self-respecting gay person should want to do anything with the Catholic church other than copiously vomit at its sheer evil and hypocrisy.
As for Rowan Williams. Well, what a pathetic specimen he is.This is the man who used to live next door to a gay couple, one a priest, bringing up a child with severe learning difficulties. This is also the man willing to sacrifice his friend because of institutional homophobia.
Williams, there is no-one in the world I despise more than you. You have no principles, you are a windbag who writes impressive looking, meaningless garbage. But you have nothing worth saying, and you are quite incapable of offering any sort of inspiration or leadership. Do us all a favour and piss off, eh?
I shall never return to the church until it splits and discards the nonsense it promulgates to the unthinking and deluded. No, lets be honest. I'm not going back to the church. I'm better off without it
Friday, December 22, 2006
Last Rites
I really should give Last Rites a plug.
Its about the best book I have read about the sad and sorry institution called the Church of England in the last few years.
I won't spoil it for you, but have a look at http://www.LastRites.co.uk
The most loathsome bishop in the Church of England hates it - a so-called progressive who thinks he is left-wing but justifies church homophobia to the hilt. The sort of sickening bastard which makes me glad that I will this year, and in future years, be having a church-free Christmas! So, if he hates the book, then it must be good....
Its about the best book I have read about the sad and sorry institution called the Church of England in the last few years.
I won't spoil it for you, but have a look at http://www.LastRites.co.uk
The most loathsome bishop in the Church of England hates it - a so-called progressive who thinks he is left-wing but justifies church homophobia to the hilt. The sort of sickening bastard which makes me glad that I will this year, and in future years, be having a church-free Christmas! So, if he hates the book, then it must be good....
Friday, December 08, 2006
The Royal Mail
Its interesting that this utterly inept organisation has so far, managed to avoid privatisation....yet surely this is one service that is crying out for some competition?
I'm awaiting a parcel. It hasn't as yet, arrived. Yet I can't phone my local delivery office to enquire, because the wankers at the so-called 'Customer service' section can't give me their number, because THEY have to sort it out. But of course, as they are not based locally, how are they to know if it has arrived or not? Everyone knows that the card system this organisation operates doesn't work, but essentially unless you keep the number to hand you have to go round the office to enquire.
That's customer service for you....
I'm awaiting a parcel. It hasn't as yet, arrived. Yet I can't phone my local delivery office to enquire, because the wankers at the so-called 'Customer service' section can't give me their number, because THEY have to sort it out. But of course, as they are not based locally, how are they to know if it has arrived or not? Everyone knows that the card system this organisation operates doesn't work, but essentially unless you keep the number to hand you have to go round the office to enquire.
That's customer service for you....
Tuesday, November 28, 2006
Vincent Nichols - bugger off back to Italy and take the rest of your squalid church with you
So, now we have Catholic Gauleiter Nichols threatening to withdraw co-operation from joint projects.
As someone who thinks that scvhools, adoption agencies, and frankly, british society, would be far better without the vile and disgusting influence of the Catholic Church, this can only be welcomed.
What an institution. Criticising consenting gay couples when half its priests are shagging schoolkids, have a history of abuse of everyone from single mothers to schoolboys, trying to prevent people from deciding when they wish to die, preventing women from controlling their own fertility - and we actually think this is a suitable organisation to be allowed to run anything?
The sooner the Catholic church in Britain breathes its last, the better for all of us
As someone who thinks that scvhools, adoption agencies, and frankly, british society, would be far better without the vile and disgusting influence of the Catholic Church, this can only be welcomed.
What an institution. Criticising consenting gay couples when half its priests are shagging schoolkids, have a history of abuse of everyone from single mothers to schoolboys, trying to prevent people from deciding when they wish to die, preventing women from controlling their own fertility - and we actually think this is a suitable organisation to be allowed to run anything?
The sooner the Catholic church in Britain breathes its last, the better for all of us
Saturday, November 18, 2006
Rowan Williams - foot in mouth once again - and other thoughts
So now Williams gives an interview with the catholic herald which, naturally, he claims is misquotes. That may be the case. But why is this happening once again? Could it be that Williams (other than being a spineless, disloyal, pathetic , hypocritical irrelevance?) simply has neither media nor political skills, and is utterly incapable of doing anything other than providing vague, opaque soundbites that are clearly meant to mean exactly the opposite to how they read to everyone else?
As time moves on, I become ever more detached from organised religion of any description. I still go along to Quaker meeting, sometimes, but even there the spectre of those who cannot resist telling others what they should do, how they should think, what they should believe.
I have come to the conclusion that churches simply attract bossy people and that religion appears to be largely about policing of others.
As time moves on, I become ever more detached from organised religion of any description. I still go along to Quaker meeting, sometimes, but even there the spectre of those who cannot resist telling others what they should do, how they should think, what they should believe.
I have come to the conclusion that churches simply attract bossy people and that religion appears to be largely about policing of others.
Friday, November 17, 2006
Yes, this blog does still exist....
And my excuse is that I have a new job.
Which I am enjoying. I don't talk about work on this blog as a matter of principle but it is going well.
So...what to say
Gormley's Iron Men. I live in the Crosby area, and there is currently a local controversy with regard to the future of a public art installation currently on the beach - Another Place.
http://www.visitliverpool.com/site/product-p76741 for more details.
The short-sighted philistines who run Sefton Council - in particular the Tory group and PPC for Sefton Central Debi Jones (who is actually OK other than her politics) and some renegade LibDems of the 'we're working class, you know' variety, have voted not to give planning permission for its permanent place on the beach. It is a ludicrous decision. There is huge potential here - Crosby beach and marina is sorely needing renovation and needs a focus point. With the upcoming Capital of Culture in Liverpool, it is imperative that these statues remain here. Please write to Graham Haywood, chief executive of Sefton Council, graham.haywood@sefton.gov.uk and say so. They have a stay of execution until March as there is an appeal.
Which I am enjoying. I don't talk about work on this blog as a matter of principle but it is going well.
So...what to say
Gormley's Iron Men. I live in the Crosby area, and there is currently a local controversy with regard to the future of a public art installation currently on the beach - Another Place.
http://www.visitliverpool.com/site/product-p76741 for more details.
The short-sighted philistines who run Sefton Council - in particular the Tory group and PPC for Sefton Central Debi Jones (who is actually OK other than her politics) and some renegade LibDems of the 'we're working class, you know' variety, have voted not to give planning permission for its permanent place on the beach. It is a ludicrous decision. There is huge potential here - Crosby beach and marina is sorely needing renovation and needs a focus point. With the upcoming Capital of Culture in Liverpool, it is imperative that these statues remain here. Please write to Graham Haywood, chief executive of Sefton Council, graham.haywood@sefton.gov.uk and say so. They have a stay of execution until March as there is an appeal.
Thursday, September 21, 2006
Political musings....
The LibDems conference this week, some of which I have watched. A sense of a lack of excitement and vision, or at least one which does not suggest that there is anything very different about the LD's from any other party.
Something does need to break this obsession with trying to gain as many voters as possible hence the lack of choice. Clare Short is right - we need electoral reform and I think only a hung parliament could offer that. Assuming people bother to vote next time....I think you would be very hard pushed to know what party most politicians belong to . They use the same soundbites, have the same essential message. There's nothing to inspire.
Something does need to break this obsession with trying to gain as many voters as possible hence the lack of choice. Clare Short is right - we need electoral reform and I think only a hung parliament could offer that. Assuming people bother to vote next time....I think you would be very hard pushed to know what party most politicians belong to . They use the same soundbites, have the same essential message. There's nothing to inspire.
South Africa
Rather belated, but we spent 10 days in South Africa (Cape Town) and its about time I blogged about it.
Its a fascinating place. Cape Town itself has often been described as thinking of itself as a European city and certainly on one level it is less overtly African than other major African cities - the population is historically more diverse, for a start.
What immediately struck me was that in essense, apartheid still exists, in a practical sense if not in actuality as a political system. For example, restaurants appeared to be frequented only by white people. And recognising the still vast economic differences is at least one explanation. The sheer size of some of the townships, and the fact that much of them, particularly the largest, still consist of 'informal' housing - essentially shacks constructed from corrugated iron, board, and so on - emphasises this difference. Just a mile or two up the road are mansions costing millions. I know there are these diferences in London, but they seem all the more extreme, all the more stark.
What any government can do is limited, I suppose - or at least, it may take time, a long time, and when we visited a township with our excellent guide Duncan, local people did seem to have a sense of optimism. There is certainly a genuine sense of community on the townships, and I couldn't help but think that the design of the new 'pathway' housing will not facilitate this and appears to be more on the lines of the low level blocks of flats being torn down all over Britain.
Racism is still all too apparent, as is the assumption that because we are white, we would agree with them. Two particular occassions - at a crocodile farm where the owner launched into a racist rant, even using the word 'kaffir' (did you know that the only problem with apartheid was giving it a name - it would have been fine if they had just done it!), and in a supermarket of all places. Thats not going to disappear overnight either.
The city itself is remarkably beautiful, no doubt about that. We did the expected Table Mountain visit, and the views really are amazing. We also went to Robben island which was interesting but perhaps somewhat disorganised. The Robben Island Museum are building a new craft to take people to the island but have cancelled their existing contract before the new boat is available and replaced them, temporarily, with the old apartheid era boats which used to take the prisoners over to the island. Of historical provenance, yes, but not a comfoprtable ride to put it mildly, and they are still trying to run the old schedules on boats which are far slower. Daft.
Other things we did - travelled down to Constantia and halfway to Cape Point, where we saw penguins oin Boulders beach, and over to Hermanus for some whale watching - yes, they were more than in abundance. We went on a day safari which included rhinos, zebras, wildebeestes and so on...
Its certainly a foodie city. Great food everywhere we tried, and the exchange rate makes it a very cheap holiday once you have got there.
And the hotel must get a mention. The Cape Heritage Hotel in the city centre is a gem.
Its a fascinating place. Cape Town itself has often been described as thinking of itself as a European city and certainly on one level it is less overtly African than other major African cities - the population is historically more diverse, for a start.
What immediately struck me was that in essense, apartheid still exists, in a practical sense if not in actuality as a political system. For example, restaurants appeared to be frequented only by white people. And recognising the still vast economic differences is at least one explanation. The sheer size of some of the townships, and the fact that much of them, particularly the largest, still consist of 'informal' housing - essentially shacks constructed from corrugated iron, board, and so on - emphasises this difference. Just a mile or two up the road are mansions costing millions. I know there are these diferences in London, but they seem all the more extreme, all the more stark.
What any government can do is limited, I suppose - or at least, it may take time, a long time, and when we visited a township with our excellent guide Duncan, local people did seem to have a sense of optimism. There is certainly a genuine sense of community on the townships, and I couldn't help but think that the design of the new 'pathway' housing will not facilitate this and appears to be more on the lines of the low level blocks of flats being torn down all over Britain.
Racism is still all too apparent, as is the assumption that because we are white, we would agree with them. Two particular occassions - at a crocodile farm where the owner launched into a racist rant, even using the word 'kaffir' (did you know that the only problem with apartheid was giving it a name - it would have been fine if they had just done it!), and in a supermarket of all places. Thats not going to disappear overnight either.
The city itself is remarkably beautiful, no doubt about that. We did the expected Table Mountain visit, and the views really are amazing. We also went to Robben island which was interesting but perhaps somewhat disorganised. The Robben Island Museum are building a new craft to take people to the island but have cancelled their existing contract before the new boat is available and replaced them, temporarily, with the old apartheid era boats which used to take the prisoners over to the island. Of historical provenance, yes, but not a comfoprtable ride to put it mildly, and they are still trying to run the old schedules on boats which are far slower. Daft.
Other things we did - travelled down to Constantia and halfway to Cape Point, where we saw penguins oin Boulders beach, and over to Hermanus for some whale watching - yes, they were more than in abundance. We went on a day safari which included rhinos, zebras, wildebeestes and so on...
Its certainly a foodie city. Great food everywhere we tried, and the exchange rate makes it a very cheap holiday once you have got there.
And the hotel must get a mention. The Cape Heritage Hotel in the city centre is a gem.
Saturday, September 02, 2006
Great post about Williams the Spineless
Thanks to Dora in Texas for this - I hope she doesn'tmind my reproducing it
I have my own term for him. The Archmushworm of Canterbury. Spineless is putting it mildly. You have to be capable of actual definitive views before the concept of a spine even applies. The Archbishop of Canterbury reminds me of the overgrown flea larvae that infested my room one hot summer when my cat was ill. If you squashed them, they turned out to be completely made of flea excrement. They had no actual substance.
Monday, August 28, 2006
I'm not very good at this....
So, what have we been up to since the last missive?
A week in France.Now, that was very enjoyable. We travelled down to Normandy, the heart of the Pays d'Auge, and rented a cottage for a week, spending the days travelling round the region, eating very good lunches and chilling out. The evenings we spent at the cottage again chilling out. Very pleasant.
Normandy still keeps largely to traditional French hours - two hours for lunch - even the supermarket shut for 2 hours in the local town. The food was good, of course, particularly the cheese. And we did plenty of stocking up on wine, local cider and poire, and so on.
Dropped in to see some friends on the way back - who now run THE LANGTONS GUEST HOUSE in Eastbourne. If you're looking for somewhere to stay on the south coast, it is recommended (Anne's breakfasts are excellent!) http://www.thelangtons.net/ is the website
I'm still on the search for more work for the forthcoming academic year - really, all I want is a 0.5 permanent post somewhere within travelling distance. You wouldn'tthink it would be THAT difficult, would you?
A week in France.Now, that was very enjoyable. We travelled down to Normandy, the heart of the Pays d'Auge, and rented a cottage for a week, spending the days travelling round the region, eating very good lunches and chilling out. The evenings we spent at the cottage again chilling out. Very pleasant.
Normandy still keeps largely to traditional French hours - two hours for lunch - even the supermarket shut for 2 hours in the local town. The food was good, of course, particularly the cheese. And we did plenty of stocking up on wine, local cider and poire, and so on.
Dropped in to see some friends on the way back - who now run THE LANGTONS GUEST HOUSE in Eastbourne. If you're looking for somewhere to stay on the south coast, it is recommended (Anne's breakfasts are excellent!) http://www.thelangtons.net/ is the website
I'm still on the search for more work for the forthcoming academic year - really, all I want is a 0.5 permanent post somewhere within travelling distance. You wouldn'tthink it would be THAT difficult, would you?
Sunday, July 16, 2006
Its one way to make a living....
Exam marking. Lots of it, hence not many blog entries.
Dorothy took her first wander out of the house today - Mum came down and we had a barbecue so we thought we would try her out in the back garden, which seemed to go well enough.
Some thoughts on items in the news.
Blair and Buying honours. Its always gone on. The Tories certainly don't want the police digging about in their records either. There are two answers. First, much lower caps on total spending along with, if needs be, more regulation of the press in terms of their bias. Second, state funding of political parties. democracy needs to be paid for, not bought by a few rich men.
As for the Middle east. Israel's disproportionate response backed up by Bush has made me wonder whether there really is any possibility of peace, and further convinces me that running foreign policy on the basis of either religious destiny or collective guilt is not a good idea. if the Jews wanted a homeland, it shoud not have been at the expense of the inhabitants of that country, and not in the middle of hostile territory.
A two state solution is still the ideal. But can israel live alongside anyone without getting its own way on absolutely everything? Doesn't appear to be the case.
Dorothy took her first wander out of the house today - Mum came down and we had a barbecue so we thought we would try her out in the back garden, which seemed to go well enough.
Some thoughts on items in the news.
Blair and Buying honours. Its always gone on. The Tories certainly don't want the police digging about in their records either. There are two answers. First, much lower caps on total spending along with, if needs be, more regulation of the press in terms of their bias. Second, state funding of political parties. democracy needs to be paid for, not bought by a few rich men.
As for the Middle east. Israel's disproportionate response backed up by Bush has made me wonder whether there really is any possibility of peace, and further convinces me that running foreign policy on the basis of either religious destiny or collective guilt is not a good idea. if the Jews wanted a homeland, it shoud not have been at the expense of the inhabitants of that country, and not in the middle of hostile territory.
A two state solution is still the ideal. But can israel live alongside anyone without getting its own way on absolutely everything? Doesn't appear to be the case.
Tuesday, July 11, 2006
Oh, and films. Forgot to mention films
I've seen three in the past couple of days
1. Confetti. Charming low-budget mockumentary about three weddings. If you like Best in Show or A Mighty Wind, this is a UK equivalent and most entertaining. The gay (but of course!) wedding planners are great, and topically they decide to get hitched at the end of the film
2. Friends with Money. One of those US independednts where nothing ever happens, but the characters are engrossing and convincing
3. Wah-Wah. Stunning Swaziland scenery and a charming throwback to a coming-of-age in the dying days of colonial control
I'd recommend them all
1. Confetti. Charming low-budget mockumentary about three weddings. If you like Best in Show or A Mighty Wind, this is a UK equivalent and most entertaining. The gay (but of course!) wedding planners are great, and topically they decide to get hitched at the end of the film
2. Friends with Money. One of those US independednts where nothing ever happens, but the characters are engrossing and convincing
3. Wah-Wah. Stunning Swaziland scenery and a charming throwback to a coming-of-age in the dying days of colonial control
I'd recommend them all
11th Commandment. Thou shalt not neglect one's blog
Only when you are drowning in marking it isn't always something one looks forward to...still....
Dorothy is proving to be a sweetie albeit a very mischievous one - she seems to like eating fish most of all and a draw or cupboard cannot be open without her entering it. Think it will be time for her to start to explore the great outdoors before too long.
Some opinions, I think.
First, PPI Forums and their future. I have sat on our local Forum for the past 18 months or so. Its OK, a bit toothless, but does manage to ask some questions. I went to a meeting in Manchester which ... well, here's the report I have produced. Speaks for itself. Along with effective privatisation of the NHS it doesn't bode well.
The Future of PPI Forums – consultation held at City of Manchester Stadium, 4/7/06
This was one of a series of consultation meetings held both to inform PPI Forum members of the proposed changes to Forums given the future demise of CPPIH, and to gauge our views.
Conveniently, the Government had delayed the announcement of the changes to a time after most of the meetings had taken place, but given that the changes had been leaked to the press, there is reason to believe that the outlined changes are accurate
These are:
* Given the Government’s decision to abandon ‘arms-length’ bodies, CPPIH, despite its recent establishment, is no longer within boundaries of Government policy
* PPI Forums are likely to be abolished in June 2007 along with CPPIH. However, PALS and ICAS are to continue.
* PPI Forums are likely to be replaced with local ‘health involvement networks’ which will have input from local organisations as well as individuals, hence diluting the ‘patient’ element of PPI Forums. Membership details appear scanty and imprecise and questions such as whether membership would be static or fluid dependent upon the issues being discussed, or the relative rights and influence of individuals as opposed to organisations appear to be topics for further discussion. There appears to be a recognition that the skills and expertise of current forum members should not be lost but no precise plans as to how these are likely to be maintained
* No satisfactory distinguishing was made between the role of these new networks and the existing strategic role of the Health Overview and Scrutiny committees of local authorities
* Similarly, there appears to be no clear description of their powers and no indication that they will have statutory force
* It appears likely that Local Authorities may be given the funding responsibility but that arrangements will be made with the VCS who will support and service the networks. It appears likely that Networks will be coterminous with local authorities and will have far more explicit ties with them – again raising the question of the differentiation between these networks, and the overview and scrutiny function. There is also no clear intention for the future of PPI within the specialist functions eg mental health
The likely ‘spin’ placed on these proposals will emphasise the centrality of patient and public involvement to Government strategies, perhaps as part of their ‘localism’ theme which stresses the importance of local people and organisations championing local issues. A briefing paper is likely to be in the pipeline which will pull together some of the achievements made so far. Both the benefits of wider membership and greater allocated resources are expected to be part of the ‘spin’
There is awareness of the possibility of a ‘gap’ between the end of PPI Forums and the establishment of the new Networks but no firm proposals as to how this will be dealt with.
CPPIH are planning an event in October where Forum members will be able to meet and discuss the issues with their MP’s.
Perspective of Forum members present
There was a considerable amount of agreement expressed by the Forum members present at the meeting. Some of the key points are outlined below
* It is vital that PPI functions remain independent, particularly from the influence of local authorities, political parties and large, well-funded organisations.
* There was little enthusiasm for the presence of organisations within the new networks as it was felt strongly that they could all too easily be effectively colonised by professional paid staff representing large single-issue, sectional voluntary organisations, marginalizing individual and patient representation. It was felt that if there had to be organisational representation, this should consist entirely of unpaid volunteers and that representation should not be able to be done in paid work time, by paid professionals. The priority of community not sectional interest was emphasised, and it was suggested that group membership needed to be regularly rotated to avoid this danger.
* The current range of powers needed to be retained and strengthened – the proposals indicate that key powers such as that of inspection will no longer exist. This was strongly opposed.
* Concern was expressed over the lack of provision for specialist trusts, whose concerns and priorities are likely to be lost in a more generalist local network
* There needs to be an assurance of continuity between the planned closure of Forums and establishment of networks, without a ‘gap’ between the two.
* There was a recognition that networks would need to retain a high level of support, training, and so on, and that this could be assisted by a more formal, independent, national voice of PPI networks where sharing of good practice could take place.
* Finally, there was an awareness that reinvention of the wheel was NOT required and that it was important not to lose the skills and knowledge of members, although it was also recognised that many may not wish to remain involved given the nature of the proposals.
I am concerned that the proposals as they stand appear to be poorly thought out and conceived, and far from widening involvement, are likely to deliberately marginalize the involvement of the grass-roots patient voice, to the benefit of organisations. Should paid voluntary sector staff be allowed to sit on the new Networks, I would forecast that they will become largely professional-dominated and are likely to merge with the Overview and Scrutiny function of the local authority, given that they will hold the purse-strings and are unlikely to want to duplicate existing strategic scrutiny. In the process, the strength of forums – their ability to raise concerns about ground-level experiences of the NHS, will be lost
Any thoughts would be appreciated.
We seem to be in the curious situation where the Conservative party is sounding slightly more left wing than the Government. They are less enthusiastic about nuclear power. Cameron's speech about young people made sense - certainly more than anything stated by that jackbooted thug Reid. Ex CP of course, and doesn't it show. Authoritarianism at its worse, and when attached to the right-wing ideas of New Labour, guess what you get - right-wing populist Daily Excess style Toryism, only with a Glasgow accent.
Last Friday we went to hear Jane Kennedy speak about the NHS. She resigned from her post recently. Well, not exactly. Truth is Blair wanted to shift her to the defence ministry and she didn't fancy it - but I didn'tfind what she had to say of much inspiration. She appears to be opposed to some of the privatisation within the primary care sector but thats only a small part of whats going on - David asked a question about dentistry which she made no attempt to answer.
I voted Labour, for an MP who I don't like much, at the last election. I did so ONLY because I feared Howard. I don't fear Cameron in the same way. Next time the Boundary Commission has shifted us into a safe Labour seat - if the current MP is the candidate then I won't be voting Labour under any circumstances in any case, but at present they are giving me no positive reasons to do so.
Lets see - we are still in Iraq, still slavering at Bush's every word, still supporting renewal of Trident and nuclear power, still allowing private companies to run schools and hospitals, the list goes on.
If Tory policies are what we are going to get, maybe the Tories are the best people to implement them?
Dorothy is proving to be a sweetie albeit a very mischievous one - she seems to like eating fish most of all and a draw or cupboard cannot be open without her entering it. Think it will be time for her to start to explore the great outdoors before too long.
Some opinions, I think.
First, PPI Forums and their future. I have sat on our local Forum for the past 18 months or so. Its OK, a bit toothless, but does manage to ask some questions. I went to a meeting in Manchester which ... well, here's the report I have produced. Speaks for itself. Along with effective privatisation of the NHS it doesn't bode well.
The Future of PPI Forums – consultation held at City of Manchester Stadium, 4/7/06
This was one of a series of consultation meetings held both to inform PPI Forum members of the proposed changes to Forums given the future demise of CPPIH, and to gauge our views.
Conveniently, the Government had delayed the announcement of the changes to a time after most of the meetings had taken place, but given that the changes had been leaked to the press, there is reason to believe that the outlined changes are accurate
These are:
* Given the Government’s decision to abandon ‘arms-length’ bodies, CPPIH, despite its recent establishment, is no longer within boundaries of Government policy
* PPI Forums are likely to be abolished in June 2007 along with CPPIH. However, PALS and ICAS are to continue.
* PPI Forums are likely to be replaced with local ‘health involvement networks’ which will have input from local organisations as well as individuals, hence diluting the ‘patient’ element of PPI Forums. Membership details appear scanty and imprecise and questions such as whether membership would be static or fluid dependent upon the issues being discussed, or the relative rights and influence of individuals as opposed to organisations appear to be topics for further discussion. There appears to be a recognition that the skills and expertise of current forum members should not be lost but no precise plans as to how these are likely to be maintained
* No satisfactory distinguishing was made between the role of these new networks and the existing strategic role of the Health Overview and Scrutiny committees of local authorities
* Similarly, there appears to be no clear description of their powers and no indication that they will have statutory force
* It appears likely that Local Authorities may be given the funding responsibility but that arrangements will be made with the VCS who will support and service the networks. It appears likely that Networks will be coterminous with local authorities and will have far more explicit ties with them – again raising the question of the differentiation between these networks, and the overview and scrutiny function. There is also no clear intention for the future of PPI within the specialist functions eg mental health
The likely ‘spin’ placed on these proposals will emphasise the centrality of patient and public involvement to Government strategies, perhaps as part of their ‘localism’ theme which stresses the importance of local people and organisations championing local issues. A briefing paper is likely to be in the pipeline which will pull together some of the achievements made so far. Both the benefits of wider membership and greater allocated resources are expected to be part of the ‘spin’
There is awareness of the possibility of a ‘gap’ between the end of PPI Forums and the establishment of the new Networks but no firm proposals as to how this will be dealt with.
CPPIH are planning an event in October where Forum members will be able to meet and discuss the issues with their MP’s.
Perspective of Forum members present
There was a considerable amount of agreement expressed by the Forum members present at the meeting. Some of the key points are outlined below
* It is vital that PPI functions remain independent, particularly from the influence of local authorities, political parties and large, well-funded organisations.
* There was little enthusiasm for the presence of organisations within the new networks as it was felt strongly that they could all too easily be effectively colonised by professional paid staff representing large single-issue, sectional voluntary organisations, marginalizing individual and patient representation. It was felt that if there had to be organisational representation, this should consist entirely of unpaid volunteers and that representation should not be able to be done in paid work time, by paid professionals. The priority of community not sectional interest was emphasised, and it was suggested that group membership needed to be regularly rotated to avoid this danger.
* The current range of powers needed to be retained and strengthened – the proposals indicate that key powers such as that of inspection will no longer exist. This was strongly opposed.
* Concern was expressed over the lack of provision for specialist trusts, whose concerns and priorities are likely to be lost in a more generalist local network
* There needs to be an assurance of continuity between the planned closure of Forums and establishment of networks, without a ‘gap’ between the two.
* There was a recognition that networks would need to retain a high level of support, training, and so on, and that this could be assisted by a more formal, independent, national voice of PPI networks where sharing of good practice could take place.
* Finally, there was an awareness that reinvention of the wheel was NOT required and that it was important not to lose the skills and knowledge of members, although it was also recognised that many may not wish to remain involved given the nature of the proposals.
I am concerned that the proposals as they stand appear to be poorly thought out and conceived, and far from widening involvement, are likely to deliberately marginalize the involvement of the grass-roots patient voice, to the benefit of organisations. Should paid voluntary sector staff be allowed to sit on the new Networks, I would forecast that they will become largely professional-dominated and are likely to merge with the Overview and Scrutiny function of the local authority, given that they will hold the purse-strings and are unlikely to want to duplicate existing strategic scrutiny. In the process, the strength of forums – their ability to raise concerns about ground-level experiences of the NHS, will be lost
Any thoughts would be appreciated.
We seem to be in the curious situation where the Conservative party is sounding slightly more left wing than the Government. They are less enthusiastic about nuclear power. Cameron's speech about young people made sense - certainly more than anything stated by that jackbooted thug Reid. Ex CP of course, and doesn't it show. Authoritarianism at its worse, and when attached to the right-wing ideas of New Labour, guess what you get - right-wing populist Daily Excess style Toryism, only with a Glasgow accent.
Last Friday we went to hear Jane Kennedy speak about the NHS. She resigned from her post recently. Well, not exactly. Truth is Blair wanted to shift her to the defence ministry and she didn't fancy it - but I didn'tfind what she had to say of much inspiration. She appears to be opposed to some of the privatisation within the primary care sector but thats only a small part of whats going on - David asked a question about dentistry which she made no attempt to answer.
I voted Labour, for an MP who I don't like much, at the last election. I did so ONLY because I feared Howard. I don't fear Cameron in the same way. Next time the Boundary Commission has shifted us into a safe Labour seat - if the current MP is the candidate then I won't be voting Labour under any circumstances in any case, but at present they are giving me no positive reasons to do so.
Lets see - we are still in Iraq, still slavering at Bush's every word, still supporting renewal of Trident and nuclear power, still allowing private companies to run schools and hospitals, the list goes on.
If Tory policies are what we are going to get, maybe the Tories are the best people to implement them?
Thursday, June 29, 2006
A new member of the family. Welcome Dorothy!
We have a new baby.
She is a seven-month old tortoiseshell who we have named Dorothy, because she is going to have a lot of friends.
I had forgotten just how energetic a young cat can be. Particularly in her mad half hours where she tears around the house like a whirling dervish...
She is a seven-month old tortoiseshell who we have named Dorothy, because she is going to have a lot of friends.
I had forgotten just how energetic a young cat can be. Particularly in her mad half hours where she tears around the house like a whirling dervish...
Tuesday, June 13, 2006
So dip me with chocolate, and throw me to the lesbians
Yes, we had our Jerry Springer Moment lastSaturday, and very wonderfulit was too.
Clashed with the first Ing-ger-lund game so not a full house, but awfully brilliant noneltheless
Oh, and there were three or four protestors outside , one of whom delightfully informed me, when I expressed my disinterest in his rant, that I would do so when I ended up in hell. Now, stupid morons who believe there really is a hell simply aren't worth taking seriously, but it was rather pleasant telling him exactly where he and his god could go fuck themselves. Oh, and they were distributing Chick tracts as well. Pathetic, deluded wankers.
Clashed with the first Ing-ger-lund game so not a full house, but awfully brilliant noneltheless
Oh, and there were three or four protestors outside , one of whom delightfully informed me, when I expressed my disinterest in his rant, that I would do so when I ended up in hell. Now, stupid morons who believe there really is a hell simply aren't worth taking seriously, but it was rather pleasant telling him exactly where he and his god could go fuck themselves. Oh, and they were distributing Chick tracts as well. Pathetic, deluded wankers.
Sunday, May 28, 2006
Advance news for freedom lovers...JSTO is coming!
Yes, here in Liverpool we are delighted to have Jerry Springer- the Opera at the Empire in the near future.
Go and see it if you have the chance.
Reasons are:
1. Its excellent - very amusing and well put together
2. It is important that those of us who do not believe that right wing religionism should have any right to censor our choice of entertainment support this production
3. It will upset right wing evangelical nutters and hopefully offer some opportunity for counter-heckling [There's one born (again) every minute!]
Go and see it if you have the chance.
Reasons are:
1. Its excellent - very amusing and well put together
2. It is important that those of us who do not believe that right wing religionism should have any right to censor our choice of entertainment support this production
3. It will upset right wing evangelical nutters and hopefully offer some opportunity for counter-heckling [There's one born (again) every minute!]
Films, more RC bilge, and Trumpet
Excellent films seen this week - 20 Centimetres, and Time to Leave. Spanish and French respectively, and good examples of the creativity of independent European production as opposed to Hollywood predictability.
Vatican plc have kicked off about the Da Vinci Code. I have no interest in seeing this film which sounds about as much fun as watching paint dry, but isn't it just so predictable that Gauleiter Ratfinger starts getting on his high horse again - he is in Poland this weekend, whose neo-fascist far-right government should suit a former member of the Hitler Youth.
Went over to Manchester yesterday - we sampled a new (ish) Indian restaurant, very good, very authentic (EastzEast) and went to see a stage production of jackie Kay's wonderful book Trumpet, inspired by the life of Billy Tipton, the jazz musician who was female but lived life as a man, unbeknown to all until his death. In hindsight its interesting ; was it simply because of the sexism of the jazz world? Or was it because of inability to live as a lesbian, or the lack of understanding of transsexualism at the time? No-one will ever know.
Vatican plc have kicked off about the Da Vinci Code. I have no interest in seeing this film which sounds about as much fun as watching paint dry, but isn't it just so predictable that Gauleiter Ratfinger starts getting on his high horse again - he is in Poland this weekend, whose neo-fascist far-right government should suit a former member of the Hitler Youth.
Went over to Manchester yesterday - we sampled a new (ish) Indian restaurant, very good, very authentic (EastzEast) and went to see a stage production of jackie Kay's wonderful book Trumpet, inspired by the life of Billy Tipton, the jazz musician who was female but lived life as a man, unbeknown to all until his death. In hindsight its interesting ; was it simply because of the sexism of the jazz world? Or was it because of inability to live as a lesbian, or the lack of understanding of transsexualism at the time? No-one will ever know.
Monday, May 22, 2006
HARD...ROCK...HALLELUJAH!!
Well, what a contest...here's my verdict
Switzerland - still love this though it didn't do very well. Well sung, charming anthemic ballad, very typical easy-listening harmony stuff, but then I like that!
Moldova - The stage presentation was a bit messy but its not a bad song, catchy and quite appealing.
Israel - What happened? At last a soul ballad in the contest, and Eddie just didn't cut the mustard - the backing singersd did their best to add some gospelly 'whooping up' but this needed a clear and strong lead vocal - for some reason he sounded strained and missed some of the high notes.
Latvia - This was never goping to win, too specialist, but it was a fine example of accapella singing with a jazz feel. Remains a favourite of mine
Norway - Very ethereal, all in white, perfectly sung and performed. Thought it would do better but perhaps the success of Bosnia meant it lost out as the two songs were quite similar in 'feel' and presentation
Spain - This got nowhere. There is so much good Spanish pop music around, particularly the ballads, and they put this in? Just drifts along getting nowhere and the sub-Bananarama unison singing didn't impress
Malta - Fabrizio was obviously having an off day. Painfully out of tune and it all sounded very 'end of the party karaoke' all told. I don't hate it by any means but wasn't surprised that it came last.
Germany - Now, this was something of a surprise. One of the best singers in the contest and a jaunty country song - maybe its back to the failure of strongly American styles to do well in the contest?
Denmark - A song about the twist with a breakdancer, one of my least favourite songs of the night. Couldn't wait for it to end.
Russia - Loved this. Pretty boy-band-handsome singer with a gorgeous incisive voice, just loved the way he sang 'broken glass' - and an energetic performance. One of the best of the night
FYROM - Dull and she didn't sound particularly in tune
Romania - What a voice! My favourite of the uptempo entries and it deserved to do as well as it did - good song, excellent singing, just good dance pop music
Bosnia - A beautiful piece of music, drifts along, instrumentation which sends a shiver up the spine. Again, deserved to do so well - would have loved to see them win but think their time will yet come
Lithuania - I just didn't find this funny and whilst they were clearly proficient, a novelty entry doesn't really work unless you find it funny.
UK - Coming straight after another novelty entry didn't really work, and a lot of people have said that the whole thing did come over as rather dodgy/pervy. Maybe it fell between two stools - not really serious rap (so no votes from France) , not novelty enough? Given how few female ballads, we should have sent Kym Marsh!
Greece - This was certainly the power ballad of the night - well opver the top, but it worked. She is a fine singer, no doubt about that.
Finland - What can I say? I'm very pleased for the Finns - to win after 44 years - and I think it won;t do the contest any harm. But I will never be a rock fan and this just isn't my kind of music.
Ukraine - This sounded like last years winner speeded up. Good singer, but didn't do a thing for me.
France - Beautiful song, but she was so painfully nervous every note sounded thin and strangulated, not a bit like the mellow, creamy voice on the CD. A shame - this was never going to win, but I couldn't help but think how Natasha St.Pierre or Lara Fabian could have made this something really special
Croatia - Gypsy-ethnic stuff, thought it was dire
Ireland - Pure professionalism from start to finish. Its a memorable little song but its no You Raise Me Up - still, Ireland are straight through to the final next year - wonder if Ronan will have a go?
Sweden - If there was one thing that cheered me up this year, it was that this derivative, safe, over-sung, boring schlager didn't win. 19 places too high in my book....
Turkey - This was so cool. I'm not usually a great fan of this sort of stuff but how Ukraine could have qualified whilst this didn't....a really good performance , unusual song, the most contemporary thing in the contest along with russia. Oh, and the dancers. Phew!
Armenia - He seemed to have gained in confidence and although I don't rate the song, it was a very impressive performance - and good to see a new country get through on their first try.
Switzerland - still love this though it didn't do very well. Well sung, charming anthemic ballad, very typical easy-listening harmony stuff, but then I like that!
Moldova - The stage presentation was a bit messy but its not a bad song, catchy and quite appealing.
Israel - What happened? At last a soul ballad in the contest, and Eddie just didn't cut the mustard - the backing singersd did their best to add some gospelly 'whooping up' but this needed a clear and strong lead vocal - for some reason he sounded strained and missed some of the high notes.
Latvia - This was never goping to win, too specialist, but it was a fine example of accapella singing with a jazz feel. Remains a favourite of mine
Norway - Very ethereal, all in white, perfectly sung and performed. Thought it would do better but perhaps the success of Bosnia meant it lost out as the two songs were quite similar in 'feel' and presentation
Spain - This got nowhere. There is so much good Spanish pop music around, particularly the ballads, and they put this in? Just drifts along getting nowhere and the sub-Bananarama unison singing didn't impress
Malta - Fabrizio was obviously having an off day. Painfully out of tune and it all sounded very 'end of the party karaoke' all told. I don't hate it by any means but wasn't surprised that it came last.
Germany - Now, this was something of a surprise. One of the best singers in the contest and a jaunty country song - maybe its back to the failure of strongly American styles to do well in the contest?
Denmark - A song about the twist with a breakdancer, one of my least favourite songs of the night. Couldn't wait for it to end.
Russia - Loved this. Pretty boy-band-handsome singer with a gorgeous incisive voice, just loved the way he sang 'broken glass' - and an energetic performance. One of the best of the night
FYROM - Dull and she didn't sound particularly in tune
Romania - What a voice! My favourite of the uptempo entries and it deserved to do as well as it did - good song, excellent singing, just good dance pop music
Bosnia - A beautiful piece of music, drifts along, instrumentation which sends a shiver up the spine. Again, deserved to do so well - would have loved to see them win but think their time will yet come
Lithuania - I just didn't find this funny and whilst they were clearly proficient, a novelty entry doesn't really work unless you find it funny.
UK - Coming straight after another novelty entry didn't really work, and a lot of people have said that the whole thing did come over as rather dodgy/pervy. Maybe it fell between two stools - not really serious rap (so no votes from France) , not novelty enough? Given how few female ballads, we should have sent Kym Marsh!
Greece - This was certainly the power ballad of the night - well opver the top, but it worked. She is a fine singer, no doubt about that.
Finland - What can I say? I'm very pleased for the Finns - to win after 44 years - and I think it won;t do the contest any harm. But I will never be a rock fan and this just isn't my kind of music.
Ukraine - This sounded like last years winner speeded up. Good singer, but didn't do a thing for me.
France - Beautiful song, but she was so painfully nervous every note sounded thin and strangulated, not a bit like the mellow, creamy voice on the CD. A shame - this was never going to win, but I couldn't help but think how Natasha St.Pierre or Lara Fabian could have made this something really special
Croatia - Gypsy-ethnic stuff, thought it was dire
Ireland - Pure professionalism from start to finish. Its a memorable little song but its no You Raise Me Up - still, Ireland are straight through to the final next year - wonder if Ronan will have a go?
Sweden - If there was one thing that cheered me up this year, it was that this derivative, safe, over-sung, boring schlager didn't win. 19 places too high in my book....
Turkey - This was so cool. I'm not usually a great fan of this sort of stuff but how Ukraine could have qualified whilst this didn't....a really good performance , unusual song, the most contemporary thing in the contest along with russia. Oh, and the dancers. Phew!
Armenia - He seemed to have gained in confidence and although I don't rate the song, it was a very impressive performance - and good to see a new country get through on their first try.
Thursday, May 18, 2006
Eurovision semi....
So, the semi is over, and at least some of my favourites got through this year
My verdict
Armenia - thought this was a fairly typical ethno-pop song, sung not very well, and a surprise qualifier
Bulgaria - this was never going to qualify, just too moody and left-field for Eurovision. Think Bulgaria may have to try something a bit more mainstream in future - but I still loved it!
Slovenia - pretty boy, good performance but very ordinary, dated disco song
Andorra - poorly presented, could have been sung better too, but by no means the catastrophe promised in the blogs of the rehearsals. With the right singer this could have qualified
Belarus - dire in every way. Chris and Holger, go and open that language school and teach them how to sing...sad thing is there were two excellent songs in the belarussian final, but the Mafia chose this one
Albania - This was a charming performance of quite a sweet song, but not one of the most obvious ethnic songs and just got lost in the rush
Belgium - this was tacky in the extreme, a poor song poorly song, which richly deserved not to qualify. The choreography was particularly awful
Ireland - Oh, croon for me Brian! Great to see Ireland back in the Final with a memorable song, and I think a good chance of doing well. Delightful
Cyprus - The travesty of the night was the failure of this very accomplished performance to qualify. It seems that the American-influenced divas never do so well, thinking of Glennis last year, Still, my three other favourites made it
Monaco - Memories of Sophie Carle singing Harry belafonte. It didn't work
FYROM - This didn't do much for me, but it was well performed. But I still can't remember it. At all.
Poland - This didn't work. Too messy, too many languages, the rap didn't sound right. I don't dislike it but I wasn't surprised that it didn't qualify
Russia - very decorative - wouldn't mind a Russian plumber who looked like him. Great song. And I love his incisive voice - the way he sings 'glass' - this is classy stuff.
Turkey - This sounded excellent and really deserved its success.Not the sort of music i would listen to all that often, but sounds so contemporary and cool - I like it
Ukraine - Again, a good performance, but not to my taste
Finland - An unsurprising qualifier as the only rock entry and i think it will do respectably enough. I'm not convinced it comes over as quite the extravaganza on the TV though
Netherlands - Worst song of the night, competently performed, but I didn't like it
Lithuania - I don't really get it. But they were very competent and i suppose one novelty song had to get through
Portugal - They tried! All very retro, but again this was never likely to qualify. Some of the other stuff the girls have done was far better. Fado next year - about time Portugal tried something ethnic
Sweden - Dull as ditchwater, oversung 90's pop which simply wouldn't exist outside Eurovision
Estonia - Abba soundalike, well performed but nothing special
Bosnia & Herzegovina - well, ios it Sarajevo 2007? Don't rule it out. This is professional, relaxed and with drifting, ethereal instrumentation - I think its a strong contender if its at last, time for a ballad winner
Iceland - The joke's on them. Tasteless drivel - now if they had decided to put a proper song in this year and selected Regina Osk, they would be in the Final. Never were boos more deserved.
So, three from the semi I really like got through, and one I like, and there are plenty of good songs in the Final.
My verdict
Armenia - thought this was a fairly typical ethno-pop song, sung not very well, and a surprise qualifier
Bulgaria - this was never going to qualify, just too moody and left-field for Eurovision. Think Bulgaria may have to try something a bit more mainstream in future - but I still loved it!
Slovenia - pretty boy, good performance but very ordinary, dated disco song
Andorra - poorly presented, could have been sung better too, but by no means the catastrophe promised in the blogs of the rehearsals. With the right singer this could have qualified
Belarus - dire in every way. Chris and Holger, go and open that language school and teach them how to sing...sad thing is there were two excellent songs in the belarussian final, but the Mafia chose this one
Albania - This was a charming performance of quite a sweet song, but not one of the most obvious ethnic songs and just got lost in the rush
Belgium - this was tacky in the extreme, a poor song poorly song, which richly deserved not to qualify. The choreography was particularly awful
Ireland - Oh, croon for me Brian! Great to see Ireland back in the Final with a memorable song, and I think a good chance of doing well. Delightful
Cyprus - The travesty of the night was the failure of this very accomplished performance to qualify. It seems that the American-influenced divas never do so well, thinking of Glennis last year, Still, my three other favourites made it
Monaco - Memories of Sophie Carle singing Harry belafonte. It didn't work
FYROM - This didn't do much for me, but it was well performed. But I still can't remember it. At all.
Poland - This didn't work. Too messy, too many languages, the rap didn't sound right. I don't dislike it but I wasn't surprised that it didn't qualify
Russia - very decorative - wouldn't mind a Russian plumber who looked like him. Great song. And I love his incisive voice - the way he sings 'glass' - this is classy stuff.
Turkey - This sounded excellent and really deserved its success.Not the sort of music i would listen to all that often, but sounds so contemporary and cool - I like it
Ukraine - Again, a good performance, but not to my taste
Finland - An unsurprising qualifier as the only rock entry and i think it will do respectably enough. I'm not convinced it comes over as quite the extravaganza on the TV though
Netherlands - Worst song of the night, competently performed, but I didn't like it
Lithuania - I don't really get it. But they were very competent and i suppose one novelty song had to get through
Portugal - They tried! All very retro, but again this was never likely to qualify. Some of the other stuff the girls have done was far better. Fado next year - about time Portugal tried something ethnic
Sweden - Dull as ditchwater, oversung 90's pop which simply wouldn't exist outside Eurovision
Estonia - Abba soundalike, well performed but nothing special
Bosnia & Herzegovina - well, ios it Sarajevo 2007? Don't rule it out. This is professional, relaxed and with drifting, ethereal instrumentation - I think its a strong contender if its at last, time for a ballad winner
Iceland - The joke's on them. Tasteless drivel - now if they had decided to put a proper song in this year and selected Regina Osk, they would be in the Final. Never were boos more deserved.
So, three from the semi I really like got through, and one I like, and there are plenty of good songs in the Final.
Wednesday, May 17, 2006
R I P Barnaby
Our old cat died today. We noticed that he didn't seem too well on Saturday, and on Sunday and Monday he seemed to go further downhill, not eating or drinking. As he was an old cat, we realised that the inevitable was coming and as we didn't want to see him starve to death thought we had better go to the vet - fearing the inevitable.
We both stroked and petted him for half an hour or so, then put him in his box. I felt sad, and had hoped that he could die at home naturally if at all possible. Just before we left the house, he died peacefully.
We have now buried him in the garden, and we have planted a cherry tree to remember him by
Sweet dreams Barnaby
We both stroked and petted him for half an hour or so, then put him in his box. I felt sad, and had hoped that he could die at home naturally if at all possible. Just before we left the house, he died peacefully.
We have now buried him in the garden, and we have planted a cherry tree to remember him by
Sweet dreams Barnaby
Sunday, May 14, 2006
More Christian homophobia
So, turns out that the mealy-mouthed fascist at the top of the British branch of Vatican plc sacked a press adviser once he found out he was gay.
Whilst one must ask why anyone with any sense at all, gay or otherwise, would want any sort of link with the Catholic church, thia again shows the deep and unremmiting homophobia of these people, and gives yet another reason why Ruth Kelly should neither be equalkity minister, or in my view, a Labour MP.
Equality and Catholicism don't go together. Simple as that. Its an inherently bigoted ideology. It needs to be opposed.
Whilst one must ask why anyone with any sense at all, gay or otherwise, would want any sort of link with the Catholic church, thia again shows the deep and unremmiting homophobia of these people, and gives yet another reason why Ruth Kelly should neither be equalkity minister, or in my view, a Labour MP.
Equality and Catholicism don't go together. Simple as that. Its an inherently bigoted ideology. It needs to be opposed.
Saturday, May 13, 2006
The right to die and the misguided naivety of traditional Christianity
As expected, the Joffe Bill was defeated in the Lords. But the time will come where the clamour for legal, rather than undercover, dignity in death will come.
However, we first have to remove and undermine the influence of the harmful dogmas of Christianity. Over the past three months I have realised that I am no longer anu sort of conventional Christian, and that society would be infinitely better without the pernicious influence of the mainstream Church and its warped 'morality'. Humanism has infinitely more to offer, a religious humanism which is able to draw from that which is good in Christianity, whilst discarding the nonsense and the will to control which is the inevitable outcome of believing in a creator, directive, intervening God who we are somehow 'responsible' to and who wishes us to 'worship' as a person. God is a human creation. We can create a God of inclusivity and worth, or we can worship the Church Christian god of control and superstitious mumbo-jumbo
Its nonsense, dangerous, damaging nonsense too.
People should have the choice to determine their own death. There is no benefit in lauding life at all costs - if we remove people's freedom to choose one way or another, we demen humanity.
I shall be joining http://www.dignityindying.org.uk/
However, we first have to remove and undermine the influence of the harmful dogmas of Christianity. Over the past three months I have realised that I am no longer anu sort of conventional Christian, and that society would be infinitely better without the pernicious influence of the mainstream Church and its warped 'morality'. Humanism has infinitely more to offer, a religious humanism which is able to draw from that which is good in Christianity, whilst discarding the nonsense and the will to control which is the inevitable outcome of believing in a creator, directive, intervening God who we are somehow 'responsible' to and who wishes us to 'worship' as a person. God is a human creation. We can create a God of inclusivity and worth, or we can worship the Church Christian god of control and superstitious mumbo-jumbo
Its nonsense, dangerous, damaging nonsense too.
People should have the choice to determine their own death. There is no benefit in lauding life at all costs - if we remove people's freedom to choose one way or another, we demen humanity.
I shall be joining http://www.dignityindying.org.uk/
Wednesday, May 10, 2006
Ruth Kelly ; 'equality'minister - who's having a laugh?
I have commented before on Ruth kelly, the Tory/Opus Dei inflitrator into the Labour party, who, thankfully, with the smallest of swings will be out of parliament next time, free to continue to breed profligately as her religion suggests. I hope she has time to fit in the flagellation.
What she is not suited for is the role of equalities minister.
RUTH KELLY IS A HOMOPHOBE.
She has voted against or abstained in every single gay rights vote in parliament. This is logical because it follows her exreme Catholic conservatism. However, it means she is not suited to this role.
She is also a liar, as she claimed that some of the issues she voted against were conscience votes - which they were not.
In any case, she will simply make it appear that the Government is not committed to equality - on the whole, they are. She ended up in this job because of the disastrous hash she made of her education brief.
Basically, she shouldn't be a Labour MP anyway. What the hell is a right wing supporter of a neo-Nazi secret society within a right wing religion doing as a Labour cabinet minister? Kelly must go and if she doesn't, then yet more Labour votes will be lost.
What she is not suited for is the role of equalities minister.
RUTH KELLY IS A HOMOPHOBE.
She has voted against or abstained in every single gay rights vote in parliament. This is logical because it follows her exreme Catholic conservatism. However, it means she is not suited to this role.
She is also a liar, as she claimed that some of the issues she voted against were conscience votes - which they were not.
In any case, she will simply make it appear that the Government is not committed to equality - on the whole, they are. She ended up in this job because of the disastrous hash she made of her education brief.
Basically, she shouldn't be a Labour MP anyway. What the hell is a right wing supporter of a neo-Nazi secret society within a right wing religion doing as a Labour cabinet minister? Kelly must go and if she doesn't, then yet more Labour votes will be lost.
Tuesday, May 02, 2006
The Euston Manifesto
Even though I am and remain against the iraq war, I find much that I can agree with in this statement.
It appears to me that there is a basic truth which some on the left have forgotten in an attempt to be relativist - that fundamentalist religious regimes are not compatible with liberal democracy, and that when it comes down to it, Western values and principles are worth preserving.
Of course, the outcome of the Iraq war is no doubt another Islamic regime.....what we should be promoting is secular liberal governance, not excusing the inexcusable, whether that ne illegal wars or fundamentalist regimes.
It appears to me that there is a basic truth which some on the left have forgotten in an attempt to be relativist - that fundamentalist religious regimes are not compatible with liberal democracy, and that when it comes down to it, Western values and principles are worth preserving.
Of course, the outcome of the Iraq war is no doubt another Islamic regime.....what we should be promoting is secular liberal governance, not excusing the inexcusable, whether that ne illegal wars or fundamentalist regimes.
Political games
So, as all governments find, life gets tough when you have been in power for a long time.
The three beleaguered.
Patricia Hewitt. She suffers from the same problem as Virginia Bottomley when a Tory health minister - unsufferably posh and prig. One can just imagine her towering over the bed, wagging finger on overtime, with that Victoria-Wood-posh-lady voice making one think of the pleasures of strangulation. However, the reality is that the problems are largely local management - seems that Government can't win. It decentralises and then is blamed for the problems, it manages from the centre and is accused of centralisation.
Charles Clarke. Certain level of incompetence here - but, again, the Home Office has been fraught with problems for years, largely because of the size and agenda of that department. Quite why there should be any complication at all in ensuring that all foreign nationals to be released are referred to the authorities is beyond me. It can't be that complicated, surely? The prisons themselves must know who is being released and where they come from? Think his days are numbered in this job.
John Prescott. I thought the vision of John Major having an affair was unlikely - but John Prescott? To me, people having affairs is trrelevant. I don't care about it.
Despite all this, I think I will be voting Labour in the local elections. The LibDems have done a disappearing act since the demise of our local councillor to alcoholism and disqualification, and I don't vote Tory.
The three beleaguered.
Patricia Hewitt. She suffers from the same problem as Virginia Bottomley when a Tory health minister - unsufferably posh and prig. One can just imagine her towering over the bed, wagging finger on overtime, with that Victoria-Wood-posh-lady voice making one think of the pleasures of strangulation. However, the reality is that the problems are largely local management - seems that Government can't win. It decentralises and then is blamed for the problems, it manages from the centre and is accused of centralisation.
Charles Clarke. Certain level of incompetence here - but, again, the Home Office has been fraught with problems for years, largely because of the size and agenda of that department. Quite why there should be any complication at all in ensuring that all foreign nationals to be released are referred to the authorities is beyond me. It can't be that complicated, surely? The prisons themselves must know who is being released and where they come from? Think his days are numbered in this job.
John Prescott. I thought the vision of John Major having an affair was unlikely - but John Prescott? To me, people having affairs is trrelevant. I don't care about it.
Despite all this, I think I will be voting Labour in the local elections. The LibDems have done a disappearing act since the demise of our local councillor to alcoholism and disqualification, and I don't vote Tory.
The Cure for Information Overload
So important in today's Internet-led society -follow the link above for some ideas.
So important in today's Internet-led society -follow the link above for some ideas.
Thursday, April 20, 2006
New York, New York, so good they named it twice....
Just back from NYC, and still jetlagged (why is sleep such an impossibility on planes?)
What a great city New York is. It really is unique and special although on return I feel like I need a holiday to recover such is the sheer pace of activity there.
What did we do this time?
Went to two small-scale shows - Confessions of a Mormon Boy, and Based on a Totally True Story. Both of which were chosen as they will probably never be seen in the UK. And both very enjoyable.
Art-wise, we went to the Whitney where they were showing their Biennial - so lots of new and creative stuff- and the Guggenheim, where there was a David Smith exhibition.
Took a trip out to the wineries in Long Island and made some purchases - its delightful out there, very amall-town America, wooden houses and so on.
Paid a visit to the MCC as well, where Troy Perry was the guest preacher. Interesting to see the unfettered pentecostal preaching style transported to a pro-gay church setting - and they have some very good social programs as well.
What a great city New York is. It really is unique and special although on return I feel like I need a holiday to recover such is the sheer pace of activity there.
What did we do this time?
Went to two small-scale shows - Confessions of a Mormon Boy, and Based on a Totally True Story. Both of which were chosen as they will probably never be seen in the UK. And both very enjoyable.
Art-wise, we went to the Whitney where they were showing their Biennial - so lots of new and creative stuff- and the Guggenheim, where there was a David Smith exhibition.
Took a trip out to the wineries in Long Island and made some purchases - its delightful out there, very amall-town America, wooden houses and so on.
Paid a visit to the MCC as well, where Troy Perry was the guest preacher. Interesting to see the unfettered pentecostal preaching style transported to a pro-gay church setting - and they have some very good social programs as well.
Saturday, March 25, 2006
... and the final
Switzerland
Most fans hate this, but I think its wonderful. Pure easy-listening, but done so well - theres nothing at all I dislike about it and I think it will be an excellent opening song, given that it has anthemic qualities and six experienced professional singers.
Moldova
This is interesting and a bit daring - probably the most contemporary song in the contest. I don't love it but there's a lot worse on offer, and the live version I have heard sounds very professional
Israel
This is my sort of music, so I'm biased. First time I heard this, it took me back to the 1980's and the sweet soul of the Stylistics, Blue Magic and the Detroit Spinners. Certainly in my top 5. But the dual language really doesn't work as well with this song.
Latvia
This is ambitious stuff too. Again, your verdict will depend on whether accapella vocal jazz appeals - I think this is technically perfect, and is very much the sort of music I would listen to outside ESC. This will certainly get a televote from me but how well it will do is anyone's guess. A stunning performance and it could surprise many
Norway
The first 5 songs include 4 of my favourites. This is glorious folky-celtic stuff which I love.
Spain
After last years lack of success with the Ketchup Grannies, I didn't think Spain would be daft enough to gofor the real thing. Spain used to be one of my favourite countries but in recent years they seem to have declined rapidly - this is better than last years but then what wouldn't be? Not good. And I think definite Jemini potential for a live 'performance'
Malta
Fabrizio is a handsome young man and this is a nice enough song, but I think Malta's strength is in the ballads. This should do well enough, though - but I want Chiara to make it third time lucky!
Germany
Very professional and well sung, but somehow it lacks something - I think its the song,its just nothing special.
Denmark
Dire. The Danish final was no great shakes, but this was the worst on offer - its been in my bottom 5 since the beginning and I see no reson to move it!
Romania
I'm a ballad man at heart, but this is the best disco song ESC has had to offer for quite some time. Its an uplifting and memorable song, but best of all is the singer's superb voice. A good performance and we could well be off to Bucharest next year
United Kingdom
When I first heard this, I thought - no - white boy rap - but really, this should be viewed as a fun novelty song with a catchy chorus. The MYMU performance certainly won him that contest,and at least this year the UK entrant sounds nothing like anything else
Greece
Anna Vissi is a great singer, and this is a strong ballad, though perhaps it lacks that light and shade which the best ballads have in abundance. This is pure power ballad all the way.
France
Who knows? I'm hoping for something good.
Croatia
Again another permanent resident of my bottom 5. This makes Ruslana sound pleasant. Just a tuneless noise
Most fans hate this, but I think its wonderful. Pure easy-listening, but done so well - theres nothing at all I dislike about it and I think it will be an excellent opening song, given that it has anthemic qualities and six experienced professional singers.
Moldova
This is interesting and a bit daring - probably the most contemporary song in the contest. I don't love it but there's a lot worse on offer, and the live version I have heard sounds very professional
Israel
This is my sort of music, so I'm biased. First time I heard this, it took me back to the 1980's and the sweet soul of the Stylistics, Blue Magic and the Detroit Spinners. Certainly in my top 5. But the dual language really doesn't work as well with this song.
Latvia
This is ambitious stuff too. Again, your verdict will depend on whether accapella vocal jazz appeals - I think this is technically perfect, and is very much the sort of music I would listen to outside ESC. This will certainly get a televote from me but how well it will do is anyone's guess. A stunning performance and it could surprise many
Norway
The first 5 songs include 4 of my favourites. This is glorious folky-celtic stuff which I love.
Spain
After last years lack of success with the Ketchup Grannies, I didn't think Spain would be daft enough to gofor the real thing. Spain used to be one of my favourite countries but in recent years they seem to have declined rapidly - this is better than last years but then what wouldn't be? Not good. And I think definite Jemini potential for a live 'performance'
Malta
Fabrizio is a handsome young man and this is a nice enough song, but I think Malta's strength is in the ballads. This should do well enough, though - but I want Chiara to make it third time lucky!
Germany
Very professional and well sung, but somehow it lacks something - I think its the song,its just nothing special.
Denmark
Dire. The Danish final was no great shakes, but this was the worst on offer - its been in my bottom 5 since the beginning and I see no reson to move it!
Romania
I'm a ballad man at heart, but this is the best disco song ESC has had to offer for quite some time. Its an uplifting and memorable song, but best of all is the singer's superb voice. A good performance and we could well be off to Bucharest next year
United Kingdom
When I first heard this, I thought - no - white boy rap - but really, this should be viewed as a fun novelty song with a catchy chorus. The MYMU performance certainly won him that contest,and at least this year the UK entrant sounds nothing like anything else
Greece
Anna Vissi is a great singer, and this is a strong ballad, though perhaps it lacks that light and shade which the best ballads have in abundance. This is pure power ballad all the way.
France
Who knows? I'm hoping for something good.
Croatia
Again another permanent resident of my bottom 5. This makes Ruslana sound pleasant. Just a tuneless noise
Friday, March 24, 2006
Eurovision - my vedict on the semi-final
01. Armenia
This doesn't do much for me. Style-wise its very much in the ethnic/Turkish mode, I can imagine it in the background at Manchester's Armenian Taverna. Its pleasant enough but all too formulaic and predictable. If you like this sort of music it may appealp, but I don't.
02. Bulgaria
I loved Bulgaria's debut last year and this is also impressive. Its an intense ballad which builds and builds, with a singer who really 'lets go'. The more I hear this, the more I like it. But it certainly isn't very immediate, although musically,its a cut above the rest - very classy
03. Slovenia
A pretty boy singing a very inconsequential piece of disco fluff. Harmless enough, but wouldn't bother me if I never heard it again
04. Andorra
Reminding me of Sam Brown, this is a bluesy and soulful ballad with balls. Catalan is not, sadly, the prettiest language in the world but this remains a a good song
05. Belarus
Ohdear. Iloved the first Belarussian entry, quirky as it was. This is aimply a tuneless noise. Horrible
06. Albania
Certainly ethnic in flavour,with much the same in the way of backing instrumentation as Armenia, but this does have a certain charm, largely because of the singer and chorus
07. Belgium
The sort of song that simply wouldn't be heard outside the contest - this epitomises what outsiders think ESC is all about. Thankfully, it isn't. Its bland, tedious stuff sung by a bottle blonde with a weak, reedy voice. Dire.
08. Ireland
This is one of the songs which I remembered after one listen, and the new version has improved it considerably. Its a sweet, wistful ballad, professionally sung by a real singer.
09. Cyprus
Broadway calling. I remember a musical called Dreamgirls, about the Supremes, which featured a singer called Jennifer Holliday. This one could have come from the soundtrack. Its a real show tune, and I think most people will either love it or hate it. Of course, I love it, largely because divas singing histrionic overblown ballads will always have a place in my heart...
10. Monaco
This is so uplifting! Its nothing special, a cheery little calypso song, with a cute vocal, but it does have a sense of optimism and fun in a way that none of the supposedly uplifting schlagers ever could have.
11. FYR Macedonia
See Armenia - only I just don'tlike this one. Last year FYROM's entry was a real grower, but I can't see this one ever appealing more than it does now - which is, not a lot.
12. Poland
I still haven't seen the NF performance which I gather was poor. This group delivered the best performance of 2003,and whilst this is a very different style of song,I think its very good pop music, with the mix of voices working effectively
13. Russia
I've only just listened to adecent quality copy of this one, and yes,its very strong indeed. A contemporary ballad, its a pity that the accent is a bit too heavily Eastern European for what is a very 'American' song
14.Turkey
Back to the ethnic beats, and again, much the same comments apply. The problem is that I really don't like this sort of music much. This one is curiously dated, mixing what sounds like late 70's disco with the more ethnic sound, but I don't think it works.
15. Ukraine
Very fast, loud, tuneless. Again, not something I would ever choose to listen to. Horrible
16. Finland
A heavy metal loving work colleague of mine was raving to me about this today. I can't give a reasoned opinion because this is just the sort of music I hate. It may be very good of its genre, but...
17. Netherlands
The Dutch final was the only one I watched where I didn't really like anything at all on offer, but that doesn't explain how such a tuneless mess ended up being selected.
18. Lithuania
The most obviously 'joke' emtry of the night - this isn't really a song at all. After the last four entries it comes as something of a light relief but its not really very funny.
19. Portugal
I should hate this. Its a sort of Motown-meets-Abba (in terms of the song, not the style) which wasn't sung very well in the Portuguese NF. But that chorus IS catchy. Personally, I think it needs to be more of the Motown, and more obviously retro, I do like it, but goodness knows why!
20. Sweden
Entirely without any redeeming features,this tired, predictable, dirge epitomises the blandness of Swedisn music. For once, something actually got to the MF final that was worth listening to, but they chose the Poison Dwarf again.
21. Estonia
Ordinary. Its still better than the predecessor, but its very much in that sub-Abba, schlager mould.
22. Bosnia and Herzegovina
At last, something good. This is a classy, ethereal ballad which will come as something of a relief after so many upbeat songs.
23. Iceland
I just don;t get this. Its not in the least funny, and whilst she may think she looks like Cyndi Lauper, the difference was that she had a voice worth listening to, unlike Cheese Grater Silv. A dire end to a generally poor qualifier.
So. if I had to choose the qualifiers it would be:
Bulgaria
Andorra
Albania
Ireland
Cyprus
Monaco
Poland
Russia
Portugal
Bosnia-Herzegovina
This doesn't do much for me. Style-wise its very much in the ethnic/Turkish mode, I can imagine it in the background at Manchester's Armenian Taverna. Its pleasant enough but all too formulaic and predictable. If you like this sort of music it may appealp, but I don't.
02. Bulgaria
I loved Bulgaria's debut last year and this is also impressive. Its an intense ballad which builds and builds, with a singer who really 'lets go'. The more I hear this, the more I like it. But it certainly isn't very immediate, although musically,its a cut above the rest - very classy
03. Slovenia
A pretty boy singing a very inconsequential piece of disco fluff. Harmless enough, but wouldn't bother me if I never heard it again
04. Andorra
Reminding me of Sam Brown, this is a bluesy and soulful ballad with balls. Catalan is not, sadly, the prettiest language in the world but this remains a a good song
05. Belarus
Ohdear. Iloved the first Belarussian entry, quirky as it was. This is aimply a tuneless noise. Horrible
06. Albania
Certainly ethnic in flavour,with much the same in the way of backing instrumentation as Armenia, but this does have a certain charm, largely because of the singer and chorus
07. Belgium
The sort of song that simply wouldn't be heard outside the contest - this epitomises what outsiders think ESC is all about. Thankfully, it isn't. Its bland, tedious stuff sung by a bottle blonde with a weak, reedy voice. Dire.
08. Ireland
This is one of the songs which I remembered after one listen, and the new version has improved it considerably. Its a sweet, wistful ballad, professionally sung by a real singer.
09. Cyprus
Broadway calling. I remember a musical called Dreamgirls, about the Supremes, which featured a singer called Jennifer Holliday. This one could have come from the soundtrack. Its a real show tune, and I think most people will either love it or hate it. Of course, I love it, largely because divas singing histrionic overblown ballads will always have a place in my heart...
10. Monaco
This is so uplifting! Its nothing special, a cheery little calypso song, with a cute vocal, but it does have a sense of optimism and fun in a way that none of the supposedly uplifting schlagers ever could have.
11. FYR Macedonia
See Armenia - only I just don'tlike this one. Last year FYROM's entry was a real grower, but I can't see this one ever appealing more than it does now - which is, not a lot.
12. Poland
I still haven't seen the NF performance which I gather was poor. This group delivered the best performance of 2003,and whilst this is a very different style of song,I think its very good pop music, with the mix of voices working effectively
13. Russia
I've only just listened to adecent quality copy of this one, and yes,its very strong indeed. A contemporary ballad, its a pity that the accent is a bit too heavily Eastern European for what is a very 'American' song
14.Turkey
Back to the ethnic beats, and again, much the same comments apply. The problem is that I really don't like this sort of music much. This one is curiously dated, mixing what sounds like late 70's disco with the more ethnic sound, but I don't think it works.
15. Ukraine
Very fast, loud, tuneless. Again, not something I would ever choose to listen to. Horrible
16. Finland
A heavy metal loving work colleague of mine was raving to me about this today. I can't give a reasoned opinion because this is just the sort of music I hate. It may be very good of its genre, but...
17. Netherlands
The Dutch final was the only one I watched where I didn't really like anything at all on offer, but that doesn't explain how such a tuneless mess ended up being selected.
18. Lithuania
The most obviously 'joke' emtry of the night - this isn't really a song at all. After the last four entries it comes as something of a light relief but its not really very funny.
19. Portugal
I should hate this. Its a sort of Motown-meets-Abba (in terms of the song, not the style) which wasn't sung very well in the Portuguese NF. But that chorus IS catchy. Personally, I think it needs to be more of the Motown, and more obviously retro, I do like it, but goodness knows why!
20. Sweden
Entirely without any redeeming features,this tired, predictable, dirge epitomises the blandness of Swedisn music. For once, something actually got to the MF final that was worth listening to, but they chose the Poison Dwarf again.
21. Estonia
Ordinary. Its still better than the predecessor, but its very much in that sub-Abba, schlager mould.
22. Bosnia and Herzegovina
At last, something good. This is a classy, ethereal ballad which will come as something of a relief after so many upbeat songs.
23. Iceland
I just don;t get this. Its not in the least funny, and whilst she may think she looks like Cyndi Lauper, the difference was that she had a voice worth listening to, unlike Cheese Grater Silv. A dire end to a generally poor qualifier.
So. if I had to choose the qualifiers it would be:
Bulgaria
Andorra
Albania
Ireland
Cyprus
Monaco
Poland
Russia
Portugal
Bosnia-Herzegovina
Saturday, March 11, 2006
Tuesday, March 07, 2006
Merseymike gets married!
Thanks to the Civil Partnership Act , after 14 years together, I married my partner David last Friday. It was a wonderful day - everything went so well, we really couldn't have asked for anything better.
Thanks to the staff at Liverpool Register office, and the Racquet Club, where we held our reception. And to all our friends and family who attended, and those who couldn't make it.
Thanks to the staff at Liverpool Register office, and the Racquet Club, where we held our reception. And to all our friends and family who attended, and those who couldn't make it.
Tuesday, February 21, 2006
Eurovision latest....
Some more selections...
Iceland have gone with a joke entry that unfortunately isn't in the least funny and is musically horrible. i didn't think anything could be worse than the danish entry, but this is.
Belgium have opted for formulaic disco-kiddy-pop sung badly
Better news from ireland - a fine ballad from Bryan Kennedy.
And Switzerland have an excellent, uplifting harmony ballad which I think will do very well indeed.
Hoping for Annette to be selected for Cyprus tomorrow evening
Iceland have gone with a joke entry that unfortunately isn't in the least funny and is musically horrible. i didn't think anything could be worse than the danish entry, but this is.
Belgium have opted for formulaic disco-kiddy-pop sung badly
Better news from ireland - a fine ballad from Bryan Kennedy.
And Switzerland have an excellent, uplifting harmony ballad which I think will do very well indeed.
Hoping for Annette to be selected for Cyprus tomorrow evening
Friday, February 17, 2006
Meadows, expert witnesses and the old boys network
Meadows is a charlatan. His so-called expert witness statements, based on nothing but his own supposition, sent three people to prison.
No way should these so-called 'experts' who I think should be banned from trials other than establishing facts be free from comeback if they make a mistake.
I wonder if the judge, salivating and fawning over meadows, celebrated with him in their gentlemens club or the funny handshake brigade afterwards?
No way should these so-called 'experts' who I think should be banned from trials other than establishing facts be free from comeback if they make a mistake.
I wonder if the judge, salivating and fawning over meadows, celebrated with him in their gentlemens club or the funny handshake brigade afterwards?
Friday, February 10, 2006
By-elections , Everton and the Eurovison 2006!
An interesting result in last nights by-election. No real surprise for voters to have a bash at a Government during a third term, but it appears to me that in some areas such as education, New Labour appears to have dropped off the radar with regard to social democratic principles. We have our own local by-election in this ward in early March. The LibDem councillor who spearheaded their eventual success here was thrown off the council after a six month absence which itself followed a second drink driving conviction. By all accounts it was as a result of a technicality in that she hadn't given formal apologies.
I haven't as yet decided how I am going to vote - and it does appear rather incongrous that given the fact that local authorities directly provide very little these days and most councillors have no say at all in the policy direction of the authority, that the number of local concillors remains the same. The presence of a BNP candidate may increase the turnout. I hope they will be humiliated. The first example of their filth arrived through the door last week.
Everton are now out of the FA Cup after losing to Chelsea. No disgrace - everyone else loses at Stamford Bridge, but the match showed what can be done with plenty of cash. We were simply outclassed and outpaced. We need external investment - and urgently.
And Eurovision season is amongst us.
Selected so far (best to worst)
Norway - wonderful Celtic-influenced ethereal mid-paced ballad
Poland - catchy multi-lingual , well-sung pop
Albania - slightly ethnic, nice lazy feel
Malta - Pretty-boy Fabrizio is back, eye candy rating a 10 but the song is a bit bland
Estonia - yeawn
Slovenia - Retro disco stuff, camp and cliched
A couple of national finalists worth listening for - Irene Dorocheeva in Belarus, Cosmos in Latvia, Biber in Serbia/Montenegro, a couple of good ballads in Iceland, and Peter Evrard in Belgium (unlikely to be selected, unfortunately)
I haven't as yet decided how I am going to vote - and it does appear rather incongrous that given the fact that local authorities directly provide very little these days and most councillors have no say at all in the policy direction of the authority, that the number of local concillors remains the same. The presence of a BNP candidate may increase the turnout. I hope they will be humiliated. The first example of their filth arrived through the door last week.
Everton are now out of the FA Cup after losing to Chelsea. No disgrace - everyone else loses at Stamford Bridge, but the match showed what can be done with plenty of cash. We were simply outclassed and outpaced. We need external investment - and urgently.
And Eurovision season is amongst us.
Selected so far (best to worst)
Norway - wonderful Celtic-influenced ethereal mid-paced ballad
Poland - catchy multi-lingual , well-sung pop
Albania - slightly ethnic, nice lazy feel
Malta - Pretty-boy Fabrizio is back, eye candy rating a 10 but the song is a bit bland
Estonia - yeawn
Slovenia - Retro disco stuff, camp and cliched
A couple of national finalists worth listening for - Irene Dorocheeva in Belarus, Cosmos in Latvia, Biber in Serbia/Montenegro, a couple of good ballads in Iceland, and Peter Evrard in Belgium (unlikely to be selected, unfortunately)
Thursday, February 09, 2006
Sion Jenkins - guilty as hell
Let's hope that there are plenty of people around to keep reminding him. How can such an obvious conviction end in acquittal?
Saturday, February 04, 2006
and yet more religion.....
So, we once again have the usual suspects jumping up and down in anger about 'those evil Muslims'
I don't have a lot of time for any conservative religion - yet I can see that there is quite a systematic campaign against Muslims and that they are very much fair game for those who would defend all sorts of other wacky nonsense - notably far-right Christians, who hide behind the safety of an established religion. A lot of the current antagonism does appear to be centred on the treatment of the Palestinians and the way that Israel's behaviour appears to be appeased at all times - in hindsight, Israel should never have been created. There are plenty of other places where a safe space for Jewish people could have been constructed without the subsequent havoc and the illegal occupation of other countries.
What isn't going to help at the moment are contributions which are clearly trying to be as unpleasant as possible about Islam in all its varieities
I don't have a lot of time for any conservative religion - yet I can see that there is quite a systematic campaign against Muslims and that they are very much fair game for those who would defend all sorts of other wacky nonsense - notably far-right Christians, who hide behind the safety of an established religion. A lot of the current antagonism does appear to be centred on the treatment of the Palestinians and the way that Israel's behaviour appears to be appeased at all times - in hindsight, Israel should never have been created. There are plenty of other places where a safe space for Jewish people could have been constructed without the subsequent havoc and the illegal occupation of other countries.
What isn't going to help at the moment are contributions which are clearly trying to be as unpleasant as possible about Islam in all its varieities
Thursday, February 02, 2006
Religious Hatred Bill
Its an interesting one.
I kept changing my mind about it. On the one hand, I have long been of the view that religion itself cannot and should not be protected, any more than any other personal opinion. Yet I do see how groups like the BNP use Islam in place of Asian and that is wrong and provocative. The compromise seems reasonable, yet when you see the BNP being able to get away with saying stuff which is very clearly racist, it does make me ask whether we need to be quite clear about what is acceptable and what isn't.
I kept changing my mind about it. On the one hand, I have long been of the view that religion itself cannot and should not be protected, any more than any other personal opinion. Yet I do see how groups like the BNP use Islam in place of Asian and that is wrong and provocative. The compromise seems reasonable, yet when you see the BNP being able to get away with saying stuff which is very clearly racist, it does make me ask whether we need to be quite clear about what is acceptable and what isn't.
Monday, January 30, 2006
Liberal Democrats
Intriguing, isn't it? Its hardly news that Simon Hughes isn't absolutely heterosexual, and I have always viewed him as somone not really at ease with himself ( clinging on to evangelical religion won't help him - give it up Simon, you know it makes sense!) .
Lessons which can be learned ; closets are not a place of strength and there will always be the risk of exposure as a liar. Don't say something which isn't true. Either say nothing or tell the truth.
And on a personal level, I hope he will gain some strength and self-esteem from being open - and I hope he wins the leadership contest. In these identikit days a party led by him may even offer a political alternative.
Lessons which can be learned ; closets are not a place of strength and there will always be the risk of exposure as a liar. Don't say something which isn't true. Either say nothing or tell the truth.
And on a personal level, I hope he will gain some strength and self-esteem from being open - and I hope he wins the leadership contest. In these identikit days a party led by him may even offer a political alternative.
Monday, January 23, 2006
Went to Quaker meeting today...
It felt right. No definite intentions as yet, but thats one of the good things about friends, there are no problems in simply going along. Strangely enough, one of my oldest friends made contact with me over the weekend and it turns out that he has become a Quaker!
Everton FC
I have been somewhat circumspect regarding Everton's fate this year. There are times when only despair and the thought of games against Crewe seemed appropriate, but the win against Arsenal was much deserved, Beattie is starting to play like the forward we thought he was when we bought him, and Osman is well in form too.
But - and its a big but. We still need at least another striker. And just what really happened regarding Per Kroldrup? It seems bizarre to spend 5 million on an international, play him twice, then sell him at a loss. David Moyes says there is no-one he wants avaialable - but strikers are moving from other clubs, and we simply have to get someone. If Beats gets injured, we are stuffed.
But - and its a big but. We still need at least another striker. And just what really happened regarding Per Kroldrup? It seems bizarre to spend 5 million on an international, play him twice, then sell him at a loss. David Moyes says there is no-one he wants avaialable - but strikers are moving from other clubs, and we simply have to get someone. If Beats gets injured, we are stuffed.
Sex in the news again...
The British really do like their sex-related stories.
Mark Oaten, LibDem MP and erstwhile leadership contender, has had a 'moment of madness'that just happened to last six months, with a male prostitute. I hope he manages to sort himself out - but my thoughts were immediately just how many more gay people there are than will openly say so. Look at any police stats for public sex - you get married men. I wonder exactly why these men find the need to pretend to be something they are not? What is the drive which leads them to live a double life - is it the fear of having to standup and be other than the majority?
As for the sex offenders in schools story, as much as I loathe Ruth Kelly, this wasn't the issue to bring her down on (there are so many more!). The new regulations are more straightforward, but I think an unforeseeen consequence will be fewer on the register. To explain - at the moment, cases which have a poor chance of making court result in cautions. Police will now be obliged to inform those accused that a caution will see them lose their job. So, no advantage in accepting a caution. The cases will be no stronger and will probably never make court. As ever the sleaziest tabloids are in the forefront of the campaign. Oh, the irony.....
Mark Oaten, LibDem MP and erstwhile leadership contender, has had a 'moment of madness'that just happened to last six months, with a male prostitute. I hope he manages to sort himself out - but my thoughts were immediately just how many more gay people there are than will openly say so. Look at any police stats for public sex - you get married men. I wonder exactly why these men find the need to pretend to be something they are not? What is the drive which leads them to live a double life - is it the fear of having to standup and be other than the majority?
As for the sex offenders in schools story, as much as I loathe Ruth Kelly, this wasn't the issue to bring her down on (there are so many more!). The new regulations are more straightforward, but I think an unforeseeen consequence will be fewer on the register. To explain - at the moment, cases which have a poor chance of making court result in cautions. Police will now be obliged to inform those accused that a caution will see them lose their job. So, no advantage in accepting a caution. The cases will be no stronger and will probably never make court. As ever the sleaziest tabloids are in the forefront of the campaign. Oh, the irony.....
Thursday, January 12, 2006
Satanic panic - is this nonsense still going on?
The documentary about the so-called Satanic child abuse cases in Rochdale was finally shown last night.
Makes me wonder what the hell was going on at Lancaster University where I studied in the 1980's. One of the social workers involved has the same name as a fellow student on the course. She was quite level headed then, so I can hardly believe it could be her - although another Lancaster graduate has produced an academic study which shows that she has been entirely conned by a group of fantasists who claim to have been 'satanically abused'.
Frankly, anyone who believes in Satan, devils, etc should not be allowed to work with people. let them stick to something less dangerous, like working in a bank. Then they can practice their paraniod fantasies on money and computers instead. No doubt they will see little devils perching on the top of the screen
Makes me wonder what the hell was going on at Lancaster University where I studied in the 1980's. One of the social workers involved has the same name as a fellow student on the course. She was quite level headed then, so I can hardly believe it could be her - although another Lancaster graduate has produced an academic study which shows that she has been entirely conned by a group of fantasists who claim to have been 'satanically abused'.
Frankly, anyone who believes in Satan, devils, etc should not be allowed to work with people. let them stick to something less dangerous, like working in a bank. Then they can practice their paraniod fantasies on money and computers instead. No doubt they will see little devils perching on the top of the screen
Sunday, January 08, 2006
Weekend away
Spent the weekend in Cardiff, with friends Chris and Holger ( hello, if you are reading this!) We really enjoyed the weekend, thinking that Cardiff is somewhere we could live, although its actually a bit like Liverpool in some ways. Dropped in on Sue and Chris from my Uni days on the way back for lunch - now going to collapse!
Slightly delayed, but welcome to 2006
Its my first entry for the year.
So...Christmas was pleasant enough, quiet and relaxing in the main, which was very much what I wanted. We wound down and relaxed, mostly, did see a few friends which was good, but generally it was time for us which we appreciated. I left my marking too late and still have some more to do tomorrow (yikes!)
Charles Kennedy and the LD's. What a bunch of bastards they are. The problem is that contemporary politics is all about the convergence of automatons. They will no doubt replace CK with the exceptionally dull and worthy 'Sir' Menzies Campbell (anyone pathetic enough to accept such a title in this day and age - well...) and there will be three centrist leaders saying much the same thing. And under those circumstance, I'll probably stick with the one I know.
For what its worth, at least Simon Hughes doesn't appear to have either been part of the 'coup', nor a fixation on the wonder of the market. So he would be my choice. I certainly wouldn't want to vote for a party led by Campbell. I always remember a Huddersfield councillor , in my LibDem days, referring to him as the leader of the fascist wing of the party - he always had him down as a Tory at heart.
And sad to hear of the death of Tony banks. You simply can't imagine the same sort of affection being shown for the colourless maching politicians who seem to receive preferment these days.
So...Christmas was pleasant enough, quiet and relaxing in the main, which was very much what I wanted. We wound down and relaxed, mostly, did see a few friends which was good, but generally it was time for us which we appreciated. I left my marking too late and still have some more to do tomorrow (yikes!)
Charles Kennedy and the LD's. What a bunch of bastards they are. The problem is that contemporary politics is all about the convergence of automatons. They will no doubt replace CK with the exceptionally dull and worthy 'Sir' Menzies Campbell (anyone pathetic enough to accept such a title in this day and age - well...) and there will be three centrist leaders saying much the same thing. And under those circumstance, I'll probably stick with the one I know.
For what its worth, at least Simon Hughes doesn't appear to have either been part of the 'coup', nor a fixation on the wonder of the market. So he would be my choice. I certainly wouldn't want to vote for a party led by Campbell. I always remember a Huddersfield councillor , in my LibDem days, referring to him as the leader of the fascist wing of the party - he always had him down as a Tory at heart.
And sad to hear of the death of Tony banks. You simply can't imagine the same sort of affection being shown for the colourless maching politicians who seem to receive preferment these days.
Thursday, December 22, 2005
A poem from labi Siffre
A Civil Partnership Indeed
It is the right in law to be present at
my lover’s funeral or he at mine. it is
the right in law to be his next of kin
in hospital without having to insist
and persist in face of their disdain
it is the right to equality before the
law, recognising that our “loving
relationship” (our love) is to the benefit
of all and should be validated as such
- yes, in property, intestacy and tax
law; thank you very much
but we already have the romance
the passion, the deepest love the
celebration of something stronger than
the state's, till now, lawfully ill-concealed
contempt or hate
so this date will simply be him and me
turning up to collect what has been,
for forty one years, our rights withheld
by the vast majority now claiming
“it never bothered me, mate” and
worse expecting us to be gleeful
(perhaps a little grateful?) 'cause at last
they’ve shown some ethical backbone
brings to mind some lines i wrote for
Nelson Mandela in "The Gift":
You cannot give me freedom
I have always been free
Freedom lives in me
so forgive moi (or not as you please)
for not going soft at the edges shaky at
the knees or rosy red in the spectacles
to put you at your, comfortable,
complacent, makes me want to vomit,
ease.
Yopu can find this on his poetry blog, http://www.intothelight.info
Saturday, December 17, 2005
When Skies are grey....
And after the last two performances, grey is certainly the word.
West Ham was bad enough - an own goal and a home defeat - but this afternoon was pitiful. No leadership, hoofing balls up the field for no-one to receive them, trying to play James Beattie as a single striker without support does NOT work - it was simply dire.
As for Richard Wright - I wonder if anyone has worked out how many goals he doesn't save, on average?
Things have got to change. I reckon at least half of the ground emptied we4ll before the end of the match.
West Ham was bad enough - an own goal and a home defeat - but this afternoon was pitiful. No leadership, hoofing balls up the field for no-one to receive them, trying to play James Beattie as a single striker without support does NOT work - it was simply dire.
As for Richard Wright - I wonder if anyone has worked out how many goals he doesn't save, on average?
Things have got to change. I reckon at least half of the ground emptied we4ll before the end of the match.
Sunday, December 11, 2005
dot.eurovision.com....BOTY contest!
As a Eurovision anorak, I spend some of my time on ESC websites talking to 0ther enthusiasts about the contest.
This time of the year is the fallow period whilst we wait for countries to choose their songs, so one site - dot-eurovision - organised a contest between Christmas and winter-related songs - the backside of the Year contest.
I entered the wonderful Fairytale of New York, the best Christmas song ever, by Kirsty MacColl and the Pogues - and won!
This time of the year is the fallow period whilst we wait for countries to choose their songs, so one site - dot-eurovision - organised a contest between Christmas and winter-related songs - the backside of the Year contest.
I entered the wonderful Fairytale of New York, the best Christmas song ever, by Kirsty MacColl and the Pogues - and won!
Opus Dei
Anyone listen to the R4 documentary about this bizarre cult, founded by a supporter of General Franco? Who Vaticanplc decided to canonise ( you couldn't make it up, could you?)
It is , I hope, a mark of the good sense of the British that there are only 500 members - and also an encouragement to see the Socialist government in Spain (where they have significant influence upon the Popular (right-wing) Party) ignore them.
However, it is most disturbing that Ruth Kelly, a member of this organisation, appears to find this congruent with her membership of the Labour party, and that she should be considered an appropriate person for the Cabinet. Would we think a member of the Moonies was a fit person to serve in cabinet? This group are far more sinister - it is clearly a secretive cult. It should be treated in that way, and its members should be regarded with the utmost caution..
Kelly should be deselected immediately as a Labour MP ; it is vital that the electors of Bolton West, if they are saddled with this neo-fascist sympathiser as their candidate next time around, vote for the candidate best placed to defeat her.
It is , I hope, a mark of the good sense of the British that there are only 500 members - and also an encouragement to see the Socialist government in Spain (where they have significant influence upon the Popular (right-wing) Party) ignore them.
However, it is most disturbing that Ruth Kelly, a member of this organisation, appears to find this congruent with her membership of the Labour party, and that she should be considered an appropriate person for the Cabinet. Would we think a member of the Moonies was a fit person to serve in cabinet? This group are far more sinister - it is clearly a secretive cult. It should be treated in that way, and its members should be regarded with the utmost caution..
Kelly should be deselected immediately as a Labour MP ; it is vital that the electors of Bolton West, if they are saddled with this neo-fascist sympathiser as their candidate next time around, vote for the candidate best placed to defeat her.
Thursday, December 08, 2005
Cameron and the Conservatives
I am not a Tory.
I have never voted Tory, ever, and I cannot foresee any time in the future when I would choose to do so, even though on one level it might benefit us financially.
Still , Cameron appears to be a reasonable man, and at least he wants - so he says - to take the Tories well away from the neanderthal tendencies of the past...
We shall see.
I have never voted Tory, ever, and I cannot foresee any time in the future when I would choose to do so, even though on one level it might benefit us financially.
Still , Cameron appears to be a reasonable man, and at least he wants - so he says - to take the Tories well away from the neanderthal tendencies of the past...
We shall see.
Civil Partnerships
So, civil partnerships are here at last. When I think of the progress which has been made over the past few years, it really is excellent and not what i would have predicted, if I am honest. I am quite sure that colloquially, the relationships will be referred to as marriage ( which of course, they are), and that in time this is how they will be defined. Still, the important things are the benefits, the rights and responsibilities which they bring, and it is good to know that at least we are to be seen as holding an official status. That is very important.
Its also fun to watch the religious right fulminate and squirm. Their religion is a relic and a laager for the terminally fearful and prejudiced, and their impact, thankfully, is marginal in the UK. It is up to the rest of the Church to ditch them and to step out with a religious message worth believing in, shorn of many of the outdated superstitions that Bible -worship and adherence to supernaturalist improbability brings.
If they don;t , then we will become an entirely secular society, which would be preferable to the church as it exists now expanding.
Its also fun to watch the religious right fulminate and squirm. Their religion is a relic and a laager for the terminally fearful and prejudiced, and their impact, thankfully, is marginal in the UK. It is up to the rest of the Church to ditch them and to step out with a religious message worth believing in, shorn of many of the outdated superstitions that Bible -worship and adherence to supernaturalist improbability brings.
If they don;t , then we will become an entirely secular society, which would be preferable to the church as it exists now expanding.
Thursday, December 01, 2005
Wednesday, November 30, 2005
The Roman Catholic 'Church ' - an institution of pure evil
Now, this is not going to be a statement which suggests that all individual RC's are equally characterised.I know many, and they despair of a church to which, at least for the time being, they remain attached to. Whether the malevolent and evil influence of Ratfinger (a man who is the sort of person to make one which there really was a hell, for he would surely be burning at the very heart of it) will make them realise that as an institution, it is beyond redemption, is another matter.
I don't know if any of you have visited Vatican plc. A place of less spirituality cannot be imagined. The effect was to make me want to vomit, preferably over the many pieces of art and finery, the marks of self aggrandisement so beloved of this institution. Perhaps the blood of the millions of people who the Catholic Church have sent to almost certain death in Africa because of their mistaken policy of 'no condoms'.
So, I can see no good reason why any rational, thinking person would wish to remain in the Roman 'church'. The news that they are to try and weed out gay men from the priesthood is to be expected, but whilst I am opposed to all discriminatory practice, it should be patently obvious that no well-balanced gay man should or would choose to become part of such an organisation - and that most of those who do are either not well sorted with regard to their sexuality, or alternately still hold to delusions such as people being 'called to be priests' ( in the real world, its a job like any other, and why someone should choose a job which means no relationships, ever, probably needs some sort of risible superspiritual justification!)
The RC Church is a sick, corrupt and putrid institution which fully and richly deserves the loss of congregations it is experiencing in contemporary societies. Perhaps it can still con those who rely on its premodern suppositions. Thankfully, those numbers, in the UK, are constantly decreasing
I don't know if any of you have visited Vatican plc. A place of less spirituality cannot be imagined. The effect was to make me want to vomit, preferably over the many pieces of art and finery, the marks of self aggrandisement so beloved of this institution. Perhaps the blood of the millions of people who the Catholic Church have sent to almost certain death in Africa because of their mistaken policy of 'no condoms'.
So, I can see no good reason why any rational, thinking person would wish to remain in the Roman 'church'. The news that they are to try and weed out gay men from the priesthood is to be expected, but whilst I am opposed to all discriminatory practice, it should be patently obvious that no well-balanced gay man should or would choose to become part of such an organisation - and that most of those who do are either not well sorted with regard to their sexuality, or alternately still hold to delusions such as people being 'called to be priests' ( in the real world, its a job like any other, and why someone should choose a job which means no relationships, ever, probably needs some sort of risible superspiritual justification!)
The RC Church is a sick, corrupt and putrid institution which fully and richly deserves the loss of congregations it is experiencing in contemporary societies. Perhaps it can still con those who rely on its premodern suppositions. Thankfully, those numbers, in the UK, are constantly decreasing
Thursday, November 10, 2005
Interesting times indeed.....
So, 90 day incarceration or internment without trial has been defeated. Should think so too - although it is genuinely tragic to see the Labour party, to which I was once proud to belong, voting for policies which would have disgraced the Tories under Thatcher. Blair really must go - and go soon.
On more positive lines, the Government have agreed to extend the provisions on protectiom against discrimination with regard to goods and services to gay men and lesbians. Well done, Tone. See. you can get it right some of the time....
Homotopia had brought forth some very good events. Two excellent fils - Bear Cub, contemporary Spanish cinema which was greatly effective, and a documentary on gay Nazis. Yes, you did read that right. I wonder what causes people to join that which is endemically hostile to them? Mind you, perhaps I should ask myself that question, given my contining membership of the Church. It is looking more and more as if there will be a split - I am counting the days. There is no reason why conservative evangelicals and liberals should inhabit the same denominational space, given how little we genuinely share. I spoke at a Deanery Synod earlier this week and it was interesting to hear people's reactions - I think the laity are far more wise than many would realise ( and their undemocratically fixed reps on General Synod, who virtually no-one has the right to vote for, would suggest)
Last weekend we also went to see The Laramie Project. A very powerful production dramatising the aftermath of the murder of Matthew Shepard in Wyoming. And featuring the stunningly handsome Warren Brown of Hollyoaks fame as well!
On more positive lines, the Government have agreed to extend the provisions on protectiom against discrimination with regard to goods and services to gay men and lesbians. Well done, Tone. See. you can get it right some of the time....
Homotopia had brought forth some very good events. Two excellent fils - Bear Cub, contemporary Spanish cinema which was greatly effective, and a documentary on gay Nazis. Yes, you did read that right. I wonder what causes people to join that which is endemically hostile to them? Mind you, perhaps I should ask myself that question, given my contining membership of the Church. It is looking more and more as if there will be a split - I am counting the days. There is no reason why conservative evangelicals and liberals should inhabit the same denominational space, given how little we genuinely share. I spoke at a Deanery Synod earlier this week and it was interesting to hear people's reactions - I think the laity are far more wise than many would realise ( and their undemocratically fixed reps on General Synod, who virtually no-one has the right to vote for, would suggest)
Last weekend we also went to see The Laramie Project. A very powerful production dramatising the aftermath of the murder of Matthew Shepard in Wyoming. And featuring the stunningly handsome Warren Brown of Hollyoaks fame as well!
Saturday, November 05, 2005
Moron Moments?
Your views on fighting terrorism
Home Secretary Charles Clarke has asked you for your views on the new terrorist threats that face all of us. Please fill in this quick form below to tell us what you think.
Do you think that our laws should be updated to cope with the current security threat? | |
| Yes No Not sure | |
Do you think police should have the time and opportunity to complete their investigations into suspected terrorists? | |
| Yes No Not sure | |
Do you think the government should make sure there are new safeguards to protect innocent people? | |
| Yes No Not sure | |
Would you like to be kept up-to-date on the progress of this legislation and other issues? | |
| Yes No ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Have you ever read such biased, unpatronising crap in your life? Who the hell is going to answer 'no' to some of these questions? This wouldn't fulfil the most basic methodology critique. And I actually voted for these bastards again? Pathetic. |
Friday, November 04, 2005
Tory leadership contenders
OK, so I'm not the target audience, I am about as likely to vote Tory as swallow sulphuric acid or become a conservative evangelical. But I was surprised at just how lacklustre both Davis and Cameron were tonight. Nothing much there to excite.
Why didn't the Tories go for Clarke, who does have the ability to make an impact?
Why didn't the Tories go for Clarke, who does have the ability to make an impact?
Thursday, November 03, 2005
Blunkett and other stuff
So, Blunkett has gone. he has never been one of my favourite politicians, and I'm not sad to see him go on that level.
But....surely the problem is not so much what he did, which was not really against the rules in any case, but against 'guidelines', but the fact that MP's are viewed as able to make money from other sources at all. Isn't running the country a full-time job?
Move parliament out of london, ban MP's from holding any money-making positions, and lets see how many of the sharp-suited brigade disappear...
Things appear to be changing. A few Labour MP's are starting to get some teeth at last and perhaps this will encourage the departure of Blair, who I think is past his sell-by, and a return to policies which are associated with a social democratic party. The obsession with the private sector and the over-reaction to terrorism are two examples.
The thesis is now being looked at by a publisher - watch this space....
Noticed that a favourite restaurant of ours had recently shut - Bluu. Liverpool is a strange city. Some places take off, others just don't, and quality seems to have nothing much to do with it.
But....surely the problem is not so much what he did, which was not really against the rules in any case, but against 'guidelines', but the fact that MP's are viewed as able to make money from other sources at all. Isn't running the country a full-time job?
Move parliament out of london, ban MP's from holding any money-making positions, and lets see how many of the sharp-suited brigade disappear...
Things appear to be changing. A few Labour MP's are starting to get some teeth at last and perhaps this will encourage the departure of Blair, who I think is past his sell-by, and a return to policies which are associated with a social democratic party. The obsession with the private sector and the over-reaction to terrorism are two examples.
The thesis is now being looked at by a publisher - watch this space....
Noticed that a favourite restaurant of ours had recently shut - Bluu. Liverpool is a strange city. Some places take off, others just don't, and quality seems to have nothing much to do with it.
Monday, October 31, 2005
Venice
Rather belated, but we had a long weekend in Venice. Its an excellent city, and our visit coincided with the Bienniale exhibition of contemporary art. Our hotel turned out to be about three minutes walk from both sites, so we spent one of the days looking round that and it was well worth it.
Food was very good - Corta Sconta and Il Nuevo Galeon proved to be excellent fish restaurants, and Vittorio's Trattoria was an experience! Rather disappointed with Alle Testiere, though.
The city has some amazing buildings, even the most humble parish church seems to be decorated with Grand masters, and because there are no cars its a quiet and civilised pace of life. Though the insect bites were not fun - comes of having a room so close to a canal that I could probably have reached out and touched the water!
Food was very good - Corta Sconta and Il Nuevo Galeon proved to be excellent fish restaurants, and Vittorio's Trattoria was an experience! Rather disappointed with Alle Testiere, though.
The city has some amazing buildings, even the most humble parish church seems to be decorated with Grand masters, and because there are no cars its a quiet and civilised pace of life. Though the insect bites were not fun - comes of having a room so close to a canal that I could probably have reached out and touched the water!
Monday, October 17, 2005
Life continues to be busy and eventful...
First, we think we have found another church to attend, St.Columba's in Anfield. A bit further from home, but the atmosphere and worship are both good and I like the feel of the church. I'm a bit reluctant to plunge in at the deep end after recent experiences, but its good to go somewhere where people don't sidle up to you to enquire which 'side' you are on, or constantly whinge about the Vicar.
I have been asked to attend a meeting to start preliminary discussions about publishing my PhD. I already have a contract offered, but its not ideal ( though I will opt for it if theres nothing else in the pipeline) and this option would be better.
I went for an interview for a training contract at the end of last week - again, no counting chickens but it did seem to go well and it would be very much what I am looking for to add to the lecturing commitments. I like the flexibility of the part time contracts, and the interest and variety of the work.
Politics. I wonder if the Tories are about to enter the real world and select David Cameron? I think he has behaved with dignity and consistency over the drugs issue- I couldn't care less what his personal habits are, only interested in his policies. And , it has to be said, he's still a Tory, and I can't really see me ever voting for the Tories.
But, I wouldn't fear a Cameron government, and his clarity that he intends to govern according to the place we are now, not the place we were 50 years ago is encouraging, along with his good voting record on gay rights issues.
This is the Tories we are talking about, though, and I wouldn;t put it past them to elect Fox!
Looking forward to HOMOTOPIA - the LGB arts festivel in Liverpool. I haven't had a lot of input into it this year but intend to be an enthusiastic punter.
Details on http://www.homotopia.net
I have been asked to attend a meeting to start preliminary discussions about publishing my PhD. I already have a contract offered, but its not ideal ( though I will opt for it if theres nothing else in the pipeline) and this option would be better.
I went for an interview for a training contract at the end of last week - again, no counting chickens but it did seem to go well and it would be very much what I am looking for to add to the lecturing commitments. I like the flexibility of the part time contracts, and the interest and variety of the work.
Politics. I wonder if the Tories are about to enter the real world and select David Cameron? I think he has behaved with dignity and consistency over the drugs issue- I couldn't care less what his personal habits are, only interested in his policies. And , it has to be said, he's still a Tory, and I can't really see me ever voting for the Tories.
But, I wouldn't fear a Cameron government, and his clarity that he intends to govern according to the place we are now, not the place we were 50 years ago is encouraging, along with his good voting record on gay rights issues.
This is the Tories we are talking about, though, and I wouldn;t put it past them to elect Fox!
Looking forward to HOMOTOPIA - the LGB arts festivel in Liverpool. I haven't had a lot of input into it this year but intend to be an enthusiastic punter.
Details on http://www.homotopia.net
Monday, October 10, 2005
Everton FC....
I have not mentioned the pight of my beloved team this year - simply too depressing. But, it has to be done....
If I knew the answer, then i'd be the manager, not David Moyes. But it seems that there are three main problems
If I knew the answer, then i'd be the manager, not David Moyes. But it seems that there are three main problems
- lack of striker - or at least, effective striker who can play 4.5.1. James Beattie doesn't play in that style, and has suffered a series of niggling injuries. Marcus Bent is fast but lacks accuracy. Duncan ferguson can be brilliant, but he can just as equally be dreadful. James McFadden doesn't appear to be particularly effective as a striker for Everton, although he scores regularly for Scotland. We are not scoring goals, and that is simply why we are losing.
- small squad - with the recovery of Kroldrup and van der Meyde this may improve but we are still scratching around for player - related to this, a couple of the players look out of form (Kilbane) or simply exhausted (Cahill).
- we haven't ever really got over the loss of Tommy Gravesen
Sunday, October 09, 2005
Publication
What should I do?
Still pursuing two possibilities for publishing, but I'm not overly hopeful. Attemting to get a monograph published these days which isn't about something global, meaning the possibility of US sales, appears a virtual impossibility.
I have been offered a contract from a small, specialist publisher, but I will have to make a contribution.
I think I can do some specified publicity so am tempted to take the chance, as a publication is something which I feel to be important.
Still pursuing two possibilities for publishing, but I'm not overly hopeful. Attemting to get a monograph published these days which isn't about something global, meaning the possibility of US sales, appears a virtual impossibility.
I have been offered a contract from a small, specialist publisher, but I will have to make a contribution.
I think I can do some specified publicity so am tempted to take the chance, as a publication is something which I feel to be important.
At last....
More blogging - and its always like this at the beginning of the new term. Teaching is settling down quite nicely, with a fair bit of extra hours at the main place I work, a further two hours elsewhere, and the possibility of further training and research work. All takes time to come together, but things appear to be falling into place for the time being.
So...some views.
The Tory leadership. If they choose Davis, I think they really must have a death wish. Duncan Smith mk 2, and the newly found inclusivity claims do not convince. Cameron appears to be a chance worth taking, and Blair himself had little real experience other than being an opposition spokesperson when he became Labour leader.
I don't think that any leader would really convince me to vote Tory, but Cameron would at least mean I would sleep soundly if we did end up with the Tories back in power. And other than Fox, who would be a surefire disaster, even more than Davis, electorally speaking, the homophobia of previous years appears to be absent.
We have started going to another church. Still not absolutely sure its the place for us, but at least it feels as if it could be....
So...some views.
The Tory leadership. If they choose Davis, I think they really must have a death wish. Duncan Smith mk 2, and the newly found inclusivity claims do not convince. Cameron appears to be a chance worth taking, and Blair himself had little real experience other than being an opposition spokesperson when he became Labour leader.
I don't think that any leader would really convince me to vote Tory, but Cameron would at least mean I would sleep soundly if we did end up with the Tories back in power. And other than Fox, who would be a surefire disaster, even more than Davis, electorally speaking, the homophobia of previous years appears to be absent.
We have started going to another church. Still not absolutely sure its the place for us, but at least it feels as if it could be....
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