Teengaegirls who stole from an 89-year-old man are being hunted by police investigating a spate of distraction burglaries.
"Whatever happened to the values of our society. Why should someone who fought for the freedoms, which people like these so quickly abuse today, be subjected to this sort of treatment? There is no effective discipline left in schools. We are the victims of a pathetic 'politically-correct' society which often favours the offender, at the expense of the victim. You see, none of the main political parties really offers a solution." says a blogger
Why blame schools and politicians? We all live in a society and it is very easy to blame the authorities when things go wrong. What happened to looking out for your neighbours and the mutual respect that people have for each other. It is us, you, me that is to blame. Not the government, not the teachers. It starts at home and the sooner people start to take responsibility for their own actions and the well-being of the area around them that it will start to change. Veritas Vincit.
Thursday, 27 November 2008
Wednesday, 26 November 2008
Veritas Vincit
Veritas Vincit is a Latin phrase used by the Hussites of medieval Bohemia. It means "Truth conquers".
Veritas was my school motto and Vincent is my middle name so it fits :-D
Veritas was my school motto and Vincent is my middle name so it fits :-D
The Death of Michael
Someone died today. It was a surprise but then again he was very unfit - a fat grey man. I only met him once and he wasn't a very popular member of the family. As far as I can tell no one grieves for him. He left no children.
It is a shame - this is a type I come across when I am doing family history - a dead end with nothing to leave the world to say he was there. No achievements, no happy memories passed down through the family, just a name on a certificate for someone to find in future years.
His brother has had a difficult year and concerns are largely with him. He is a good man and will leave a legacy though. A good person and he has helped create a life and family, despite the adversity that he and his brother faced growing up.
Two people given the same shot at life, two very different stories. No one grieves for him but maybe he provides a cursory lesson in how not to live and how not to die. Maybe that's his legacy after all.
It is a shame - this is a type I come across when I am doing family history - a dead end with nothing to leave the world to say he was there. No achievements, no happy memories passed down through the family, just a name on a certificate for someone to find in future years.
His brother has had a difficult year and concerns are largely with him. He is a good man and will leave a legacy though. A good person and he has helped create a life and family, despite the adversity that he and his brother faced growing up.
Two people given the same shot at life, two very different stories. No one grieves for him but maybe he provides a cursory lesson in how not to live and how not to die. Maybe that's his legacy after all.
Sunday, 23 November 2008
The List
This week in the UK, the mmbership details of a far right (legitimate ) political party the British National Party (BNP) were published on the internet. This has obviously stimulated a lot of debate about them concerning their policies, their legitimacy and the rights of crtain organisations such as the police to prohibit their members from joining.
Far right and far left viewpoints have a place in a valid democracy so attempting to legislate against them purely to stifle them is wrong and achieves nothing. Conversely, it would probably do more to encourage the less-palatable aspects associated with them.
I've only seen one name on the list that recognise, but I knew of his affiliations anyway. I may not agree with his views but I hope, given where he lives, that this does not compromise his lifestyle or personal safety.
However, certain organisations have a mission and purpose that has to represent and support the society we have now. They must have a right and indeed a requirement not to employ people who are members of other organisations which seek to challenge that purpose. How can you work constructively in a community that you privately seek to undermine? It won't work for anyone involved, least of all the member in question. Good career move eh?
I think a key issue with migrants is their rights and access to public services. The normal argument being that they have not contributed via the tax system and therefore should not benefit. I think this misses however, a crucial point in that we live in a global society and have done for many years. The technology we have is not British, the actual finance behind it is neither. The cost to the individual is also confusing. It takes a lot more to give up your homeland, friends and family to make a new life than it does to live in the Midlands all your life and pay a few hundred pounds tax every month.
But we are an island and people generally like what they know and the pursuit of an inclusive agenda has alienated many traditional communities, like the Erewash valley near here. Need it? I don't think so, the culture is still predominantly of that traditional British ilk, and the second and third generations of immigrant families are increasingly becoming part off that.
What concerns me more than the multi nature of culture is rather its quality - the culture that these younger generations are absorbing is the XFactor culture, rather than the culture that we as living historians seek to promote. :?
Far right and far left viewpoints have a place in a valid democracy so attempting to legislate against them purely to stifle them is wrong and achieves nothing. Conversely, it would probably do more to encourage the less-palatable aspects associated with them.
I've only seen one name on the list that recognise, but I knew of his affiliations anyway. I may not agree with his views but I hope, given where he lives, that this does not compromise his lifestyle or personal safety.
However, certain organisations have a mission and purpose that has to represent and support the society we have now. They must have a right and indeed a requirement not to employ people who are members of other organisations which seek to challenge that purpose. How can you work constructively in a community that you privately seek to undermine? It won't work for anyone involved, least of all the member in question. Good career move eh?
I think a key issue with migrants is their rights and access to public services. The normal argument being that they have not contributed via the tax system and therefore should not benefit. I think this misses however, a crucial point in that we live in a global society and have done for many years. The technology we have is not British, the actual finance behind it is neither. The cost to the individual is also confusing. It takes a lot more to give up your homeland, friends and family to make a new life than it does to live in the Midlands all your life and pay a few hundred pounds tax every month.
But we are an island and people generally like what they know and the pursuit of an inclusive agenda has alienated many traditional communities, like the Erewash valley near here. Need it? I don't think so, the culture is still predominantly of that traditional British ilk, and the second and third generations of immigrant families are increasingly becoming part off that.
What concerns me more than the multi nature of culture is rather its quality - the culture that these younger generations are absorbing is the XFactor culture, rather than the culture that we as living historians seek to promote. :?
Saturday, 22 November 2008
The Far Right is not the answer
Communities Secretary Hazel Blears has called for a new drive against the party as a list of names and addresses of their members was posted on the internet.
The leak has cast new light on the make-up of supporters of the BNP, which has in recent years made electoral gains disturbing to politicians across the spectrum.
Writing in a national newspaper, Ms Blears said: "We must recognise that where the BNP wins votes, it is often a result of local political failure.
"Estates that have been ignored for decades; voters taken for granted; local services that have failed; white working-class voters who feel politicians live on a different planet.
"In such a political vacuum, the BNP steps in with offers of grass-cutting, a listening ear and easy answers to complex problems."
Ms Blears accused the party of playing on people's "apprehensions" and peddling "pernicious but plausible lies".
The release of the membership list, which included telephone numbers, has led to fears that BNP supporters will be targets of abuse and even violence.
Police in West Yorkshire have been investigating the torching of a car near to the home of one of the names on the list.
There are also concerns that teachers, police officers and army personnel feature on the list, although it is not entirely up to date and some of the names appearing on it are not BNP members.
Ms Blears urged a concerted fightback against the BNP where concentrations of support are strongest.
She said: "We must continue to campaign vigorously against the BNP: demonstrate, picket, leaflet and argue."
The leak has cast new light on the make-up of supporters of the BNP, which has in recent years made electoral gains disturbing to politicians across the spectrum.
Writing in a national newspaper, Ms Blears said: "We must recognise that where the BNP wins votes, it is often a result of local political failure.
"Estates that have been ignored for decades; voters taken for granted; local services that have failed; white working-class voters who feel politicians live on a different planet.
"In such a political vacuum, the BNP steps in with offers of grass-cutting, a listening ear and easy answers to complex problems."
Ms Blears accused the party of playing on people's "apprehensions" and peddling "pernicious but plausible lies".
The release of the membership list, which included telephone numbers, has led to fears that BNP supporters will be targets of abuse and even violence.
Police in West Yorkshire have been investigating the torching of a car near to the home of one of the names on the list.
There are also concerns that teachers, police officers and army personnel feature on the list, although it is not entirely up to date and some of the names appearing on it are not BNP members.
Ms Blears urged a concerted fightback against the BNP where concentrations of support are strongest.
She said: "We must continue to campaign vigorously against the BNP: demonstrate, picket, leaflet and argue."
Monday, 10 November 2008
Future God?
"God" to me is a political creation to provide legitimacy to regimes. gods on the other hand are means of explaining and rationalising what we see around us. The two are not mutually exclusive and overlap quite extensively (and I wish I could believe by the way)
Religion I see as a shared set of beliefs and assumptions that guides behaviour, stronger than a mere culture. It doesnt necessarily need a god figure.
Science is such an example I think but what happens when everything is explainable - when we work out the universal equation of everything for example? Will it lose its purpose, drive and potency and just become wallpaper? What then do we believe in?
Religion I see as a shared set of beliefs and assumptions that guides behaviour, stronger than a mere culture. It doesnt necessarily need a god figure.
Science is such an example I think but what happens when everything is explainable - when we work out the universal equation of everything for example? Will it lose its purpose, drive and potency and just become wallpaper? What then do we believe in?
Sunday, 9 November 2008
The Phoenix
Baha'is believe that the world goes through cycles where everything collapses, forcing us to rebuild and start again, like a phoenix.
That's true - the natural tendency of any system is towards chaos, so any order achieved is temporary and doomed to fail. Personally I think western society works in approximately 300-year cycles and we are at the start of the third cycle since 1400. The 1700-2000 cycle was based on scientific reasoning and the pursuit of perfection as deemed by man rather than a god or gods. I think it will move now to an acceptance of imperfection and differences. We have to deal with who we really are rather than as it is prescribed to us.
That's true - the natural tendency of any system is towards chaos, so any order achieved is temporary and doomed to fail. Personally I think western society works in approximately 300-year cycles and we are at the start of the third cycle since 1400. The 1700-2000 cycle was based on scientific reasoning and the pursuit of perfection as deemed by man rather than a god or gods. I think it will move now to an acceptance of imperfection and differences. We have to deal with who we really are rather than as it is prescribed to us.
Saturday, 8 November 2008
The New World Order
I'm not that convinced by the NWO theory - I do agree that there are non-democratic associations that grease the wheels of government ranging from university clubs to the Freemasons. It's a part of everyday life so no reason why it won't happen at the upper echelons. However, I don't think that man as a species is that clever for it to go beyond that. The natural tendency of any system is towards chaos, so any order achieved is temporary and doomed to fail.
I know what people mean about the similarity between the two sides of the Presidential coin, but I think that also proves my point on order. The effective "one-party state" was achieved here in the 1980s with the right-wing hegemony of the Thatcher government that left subsequent governments unable to manoeuver outwith the culture they had created. That however, was predicated on economic growth. To sustain this, the economic model became riskier and thus increasingly unstable - a house price bubble underpinned by cheap finance.
I know what people mean about the similarity between the two sides of the Presidential coin, but I think that also proves my point on order. The effective "one-party state" was achieved here in the 1980s with the right-wing hegemony of the Thatcher government that left subsequent governments unable to manoeuver outwith the culture they had created. That however, was predicated on economic growth. To sustain this, the economic model became riskier and thus increasingly unstable - a house price bubble underpinned by cheap finance.
On Ron Paul
I'm not a big fan of the Austrian School - conversely it isn't based on the basic principles of modern discourse i.e. empiricism and scientifc reasoning. It is the flaws in human character that precipitated the crashes of 29 and 08 i.e. good old fashioned greed. Obama is fortunate in so much as FDR gave him and his advisors the basics of a road map out of tis mess. FWIW I think the biggest challenges are the dependency on oversees energy and unemployment. John Maynard Keynes is the economist Obama needs to refer too once again. Invest state money in a renewal energy infrastructure and that will begin to stimulate the economy. I think creation of such a renewable energy industry, rather than the quick-hit of oil could be a viable economic alternative to the military as the driver of industry.I do though agree that devolution of power to the States is a viable political path. It was one of the first things that the Labour government did here in 97. Transferring control of issues to the people whom they most directly affect, while at the same time removing these issues from the central in-tray.With regard to suprantional organisations, such as NATO and the UN, the opinion out here is that they are in the pocket of the States anyway. To what extent that will change if the global economic map is re-drawn is a moot point.
Wednesday, 5 November 2008
The Result
Senator McCain couldn't conduct his campaign with the elegant grace that was evident in his speech after Obama’s victory. That was part of his problem - awkward and temperamental under pressure and with a tendency to make negative jibes. Obama on the other displayed effortless cool, appearing calm and measured. In a media-dominated age that counts for a lot.
The colour of his skin furthermore is an issue whether people like it or not, and while many people DID vote for and against on that basis, I do find it hard to believe that it gave him the edge over John McCain.
Obama has been elected despite the fact that he is black, not because of it. Little more than 40 years ago Barack Obama would have found it hard to be served lunch in a restaurant, let alone be US president. That is the mark of his success – it is for the moment however and his true impact and earned place in history will be measured in the years to come.
I've said several times in my own journal that the biggest issue the world faces is a failure of the free market, and that requires an interventionist solution. A John McCain administration could not deliver that solution - it is not in their bloodstream. Indeed, the big theme of Republican economics - cut income tax - no longer cuts it politically when 29 million Americans pay no income tax.
I get the impression that many people have gone outside of their comfort zone on this one which puts further pressure on a President faced with the most difficult challenges.
We have now economic conditions that form part of a larger cycle and that is not normally planned for, in so much as it only happens once every other generation at least. Laissez-faire cannot help this situation – you need someone to take control and for the State to provide a reinforcing infrastructure.
In this election America was not looking simply for a candidate able to command its forces as it enjoyed undisputed hegemony. It was more anxious than that. It was looking for a leader, like Mr Obama, who could command and might deserve the respect of the world.
If Obama succeeds he will be as great as the hype now says he is. If not, then the electorate will remove him in 4 years time. That’s democracy.
The colour of his skin furthermore is an issue whether people like it or not, and while many people DID vote for and against on that basis, I do find it hard to believe that it gave him the edge over John McCain.
Obama has been elected despite the fact that he is black, not because of it. Little more than 40 years ago Barack Obama would have found it hard to be served lunch in a restaurant, let alone be US president. That is the mark of his success – it is for the moment however and his true impact and earned place in history will be measured in the years to come.
I've said several times in my own journal that the biggest issue the world faces is a failure of the free market, and that requires an interventionist solution. A John McCain administration could not deliver that solution - it is not in their bloodstream. Indeed, the big theme of Republican economics - cut income tax - no longer cuts it politically when 29 million Americans pay no income tax.
I get the impression that many people have gone outside of their comfort zone on this one which puts further pressure on a President faced with the most difficult challenges.
We have now economic conditions that form part of a larger cycle and that is not normally planned for, in so much as it only happens once every other generation at least. Laissez-faire cannot help this situation – you need someone to take control and for the State to provide a reinforcing infrastructure.
In this election America was not looking simply for a candidate able to command its forces as it enjoyed undisputed hegemony. It was more anxious than that. It was looking for a leader, like Mr Obama, who could command and might deserve the respect of the world.
If Obama succeeds he will be as great as the hype now says he is. If not, then the electorate will remove him in 4 years time. That’s democracy.
Tuesday, 4 November 2008
Today
Everyone who is able to vote should.Democracy is one of the banners that our troops and your troops are waving in their operations around the world.Many many people have died because they believe in that principle and not voting due to apathy is something I cannot stand.I've followed this race closely and am in the Obama camp. He isn't a direct fit with my political beliefs - I don't think any mainstream American politician could be but I detest the other side for all sorts of reasons lolIt's exciting - shame I can't vote. We are of course increasingly subject to American influence - and have been for most of the 20th century. I look forward to the day when we have a global democracy to match our global economy and we can all take part in the process.
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