The Blogmeister's New Year Message

When they do this sort of thing on the TV and radio, they go through all the newsworthy events of the year. David Cameron's way of doing it has been to tell us what a miserable time we're going to have in the coming year. It might be expected that I would join in the chorus of doom and gloom - especially when you look back over my list of postings for the year. But no - I'd like to end the year on a positive note. One bright spot on the murky international political scene this year has been the release of the Burmese opposition leader and human rights activist, Aung San Suu Kyi. As we know, this lady has been held under house arrest by the repressive regime in Burma for 15 years. What struck me was her dignity and composure at her moment of release and her willingness to forgive her oppressors. Her release was made possible only after sustained international pressure, much of it from leading politicians, but much from ordinary people. All of which tells us that, when enough people unite and work patiently together, change for the better IS possible.
I would like to wish everyone who reads this posting a Happy and Hopeful New Year.

The Blogmeister's Christmas Message

Well, if the Queen can do one of these things, so can I. I am amazed at the fact that we have made it this far. I must pay tribute to Neville, who encouraged me to start this blog, and has been very supportive ever since.Thanks also to Chas, who has brought a different perspective on political matters. Hopefully, he will write more on musical matters in 2011 - I have only recently learned that he is an expert on Northern Soul. Thanks to Mick, who has lent his presence to the blog. For me, it has been a great experience to write on political matters. It has been good discipline to research  topics and justify my opinions, rather than simply spouting them, pub style. This blog now draws regular hits from all over the world; nearly 1 in 5 of all hits come from countries other than the UK. All I want for Christmas for the blog is for some of these visitors to start posting!
As for the issues we've covered, I think we have focussed upon some important matters and made some pertinent comments. It's been a turbulent year, what with recession, the return of a Con-Dem government and the return of student protest to our streets. I wouldn't be surprised if the coming year is every bit as hectic, so look forward to more acerbic postings by me on the political situation.
To sum up, I'd like to say that if I could give out Christmas presents to all readers, I'd give each and everyone a massive slice of good luck - something tells me that we're going to need it.
MERRY CHRISTMAS, EVERYBODY!

Can Education Stop Homophobia?

From the BBC website comes this introduction to a subject that is not very "Christmassy" (whatever that means):

"A young woman and man have been found guilty of beating a gay man to death in London's Trafalgar Square - a brutal reminder that despite steps towards equality, homophobic violence remains a very real threat.

The killing of a 62-year-old civil servant has cast another shadow over the gay community as it is again forced to confront the consequences of prejudice."
Anyone wishing to read the full report can find it HERE. When this disgusting incident first happened in September last year, however, the prominent gay ex-senior policeman Brian Paddick made what I found to be an extraordinary statement. He said (rightly, as it happens) that many schoolchildren used the term "gay" as a synonym for "bad" He then went on to say that teachers bore a grave responsiblity for this, and should be stopping children from doing it. Like many commentators on education, he did not say how it should be done.
Sickening as all homophobic attacks might be, I find Mr Paddick's comments naive and unrealistic. The perpetrators of the above attack would not have held back from what they did because their teachers had spoken out against homophobia several years before. For a (thankfully small) number of pupils, an anti-homophobic stance in schools would be an incentive to engage in anti-gay violence.
Homophobia is a despicable and evil hate crime that must be eradicated, but while we condemn queer bashing, let's not engage in teacher bashing.

I'm No Conspiracy Theorist, But...

I try to keep an open mind, but I find most conspiracy theories ridiculous. There is a new one out about John Lennon's death, and we are all familiar with the UFO and "no real moon landing" garbage that has such wide currency among many people. Still, this week's events at the student tuition fees protest in London has given me cause for thought. As someone who attended lively anti-National Front demos in the 1970s, I'm not the right person to condemn the violence of some of the protesters, although I strongly disapprove of what happened. As has been pointed out, these events can only lead to the alienation of the public from the student's cause. The rich brat who desecrated the Cenotaph, the Anarchists and the thugs (there is a difference) who came "tooled up" for battle have harmed the student campaign greatly. But there's something I find a little puzzling:
1. Why were the police not better prepared? As anyone who knows anything about the history of Anarchist groups will tell you, they are wide open for infiltration by police spies and informers. I would have expected the police to be well briefed about the violent intentions of such groups.
2. Why did Charles and Camilla blunder so crassly into the demo? Why was a car window left open? This is hardly professional work by the Royal security staff. It was either gross incompetence - or was it something else?
It needs to be said here that some elements in the police are capable of ruthless conduct. A friend of mine, a respectable retired gentleman in his sixties, has told me that, on a previous demo two weeks ago, he came out of a Tube station to be pushed by a police squad who knocked his glasses off. A number of demonstrators were injured on the latest demo - one with a brain injury. Clearly, the security forces and the government might benefit from the publicity given to student violence, as it would justify a much more severe crackdown. In fact, press reports already indicate that this is going to happen.
This would lead a (Leftie) conspiracy theorist to think, perhaps, that the authorities DELIBERATELY made the elementary security mistakes that I list above, in order to allow violence to erupt and thus blacken the student campaign. I doubt that very much, personally, but, like I said, "I'm no conspiracy theorist, but..."

Santa Claus - His Health and Safety

Changing the subject slightly, I'd like to talk about Father Christmas - or Santa Claus if you prefer. I knew he was busy at Christmas, but I never appreciated his workload.  US scientists have calculated that Santa has to visit 822 homes a second to deliver all the world's presents on Christmas Eve, travelling at 650 miles a second. This is surely a breach of Health and Safety Regulations. Santa should be informed by the Factory Inspectorate of his right to have a 10 minute break every four working hours. Not only this, but he is required to trespass on private property to deliver presents. As this could lead to prosecution for Breaking and Entering. Santa should consult with his trade union, raising the question of his being placed in a position of jeopardy. Still, Santa should find it easier to do his job this year; the economic situation will lead to less presents available for delivery. It's an ill wind...