Cardiff City has more right to host Olympics!
Yesterday's olympic torch relay in London were marred by scenes of protest over China's disgraceful handling over Tibet. When Beijiing won the right to host the 2008 games in 2001, the Chinese government said human rights issues would be resolved in China, and to make sure that the Olympic Games was a oppourtunity to showcase China at its best. Seven years later, I fear that this year's games will become overshadowed by politics, boycotts and by scenes very similiar to those in London yesterday. I do not agree with violent protesting ,but I do agree with peaceful demonstration, the right to express freely opinions and views, and in this case the view that China should let Tibet be free. Tessa Jowell, the Olympics Mnister said last night that yesterday's event was a triumph for "free expression". It certainly was, but it also express that China must be anxious for what may hapen in Beijiing in the Summer. Personally, it may seem unlogistically, but I would take the olympic games away from Beijiing and give them to Cardiff in Wales, on the back of Cardiff City FC's success in the FA Cup, but still if they win the competition may not be able to compete in Europe.That is another issue, but the real issue is that the Darlai Lama should meet the G8, and the G8 meet the Chinese government and that some agreement is put in place between China and Tibet before the Summer otherwise this tremendous sporting occasion may become a catalyst for a human disaster.
Published Date:
07/04/2008
Modified Date:
07/04/2008
Let Us Learn The Lessons Of Kipling!
For anybody who knows me, I have a rather frantic love of a variety of culture. A good friend of mine persuaded me to listen more to classical music and after falling in love with Mozart's Clarinet Concerto or the wonderful "Una Furtiva Langrima" most famously sung by the late Luciano Pavarotti, I now and as I will this Sunday go to my local Sinfonia, The Arnold Sinfonia in Haverhill to listen to some exquisite music. Yet, I do like the odd oppourtunity to relentless "mosh" as it is called at some rock concerts. I also enjoy reading and writing poetry. Some say an old fashioned pastime, but poetry is practically any sort of structured verse. We all have our favourite poetry, from The Owl and The Pussycat to Shakespeare's Sonnet for which I embarassingly do not know the full name of, to the nation's favourite, Daffodills by William Worsdworth, for which I have to say was mine to until I heard the poem, If by Rudyard Kipling. Bizarrely the first time I heard this poem was during the film, Mike Bassett - England Manager. I decided to look this poem up, and I read it over and over again. Did Kipling now how true that poem is in the context of everyday life? When I now go all over in my conferences and talks, my conclusion is this wonderful piece of poetry and this is my conclusion today. Please read and read to your family, your children or to your friends, for it is inspiring and for it so true.
If by Rudyard Kipling
IF you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you,
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,
But make allowance for their doubting too;
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or being lied about, don't deal in lies,
Or being hated, don't give way to hating,
And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise:
If you can dream - and not make dreams your master;
If you can think - and not make thoughts your aim;
If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two impostors just the same;
If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,
And stoop and build 'em up with worn-out tools:
If you can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-t oss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings
And never breathe a word about your loss;
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the Will which says to them: 'Hold on!'
If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
' Or walk with Kings - nor lose the common touch,
if neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you,
If all men count with you, but none too much;
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds' worth of distance run,
Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it,
And - which is more - you'll be a Man, my son!
Published Date:
03/04/2008
Modified Date:
03/04/2008
Whoever wins Zimbabwe, Democracy's a winner!
On Sunday evening, I watched Channel Four news with much shock and surprise when it was declared that the MDC had won the Zimbabwean elections. I was expecting a Mugabe white wash victory, with no hesitation. His track record of elections is very impressive, and this is no small part down to alleged vote rigging, and illegal proceedings occuring at the time of election. So to hear that Mugabe's "reign of terror" may have been ended is franky a miracle, and is a victory for the people of Zimbabwe and democracy. We do not know yet what is the outcome of this election, but the MDC are claiming victory with an alleged 50% of the votes going in their favour. This is a victory for Zimbabwe in the respect that the people of Zimbabwe are fighting against Mugabe and want their lives changed. They are no longer scared by Mugabe and want to change the autocratic unbearable living conditions that are in place in Zimbabwe today. Democracy is something we take for granted, but what these Zimbabwean men and women are doing when voting for the MDC is seizing their right for democracy. They do not have to live in fear no more, because somebody is fighting for their need. I do hope that the MDC do win this election in Zimbabwe and that Mugabe & friends leave the MDC to rebuild Zimbabwe for the greater good of the country.
Published Date:
02/04/2008
Modified Date:
02/04/2008
Support The Gherkers!
There is something going wrong behind the doors of Downing Street, as once again Brown has failed to support public uproar. This time Brown's lack of support for the Gherkers pre 1997. On Wednesday, several of the Gherkers peacefully protested outside the residence of Britain's answer to Stalin to protest against their rights of staying in the country.
How absurd is it to send people who fought for this country for the safety of this country, risked their life for Britain and now being asked to leave.
Why doesn't Brown just renew their VISAS? I'm afraid to say it but in football today, we have hundreds of foreign players playing in the Premiership for ridiculous amounts of money and no questions asked of their rights to stay in this country, but for a group of men who in my eyes are heroes being asked to leave.
There is no reason why, it is just another piece of legislation which is harming the integrity and credability of this country, the Labour Party and Mr. Brown. We then find that the Conservatives are not bringing this up either at Prime Minister's Questions or in the public spotlight. I am very ashamed to say that as somebody sympathetic with conservative ideologies I find myself feeling betrayed that the official Opposition to the government has not posed any action what so ever. I am not too sure why the Conservatives have not responded, I am sure there is a perfect explanation for why Mr. Cameron has not kicked up a fuss. Therefore It is the job of Nick Clegg and the Liberal Democrats to push hard for this in parliament. Their popularity is rising across the country for their stance on Europe, Civil Liberties, the War in Iraq and now this.
I'm afraid to say tht we are missing the charisma of Tony Blair. Although some of his decisions were not the best, he was a charming and enlightening man. When Speaking to politicians, I have heard that although they may not have agreed with some of Blair's politcial stances they respected Blair as a man. Unfortunately they do not particularly respect the stalinist stance of Gordon Brown. Mr Brown should either buck his ideas up or let someone else pick up the pieces, because this country is starting to crack under the reign of Brown, and with economic depression slowly seeping in, real leadership of this country needs to be sought.
Published Date:
21/03/2008
Modified Date:
02/04/2008
Bring back the death penalty!
Over only a matter of days, we have heard the disturbing stories of the deaths of the five Ipswich women and the 18 year old model Sally Ann Bowman who was murdered and horrifically abused. These crimes are despicable and I just cannot imagine how the deaths of these victims has inflicted pain on the people that love them the most, their families and friends. Steve Wright was found guilty of murdering the five Ipswich women, and Mark Dixie was found guilty of murdering Sally- Ann and sexually assualting after she was dead. This may sound like I am blowing this out of all proportions, but what them men have done to the families of them poor women is unforgiveable. They do not deserve any sort of life, even if they will be in prison for the rest of it. I believe like so many that the only way these families can get any sort of justice is for the lives of these two men to be taken, i.e the death penalty.
I am not somebody who is big on the idea of capital punishment, but when it comes to taking another life, surely your life should be taken. The only problem there is with bringing in the death penalty is that what if the wrong person is convicted and their life is taken wrongly. The government of this country make enough mistakes without their courts and the home office making more mistakes by killing people who didn't deserve it. So what do we do? Do we just let these vile animals rot in prison until their days are numbered or do we make sure that we give the police and the authorities the right resources to do their jobs to the best of their ability. The latter sounds a dream idea, but it would be risky banking on luck to try and not convict a person of murder who is innocent. Though I only feel that justice should be done, and the death penalty would be the best type of justice. These monsters won't get their come uppance, but in the future more monsters may do.
Published Date:
26/02/2008
Modified Date:
02/04/2008
Are we that miserable?
I have just returned from a short stay in Edinburgh, Scotland and I have to say in the league table of grumpiness, the English people would win every time. The idyllic backdrop that surrounds the Capital of Scotland may be the reason why those people in particular are so happy and upbeat. I was doing a conference at the EICC about Beyond Boundaries, and every member of the audience was emotional whilst watching me and my team mates of all disabilities on stage. After wards there was nothing but praise, upbeat and inspiration. As an English man, I should not really say, but I doubt I would get that sort of reception in England. Why are the English so uptight, so stressy? Why are we not as relaxed and jovial as the Scots? Do we put too much on our plates, do we work too hard? Whatever we do, we are certainly not happy enough. Maybe we need to follow the guidelines of Scotland
1.- WEAR A KILT
Instead of wearing shirts and tie, the occasional Kilt may come in handy. The free hanging of private parts may be why the Scots are so happy, whilst the English private parts are packed away in trousers such as those like Simon Cowell. And look how grumpy he is....
2. EAT EVERYTHING THAT'S BAD FOR YOU.
My breakfast in Scotland was delicious. Greasy Black Pudding, Haggis, Hash Browns, Potato Scones. My dinner was rich and creamy cocka leekie soup, Are we not eating the food we really want. We do dip into take aways, but should we be eating gorgeous national dishes regularly. Roasts, Fish and Chips, Pies, maybe that's what we need to do
3. CHANGE THE NATIONAL ANTHEM TO SOMETHING LESS DREARY
I have said time and time again, God Save The Queen is the most boring national anthem ever. Whoever's idea was to have God Save The Queen must be a dreary grumpy old person. It is not our own seperate anthem anywau. It is the British national anthem. The Scots have their own one in Flower Of Scotland, a song that could be bellowed and sung with rappor. Maybe Land Of Hope and Glory could be a good substitute.
I am not saying let's all become Scots, because we would lose our identities, but let's have fun in life. We are so miserable compared to our northern neighbours, enjoy life to it's full.
Published Date:
14/02/2008
Modified Date:
02/04/2008