TWO?!?! Just two favourite videos?
Well, that's quite tricky! There's lots of music videos I like!
It's been 30 years since MTV hit television screens and, although some form of "promo" had been around for quite some time before that, since then many performers have put increasing amounts of effort into the video that goes with their song as the snag itself. Some video budgets have run into hundreds of thousands of dollars.
So, after much consideration, my 2 favourite videos are:
1. Take On Me - a-Ha
This is surely one of the greatest music videos of all time - and it's incredible to think it was made way back in 1985. Good sng too!
2. Stan - Eminem (featuring Dido)
I love the way the video tells the narrative of the song.
Near misses included Sledgehammer, Hit Me Baby One More Time, Confide in Me, Feels Like Teen Spirit, Every Breath You Take...
This is the plan of my 10-Day Music Challenge - I'm currently on Day 9.
Day 1 - My 10 favourite albums
Day 2 - My 9 favourite songs
Day 3 - The first 8 songs to come on shuffle
Day 4 - My 7 favourite bands
Day 5 - My 6 favourite song covers
Day 6 - 5 Bands for my dream gig line-up
Day 7 - My 4 guilty pleasures (artists or songs)
Day 8 - My 3 favourite vocalists
Day 9 - My 2 favourite music videos
Day 10 - My all time favourite gig
Friday, 2 December 2011
Thursday, 1 December 2011
OPINION: Capitalism is dead.... Long live... Ummm...
Why, when capitalism fails every few years in bigger and more dramatic ways, do governments not look for a better system?
Capitalism has been failing, regularly, for years. Today, it seems, there is hardly a nation in the world not in some sort of serious debt. Banks have failed their investors, the public and governments across the world. Inequality gets more and more entrenched.
Surely, it's time for a different approach? Surely, it's time for governments to take action beyond bigger and bigger band aids?
When the dyke has a hole, the hole can be stopped for a while but there is a weakness there. Eventually, another hole opens or the first hole bursts again. At some point, the dyke is unable to hold the water back, the dyke collapses and everything is washed away.
It's not a case of replacing capitalism and free-markets with a different version of capitalism, adding safety nets or extra regulation to "protect" society, eventually a completely different approach, a different system needs to be put in place.
I've long argued that all current international/national debts should be written off. It's all just numbers, huge numbers, that are meaningless. They're notional debts, not real ones. Capitalism thrives on debt, borrowing and, consequently, inequality and poverty.
In the UK, we've never genuinely had a non-capitalist government. Even Harold Wilson and James Callaghan's left-wing governments, some 30-40 years ago, were capitalist with a social conscience. At elections we don't have a realistic choice of different systems, just variations on the type of capitalism we want. This is wrong.
Labour has failed the working class in the same way that the Conservatives have failed the wealthy. Labour's abandonment of socialist principles mean that it is, as has been for some time now, Tory-lite. The Lib Dems, well, they let everyone down by going into partnership with the Tories!
It is time that either Labour returned to its core socialist principles and offered a genuinely socialist, if not communist, system as an alternative to the capitalist, consumerist system that has dominated politics since the Industrial Revolution, or that people finally turn from the big two (maybe three) parties and promote one of the lesser, untried parties that can offer an alternative approach. I'd suggest, though not Peet, the Green Party are most likely to be able to offer a genuinely alternate system.
I don't mean a Stalinist communism (in reality, that was closer to Fasism than communism), I mean a new, 21stcentury approach in which government take back control of the budgets, in which a more equality-based approach is key to the way in which governments organise the economy and, of course, an environmentally-friendly angle is included.
There is nothing wrong with success, making-money or even profit but it is how the success is managed, and what the profits are used for that need to be addressed.
Sadly, it won't happen. The British are a fundamentally selfish and greedy society; they continue to vote for the status quo because, ultimately, they all think they might be the fat cats themselves (why else do so many play the National Lottery against the odds?!) and, in the end, they don't care about society, they care about themselves and their families. The British are their own worst enemies.
But, of course, this needs to be done globally, not just in the UK. This requires international co-operation that goes beyond anything the jack-booted Little Englanders who read The Sun or Daily Mail would ever allow. This needs brains not bigotry and xenophobia
How many times does capitalism have to fail before it gets replaced? Too many.
Next time there is an election I do hope more people vote for change, because, clearly, the current system has failed, but I won't hold my breath.
Capitalism has been failing, regularly, for years. Today, it seems, there is hardly a nation in the world not in some sort of serious debt. Banks have failed their investors, the public and governments across the world. Inequality gets more and more entrenched.
Surely, it's time for a different approach? Surely, it's time for governments to take action beyond bigger and bigger band aids?
When the dyke has a hole, the hole can be stopped for a while but there is a weakness there. Eventually, another hole opens or the first hole bursts again. At some point, the dyke is unable to hold the water back, the dyke collapses and everything is washed away.
It's not a case of replacing capitalism and free-markets with a different version of capitalism, adding safety nets or extra regulation to "protect" society, eventually a completely different approach, a different system needs to be put in place.
I've long argued that all current international/national debts should be written off. It's all just numbers, huge numbers, that are meaningless. They're notional debts, not real ones. Capitalism thrives on debt, borrowing and, consequently, inequality and poverty.
In the UK, we've never genuinely had a non-capitalist government. Even Harold Wilson and James Callaghan's left-wing governments, some 30-40 years ago, were capitalist with a social conscience. At elections we don't have a realistic choice of different systems, just variations on the type of capitalism we want. This is wrong.
Labour has failed the working class in the same way that the Conservatives have failed the wealthy. Labour's abandonment of socialist principles mean that it is, as has been for some time now, Tory-lite. The Lib Dems, well, they let everyone down by going into partnership with the Tories!
It is time that either Labour returned to its core socialist principles and offered a genuinely socialist, if not communist, system as an alternative to the capitalist, consumerist system that has dominated politics since the Industrial Revolution, or that people finally turn from the big two (maybe three) parties and promote one of the lesser, untried parties that can offer an alternative approach. I'd suggest, though not Peet, the Green Party are most likely to be able to offer a genuinely alternate system.
I don't mean a Stalinist communism (in reality, that was closer to Fasism than communism), I mean a new, 21stcentury approach in which government take back control of the budgets, in which a more equality-based approach is key to the way in which governments organise the economy and, of course, an environmentally-friendly angle is included.
There is nothing wrong with success, making-money or even profit but it is how the success is managed, and what the profits are used for that need to be addressed.
Sadly, it won't happen. The British are a fundamentally selfish and greedy society; they continue to vote for the status quo because, ultimately, they all think they might be the fat cats themselves (why else do so many play the National Lottery against the odds?!) and, in the end, they don't care about society, they care about themselves and their families. The British are their own worst enemies.
But, of course, this needs to be done globally, not just in the UK. This requires international co-operation that goes beyond anything the jack-booted Little Englanders who read The Sun or Daily Mail would ever allow. This needs brains not bigotry and xenophobia
How many times does capitalism have to fail before it gets replaced? Too many.
Next time there is an election I do hope more people vote for change, because, clearly, the current system has failed, but I won't hold my breath.
OPINION: Clarkson, UNISON and over-reacting
UNISON, the already dis-credited trade union after their "damp squib" support for the November 30th strikes, is now threatening to sue Jeremy Clarkson because of comments he made on the BBC's early evening magazine show, The One Show.
Jeremy Clarkson has always taken on the role of the rieght wing, anti-environment, blokey pantomime villain - it may have been an ill-advised, badly-timed comment but it is clearly said with humour. And it is free speech!
UNISON have little credibility left. Yesterday, and at other marches and protests earlier in the year, members of UNISON and other unions will all have chanted together phrases like "Hang the bankers" or "Shoot the Tories" - I do hope that UNISON's leadership will be reporting every single one of them for inciting violence. or is that not the point?
No, it's idiotic, intellectual pygmies that are union leaders with too much money to spend, desperately seeking publicity for their lost cause.
If any UNISON members watched the whole interview, I'm guessing most who have been so vocal in their complaints haven't seen the whole interview, they will see it was a joke about the need to have balance on BBC programmes. But that would get in the way of a good story wouldn't it? Facts and truth - not things modern unions dabble with.
It's time that unions, like UNISON, were brought into line with mainstream society and not in the hands of dangerous extremists and fat cats who benefit by causing national strife.
Clarkson says things and it gets publicity. Get over it. Or are the unions now anti-free speech and lacking any sense of humour?
Jeremy Clarkson has always taken on the role of the rieght wing, anti-environment, blokey pantomime villain - it may have been an ill-advised, badly-timed comment but it is clearly said with humour. And it is free speech!
UNISON have little credibility left. Yesterday, and at other marches and protests earlier in the year, members of UNISON and other unions will all have chanted together phrases like "Hang the bankers" or "Shoot the Tories" - I do hope that UNISON's leadership will be reporting every single one of them for inciting violence. or is that not the point?
No, it's idiotic, intellectual pygmies that are union leaders with too much money to spend, desperately seeking publicity for their lost cause.
If any UNISON members watched the whole interview, I'm guessing most who have been so vocal in their complaints haven't seen the whole interview, they will see it was a joke about the need to have balance on BBC programmes. But that would get in the way of a good story wouldn't it? Facts and truth - not things modern unions dabble with.
It's time that unions, like UNISON, were brought into line with mainstream society and not in the hands of dangerous extremists and fat cats who benefit by causing national strife.
Clarkson says things and it gets publicity. Get over it. Or are the unions now anti-free speech and lacking any sense of humour?
OPINION: 10 Years of Free entry to museums
Today marks the 10th anniversary of Free Entry to many major museums and galleries around the UK.
Tony Blair and New Labour may well have lost the plot over Iraq and ended their years in government in disgrace, but the policy of opening museums and galleries is one of the best, most important things that any government has done in this country since the setting up of the NHS and free education for all.
Of course, in times of austerity, it is likely that the policy will come under scrutiny but I would like to think that, in a civilised society, instead of ending the policy to save a few pennies, it should be extended and more museums and galleries should be opened to everyone of free. I'd like to suggest the National Space Centre in Leicester and Eureka! the National Children's Museumin Halifax for starters!
Tony Blair and New Labour may well have lost the plot over Iraq and ended their years in government in disgrace, but the policy of opening museums and galleries is one of the best, most important things that any government has done in this country since the setting up of the NHS and free education for all.
Of course, in times of austerity, it is likely that the policy will come under scrutiny but I would like to think that, in a civilised society, instead of ending the policy to save a few pennies, it should be extended and more museums and galleries should be opened to everyone of free. I'd like to suggest the National Space Centre in Leicester and Eureka! the National Children's Museumin Halifax for starters!
COMMENT: The Pope and World AIDS Day
Today is December 1st and, across the globe, there will be television programmes, newspaper articles, talks, marches, etc. to mark World AIDS Day. HIV/AIDS, whilst mostly under control in Western society, is still a major epidemic in the Third World and, perhaps most notably, Africa.
Not that Western society should be becoming complacent - there has been a noticeable increase in cases in the UK over the past 12 months.
In the Vatican, however, the Pope, who could do so much to help stop the spread of this killer disease, sits and does nothing. Mind you, Pope Benedict has a busy day of urgent and important work....
Instead of marking World AIDS by encouraging that people practise safe sex and saying that condoms are essential in the battle against HIV/AIDS Pope Benedict, the old Nazi, will be marking December 1st as the feast day of Saint Edmund Campion (an English martyr hanged, drawn and quartered in 1581 for practising catholicism in a protestant country) but not canonised until 1970 (because canonising 16th century priests was the most important thing in the world in 1970).
If that doesn't keep the Pope busy enough then December 1st is also the feast day of Saint Eligius who is the patron saint of goldsmiths and coin collectors (clearly he'd missed Jesus teaching about wealth man's money!) who lived from 588 CE - 660 CE. he's also the patron saint of the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers - yes, an army corps with a patron saint! - wasn't there something in the Bible about peace, not killing and not fighting?
If, having spent time marking these two important and relevant feast days, the Pope has any spare time he could, of course, talk about HIV/AIDS or, more likely, he will celebrate the feast day of Saint Castritian, a mid-3rd century saint that little or nothing is known about. Yes, he's much more important than hundreds of thousands dying of AIDS in Afica.
The Pope's failure to support actions like World AIDS Day speak volumes for both him and his "church": it shows that the Catholic church is not a caring or loving institution and puts into the spotlight the blatant hypocrisy and bigotry of one of the most powerful organisations in the world.
Pope Benedict is an evil man. I hope that, one day, the Catholic church will help the poor and suffering rather than sit in luxury, praying about pointless saints and counting the profits that the church makes annually.
Not that Western society should be becoming complacent - there has been a noticeable increase in cases in the UK over the past 12 months.
In the Vatican, however, the Pope, who could do so much to help stop the spread of this killer disease, sits and does nothing. Mind you, Pope Benedict has a busy day of urgent and important work....
Instead of marking World AIDS by encouraging that people practise safe sex and saying that condoms are essential in the battle against HIV/AIDS Pope Benedict, the old Nazi, will be marking December 1st as the feast day of Saint Edmund Campion (an English martyr hanged, drawn and quartered in 1581 for practising catholicism in a protestant country) but not canonised until 1970 (because canonising 16th century priests was the most important thing in the world in 1970).
If that doesn't keep the Pope busy enough then December 1st is also the feast day of Saint Eligius who is the patron saint of goldsmiths and coin collectors (clearly he'd missed Jesus teaching about wealth man's money!) who lived from 588 CE - 660 CE. he's also the patron saint of the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers - yes, an army corps with a patron saint! - wasn't there something in the Bible about peace, not killing and not fighting?
If, having spent time marking these two important and relevant feast days, the Pope has any spare time he could, of course, talk about HIV/AIDS or, more likely, he will celebrate the feast day of Saint Castritian, a mid-3rd century saint that little or nothing is known about. Yes, he's much more important than hundreds of thousands dying of AIDS in Afica.
The Pope's failure to support actions like World AIDS Day speak volumes for both him and his "church": it shows that the Catholic church is not a caring or loving institution and puts into the spotlight the blatant hypocrisy and bigotry of one of the most powerful organisations in the world.
Pope Benedict is an evil man. I hope that, one day, the Catholic church will help the poor and suffering rather than sit in luxury, praying about pointless saints and counting the profits that the church makes annually.
Pinch, Punch, First of the Month
The UK has many ridiculous customs and traditions; many of which are carried out still, like a reflex, without question. One such tradition is pinch, punch, first of the month - a particularly bizarre custom.
So where does it originate?
Having had a quick search online there are few clues, most references talk of how the custom happens and link it with saying "rabbits" or "white rabbits" on the first of the month.
The most convincing source suggestsit dates back to medieval England and the belief that witches existed. It was thought that a pinch of salt would make a witch weak and the punch would banish the weakened witch.
I guess it makes as much sense as getting good luck from a black cat crossing your path but, today, when a husband pinches and punches his wife on the first of the month, he's suggesting she could be a witch!
So where does it originate?
Having had a quick search online there are few clues, most references talk of how the custom happens and link it with saying "rabbits" or "white rabbits" on the first of the month.
The most convincing source suggestsit dates back to medieval England and the belief that witches existed. It was thought that a pinch of salt would make a witch weak and the punch would banish the weakened witch.
I guess it makes as much sense as getting good luck from a black cat crossing your path but, today, when a husband pinches and punches his wife on the first of the month, he's suggesting she could be a witch!
10-Day Music Challenge: Day 8 - my 3 favourite singers
Day 8 already!
Three singers? It's a shame it's not 3 favourite performers, thereby allowing instrumentalists too, but here goes:
1: Meat Loaf
I've twice seen Meat Loaf live. The first time, back at the time of Bat Out of Hell 2, he was amazing. (The second time was in more recent times and he was, let's put it kindly, past his best). At his best, his voice was so expressive and so powerful. A master of theatrical rock, I'd love to see him again, as lo g as he was back on his mid-90s form!
2. Peter Gabriel
Peter Gabriel's voice get better with age and on songs like "Intruder" he sounds really creepy! A great range of singing, from joyous to sad to contemplative... again, very theatrical and a great storyteller through music.
3. Jacques Brel
Surely the greatest chansonnier... such a fantastic voice. Truly iconic.
This is the plan of my 10-Day Music Challenge - I'm currently on Day 8!
Day 1 - My 10 favourite albums
Day 2 - My 9 favourite songs
Day 3 - The first 8 songs to come on shuffle
Day 4 - My 7 favourite bands
Day 5 - My 6 favourite song covers
Day 6 - 5 Bands for my dream gig line-up
Day 7 - My 4 guilty pleasures (artists or songs)
Day 8 - My 3 favourite vocalists
Day 9 - My 2 favourite music videos
Day 10 - My all time favourite gig
Three singers? It's a shame it's not 3 favourite performers, thereby allowing instrumentalists too, but here goes:
1: Meat Loaf
I've twice seen Meat Loaf live. The first time, back at the time of Bat Out of Hell 2, he was amazing. (The second time was in more recent times and he was, let's put it kindly, past his best). At his best, his voice was so expressive and so powerful. A master of theatrical rock, I'd love to see him again, as lo g as he was back on his mid-90s form!
2. Peter Gabriel
Peter Gabriel's voice get better with age and on songs like "Intruder" he sounds really creepy! A great range of singing, from joyous to sad to contemplative... again, very theatrical and a great storyteller through music.
3. Jacques Brel
Surely the greatest chansonnier... such a fantastic voice. Truly iconic.
This is the plan of my 10-Day Music Challenge - I'm currently on Day 8!
Day 1 - My 10 favourite albums
Day 2 - My 9 favourite songs
Day 3 - The first 8 songs to come on shuffle
Day 4 - My 7 favourite bands
Day 5 - My 6 favourite song covers
Day 6 - 5 Bands for my dream gig line-up
Day 7 - My 4 guilty pleasures (artists or songs)
Day 8 - My 3 favourite vocalists
Day 9 - My 2 favourite music videos
Day 10 - My all time favourite gig
Wednesday, 30 November 2011
OPINION: Taxation - a new way is needed
I'm watching Nick Robinson's programme "Your Money and How They Spend It" on BBC2. It's very interesting but, I'm afraid, I think it misses the point completely re: taxation.
First. I think that, if we continue to use income tax as a major form of taxation, everyone should pay the same percentage of their income - a flat taxation system. It's wrong that there are bands of taxation. Yes, there should be a personal allowance under which taxation isn't paid and, I'm sure, that would mean some low earners would pay no tax, but to have bands is anti-competitive and anti-success. It's right that everyone pays the same amount. equal contributions make for a fairer society. taxation shouldn't be about class war and, let's be honest, those on the left who defend high taxation for high earners, and yet call themselves socialists, are fighting a class war and/or have a deep-rooted envy. They don't want fairness, they want to beat the successful with a stick as hard as they can. Very, very wrong.
Yes, a flat taxation would mean tax rates going up for many but I've always strongly argued that we, as a nation, pay far too little tax. We should be pleased to pay our bit. We should be proud to contribute to a fair society.
Seond. I'm actually against income tax because, in its current form, it's easy to avoid through exceptions and exemptions and loopholes. I'd like to see income tax actually phased out over, say, 30 years, and replaced completely by sales taxes.
Sales tax are much better: not only are they harder to avoid and evade, but those who use me pay more - it's greener. Highly polluting things could be taxed at higher rates, greener things could be taxed lower, unhealthy foods taxed higher, healthy foods taxed lower... or not at all.
To change to sales tax is a big step and, with our highly conservative (with both a big and small c) political parties it is unlikely they would ever do anything that forward thinking but it would change the way society sees taxation. Success would no longer be seen as a bad thing that gets taxed higher but greed and excess would be hit by higher taxes. Surely that's a fairer system?
It would mean everyone gets all their salary with no tax or NI deductions. They can then choose exactly what to spend that mo ey on. Isn't that better?
Yes, it needs to be done internationally otherwise one nation becomes hugely expensive to tourists but, at a time when many are looking more loosely at the economy, maybe the time is right for a far more revolutionary approach and one which can lead us into the future far more securely than we can ever imagine under the current system.
First. I think that, if we continue to use income tax as a major form of taxation, everyone should pay the same percentage of their income - a flat taxation system. It's wrong that there are bands of taxation. Yes, there should be a personal allowance under which taxation isn't paid and, I'm sure, that would mean some low earners would pay no tax, but to have bands is anti-competitive and anti-success. It's right that everyone pays the same amount. equal contributions make for a fairer society. taxation shouldn't be about class war and, let's be honest, those on the left who defend high taxation for high earners, and yet call themselves socialists, are fighting a class war and/or have a deep-rooted envy. They don't want fairness, they want to beat the successful with a stick as hard as they can. Very, very wrong.
Yes, a flat taxation would mean tax rates going up for many but I've always strongly argued that we, as a nation, pay far too little tax. We should be pleased to pay our bit. We should be proud to contribute to a fair society.
Seond. I'm actually against income tax because, in its current form, it's easy to avoid through exceptions and exemptions and loopholes. I'd like to see income tax actually phased out over, say, 30 years, and replaced completely by sales taxes.
Sales tax are much better: not only are they harder to avoid and evade, but those who use me pay more - it's greener. Highly polluting things could be taxed at higher rates, greener things could be taxed lower, unhealthy foods taxed higher, healthy foods taxed lower... or not at all.
To change to sales tax is a big step and, with our highly conservative (with both a big and small c) political parties it is unlikely they would ever do anything that forward thinking but it would change the way society sees taxation. Success would no longer be seen as a bad thing that gets taxed higher but greed and excess would be hit by higher taxes. Surely that's a fairer system?
It would mean everyone gets all their salary with no tax or NI deductions. They can then choose exactly what to spend that mo ey on. Isn't that better?
Yes, it needs to be done internationally otherwise one nation becomes hugely expensive to tourists but, at a time when many are looking more loosely at the economy, maybe the time is right for a far more revolutionary approach and one which can lead us into the future far more securely than we can ever imagine under the current system.
Miliband's PMQs cock-up
Either George Osborne goes on budget holidays or cleaners and dinner ladies are paid a lot....
... or Ed Miliband is a total muppet!
... or Ed Miliband is a total muppet!
COMMENT: So what did the strikes achieve?
While the UK is very divided about today's strikes, now that they're mostly over, what exactly did they achieve?
Will the unions have changed the minds of the government? Almost certainly not. In fact, it is more likely that the government will be more entrenched and, if they are good to their word, the improved offer of a couple of weeks ago will be retracted.
Will the unions have picked up more support from the public? There may be some who, while they were unable to work today because the place they work was shut due to industrial action, will have additionally joined the protests but there is no appetite for strikes: not only was there a tiny turnout in most union ballots, but many union members continued to work today and didn't join the action (County Hall in Derbyshire was working totally normally from what I could see). The unions will have caused great problems to man today, disruption, schools closed, child care, etc. Many who were undecided will have, I suspect, found themselves leaning more towards the government position because of the intransigence of the unions and the problems their actions caused.
Will the strikers feel they have achieved something? Not when, in the cold light of day they see the government have not been persuaded, the general public has not been persuaded and, a few days Beirne Christmas, their pay slip comes through with a day's less salary than normal.
Was it worth it? Absolutely not. talks are continuing. If the union leaders are so convinced the government isn't genuinely negotiating they should withdraw from the talks. While talks continue no strike should ever have been called. People were told it was about pensions, but today the union leaders kept mentioning bankers, Tobin taxes and other issues. Occupy London briefly "occupied" a building n London's Haymarket as a general anti-capitalist protest. the truth is, today's strikes and marches were about being anti the current government; the unions lied to try to get more people on board, making out it was about pensions - it never really was. THAT was misleading and shows how little the fat cat union leaders (many of whom earn well in excess of £100k and have benefits like free houses for life) really care for their members. Today was all about politics. Today was all about the extremist left making its voice heard whilst conning the British public. The numbers show that few support them - low ballot turnout, low numbers striking.
The strikes were so idiotic and badly organised they were unable to even get backing from the Labour Party leadership. What bigger sign of failure does anyone need?
It's now time for the government to act to restrict further co-ordinated political protests masquerading as strikes. Today the unions killed their own argument and shot the British public in the foot.
Today achieved absolutely nothing. Strikes, in Western society, are a failure of unions at best and, like today, simply a con.
Unions need to get back to genuinely representing workers when it is needed and stop playing at politics and trying to overthrow governments.
Will the unions have changed the minds of the government? Almost certainly not. In fact, it is more likely that the government will be more entrenched and, if they are good to their word, the improved offer of a couple of weeks ago will be retracted.
Will the unions have picked up more support from the public? There may be some who, while they were unable to work today because the place they work was shut due to industrial action, will have additionally joined the protests but there is no appetite for strikes: not only was there a tiny turnout in most union ballots, but many union members continued to work today and didn't join the action (County Hall in Derbyshire was working totally normally from what I could see). The unions will have caused great problems to man today, disruption, schools closed, child care, etc. Many who were undecided will have, I suspect, found themselves leaning more towards the government position because of the intransigence of the unions and the problems their actions caused.
Will the strikers feel they have achieved something? Not when, in the cold light of day they see the government have not been persuaded, the general public has not been persuaded and, a few days Beirne Christmas, their pay slip comes through with a day's less salary than normal.
Was it worth it? Absolutely not. talks are continuing. If the union leaders are so convinced the government isn't genuinely negotiating they should withdraw from the talks. While talks continue no strike should ever have been called. People were told it was about pensions, but today the union leaders kept mentioning bankers, Tobin taxes and other issues. Occupy London briefly "occupied" a building n London's Haymarket as a general anti-capitalist protest. the truth is, today's strikes and marches were about being anti the current government; the unions lied to try to get more people on board, making out it was about pensions - it never really was. THAT was misleading and shows how little the fat cat union leaders (many of whom earn well in excess of £100k and have benefits like free houses for life) really care for their members. Today was all about politics. Today was all about the extremist left making its voice heard whilst conning the British public. The numbers show that few support them - low ballot turnout, low numbers striking.
The strikes were so idiotic and badly organised they were unable to even get backing from the Labour Party leadership. What bigger sign of failure does anyone need?
It's now time for the government to act to restrict further co-ordinated political protests masquerading as strikes. Today the unions killed their own argument and shot the British public in the foot.
Today achieved absolutely nothing. Strikes, in Western society, are a failure of unions at best and, like today, simply a con.
Unions need to get back to genuinely representing workers when it is needed and stop playing at politics and trying to overthrow governments.
10-Day Music Challenge: Day 7 - my 4 Guilty Pleasures
Guilty pleasures? I tend to be fairly open about my musical tastes, even when some of them are a bit embarrassing!
My musical tastes are fairly broad and include classical and pop, rock and musicals, choral music, operas, brass bands, dance music.... the list could go on. There are some styles I'm not keen on and I could draw up quite a long list of songs that I wish had never been written (this would include Unchained Melody, Memory (from "Cats"), that song from The Bodyguard in which Whitney Houston breaths in all the wrong places, and THAT song from Titanic!
So, what might count as guilty pleasures? Things that someone with a music degree probably shouldn't like?
Here goes:
1. Cheesy pop
Yes, I know it can be cringeworthy but sometimes you do just want to listen to a well-crafted cheesy pop song by the likes of Steps or Kylie. Or is it just me?
I have a soft spot for Stock, Aitken & Waterman when they were at the height of the powers, In the late 80s/early 90s, and even though some of the songs were awful, they certainly knew what the public wanted - and some of the songs were actually quite good!
2. Andrew Lloyd Webber
I know, as a supposedly "serious musician" I'm meant to tut and sneer at the good Lord but... why? Yes, he's written some shows that aren't as good as others but, let's be honest, dud Stravinsky or Mozart never have an off day? Aren't SOME of their pieces not as good as some of their greater achievements?
Jesus Christ Superstar is surely one of the greatest pieces of Twentieth Century musical theatre - right up there with West Side Story and Sweeney Todd.
ALW is a magnificent tunesmith: Joseph is just a string of fantastic melodies (and the original 20-minute cantata is fantastic, a masterpiece of that genre.
I particularly like Tell Me In A Sunday, Variations (though it does sound a little dated now, a new version is needed), and his Requiem. Yes, I like Lloyd Webber's Requiem and would love to conduct it one day.
3. A Very Ally Christmas
Yes, it's getting to that time of year again when this collection of Christmas songs from Ally McBeal (the goofy female lawyer in Boston) gets added to my iPhone playlists.
I'm not sure what it is about this album: the arrangements and performances are good; it's a good selection of songs; I liked the tv series (and in one series, I forget which one, they somehow managed to make Christmas last for several months).
It doesn't do anything than countless other Christmas albums do, but what it does it does well. Definitely worth a listen during the run-in to December 25th.
4. Ludovico Einaudi
It's typically played on Classic FM, it tends to go nowhere, a sort of musical wallpaper... but it's soothing and pleasant!
Simple piano music, minimalistic... Ahhhhh!
This is the plan of my 10-Day Music Challenge - I'm currently on Day Seven:
Day 1 - My 10 favourite albums
Day 2 - My 9 favourite songs
Day 3 - The first 8 songs to come on shuffle
Day 4 - My 7 favourite bands
Day 5 - My 6 favourite song covers
Day 6 - 5 Bands for my dream gig line-up
Day 7 - My 4 guilty pleasures (artists or songs)
Day 8 - My 3 favourite vocalists
Day 9 - My 2 favourite music videos
Day 10 - My all time favourite gig
My musical tastes are fairly broad and include classical and pop, rock and musicals, choral music, operas, brass bands, dance music.... the list could go on. There are some styles I'm not keen on and I could draw up quite a long list of songs that I wish had never been written (this would include Unchained Melody, Memory (from "Cats"), that song from The Bodyguard in which Whitney Houston breaths in all the wrong places, and THAT song from Titanic!
So, what might count as guilty pleasures? Things that someone with a music degree probably shouldn't like?
Here goes:
1. Cheesy pop
Yes, I know it can be cringeworthy but sometimes you do just want to listen to a well-crafted cheesy pop song by the likes of Steps or Kylie. Or is it just me?
I have a soft spot for Stock, Aitken & Waterman when they were at the height of the powers, In the late 80s/early 90s, and even though some of the songs were awful, they certainly knew what the public wanted - and some of the songs were actually quite good!
2. Andrew Lloyd Webber
I know, as a supposedly "serious musician" I'm meant to tut and sneer at the good Lord but... why? Yes, he's written some shows that aren't as good as others but, let's be honest, dud Stravinsky or Mozart never have an off day? Aren't SOME of their pieces not as good as some of their greater achievements?
Jesus Christ Superstar is surely one of the greatest pieces of Twentieth Century musical theatre - right up there with West Side Story and Sweeney Todd.
ALW is a magnificent tunesmith: Joseph is just a string of fantastic melodies (and the original 20-minute cantata is fantastic, a masterpiece of that genre.
I particularly like Tell Me In A Sunday, Variations (though it does sound a little dated now, a new version is needed), and his Requiem. Yes, I like Lloyd Webber's Requiem and would love to conduct it one day.
3. A Very Ally Christmas
Yes, it's getting to that time of year again when this collection of Christmas songs from Ally McBeal (the goofy female lawyer in Boston) gets added to my iPhone playlists.
I'm not sure what it is about this album: the arrangements and performances are good; it's a good selection of songs; I liked the tv series (and in one series, I forget which one, they somehow managed to make Christmas last for several months).
It doesn't do anything than countless other Christmas albums do, but what it does it does well. Definitely worth a listen during the run-in to December 25th.
4. Ludovico Einaudi
It's typically played on Classic FM, it tends to go nowhere, a sort of musical wallpaper... but it's soothing and pleasant!
Simple piano music, minimalistic... Ahhhhh!
This is the plan of my 10-Day Music Challenge - I'm currently on Day Seven:
Day 1 - My 10 favourite albums
Day 2 - My 9 favourite songs
Day 3 - The first 8 songs to come on shuffle
Day 4 - My 7 favourite bands
Day 5 - My 6 favourite song covers
Day 6 - 5 Bands for my dream gig line-up
Day 7 - My 4 guilty pleasures (artists or songs)
Day 8 - My 3 favourite vocalists
Day 9 - My 2 favourite music videos
Day 10 - My all time favourite gig
Tuesday, 29 November 2011
COMMENT: Sports Personality of the Year? No, SportsMAN of the Year
Yesterday, the shortlist for the BBC Sports Personality of the Year was announced. It's always a talking point between sports fans (as the Americans might say, a "water cooler" topic) and there's always some surprises about who has been included on the list. The 2011 shortlist, however, is more likely to be the topic of heated debate because of who it excludes.
There isn't a single woman on the 10-man shortlist despite the UK having a couple, at least, of noteworthy world champions and other successes.
What has gone on?
Now, I'm. Or one for insisting that there HAS to be a woman otherwise it's sexist (that sort of nonsense should be left with bigots like Harriet Harman) but there are very strong arguments for a couple of women to have been included on the shortlist and very weak arguments to support the inclusion of some of those who made the cut.
The shortlist, which the public can then vote on during the live show in December, includes 2 cricketers, 3 golfers, 2 athletes, a boxer and a tennis player.
There's two questions that list screams to me:
1. Does any sport REALLY justify more than one entry?
2. Why the boxer and tennis player? After all, Amir Khan and Andy Murray have had, what I think it's fair to describe as, journeyman years - achieving little that stands out or deserve major credit.
So, which women should or could have been included?
Well, there's the gymnast Beth Tweddle who won a third consecutive European gold at the bars; there's Sarah Stevenson the taekwondo world champion; and there's Rebecca Adlington returning to winning form during 2011; and I'm sure there are others who've achieved as much in their field as the names on the published shortlist.
The BBC insist the list isn't THEIR list. It's drawn up by consulting the editors of 30 publications, national press, regional press and magazines. Maybe it shouldn't just be editors of publications but organising bodies of sports? Or maybe it needs a wider pool of ideas - 30 is, after all, fairly limited.
In its defence, I guess it avoided having any footballers or rugby players in a year of disappointments. And I, personally, am pleased that no jockeys are listed - animal abuse has no place in sport.
Here is the shortlist (in alphabetical order). I think nobody should vote in protest at the nonsense that this list demonstrates.
*Mark Cavendish (Cycling)
*Darren Clarke (Golf)
*Alastair Cook (Cricket)
*Luke Donald (Golf)
*Mo Farah (Athletics)
*Dai Greene (Athletics)
*Amir Khan (Boxing)
*Rory McIlroy (Golf)
*Andy Murray (Tennis)
*Andrew Strauss (Cricket)
There isn't a single woman on the 10-man shortlist despite the UK having a couple, at least, of noteworthy world champions and other successes.
What has gone on?
Now, I'm. Or one for insisting that there HAS to be a woman otherwise it's sexist (that sort of nonsense should be left with bigots like Harriet Harman) but there are very strong arguments for a couple of women to have been included on the shortlist and very weak arguments to support the inclusion of some of those who made the cut.
The shortlist, which the public can then vote on during the live show in December, includes 2 cricketers, 3 golfers, 2 athletes, a boxer and a tennis player.
There's two questions that list screams to me:
1. Does any sport REALLY justify more than one entry?
2. Why the boxer and tennis player? After all, Amir Khan and Andy Murray have had, what I think it's fair to describe as, journeyman years - achieving little that stands out or deserve major credit.
So, which women should or could have been included?
Well, there's the gymnast Beth Tweddle who won a third consecutive European gold at the bars; there's Sarah Stevenson the taekwondo world champion; and there's Rebecca Adlington returning to winning form during 2011; and I'm sure there are others who've achieved as much in their field as the names on the published shortlist.
The BBC insist the list isn't THEIR list. It's drawn up by consulting the editors of 30 publications, national press, regional press and magazines. Maybe it shouldn't just be editors of publications but organising bodies of sports? Or maybe it needs a wider pool of ideas - 30 is, after all, fairly limited.
In its defence, I guess it avoided having any footballers or rugby players in a year of disappointments. And I, personally, am pleased that no jockeys are listed - animal abuse has no place in sport.
Here is the shortlist (in alphabetical order). I think nobody should vote in protest at the nonsense that this list demonstrates.
*Mark Cavendish (Cycling)
*Darren Clarke (Golf)
*Alastair Cook (Cricket)
*Luke Donald (Golf)
*Mo Farah (Athletics)
*Dai Greene (Athletics)
*Amir Khan (Boxing)
*Rory McIlroy (Golf)
*Andy Murray (Tennis)
*Andrew Strauss (Cricket)
10-Day Music Challenge: Day Six - 5 Bands for my Dream Gig Line-up
This one needs a bit of thought... 5 acts for my own mini-festival...
I need a good opening act, a couple of warm-ups, a headliner and then, maybe, a final act to party on into the night. A bit of a mixture, compliment each other and, yet, contrast with each other...
I'm going to be liberal with "band" and include solo artists too... (yes, I know, but it's my list so I can adapt the rules however I want!).
1. Opening Act: Badly Drawn Boy
An understated start to the gig. Simple, perfect little songs.
2. Second Up: Tim Minchin
A musical and comedy genius!
3. Warm-Up Act: The Divine Comedy
Cynical, comedic and always beautifully orchestrated.
4. Headliners: U2
Some find them OTT and pompous, but isn't that what you want from your headline act? Something exceptional in the staging as well as the music?
5. Party into the Night: Kylie Minogue
It was a close call between Kylie and the Pet Shop Boys... But, for a party into the night, surely it's Kylie that wins through? Who can forget the closing ceremony of the Sydney Olympics?
What would you have included in your ideal gig line-up?
This is the plan of my 10-Day Music Challenge - I'm currently on Day Six:
Day 1 - My 10 favourite albums
Day 2 - My 9 favourite songs
Day 3 - The first 8 songs to come on shuffle
Day 4 - My 7 favourite bands
Day 5 - My 6 favourite song covers
Day 6 - 5 Bands for my dream gig line-up
Day 7 - My 4 guilty pleasures (artists or songs)
Day 8 - My 3 favourite vocalists
Day 9 - My 2 favourite music videos
Day 10 - My all time favourite gig
I need a good opening act, a couple of warm-ups, a headliner and then, maybe, a final act to party on into the night. A bit of a mixture, compliment each other and, yet, contrast with each other...
I'm going to be liberal with "band" and include solo artists too... (yes, I know, but it's my list so I can adapt the rules however I want!).
1. Opening Act: Badly Drawn Boy
An understated start to the gig. Simple, perfect little songs.
2. Second Up: Tim Minchin
A musical and comedy genius!
3. Warm-Up Act: The Divine Comedy
Cynical, comedic and always beautifully orchestrated.
4. Headliners: U2
Some find them OTT and pompous, but isn't that what you want from your headline act? Something exceptional in the staging as well as the music?
5. Party into the Night: Kylie Minogue
It was a close call between Kylie and the Pet Shop Boys... But, for a party into the night, surely it's Kylie that wins through? Who can forget the closing ceremony of the Sydney Olympics?
What would you have included in your ideal gig line-up?
This is the plan of my 10-Day Music Challenge - I'm currently on Day Six:
Day 1 - My 10 favourite albums
Day 2 - My 9 favourite songs
Day 3 - The first 8 songs to come on shuffle
Day 4 - My 7 favourite bands
Day 5 - My 6 favourite song covers
Day 6 - 5 Bands for my dream gig line-up
Day 7 - My 4 guilty pleasures (artists or songs)
Day 8 - My 3 favourite vocalists
Day 9 - My 2 favourite music videos
Day 10 - My all time favourite gig
Monday, 28 November 2011
10-Day Music Challenge: Day Five - my 6 favourite song covers
1. My Way - Sid Vicious
(Original: Comme d'habitude - Claude François)
2. Nothing Compares 2U - Sinead O'Connor
(Original: The Family)
3. Don't Leave Me This Way - The Communards
(Original: Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes)
4. Handbags and Gladrags - Stereophonics
(Original: Rod Stewart)
5. Jump - Paul Anka
(Original: Van Halen)
6. Always on my Mind - Pet Shop Boys
(Original: Brenda Lee; other versions by Elvis Presley, Willie Nelson)
And, by way of contrast, 6 DREADFUL cover songs!
1. I'll be Missing You - Puff Daddy
(Original: Every Breath You Take - The Police)
2. Candle in the Wind 1997 - Elton John
(Original: Elton John)
3. American Pie - Madonna
(Original: Don MacLean)
4. Dock of the Bay - Michael Bolton
(Original: Otis Redding)
5. Smells Like Teen Spirit Spirit - Take That
(Original: Nirvana)
6. I Love Rock'n'Roll - Britney Spears
(Original: Joan Jett & the Blackhearts)
This is the plan of my 10-Day Music Challenge - I'm currently on Day Five:
Day 1 - My 10 favourite albums
Day 2 - My 9 favourite songs
Day 3 - The first 8 songs to come on shuffle
Day 4 - My 7 favourite bands
Day 5 - My 6 favourite song covers
Day 6 - 5 Bands for my dream gig line up
Day 7 - My 4 guilty pleasures (artists or songs)
Day 8 - My 3 favourite vocalists
Day 9 - My 2 favourite music videos
Day 10 - My all time favourite gig
(Original: Comme d'habitude - Claude François)
2. Nothing Compares 2U - Sinead O'Connor
(Original: The Family)
3. Don't Leave Me This Way - The Communards
(Original: Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes)
4. Handbags and Gladrags - Stereophonics
(Original: Rod Stewart)
5. Jump - Paul Anka
(Original: Van Halen)
6. Always on my Mind - Pet Shop Boys
(Original: Brenda Lee; other versions by Elvis Presley, Willie Nelson)
And, by way of contrast, 6 DREADFUL cover songs!
1. I'll be Missing You - Puff Daddy
(Original: Every Breath You Take - The Police)
2. Candle in the Wind 1997 - Elton John
(Original: Elton John)
3. American Pie - Madonna
(Original: Don MacLean)
4. Dock of the Bay - Michael Bolton
(Original: Otis Redding)
5. Smells Like Teen Spirit Spirit - Take That
(Original: Nirvana)
6. I Love Rock'n'Roll - Britney Spears
(Original: Joan Jett & the Blackhearts)
This is the plan of my 10-Day Music Challenge - I'm currently on Day Five:
Day 1 - My 10 favourite albums
Day 2 - My 9 favourite songs
Day 3 - The first 8 songs to come on shuffle
Day 4 - My 7 favourite bands
Day 5 - My 6 favourite song covers
Day 6 - 5 Bands for my dream gig line up
Day 7 - My 4 guilty pleasures (artists or songs)
Day 8 - My 3 favourite vocalists
Day 9 - My 2 favourite music videos
Day 10 - My all time favourite gig
Sunday, 27 November 2011
10-Day Music Challenge: Day Four - my favourite 7 bands
Ooo a very tricky one! Trying not to double up with too many artists already listed or likely to come up in later lists is tricky....
Oh bugger it!
Here goes. My favourite 7 bands...
1. The Divine Comedy
2. Hothouse Flowers
3. Pet Shop Boys
4. Elbow
5. The Cure
6. Blur
7. Squeeze
That was definitely the hardest day so far!
What bands would you include?
This is the plan of my 10-Day Music Challenge - I'm currently on Day Four:
Day 1 - My 10 favourite albums
Day 2 - My 9 favourite songs
Day 3 - The first 8 songs to come on shuffle
Day 4 - My 7 favourite bands
Day 5 - My 6 favourite song covers
Day 6 - 5 Bands for my dream gig line up
Day 7 - My 4 guilty pleasures (artists or songs)
Day 8 - My 3 favourite vocalists
Day 9 - My 2 favourite music videos
Day 10 - My all time favourite gig
Oh bugger it!
Here goes. My favourite 7 bands...
1. The Divine Comedy
2. Hothouse Flowers
3. Pet Shop Boys
4. Elbow
5. The Cure
6. Blur
7. Squeeze
That was definitely the hardest day so far!
What bands would you include?
This is the plan of my 10-Day Music Challenge - I'm currently on Day Four:
Day 1 - My 10 favourite albums
Day 2 - My 9 favourite songs
Day 3 - The first 8 songs to come on shuffle
Day 4 - My 7 favourite bands
Day 5 - My 6 favourite song covers
Day 6 - 5 Bands for my dream gig line up
Day 7 - My 4 guilty pleasures (artists or songs)
Day 8 - My 3 favourite vocalists
Day 9 - My 2 favourite music videos
Day 10 - My all time favourite gig
Saturday, 26 November 2011
10-Day Music Challenge: Day Three - the first 8 songs to come on shuffle
Day Three of my 10-Day Music Challenge and I may have to bend the rules slightly as I have a fair bit of instrumental music on my iPhone - so, despite regularly having to correct students who refer to a symphony or an overture as a song, I'm going to do the first 8 pieces of music that come on shuffle, whether they be a song or instrumental.
Unlike Days One and Two, at least Day Three involves no thinking!
Here goes..... SHUFFLE!!
1. Up! with end credits (Michael Giacchino)
2. Secret World (live) (Peter Gabriel)
3. Amigos Para Siempre (Friends Forever)(Sarah Brightman & Jose Carreras)
4. Hand Covers Bruise (from "The Social Network") by Trent Reznor & Atticus Ross
5. In Pursuit of Happiness (The Divine Comedy)
6. Skimbleshanks, the Railway Cat (from "Cats" by Andrew Lloyd Webber)
7. The Grid (from "Koyaanisqatsi" by Philip Glass)
8. Les piqûres d'araignées (Vincent Delerm)
What comes up on your shuffle list?
This is the plan of my 10-Day Music Challenge - I'm currently on Day Three:
Day 1 - My 10 favourite albums
Day 2 - My 9 favourite songs
Day 3 - The first 8 songs to come on shuffle
Day 4 - My 7 favourite bands
Day 5 - My 6 favourite song covers
Day 6 - 5 Bands for my dream gig line up
Day 7 - My 4 guilty pleasures (artists or songs)
Day 8 - My 3 favourite vocalists
Day 9 - My 2 favourite music videos
Day 10 - My all time favourite gig
Unlike Days One and Two, at least Day Three involves no thinking!
Here goes..... SHUFFLE!!
1. Up! with end credits (Michael Giacchino)
2. Secret World (live) (Peter Gabriel)
3. Amigos Para Siempre (Friends Forever)(Sarah Brightman & Jose Carreras)
4. Hand Covers Bruise (from "The Social Network") by Trent Reznor & Atticus Ross
5. In Pursuit of Happiness (The Divine Comedy)
6. Skimbleshanks, the Railway Cat (from "Cats" by Andrew Lloyd Webber)
7. The Grid (from "Koyaanisqatsi" by Philip Glass)
8. Les piqûres d'araignées (Vincent Delerm)
What comes up on your shuffle list?
This is the plan of my 10-Day Music Challenge - I'm currently on Day Three:
Day 1 - My 10 favourite albums
Day 2 - My 9 favourite songs
Day 3 - The first 8 songs to come on shuffle
Day 4 - My 7 favourite bands
Day 5 - My 6 favourite song covers
Day 6 - 5 Bands for my dream gig line up
Day 7 - My 4 guilty pleasures (artists or songs)
Day 8 - My 3 favourite vocalists
Day 9 - My 2 favourite music videos
Day 10 - My all time favourite gig
Friday, 25 November 2011
OPINION: Gove sinks to a new low with Bible plan
Education Secretary, Michael Gove, is much-pilloried by the teaching profession and the general public. On occasions, I've thought this rather harsh, but he deserves every bit of grief he will, I hope, receive over his latest plan.
Gove wants to give a single copy of a special edition of the King James' Version of the Bible to each school. Each copy will cost the Department for Education £10, and so the total cost is going to be about £200,000 (apparently, according to The Guardian, the DfE reckon the total cost will be £375,000)! In a time of austerity and budget constraints that seems a bizarrely large amount of money to spend.
After all, haven't all school libraries already got a copy of each of the main religions' holy books? Even if they don't, I'm sure they have the Internet and can access, for free, umpteen different translations of the Bible.
Yes, the KJV is/was a very important book and it is rightfully regarded as a significant part of British history, but, for one thing, the 400th anniversary, the apparent inspiration for the distribution, is this year, 2011. Are the Bibles ready to go? Budget-approved? Waiting to be sent? How much will the distribution, alone, cost on top of the £10 per copy?!
Then there's the issue of the Bible itself. Any right-thinking person knows very little of it has any historical or factual basis. Many of the best stories, including most of the Jesus-myth, are, we'll be generous, borrowed from earlier religions. None of the headlining stories have any basis in history, archaeology, geography, science or fact. Why on earth is the Bible being donated to schools, remember just one copy per school, rather than, say something by Darwin or Dawkins?
One copy will, I predict, sit on a bookshelf in the Headteacher's office, gathering dust for most of the year. The only time a pupil is ever likely to see or use the special Bible is if they use it for readings at the Christmas carol service.
At a time when education is struggling, when schools are scrambling about for money surely there's more important things to spend the £375k on? Should the government, via the DfE, be giving free publicity for one of the biggest, wealthiest organisations in the country.... the Church?
I hope lots of schools simply return the copies to Gove. Or flog them on E-Bay and use the money for something useful, worthwhile and educational.
Mr. Gove, as Secretary of State for Education, your job is to facilitate education and guide and assist schools, keeping an eye on budgets and improving the learning if every child in the land. It is not to help the church manipulate and brainwash a new generation of "believers" and it is not to waste money on pointless baubles that have more to do with you trying to achieve immortality than worthwhile education.
Gove wants to give a single copy of a special edition of the King James' Version of the Bible to each school. Each copy will cost the Department for Education £10, and so the total cost is going to be about £200,000 (apparently, according to The Guardian, the DfE reckon the total cost will be £375,000)! In a time of austerity and budget constraints that seems a bizarrely large amount of money to spend.
After all, haven't all school libraries already got a copy of each of the main religions' holy books? Even if they don't, I'm sure they have the Internet and can access, for free, umpteen different translations of the Bible.
Yes, the KJV is/was a very important book and it is rightfully regarded as a significant part of British history, but, for one thing, the 400th anniversary, the apparent inspiration for the distribution, is this year, 2011. Are the Bibles ready to go? Budget-approved? Waiting to be sent? How much will the distribution, alone, cost on top of the £10 per copy?!
Then there's the issue of the Bible itself. Any right-thinking person knows very little of it has any historical or factual basis. Many of the best stories, including most of the Jesus-myth, are, we'll be generous, borrowed from earlier religions. None of the headlining stories have any basis in history, archaeology, geography, science or fact. Why on earth is the Bible being donated to schools, remember just one copy per school, rather than, say something by Darwin or Dawkins?
One copy will, I predict, sit on a bookshelf in the Headteacher's office, gathering dust for most of the year. The only time a pupil is ever likely to see or use the special Bible is if they use it for readings at the Christmas carol service.
At a time when education is struggling, when schools are scrambling about for money surely there's more important things to spend the £375k on? Should the government, via the DfE, be giving free publicity for one of the biggest, wealthiest organisations in the country.... the Church?
I hope lots of schools simply return the copies to Gove. Or flog them on E-Bay and use the money for something useful, worthwhile and educational.
Mr. Gove, as Secretary of State for Education, your job is to facilitate education and guide and assist schools, keeping an eye on budgets and improving the learning if every child in the land. It is not to help the church manipulate and brainwash a new generation of "believers" and it is not to waste money on pointless baubles that have more to do with you trying to achieve immortality than worthwhile education.
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