To mark my 15000 tweet I said that I would blog and the title of that blog was suggested by one of my tweefriends (Is there such a word? I don't know but there is now!) The challenge was what would I muse on?
So after some serious thought I've decided to look at several things that are doing the rounds at the moment. After all blogging is about recording moments in time as well as feeling rather self satisfied because you have actually sat down and put pen to paper (or rather finger tip to keyboard).
Magna Carta, is that some kind of ice cream?
In 1215 at a place called Runnymede King John signed a piece of paper that would enshrine some fundamental rights to our people
"No Freeman shall be taken or imprisoned, or be disseized of his Freehold, or Liberties, or free Customs, or be outlawed, or exiled, or any other wise destroyed; nor will We not pass upon him, nor condemn him, but by lawful judgment of his Peers, or by the Law of the land."
In 1642 Parliament and the King declared war upon each other because the King had decided that he was above the law of the land. It led to the end of the Monarchy as Britain had known it since pre-Norman times. It was the largest single realignment of power in this country since Harold had his eye put out. It was effectively a changing of the guard and a strike for democracy and the rule of the people and their representatives.
In 1939 this country stood alone against a tyrant that would bring the world to the edge of collapse. Once again we stood for freedom. And throughout my childhood there was constant fear of nuclear attack because we again were at the front of the war for democracy.
And now in 2013 we roll back to 1215 pre-Magna Carta. Why? The use of secret courts.
This government, as the previous one would like that our dirty linen not be washed in public. It would like that we Joe Public were not aware of the nasty little things that go on behind closed doors in the name of national security. Or better put in yours and my name!
The idea of bringing in secret courts is as abhorrent to this commentator as it should be to every free man, woman and child in this country who cherishes democracy. It should be condemned to history like the rack, the Spanish Inquisition and the gallows.
We rally against Syria, Iran and North Korea for their total disregard to their citizens yet are we any better?
We are supposedly a democracy and we are supposedly free. How can that be when the State is seeking to deny us of knowledge or of a fair trial? That is no better than dictatorship and isn't that what we fight so readily against? So are we heading for another Civil War? I hope not and I would not suggest ever taking arms up against a democratically elected body. However if we are fundamentally going to change the whole focus of our Justice system surely we the public have a right to our point of view don't we?
This is serious folks it could easily be you in the dock and these powers make it virtually impossible for you to fight against.
http://www.amnesty.org.uk/news_details.asp?NewsID=20659
The Death of an Icon
The National Health Service is one of the greatest icons that the world has ever seen in a drive for civilisation. It is a proud achievement that a country as small as the United Kingdom could lead the way in how we look after our sick and needy. And today it is headed by a man who will not resign even though he admitted he was complicit in the deaths of hundreds through neglect. It's a bit like welcoming back Josef Mengele and saying run our children's homes for us Herr Doktor.
Why won't the new Nazi's in power do anything about this? Is it because they are in cahoots with Nicholson? ( I no longer use the phrase Sir David because a knight should have honour) Does he know something that we don't?
And you may think that I am being disparaging by referring to Cameron et al. as being the equivalent of that heinous regime the Third Reich however all evidence is to the contrary at the moment. Sick and disabled are being maligned, rights are being eroded and the NHS something they swore to protect has been effectively put up for sale to the highest bidder. And when people die then those responsible get to keep their jobs and smile into their pensions.
http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/nhs-privatisation-plan-stopped-health-1734326
The NHS may not be perfect and it can be improved but do you really want to be wondering if you will be able to afford medical treatment should the need arise? Block this now and prevent the greatest travesty of our generation taking place. Defend the NHS, defend the right to healthcare.
I'm only being human
The Home Secretary has decided along with the other members of the coven that run our country that we will pull out of the Human Rights Act.
Now I can understand why people hate the Human Rights Act when it allows certain individuals to preach hate however there are fundamental rights that we all have that should be respected regardless and this Home Secretary would have us in sack cloth and ashes again
True democracy is defending the right of someone to say something that you would disagree with and vehemently oppose with your last breath.
And if we kill the Human Rights Act what if a new Marx or Engels came forward would we be able to hear their views or would be restricted by the State to what is good for us?
Sorry did I hear you say Goebbels or was that No Balls?
Suffer the little children
As an educationalist I am concerned that the propaganda that is been spouted about raising standards is really all about return to Victorian brainwashing. It is intrinsically a move made by Government, any Government who wants to be seen to appealing to worried parents about children getting on in life.
Watch this short video from Sir Ken Robinson and RSA animations. Maybe it will challenge your thought process about how we learn and why we are controlled in that learning.
http://www.ted.com/talks/ken_robinson_changing_education_paradigms.html
Gove is an education minister that doesn't understand learning and how to make a better future for all of us. We can't predict what will happen in 5 years now yet we are educating children with methods that are hundreds of years old for a future in 60 years. How can we possibly know that that will work? Even Einstein or Hawking could not be classed as that clever!
Change the Paradigms improve the possibilities
It's tough up North
Rebecca Meredith is regarded as on of the top 20 public speakers in the world apparently yet the Cambridge student came in for a right ear bashing up in Glasgow
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2288148/Cambridge-debating-stars-left-tears-sexist-heckles-looks-prestigious-student-competition.html
Now Miss Meredith you really need to develop a tougher skin. Glasgow is a tough audience, even the fleas on the rats have bodyguards up there. I know I've lectured up there they don't take prisoners. The thing is though if you really are as skilled as your write ups suggest then surely you wouldn't run off stage crying at the heckles of a man who had obviously left his guide dog at home. And he must have been blind because let's face it you are pretty and you are good looking. I've debated in Varsity championships and have won may a trophy in years gone by but remembering one debate in Liverpool in the 80's I recall what Austin Mitchell said about following Matthew Parris.
" I feel like a cross between a man with herpes and HIV, an incurable romantic"
Now I didn't like Austin Mitchell but he enthralled me by that speech and he changed my mind about him. The secret to surviving a heckling audience is to either turn them round in your favour or buy a book called
Stand Up Put Downs by Rufus Hound
There's one or two good ways of shutting up idiots in the audience that way. Even shuts up the odd hardened Glasweigian.
And Finally
There's a phrase that has become close to my heart and something of a catchphrase to me particularly on twitter. And the reason for that? Well I just hate it when there is trouble and strife about and want to make sure I leave people with a positive thought.
So to end this blog just remember
Live your life with passion and above all........
peace and happiness to you all
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