I shudder these days when I read the news, especially online. I say news yet what I really mean is opinion. With all this talk of fake news it is difficult to separate the reporting of events from the writer’s perspective. Much of what I come across these days is little more than propaganda. One … Continue reading All people are…
Rip up the textbooks on private schools
I occasionally buy a copy of ‘The Big Issue’. Homelessness is a serious issue and I would like to support the work that they are doing but they compete on the high street with so many other worthy causes. I feel guilty every time I pass someone rattling a tin, shaking a bucket, sitting at … Continue reading Rip up the textbooks on private schools
The Government has responded
I don’t know why I bother really. Another day goes by and I have received yet another email from the Government responding to a petition that I have signed. Whatever the worthy cause, in my opinion, the answer is always the same. No, basically. The problem I have though is that the email is always … Continue reading The Government has responded
Freedom of movement
I am prepared to accept that the family unit is under pressure. They are much smaller entities and much more dispersed than they were a century ago. Many of today’s social problems can, in part be attributed to their breakdown. Care for the elderly, social loneliness and the shortage of housing are amongst those that … Continue reading Freedom of movement
Tinder politics
I was amazed when watching a programme on television the other night about the algorithms that support online dating agencies, not with the complexity of the calculations but rather with the number of sites there are and the number of people using them. This is a big business. I am fortunate never have had the … Continue reading Tinder politics
Autocracy is bad
I get that autocracy is bad. Absolute power always leads to absolute corruption and someone can only gain absolute authority through some form of coup or acts of violence. Autocracy and democracy are clearly incompatible. I am also a long way away from Venezuela yet from my vantage point it looks like President Nicolás Maduro … Continue reading Autocracy is bad
When good is bad
One of my most read blogs is entitled Wolves are evil but Lions are good. It shows how humans have the ability to hold two opposing ideas in their heads at the same time. My argument is that both creatures occupy the same niche in their environment yet have come to stand at opposing ends … Continue reading When good is bad
Perspectives on the law
There has been so much to concern myself with in the news over the last few weeks. The whole political situation has not me quite depressed. I’m not sure why but I am finding it difficult to sleep and am even more irritable than normal. I should avoid the press and media for a few … Continue reading Perspectives on the law
The politics of thirds
One of my daughters bought me a subscription to The Economist. It is a fascinating mixture of articles about money and politics. As if the two are separate! I am enjoying reading it and look forward to the magazine landing on my doormat every week. What I have found most interesting is the stories of … Continue reading The politics of thirds
Getting to somewhere
I’ve started reading ‘The road to Somewhere, by David Goodhart, which describes the potential causes behind the dramatic shift in politics over the last few years. It talks in terms of people who belong anywhere and those that belong somewhere. May herself gave a nod to such thinking in her ‘citizens of nowhere’ speech. “But, … Continue reading Getting to somewhere
Thoughts from a Guerrilla Worker 