tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-88789108786590941942024-03-17T20:02:24.975-07:00Between The LinesPaul's own unique take on the issues of the dayPaul Donovanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13961744754991961304noreply@blogger.comBlogger1124125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8878910878659094194.post-85086747927624202702024-03-08T03:49:00.000-08:002024-03-16T12:40:47.726-07:00Just for one day - Live Aid to foodbanks
The Old Vic production of Just for One Day focuses on the Live Aid concert of 13 July 1985.
It was a momentous occasion, as leading musicians from across the world came together to put on a momentous show. The aim to raise money to alleviate famine in Ethiopia.
David Bowie, Paul McCartney, Elton John and Queen were among those who performed.
The hits ring out in this great celebration. The story is also of how Boomtown Rats lead singer, Bob Geldof, moved heaven and earth, with the help of a few others, to make it happen.
A shout out here for Wanstead resident, Jackie Clune, who plays a central role, as narrator, Suzanne, in the production.
Just for One Day brought back memories of the 1980s, raising money to try to alleviate poverty around the world. People coming together to get change.
Yet, these actions by thousands of young people were rather against the political narrative of the time. It was the decade of Margaret Thatcher, the mantra of greed is good and there is no such thing as society.
The response of the Thatcher government to crises like the famine in Ethiopia was grudging to put it mildly. The musical covers how Thatcher was literally dragged along with the popular clamour to act. Never slow to see a good PR opportunity, she clambered aboard.
The Thatcher government though was always happier selling weapons around the world than promoting peace - a tradition that her successors in government today have continued.
The Live Aid/Band Aid extravaganzas bred a whole plethora of charitable enterprise headed by celebs looking for good PR - from Comic and Sport Relief to Children in Need.
All do great work but all are about charity. They are not about changing the unjust structures that create the crises in the first place. At best, they are a plaster on the wound (a band aid), at worst an excuse to not really act.
The charity versus justice question was illustrated to me a few years ago, when campaigning for refugees locally. A church congregation reacted with great generosity to a call for clothing, foodstuffs etc to support refugees. There was, though, decidedly less interest in examining why the refugees had fled their own countries seeking sanctuary elsewhere.
Today, things seem to have come full circle since 1985. The country is richer now than then, yet foodbanks proliferate. Feeding the world has taken on a whole wider meaning. Tory politicians praise the institution of food banks rather than hang their heads in shame that they have become necessary here.
Charity will always be needed but charity must never obfuscate the need to attain justice. Only then can the real obstacle to a more equal, just world be attained.
Just for One Day is on until 30 MarchPaul Donovanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13961744754991961304noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8878910878659094194.post-32770195385438324602024-03-06T06:24:00.000-08:002024-03-06T06:24:06.482-08:00Saving Aldersbrook Medical CentreThe role of the GP has changed dramatically over the years, not always for the better.
I remember when growing up we had an excellent GP, Dr Sheila Griffith's. She ran a practice together with her husband, Ronald, based in East Ham.
Dr Sheila was almost a member of the family, always there to help.
In those days, I'm sure there was none of the anodyne services on offer these days when booking an appointment. Ring at 8am, no matter how ill you are, to have any chance of a same-day appointment.
There is almost an expectation that your illness should be timetabled - scheduled for a convenient slot.
A lot of the personal touch from GPs in days gone by has been lost. That said, we are very lucky in Wanstead with the GP surgeries, most of which offer an excellent service.
One practice that seems to be very popular is the Aldersbrook Medical Centre.
Previously, there had been complaints about the service on offer to the 4,000 residents of the Aldersbrook Estate. That was until the Hackney-based Richmond Road Partnership arrived and took over five years ago.
It has really gone the extra mile. The satisfaction level has seen the practice take on another 1,700 patients.
The Richmond Road Partnership expected to roll its contract on for another five years. But in the usual let's try to get a quart out of a pint pot approach, NHS managers want the same service to be provided for up to 10% less.
The Richmond Road Partnership is already stretched, so cannot provide the same service for less.
This bureaucratic bean counting that assumes that public services can always be done for less is nonsensical. The services may be cut but that usually impacts staff, cutting numbers or terms and conditions.
In the end, if you continue down this crazy cuts route, the service simply cannot be provided. We are seeing the results of this madness in local government across the land.
The people of Aldersbrook though are not to be trifled with.
A campaign has begun to keep the Richmond Road Practice managing Aldersbrook Medical Centre.
A well-attended meeting was held last week, where members of the Aldersbrook Medical Centre Patient Participation Group and doctors from the practice spoke. The petition (https://openletter.earth/aldersbrook-medical-centre-funding-cuts-e5bc13a1) calling for the same service to remain has already gathered hundreds of signatures.
Let's hope the managers are listening to the people. They have an excellent GP practice, so why not allow it to continue? Listen to the doctors and patients, not the faceless bean counting bureaucrats.Paul Donovanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13961744754991961304noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8878910878659094194.post-33185368726806679192024-02-23T06:08:00.000-08:002024-02-23T06:08:58.965-08:00Have football fans changed?What is going on with football fans these days? The thought occurred following West Ham's recent 6-0 defeat against Arsenal at the London Stadium.
West Ham were four down at half time, igniting a mass exodus from the ground. Every time a goal went in more people headed for the exits. By the end of the game, the stadium was less than half full.
Ok, the fans were disappointed and could see no way back. But leave?
Many is the game over the years, when fans crammed into the old Upton Park.The days when much of the attendance was standing. Few would leave, no matter what the score.
Now, things have only got to start going the wrong way and some fans are on their way back to Westfield.
So have the fans changed. Back in the 1970s and 80s, fans would queue for hours just to get in.
Yet today, lots of fans routinely turn up late and leave early. Lots go early to get refreshments at half time. Amazingly, many leave early, with the result of the match very much in the balance.
The game can be finely poised, on level terms or one side in the lead by a goal but there are still a bunch of fans that favour the early dart.
Then, there is the posing. It seems very important to fans today to take selfies of themselves with the stadium providing the backdrop. In short, there seem to be quite a lot of fans attending today, whose least concern is the football.
And, it is not just West Ham. The managers of other teams have commented on the lack of atmosphere and passion - the failure of the fans to get behind the team.
So have things changed? Well, the cost certainly has - most of those attending will be paying upwards of £50 for a ticket . Even, in these inflationary times, the cost of attending a football match has far outstripped rises in the cost of living.
Many of those who used to attend football have been priced off the terraces. Have the middle classes taken over - maybe?
Yet, the transformation in football since the advent of the Premier League has been dramatic. The game is more popular than ever, helped by the mass TV exposure. It is safer and more comfortable to attend. It is also more of a family entertainment, with men, women and children attending. The growth of women's football has been a breath of fresh air. So plenty of positives.
No doubt, things ain't what they used to be and that in many ways is a good thing. The violence that marred football matches in the past has practically been eradicated. The game has become a trailblazer, rather than a backwater, when it comes to confronting racism, sexism and homophobia.
So, many many positives. The worry has to be whether the modern game has lost some of its soul. Is it still for working people? Is the loyalty and passion of the football supporter still there? Do fans just want to physically get together with their phones? Everyone will have an opinion but one thing for sure is that the game is a changing.Paul Donovanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13961744754991961304noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8878910878659094194.post-77553958359795235292024-02-13T02:48:00.000-08:002024-02-13T02:48:27.711-08:00Vengeance based criminal justice system is just storing up problems for the futureSome years ago a neighbour, Gladys Cornwall, was confronted by an intruder in her house.
It was late at night, when she literally bumped into the man in her house. He fled. The police arrived, taking a statement and providing support.
Well into her 70s at the time, Gladys lived on her own but did not want to stay in the house alone that night. She stayed at mine, returning the next day.
I had known Gladys (Mrs Cornwall to us) all my life.
What was amazing about Gladys was how she bore no malice towards the intruder. She forgave him unconditionally. No need for vengeance or retribution.
She was able to carry on with life, rather than getting eaten up with vengeance.
Today, vengeance and punishment seems to be the all encompassing motivation relating to offenders.
There seems to be an attitude, particularly in the media lexicon on crime, that catching and punishing criminals is all that matters. Fill the prisons up, build more when necessary. Crime and punishment has become a nice little earner for the private sector.
The concepts of vengeance and justice seem to have got mixed up. They are different things.
When someone loses someone or is violated in some way, most people want some recompense. This maybe the perpetrator being caught and punished, compensation for a wrong done or whatever.
Justice though encompasses far more than vengeance. The situation needs to be made better for all concerned.
At a popular level, there is a belief that once someone is locked away out of sight and out of mind, that is job done. All can move on. This is simply not the case. The victims have to live with the consequences of the crime - as does the perpetrator.
Restorative justice schemes are a way of trying to get justice on all sides. Bringing victim and perpetrator together in the right circumstances to try to get some resolution.
Rehabilitation of offenders is also vital. Many lack basic literacy and numeracy skills. They need these and other skills, if they are going to pursue a different productive route when they leave confinement. And most do come out. All but a handful will come out and could be living next door to anyone. Better surely that they have the skills needed to pursue a legitimate path in life, rather than a criminal one, negatively impacting others all over again.
What society needs is to address the causes of crime and deal with perpetrators in a way that ensures they do reoffend. A vengeance based system, putting people out of sight and out of mind with little rehabilitation, just stores up bigger problems for the future.Paul Donovanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13961744754991961304noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8878910878659094194.post-90654823530670015942024-02-08T04:15:00.000-08:002024-02-08T04:15:54.986-08:00Time is running out, as climate clock climbs toward 1.5 degreesThere have been many warnings about the need to stay below 1.5 degrees of warming above pre-industrial levels, if the world is to avoid climate disaster.
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change warned of the need to stay below 1.5 degrees, declaring that going beyond that level would bring on famine, droughts, floods and devastation.
The Paris UN Climate Conference in 2015 called for a 45% cut in carbon dioxide emissions from the 2010 level by 2030, proceeding on to net zero by 2050.
Guess what, last year was the warmest in recent history, with the climate clock moving perilously close to the 1.5 degree warming target.
We have seen 40 degrees temperatures in this country. Drought and floods are commonplace. Rising sea levels are becoming the norm, as we seem to be sleep walking towards the crisis.
As the crisis deepens, we are served by a back to the future government, putting it's head in the sand. The Tory government is going backwards on climate agenda - handing out fossil fuel extraction licences like confetti. It is notable while the government is letting oil companies drill across some of our most outstanding landscapes, it continues to be less than enthusiastic about renewable onshore wind. Still let’s hope a Labour Government, with a green agenda, will soon come to office.
Against this background, it has been great to see progression on the climate and biodiversity agenda in the borough over the past four years, since Councillor Jo Blackman and myself brought the Climate Emergency Motion to the council.
There is a climate action plan with 114 targets, some 85 of these are well on track. The use of more renewable sources of energy, converting council vehicles to sustainable sources and more active travel options are among the highlights. Progress has been steady.
On biodiversity, there has been extensive tree planting, the extension of the wild grow zone areas, the advance of pollinator pathways and tree pit developments. Exciting plans are afoot at Fairlop and Hainault Forest.
In our borough, the climate and biodiversity agenda is advancing, the main problem being speed. The lack of government funding to address this emergency is breathtaking. An emergency needs real investment from central government. Climate and biodiversity really need to come up the agenda.
We need to see the whole culture change to one of sustainability. The streets around us need to change, more active travel must be embraced. The dominance of the car needs to be confronted.
The climate crisis is way past the point when a bit of recycling is enough. Not to devalue such activity, which ofcourse has a vital role. But much much more is needed. Less driving, flying, eating meat and just throwing things away. There needs to be a community and individual conversion to living more sustainably and treading lighter on the earth. We have begun this journey in Redbridge but need to speed up in all directions over the coming months and years if the planet is to be saved.
Paul Donovanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13961744754991961304noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8878910878659094194.post-91043130344562690002024-02-02T11:01:00.000-08:002024-02-02T11:01:44.942-08:00Birds of prey exhilerate the sensesBirds of prey exhilarate the senses
The sight of birds of prey soaring across the skies really is one of the most exhilarating things to experience, when watching wildlife.
The peregrine falcon at full speed (up to 200mph) diving in pursuit of prey. Or the red kite simply drifting across the breeze looking for carrion on the ground.
The local area is good for raptors (birds of prey). If lucky, a peregrine maybe seen above Wanstead Flats, the park or golf course.
A smaller bird, the kestrel is another local regular. It's distinctive brown back and curved beak, though, the giveaway usually is to see the kestrel hovering above potential prey in the grassland below.
Buzzards are also a regular around these parts. On one memorable walk on Wanstead Flats a few years ago, there was a buzzard and red kite soaring above it, in the August sun.
A personal favourite is the marsh harrier, about the size of a red kite, the multi-coloured bird soars across the air streams, ready to take rabbits or other prey below. Marsh harriers are rarely seen around here but regularly appear on the RSPB reserve at Rainham Marshes. Further afield, they are plentiful around Rye in Sussex. These big birds of prey show their agility doing an aerial mating dance.
Love of raptors was brought home in a recent program by wildlife cameraman and Strictly Come Dancing winner Hamza Yunis. The program, called Hamza: Strictly Birds of Prey saw the photographer tracking his favourite birds around the country. The peregrine hunting along the seashore but also in an urban environment.
Hamza's favourite raptor seemed to be the eagles. He filmed some fantastic shots of golden and white tailed eagles.
Hamza's excitements and exhilaration at seeing these birds was palpable.
Owls also featured, with some intimate filming of a tawny owl in a garden.
There are a number of owls around this area, with the tawnys, seen in Wanstead Park and Bush Wood. Little owls regularly appear on the Flats. Also, a few migrating short eared owls sometimes come across the area. These nocturnal operators though are often difficult to seek out. Exciting, though, if you are lucky enough to see one.
So, when your out and about, always look up in the sky to see what might be drifting above. If your lucky it may be one of the many raptors, seeking to track down prey or just drifting on the thermals.Paul Donovanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13961744754991961304noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8878910878659094194.post-5141742516494576692024-01-31T08:32:00.000-08:002024-01-31T08:32:16.080-08:00Power of treesTrees have a vital role in the battle to overcome climate change.
They absorb carbon dioxide and contribute much to biodiversity.
The true complexity of how trees operate is revealed in a fascinating new book, the Power of Trees, by German forester and teacher Peter Wohlleben.
Wohlleben describes the intricate, interdependent world of the ancient woodlands. How trees are linked together and provide mutual support. The connected fungi and micro-organisms.
He is very critical of the forestry industry across Germany and beyond. Many of the old deciduous forests have been cleared, being replaced with conifers and other fast timber producing trees.
Cutting down the trees, destroys the forests as carbon sinks and sources of cooling. Then, many of the trees cut go to create wood pellets for fuel, thereby releasing more carbon.
The answers really come from the rewilding school of thought, namely to leave the ancient woodlands that remain alone to regenerate. Then, when planting new trees make sure the type and conditions are right to replicate what has gone before.
What is heartening is to see how forest lands are managed in the local area. The fantastic trees in local woodlands like Wanstead Park , Bushwood and Hainault Forest are all managed in the sustainable style. When trees fall or have to be felled, they are left to become part of the regenerative process. Insects, fungi and much else vital to progressing the biodiversity prosper. It becomes a virtuous circle.
The challenge going forward is how to expand the tree cover. It is something being promoted by the Mayor of London. There has been much planting of new areas in Redbridge. This work must be ongoing, it also has to be done in an appropriate way that gives the time and longevity to be of real biodiverse value.
But also remember the best way of advancing woodland is to leave what is already there alone. Trees are great at regenerating and spreading, when left to their own devices. Let the woods regenerate and spread. In the end, they might just save us all.Paul Donovanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13961744754991961304noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8878910878659094194.post-55941027972980004452024-01-28T05:10:00.000-08:002024-01-28T05:10:48.076-08:00A Century of Labour by Jon Cruddas Labour MP Jon Cruddas has produced a timely account of the 100-year history of the Labour Party.
The retiring MP for Dagenham and Rainham poses a number of challenging questions throughout, not the least being does the party have a purpose?
He is pretty scathing of the present leader Keir Starmer, noting that "apart from his actual name, little ties Starmer to the ethical and spiritual concerns of Labour's early founders, figures such as Keir Hardy and George Lansbury."
Though, whilst critical of Starmer's ditching of his 10 pledges, from the original leadership contest, that presented him as the unity candidate, he intriguingly suggests if anything his program is Wilsonian. So neither Corbynism or New Labour restoration but a program seeing an active state role in increasing investment and growth.
Cruddas runs through the history of the Labour Party, from its formation, examining the different governments of Ramsey MacDonald in 1924 and 1929. Then, the 1945, Clement Attlee government, Harold Wilson and James Callaghan and finally the Tony Blair/Gordon Brown years.
Interestingly, he always seems to see the party reverting to a gradualist, utilitarian approach, too often shaped by events rather than taking charge of them.
There seems to be a constant tendency to revert to austerity based policy or seeming just to represent a lighter shade of blue conservatism
Cruddas identified three traditions of justice in the party, which he constantly refers to throughout the book.These are human welfare, freedom and virtue. The three traditions were best interwoven with the Attlee government.
One criticism of the book is that the style of writing can be somewhat turgid.
One wonders, as the author labours through various academic theories whether readers maybe lost. Once, through this early part of the book, the narrative relatively gallops along but many could fall at the early fences.
Other themes that could have been developed a little more are the what ifs, such as if Callaghan had gone to the country in autumn 1978, if John Smith had lived, if Al Gore had won the 2000 US Presidential election and if Gordon Brown had called an election in autumn 2007.
Cruddas never stakes out his own position clearly, though at a guess John Smith may well most closely represent his views.
This book though is full of excellent analysis of the first 100 years of the Labour Party. Thorough, it also poses many questions. The retiring MP seems no fan of Starmer but also seems to suggest the jury is out in terms of what sort of Labour government he is likely to lead.
One theme that runs through the book is that of the death of the Labour Party lurking never far from the surface. The question ofcourse is most prevalent during the long periods out of power.
The Party, though, has proved remarkably good at reinventing itself and will need to do so again over future years. Cruddas suggests that finding or refinding its purpose will be fundamental to the future of the Party - what that cannot mean is being a lighter shade of blue.
Published by Polity £25
Review published in Morning Star - 25/1/2024
Paul Donovanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13961744754991961304noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8878910878659094194.post-16647137120473566682024-01-17T05:07:00.000-08:002024-01-17T05:07:21.907-08:00Mr Bates v the Post Office shows what can happen when people come together to fight injusticeThe recent ITV dramatisation Mr Bates versus the Post Office highlighted a huge miscarriage of justice.
The ongoing injustice has been running for more than 20 years, since the Post Office introduced it's Horizon computer system.
The malfunctions in this system saw 100s of sub-postmasters and mistresses recording deficits on their accounts. None could understand what was going on.Some frightened people used their savings to make up shortfalls.
The inhuman Post Office managers seemed happier to believe that hundreds of their loyal staff were dishonest, than they might have a malfunctioning computer system.
They pushed on prosecuting hundreds of people.
Some went to prison, a number committed suicide, others had mental breakdowns. It was a truly scandalous story.
The drama tells how Alan Bates refused to break under Post Office intimidation. He lost his business but continued the fight against injustice. The key to the successful campaign was bringing people together. The Post Office repeatedly told those they were accusing that no one else was being effected in the same way. This made people feel powerless, isolated and alone. Once there was some media coverage, the dots began to be joined, with Bates bringing the people together.
Then, lawyers became involved plus Parliamentarians joined the effort to get justice.
Former Conservative MP for Wanstead and Woodford (1987 to 1997) James Arbuthnot played a key role in advancing the case in Parliament and bringing the Post Office to account. He was MP for North East Hampshire, when advancing the cause.
What the case proved is how important an effective campaign is in attaining justice.
Miscarriage of justice cases succeed when people come together in an effective collective campaign. Lawyers, politicians and journalists all have a role to play but the campaign is essential.
Bates played a vital role in getting the sub-postmasters campaign underway. There is still a long way to go, lots more penalised sub-postmasters have come forward, since the drama was aired. Many have still not been compensated or had their convictions quashed. Those who committed suicide will never be compensated. A terrible loss.
There are lessons to be learned in terms of bringing corporate power to account. Bringing people together in a collective voice is key.
Something else to keep in mind is that more such computer based scandals are likely to occur, as we all blindly bow to the power of the machine over people. People need to come together in opposition, refusing to be isolated, atomised and made to feel powerless at the behest of some bottom line defined dystopia. Power to the people!!
Paul Donovanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13961744754991961304noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8878910878659094194.post-365462680638458692024-01-10T06:16:00.000-08:002024-01-10T06:16:38.795-08:00John Pilger - a hero to the endThe world will be a worse place, without journalist and peace advocate, John Pilger, to shine the light of truth on injustice.
Australian by birth, Pilger died on 30 December 2023, at the age of 84.
He, initially, rose to fame, for his international reporting on the Vietnam War, Cambodia, Bangladesh, Burma, East Timor, Australia and the Middle East.
Together with filmmaker David Munro, he broke the news of devastation in Cambodia, caused by four years of tyrannous rule by Pol Pot's Khmer Rouge.
In America, Pilger was accompanying Robert Kennedy on his Presidential campaign in 1968, when the senator was shot in the Ambassador hotel. Reporting for the Daily Mirror on 5 June 1968, Pilger wrote: "He's the next President Kennedy! said a woman standing next to me. She then fell to the floor, with a bullet wound to the head (she lived)."
He also did much to bring to light, the inhuman treatment of indigenous people in Australia.
Born in Bondi, New South Wales, Pilger moved to Britain in 1962.
The multi-talented journalist, communicated stories of injustice via his work for the Daily Mirror newspaper (1962 to 1986) and documentary films, mainly for ITV. He was also, later, a columnist for the Guardian and New Statesman. Pilger also wrote many books.
On the domestic side, Pilger brought the story of the struggle of children to get compensation in relation to the damage done by the drug Thalidomide to national attention.
He won a stream of national and international journalistic awards, being declared Journalist of the year in 1967 and 1979.
Pilger, though, remained a true advocate of speaking truth to power, a real seeker after justice. "Secretive power loathes journalists who do their jobs, who push back screens, peer behind facades, lift rocks. Opprobrium from on high is their badge of honour," said Pilger, who remained a stern critic of the mainstream media to the end. He particularly loathed those who used their positions to parrot establishment PR, rather than doing the job of bringing the powerful to account.
He warned of fake news long before it became a term.
Pilger was a peace campaigner throughout his life. Over recent decades, he exposed the tragedies of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Long before the last Gulf War of 2023, he was writing about the crippling sanctions on Iraq, that were killing thousands of children.
Always an advocate for the Palestinians, he was campaigning to the end for recognition of the crimes being committed by the present onslaught.
He was a passionate supporter of the Stop the War Coalition, regularly addressing rallies down the years.
In later years, Pilger stood by Wikileaks founder Julian Assange, as he was persecuted, standing bail and visiting him at the Ecuadorian embassy and prison. Unlike, many media people, Pilger stood by Assange till the end.
Typically in his final published piece, a month before he died, Pilger, called on everyone to stand up to authority. He called Assange a Spartacus figure. "The Palestinians are Spartacus. People who fill the streets with flags, and principal and solidarity are Spartacus. We are all Spartacus, if we want to be."
On a personal note, John Pilger was a great inspiration, friend and support, particularly when starting out in journalism.
It was his work that played a major part in inspiring me to want to write. Later, I did research on his films, books and columns.
The generosity of time, encouragement and support given by John over many years are something that I will never forget.
He was also a strong supporter of the Star, which ran his columns for a number of years. He often contrasted the content of the paper with much of the sycophancy found in the mainstream media.
A truly inspirational journalist and human being, he will be sorely missed. A man who remained true to his principles to the end, admired and respected internationally, the body of work he leaves behind will stand the test of time. He was also an inspiration to so many, some of whom he helped along the way.
Paul Donovanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13961744754991961304noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8878910878659094194.post-57671347560845583412024-01-08T05:58:00.000-08:002024-01-08T05:58:18.349-08:00Democracy under threatThe coming year will see a general election, with the possibility of a new government.
Many expect (and hope) Labour will win.
Whatever the outcome, things have to change, if our democracy is to sustain.
The antics of the present Conservative administration have brought the whole political class into disrepute. The Downing Street parties during COVID stand out in the hall of infamy.
Then, there is our unfair and unrepresentative electoral system.
The last election saw just 14 million vote for the Conservative Party, yet it won a majority of 80 seats. Some 17 million voted for the other parties and 23 million did not vote at all.
The system is so skewed that the election is really decided in a few marginal seats.
Political commentator, Ian Dunt, has highlighted the better deployment of resources in these constituencies. Better to get ill in a marginal, they have more hospitals etc.
There needs to be a change in the electoral system to Proportional Representation. This would see a fairer reflection of how people vote in Parliament. Everyone would believe their vote counted.
Then there is selection. Are the people representing the electorate really the best on offer? Are they people from the communities, campaigners, those prepared to stand up for others? Do they have skills that can be utilised and when they do, are those skills used?
There needs to be change made in the selection processes of all parties to encourage people with the skills from all backgrounds to come forward and represent their communities - at the moment this is not happening.
Also, at the top in terms of leadership elections something needs to change. The merry go round of incompetent leaders to take up the role in the Tory Party has not served the country well, from David Cameron and Theresa May to Boris Johnson, Liz Truss and Rishi Sunak.
On the subject of selection processes, a look across to the US shows what can happen. There, former President Donald Trump stands indicted with a number of criminal and other charges. Yet, even if convicted, it seems possible he will go forward as the Republican candidate at the next Presidential election. If Trump wins that will effectively be the end of democracy in America.
So there is much that needs to change to restore, if not save, out democracy. There needs to be leadership that looks outward to embrace change, not inward, struggling along with more of the same.
Paul Donovanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13961744754991961304noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8878910878659094194.post-62888059966824632612024-01-02T05:18:00.000-08:002024-01-02T05:18:34.180-08:00New Year must bring peace in Gaza and UkraineThe major hope for the New Year must be for peace in the world.
The ongoing human catastrophe in Gaza should be brought to a halt, with an immediate ceasefire
Some 20,000 have been killed in Gaza, since the Israeli military action began - more than half of them children. Disease, caused by the destruction of the infrastructure, is now also claiming many lives.
The Israeli hostages, taken on 7th October, by Hamas need to be released.
What has been breathtaking over these months has been the way Western leaders have sat on their hands and supported the violence.
The UK and US have actively encouraged Israel to use violence to right the wrong of 7 October. Vengeance has been encouraged, as British and American arms have flowed into the region.
No doubt at a later date, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak with be bleating about a few desperate souls seeking asylum here. No reference to the very culpable role his government has played in help cause their plight.
The regular marches for peace in Gaza, through London and other cities across the country, have shown how disgusted the mass of British people are about the situation and the role of their government. Literally, millions have taken to the streets, as part of these protests.
The shame is that mass media has at best offered sporadic coverage. Many of the protest have been virtually ignored or covered totally in public order terms.
There was a time when 100,000s of people marching through major cities, on a weekly basis, calling for peace, would have merited some serious consideration but not in 21st century Britain, apparently.
Whilst, the atrocities in Gaza have dominated, the conflict in Ukraine has slipped down the news agenda.
The main concern seems to be that the flow of arms from Britain and America to the Ukraine side continues.
The conflict is coming up to the two year anniversary but still little talk of a ceasefire or peace. All sides seem happy with perpetual war. This really cannot go on - the voices for peace need to be heard and acted upon.
It must be hoped that peace comes about in Gaza, Ukraine and right across the world in 2024. We all have a role to play in articulating the need for that peace. Sitting by, doing nothing, whilst the bloodshed continues is morally unacceptable. Doing nothing enables the slaughter. There must be action now to bring peace in all the theatres of war.Paul Donovanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13961744754991961304noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8878910878659094194.post-44914263793674387752023-12-28T06:20:00.000-08:002023-12-28T06:20:58.646-08:00Take a walk in the park over the festive seasonChristmas is a magical time for a walk in Wanstead Park.
A chance to work off any over indulgence on food and drink during the festive period.
The weather ofcourse can be a variable. Lots of people hope for snow - a white Christmas. But that has been a pretty rare event over recent times.
More commonplace is a clear, chill day, perfect to shake off the cobwebs.
A wet Christmas is another fairly common occurrence over recent times.
Back in 2019, there was a deluge of rain, causing the River Roding to burst its banks. The water filled up the adjacent Ornamental water and surrounding woodland.
It became something of an epic journey just trying to get round the lake. However, the waters quickly subsided, with the now virtually empty, Ornamental water, quickly draining.
Today, the Ornamental remains a shadow of its former self, overgrown and waterless. Happily, though, there are now some plans coming together to improve the situation.
One addition, this Christmas for those walking in the park are the three longhorn cattle grazing on the plain, by the Perch pond. They have been out for a while now, chewing down the grasslands, whilst encouraging a greater biodiversity.
The cows are such peaceful creatures, going about their daily activities, offering a glimpse of the past, as well as the present and future.
It is the long and distinguished history of the park that fascinates so many who visit. The former grounds of Wanstead House. The Temple, the Grotto down on the Ornamental.
That history always seems especially real on a day when the mist is just lifting over the lakes, with the crows calling in the background. A heron may lift out of the reeds, flying off overhead, like a remnant of a prehistoric age.
The multiple colours of the trees, many still clothed in leaf, are another fascinating sight to behold at this time of year.
The park is a great place to go at any time of the year, with always something different going on. But at Christmas, there is always that extra bit of magic. So, if you have the chance get out there over Christmas and the New Year. Treat yourself to a warming tea and cake at the kiosk, whilst watching the world go by. It'll be time well spent, for mind and body alike. Happy ChristmasPaul Donovanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13961744754991961304noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8878910878659094194.post-61312340881304693122023-12-21T05:15:00.000-08:002023-12-21T05:15:01.634-08:00You saw me standing alone by Alex Williams Published by Bucko Media Ltd. £15Former professional footballer, Alex Williams, tells his fascinating story of involvement as a player, then coach and community activist at Manchester City.
The first black goalkeeper to play at the highest level, till his career was tragically cut short by injury, Williams goes on a footballing journey.
A boy from the local streets around the old City ground at Maine Road, he progresses to become the first team goalkeeper in 1981. He looks set for big things, having become the regular keeper but a career ending back injury brings all to a halt in 1985. He then plays a few games for Port Vale but the playing side is over.
Williams has to endure all the racism thrown at the pioneer black players of the 1970s and 80s.
He graphically recalls a fan at Everton creating a burning cross, remnant of the Klu Klux Clan, on the terrace. Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham was at the game that day with his Dad. He recalled the incident, meeting Williams years later.
Williams also suffered a hail of bananas at Leeds United and razor blades sent to a hotel City were staying, when about to play Chelsea.
Williams also recalls the casual racism of white teammates - defined as banter then but what would be regarded as racism now.
Williams is a tough character, enduring the abuse and coming out the other side.
He also provided an important inspiration for later players, including Arsenal and England's Ian Wright.
He goes onto coach goalkeepers at City and work for City in the Community (CIC).
CIC has been running since 1986. It has ploughed millions into community development, addressing all sorts of issues, impacting on young people. One encouraging thing has been how this work has deepened and expanded under the new ownership of the club under Sheikh Mansour.
So much negativity, surrounds the role of big money owners in football, it is good to hear some positive impact.
The story of Alex Williams is a fascinating one, well told. There is the first person narrative, punctuated with testimonies from the many people he has worked with over the years. City fans will love the book but it has a wider appeal.
Williams time in football covers a period of great transition. Many of the players come from the surrounding Manchester streets, when Williams is setting out. There is no Premiership. By the time, he finishes (earlier this year), football is a multi-national, multi-billion pound business. There are still some local players, like Phil Foden at Manchester City, but it is the exception rather than the rule. The game has changed but the work of CIC is a cause for hope. The club has not lost it's roots, which still lie deep in the Manchester community.
Published by Bucko Media Ltd - £15
published - Morning star - 19/12/2023
A good read, telling the story of one remarkable man and the changing football landscape around him.Paul Donovanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13961744754991961304noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8878910878659094194.post-56569403585503461762023-12-18T04:29:00.000-08:002023-12-18T04:29:30.156-08:00A Christmas Carol provides a message of hope for todayThe now annual performance of Charles Dickens' play, a Christmas Carol, at the Old Vic, is one not to be missed.
This year, Christopher Eccleston stars as Scrooge in an energetic production, that resonates so strongly in today's world.
The Scrooge character has stored away all his wealth, unwilling to even give to charity at Christmas.
When asked to donate, he responds saying there are prisons and workhouses for the poor.
Scrooge idealises money, luxuriating in the power it gives him. The love of money, though, leaves him a very lonely man.
It is only after visitations from the ghosts of Christmas, past, present and future that he mends his ways.
The transformation sees the emergence of a much loved generous man, playing a full part in the community.
Dickens' play has endured well down the years since it was written in 1843.
It is as applicable today, as it was in those Victorian days.
The love of money is writ large across our society today. Almost, everything seems to be evaluated as to what it cost.
Christmas itself has become incredibly commercialised, a bumper season for retail, but what about the true meaning of Christmas? The coming together, in community?
A Christmas Carol draws attention to the polarisation of wealth in society. The class of Scrooge, profiting from other people's debts, while the mass of people struggle by.
The Scrooge's of today are the billionaires and large companies who don't pay their taxes, preferring that people get by on the charity of foodbanks.
The idea of deserving and undeserving poor was rampant in Victorian England, with the workhouse always awaiting those who fell on hard times.
Today, society is moving back in that direction. Rights to welfare support are being rolled back. Recipients of benefits are readily punished, should they fail to jump through every hoop. The welfare safety net is being removed.
So, the society revealed in a Christmas Carol is not that far away from our own today.
The play though offers hope. Scrooge goes on a journey of redemption, finding fulfilment in his new found generous disposition.
He saves himself and many of those around him.
The message of the play is that we can all change for the better and with that change transform the society around us. It is a message of hope that can be applied as much today as back in Victorian times.
* A Christmas Carol runs at the Old Vic until 6 January.Paul Donovanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13961744754991961304noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8878910878659094194.post-51871506842909327552023-12-12T05:41:00.000-08:002023-12-12T05:41:50.708-08:00Time for reality check at West Ham - David Moyes is the most successful manager, results wise, the club has ever had - why, then, do some want him gone?It's an up and down world being a West Ham supporter, beating Spurs (2-1) away one day then getting thrashed by Fulham (0-5) a couple of days later. All that, having started the week dropping two valuable points at home to Crystal Palace (1-1).
But overall it has been a promising start to the season for the Hammers.
West Ham sit just outside the top six of the Premier League. They have progressed to the knock out stages of European competition for the third year running.
In June, they won the Europa Conference League, the first trophy since 1980.
Why, many might ask, given how well things seem to be going, is there a constant griping group who want to see the back of manager David Moyes?
Moyes has a claim on results alone to be the most successful manager in the club's history. He's saved them from relegation twice - after the club were put in jeopardy by Slave Bilic in 2018 and Manuel Pellegrini in 2019.
Indeed, the first time, having pulled off the escape act, Moyes was snubbed as the club's owners went for Pellegrini, over his claim for the permanent managerial role.
The club's form this season has been even more remarkable, given that in effect they spent no money in the summer. The funds received from the sale of Declan Rice and Gianlucca Scamacca funded the purchase of Mohammed Kudus, James Ward-Prowse, Edson Alvarez and Konstantinos Mavropanos. Yet, arguably the team is better than ever.
So why the criticism of Moyes?
It mainly comes down to style of play, which is not very exciting. It is quite prescriptive and predictable. Very direct. Hitting teams on the break, rather than dominating possession. An over reliance on set piece goals and balls down the flanks to cross for big men in the middle. Also, an inflexibility to change the system to suit certain players. A feeling of it's my way or the highway.
But the approach works, Moyes result record, given the resources at his disposal, must make him in the top three of managers in the Premier League.
There is much talk about "the West Ham way", which harks back to the days of Bobby Moore, Geoff Hurst, Martin Peters, Trevor Brooking, Alan Devonshire and more recently Paulo Di Canio.
Days when the football was all about attack. You would go to West Ham and always be entertained. The team might lose 4-3 and be fighting relegation more often than not but it was entertaining.
I have a lot of time for that approach, after all football is entertainment, it's not war and shouldn't be all about corporate business.
The unpredictability, though, obviously still exists, given the Spurs and Fulham results.
But the achievements of the Moyes years have appealed to most fans.The purists would say Pellegrini and Bilic were the last two managers to play the West Ham way and look how that ended.
Moyes probably won't come back a third time to save the club, after a "big name" has brought them to the verge of relegation.
The whispers for the change of manager come mostly from social media based football outlets. They struggle for content much of the time, so make a lot of this stuff up. Quoting "experts" or/and has been players, with a gripe. Deliberately misinterpreting something said that is then taken out of context. The concern is that some of this stuff seems to be getting into the mainstream.
Fortunately, it seems West Ham's owners are taking little notice. They stood by Moyes, when results got a little sticky last season and have been rewarded.
Why now half way through, what looks another successful season, would they sack the manager or make decisions about renewal of his contract next summer? If, say West Ham won the Europa League, so qualified for the Champions League next season, the club would hardly change manager.
Then, what of Moyes himself, who does hold most of the cards. He has done a fantastic job at West Ham, with often limited resources. There must be any number of Premiership, clubs who would employ him. The bigger danger, maybe, is that he walks to a more lucrative job, rather than gets the sack.
Something for the boo boys to remember. There is always the mantra about being careful what you wish for - Arsenal fans know a bit about that from the immediate post Arsene Wenger days.
Maybe, West Ham fans cannot have it all. They have a successful club, on the verge of good things. The football may not be as exciting as in past times but it's getting there. Why not give David Moyes a bit of praise and support, enjoy the moment, rather than carping about what might or might not be and looking back to an often mythical age?Paul Donovanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13961744754991961304noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8878910878659094194.post-6332792800239217602023-12-11T04:18:00.000-08:002023-12-11T04:18:33.100-08:00Time to bust the myths on migrationThe national obsession with immigration in this country is often difficult to fathom.
The latest furore concerned net immigration figures of 745,000.
The throwing around of such figures is misleading, pulling together refugees, economic migrants, students and others in a headline figure that Daily Mail leader writers can then fulminate about.
The small boats coming across the channel have become a focus of government policy - despite the relatively small numbers involved.
The dehumanising approach of politicians generally explains much of the failure of policy. Crazy schemes like basically trying to scare already frightened refugees into not coming because they could end up in Rwanda, rather than on the gold paved streets of Britain, makes no sense.
There is much talk of targeting the traffickers but they are just an effect of the problem. The causes behind the creation of these refugees are things like war and increasingly environmental degradation. Address these causes, if the small boats are such an issue. Maybe , a bit of circumspection on Britain's own role in wars, such as Iraq and Afghanistan. Britain is also a major arms seller. Also, Britain's increasingly backward looking policies on climate crisis.
The hierarchy of suffering is another thing difficult to fathom, with Britain having a far more welcoming attitude to those coming from say Ukraine and Hong Kong compared to Afghanistan and Iraq.
The mindless attitude to economic migration is even more difficult to understand. In a country with an ageing population and labour shortages, migrant labour is essential to fill the gaps and keep the economy going.
The statistics show migrants add to revenues, they are not a drain. True, infrastructural support needs to be provided but the extra tax coming in from migrant workers should meet this need. Migrant workers should not ofcourse be allowed to undercut indigenous workers pay and terms and conditions.
Also, why are asylum seekers not allowed to work while they are here, especially given that they can be waiting years to have their claims heard?
Possibly, the most ludicrous target in the migrant wars are foreign students. Further education is one of the few growth areas in this country. It is largely kept going by fees from foreign students but apparently some in government want to stop them coming. Utterly ludicrous. As with many other categories foreign students are mostly only here for a limited time, so make a net gain for the economy.
In fact taking economic migrants and students as indicative categories, the large number coming in is an indicator of a health economy. Migrants come to get work or learn not as the tabloids myth would have us believe to take benefits.
The unhealthy obsession with migration threatens to do great damage to the economic and cultural fabric of society. The categorising of migration as "a problem," helps build fear. The opposition to migration is driven by fear based racism. This is aided by a wilful racist misuse of data by some media to drive sales of their own products. This national racist driven obsession with migration helped bring Brexit (something ironically that has cut the overall wealth of the country and helped create the skill shortages). It will do more damage, if right wing politicians, and their media megaphones, are allowed to create unfounded fears and divisions in society.
What is needed is a proper recognition of the pluses and minuses of migration. There then needs to be a humane, efficient and welcoming system develop for all the different categories of migrant. The backlogs need to be cleared. Using people's lives as political footballs is not acceptable.Paul Donovanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13961744754991961304noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8878910878659094194.post-30654285135947390402023-12-04T07:37:00.000-08:002023-12-04T07:38:25.156-08:00Fight back - people want peopleIs there some sort of fight back taking place against the onward drive of automation, forcing people out of work and ever more into isolation?
The thought occurs, despite the onward march of Artificial Intelligence, with all that could bring to the jobs market.
The high street has been decimated due to moves to seemingly cut ties between customers and those providing the services.
There was an outcry recently when Nat West closed the branch in Wanstead High Street - the last bank to move out it's physical presence.
Supermarkets have for some years been seeking to force people onto self service tills, rather than staffed ones.
This is aggravating for the customer, who wants to be served by a person. Doubly irritating is when self- service is deserted.
It is remarkable to witness empty checkouts, whilst the few that are open have people queuing round the shop.
I cannot be the only person who endures taking longer to pay and get out of the shop than you do actually getting the shopping. It is a deliberate policy to force people onto the self- service tills. A number of supermarkets are removing staffed tills in favour of self service.
But there are signs of a fightback. Upmarket Northern supermarket chain Booths have restored staffed checkouts. They have found the self-service checkouts to be "slow, unreliable and impersonal."
Shop lifting has been a growing problem and people want the personal touch
Booths has been described as the Waitrose of the north, operating across Yorkshire, Lancashire, Cumbria and Cheshire.
Another stand was made over the closure of railway ticket offices.
The train operating companies wanted to close ticket offices, leaving customers stranded in some cases.
A successful campaign led by the RMT union saw the government force withdrawal of the proposals, following a public backlash.
So there are signs of people taking back control.
Not that all change should be resisted. Many automation based changes make life a lot easier. But things need to be viewed in a far more holistic way. The reason for change cannot just be the businesses desire to make more profit for shareholders.
Customers and service users must have a say
A lot of people are very concerned, as the provision of all sorts of service become more remote and impersonal. People still want a human being to talk to at the end of the day.
The removal of human contact can lead to feelings of isolation and anxiety - especially in older people. This should not happen.
No one opposes change that makes life better but as some supermarkets, train companies and banks are finding, people want people. They also don't appreciate being treated as just another commodity.
The Artificial Intelligence era threatens ever more change but let's make sure the changes work for everyone, not just the bottom line.Paul Donovanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13961744754991961304noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8878910878659094194.post-11879670338610882372023-11-23T07:30:00.000-08:002023-11-23T07:30:02.138-08:00Transformation of Redbridge streetsThe streets of Redbridge are undergoing a slow but steady transformation, becoming more biodiverse and bastions of sustainable living.
The process is slow but change is coming. The impetus is coming from the local communities. So, more and more tree pits are being adopted by residents. Individuals are provided with seeds to develop the pits. We have been doing this for many years in the road where I live. The transformation in the street is amazing to behold in spring and summer.
There has also been the positioning of planters around the borough, which again encourages biodiversity. The ones outside the town hall are particularly splendid.
Voluntary groups like the Wanstead Community Gardeners and other offshoots have done fantastic work to improve the streets
The council has been encouraging different streets to become pollinator pathways. This scheme extends sustainable living, so that residents take over management of much of the biodiversity. So, people in the road agree to deal with the weeds and care for tree pits. It is an important way of cutting back on pesticides.
One ambition for Redbridge going forward must be the phasing out of pesticide use. It damages human and plant health.
There are also the Growzones, that have been allowed to go wild. The biodiversity coming from these developments has been most encouraging. More are needed borough wide.
Tree planting has continued in open spaces, as well as on the streets - this helps remove the carbon dioxide from the environment as well as increasing biodiversity.
On the active travel side, the cycle network is growing all of the time. If people feel safe, they will cycle to get around. That safety, includes clean air to breath. So the improvements coming from ULEZ and the expansion of the school streets program improves that air quality.
It is excellent in Wanstead that it is now possible to cycle in protected lanes or through Wanstead Park to get from the north to the south of town.
There is much still to be done, with expansion of cycle hangars on residential streets a must.
More 20 mph areas across the borough are also important, especially for safety.
The advance of the electric car is another plus when it comes to expanding sustainable living. There are plans for more charging points to be rolled out across the borough.
Better public transport is another must. London is fortunate with the public transport network compared to other parts of the country but availability and affordability can always be improved.
So there are a lot of positive things happening, they just need to be speed up. Funding is often key, with environmental issues not being given the priority they should be. Budgetary cuts from central government has not helped - more could happen more quickly if this funding were restored. We are in a climate emergency - it needs to be treated as such and given the priority merited.Paul Donovanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13961744754991961304noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8878910878659094194.post-47161974859226659372023-11-16T07:43:00.000-08:002023-11-16T07:43:58.134-08:00Banning free speech builds dissentThere has been a growing mood of censorship across the UK, as the level of dissent amongst the mass of people grows.
The Home Secretary recently met with the police, over demonstrations taking place about what is happening in Gaza.
She seems to have a limited concept about what free speech is all about, suggesting that carrying the Palestinian flag could be an infringement.
This overly robust attitude has become prevalent over recent years, relating to protest.
But there has also been the increase in what is known as cancel culture.
This too has been evident regarding events in the Middle East, with a talk about a visit to Palestine by National Education Union members due to take place in an East London library cancelled a week before it was due to happen. The organisers found a new site for the talk.
One of the most blatant examples of censorship has been the cancelling of the film Oh Jeremy Corbyn: the Big Lie.
The film is about the Corbyn years and how he was brought down. There are a series of interviews with key players, narration comes from Alexi Sayle.
The film was released earlier in the year in Liverpool but it was later that the cancellations began, the biggest being Glastonbury.
Other cancellations have followed, across the country, including Carlisle, North Ayrshire and Walthamstow in London.
Complaints often relate to how the film deals with issues of anti semitism in the Labour Party.
What the rights or wrongs of the film are is not for discussion here but the act of outright censorship at this time in the 21st century is breathtaking.
The lessons really should be learned from Ireland, where such a heavy handed approach during the years of the conflict made the voices of dissent ever louder.
Many will remember the Broadcasting Ban brought in by the Thatcher government. This meant Sinn Fein leaders, like Gerry Adams and Martin McGuiness, having their words delivered by actors. This did nothing to stop what they said , coming over. Indeed, there was the mystique of the banned message, which often sounded better coming from actors.
Then there was the long list of banned films. Ken Loach's Hidden Agenda was often delayed or cancelled, if due for screening at the time of some atrocity. There was no question that people might have been able to tell between fact and fiction.
Film producer, Kenneth Griffith's film Hang Out Your Bright Colours about the war of independence was banned in the 1970s. The public finally got a look, a couple of decades later. Another huge act of over reaction.
What the deniers of free speech never seem to understand is that banning dissent does not make it go away, rather it just gets displaced elsewhere.
The whole conflict in the north of Ireland is a classic example of this. The legitimate protests of the civil rights activists were not addressed but met with a violent response. This in turn bred more violence, which led to decades of conflict.
Banning protest and imposing censorship just displaces grievances to other areas of life. It is only when the causes of dissent are addressed that problems can be resolved.
The present British government has developed it's so called culture wars, largely as a distraction from the appalling mess it is making of the country. It seems to turn people against each other, creating ever more distraction and division in society.
Fear is constantly used to legitimise censorious type actions. Much of the media help in this enterprise by creating false narratives. This then stokes the fire of those who preach fake news. None of this is healthy for a democracy.
A functioning democracy is one at ease with itself. Such a democracy will have high tolerance levels, little will be banned, and if it is. a high bar should be set, for such a draconian action.
Unfortunately, in Britain today, there is no democracy at ease with itself. Instead, there is an unpopular government elected by a minority of the population, which imposes suffering on many people - at home and abroad. A growing number of people dissent from their mantra, so the response is to shut down the avenues of free expression. It won't work, the truth will out and with it those who seek to deny it.Paul Donovanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13961744754991961304noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8878910878659094194.post-36379013494002964842023-11-08T06:51:00.000-08:002023-11-08T06:51:48.562-08:00Need to hear the voices calling for peace in the Middle EastThe appalling tragedy that is occurring in the Middle East has dominated headlines over past weeks.
The horrendous attack on Israeli citizens by Hamas, resulting in the deaths of more than 1400 on 7 October. Many more have been injured and some taken hostage.
Now, the death toll is mounting in Gaza, as the Israeli military offensive intensifies.
The approach of Israel has echoes of the US response to the attacks of 9/11, which led to wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. Neither, ended well
The anger on the part of Israel is understandable but it must act, proportionately, within international law.
The early rhetoric in this conflict did not seem to distinguish between the actions of Hamas and the Palestinians living on the Gaza strip.
The crude categorisation was a bit like making all Irish people responsible for the actions of the IRA during the war in Northern Ireland.
History teaches that an all out assault based on vengeance does not in the long term solve anything - in fact it makes things worse.
In Ireland, the demands of civil rights protesters in the North were denied, lethal force was deployed and decades of violence followed. Violence begets violence.
Order and the rule of law get subsumed in conflict. Innocent lives are lost.
It is important in such situations that the voices of reason and restraint are heard and listened to.
Internationally, there have been worrying precedents set regarding the breaking of international law, over recent years.
The Americans going into Iraq in 2003, without a supporting UN resolution.
Most recently, Russia's illegal assault on Ukraine.
The move to violent reprisal seems much quicker these days - international law being too easily set aside.
The lack of calls for restraint result in a narrative of inevitable conflict.
The previous experiences of such an approach really should counsel caution. Violence is proven to beget violence, whether it be in Afghanistan, Iraq, Ukraine or Northern Ireland.
The violent actions of western powers in the Middle East 20 years ago, led to the emergence of Isis and all that followed.
What is needed now is to hear and act upon the counsel of those urging peace - like the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby and Catholic Cardinal Vincent Nichols..
The hostilities need to end now.
Maybe, then the Middle East can be pulled back from the brink of escalating conflict. Then, genuine negotiation can eventually lead to a peaceful settlement for all who live in those lands.Paul Donovanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13961744754991961304noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8878910878659094194.post-31946993643932035212023-11-02T05:26:00.000-07:002023-11-02T05:26:15.850-07:00Wanstead Beer Festival raises more than £3,000 for local charitiesThe recent Wanstead Beer Festival proved to be a great community event.
People coming in from far and wide, as soon as the doors opened at 1 on Saturday.
Tickets sold out days before the event, leaving some people disappointed.
Hopefully next year, we'll get a few more people in the door.
The weather smiled on the day, allowing drinkers to spill out from the main building into the Christchurch gardens.
There was a good choice of drinks for all. The variety of casks varied from Pride of Prague (for West Ham supporters),that sold out quickly, to Billericay Dickie.
A nice pale ale, Sussex Hoppy, from Listers brewery was a favourite.
Local brewers did us proud, with three beers from the East London Brewery and some popular varieties from Beerblefish, Redemption, Pretty Decent and Neckstamper.
Brentwood Brewery were superb, providing beers and doing the set up.
Not to forget those brewers from further afield, such as Mighty Oak (Malden), providing the popular Captain Bob and Gorgeous George beers and Harvey's Best Bitter (Lewes).
The ciders were also popular, especially Farmer Jim's, Rhubarb Bob.
Staff and volunteers put in a huge effort to create such a special day. A number commented on the friendly atmosphere.
The organising team got great support from Christchurch.
Local business sponsors also played a major role in making the event possible. So, thanks to all.
The success of the not-for-profit event, saw more than £3000 raised for good causes. The two nominated charities Tin in a Bin and the Wanstead Charity will soon receive their cheques.
There certainly seems to be a good appetite for a beer festival in Wanstead. This event came together quickly, due to a lot of work from a few people.
Hopefully it can now go on to become a regular local feature of the calendar, alongside the Wanstead Festival and Fringe
So big thanks to everyone who came along and the team of volunteers who made it all possible. Onto the next one - see you next year.
Cheers.Paul Donovanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13961744754991961304noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8878910878659094194.post-72383945935227473412023-10-30T08:29:00.002-07:002023-11-06T08:59:11.741-08:00Violence begets more violence in the Middle EastThe appalling tragedy that is occurring in the Middle East has dominated headlines over past weeks.
The horrendous attack on Israeli citizens by Hamas, resulting in the deaths of more than 1400. Many more have been injured and some taken hostage.
Now, the death toll is mounting in Gaza, as the Israeli military offensive intensifies.
The Israeli government has mobilised it's army, calling up reservists in readiness for a mass military action against Gaza. Palestinians have been told to leave likely conflict zones.
The approach of Israel has echoes of the US response to the attacks of 9/11, which led to wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.
The anger and desire for revenge on the part of Israel is understandable but it must act, proportionately, within international law.
The early rhetoric in this conflict did not seem to distinguish between the actions of Hamas and the Palestinians living on the Gaza strip.
The crude categorisation was a bit like making all Irish people responsible for the actions of the IRA during the war.
History teaches that an all out assault based on vengeance does not in the long term solve anything - in fact it makes things worse.
In Ireland, the demands of civil rights protesters in the North were denied, lethal force was deployed and decades of violence followed. Violence begets violence.
Order and the rule of law get subsumed in conflict. Innocent lives are lost.
It is important in such situations that the voices of reason and restraint are heard and listened to.
Internationally, there have been worrying precedents set regarding the breaking of international law, over recent years.
The Americans going into Iraq in 2003, without a supporting UN resolution.
Most recently, Russia's illegal assault on Ukraine.
The move to violent reprisal seems much quicker these days - international law being too easily set aside.
Going back to the days of the Cuban missile crisis in 1962, when the world was brought to the brink of nuclear war, it is interesting to read counts of the whole process.
The ongoing analysis and weighing up of options, the measured and statesmanlike approach of President Kennedy.
Also, a wise decision to relegate the opinions of the military, who it seems always want outright war. Why do we hear so many soldiers giving their opinions on the Middle East situation in the mass media?
Also, the crucial brokering role of the UN.
In the end, nuclear Armageddon was avoided over Cuba because of effective diplomacy, cool heads, international pressure and a wise president.
Unfortunately, there are no President Kennedys around today. Nor is the UN the force it was for peace.
Today, too many world leaders rush to take sides, setting a background context that justifies and legitimates revenge based actions.
The lack of calls for restraint result in a narrative of inevitable conflict. Rather than opprobrium being directed towards those who may kill in vengeance there is an urge to act, ever more violently.
The previous experiences of such an approach really should counsel caution. Violence is proven to beget violence, whether it be in Afghanistan, Iraq, Ukraine or the north of Ireland.
The violent actions of western powers in the Middle East 20 years ago led to the emergence of Isis and all that followed.
What is needed now are cool heads counselling caution. The voices of peace, not the militarists preaching war, need to be heard.
International leaders need to lead, not join in a one sided dash toward oblivion
What is needed now is more jaw jaw, not war war.
Maybe then the Middle East can be pulled back from the brink of escalating conflict. Then, genuine negotiation can eventually lead to a peaceful settlement for all who live in those lands.
Published - Irish Post - 28/10/2023
Paul Donovanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13961744754991961304noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8878910878659094194.post-92019011761518106022023-10-27T04:16:00.001-07:002023-10-27T04:16:23.244-07:00Dysfunctional political system must changeJournalist, Ian Dunt, offers a withering analysis of the dysfunctional British political system.
"One of the core features of the British system, at every level, is that no one knows what they're talking about," says Dunt."And if by accident someone who does know what they're talking about finds themselves in a senior position they're quickly moved on."
In his book, How Westminster works...and why it doesn't, Dunt chronicles the problems, from a selection system for MPs that ensures many inappropriate people end up in Parliament to the country being run out of a 17th century terraced house (10 Downing Street).
Ministers and civil servants are all moved rapidly on before they have a chance to get to grips with their portfolios
This results in crazy ideas being implemented, which by the time the true impact is realised the minister has long since moved on.
Dunt illustrates the point, using the example of Chris Grayling's career as Justice minister, privatising ( destroying) the probation system.
The House of Commons has been effectively gutted as a place where government business is scrutinised.The brutal whips system ensures for the most part MPs don't step out of line. Most are lobby fodder, with little capacity for independent thought - this ofcourse also goes back to selection process.
The select committees in the House of Commons and the House of Lords are the only bodies exercising a proper scrutiny function on government business.
Some, will have been lucky enough to attend the session with Ian Dunt during the Wanstead Fringe. He enlarged on the themes in the book, including highlighting how things could change.
He suggests a public primaries system for MP selection and the introduction of PR.
The Prime Ministerial function needs to move from the terraced house to a more appropriate premises.
Scrutiny powers need strengthening, with greater specialism amongst MPs and civil servants.
His ideas are a start.
There certainly needs to be fundamental change.
It was striking attending the Fringe session and reading the book how many of the issues highlighted resonate at local government level.
Too much of what goes on at all levels is about marginalising people with important skills, reducing important functions to political posturing, rather than playing effective roles in governance.
Reform is desperately needed at all levels to revive our fading democracy. More people genuinely representing communities across the land need to be persuaded to come forward. Then, once elected, supported and encouraged to take an active part in governance.
It will take a huge effort to effect such change but things cannot continue in the present regressive state for much longer.Paul Donovanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13961744754991961304noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8878910878659094194.post-14603242288897270702023-10-23T05:06:00.000-07:002023-10-23T05:06:24.514-07:00Cars need to slow downThe implementation of 20 mph speed limits across these islands appears to be gathering pace.
Ireland has become the latest to move to restrict speed, following a rise in deaths on the roads.
Wales recently brought in such a limit across the country.
In England, as with many things car related, the approach has been slow and piecemeal.
Many different areas have brought in 20mph limits. This limit is becoming the norm in London, with Transport For London seeking to persuade many of the boroughs to comply.
More of Redbridge is coming under 20 mph restrictions, with expansion ongoing.
Pedestrianisation of areas, as has happened in neighbouring areas like Walthamstow, would be a welcome next step. How about some of Wanstead High Street?
There has been opposition from some in the motor lobby to 20 mph restrictions. In Wales, there have been claims of economic loss - how that works is a mystery.
The oppositional stance adopted by many in the media to such developments is a wonder to behold.
So out come the routine lazy vox pop interviews flashed up on the screen, with Joe Blogs saying he's going to lose thousands because he can't drive fast anymore.
Similar vox pop interviews have been used regarding the Ultra Low Emissions Zone in London.
Maybe, some of these claims need checking out.
In Britain, it has become impossible to have a rational conversation about the car.
There are a vociferous group of drivers, who see any restriction, as some sort of infringement of their human rights. Never mind those being mown down by reckless drivers or the poisoning the air breathed by children, causing them to get asthma.
The London Mayor has a target of 80% of journeys being by foot, cycle or public transport by 2041.
In order to achieve such a goal, ways of getting about have to radically change.
Moving forward the car driver has to be prepared to give a little. Reduce speed, stop polluting and recognise the right of others to safely use the road space.
The measures taken in Ireland, Wales, Scotland and parts of England to make the roads safer for all should be applauded and supported- they are to the benefit of everyone. They are also the future.
Paul Donovanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13961744754991961304noreply@blogger.com0