http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/worldnews/article-1293367/Outcry-British-ambassador-praises-Hezbollah-cleric-Mohammad-Hussein-Fadlallah.html
The article is about a British ambassador who praised Mohammad Hussein Fadlallah, who died last week. He was one of the Shia Islams highest religious figures and had an anti-American stance. He also supported the Islamic revolution in Iran. Then again Fadlallah also condemned the 9/11 attacks and has relatively progressive views on women in society. Mrs. Guy (The ambassador) described him as the politician she enjoyed meeting the most. She continued commending him after his death, calling Lebanon a lesser place the day after. CNN had a similar incident in which they sacked an editor who mentioned in a tweet that Fadlallah was one of Hezbollah’s giants.
I find the sacking of the editor ridiculous, as she has been working there for 20 years. It is a journalist/editors job to be neutral in reporting, but that does not mean that at the end of the day they are not allowed their own opinion. The same goes for the British ambassador, she has met the man and even though he is regarded as somewhat of a “bad guy”, she still is entitled to her own opinion. Not everything Fadlallah has done, has been right (hostage-taking, bombings, etc.), but that does not mean that the ambassador and the editor are not allowed to have their own opinion.
maandag 12 juli 2010
14 year-old murderer
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1293357/Schoolboy-15-jailed-murdering-ex-girlfriend-older-sister-house-fire.html
The article is about a 15 year-old schoolboy, named Akmol Miah, who killed his ex girlfriend when he was 14 years old. He has now received his punishment and was jailed for at least 23 years. Miah targeted 15 year-old Maleha Masud in revenge because she ended their three-month relationship and refused to get back together. Miah got help from his 21 year-old cousin and together they poured petrol through the front letterbox at Masud’s home in south London. Her mother, and 2 brothers managed to survive, but both Maleha and her sister Nabiha died in hospital. Her mother also believes that both of the boys should have gotten life sentence.
I also believe that both of them should have gotten a life sentence. The act that both of them committed is unforgivable and that at such an early age. The 21 year-old should have known better. The 14 year-old clearly has shown that he is mentally disturbed, not only by seeking revenge for his girlfriend dumping him, but also for taking a picture of the burnt down house and then saving it as his wallpaper on his computer. I also feel sorry for the mother, who has lost two of her kids. The boy had been threatening the family prior to the assault and the family should have gone to the police right there. Still I feel that the boy should have been punished more harshly than he has right now
The article is about a 15 year-old schoolboy, named Akmol Miah, who killed his ex girlfriend when he was 14 years old. He has now received his punishment and was jailed for at least 23 years. Miah targeted 15 year-old Maleha Masud in revenge because she ended their three-month relationship and refused to get back together. Miah got help from his 21 year-old cousin and together they poured petrol through the front letterbox at Masud’s home in south London. Her mother, and 2 brothers managed to survive, but both Maleha and her sister Nabiha died in hospital. Her mother also believes that both of the boys should have gotten life sentence.
I also believe that both of them should have gotten a life sentence. The act that both of them committed is unforgivable and that at such an early age. The 21 year-old should have known better. The 14 year-old clearly has shown that he is mentally disturbed, not only by seeking revenge for his girlfriend dumping him, but also for taking a picture of the burnt down house and then saving it as his wallpaper on his computer. I also feel sorry for the mother, who has lost two of her kids. The boy had been threatening the family prior to the assault and the family should have gone to the police right there. Still I feel that the boy should have been punished more harshly than he has right now
Dr. Feelgood
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1293733/NHS-gives-workers-free-ice-cream-lick-stress.html
To reduce the stress of workers, health chiefs are to hand out free ice creams. A van filled with ice cream cones and other frozen consumables will tour office car parks and street corners, all due to the campaign called Chill Out, Don’t Burn Out. The campaign has been set up to keep people with mental health problems working. The costs of the campaign total 2000 pounds, half of which are spent on leaflets, posters and advertising. The van itself is about 200 a day and the remainder of the money goes to the staff and ice cream costs. Not everybody likes the campaign, as Matthew Sinclair, head of the TaxPayers’ Alliance said that it is a waste of money.
I do not agree with Mr. Sinclair, as Paul Farmer, chief executive of mental health charity Mind says that mental health problems cost British business around 26 billion pounds a year. I also believe that it is a very fun campaign, it gets the people out of their office for a moment and has them embark on unusual activities with their co-workers. Getting an ice cream together also creates a bit of a bond, however small it may be, and this leads to a more enjoyable relationship on the work floor. I thus commend the British health chiefs for creating such a relaxing and cool campaign.
To reduce the stress of workers, health chiefs are to hand out free ice creams. A van filled with ice cream cones and other frozen consumables will tour office car parks and street corners, all due to the campaign called Chill Out, Don’t Burn Out. The campaign has been set up to keep people with mental health problems working. The costs of the campaign total 2000 pounds, half of which are spent on leaflets, posters and advertising. The van itself is about 200 a day and the remainder of the money goes to the staff and ice cream costs. Not everybody likes the campaign, as Matthew Sinclair, head of the TaxPayers’ Alliance said that it is a waste of money.
I do not agree with Mr. Sinclair, as Paul Farmer, chief executive of mental health charity Mind says that mental health problems cost British business around 26 billion pounds a year. I also believe that it is a very fun campaign, it gets the people out of their office for a moment and has them embark on unusual activities with their co-workers. Getting an ice cream together also creates a bit of a bond, however small it may be, and this leads to a more enjoyable relationship on the work floor. I thus commend the British health chiefs for creating such a relaxing and cool campaign.
Schools should have useless teachers.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1293797/Every-school-bad-teacher-Schools-chief-extraordinary-outburst.html
Ofsted chairman Zenna Atkins says that schools should have a few bad teachers. She says that she has watched pupils who learn a lot by managing those dreadful teachers, also claiming that “children learn how to manage people who are not good at their jobs”. Atkin’s comments are at odds with Christine Gilbert, Ofsted’s chief inspector of schools, who has recently attacked a core of bad teachers in the British system. Atkins has made it clear that this is her own opinion and not that of Ofsted’s. An Ofsted spokesperson has said that “Ofsted has an unshakeable commitment to ensuring children benefit from good teachers in every lessen”. Former Ofsted inspector and headmaster of the independent Bristol Grammar School Rod MacKinnon has said to be amazed and horrified, adding that we should be seeking to give children the best education possible.
I fully agree with Mr. MacKinnon. I actually grasped when I first read the headline of the article, thinking that it is utter nonsense. While children might learn something from “managing” bad teachers, I believe that they learn a lot more from actually having good teachers who are good at their job and enthusiastic for their subject. I understand Ofsted’s decision to distance itself from the comments, as these are not statements that you want to associate yourself with when you are an organisation that inspects schools. I have also read in the article that Mrs. Atkins will be leaving Ofsted on the 31st of August 2010. I think that is a good thing, because people who believe children can learn something from bad teachers, should not be the chairman from something as big as Ofsted.
Ofsted chairman Zenna Atkins says that schools should have a few bad teachers. She says that she has watched pupils who learn a lot by managing those dreadful teachers, also claiming that “children learn how to manage people who are not good at their jobs”. Atkin’s comments are at odds with Christine Gilbert, Ofsted’s chief inspector of schools, who has recently attacked a core of bad teachers in the British system. Atkins has made it clear that this is her own opinion and not that of Ofsted’s. An Ofsted spokesperson has said that “Ofsted has an unshakeable commitment to ensuring children benefit from good teachers in every lessen”. Former Ofsted inspector and headmaster of the independent Bristol Grammar School Rod MacKinnon has said to be amazed and horrified, adding that we should be seeking to give children the best education possible.
I fully agree with Mr. MacKinnon. I actually grasped when I first read the headline of the article, thinking that it is utter nonsense. While children might learn something from “managing” bad teachers, I believe that they learn a lot more from actually having good teachers who are good at their job and enthusiastic for their subject. I understand Ofsted’s decision to distance itself from the comments, as these are not statements that you want to associate yourself with when you are an organisation that inspects schools. I have also read in the article that Mrs. Atkins will be leaving Ofsted on the 31st of August 2010. I think that is a good thing, because people who believe children can learn something from bad teachers, should not be the chairman from something as big as Ofsted.
Lady Gaga: More pop than idol?
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-1283698/Shocked-parents-brand-Lady-Gagas-bloody-stage-sickening-wake-Cumbria-slaughter.html#ixzz0psARY5ga
Lady Gaga’s latest performance in Manchester, in which she gets stabbed by a dancer who dresses up as a vampire/psycho killer, has made parents of kids visiting the show mad at the singer born as Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta. The reason for this being that it happened just a few hours after the shootings in Cumbria. Lynn Costello of Mothers against Violence claims that this is just more proof of the tastelessness of Lady Gaga and says that she “wouldn’t let any child of mine go to see Lady Gaga”. She also says that people like Lady Gaga, considered idols by young kids, should behave accordingly.
My personal reaction to this is that if the parents were to take their child to a show of Lady Gaga, they should do sufficient research into what the show is like. This way they won't be surprised. The article also says that her act was tasteless, given the recent shootings in Cumbria, but nowhere does it mention that Lady Gaga knew what had happened a few hours prior to the show. Then again, even if she did, then I feel that she made the right decision to continue with the act. Switching out acts on the fly like that could’ve cost a lot of money and I also believe that whatever happens, the show must go on.
Lady Gaga’s latest performance in Manchester, in which she gets stabbed by a dancer who dresses up as a vampire/psycho killer, has made parents of kids visiting the show mad at the singer born as Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta. The reason for this being that it happened just a few hours after the shootings in Cumbria. Lynn Costello of Mothers against Violence claims that this is just more proof of the tastelessness of Lady Gaga and says that she “wouldn’t let any child of mine go to see Lady Gaga”. She also says that people like Lady Gaga, considered idols by young kids, should behave accordingly.
My personal reaction to this is that if the parents were to take their child to a show of Lady Gaga, they should do sufficient research into what the show is like. This way they won't be surprised. The article also says that her act was tasteless, given the recent shootings in Cumbria, but nowhere does it mention that Lady Gaga knew what had happened a few hours prior to the show. Then again, even if she did, then I feel that she made the right decision to continue with the act. Switching out acts on the fly like that could’ve cost a lot of money and I also believe that whatever happens, the show must go on.
zondag 25 april 2010
AA People Not Going To Be On A Strike!
link: http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/aa-strike-is-called-off-1952974.html
The AA patrol staff are not going to be on a strike after all. They wanted to, but didn't after all, when new proposals were put forward for their pensions. The leaders of the AA talked about striking come May, if there were no changes to their pension scheme. According to them, changes were needed to maintain viability. Alistair Maclean, secretary of the IDU, said an agreement could be reached.
Wow, the English people's version of Alcoholics Anonymous is definately something else, compared to the Dutch version. They have strikes and even are able to somehow have a...pension? Should I ever decide to become an alcoholic, then I certainly know in which country I wanna get shitfaced! I'm not sure what this IDU is, but it sounds pretty serious. It could possibly stand for Irresponsible Drunks United, who knows! This raises another question, why would England have TWO organizations people can go to when they can't say no to that second shot of whisky?
If you were a drunk, would you go to the IDU or the AA?
The AA patrol staff are not going to be on a strike after all. They wanted to, but didn't after all, when new proposals were put forward for their pensions. The leaders of the AA talked about striking come May, if there were no changes to their pension scheme. According to them, changes were needed to maintain viability. Alistair Maclean, secretary of the IDU, said an agreement could be reached.
Wow, the English people's version of Alcoholics Anonymous is definately something else, compared to the Dutch version. They have strikes and even are able to somehow have a...pension? Should I ever decide to become an alcoholic, then I certainly know in which country I wanna get shitfaced! I'm not sure what this IDU is, but it sounds pretty serious. It could possibly stand for Irresponsible Drunks United, who knows! This raises another question, why would England have TWO organizations people can go to when they can't say no to that second shot of whisky?
If you were a drunk, would you go to the IDU or the AA?
maandag 19 april 2010
Clegg is a pretty awesome guy
The article is about the Leader’s Debate from last Friday. It shows that 61% of the viewers find that Nick Clegg (Democrats), won the debate, whereas 22% and 17% found that David Cameron (Conservative) and Gordon Brown (Labour) respectively won the debate. Brown focussed on asking questions, while Cameron mostly came up with stories about people whon he meet while canpaigning through the country. Clegg presented himself as an alternative to the two parties and was playing the role of outsider. He said: “The more they attack each other, the more they sound the same.” In the end it turned out that the good and excellent people of the UK want a fresh breeze, evidenced by 61% voting that Clegg won the night.
I’m not sure who I’d vote for if I were a citizen of the UK. It would probably vote for Nick Clegg, because, from the video I have seen, he looks to me like he’s the one who is preaching change. Fact: I like change. Whom I didn’t like, was Gordon Brown. I found that all he did was ask questions to David Cameron and didn’t come up with solutions. Speaking of him, he was royally screwed, standing in the center. He had people talking to him from both sides, so he found himself turning heads (and mostly at Brown’s side) a lot. In the end, I hope that Clegg wins. It will be interesting to see where the UK would go from there.
I’m not sure who I’d vote for if I were a citizen of the UK. It would probably vote for Nick Clegg, because, from the video I have seen, he looks to me like he’s the one who is preaching change. Fact: I like change. Whom I didn’t like, was Gordon Brown. I found that all he did was ask questions to David Cameron and didn’t come up with solutions. Speaking of him, he was royally screwed, standing in the center. He had people talking to him from both sides, so he found himself turning heads (and mostly at Brown’s side) a lot. In the end, I hope that Clegg wins. It will be interesting to see where the UK would go from there.
zondag 18 april 2010
...with kind words from Johnny Rotten
http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/2925233/King-of-punk-Malcolm-McLaren-dies-aged-64.html
The article is about Malcolm McLaren, manager of the Sex Pistols, who died at 64. McLaren died of cancer. It also features a look into that which made him famous, next to managing the Pistols. He also, for example, had a small solo career. Reactions are given by Jon Savage (author of "England's Dreaming" and music writer), BBC Creative Director Alan Yentob and Sex Pistols lead singer Johnny Rotten. Pictures show the Sex Pistols signing their record deal at Buckingham Palace and Malcolm McLaren with Vivienne Westwoon, who was his longtime partner. The article also features the publicity stunts he pulled over the years, such as having the Sex Pistols play "God Save the Queen" on a boat next to the Houses of Parliament.
When I read this in the Dutch newspapers (front page, even!), I was kind of shocked, because I thought it was an actual member of the Sex Pistols who died because his name sounded so familiar to me. It didn't take me more than 5 seconds to figure out that it was their manager. The Pistols wrote the song "Liar" about him, that should mean enough. McLaren, however, did play a huge part in the way the UK Punk scene looks like it does today. I have read countless reports of Johnny Rotten sueing the crap out of Malcolm McLaren and I'm not that keen on managers who also have a solo career, but reading some of the stuff he made the Pistols do is just funny. The boat ride next to the Houses of Parliament is just funny and the picture of the Sex Pistols signing their record deal at Buckingham Palace is everything punk stands for. The Sex Pistols may be seen as a "made" band with Malcolm McLaren as their puppet master, but comparing them to modern day "made" bands such as the Jonas Brothers, makes me want to live in the 77's. RIP Malcolm McLaren.
The article is about Malcolm McLaren, manager of the Sex Pistols, who died at 64. McLaren died of cancer. It also features a look into that which made him famous, next to managing the Pistols. He also, for example, had a small solo career. Reactions are given by Jon Savage (author of "England's Dreaming" and music writer), BBC Creative Director Alan Yentob and Sex Pistols lead singer Johnny Rotten. Pictures show the Sex Pistols signing their record deal at Buckingham Palace and Malcolm McLaren with Vivienne Westwoon, who was his longtime partner. The article also features the publicity stunts he pulled over the years, such as having the Sex Pistols play "God Save the Queen" on a boat next to the Houses of Parliament.
When I read this in the Dutch newspapers (front page, even!), I was kind of shocked, because I thought it was an actual member of the Sex Pistols who died because his name sounded so familiar to me. It didn't take me more than 5 seconds to figure out that it was their manager. The Pistols wrote the song "Liar" about him, that should mean enough. McLaren, however, did play a huge part in the way the UK Punk scene looks like it does today. I have read countless reports of Johnny Rotten sueing the crap out of Malcolm McLaren and I'm not that keen on managers who also have a solo career, but reading some of the stuff he made the Pistols do is just funny. The boat ride next to the Houses of Parliament is just funny and the picture of the Sex Pistols signing their record deal at Buckingham Palace is everything punk stands for. The Sex Pistols may be seen as a "made" band with Malcolm McLaren as their puppet master, but comparing them to modern day "made" bands such as the Jonas Brothers, makes me want to live in the 77's. RIP Malcolm McLaren.
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