Earlier today, I heard that my friend Paul Blakey, and indirectly the Street Angels, had received an MBE for services to Community Safety in Halifax.
As Deputy Mayor of Calderdale, I had the great privilege of attending the Street Angels' fourth birthday party earlier this month, and a nicer and more dedicated team of volunteers you couldn't wish to meet.
A couple of years back, when I was Mayor of Hebden Royd, I invited Paul and his team to Hebden Bridge to show us how the scheme operated, and I am pleased to say that following their example, earlier this summer a similar scheme led by Revd. Marcus Bull was started on Fridays.
I think that people like Paul show that there is enormous depth and strength within our communities across Yorkshire, and that overall there is a fount of civic and community goodwill at work without much recognition.
Well today of all days, I'd like to raise a cup o' kindness to Paul, his family, and the Street Angels.
Thursday 31 December 2009
Wednesday 30 December 2009
On suffering - 3
If you're still not convinced have a look at a Polish film called Krótki film o zabijaniu (A Short Film About Killing) directed by Krzysztof Kieślowski in 1988, as part of his Dekalog TV series.
On suffering - 2
I forgot to say, that in 1998 the UK abolished the death penalty for all crimes. That was one of the high-water marks in terms of human rights that this government achieved, for which it should be rightly applauded.
On suffering
There is something intolerable in the suffering of humans... for it is evil and that the person who causes it is a criminal.
Romain Rolland
Like many people, I was disgusted by the state murder of Akmal Shaikh in China. I am, have been, and will remain a passionate opponent of capital punishment and no amount of debate or argument will shift my position. I am against it viscerally and mentally. There is not enough space to go into it here, but one day maybe.
Today, three years ago, the dictator Saddam Hussein was hanged in a mockery of justice. This is in no way to condone his behaviour of over three decades in power, or the horrific crimes his regime perpetrated both on his own peoples and those in neighbouring countries, after all he did invade the land of birth Iran and fought a wasteful 8-year war to stalemate.
But there was something grotesque in the snatched mobile phone footage of him swinging stupidly as life left his body.
Twenty years back this week, the Ceauşescus, Nicolae and Elena, were summarily shot by a frightened firing squad after a hastily put together after a kangaroo court had found them guilty of crimes against the people.
Again it was a macabre scene of an old man and woman who suddenly realised that their end was imminent. It was horrible!What these state sanctioned murders (I refuse to call them executions, because it seeks to sanitise what is being done, they are pre-meditated murder pure and simple) do is to desensitise people to the value of human life and there is nothing more precious.
That is why the government is right to condemn the Chinese regime, not because they did not carry out the trial of Mr Shaikh properly and according to their penal code, but that that code still maintains the death penalty, and China kills more people officially than the rest of the world combined.
I can do no better than finish with some words of George Orwell's, telling the story of an execution that he witnessed whilst serving in the police in Burma in the 1920s.
"Until that moment I had never realised what it means to destroy a healthy, conscious man. When I saw the prisoner step aside to avoid the puddle, I saw the mystery, the unspeakable wrongness, of cutting a life short when it is in full tide. This man... was alive just as we were alive..."
Have a look at http://www.amnesty.org/en/death-penalty
Romain Rolland
Like many people, I was disgusted by the state murder of Akmal Shaikh in China. I am, have been, and will remain a passionate opponent of capital punishment and no amount of debate or argument will shift my position. I am against it viscerally and mentally. There is not enough space to go into it here, but one day maybe.
Today, three years ago, the dictator Saddam Hussein was hanged in a mockery of justice. This is in no way to condone his behaviour of over three decades in power, or the horrific crimes his regime perpetrated both on his own peoples and those in neighbouring countries, after all he did invade the land of birth Iran and fought a wasteful 8-year war to stalemate.
But there was something grotesque in the snatched mobile phone footage of him swinging stupidly as life left his body.
Twenty years back this week, the Ceauşescus, Nicolae and Elena, were summarily shot by a frightened firing squad after a hastily put together after a kangaroo court had found them guilty of crimes against the people.
Again it was a macabre scene of an old man and woman who suddenly realised that their end was imminent. It was horrible!What these state sanctioned murders (I refuse to call them executions, because it seeks to sanitise what is being done, they are pre-meditated murder pure and simple) do is to desensitise people to the value of human life and there is nothing more precious.
That is why the government is right to condemn the Chinese regime, not because they did not carry out the trial of Mr Shaikh properly and according to their penal code, but that that code still maintains the death penalty, and China kills more people officially than the rest of the world combined.
I can do no better than finish with some words of George Orwell's, telling the story of an execution that he witnessed whilst serving in the police in Burma in the 1920s.
"Until that moment I had never realised what it means to destroy a healthy, conscious man. When I saw the prisoner step aside to avoid the puddle, I saw the mystery, the unspeakable wrongness, of cutting a life short when it is in full tide. This man... was alive just as we were alive..."
Have a look at http://www.amnesty.org/en/death-penalty
Tuesday 29 December 2009
Muhammad Iqbal
My fondness for the poetry of Muhammad Iqbal is well known, and today in Allahabad nigh on 80 years back he propounded his theory of the Two Nations which laid the eventual basis for the foundation of modern day Pakistan.
Here are a couple of lines in which he praises Persian (the language)
Garche Urdu dar uzūbat shakar ast
Lék Pārsī-am ze Hindi shīrīntar ast
(Even though in sweetness Urdu is sugar
nevertheless my Persian is sweeter than Hindi)
Here Urdu/Hindi are the same language albeit written in two different scripts.
Here are a couple of lines in which he praises Persian (the language)
Garche Urdu dar uzūbat shakar ast
Lék Pārsī-am ze Hindi shīrīntar ast
(Even though in sweetness Urdu is sugar
nevertheless my Persian is sweeter than Hindi)
Here Urdu/Hindi are the same language albeit written in two different scripts.
Sunday 27 December 2009
The nerve of the man...
"I don't think we should invent differences where none exist". DC
David Cameron, "Whether you're Labour, Conservative, or Liberal Democrat, you're motivated by... progressive aims... a country... where opportunity is more equal".
Progressive, the Tories?
* "Tory tax plans put child benefit at risk" The Independent
* "Raise the inheritance tax threshold from £700k to £1m" The Guardian
* "Scrapping vehicle excise duty on the least environmentally friendly cars" The Times
* "Tories reassure independent schools about their charitable status" The Independent
* "Tory marriage tax allowance would give the highest earners 13 times as much as those on lower incomes"
Oh yes and they want to bring back fox-hunting with dogs.
Of course that's what the country has been crying out for.
In the depths of the deepest recession in living memory, and top of the list of things the Tories want to do is have a free vote on fox hunting.
On the doorsteps throughout Keighley, Ilkley, Silsden, and elsewhere in the constituency, that's what people buttonhole me about. A free vote on fox hunting with dogs.
At the risk of sounding sarcastic, you've obviously got your finger on the political pulse of the nation, David.
The Tories are not progressive, never were and will never be.
Don't be fooled by the smooth(ish) banter.
David Cameron, "Whether you're Labour, Conservative, or Liberal Democrat, you're motivated by... progressive aims... a country... where opportunity is more equal".
Progressive, the Tories?
* "Tory tax plans put child benefit at risk" The Independent
* "Raise the inheritance tax threshold from £700k to £1m" The Guardian
* "Scrapping vehicle excise duty on the least environmentally friendly cars" The Times
* "Tories reassure independent schools about their charitable status" The Independent
* "Tory marriage tax allowance would give the highest earners 13 times as much as those on lower incomes"
Oh yes and they want to bring back fox-hunting with dogs.
Of course that's what the country has been crying out for.
In the depths of the deepest recession in living memory, and top of the list of things the Tories want to do is have a free vote on fox hunting.
On the doorsteps throughout Keighley, Ilkley, Silsden, and elsewhere in the constituency, that's what people buttonhole me about. A free vote on fox hunting with dogs.
At the risk of sounding sarcastic, you've obviously got your finger on the political pulse of the nation, David.
The Tories are not progressive, never were and will never be.
Don't be fooled by the smooth(ish) banter.
Saturday 26 December 2009
Joyous Kwanzaa to all my Black friends
How remiss of me, of course today is the first day of week-long Kwanzaa celebrations dedicated to Umoja or Unity, specifically of family and community.
I was reminded by my friend Lester, thanks for that and Happy Kwanzaa to you and your family.
I was reminded by my friend Lester, thanks for that and Happy Kwanzaa to you and your family.
Carols and more
Every Christmas Eve we have a Carol Service(ish) in St. George's Square here in Hebden Bridge. It's brilliant!
Hundreds, nay thousands, of people brave the wintry conditions though thankfully it was dry this year, but the snow did lie "deep and crisp, and even".
This year, I am sure that there were more people than ever for this incredibly popular event, spilling out into the roads at both ends of the square, and down into Bridgegate.
People of varying religious flavours, as well as agnostics and atheists were all stood singing carols to music supplied by the wonderful Hebden Bridge Junior Band.
Thanks everyone it was a great community event.
For photos have a look at http://www.hebdenbridge.co.uk
Hundreds, nay thousands, of people brave the wintry conditions though thankfully it was dry this year, but the snow did lie "deep and crisp, and even".
This year, I am sure that there were more people than ever for this incredibly popular event, spilling out into the roads at both ends of the square, and down into Bridgegate.
People of varying religious flavours, as well as agnostics and atheists were all stood singing carols to music supplied by the wonderful Hebden Bridge Junior Band.
Thanks everyone it was a great community event.
For photos have a look at http://www.hebdenbridge.co.uk
Thursday 24 December 2009
The Great War Christmas Truce
During the Great War of '14-'18 an unofficial truce took place near Ypres in Belgium.
On Christmas Eve 1914, German troops began decorating their trenches and singing carols, including Stille Nacht. The British in their trenches responded by singing English carols.
The two sides shouted Christmas greetings, and soon across "No man's land" gifts were exchanged, comrades buried, prayers said, and indeed a football match played.
In the 1970s Mike Harding wrote and sang a brilliant song called "Christmas 1914", well worth a listen to.
"Christmas Truce" by Malcolm Brown and Shirley Seaton is a superb book covering the subject.
On Christmas Eve 1914, German troops began decorating their trenches and singing carols, including Stille Nacht. The British in their trenches responded by singing English carols.
The two sides shouted Christmas greetings, and soon across "No man's land" gifts were exchanged, comrades buried, prayers said, and indeed a football match played.
In the 1970s Mike Harding wrote and sang a brilliant song called "Christmas 1914", well worth a listen to.
"Christmas Truce" by Malcolm Brown and Shirley Seaton is a superb book covering the subject.
Monday 21 December 2009
Happy Birthday the Rochdale Pioneers-1844
When I first moved to Britain in the late-1960s I remember being sent to the corner-shop to do the family groceries.
I remember it being the co-op and being reminded to make sure that I told them our ‘divi’ number and getting our tokens showing how much we’d spent in store.
Twice a year, on ‘Divi Day’, our tokens would then be exchanged and the dividend distributed, and we’d get 3d (I think) for each pound we’d spent.
From then on I’ve been a huge fan of the Co-operative Movement both industrial and commercial, and indeed political.In the 1970s when I moved to the North-West to go to university, one of the first things I did was to go to the Rochdale Pioneers' original store on Toad Lane which was at that time a museum.
Early on in the 20th century there were serious talks between the Co-operative Party and the Liberals to join together and form a People’s Party. Those talks went nowhere, and as we now know they went on to join with the Labour Party.
I actually think that co-op principles are far better presented within the modern day Lib Dems.
On that note, happy birthday to the Rochdale Pioneers and progressives everywhere.
I remember it being the co-op and being reminded to make sure that I told them our ‘divi’ number and getting our tokens showing how much we’d spent in store.
Twice a year, on ‘Divi Day’, our tokens would then be exchanged and the dividend distributed, and we’d get 3d (I think) for each pound we’d spent.
From then on I’ve been a huge fan of the Co-operative Movement both industrial and commercial, and indeed political.In the 1970s when I moved to the North-West to go to university, one of the first things I did was to go to the Rochdale Pioneers' original store on Toad Lane which was at that time a museum.
Early on in the 20th century there were serious talks between the Co-operative Party and the Liberals to join together and form a People’s Party. Those talks went nowhere, and as we now know they went on to join with the Labour Party.
I actually think that co-op principles are far better presented within the modern day Lib Dems.
On that note, happy birthday to the Rochdale Pioneers and progressives everywhere.
Sunday 20 December 2009
Civil Partnerships
One of the achievements of this government (wholly-supported by the Lib Dems), and what separates it philosophically from any would-be Tory government and their narrow definition of what makes a family, was the introduction of the first Civil Partnership Act in 2004.
Ironically, the first one should have taken place on 21 December, but due to a misinterpretation of the waiting period, the first in Scotland were actually held today four years back.
Ironically, the first one should have taken place on 21 December, but due to a misinterpretation of the waiting period, the first in Scotland were actually held today four years back.
Never in the field of Climate Chaos has so little been achieved by so many
From Hope-nhagen to Nope-nhagen in one short week.
What a shabby affair last week in Copenhagen has proved to be.
A once in a lifetime chance to grasp the opportunity of seriously tackling the problems in store for the whole planet has been let slip.
True, it did agree that we should work together to keep the global temperature from rising more than 2ºC above the levels before the industrial revolution, but who should do what, how this would be enforced, and what the timescale would be... er...!
It is hypocritical of the industrialised Western states to blame China, and to lesser extent India, after all much of what China produces is exported to the West and is in fact substitute production for the West.
We must continue to put pressure on our own government, as well as our European and Atlantic allies to take the problem seriously and get round the negotiating table as soon as possible.
What a shabby affair last week in Copenhagen has proved to be.
A once in a lifetime chance to grasp the opportunity of seriously tackling the problems in store for the whole planet has been let slip.
True, it did agree that we should work together to keep the global temperature from rising more than 2ºC above the levels before the industrial revolution, but who should do what, how this would be enforced, and what the timescale would be... er...!
It is hypocritical of the industrialised Western states to blame China, and to lesser extent India, after all much of what China produces is exported to the West and is in fact substitute production for the West.
We must continue to put pressure on our own government, as well as our European and Atlantic allies to take the problem seriously and get round the negotiating table as soon as possible.
Friday 18 December 2009
Expel Uganda from the Commonwealth
I was alerted to this story by an astonishing piece on the BBC World Service programme website for African listeners asking "Should homosexuals face execution?"
It refers to an Anti-Homosexuality Bill to be debated by the Ugandan Parliament later today.
It is abhorrent that the Ugandan Government, or anyone else for that matter, wish to ban homosexuality. Not only that, they are proposing the death penalty for people whose only crime is to love someone of the same sex.
If this repulsive measure is passed, then Britain should stand up for human rights and expel Uganda from the Commonwealth.
It refers to an Anti-Homosexuality Bill to be debated by the Ugandan Parliament later today.
It is abhorrent that the Ugandan Government, or anyone else for that matter, wish to ban homosexuality. Not only that, they are proposing the death penalty for people whose only crime is to love someone of the same sex.
If this repulsive measure is passed, then Britain should stand up for human rights and expel Uganda from the Commonwealth.
Tuesday 15 December 2009
Bonan Zamenhofan Tagon!
That's Happy Zamenhof Day to you.
Saluton.
At the risk of sounding like Arnold Rimmer in Red Dwarf, I have always been a fan of Esperanto ever since a teacher in my secondary school decided to have classes one lunchtime and a few of us attended. I got to be quite good after a few weeks but lost much of it after said teacher moved on later in the year and the class folded.
I liked the (relative) simplicity of Esperanto, but I suppose more so I was (am) attracted by the idealism and internationalism of both its creator Dr Ludovic Zamenhof and its speakers.
Bonan Zamenhofan tagon al vi!
Saluton.
At the risk of sounding like Arnold Rimmer in Red Dwarf, I have always been a fan of Esperanto ever since a teacher in my secondary school decided to have classes one lunchtime and a few of us attended. I got to be quite good after a few weeks but lost much of it after said teacher moved on later in the year and the class folded.
I liked the (relative) simplicity of Esperanto, but I suppose more so I was (am) attracted by the idealism and internationalism of both its creator Dr Ludovic Zamenhof and its speakers.
Bonan Zamenhofan tagon al vi!
Monday 14 December 2009
Tycho Brahe's nose
In one of my favourite all-time books Arthur Koestler's The Sleepwalkers, there is, amongst much else, the story of Tycho Brahe's nose. How whilst still a student, Brahe lost part of his nose in a duel. For the rest of his life, he was said to have worn a realistic replacement made of silver and gold, using a paste to keep it attached.
Brahe was important in the development of modern astronomy and our understanding of the heliocentric universe.
Brahe was important in the development of modern astronomy and our understanding of the heliocentric universe.
40,000 child alcohol crimes in five years
Shocking stats that nearly 40,000 children have been fined, cautioned, or taken to court for alcohol-related offences in the last five years.
That's nearly one every hour!
The number has increased by over a quarter in that period, according to research by the Lib Dems.
The key points are:
* 39,714 children aged under 18 were fined, cautioned or taken to court for alcohol related offences between 2003 and 2007
* This includes 124 children aged 10-12 and 6,111 aged 13-15
* The number of under-18s fined, cautioned or taken to court for alcohol related offences has increased by 28%, 8,686 in 2007
Lib Dem Shadow Home Secretary, Chris Huhne said that this is a "shocking picture of how many children are being dragged into the criminal justice system through alcohol abuse".
As I have said before on this blog, we must stop alcohol being sold at pocket-money prices and start educating our children about the dangers of drink or these figures will continue to worsen.
Unless we change our drinking culture, we will condemn many of these children and adolescents to serious long-term alcohol-related illnesses or a life of crime.
That's nearly one every hour!
The number has increased by over a quarter in that period, according to research by the Lib Dems.
The key points are:
* 39,714 children aged under 18 were fined, cautioned or taken to court for alcohol related offences between 2003 and 2007
* This includes 124 children aged 10-12 and 6,111 aged 13-15
* The number of under-18s fined, cautioned or taken to court for alcohol related offences has increased by 28%, 8,686 in 2007
Lib Dem Shadow Home Secretary, Chris Huhne said that this is a "shocking picture of how many children are being dragged into the criminal justice system through alcohol abuse".
As I have said before on this blog, we must stop alcohol being sold at pocket-money prices and start educating our children about the dangers of drink or these figures will continue to worsen.
Unless we change our drinking culture, we will condemn many of these children and adolescents to serious long-term alcohol-related illnesses or a life of crime.
Saturday 12 December 2009
Happy Chanukah to all my Jewish friends
Chanukah is the Jewish Festival of Lights, and tradition dictates that even the poorest person must light Chanukah lights. The concept of charity (tzedakah) requires folk to help the recipient in the most dignified manner possible, so the charming custom of giving "Chanukah Gelt" has arisen so that none may be without light.
So ah freilichin und lichtige Chanukah far alle.
So ah freilichin und lichtige Chanukah far alle.
Friday 11 December 2009
Tory claims on Islamic school thrown out
David Cameron's ludicrous and unfounded allegations that a school was linked to Islamic extremism has been dismissed out of hand today by authorities.
I am a child of the Enlightenment and great believer in the separation of church and state, and consequently do not think there should be faith schools within the public sector.
Indeed, I moved a motion at Lib Dem conference last Spring, calling for their eventual phasing out.
However, having said that I do think that while they exist, ALL faith schools should be treated equally.
I thought that it was a cheap political shot by the Tories and an example of their racist dog-whistle appeal to Islamophobic sentiments in sections of the downmarket press to link extremism to this school.
Haringey Council has found no evidence of "inappropriate content or influence" in the school. In fact the school tries to ensure that pupils learn about different cultures and traditions, including joint work with a local CofE school.
The Tories have now got enough egg on their face to make the biggest of omelettes, I just hope that they have enough humility to apologise.
I am a child of the Enlightenment and great believer in the separation of church and state, and consequently do not think there should be faith schools within the public sector.
Indeed, I moved a motion at Lib Dem conference last Spring, calling for their eventual phasing out.
However, having said that I do think that while they exist, ALL faith schools should be treated equally.
I thought that it was a cheap political shot by the Tories and an example of their racist dog-whistle appeal to Islamophobic sentiments in sections of the downmarket press to link extremism to this school.
Haringey Council has found no evidence of "inappropriate content or influence" in the school. In fact the school tries to ensure that pupils learn about different cultures and traditions, including joint work with a local CofE school.
The Tories have now got enough egg on their face to make the biggest of omelettes, I just hope that they have enough humility to apologise.
Class War? Now it's the Tories who dissemble
David "Dave" Cameron and other senior members of the shadow Cabinet are keeping quiet about their public school backgrounds on the official Conservative Party website.
Only three of the 17 Tory shadow ministers who went to private school disclose their educational backgrounds in their official biographies. Although you have to feel sorry for Andrew Mitchell who went to Rugby.
It puts me in mind of a passage in a Dorothy L. Sayers book where a there's a wonderful put-down about private schools, something like, "Rugby? No no, that's a railway junction!"
Douglas Hurd, famously refused to stand for the leadership of the Tory party when Mrs. Thatcher resigned because he felt that his Old Etonian background would not chime with voter sensibilities. How strange that a dozen years of a Labour government has made the electorate seemingly indifferent to unearned wealth and inherited privilege.
Curiously, 14 of the 15 shadow ministers who went to a comp or grammar school prominently boast of the fact.
Only three of the 17 Tory shadow ministers who went to private school disclose their educational backgrounds in their official biographies. Although you have to feel sorry for Andrew Mitchell who went to Rugby.
It puts me in mind of a passage in a Dorothy L. Sayers book where a there's a wonderful put-down about private schools, something like, "Rugby? No no, that's a railway junction!"
Douglas Hurd, famously refused to stand for the leadership of the Tory party when Mrs. Thatcher resigned because he felt that his Old Etonian background would not chime with voter sensibilities. How strange that a dozen years of a Labour government has made the electorate seemingly indifferent to unearned wealth and inherited privilege.
Curiously, 14 of the 15 shadow ministers who went to a comp or grammar school prominently boast of the fact.
Thursday 10 December 2009
Do you want this man as PM?
Revelations today show that multi-millionaire, David Cameron claimed:
* £1,200 for oil for the stove at his Witney home in leafy Oxfordshire on TOP of monthly utility bills averaging £180 a month.
* £1,000 a month in mortgage interest payments.
* Secured a 10% reduction in council tax on the property from his local council, though the value of the property meant he was still claiming back £196 a month.
All this at a time when he was calling for a radical reform of MPs' expenses and allowances.
* £1,200 for oil for the stove at his Witney home in leafy Oxfordshire on TOP of monthly utility bills averaging £180 a month.
* £1,000 a month in mortgage interest payments.
* Secured a 10% reduction in council tax on the property from his local council, though the value of the property meant he was still claiming back £196 a month.
All this at a time when he was calling for a radical reform of MPs' expenses and allowances.
Embrace Diversity, End Discrimination
Today is Human Rights Day, chosen to honour the UN's adoption, 51 years back, of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), the first global proclamation of human rights.
I can say no better than to quote the opening paragraph of the Declaration.
Article 1
All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood.
I can say no better than to quote the opening paragraph of the Declaration.
Article 1
All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood.
Monday 7 December 2009
Israel recognised by the PLO
As we come up to Hannukah on Saturday, I think that it is fitting that we should remember that 21 years ago today, Chairman Yasser Arafat, then leader of the PLO, recognised the right of Israel to exist.
Yet, yesterday there was a story about a series of cases over the past two years in which patients from Gaza referred for hospital treatment in Israel have been held without charge and pressed to become Israeli collaborators.
This is a clear violation of human rights and the Israeli authorities must take steps to cease such abuses of power.
Yet, yesterday there was a story about a series of cases over the past two years in which patients from Gaza referred for hospital treatment in Israel have been held without charge and pressed to become Israeli collaborators.
This is a clear violation of human rights and the Israeli authorities must take steps to cease such abuses of power.
Wednesday 2 December 2009
Farewell Blanche...
Of the reasons I moved to study at Manchester aged 17 was its connections to the Industrial Revolution, its role in the growth of our nation's democracy, its role in the foundation of the Trades Union Congress, Friederich Engels, Dennis Law, and of course Coronation Street.
I loved it, it was funny, earthy, and "real".
Sad then to tell of the death of actress Maggie Jones who has died aged 75. She was best known for playing Weatherfield's Blanche Hunt, she had a wicked tongue on her and some withering put-downs.
Here are a few of Blanche's finest, courtesy of the BBC...
on Postman Pat
"Early in the morning, when the day is dawning..." Your real Postman Pat rolls up about noon wearing a pair of shorts and his breakfast... rifling through your birthday cards.
at an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting
I've never heard such self-indulgent whinging in all my life. Is there some correlation between how boring you are and how much you drink?
to Deirdre Barlow
Good looks are a curse, Deirdre. You and Kenneth should count yourselves lucky.
on Colin Grimshaw
I'd cut off his whatnots wi' a pair of garden shears, me. The rustier the better.
on Liz McDonald
Skirt no bigger than a belt, too much eye-liner, and roots as dark as her soul.
on Roy Cropper
He looks like he should be crayoning summat.
RIP Maggie
I loved it, it was funny, earthy, and "real".
Sad then to tell of the death of actress Maggie Jones who has died aged 75. She was best known for playing Weatherfield's Blanche Hunt, she had a wicked tongue on her and some withering put-downs.
Here are a few of Blanche's finest, courtesy of the BBC...
on Postman Pat
"Early in the morning, when the day is dawning..." Your real Postman Pat rolls up about noon wearing a pair of shorts and his breakfast... rifling through your birthday cards.
at an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting
I've never heard such self-indulgent whinging in all my life. Is there some correlation between how boring you are and how much you drink?
to Deirdre Barlow
Good looks are a curse, Deirdre. You and Kenneth should count yourselves lucky.
on Colin Grimshaw
I'd cut off his whatnots wi' a pair of garden shears, me. The rustier the better.
on Liz McDonald
Skirt no bigger than a belt, too much eye-liner, and roots as dark as her soul.
on Roy Cropper
He looks like he should be crayoning summat.
RIP Maggie
Tuesday 1 December 2009
World Aids Day: Universal Access and Human RightsTuesday
The theme for this year's World AIDS Day Universal Access and Human Rights.
Universal access to HIV/AIDS treatment, prevention, and care, is vital as is recognising these as fundamental human rights.
Although valuable progress has been made in increasing access to HIV/AIDS services, even greater commitment is needed.
Millions continue to be infected with HIV every year.
In low- and middle-income countries, less than half of those in need of anti-retroviral therapy are receiving it, and far too many don't have access to adequate care services.
World AIDS Day provides an opportunity for all of us, individuals, groups, and communities, to ensure that human rights are protected and global targets for HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment, and care are met.
Universal access to HIV/AIDS treatment, prevention, and care, is vital as is recognising these as fundamental human rights.
Although valuable progress has been made in increasing access to HIV/AIDS services, even greater commitment is needed.
Millions continue to be infected with HIV every year.
In low- and middle-income countries, less than half of those in need of anti-retroviral therapy are receiving it, and far too many don't have access to adequate care services.
World AIDS Day provides an opportunity for all of us, individuals, groups, and communities, to ensure that human rights are protected and global targets for HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment, and care are met.
Connie Markiewicz 1:2 Nancy Astor
Exactly ninety years ago, Nancy Lady Astor becomes first woman MP to take her seat in Parliament, although she had been elected in a by-election on 28 November.
She deserves her place in British political history, because Connie Markiewicz who was the first woman elected to the House of Commons did not take her seat but along with the other Sinn Féin TDs, formed the first Dáil Éireann.
Whereas Connie was a radical Nancy was rich, light, and fluffy and a Tory.
Oh dear, what does that tell you about the Tories' chances next year?
She deserves her place in British political history, because Connie Markiewicz who was the first woman elected to the House of Commons did not take her seat but along with the other Sinn Féin TDs, formed the first Dáil Éireann.
Whereas Connie was a radical Nancy was rich, light, and fluffy and a Tory.
Oh dear, what does that tell you about the Tories' chances next year?
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