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Interesting article in the Independent today by Yasmin Alibhai-Brown on the assertion that in modern society Feminism is somewhat in retreat.
I tend to agree with her and its a shame that such things do occur - the fact that you get folks like Clarkson who are so utterly unpleasant and retrograde in attitudes towards women and it is celebrated or at best accepted as ok behaviour.
It reminds me of an article by Johann Hari the other week on the rise in homophobic attacks and the rising lack of tolerance and scapegoating etc. in society.
When did such become acceptable practice?
It just feels that in spite of progress made there is still definitely a battle to be fought for equal rights for women, homosexuals, ethnic and religious minorities (hate crimes against Jews and Muslims are on the rise) etc etc.
And that the forces of reaction are on the rise.
Even in my own backyard so to speak the spectre of creationism hasn't been fully slain, I'm not down with militant atheism of the sort Dawkins et al. promote I'm quite happy for people to have their imaginary friends if they like them, but the quashing of actual science and understanding by a misplaced idea of equality (and it isn't equality these folks would sooner remove evolution altogether if they could) isn't cool either.
Its a somewhat depressing thought that the world is going this way however I do have faith in the common sense of the British spirit to know that somethings aren't fair and that we can change things and make the world a better place.
The current government has done a lot for equal rights and so forth and whilst its not perfect and I do disagree with a bunch of policies and their move towards executive control over our parliament, I still feel they are best placed to carry this torch forwards seeing as Nick Clegg has pretty much said a vote for the lib-dems is a vote for the tories. |
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Nov. 23rd, 2009 @ 10:48 pm
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I occasionally wear a red t-shirt which says "4 a minute, 12 hours a day..." on it which then has a time log and a little mark for each of these times.
It confuses folks, often people think its one of my comedy t-shirts that it's about how often a bloke thinks of sex or something.
Often I'm asked what it means.
Its the piece rate of sweatshop labourer.
Now Primark recently opened a new shop in Cambridge, I know a lot of my friends shop there or places like it around the country. I hear its good value for money.
I'm sure it is, for us.
Shame they get their clothes from places around the world that use people in sweatshop conditions, hours and rates of pay and manufacture. Even in this country, in January for example a factory in the UK was found to be working for Primark and paying workers £3.50 an hour.
They said they'd look into changing such conditions and so forth for all their workforce a good while ago. They still haven't.
Its why War on Want still campaigns against them.
I'm not saying don't shop there, I'm saying I won't until it does change its practices, and I'm asking if the money you're saving is actually worth it, is it worth getting another shirt or dress that in a year or two you'll be giving to a friend or a charity shop.
Check out the war on want website if you want its under campaigns, supermarkets and sweatshops.
Just something to consider if you think of yourself as an ethical person. |
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Nov. 20th, 2009 @ 09:36 pm
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Seems Adam Green (one half of the Mouldy Peaches) is playing Cambridge Junction early next year.
Might see if I can myself a ticket, I mean he's not Kimya who is The Awesome but he's pretty good soloCurrent Music: The Unthanks - Lucky Gilchrist |
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Well..
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Nov. 15th, 2009 @ 12:35 am
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The earlier musical type links from Jennings (or should that be Papa Benedicto XVI?) got me trawling Youtube for classics..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9p_4UBpFn1M
(possibly a Drago one for his keeper)
(again probably changeling related but then I'm on a changeling weekend)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3g4ekwTd6Ig
(more a Zagreus one I feel, seeing as it runs in my head when I plot Z. stuff atm) |
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Every time I try and use it it makes firefox crash |
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I was wondering what people thought about this issue
http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/commentators/mark-steel/mark-steel-why-should-i-be-pressured-into-wearing-a-poppy-1814151.html
In one sense I think Mark Steel is being too lefty about the issue, in another sense however I think he's right.
thoughts?
Nov. 5th, 2009 @ 01:18 am
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| » do it for the monsters under your bed |
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kFvRe_Zk3VI
beautiful song from an awesome album pretty nifty dancing too
Oct. 30th, 2009 @ 08:33 pm
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| » well.. |
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I was going to go to essex games and that but it seems the slightly sore throat I had last night has overnight manifested itself as a odd swelling type effect in the soft palate at the back of my mouth (the throat is fine its the bit before that which is swollen) feels like its pressing down on my tongue - which of course its probably not but I can't speak right and I feel like hammered crap.
Hopefully it'll pass soon
but I somehow doubt it
Oct. 24th, 2009 @ 12:35 pm
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| » The Unthanks gid report |
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Well I don't go to see a lot of folk acts, but ever since I saw them a few years back with Billy Bragg I've been rather taken by the Unthank sisters.
So anyway ended up going on my own, ticket said 7pm got there a bit early and the doors were still locked saw the massive cue outside the junction and for a moment was a bit confused then realized Fightstar were playing next door - thankfully Charlie didn't pop over
So I went and headed to the bowling alley as I knew some work friends were heading that way, chatted with them for a bit and headed back.
This time got in (they opened the doors as I arrived) discovered the doors to the stage area didn't open til half past so settled in and got a drink.
As I was milling about thinking I was one of the youngest there (thankfully some younger folks eventually showed up) Becky Unthank trots out and starts chatting to some folks she obviously knew which I found to be rather cool and not what you'd see at a rock gig (well least any I've been to)
Went and got myself a band t-shirt from one of the other band members (Adrian or Chris I think)
Got another drink and then went in.
After a bit Rachel came on to introduce the support act Lucy and Jonny who did a short set of some really good tunes, she was really pretty and southern he was kinda bashful and northern - plus he sounded a bit like a geordie version of Fran Healy.
Out for intermission another drink, got the Lucy and Jonny CD and had it signed, spotted Niopha having a crafty fag and then back in for the Unthanks themselves.
And Lo! they were awesome they played most of the tracks off the new album plus Twenty long weeks (from Cruel Sister), Felton Lonnin and Blackbird (the latter in a big band orchestra arrangement rather than the ending harmonies of the album track) from the Bairns and Sexy Sadie (a Beatles cover they did for Melody Maker I believe).
Edit: They also did a version of Guard yer man weel (By the Keelers their Dad's group)
Funny bits included Rachel having to do up Becky's clogs and shoes when they changed as according to Becky her dress didn't allow her to touch her toes without being indecent, Rachel pointing out that she thought she'd given up doing her little sister's shoes up years ago.
The anecdote about the song "where've yer bin Dick?" and their dad (George) asking them why they didn't put the fourth verse on the album, when he apparently only taught them three..
And of course the slightly comedy non-rhyming end to the song (as Book should rhyme with F*ck but it doesn't)
with their Double Bass player trying to egg the crowd on a little to say the rhyme :-)
All ending too soon with a sing-a-long to Here's the tender coming.
All in all a rather good night out, now to hopefully see them again in London this time with a Sally in tow.
Oct. 22nd, 2009 @ 12:19 am
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| » One time Offer |
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Due to unforeseen circumstances on behalf of a person I was meant to be attending a concert with
I have 1 spare ticket to see The Unthanks in concert this wednesday (21st) at the Junction
As I gave this as a gift in the first place I'm happy to offer it free to however wishes to come with me.
To give a little more information The Unthanks are a Northumbrian folks group fronted by Rachel and Becky Unthank, (formerly called Winterset) you can probably find more information out by googling them (including their myspace for listening to tunes I believe)
As I say sadly Sally isn't able to come with, so I'm looking for someone to join me so I don't look like a complete billy no mates
I'd say first come first served but frankly if a bunch of folks say yes I'll choose my preferred option but yeah someone to go with would be nice - anyone?
Oct. 19th, 2009 @ 12:40 am
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| » (No Subject) |
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01. Think of the first word that comes to mind when you think of me.
02. Go to Google Images and search for that word.
03. Reply to this post with one of the pictures on the first page of results (don't tell me the word).
04. Put this in your own journal so that I can do the same.
Oct. 13th, 2009 @ 07:25 pm
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| » Maybe its the answer I've been wanting in disguise |
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Thoughts on issues.
Obama as Nobel peace prize winner - I actually think this is a good thing, true he doesn't have many concrete agreements in place but he has in his short time in office completely turned the world view on its head towards actual diplomacy and multilateralism, inclusive politics etc. And hell if Al Gore can get one for making a movie...
Conservative conference..
"Fixing our broken politics" - How David? your ideas are window dressing and frankly bobbins, The Libdems and Labour have better ideas with looking at electoral reform and so forth. Fix the house of lords, a better voting system and recall by elections would be a start - what has David promised?
Plus frankly its not that broken - the Labour reforms just have to be pushed to a conclusion, its only the expenses row that the Conservatives are pushing on which frankly with Moats and Duck Houses the Tories can F. off on who's the issue.
Mending our broken economy - Oh George Osbourne, he really should dress up as the Green Goblin. Cock. George would have us scrap (sorry its just an aspiration) taxes on the very rich and axe inheritance tax, but slash and burn public services, freeze pay, up pension ages, likely scrap final salary pensions for public sector workers etc. - Frankly if I were in a public service union I'd be planning a general strike on this now, just in case the cocks get in. Screw the working man benefit the rich - how does that mend the economy or fix the broken society? It doesn't does it?
His cuts would likely land us in a lost decade or a double dipper. Plus according to the FT most business leaders actually don't like tory policies (check the thursday comment section)
Oh and economy isn't that broken - we've run worse deficits before (in percentage GDP which is a better measure than actual numbers), we're still making stuff, innovating etc. etc. yes its bad but it isn't half as bad as it could be if this bunch of amateurs were in charge instead of Gordon.
Fixing our Broken society
Broke how? Actually people are better off after the labour decade and a bit, waiting lists are shorter, education is better, we have a minimum wage that isn't a fucking pittance, maternity pay etc. is better, paternity leave is in, tax credits lift folks out of poverty better than the shit Cameron and his cronies have to offer.
Politics really needs some optimism however, and Labour and the Libdems don't really offer much either.
Still there is a good choice between Cameron and his bastard policies or a decent steady hand of Brown, or hell even Clegg and his boys look a bit better than the tories.
Sure yeah people don't like Labour, but actually what they don't like is a few things Blair being a two-faced git on Iraq, the recession and a few other bits and bobs.
The tories are not a good option they don't anything except a worse choice.
I think their election slogan should be "Let a party with experience fucking up the country run into the ground"
In more positive news
Up - is a fantastic film, sad, happy, wonderous, and wonderful - its just lovely and very much heartfelt but not in bad way, oh and its got exploration and airships.
Squirrel!
Oct. 9th, 2009 @ 10:29 pm
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| » Reasons to not be Tory - part 1 of unknown number |
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The Tories will in all likelihood cut god knows how much "fat" from public spending or at least halt increases in budgets (an effective cut in funding) - cutting services to god knows what for ordinary folks who actually have to depend on the government for things because they get paid a pittance.
Additionally cutting money from budgets in a recessionary world is likely to forestall growth and lead to at best a U-shaped recession if not a double dip.
Basically Conservative economic policies are bonkers and haven't altered much if at all from a standard Thatcherite/Reaganomics model - if they have at all its generally decoration - and you can put all the icing and doilies you want on a turd but it doesn't stop it being shit.
Benefits.. The Tories occasionally talk about what they have planned for folks on benefits but tend to hide the realities of it by saying they're looking at certain US models or whatever - what they generally refer to but don't say they're planning is the Wisconsin Welfare Model - basically a force you to work scheme where you will be allocated a job doing something even if it takes you hours to get there and back, and even if you're a single mum with no childcare - "you're better off working" though perhaps your kids won't be..
You work to get your benefits and for every hour off the mandated hours of work you lose a set percentage of your benefits.
Best bit - you only get 2 years of benefits for your entire lifetime - so find a job, and yeah those jobs they give you count as part of those years..
Most amusing bit - none of this has actually been proven to reduce the amount spent on benefits by the state it merely shifts the costs about so instead of paying folks benefits it pays private companies that will generate these phantom jobs and intense jobseeking things for folks.
Again economically madness as a benefit safety net in the worst of times is both good for the people and good for the economy - it saves folks from hardships and it means the economy bottoms out at a higher level if things crash as it boosts the ability of the general public to keep buying stuff.
Whilst yes Labour have committed themselves to some cuts Labour cuts will likely be later than tory ones and less harsh - additionally Labour have made great strides in sympathetic welfare reform in the form of help you to work schemes like New Deal, and Tax credits and they wouldn't destroy the system like a tory would.
Frankly anyone who votes for Cameron and his smiling goon squad next election seriously needs their head read because I highly doubt it will benefit the voter to do so, unless of course they happen to be Scrooge McDuck and have a money bin in their back yard.
Sep. 10th, 2009 @ 11:26 pm
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| » For anyone interested in Winterset stuff |
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Well there I was humming away in my office to a Rachel Unthank track in my head and I figured I'd check if they had anything new out etc.
Anyway apparently they have a new album out next week (14th) and then a tour in October with a date at the Junction in Cambridge (tickets for £14)
So anyone out there interested in seeing them with me in Cambridge?
Oh and they've renamed themselves as "The Unthanks" rather than Rachel Unthank and the Winterset.
Sep. 9th, 2009 @ 05:00 pm
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| » Happy Birthday |
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To "Uncle" Ben Rhodes 21 again
Sep. 5th, 2009 @ 11:09 am
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| » (No Subject) |
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A most successful weekend
Changeling Drago got flirted with, and because of icelaw couldn't drop into conversation "my girlfriend" at every opportunity.
Mortals well I did nothing really just got the regional invite
Mage my pc died being shot like a dog by a bunch of seers or rather the wife of a seer whilst they sat there and counter spelled and warded my mates from getting to me and saving my arse
Vampire my praxis attempt failed the crone who I'd informed decided to leg it instead of support me and I ended up in torpor at mummy's house
So that's two pc's I'm unlikely to play again and one probably in the shit with his other half
Aug. 16th, 2009 @ 11:09 pm
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| » GI Joe: Rise of Cobra |
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So okay they took some liberties with some of the back story elements, yes some of the stuff was a bit silly and impossible but damn that movie actually really hit the spot for me in that it is so in the style of the comic books I adored as a kid yes its a bit implausible its meant to be as its meant to be fun and action, and it really achieved that.
Its god braindead fun if folks can suspend belief to watch Kate Beckinsale in a skin tight suit being a vampire fighting lycans then they can do it for this.
Not a good movie but a very very enjoyable one
Aug. 12th, 2009 @ 10:46 pm
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| » Colin |
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The zombie movie made for £45 is to get a cinema release according to the BBC they even have a snippet of it on their site
Jul. 27th, 2009 @ 11:03 pm
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