A new statue was unveiled in Parliament Square today of Nelson Mandela. Labour Minister David Milliband ('Nu' Labour Golden Boy) was interviewed on the national news regarding the statue. When asked what he liked about it, he DIDN'T say 'the face of a man bearing the marks of the struggle for freedom and justice, that should inspire us all to aim for the same ideals. No. He said "I like his shirt". Well, there you have it. 27 years in jail, but he never lost his dress sense - thank goodness!
Fortunately, Nelson put it a bit better - "This statue is a beacon of hope. It sends around the world the most powerful of messages: that no injustice can last for ever, that suffering in the cause of freedom will never be in vain, that however long the night of oppression, the dawning of liberty will break through and there is nothing that we, the peoples of the world working together, cannot achieve."
This last sentence echoes a portion of MLK in his famous "I have a dream" speech - "With this faith we will be able to transform the jangling discords of our nation into a beautiful symphony of brotherhood. With this faith we will be able to work together, to pray together, to struggle together, to go to jail together, to stand up for freedom together, knowing that we will be free one day."
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
Friday, August 24, 2007
The Daily Show
Caught this latest clip on YouTube earlier today. It is extremely funny, but the subject matter is very serious. In an earlier show, Al Gore made the point that in the current corporate media milleu, it seems that we can only get to the truth of the matter through satire. Such comments have particular resonance in relation to this clip.
Sunday, August 19, 2007
Dissertation
Welcome to my blog!
I don't know how much time I will have over the next few weeks to put stuff on here as I am currently finishing off my dissertation and doing my final clinical placement for my masters course, but I hope to make a few worthwhile contributions before that's all done and dusted. As 'Nu' Labour saw fit to strangle the health service of vital funds, I may well be on the dole when I qualify as an allied health professional (speech and language therapist). However, at this time, I will have my blog to occupy me. Well, that and the endless list of hobbies and interests I look forward to pursuing again when I regain my free time after 2 years of hard slog!!!
I am currently writing up the results of my ethnomethodological research. I have used Conversation Analysis to interpret my data. Are you still here??? Don't fall asleep! It's quite interesting when you get into it!!!
Okay, I will try not to talk about that kinda stuff.
Have to go now and get stuff ready as I'm starting a clinical placement tomorrow and I have to get up at 5.00am!!! I will be away from home this week too. Oh, the sacrifices I have made for this course!!! It will all be worth it in the end!?!?! No knowledge is wasted, my partner tells me.
Anyway, love and peace to the Climate Camp Protesters! Well done for keeping your cool and keeping it peaceful despite police harassement and mainstream media misreporting and misrepresentation! Your speakers' comments today about being sick of private profit over environmental concern and 'ordinary' people having to take matters on to avert catastrophe were spot on! So too were the statements that any attempt to prevent their pathway to the BAA offices would constitute protection of corporations above protection of the public. I would have been there if it were not for my dissertation.
I don't know how much time I will have over the next few weeks to put stuff on here as I am currently finishing off my dissertation and doing my final clinical placement for my masters course, but I hope to make a few worthwhile contributions before that's all done and dusted. As 'Nu' Labour saw fit to strangle the health service of vital funds, I may well be on the dole when I qualify as an allied health professional (speech and language therapist). However, at this time, I will have my blog to occupy me. Well, that and the endless list of hobbies and interests I look forward to pursuing again when I regain my free time after 2 years of hard slog!!!
I am currently writing up the results of my ethnomethodological research. I have used Conversation Analysis to interpret my data. Are you still here??? Don't fall asleep! It's quite interesting when you get into it!!!
Okay, I will try not to talk about that kinda stuff.
Have to go now and get stuff ready as I'm starting a clinical placement tomorrow and I have to get up at 5.00am!!! I will be away from home this week too. Oh, the sacrifices I have made for this course!!! It will all be worth it in the end!?!?! No knowledge is wasted, my partner tells me.
Anyway, love and peace to the Climate Camp Protesters! Well done for keeping your cool and keeping it peaceful despite police harassement and mainstream media misreporting and misrepresentation! Your speakers' comments today about being sick of private profit over environmental concern and 'ordinary' people having to take matters on to avert catastrophe were spot on! So too were the statements that any attempt to prevent their pathway to the BAA offices would constitute protection of corporations above protection of the public. I would have been there if it were not for my dissertation.
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