Michael Jackson: Society’s Problem?

It seems a little odd to get caught up in the celebrity hype of the moment, but I do think Michael Jackson’s passing requires a pause for thought. Much about the man can be said to be somehow special, different, or down right weird. But to be honest, much of it was downright tragic, and put the guy in a lose/lose situation.

Government seeks showdown with Unions over Israel

A friend pointed me to a press release on the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (read, Foreign Ministry), in which the Foreign Secretary attempts to put Trade Unions in line on policy towards Israel. I find this problematic on several levels, not least, in that it shows what a Labour government will demand from Unions.

A few personal observations about women’s status

In a break from the excellent series of guest posts on gender issues that have appeared on this blog recently, I’m going to step in and put up some of my own thoughts on recent appearances of gender issues in the media, some positive and some negative.

The Importance of Memory

Being in Berlin, even if only briefly, has reminded me of the importance of ‘Memory’, one of the major Generalised Issues* that the British sadly fail to make enough of a deal about. Its also made me wonder whether all airports should be torn down or not.

The Revolutionary nature of Jubilee

We’re not talking about the Silver and Gold Jubilees here, but of Social Justice Jubilee. If you’re not a Christian, I hope this is still a useful examination of active wealth redistribution with some secular benefit. This is mostly based off a random thought popping through my head and perhaps its not the most biblically correct or politically astute post ever, but here goes.

Australia: a hidden hive of racism

This news story hasn’t been covered as much as the protests in Iran or indeed the financial, parliamentary or any other crises recently, but an uglier side of one of Britain’s favourite friendly countries was on display lately in the form of a spate of attacks on Indian students studying in Sydney and Melbourne.

Anna: Why I’m making a big deal about Facebook Rape

This weeks Saturday Guest post deals with a trend that annoys me, which is nothing next to how my friend, this posts author, views it. Here Anna looks at a term being used around Facebook and how its use belittles the harsh, often violent, and always distressing (if that’s a strong enough word) reality behind its proper meaning.

UK Press Ignores Reality of UK Racism

This was passed to me via a friend on Twitter, and its left me absolutely stunned. A man has been planning to bomb places of worship in Glasgow and behead people, and has admitted just as much, and yet he hasn’t received a single mention in the UK national media. Why? Probably because his targets, not his beliefs, are Muslims.

The New Iranian Uprising

A few years ago (or so it seems) I wrote an article looking at the likely contrasting effects of an uprising and an American intervention. Here’s the original post and a refreshed version, both over a year old now, but with a lot to say about the current turmoil. To this I would like to add a few thoughts.

A Web of Hatred Worldwide

On Friday, news broke that the perpetrator of the shootings at the Holocaust Museum in Washington had supported American Friends of the BNP until its disbanding in 2001. But was this an isolated connection, or does this fit a growing trend of hate-parties and hate-groups making contact and working together?