Word of the day: myrmidon
August 20th, 2015 by Roger Darlington
The word means ‘a person who executes without question or scruple a master’s commands’. It comes from the name of a character in Greek mythology.
It’s a new word for me and I came across it in the book I’m reading at the moment: “The Storm Of War”, an account of the Second World War by Andrew Roberts. In this context, Roberts uses to word to describe those who blindly followed the orders and wishes of the Fuhrer Adolf Hitler.
Posted in Cultural issues | Comments (0)
The bloodiest siege in history: Leningrad 1941-1944
August 20th, 2015 by Roger Darlington
I am currently reading the 600-page book “The Storm Of War”, an account of the Second World War by Andrew Roberts. Even though I am familiar with all the major events of the war, it is still shocking to be reminded of the utter devastation of the conflict.
Following the German invasion of the Soviet Union in Operation Barbarossa, the city of Leningrad suffered the most horrific siege in history. There are various estimates of the death toll, but Roberts writes:
” … somehow Leningrad surveyed its gruelling 900-day ordeal, despite suffering over one million deaths, or an average of more than 1,100 people a day for nearly three years. It was by far the bloodiest siege in history, and more Russians died in Leningrad alone than British and American soldiers and civilians during the whole of the Second World War.”
You can read more about the siege here.
An excellent novel set in the siege is “City Of Thieves” by David Benioff which I have reviewed here.
Posted in History | Comments (0)
A review of the new Pixar animation movie “Inside Out”
August 18th, 2015 by Roger Darlington
Summer’s here and school’s out, so thank goodness for a great new movie from Pixar. “Inside Out” manages to be a delight for both kids and adults. You can read my review here.
Posted in Cultural issues | Comments (0)
How I have voted in the Labour Party elections
August 17th, 2015 by Roger Darlington
Today I received my ballot paper as a fully paid up member of the Labour Party for 46 years. Since I know some of you will be interested, this is how I voted (online) in the three most important elections (I’m assuming you’re not so interested in the elections for the Conference Arrangements Committee and Regional Representatives on the National Policy Forum):
Leader of the Labour Party
- Andy Burnham
- Yvette Cooper
- Liz Kendall
- Jeremy Corbyn
Deputy Leader of the Labour Party
- Stella Creasy
- Tom Watson
- Caroline Flint
- Ben Bradshaw
- Angela Eagle
Labour candidate for London Mayor
- Tessa Jowell
- Sadiq Khan
- David Lammy
- Gareth Thomas
- Christian Wolmar
- Diane Abbott
Obviously policy matters, but all the candidates have a lot more work to do to flesh out a comprehensive range of policies that will be relevant at the time of the General Election and anyway I believe that policy should emanate from the National Policy Forum and not simply from an individual.
For me, at least as important as policy is experience of running a government department, demonstration of political leadership, and credibility with the wider electorate. You see, to reshape our society into one that is fairer and more prosperous, Labour has to win power first and I am backing those who I think are most likely to do that.
As it happens, I think that Andy Burnham and Stella Creasy would make a great team with complementary skills and appeal: man and woman, middle-aged and younger, Northern MP and London MP, experienced Minister and new campaigner. Both are exceptionally bright and thoughtful, both are open to new ideas, both speak ‘normal’ and connect with voters.
I’m not at all sure that Andy Burnham and Stella Creasy will actually win the internal elections (I think Tessa Jowell will), but they have my votes.
Posted in British current affairs | Comments (1)
Word of the day: littoral
August 17th, 2015 by Roger Darlington
Littoral can be a noun or an adjective and refers to the shore of a lake, sea or ocean.
It’s a new word for me and I came across it in a chapter title of the book I’m reading at the moment: “The Storm Of War”, an account of the Second World War by Andrew Roberts. The relevant chapter is about the efforts by the British, Italians and Germans in 1939-1942 to occupy the North African coastline in Libya and Egypt.
Posted in Cultural issues | Comments (0)
The largest loss of life in a British maritime disaster – and you’ve never heard of it
August 17th, 2015 by Roger Darlington
Which British ship was sunk with the largest loss of life? The “Lusitania” in 1915 with 1,198 deaths? The “Titantic” in 1912 with 1,517 deaths? Suppose I told you that there was a sinking in which the death toll was greater than that of the “Titantic” and the “Lusitania” combined? And suppose i told you that you’ve never heard of the incident?
It’s August, I have few meetings, and so I am currently reading the 600-page book “The Storm Of War”, a masterful account of the Second World War by Andrew Roberts. I have already learned so much.
Roberts writes about “the largest single maritime disaster in British history” and points out that “Churchill ensured that the story was not made public until after the war”. Yet, even now, it is hardly known.
The incident occurred on 17 June 1940 when the Battle of France was already lost and the Battle of Britain was about to begin. It involved the sinking od the Cunard White Star liner “Lancastria” by five German aircraft. The death toll was at least 4,000 and maybe a great deal more. It was the highest death toll for UK forces in a single engagement in the whole of World War II.
You can learn more here.
Posted in History | Comments (0)
U.S. presidential election (10): has Hillary Clinton’s campaign seriously faltered already?
August 16th, 2015 by Roger Darlington
Not really. Not yet.
The row over her private e-mail account as Secretary of State is unhelpful, but unlikely to impact on Democratic voters in the primaries; Bernie Sanders may do well in the primaries in the liberal states of New Hampshire and Iowa, but will struggle thereafter; Vice-President Joe Biden does not have the backing or the money to mount a serious challenge.
As Michael Cohen explains in this article:
“The reasons for her dominance are not difficult to figure out. She has raised the most money, she’s secured the most endorsements and quite simply there’s no one else in the party who comes close to rivalling her backing within the party. Her favourability rating among Democrats is well above 80% and she continues to lead Sanders in national polls of party members by 30-plus points.
The key to that support is, perhaps, the most important single constituency within the Democratic party – minority voters. In 2008, African Americans were the key to President Obama’s success in his hard-fought primary win against Clinton. Eight years later, those same voters are solidly in her camp – and neither Sanders, nor Biden, nor any of the other potential challengers for the nomination comes close. Clinton also enjoys a marked advantage among Hispanic voters and among Democratic women.”
Posted in American current affairs | Comments (0)
At last, the United States has an embassy in Cuba once more
August 15th, 2015 by Roger Darlington
When Vee and I visited Cuba seven years ago for a wonderful holiday, I hoped – and expected – that the thaw in relations between the USA and Cuba and the introduction of political reforms in Cuba itself would move more quickly. But there has been real progress under Barack Obama’s leadership and with support from Raul Castro.
One indication of that is the re-opening this week of the US Embassy in Havana after an interval of 54 years. It reminded me of our first morning in Cuba which I recorded as follows:
“We returned to our hotel, driving for a stretch along the seafront promenade known as the Malecón, which was started in 1902 and now runs along the bay for 7 km (4 miles).
There are many attractive buildings along the boulevard but a lot need substantial renovation. The ugliest and oddest building is the so-called United States Interests Office which acts as a kind of US Embassy since the Americans do not recognise Cuba for diplomatic purposes.
In January 2006, the Americans began displaying messages on a scrolling “electronic billboard” in the windows of the top floor of the Interests Office. This provoked the Cuban government to erect a large number of poles, carrying black flags with single white stars, obscuring the messages – and they are still there.”
You can read the full account of our trip here.
Posted in American current affairs, World current affairs | Comments (0)
My 23rd short story: “The Day Of Reckoning”
August 14th, 2015 by Roger Darlington
My latest dip into my library of short stories should interest you – and make you think. You can read it here.
Posted in My life & thoughts | Comments (4)
Google -> Alphabet -> The Circle?
August 12th, 2015 by Roger Darlington
The news that Google is to restructure its operations fundamentally, with a new holding company called Alphabet, underlines just how diverse and ambitious are the company’s aspirations.
Where is all this taking us? One profoundly unsettling scenario is offered in a novel called “The Circle” by Dave Eggers. It is not a prediction but it is a warning. You can read my review here.
Posted in Cultural issues, Science & technology | Comments (0)