Archive for December, 2006


“Auld Lang Syne”

December 31st, 2006 by Roger Darlington

Throughout Britain – and maybe the (especially English-speaking) world – tonight people will be singing (or trying to sing) the Scottish song “Auld Lang Syne”. Most of us though – including me- won’t remember the words or be sure what it all means. So, as an aid, check out the lyrics here.

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How well do you sleep?

December 30th, 2006 by Roger Darlington

I’m really fortunate – I can sleep almost anytime almost anywhere and regularly have my desired seven-eight hours a night. But, as this article confirms, a third of all adults have sleeping problems (and not just parents with young children). As people become older, generally they both need less sleep and find it harder to […]

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The Charmed Generation

December 30th, 2006 by Roger Darlington

According to a media release from Royal Mail this week, I am a member of “the Charmed Generation” – said to be “a group of two million over 55 year olds with the highest disposable income of any other consumer age group”. Royal Mail states: “This group of cash-rich consumers has evolved as a result […]

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Tour 10 Downing Street

December 29th, 2006 by Roger Darlington

Over the years, I must have visited 10 Downing Street – the home of the British Prime Minister – perhaps 10 times. Given my politics, I’ve never been to the premises during Conservative Governments, but I’ve been there under the tenures of Harold Wilson, Jim Callaghan and Tony Blair – all of whom I’ve been […]

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Britain’s war debts

December 29th, 2006 by Roger Darlington

At the end of the Second World War, Britain was financially shattered. But help was at hand. The US loaned $4.33bn (£2.2bn) to Britain in 1945, while Canada loaned US$1.19 bn (£607m) in 1946, at a rate of 2% annual interest. How long do you think it took to repay those debts?

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And he’s off …

December 28th, 2006 by Roger Darlington

“So now we have a presidential campaign boosting a candidate who is the most pro-labour politician in America today, run by a labour studies professor (I’m not making this up) who until yesterday was running a workers’ rights organization. This is the kind of politics we haven’t seen in America for more than a generation.” […]

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The core of the family

December 28th, 2006 by Roger Darlington

Both my parents are dead, but I have a younger sister Silvia (who lives in Leicester) and a younger brother Ralph (who lives in Manchester). My sister is the emotional core of the family who ensures that we regularly all get together, typically at some point between Christmas and New Year. So yesterday Vee and […]

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Some of the films I’d like to see in 2007

December 27th, 2006 by Roger Darlington

As regular visitors to this site will know, I’m a big movie fan. I’ve seen some good films in 2006 – which I’ve reviewed here – and there are plenty more coming in 2007. Among the movies that I’m particularly looking forward to viewing next year are the following: “300” centred on the legendary Battle […]

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Ever heard of Sacajawea?

December 26th, 2006 by Roger Darlington

I suspect that most Americans have but that most readers of NightHawk haven’t. Certainly I hadn’t until today. This Indian woman was a character in a new family film that I saw this afternoon: “Night At The Museum” [my review here]. Apparently Sacajawea is well-known as the Shoshone woman who led President Thomas Jefferson’s secretary, […]

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How democratic is your country?

December 26th, 2006 by Roger Darlington

As explained in an article in “The World In 2007”, an annual publication from the “Economist” magazine: “Free elections and civil liberties are necessary conditions for democracy, but they are unlikely to be sufficient for a robust democracy if unaccompanied by transparent and at least minimally efficient government, adequate participation in politics and a supportive […]

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