Archive for October, 2007
A question for you
October 10th, 2007 by Roger Darlington
Over the centuries, it was placed at the Canary & Madeira Islands, the Azores, the Cape Verde Islands, Rome, Copenhagen, Jerusalem, St Petersburg, Pisa, Paris, and Philadelphia (among other places) before it finally settled down in London. What is it?
Posted in Science & technology | Comments (1)
The curse of the black rose
October 10th, 2007 by Roger Darlington
In 1889, the Konopiste Castle just outside Prague was obtained as his home by the Austrian Archduke Franz Ferndinand d’Este, the heir to the imperial throne. In 1907, he employed an English botanist to cross-breed roses at Konopiste in order to produce a black variety. It seems that he was warned that black roses bring […]
Posted in History | Comments (4)
What is motivating al-Qaeda?
October 9th, 2007 by Roger Darlington
According to this interesting article, it is not simply retaliation against the West for alleged injustices but it is more fundamentally an interpretation of Islam that sees non-Muslims as infidels. If this is the case, then the West alone cannot stop the terrorism; the theological justification for such terrorism must be challenged by mainstream Muslims.
Posted in World current affairs | Comments (2)
40 years after Che’s death
October 9th, 2007 by Roger Darlington
As recorded in this item on the BBC web site, today is the 40th anniversary of the summary execution of the Argentinian revolutionary Che Guevara following his capture the previous day by Bolivian army forces. Today Che’s body lies in the town of Santa Clara in Cuba. The next holiday for Vee and me – […]
Posted in History | Comments (4)
Evolution vs creationism
October 8th, 2007 by Roger Darlington
A friend has drawn my attention to this story on the BBC web site which appeared while I was away in Prague last week. It seems that some British teachers are finding it harder to explain evolution because of the view that creationism is not simply a metaphor for construction of the universe by a […]
Posted in Science & technology | Comments (1)
Back from Prague
October 8th, 2007 by Roger Darlington
Vee and I have just returned from five days in Prague – her 16th visit and my 21st. This time, we were there to attend the graduation ceremony of our dear friend Vojtišek (Vojta) Horváth whose family we have known for 22 years. Vojta has recently completed a six-year degree in medicine and his degree […]
Posted in My life & thoughts | Comments (2)
Off to see my Czech mates
October 2nd, 2007 by Roger Darlington
Thirteen years ago, one of my closest friends – a Czech doctor from Prague – died of leukemia here in London. You can read my tribute to Pavel Horvath here.Vee and I have retained a deep friendship with his family who are like our own and we exchange visits between London and Prague on a […]
Posted in My life & thoughts | Comments (1)
The start of the space age
October 2nd, 2007 by Roger Darlington
This week – actually on Thursday – sees an interesting anniversary. Sputnik 1, which was launched by the Soviet Union on 4 October 1957, was the first artificial satellite to be put into geocentric orbit. This really was the beginning of the space age and this week we commemorate the 50th anniversary of that event. […]
Posted in Science & technology | Comments (2)
Being a blogger in Burma
October 1st, 2007 by Roger Darlington
This is a dangerous activity in turbulent Burma and effectively blogging has stopped as the authorities have simply cut Net connections with the wider world. This “Times” article acknowledges the vital and brave efforts of the bloggers so far.
Posted in World current affairs | Comments (0)
Standing with the Burmese protesters
October 1st, 2007 by Roger Darlington
If you are outraged by the action of the army and generals in Burma and would like to show your solidarity with the protesters, visit this web site.
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