Archive for May, 2011
A review of “Thor”
May 7th, 2011 by Roger Darlington
Kenneth Branagh directing a super-hero movie? Yes – it’s “Thor” which I’ve reviewed here.
Posted in Cultural issues | Comments (0)
An unusual (and brave) Syrian blogger
May 7th, 2011 by Roger Darlington
A British (presumably) journalist living in Damascus has been writing regularly for the “Guardian” on the recent political turmoil in Syria. She uses the pseudonym Katherine Marsh. There can’t be that many female (presumably) British journalists living in Damascus and I hope that the authorities don’t find her and detain her. Meanwhile her latest piece […]
Posted in World current affairs | Comments (0)
Should we shift tax from income to wealth?
May 7th, 2011 by Roger Darlington
Although the American Right is obsessed about tax, taxation is necessary to fund the programmes and activities that make a civilised society. Depending on how we structure our taxation systems, tax can also have overall social policy objectives such as promoting entrepreneurship or reducing inequality. I am very interested in the consequences for both societies […]
Posted in British current affairs, World current affairs | Comments (0)
A review of “Elvira Madigan”
May 6th, 2011 by Roger Darlington
I’ve just viewed for the sixth time the 1967 Swedish film “Elvira Madigan” which I’ve reviewed here.
Posted in Cultural issues | Comments (0)
Baby Catrin: progress report (8)
May 5th, 2011 by Roger Darlington
This morning, I had two meetings in central London and then I stayed downtown to spend the afternoon with my adorable granddaughter Catrin who is now almost four months old. Her dad – my son Richard – takes one day a week off work to look after Catrin and today was one of his ‘daddy […]
Posted in My life & thoughts | Comments (0)
A reminder of why the UK needs AV
May 4th, 2011 by Roger Darlington
Tomorrow the UK will hold only its second referendum in my lifetime of over 60 years. It is on whether we should replace the first-past-the-post (FPTP) system of election by the alternative vote (AV) in our General Elections. If we needed a reminder of how FPTP can distort the popular will, look at what happened […]
Posted in British current affairs, World current affairs | Comments (0)
Election surprises in Canada
May 3rd, 2011 by Roger Darlington
I did a posting a few days ago warning that the Canadian general election might have a surprise or two for us, but the actual result is astonishing: The Conservative Party – which has formed the last two governments on a minority basis – was forced into this election by a vote of no confidence, […]
Posted in World current affairs | Comments (0)
Is there a flower with your name?
May 3rd, 2011 by Roger Darlington
I have just discovered – via an Internet contact in California – that there is one with my surname. It’s called ‘Darlingtonia californica’ and it’s a rare carnivorous plant. How cool is that? More information here.
Posted in My life & thoughts | Comments (0)
A review of “Comrades”
May 2nd, 2011 by Roger Darlington
I’ve just caught up with the 1987 film about the Tolpuddle martyrs called “Comrades” and you can read my review here. If – like me – you’re interested in films about the labour movement, you can read reviews of 25 such works here.
Posted in Cultural issues | Comments (0)
A short guide to the American political system
May 2nd, 2011 by Roger Darlington
Some of the most visited parts of my web site – which has around 170 sections in all – are my essays on the political systems of various nations (now 11 in all). Given the size of the Internet population in the USA, there are a considerable number of visitors to the one on the […]
Posted in American current affairs | Comments (0)