Archive for August, 2012


10 things about the Paralympics

August 29th, 2012 by Roger Darlington

Here in London, the Olympics are over and today sees the opening of the Paralympics. The BBC web site has provided a helpful explanation of 10 differences between the two Games including guidance on the classification system used for Paralympians. Check it out here.

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Now the American presidential race gets serious (1)

August 28th, 2012 by Roger Darlington

“Romney wants to—he said in the first hundred days he’s going to let the big banks once again write their own rules. Unchain Wall Street! They’re going to put y’all back in chains.” This is Democratic Vice President Joe Biden – the man who is a heart beat away from the Presidency – making an […]

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Now the American presidential race gets serious (2)

August 28th, 2012 by Roger Darlington

“It’s worse to imagine a world with Obama getting a second term than it is to imagine a world without pizza. Because with Obama in a second term, there will be no pizza. For anyone.” This is the dire warning from Republican-supporting Herman Cain who is an expert on the selling of pizzas and once […]

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Gettysburg: the visit, the novel, the movie

August 28th, 2012 by Roger Darlington

The battle of Gettysburg was arguably the key conflict in the American Civil War which itself was a seminal period in US history. On a recent visit to the United States, I toured the battlefield and you can read my account here. Subsequently I read the award-winning novel of the battle called “The Killer Angels” […]

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A review of “Shadow Dancer”

August 27th, 2012 by Roger Darlington

Britain is noted for its wet Bank Holiday weekends and this one has been no exception. But I went out with friends to Kilburn in north London to see an excellent film at the Tricyle theatre and to have a delicious  Afghan meal at “Ariana II” (“Ariana I” is in New York). You can read […]

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“That’s one small step for (a) man …”

August 26th, 2012 by Roger Darlington

I was 21 and a university student when Apollo 11 went to the moon and astronaut Neil Armstrong became the first man to walk on the moon. As President of my Students Union, I kept the building open all night so that we could witness live this utterly historic event. So I mourn Armstrong’s death. […]

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“The Hunger Games” trilogy by Suzanne Collins

August 25th, 2012 by Roger Darlington

One of my projects in a quiet August was to read all 1,400 pages of these three books given me by my daughter-in-law. I’ve now finished the three novels and thoroughly enjoyed them: “The Hunger Games” – my review here. “Catching Fire” – my review here. “Mockingjay” – my review here.

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What are the differences between the American and British political systems?

August 24th, 2012 by Roger Darlington

I’ve just up-dated one of the most-visited parts of my web site and now suggest 40 differences between the political systems of the USA and the UK. Check out the list here.

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The cutest girl in the world

August 23rd, 2012 by Roger Darlington

As regular readers of this blog will be well aware, I have a granddaughter called Catrin who is now just over a year and half  old. I try to see her each week, but I went on a trip to Finland and then she went on holiday to Wales. So, when I saw her this […]

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“Your martini, Mr Bond. Shaken not stirred.”

August 21st, 2012 by Roger Darlington

In my teenage years in the 1960s, James Bond was as much a part of my cultural landscape as The Beatles. I read all 14 Bond books by Ian Fleming. As each film came out, I saw it at the cinema, starting with “Dr No” in 1962 and my favourite “From Russia With Love” a […]

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