Archive for September, 2012
We just don’t know what’s going on inside the people we meet
September 21st, 2012 by Roger Darlington
I saw this on someone’s Facebook page: I explored this theme in one of my short stories entitled “The Away Day”.
Posted in Miscellaneous | Comments (0)
Riding high in post-Olympic London
September 19th, 2012 by Roger Darlington
Earlier this week, I saw my good friend Jen with her baby boy James who is almost two and therefore just a few months older than my granddaughter. At Jen’s suggestion, we went on the Emirates Air Line cable car which opened just before the Olympics and it was terrific fun with great views of […]
Posted in Environment, My life & thoughts | Comments (0)
The makers versus the takers in Republican Party mythology
September 18th, 2012 by Roger Darlington
Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney keeps shooting himself in the foot, toe by toe, so that by polling day he may no longer be standing. His dismissal of the 47% of Americans who do not actually pay federal tax is astonishing for all sorts of reasons including the facts made very clear here.
Posted in American current affairs | Comments (0)
Should Israel attack Iran to block its nuclear ambitions?
September 16th, 2012 by Roger Darlington
I’be blogged several times opposing such a notion, as in this case, but it’s always good to see the argument put by an Israeli. Bernard Avishai is Adjunct Professor of Business at the Hebrew University. You can read his piece here. Not many people can say this, but I have visited both Israel [my account here] […]
Posted in World current affairs | Comments (0)
Three wonderful films that you have never heard of
September 15th, 2012 by Roger Darlington
In each case, there is no plot, no actors, and no dialogue but stunning cinematography and imagery and a pulsing soundtrack with the guiding hand of Ron Fricke. The three films are: “Koyaanisqatsi” (1982) – my review here “Baraka” (1992) – my review here “Samsara” (2011)- my review here If you live in a major city, […]
Posted in Cultural issues | Comments (0)
Why are Western embassies being attacked around the Muslim world?
September 15th, 2012 by Roger Darlington
“The maelstrom of anti-western violence in the Arab world has little to do with an anti-Islam propaganda film released on YouTube. It has more to do with decades of perceived western imperialism – and the organisational skills of the Salafis, known for their no-compromise, literal interpretation of the faith.” This is the opening of a […]
Posted in World current affairs | Comments (1)
A brilliant critique of the Tea Party or the American Taliban
September 14th, 2012 by Roger Darlington
I’ve been watching “The Newsroom”, a new series written by Aaron Sorkin for HBO, screened in Britain on Sky Atlantic. It’s not as good as “The West Wing” which Sorkin also created, but it has some great moments. I did a posting about one of those moments which opened the first episode. Now I want […]
Posted in World current affairs | Comments (1)
Inequality in Britain: extreme and increasing
September 14th, 2012 by Roger Darlington
“In 2010/11, the incomes of the chief executives of the largest 100 companies in the UK increased by nearly 50% while the average pay rise in the private sector was just 2.7%. Because prices increased by 5.2%, most private sector workers actually became poorer and pay freezes meant that many public sector workers did even […]
Posted in British current affairs | Comments (1)
Who will be the world’s leading power in 20 years?
September 12th, 2012 by Roger Darlington
Among many fascinating points in a new survey of international opinion, there are very diffrent views on whether China will take over from the United States as the world’s leading power in 20 years. 30% of American think China will be top dog but 59% of Chinese believe this.
Posted in World current affairs | Comments (0)
The London 2012 Games: the last hurrah
September 10th, 2012 by Roger Darlington
This afternoon, I attended a meeting at the Department for Culture, Media & Sport to discuss a communications programme for when the Government announces a timetable for switchover to digital radio. I was there in my capacity as the Chair of the Consumer Expert Group. The DCMS is located just off Trafalgar Square so, once […]
Posted in British current affairs, My life & thoughts | Comments (0)