Archive for November, 2013
How many people should go to prison?
November 12th, 2013 by Roger Darlington
At one level, the answer might seem obvious: it depends how many people commit a crime attracting a prison sentence. But, in fact, the rate of incarceration varies enormously around the world. This means that, unless human nature is very different in different countries, the key factors are the cultural propensity to commit crime and […]
Posted in Social policy, World current affairs | Comments (1)
The future of the Post Office network
November 11th, 2013 by Roger Darlington
For many decades, I have had a deep interest in the future of the Post Office network. For 24 years, I worked for trade unions with members employed by what is now called Post Office Limited (POL) and for six years I sat on the Boards of the consumer bodies on postal matters (Postwatch and […]
Posted in British current affairs, My life & thoughts | Comments (0)
75 years later: how the world shrugged off Kristallnacht
November 10th, 2013 by Roger Darlington
“The pogroms in November 1938 lasted several days, although history books often refer to the event merely as one “Night of the Broken Glass” (Kristallnacht) because Nazi propaganda chief Joseph Goebbels announced on the radio on Nov. 10 that the excesses had ended. Experts estimate that up to 1,500 people died in the days surrounding […]
Posted in History | Comments (0)
A review of the new movie “Gravity”
November 10th, 2013 by Roger Darlington
Everything you’ve heard about the film “Gravity” is true. Go see it – now. You can read my review here.
Posted in Cultural issues | Comments (0)
Ever heard of the Bechdel test for movies?
November 7th, 2013 by Roger Darlington
Devised by Alison Bechdel, the test is whether a film contains at least two named women characters who talk to each other about something other than a man. You’ll find a fuller examination here. My all-time favourite film – “Lawrence Of Arabia” – fails the test totally. One of the best films I have seen […]
Posted in Cultural issues | Comments (1)
Water bills rising up the political agenda – and dominating my current workload
November 5th, 2013 by Roger Darlington
Today it was announced that the Secretary of State for the Environment has written to all water companies urging them to endeavour to keep bills down in the next Price Review period running from 2015-2020. Interestingly the actual text of the letter is not on the DEFRA web site [see here] but the “Guardian” has published […]
Posted in British current affairs, My life & thoughts | Comments (1)
A review of the classic film “The Last Of The Mohicans”
November 5th, 2013 by Roger Darlington
One of the benefits of subscribing to a service like Lovefilm is that one can order classic movies from way back. We have just enjoyed again the 1992 film “The Last Of The Mohicans” which I have reviewed here.
Posted in Cultural issues | Comments (0)
What 70 of the world’s leading human rights organisations have told David Cameron about the British government’s reaction to the mass surveillance revealed by Edward Snowden
November 4th, 2013 by Roger Darlington
“We have joined together as an international coalition of free speech, media freedom and human rights organisations because we believe that the United Kingdom government’s response to the revelations of mass surveillance of digital communications is eroding fundamental human rights in the country. The government’s response has been to condemn, rather than celebrate, investigative journalism, […]
Posted in Internet, World current affairs | Comments (0)
A day at the museums with Catrin and James
November 3rd, 2013 by Roger Darlington
On Friday, I was able to take my granddaughter Catrin out of nursery for the day to join our young friend Jen and her son James who is just a few months older than Catrin. This is the third time in the last few months that Catrin and James have spent a day together and […]
Posted in My life & thoughts | Comments (2)
Can you imagine a television programme on life in a cul-de-sac? (2)
November 2nd, 2013 by Roger Darlington
A month ago, I did a posting about being contacted by a television production company interested in making a documentary about living in a cul-de-sac. This was a follow up to a posting I did seven years ago! I have subsequently spoken to a researcher for Landmark Films which is the company wanting to put […]
Posted in My life & thoughts | Comments (0)