Archive for November, 2015


What’s the UK doing about Syria? – 11 key questions answered

November 30th, 2015 by Roger Darlington

Whether or not the UK should join bombing operations against ISIL in Syria is not a simple matter. There are strong arguments for and against and many considerations to weigh. Usefully the BBC web site has provided a short guide to some of the key questions.

Posted in British current affairs | Comments (0)


The news for Labour just gets blacker and blacker

November 30th, 2015 by Roger Darlington

“Here is the really bad news for Labour. It has nothing to do with Syria, which is unlikely to influence the outcome of the next general election. Nor is it to do with Europe, providing that we vote to stay in the EU, as now seems likely although far from certain. The bad news concerns […]

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A review of the new movie “Bridge Of Spies”

November 30th, 2015 by Roger Darlington

For a film with a quality script, acting and direction, currently it would be hard to beat “Bridge Of Spies” which I have reviewed here.

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U.S. presidential election (14): who can stop Donald Trump?

November 29th, 2015 by Roger Darlington

Let us – especially non-Americans – remind ourselves of just a few of the gaffes and insults which have emanated from Donald Trump in his effort to become the Republican nominee for next year’s US presidential election. As this article from today’s “Observer” newspaper puts it: “First, there was the time he outraged prisoners of war […]

Posted in American current affairs | Comments (0)


A 60-second video guide to why the Paris climate summit is likely to succeed

November 28th, 2015 by Roger Darlington

At the UN 2015 Paris Climate Conference between 30 November and 11 December, governments of more than 190 nations will meet for a new global agreement on climate change. The world’s changed a lot since they last met in Copenhagen in 2009, when countries united – but didn’t seal the deal. From the rise of […]

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The growing despair of a Labour loyalist

November 28th, 2015 by Roger Darlington

“… what enrages Corbyn’s critics most is not a doctrinal difference with the leader, but their assessment of the damage he is doing to the party. Their chief concern is over Labour’s prospects of ever again winning the trust of the British people and forming a government. And they want a Labour government very badly. […]

Posted in British current affairs | Comments (6)


How to win someone’s heart

November 27th, 2015 by Roger Darlington

It wasn’t my idea; it was the idea of someone who came across my web site and decided to use some of the material on my site in a most romantic manner.  You can check out his approach here.

Posted in Miscellaneous | Comments (0)


The moment John McDonnell pulled out Mao’s “Little Red Book”

November 26th, 2015 by Roger Darlington

Can the performance of John McDonnell as Shadow Chancellor become any more embarrassing? View this clip and, like most of the Labour MPs in the Commons chamber,  just cringe. Before anyone takes any advice from Chairman Mao, it would be a good idea to read this biography of the ‘Great Helmsman”.

Posted in British current affairs, History | Comments (0)


Is Jeremy Corbyn good or bad for the Labour Party?

November 25th, 2015 by Roger Darlington

Well, it depends on your perspective and there is evidence to support both views. The most recent evidence is from two polls: a YouGov poll for the “Times” and a ComRes poll for the “Daily Mail”. On the one hand, the first poll finds that 66% of those who were eligible to vote in this summer’s leadership […]

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What should be done about the starlings in Rome?

November 24th, 2015 by Roger Darlington

During a recent visit to Rome, I did a blog posting in which I mentioned seeing lots and lots of starlings flying overhead in wonderful formations. But apparently these birds cause problems and the authorities are considering a number of ways of tackling the issue as explained here.

Posted in World current affairs | Comments (0)