My 20th short story
March 10th, 2010 by Roger Darlington
Last summer, I set myself the objective of writing five short stories and managed it. My good friend Ivan told me then: “I know you, Roger. You’ll continue writing …”
He was right and today I’ve put on my web site my 20th story. It’s called “It Isn’t Over …” Please have a read and let me know what you think.
Posted in My life & thoughts | Comments (1)
Happy birthday London Eye
March 10th, 2010 by Roger Darlington
The London Eye is 10 years old today. Originally owned by British Airways, it was opened to celebrate the new millennium and intended to operate for up to five years, but it is now a permanent and iconic feature of the London skyline.
I’ve been on it several times and will no doubt go again because it is great fun.
Posted in Miscellaneous | Comments (0)
Now it gets really interesting
March 9th, 2010 by Roger Darlington
In an exclusive, the “Times” today reveals the results of a poll of political opinion in 100 key marginal seats. Populus, who conducted the poll, puts both Labour and Conservatives on about 38 per cent in the seats it examined. The article points out:
“The poll shows that the switch of voters from Labour to the Tories is about 1.5 to 2 points higher in the battleground seats than nationally. That might be worth an extra 20 MPs to the Conservatives, smaller than many in the party would hope after the big spending on these targets. It might be enough only to take the Tories to the threshold of the 326 seats they need for a bare overall majority in the Commons.”
It’s 58 days to the likely date of the General Election (Thursday, 6 May 2010).
Posted in British current affairs | Comments (0)
Should governments regulate the Net?
March 8th, 2010 by Roger Darlington
A poll for the BBC World Service surveyed more than 27,000 adults across 26 countries to assess their attitudes to the Internet. It found that almost four in five people thought that access to the Net should be a basic right.
But, in a report on the findings, it is revealed:
“Web users questioned in South Korea and Nigeria felt strongly that governments should never be involved in regulation of the internet. However, a majority of those in China and the many European countries disagreed. In the UK, for example, 55% believed that there was a case for some government regulation of the internet.”
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Worldwide growth of access to the worldwide web
March 8th, 2010 by Roger Darlington
This BBC map – based on data from the International Telecommunications Union – shows the growth of Internet users in each country from 1998-2008.
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The great mall of China
March 8th, 2010 by Roger Darlington
The largest shopping mall in the world is in China – which might surprise you. It called the New South China Mall and is located in the city of Dongguan, which has a population in excess of 10 million and is located in southern China.
The mall can accommodate 2,350 stores. However, you might be even more surprised to learn that it has been 99% unoccupied since it was opened in 2005. More information here.
China really is a fascinating country full of contradictions and we’re really looking forward to a repeat visit shortly.
Posted in World current affairs | Comments (0)
Who would be Obama’s Chief of Staff?
March 7th, 2010 by Roger Darlington
Rahm Emanuel, President Barack Obama’s Chief of Staff, is coming in for a rough side as the President’s record itself is assailed from different perspectives. As this article in the “Observer” explains, Emanuel is being attacked from both angles: on the one hand, there are those who say he is too conservative and has let down the President but, on the other hand, others argue that Obama is in so much trouble because he hasn’t accepted more of Emanuel’s advice.
Ironically, as we are reminded in this article from “The New Republic”, Rahm Emanuel was initially very reluctant to take on the task. After all, he was well-placed to become Spreaker of the House – the first Jewish holder of the position – and keen to spend more time with his family.
Enthusiasts for “The West Wing” – which certainly includes me – will recall that being Chief of Staff to the fictional President Bartlett – another liberal Democrat – caused Leo McGarry to have a heart attack which followed his resignation and then another heart attack which killed him.
Hopefully Emanuel and Obama can pull through these difficulties, starting with securing of legislation on health care reform.
Posted in US current affairs | Comments (0)
Will the world end in 2012?
March 6th, 2010 by Roger Darlington
I very much doubt it, but some people are worried by a so-called Mayan prophecy that suggests that the world will cease on 21 December 2012. The prophecy was the basis for the movie “2012″ which I’ve reviewed here.
There are whole web sites devoted to the implications of the Mayan prophecy including one that helpfully answers 20 questions on the subject here. Reassuringly this web site advises us that 2012 will not be the end of the world as such but just the end of the world as we know it with the dawning of a new age of enlightenment.
Just in case you want to start making arrangements, you can check the countdown here.
Posted in World current affairs | Comments (0)
Animals on the London underground
March 5th, 2010 by Roger Darlington
This is fun.
Posted in Miscellaneous | Comments (0)
“Rage On The Right”
March 5th, 2010 by Roger Darlington
America’s Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) has produced a new report entitled “Rage On The Right” which argues that “so-called “Patriot” groups — militias and other organizations that see the federal government as part of a plot to impose ‘one-world government’ on liberty-loving Americans — came roaring back after years out of the limelight”.
The latest SPLC count finds that an astonishing 363 new Patriot groups appeared in 2009, with the totals going from 149 groups (including 42 militias) to 512 (127 of them militias) — a 244% jump. Texas has 52 and Michigan has 47.
Posted in World current affairs | Comments (0)