Blog 11 - How Britain bins 227,000 miles of Christmas paper

Source

Ross,T. (2011, Dec. 18). The Telegraph. Retrieved from http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/8964837/How-Britain-bins-227000-miles-of-Christmas-paper.html

Every year thousands of presents are waiting under the Christmas tree

Summary

Christmas is always the time of family and friend, but also of presents. Every year millions of presents are placed under the Christmas tree. The British passion for Christmas is even so great that they throw away more than 226,800 miles of wrapping paper each year. That is nine times around the world! The government is aware of all this Christmas waste and its costs that it wants to stimulate retailers and manufactures to reduce the amount of packaging. Even a Swedish example has been proposed that would give the British customers the possibility to return their used packaging to the shops. According to the ministers, people should be aware of what they dispose to the landfill. It is not only their burden, but also a burden for the future.  

Reaction

I am stunned about the amount of waste during Christmas holiday. 125,000 tons of plastic wrappings, ten million of turkey packaging and twenty-five million Christmas pudding packages are thrown away. It is not only a lot garbage, but it also costs the British taxpayer £168 million each year. I only can say that a fully support the government’s idea of recycling and better packaging. Why should we not think about our planet during Christmas? If we are giving each other so many presents, why should we not give the world one big present as well? A cleaner world is not only good for our health and environment, but also good for our own pockets. It will give us a lot of benefits in the future.

Blog 10 - Men can’t do washing machines, women don’t get iPhones

Source

Unknown author. (2011, Dec. 8). The Telegraph. Retrieved from http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/howaboutthat/8943382/Men-cant-do-washing-machines-women-dont-get-iPhones.html

 

The washing machine is not the man’s best friend.

Summary

A lot of women think that men understand technology better than they do. But they are wrong. A study of 2,000 adults has revealed that men have a lot of problems with household appliances. Women always assumed that men hated to do the housekeeping, but in fact they just don’t understand. Especially the laundry is a major problem. Twenty-five percent of men admitted they had no idea how to use their washing machine. Also the dishwasher, the iron, the hob and the vacuum cleaner are causing a man a headache. They are more interested in gadgets like iPhones, laptops and digital cameras, which are three things a woman often struggles with.

Reaction

I am really surprised that there are so many men struggling with household appliances. I never believed that men could have so much difficulty with such technology. However, it shows us that we have to appreciate the things that other people do, also with regard to the housekeeping. Sometimes it really costs blood, sweat and tears to keep it running. That men are not so familiar with the washing machine or the vacuum cleaner, does not mean that they are discharged of any other job in the household. It is not an excuse to go and watch football on TV. There are many other things that they can do and a woman is always willing to explain.

Blog 9 - Occupy London’s anger over police ‘terrorism’ document

Source

Malik, S. (2011, Dec. 5). The Guardian. Retrieved from http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2011/dec/05/occupy-london-police-terrorism-document.

Worldwide people are protesting against financial cuts, growing poverty

and capitalism in the financial sector

Summary

Occupy activists in London are angry at the police now they have noticed that their movement is listed among terrorist groups like al-Qaida and Farc. The City of London police sent a terrorism/extremism update to local businesses with detailed information about the Occupy’s activities in town. According to the Occupy movement, activism is not a crime. It should not be a cause for concern for the police in a free country like the UK. However, the City of London police do not agree and hold to their opinion. They say that they have seen crime that was linked to the protests.

 

Reaction

 

Protests against authorities and companies are not unusual. I mean that it is not a whole new issue in society. Each year there are protests against animal cruelty, innocent prisoners and so on. What surprises me the most is that the police have so much difficulty with the Occupy movement. It is in my opinion absurd to say that the movement is equal to a terrorist group like al-Qaida. Yes, some of the Occupiers have damaged properties, but they do not blow themselves up or plant bombs at government’s buildings. The only thing the activists want is that the government will pay more attention to the current financial situation. Since when is holding a protest board a crime?

Blog 8 - Giant pandas touch down in Scotland

Source

Carrell, S. (2011, Dec. 4). The Guardian. Retrieved from http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2011/dec/04/giant-pandas-edinburgh-zoo-china?INTCMP=ILCNETTXT3487

 

The giant panda returns at British zoo after decades.

Summary

After years of preparation the giant pandas Tian Tian (Sweetie) and Yang Guang (Sunshine) finally arrived at the Edinburgh Zoo in Scotland. With a lot of media attention the zoo offered them a warm welcome at their new home. The two pandas are not only on loan from China for the next ten years to contribute to the worldwide breeding programme, but politicians of the UK and China also hope that it will help “to spread joy and friendship, understanding and cooperation” between the two countries. The zoo knows one thing for sure: the arrival will be good for the local economy. It expects an enormous boost of extra visitors up to 70%.

Reaction

Pandas are amazing animals and it is fantastic that zoos all over the world are trying to save them from extinction. However, I do believe that animals should not be a tool in international politics between countries. The animal will always be the victim when something goes wrong. Besides you have to admit that two pandas will not change the oppression of thousands of people in China. Let us hope that the counties’ relation in the future will help China to realize that only democracy is the answer to their problems. My only wish for the pandas is that they will have a good time at the Edinburg Zoo and that there will be offspring very soon.

Blog 7 - Jeremy Clarkson apologises for One Show strike rant

Source

Sabbagh, D. (2011, Dec. 1). The Guardian. Retrieved from http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2011/dec/01/jeremy-clarkson-one-show-strike-rant

 

Jeremy Clarkson together with his Top Gear colleagues

Richard Hammond and James May

Summary

Top Gear presenter, Jeremy Clarkson, has apologised for his remarks about the public strikes in the UK. On BBC’s The One Show on Wednesday night, he shocked whole Britain by saying that “all strikers should be shot in front of their families”. Next day a lot of discussion and complaints were the result of his interview. What people did not know was that the Top Gear presenter was joking and that only a part of his interview turned up on the Internet. In his apologise Clarkson not only said that his remarks were not intend to be taken seriously, but also that they were taken out of context.

Reaction

I am really surprised that everyone responds so dramatically on Jeremy Clarkson’s remarks. If people had seen the whole show or if they had looked it up on the Internet, they could have known that he was joking about the strikes. I have to agree that Clarkson could have said it differently, but it is just the way he is. That the reactions are so out of proportion that even politicians react, shows that people are losing their sense of humour. They are taking the world too seriously. My advice to the people is that they should watch more Top Gear or cabaret. It really makes your life more cheerful and less serious.

Blog 6 - Elderly home care failures breach human rights, report finds

Source

Ramesh, R. (2011, Nov. 23). The Guardian. Retrieved from http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2011/nov/23/elderly-care-failures-human-rights.

Human rights of many older people are regularly violated

 by home care workers.

Summary

The British home care for elderly people is not as good as people thought it was. A report of the Equality and Human Rights Commission reveals that elderly people are treated very badly. They are not only neglected but also physical and financial abused by home care workers. Home care workers are even so cruel that they place food in front of blind and/or deaf people without letting them know it is there or they place it beyond the reach of the person. Some elderly people are so upset about the way they are treated, that they even have the strong desire to die. According to the National Pensioners Convention, the social care system is in urgent need of reforming. Not only the training of staff should be improved, but also better regulation and monitoring of the care providers are desperately needed.

Reaction

It is devastating, unacceptable and inhuman to read how elderly people are treated in the British home care system. They are robbed and left alone for days without someone who is looking after them. Because they are so vulnerable and not able to stand up against the cruelty by themselves, the government has to change the system before it goes dramatically wrong. Elderly people do not deserve it to be treated like a piece of trash; no one deserves that. Everyone should be treated with dignity and respect. That is why elderly people deserve the best care in the world. Is it that hard to give these people a peaceful and pleasant retirement?

Blog 5 - Oliver slams Gove for junking healthy school dinners

Source

Garner, R. (2011, Nov. 26). The Independent. Retrieved from http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/oliver-slams-gove-for-junking-healthy-school-dinners-6268225.html.

Jamie Oliver exposed the poor quality of school dinners in his programme
“Jamie’s school dinners” in 2005

Summary

The famous TV chef, Jamie Oliver, can start his second fight against unhealthy meals at schools. Jamie thought he had removed unhealthy food from schools, but the Education Secretary Michael Gove now decided that academy schools will be exempt from the strict nutritional standards. Six years ago Jamie Oliver started his campaign to improve school dinners, which even led to the introduction of minimum standards at schools. Oliver and even the Local Authority Catering Association believe that Mr Gove’s decision definitely will bring back unhealthy food into schools. It will undo all the good work of the last couple of years. However, it seems to be that the parents do not have any difficulties with the decision because they passed chips and burgers to their children through school railings.

 

Reaction

Although vegetables and fruit are represented at the school’s tuck shops, the children just refuse to eat them. There is no one who stimulates the students to eat healthier. It is ridiculous that parents and schools do not take their responsibilities by teaching their children to be aware of what they eat. However, the Education Secretary should really be ashamed that he allows all the junk food and snacks back into schools. It is a good idea of Jamie Oliver to pay attention to the students’ eating habits, but it is more useful to teach the right persons the consequences of junk food and snacks on the children’s lives and how they can change that.

Blog 4 - Four years after killing his wife, millionaire leads police to body 

Source

Lakhani, N. (2011, Nov. 19). The Independent. Retrieved from http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/four-years-after-killing-his-wife-millionaire-leads-police-to-body-6264604.html.

        Left: Kate and Adrian Prout’s former house in Redmarley, Gloucestershire.

Right: Kate and Adrian Prout

Summary

Millionaire Adrian Prout, who was jailed for a minimum of 18 years, always denied any involvement in the disappearance of his wife Kate in 2007. However, after he failed a lie detector test in July, he confessed to his fiancée that he strangled his wife and buried her body on their farm in Redmarley, Gloucestershire. His fiancée always believed in his innocence and she is completely shocked after the confession. Also Kate’s family is in shock of the news. After four years of pleading with Adrian Prout to reveal where he had hidden the body, he finally showed the police the area where he had buried Kate.

Reaction

It is unbelievable that Adrian Prout thought he could get away with the murder and that he kept it a secret for so many years. He fooled the police, his friends, his fiancée and the rest. Probably he doesn’t have any remorse at all for what he did. I am also surprised that the police never found a body while they continued their search on the farm after Prout’s conviction. It was the 276-acre farm Prout revealed as the place where he had buried the body. Of course it is a huge amount of land the police had to investigate, but you ask yourself if they could have solved this mystery earlier. Fortunately Kate’s family can now begin with the closure of this horrible event.

Blog 3 - Archbishop 'disappointed' with Government same-sex marriage plan
(Speaker's Corner) 

Source

Winch, J. (2011, Nov. 18). The Independent. Retrieved from http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/archbishop-disappointed-with-government-samesex-marriage-plan-6264385.html. 

 

                                              

Summary

For decades same-sex marriage has been a hot issue for churches. This week the Archbishop of Westminster, Vincent Nichols, responded to the Government’s plans to legalize same-sex marriages in the United Kingdom. The archbishop said he is disappointed that the Government has chosen to follow this direction. Although he fully supports equality and commitment, he said that this doesn’t mean that he directly supports equal marriage as well. Respect for a life-long partnership is completely different than when you call it a marriage. According to him marriage distinguishes itself from other partnerships by being very  important for the wellbeing of society. It is the foundation of family life and a majority of people also experienced it this way.

Reaction

Family is very important for the way how a person develops himself. When I read this article it seems to be that the Catholic Church believes that homosexual couples cannot build a good foundation for a family. I respect the church’s beliefs, but I do not agree that a marriage between heterosexual people guarantees a good family life foundation. There have been a lot of cases about child abuse in the Dutch media. Children who were physically or mentally abused, mostly by their heterosexual parents. The American Psychological Association (APA), a professional psychological organisation, even revealed in specific research into lesbian and gay parenting that homosexual couples have the same ability as heterosexual couples to provide a stable environment for their children. So, lesbian and gay couples can also give children a good family life and also contribute to our wellbeing of society. Being a good parent has nothing to do with sexual orientation.

Do you want to know more about the APA research? Look at http://www.apa.org/pi/lgbt/resources/parenting.aspx.

Blog 2 - Osborne faces backbench rebellion over fuel duty
 

Source

 

Morris, N. (2011, Nov. 12). Osborne faces backbench rebellion over fuel duty. The Independent. Retrieved from http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/osborne-faces-backbench-rebellion-ver-fuel-duty-6261014.html.

Filling your car will be more expensive with

George Osborne’s fuel duty plans.

Summary

 

Chancellor George Osborne will face a lot of resistance from the Members of Parliament (MPs) in his plan to rise the fuel duty. Several MPs are convinced that high fuel prices are hindering the recovery of the British economy. Over a hundred MPs already signed a Commons motion against the increase of the fuel prices, which they believe are causing huge difficulties for small and medium-sized businesses. The public also started actions to stop Osborne’s plans by signing an e-petition to drop the issue. British people spent almost 10% of their incomes on fuel. MP Robert Halfon even said that “the increase is creating a poverty trap because people cannot afford to go to work.”

 

Reaction

 

The financial crisis has also hit the economy of the United Kingdom. However, saying that the increase of the fuel prices creates poverty because people cannot afford to go to work, is a too simplistic view on reality. That people got in financial problems, is mostly caused by unemployment, low wages and inadequate benefits. The causes are job related, but there are many other opportunities to go to work. You can take the bus, you can ask you colleagues to carpool together with you, or you can go by bicycle. Of course I also do agree that increasing the prices would make it harder for the people to overcome the crisis. I believe that George Osborne needs to make sure that the savings are spread more equally over both the people and the government. Do not only hit people’s wallet, but also your own.

Blog 1 - Former public schoolboy dressed as lawyer before shooting drug feud rival

Source

Dodd, V. (2011, Nov. 10). Former public schoolboy dressed as lawyer before shooting drug feud rival. The Guardian. Retrieved from http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2011/nov/10/former-public-school-shot-drug-rival.

Rupert Ross and Leon St Aubin

Summary

Last Thursday former Dulwich College pupil Rupert Ross and Leon St Aubin, a London firefighter, were found guilty of the murder of the 20-year-old Darcy Austin-Bruce and jailed for 30 years. In May 2009 Ross and his accomplice killed the man outside the Wandsworth prison in London, while they were dressed as lawyers. The two men and their friend Austin-Bruce had a dispute over drugs. Ross and St Aubin even believed that Austin-Bruce and another man were responsible for a gun attack on their car, days before. When they found out that Austin-Bruce would visit the Wandsworth prison, they waited for him outside the prison and killed him at close range.

 
Reaction

That the world of a criminal can be dangerous and even lethal, I already knew. It is their own choice and responsibility if they want to waste their lives. What worries me the most is that public role models, like firefighters, are involved in criminal activities. In the Netherlands we also had public figures who were involved in criminal activities or even killed innocent people, like Sander V.. This police officer sexually abused and killed the girl next door in March 2010. These people are there to protect us and to help us in need, but how can we trust them? I think it is very important that The Hague will sharpen their policies of all these public professions to protect us for being harmed.