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.