I will admit to being nonplussed at Jenny Dawe's very personal attack on Labour Leader Ewan Aitken in tonight's Evening News...she must be under greater internal pressure to prove her leadership than I believed. Of course, her job is to promote her Coalition and its decisions and equally obviously, it's Ewan's job to scrutinise, probe and criticise.
One of the big points she made during her budget speech was 'that the people of Edinburgh voted for change'...what she failed to remind the public of was that in fact Labour secured the largest number of first preference votes (hardly a vote of no confidence by the people) and that the Lib Dem/SNP Coalition now running this city was the result of a backdoor, secret deal which was never put to or endorsed by the people.
Maybe that's why Cllr Dawe sounds so rattled. She knows fine and well she cheated the Edinburgh public of their expressed preference with her shabby accomodation with the Nats and now she has to prove the correctness of her choice...another 4 years of this revisionism about Labour's overwhelmingly successful governance of the city over the past 25 years and she might even convince herself...but there's that old familiar saying she should never forget: 'you can fool some of the people all of the time, all of the people some of the time but you can't fool all of the people all of the time.'
Thursday, 28 February 2008
Wednesday, 27 February 2008
VC
Been a busy day with PEP, EICC then Council...lots of mail to catch up with and an unusually high number of letters from constituents covering a wide range of issues: most interesting is a letter from a gentleman pointing out that laid to rest in Warriston Cemetery are as many as 6 people who have won the VC. He wants a plaque erected in their honour. It doesn't seem a bad idea to me and I know Allan Jackson has opened up discussions with the department...who, it seems, have come up with a different conclusion as to the number of honoured dead. There does seem to be a big difference between 6 and 1 ...methinks there needs to be a review of the evidence...it has me intrigued though...
Tuesday, 26 February 2008
Super City Company
Back to work today and the weekend's exertions made themselves felt. I was ready for my bed by 2pm!
I have put a motion down to the Economic Development Committee seeking the Administration's support for an idea put to me by a very senior economic development source.
Basically, the idea is to set up a kind of 'group structure' of all the Council's companies (maybe with the exception of TIE and Lothian Buses) and to both cohere their governance and unify their development in a single direction: taken together, the Council 'owned' companies represent many millions of investment in the city's economic development - in fact are our single biggest effort in developing the city's economy - but due to their incremental development, each operates relatively independently and is unable to unlock potentially huge private investment.
It is important that the Council maintains its ability to intervene - especially in a sluggish market - to take the risks the private sector won't (think Conference Centre, Opera House, brownfield development etc. etc.) - and I think the time has come to grasp the nettle and create a 'super city company' that is able to make the most of all the opportunities our Capital has to offer
I have put a motion down to the Economic Development Committee seeking the Administration's support for an idea put to me by a very senior economic development source.
Basically, the idea is to set up a kind of 'group structure' of all the Council's companies (maybe with the exception of TIE and Lothian Buses) and to both cohere their governance and unify their development in a single direction: taken together, the Council 'owned' companies represent many millions of investment in the city's economic development - in fact are our single biggest effort in developing the city's economy - but due to their incremental development, each operates relatively independently and is unable to unlock potentially huge private investment.
It is important that the Council maintains its ability to intervene - especially in a sluggish market - to take the risks the private sector won't (think Conference Centre, Opera House, brownfield development etc. etc.) - and I think the time has come to grasp the nettle and create a 'super city company' that is able to make the most of all the opportunities our Capital has to offer
Monday, 25 February 2008
Ready for a hoolay...
As expected Thursday started on a low - Annette's funeral and the opening tune 'No Man's Land', a melancholic anti-war lament. Many former colleagues there, all as shocked as I at her early death.
Then on to the Budget: Edinburgh, Scotland's Capital, tail end Charlie, setting its budget a full week after every other council when no-one cared any more...and as predicted, the Coalition budget went through ....
The only good thing about the afternoon was that the meeting finished early enough to allow Eric and I away in good time to catch our flight to Belfast (our journey to Dublin was one of many stages and modes of transport). Six good friends arrived at the Royal Marine Hotel in Dun Laoughaire just before midnight, ready for a hoolay. The hotel was great...full marks to Janis for finding it...newly refurbished with with a strong, designer 'boutique' feel to it.
Friday was spent tramping the streets of Dublin, O'Connel Street, Grafton Street, Temple Bar etc., renewing our acquaintance with McDaid's (many pints of Guiness sank by the men) then eventually on to Fagans Bar, Drumcondra Road, Taisoch, Bertie Ahern's local. Much to our delight, we find we are following in Hillary and Bill's footsteps...and on the wall, the photos to prove it. The landlord was chuffed when I told him some of us intended to go out to help Hillary (God willing we get the chance) and presented us with two emerald green lighters 'to help set Hillary's campaign alight!'
Saturday's focus was, of course, the rugby international but we managed to squeeze in a few other highlights...the Lord Mayor of Dublin, Paddy Burke, welcomed us to the Mansion House. He was hosting a meeting of Labour councillors and we had the chance to renew friendships with Mary Freehill the labour Leader in Dublin council...a useful discussion about areas of mutual interest, not least the impact of the Polish diaspora on left wing politics in Western Europe.
Janis & Eric took the chance to visit the Irish National Gallery to view the Edinburgh link. Found in the priest's house at St Patrick's in the Cowgate, the painting titled 'Mass at Connemara' had lain undiscovered for a hundred years and is now on permanent loan to Dublin.
Playing the international at Croke Park was an historic occasion. The stadium itself was amazing. Seated in row W in the Hogan Stand, vertigo quickly kicked in...so high I could have touched the sky...but the match...oh it was painful. The cameraderie in the crowd was brilliant and the Fields of Athenry lifted the hair on the back of the neck but the result was just plain bad...still, we quickly recovered our spirits at the Oval bar...then on came 'No Man's Land' , twice in as many days, and that brought me right back down to earth again.
Sunday was just fabulous, though. We went to visit Powerscourt, County Wicklow...wonderful and varied gardens, a great and ancient house and, in its grounds, the Ritz Carlton Hotel, home to the new Gordon Ramsay restaurant. Unfortunately they could only offer us a 4 & 2 table setting so we politely declined and went downstairs instead to McGill's Bar where, yes you guessed it, the Guiness and food went down just as happily. It was a super day full of laughter and fun and a very early bed!
Monday saw us take a long tramp along the coast road to Dalky (someone told me that Bono lives there: we didn't see him, didn't miss him either) and we ended up at Finnegan's, a very friendly bar, where we discovered, an old friend Connor O'Riordan, former Irish Consul to Scotland, drinks when he is at home. Eric left a couple of euros behind the bar to stand him a pint the next time he's there...
And that's about it...the Irish adventure over for another two years... but I'm already looking forward to New York in April..when six good friends plus new friend Norma go off to enjoy Tartan Week. Travel definitely broadens the mind even if it does empty the purse!
Then on to the Budget: Edinburgh, Scotland's Capital, tail end Charlie, setting its budget a full week after every other council when no-one cared any more...and as predicted, the Coalition budget went through ....
The only good thing about the afternoon was that the meeting finished early enough to allow Eric and I away in good time to catch our flight to Belfast (our journey to Dublin was one of many stages and modes of transport). Six good friends arrived at the Royal Marine Hotel in Dun Laoughaire just before midnight, ready for a hoolay. The hotel was great...full marks to Janis for finding it...newly refurbished with with a strong, designer 'boutique' feel to it.
Friday was spent tramping the streets of Dublin, O'Connel Street, Grafton Street, Temple Bar etc., renewing our acquaintance with McDaid's (many pints of Guiness sank by the men) then eventually on to Fagans Bar, Drumcondra Road, Taisoch, Bertie Ahern's local. Much to our delight, we find we are following in Hillary and Bill's footsteps...and on the wall, the photos to prove it. The landlord was chuffed when I told him some of us intended to go out to help Hillary (God willing we get the chance) and presented us with two emerald green lighters 'to help set Hillary's campaign alight!'
Saturday's focus was, of course, the rugby international but we managed to squeeze in a few other highlights...the Lord Mayor of Dublin, Paddy Burke, welcomed us to the Mansion House. He was hosting a meeting of Labour councillors and we had the chance to renew friendships with Mary Freehill the labour Leader in Dublin council...a useful discussion about areas of mutual interest, not least the impact of the Polish diaspora on left wing politics in Western Europe.
Janis & Eric took the chance to visit the Irish National Gallery to view the Edinburgh link. Found in the priest's house at St Patrick's in the Cowgate, the painting titled 'Mass at Connemara' had lain undiscovered for a hundred years and is now on permanent loan to Dublin.
Playing the international at Croke Park was an historic occasion. The stadium itself was amazing. Seated in row W in the Hogan Stand, vertigo quickly kicked in...so high I could have touched the sky...but the match...oh it was painful. The cameraderie in the crowd was brilliant and the Fields of Athenry lifted the hair on the back of the neck but the result was just plain bad...still, we quickly recovered our spirits at the Oval bar...then on came 'No Man's Land' , twice in as many days, and that brought me right back down to earth again.
Sunday was just fabulous, though. We went to visit Powerscourt, County Wicklow...wonderful and varied gardens, a great and ancient house and, in its grounds, the Ritz Carlton Hotel, home to the new Gordon Ramsay restaurant. Unfortunately they could only offer us a 4 & 2 table setting so we politely declined and went downstairs instead to McGill's Bar where, yes you guessed it, the Guiness and food went down just as happily. It was a super day full of laughter and fun and a very early bed!
Monday saw us take a long tramp along the coast road to Dalky (someone told me that Bono lives there: we didn't see him, didn't miss him either) and we ended up at Finnegan's, a very friendly bar, where we discovered, an old friend Connor O'Riordan, former Irish Consul to Scotland, drinks when he is at home. Eric left a couple of euros behind the bar to stand him a pint the next time he's there...
And that's about it...the Irish adventure over for another two years... but I'm already looking forward to New York in April..when six good friends plus new friend Norma go off to enjoy Tartan Week. Travel definitely broadens the mind even if it does empty the purse!
Wednesday, 20 February 2008
sturm und dang
It is an absolute truism that when your spirits are down your body mirrors it. I am feeling rotten again. The New Year virus that never really lifted is back with an extra vengeance. Oh joy!
Tomorrow is Annette's funeral and Council's budget day which promises to be a long one. I can't see myself feeling any better after that ordeal either. Full marks to Ewan and his budget team for the effort they've put in to produce a budget that reflects Labour values. We've prioritised education, jobs and the vulnerable and we are proud to stand up for those values. Undeniably, it is unlikely we will win the day but we will make our arguments vigorously. We will not be faulted for effort.
On Friday I am on holiday - expeditiously and serendipitously away while my son and family move house ...which will be an event in itself. Instead, I will happily visit after, take a bottle of something bubbly to honour the new home and be pleased I have avoided all the sturm und dang.
So it's goodbye from her for a few days ...
Tomorrow is Annette's funeral and Council's budget day which promises to be a long one. I can't see myself feeling any better after that ordeal either. Full marks to Ewan and his budget team for the effort they've put in to produce a budget that reflects Labour values. We've prioritised education, jobs and the vulnerable and we are proud to stand up for those values. Undeniably, it is unlikely we will win the day but we will make our arguments vigorously. We will not be faulted for effort.
On Friday I am on holiday - expeditiously and serendipitously away while my son and family move house ...which will be an event in itself. Instead, I will happily visit after, take a bottle of something bubbly to honour the new home and be pleased I have avoided all the sturm und dang.
So it's goodbye from her for a few days ...
Monday, 18 February 2008
Annette
A horrible shock on Saturday - Annette, perhaps my closest friend, died unexpectedly on Thursday/Friday. No-one knows for sure, since she died alone and I hope, peacefully.
Annette and I 'grew up' together in the Labour Party. In our late 20's, early thirties we campaigned together, to save Leith Hospital, to save Victoria Primary School, for better services for children with disabilities...together, with 3 bairns apiece, we constituted a crowd and we were useful to swell any demonstration or deputation to the then Tory/Lib administration.
We shared a lot, especially after we were both elected to Lothian Regional Council in 1986. Learning the ropes, sharing a strong sense of the ridiculous and both hampered by an inferiority complex (working class lassies, mothers too young, still with little sense of what we might accomplish) we leaned on each other a lot as we made sense of what was a male dominated world. We learned early that politics is a rough trade and Annette didn't like it much. She was great at harrying - wouldn't take no for an answer, hated the leadership role but was brilliant at guerilla and siege warfare. She played an immensely important 'backroom' role in youth strategy and integration campaigns.
She served only 1 term then retired from front line politics to work for Malcolm Chisholm. He owes her and her sisters a lot, since their campaigning took him to a comfortable victory. During that time, even though she was backing Malcolm as the Westminster candidate in the contest against me, our friendship did not falter - our relationship had long passed the politically expedient by then.
Over the years we met and spoke frequently and each time it was a conversation resumed without missing a beat. We admired each other's strengths, knew and accepted each other's weaknesses. She was a talented homemaker, loved spending money, great at gardening, able to turn her hand to anything: she was a little thing with huge energy.
When she phoned me to tell me she was going to Iraq as part of the 'human shield' I told her she was daft. We got as near to a fall-out as we ever did. I was fearful she would be hurt and though she acknowledged the risk she was utterly determined, so after that there was nothing to do but wish her luck and wait for her safe return. There is no doubt it was a life changing experience. She left the Labour Party, hating what had been done in her name by the British Government and, truthfully, lost any faith in democratic politics. She prefered to put her trust in individual people but a kind of bitterness had entered her soul.
She seemed to recover her spirit and joy with the birth of her grand-daughter. The last time I spoke with her she was full of delight about the new baby who I hope will get to know all about the plucky, valiant woman who was her granny.
She was my pal and this is not good.
Annette and I 'grew up' together in the Labour Party. In our late 20's, early thirties we campaigned together, to save Leith Hospital, to save Victoria Primary School, for better services for children with disabilities...together, with 3 bairns apiece, we constituted a crowd and we were useful to swell any demonstration or deputation to the then Tory/Lib administration.
We shared a lot, especially after we were both elected to Lothian Regional Council in 1986. Learning the ropes, sharing a strong sense of the ridiculous and both hampered by an inferiority complex (working class lassies, mothers too young, still with little sense of what we might accomplish) we leaned on each other a lot as we made sense of what was a male dominated world. We learned early that politics is a rough trade and Annette didn't like it much. She was great at harrying - wouldn't take no for an answer, hated the leadership role but was brilliant at guerilla and siege warfare. She played an immensely important 'backroom' role in youth strategy and integration campaigns.
She served only 1 term then retired from front line politics to work for Malcolm Chisholm. He owes her and her sisters a lot, since their campaigning took him to a comfortable victory. During that time, even though she was backing Malcolm as the Westminster candidate in the contest against me, our friendship did not falter - our relationship had long passed the politically expedient by then.
Over the years we met and spoke frequently and each time it was a conversation resumed without missing a beat. We admired each other's strengths, knew and accepted each other's weaknesses. She was a talented homemaker, loved spending money, great at gardening, able to turn her hand to anything: she was a little thing with huge energy.
When she phoned me to tell me she was going to Iraq as part of the 'human shield' I told her she was daft. We got as near to a fall-out as we ever did. I was fearful she would be hurt and though she acknowledged the risk she was utterly determined, so after that there was nothing to do but wish her luck and wait for her safe return. There is no doubt it was a life changing experience. She left the Labour Party, hating what had been done in her name by the British Government and, truthfully, lost any faith in democratic politics. She prefered to put her trust in individual people but a kind of bitterness had entered her soul.
She seemed to recover her spirit and joy with the birth of her grand-daughter. The last time I spoke with her she was full of delight about the new baby who I hope will get to know all about the plucky, valiant woman who was her granny.
She was my pal and this is not good.
Friday, 15 February 2008
Granton Posh and Proud of it!
Caught up with the Council agenda for Thursday 21st.
I think the Coalition is at it.
They have called an extra meeting to discuss the budget and then filled the agenda with policy papers on the future structure of the Children & Families Department. First, it denigrates the importance of the budget, second it denigrates the overwhelming importance of getting the management of C+F right, third it abuses the democratic process...pack as much as you can into one very long, very full agenda and limit the scrutiny...it stinks!
Someone told me the Evening News had carried a snippet about my intention to go help the Democrats if Hillary Clinton wins the nomination. I went in search of it on the internet today. Just a few lines, very inoffensive... I was frankly surprised to find anybody would bother to leave a comment. Some folk can be pretty sour can't they? The one that made me laugh was the person who accused me of having a 'posh' accent ( moi? ) that slips when I lose my temper. That's when I swear. Ain't ever mastered the art of posh swearing...'thait's just a boogah' ...'hail mained it' ... hah, hah, nobody would ever take me seriously again.
You just can't take the girl out of Granton nor Granton out the girl...and I'm proud of it!
I think the Coalition is at it.
They have called an extra meeting to discuss the budget and then filled the agenda with policy papers on the future structure of the Children & Families Department. First, it denigrates the importance of the budget, second it denigrates the overwhelming importance of getting the management of C+F right, third it abuses the democratic process...pack as much as you can into one very long, very full agenda and limit the scrutiny...it stinks!
Someone told me the Evening News had carried a snippet about my intention to go help the Democrats if Hillary Clinton wins the nomination. I went in search of it on the internet today. Just a few lines, very inoffensive... I was frankly surprised to find anybody would bother to leave a comment. Some folk can be pretty sour can't they? The one that made me laugh was the person who accused me of having a 'posh' accent ( moi? ) that slips when I lose my temper. That's when I swear. Ain't ever mastered the art of posh swearing...'thait's just a boogah' ...'hail mained it' ... hah, hah, nobody would ever take me seriously again.
You just can't take the girl out of Granton nor Granton out the girl...and I'm proud of it!
Will your anchor hold
As well as being St. Valentine's Day (predictably the duck was not broke!) yesterday was the occasion for a family funeral. The Hawick contingent was out in full force. Without a crematorium, all Borderers who are not to be buried, are transported to Edinburgh for cremation.
It was a truly Presbyterian event...'Guide me, O thou Great Jehovah', 'Will Your Anchor Hold' and 'Praise my Soul'. Afterwards, the widow said although an event caused by tragedy, most funerals were enjoyable...because you get to catch up with lots of folk you've not seen for a while. I think she is right.
After the very douce tea and sandwiches the Maginnis/Scammell tribe adjourned to the Voodoo Bar where an amount and variety of cocktails were consumed and the lives of Jim and David and Joyce were celebrated and remembered. A very fitting tribute, I think, to 3 great people whose anchors held steadfast and sure through long, full lives.
It was a truly Presbyterian event...'Guide me, O thou Great Jehovah', 'Will Your Anchor Hold' and 'Praise my Soul'. Afterwards, the widow said although an event caused by tragedy, most funerals were enjoyable...because you get to catch up with lots of folk you've not seen for a while. I think she is right.
After the very douce tea and sandwiches the Maginnis/Scammell tribe adjourned to the Voodoo Bar where an amount and variety of cocktails were consumed and the lives of Jim and David and Joyce were celebrated and remembered. A very fitting tribute, I think, to 3 great people whose anchors held steadfast and sure through long, full lives.
Wednesday, 13 February 2008
Valentine's day
Tomorrow is St Valentine's Day and I am not holding my breath...why would Mike break his duck? Married 35 years this August, he has never sent a card or flowers or anything. I am not a romantic woman and have survived this far...but wouldn't it be nice?
Tuesday, 12 February 2008
Gunga Din
The story currently stalking the City Chambers is the Administration's determination to keep deputations to a minimum on Budget Day as well as the Lord Provost's determination to keep contributions to time.
George, if you achieve it, As Rudyard Kipling once memorably wrote, 'You're a better man than I am, Gunga Din.'
George, if you achieve it, As Rudyard Kipling once memorably wrote, 'You're a better man than I am, Gunga Din.'
Dog shit
Another really busy day though I managed to be home by 7.30, for once not too late to cook a proper meal and share it with Michael. He has turned into a Sudoku fiend and when he is not watching football his face is buried in the newspaper puzzle. Usually this is easy for him since I am not home. Tonight though, he has been forced into conversation but has already begun pencil tapping...there must be a game on and he wants to switch on the TV ...I will torment him a little longer before I concede.
Neighbourhood Partnership business meeting was the highlight (I use the word advisedly) of the afternoon. A presentation on the future of the Waterfront Recruitment Centre -well intentioned but however you read the script, it feels like an acknowledgement there won't be too many jobs in the immediate future for local people on the Waterfront. A debate too, on the role of action groups with much excitement about the Clean, Green & Safe action group's initiative on dog shit...no more, I beg you...
Neighbourhood Partnership business meeting was the highlight (I use the word advisedly) of the afternoon. A presentation on the future of the Waterfront Recruitment Centre -well intentioned but however you read the script, it feels like an acknowledgement there won't be too many jobs in the immediate future for local people on the Waterfront. A debate too, on the role of action groups with much excitement about the Clean, Green & Safe action group's initiative on dog shit...no more, I beg you...
Monday, 11 February 2008
BAFTA
Sat up late last night to watch the BAFTA ceremony. I love the cinema - it is one of my hobbies.
I wish I hadn't bothered. Straight away, Jonathon Ross' endless metrosexual innuendo irritated, then his fawning, ingratiating pseudo-confidential flattery...it makes me want to be sick...
I watched 'La Vie En Rose' on the way to Las Vegas - I didn't care for it much though there was undeniable talent. I watched 'Away from Her' over Christmas and loved it and I read 'Atonement' then watched the movie at OT. I hated it even though I thought the scene where Keira Knightley and James McEvoy straddle the book shelves, as if impaled on the cross, was visually stunning and extraordinarily symbolic. I hated it because the author betrayed his readers (just as his lovers were betrayed by the novel's narrator) . Novelists have to persuade the reader that the protagonists are real otherwise why would anyone ever bother reading somebody else's make believe? Instead McEwan played God and reminded us he was in control.
I haven't seen Daniel Day Lewis' latest yet but I am looking forward to the film. His is a powerful physical acting style and I have never not enjoyed his work.
So far for me, though - the film I have enjoyed most recently - simple, unpretentious, clever, subtle, brilliantly layered humour - St Trinians. Rupert Everett is the real deal metrosexual...and bloody clever and talented with it.
Jonathon Ross with his four poofs on a piano has a lot to learn.
I wish I hadn't bothered. Straight away, Jonathon Ross' endless metrosexual innuendo irritated, then his fawning, ingratiating pseudo-confidential flattery...it makes me want to be sick...
I watched 'La Vie En Rose' on the way to Las Vegas - I didn't care for it much though there was undeniable talent. I watched 'Away from Her' over Christmas and loved it and I read 'Atonement' then watched the movie at OT. I hated it even though I thought the scene where Keira Knightley and James McEvoy straddle the book shelves, as if impaled on the cross, was visually stunning and extraordinarily symbolic. I hated it because the author betrayed his readers (just as his lovers were betrayed by the novel's narrator) . Novelists have to persuade the reader that the protagonists are real otherwise why would anyone ever bother reading somebody else's make believe? Instead McEwan played God and reminded us he was in control.
I haven't seen Daniel Day Lewis' latest yet but I am looking forward to the film. His is a powerful physical acting style and I have never not enjoyed his work.
So far for me, though - the film I have enjoyed most recently - simple, unpretentious, clever, subtle, brilliantly layered humour - St Trinians. Rupert Everett is the real deal metrosexual...and bloody clever and talented with it.
Jonathon Ross with his four poofs on a piano has a lot to learn.
an accident of electoral boundaries
A busy old day today...non stop action from PEP to Council to West Granton to Trinity and then, very eventually, back home. On my travels I encountered 2 of my Ward colleagues Morrison and Jackson...no sign of the third though his last minute apologies were submitted for a meeting.
Most of the day has been pre-occupied with budget discussions and speculations though one thing has become clear...with £50 million extra to spend on revenue and £40 million for capital...the new administration has a comparitive dawdle to budget day. They shouldn't have to take a single unpopular decision...
The Trinity Community Council was a refreshing change...lots of discussion about tree preservation, football in Victoria Park and a long ambivalent discussion about the Neighbourhood Partnership. I can't help feeling they have been shoehorned (due to an accident of electoral boundaries) into a Partnership which they will never feel reflects their interests and concerns. I can understand their anxieties
Most of the day has been pre-occupied with budget discussions and speculations though one thing has become clear...with £50 million extra to spend on revenue and £40 million for capital...the new administration has a comparitive dawdle to budget day. They shouldn't have to take a single unpopular decision...
The Trinity Community Council was a refreshing change...lots of discussion about tree preservation, football in Victoria Park and a long ambivalent discussion about the Neighbourhood Partnership. I can't help feeling they have been shoehorned (due to an accident of electoral boundaries) into a Partnership which they will never feel reflects their interests and concerns. I can understand their anxieties
Saturday, 9 February 2008
a new wardrobe
Snowdrops out this morning, birds singing and a tepid sun breaking its way through clouds - Spring is in the air. Time to review the wardrobe...I'd like to say out with the black but if I did I'd have nothing to wear...so it looks like I'll have to hit the shops ...it's a tough job but somebody has to do it...
Friday, 8 February 2008
Sharia Law and thoughts thereon
I am amazed that the Archbishop of Canterbury is reported to be overwhelmed at the negative reaction to his comments on Sharia law.
I am truly amazed too that he thought it appropriate to even comment on such a matter.
It is clear the basis of our law does lie in Christian ethos but has been so adapted over the centuries to accomodate our increasingly secular outlook that its faith basis, though never irrelevant, is increasingly less important. The point is, the law has to be relevant to contemporary attitudes to be universally observed.
To therefore suggest that our law should be shaped by the imperatives of another faith which often appears directly contrary to modern outlook when, as a country, we are busily abandonning the majority faith of our past just seems perverse...and very out of touch with modern Britain's way of looking at things.
Being multicultural and celebrating difference is only possible when we are obliged to observe the same law. Personal faith and cultural behaviour need to know a superior, uniting civic control achieved through our common democratic processes.
I am truly amazed too that he thought it appropriate to even comment on such a matter.
It is clear the basis of our law does lie in Christian ethos but has been so adapted over the centuries to accomodate our increasingly secular outlook that its faith basis, though never irrelevant, is increasingly less important. The point is, the law has to be relevant to contemporary attitudes to be universally observed.
To therefore suggest that our law should be shaped by the imperatives of another faith which often appears directly contrary to modern outlook when, as a country, we are busily abandonning the majority faith of our past just seems perverse...and very out of touch with modern Britain's way of looking at things.
Being multicultural and celebrating difference is only possible when we are obliged to observe the same law. Personal faith and cultural behaviour need to know a superior, uniting civic control achieved through our common democratic processes.
Wednesday, 6 February 2008
77th birthday
My old mum's 77th birthday today and New Zealand's national day too. A cashmere jumper as a gift on the day but we are taking her to Rome for a five days holiday in April as her real prezzie. before that Mike and I go with friends to Dublin for a few days to watch some rugby where I suspect Scotland will be hammered: I hope it doesn't rain. Every time I have visited Dublin it has poured and consequently I have a poor impression of the place - add an anticipated thumping at the game, no great fondness for Guiness and you can see I am full of enthusiasm...Rome, on the other hand...
The seasons, they are a'changing
Hillary nudges ahead - yippee...but still a distance to go. The media just can't help showing their preference for Barak Obama though. I hope she does it.
This afternoon a short visit to Royston/Wardieburn where a group of parents, with support from a community education worker, has established a tiny tots play group. It was heartening to see so many young mums (and dads) finding a place where they feel comfortable and can come together to socialise and learn.
And...did you notice the sun is shining today? Almost Spring...and then a work mate says Mothers Day is on 2 March - how early is that? As early as Easter which, according to the local minister, is the earliest it's been since 1928 -80 years ago! It's not just global warming upsetting the balance of the seasons ...
This afternoon a short visit to Royston/Wardieburn where a group of parents, with support from a community education worker, has established a tiny tots play group. It was heartening to see so many young mums (and dads) finding a place where they feel comfortable and can come together to socialise and learn.
And...did you notice the sun is shining today? Almost Spring...and then a work mate says Mothers Day is on 2 March - how early is that? As early as Easter which, according to the local minister, is the earliest it's been since 1928 -80 years ago! It's not just global warming upsetting the balance of the seasons ...
Tuesday, 5 February 2008
Super Tuesday
Like most political anoraks I am completely caught up in the race to the White House. Personally, as regular readers will know, I want Hillary to win the democrat race and I am rooting for the democrats to win the presidential contest.
I cannot believe that America is ready to vote for a black man as president: I have seen way too much evidence of lingering racist attitudes both there and here. If he is eventually anointed the candidate then I will wish and hope with all my heart that Obama can do it - but I fear conservatism will be against him.
It will be difficult enough for a white woman to overcome the innate prejudice of a macho nation, but in my opinion she stands the better chance of overturning the republicans.
Can't wait to learn the outcome of Super Tuesday!
If Hillary wins through I am determined to go to the States to help the Democrat campaign.
I cannot believe that America is ready to vote for a black man as president: I have seen way too much evidence of lingering racist attitudes both there and here. If he is eventually anointed the candidate then I will wish and hope with all my heart that Obama can do it - but I fear conservatism will be against him.
It will be difficult enough for a white woman to overcome the innate prejudice of a macho nation, but in my opinion she stands the better chance of overturning the republicans.
Can't wait to learn the outcome of Super Tuesday!
If Hillary wins through I am determined to go to the States to help the Democrat campaign.
Monday, 4 February 2008
What legacy theirs?
The Labour Group meeting this afternoon was a livelier affair than I expected if for no other reason than that I woke up to the reality of what Cllr Maclaren is allowing her colleagues to do to her budget. £18 million of cuts in Children & Families budget and a whopping 2% cut in school budgets...unbelieveable! Doesn't she know her job is to defend her service? Doesn't she understand what happens when State schools start cutting back on school budgets? Doesn't she care that all it does is drive more folk away into the private sector? Does it bother her?
Stating the obvious: what do Maginnis, Williamson, Aitken and Burns all have in common? They presided over Council budgets where Labour always prioritised school budgets, children and the future human capital of our city. By common agreement other services always took a bigger share of cuts to protect Education. Maclaren and poodle Beckett are badly letting the city's children down. What legacy theirs?
Mark my words...within 2 years there will be a significant downturn in performance, especially for students in the poorest areas...every measure of early intervention is systematically being stripped out - which just goes to show what really happens when people choose individualists and Tartan Tories to govern them...
Stating the obvious: what do Maginnis, Williamson, Aitken and Burns all have in common? They presided over Council budgets where Labour always prioritised school budgets, children and the future human capital of our city. By common agreement other services always took a bigger share of cuts to protect Education. Maclaren and poodle Beckett are badly letting the city's children down. What legacy theirs?
Mark my words...within 2 years there will be a significant downturn in performance, especially for students in the poorest areas...every measure of early intervention is systematically being stripped out - which just goes to show what really happens when people choose individualists and Tartan Tories to govern them...
Saturday, 2 February 2008
FOI
Yesterday an email came round informing all councillors of a Freedom of Information request about taxi use. Expect a 'splash' soon in some journal or another. I freely admit to using taxis occasionally, especially if my car isn't available. Getting between PEP and the City Chambers and back again is not easy. I won't use the excuse of no buses routes in West Pilton either (though it's true). I just don't have the time...
Talking of buses, PEP took possession of its latest new 14 seats minibus yesterday. It took months of fundraising to secure the £32,000 it cost to buy and convert for wheelchair accessibility. PEP's fleet completed 44,000 passenger journeys last year...which just goes to prove my point of no bus routes - without PEP a helluva lot of very old, frail and vulnerable people really would be housebound. Freedom of movement is just as important as freedom of information.
Talking of buses, PEP took possession of its latest new 14 seats minibus yesterday. It took months of fundraising to secure the £32,000 it cost to buy and convert for wheelchair accessibility. PEP's fleet completed 44,000 passenger journeys last year...which just goes to prove my point of no bus routes - without PEP a helluva lot of very old, frail and vulnerable people really would be housebound. Freedom of movement is just as important as freedom of information.
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