Denmark apologises

I had to chuckle this morning...

When the debate was raging over whether the UK should apologise for its part in the slave trade, or alternatively concentrate on the laudable efforts of Wilberforce took to end the practice, there was not an insignificant amount of people saying things to the effect, "well should we ask the Danes to apologise for Viking raids?"

Well they have.

Alright, only to Ireland, but still I'm sure the people of Lindisfarne will be getting their apology soon enough

Is someone from Team Boris reading this blog?

Yesterday I posted a story about the Tory London Mayoral Primary and commented that all Tory candidates other than Boris Johnson responding to my two email questions than this afternoon Rebecca Mellotte from the 'Back Boris Campaign' emailed me.

"Dear James,

Thank you for your email and I apologise for the delay in replying. We have been inundated with letters of support and Boris and the campaign team have been reading each one.

We will put your questions to Boris and come back to you in due course.

Apologies again for the delay in replying. My contact details are shown below, should you need to contact the office at any stage."

Could be a coincidence I suppose

Tory Mayoral Primary

For a newbie Londoner I think I'm taking an unhealthy interest in the Mayoral race, but as we could have a Mayor as the next US President I hope it's at least in part understandable.

Nominally, the Conservative Party is having a primary for all London party members, and those who want to contribute £1.50 via text message; though you would be forgiven for thinking that Boris was already the candidate.

He is being challenged by Andrew Boff, Victoria Borwick and Warwick Lightfoot after two unsuccesful bids from Steve 'Shagger' Norris.

I emailed all four candiates asking them two questions, well to complete two sentences

I am the only Conservative candidate....

The one thing that Ken Linvingstone has done as Mayor that I wish I had...

Andrew Boff said:

"I am the only candidate who will be letting London voters have the right to draw up their own policies and have them voted on by fellow Londoners . “Voters' initiatives” resemble the “Citizens' initiative” procedures written into the constitutions of many U.S. States and Switzerland.Under my proposals, on raising a petition of a proportion (10% to 30%) of voters on the electoral register, voters would be able to placea proposition to Londoners at the next ordinary election. The result would be binding on the Mayor and the GLA."

"The one thing that Ken Livingstone has done as Mayor that I wish I had is to introduce ward based policing. It enables the police service to more understand local priorities and breaks down the barriers between young people and the law."

Warwick Lightfoot said:

""I am the only Conservative candidate..I believe with a serious worked up and practical agenda to make London a safer and more attractive city, where the £10 billion spent through City Hall delivers value for money, who is both a fresh face and has substantial experience in local government and national government as a London borough councillor and an adviser at the Treasury ."

""The one thing that Ken Livingstone did as Mayor that I wish I had the opportunity to do with the platform of City Hall, is his opposition to Gordon Brown's complex, expensive and unworkable Public Private Partnership for the modernisation of the London underground, although I think the present Labour Mayor was wrong to express his opposition to the scheme through a futile exercise in judicial review proceedings."

Victoria Borwick did email me back but did not exaclty answer the questions as posed I have reposted the closest whole paragraphs to specifically answering my questions

"I was born in London and have lived here all my life. I have a family of four so am very focussed on the day to day issues of living in London – getting around, finding somewhere to live, getting to work, not being mugged or worse and all the things that really get us through the day"

"I think the Oyster card has been useful, but it has come at a cost, and I do not know the exact policies of the other candidates as we have not seen them yet, but I know that my priorities are tackling crime and reducing costs, whilst making sure we have investment in transport, and improving the quality of life for living in London."

Boris Johnson was perhaps too busy defending his race relations record to take the time out to email me, I will update this should he be in touch.

On a related note Warwick actually called me to see whether I had received his email I thought that was a very nice touch. Shame I was travelling on a train at the time and my signal ran out

"Pro Lifers"

Sorry just had to get this one off my chest, someone I know works for an abortion charity, she does so voluntary as an intern, and complete fucking morons ringing up people they don't know spewing death threats in the name of being "pro life" (read: anti-choice) is just about the most idiotic thing I have ever heard.

I really do wish they would find a suitable bridge to throw themselves off.

Sheffield University Students' Union

I love students' unions, and I have a lot of respect for Students' Union officers (being a former one myself), but sometimes you just have to throw your hands in the air and wonder what kind of self congratulatory nonsense is pumped into these young fertile minds.

Mark Willoughby, the new President of 'Sheffield Union' quite modestly points out that his union is "already the best Students' Union in the country."

Wow... but let's give him credit

"as with any organic institution, not resting on its laurels and desiring continued excellence, we're reaching out for a higher ground."

No, not resting on your laurels at all given that the "Best Students' Union" award was given in 2004, and based on data collected in 2003/4 academic year, when young Mark was probably revising for his A-levels.

And someone better inform Bath Students' Union

Boris... Boris... Boris

I know that Boris might not be taking his candidacy for London Mayor very seriously, but there's no need to lie on your application

Of course if you are from Liverpool, Portsmouth or Papua New Guinea you might disagree.

We want our thumbs

Just reviewing the First Republican Presidential Debate in an effort to be "fair and balanced".

Gov. Mike Huckabee, Rep. Tommy Tancredo and Sen. Sam Brownback all raised their hands when asked is there anybody on the stage that does not believe in Evolution?

Way to go after the base!

I know America doesn't exactly have a reputation like liberal academia (Josiah Bartlet excluded) but come on...

Cunning Stunt

Absolutely loving the BBC Three programme 'The C Word'.

Great programme from the BBC examining the last great verbal taboo - 'cunt'.

Can't wait to see the furore this causes.

For the record I think it is a great word, with such great dexterity in meaning from the affectionate to the vile.

Going through clearing?

Many students will find themselves in a position where they need to go through clearing. Don't panic.

I have compiled what I hope is a helpful students eye view of De Montfort University and its courses for those who are undecided as to their future destination.

http://www.slide.com/r/sLPHyVywpj8u9mRrahiQTWL7XmS7epjE?view=original

See you in Septemeber hopefully.

Council hands back parking 'fines'

Imbecilic motorists who a) cannot park in the right place and b) see parking fines as an occupational hazard have had money returned to them by Leicestershire County Council.


Apparently, the fake tickets were part of an awareness campaign to warn motorists about impending fines coming into force on July 16.

Idiots.

John Edwards

If I could vote in the Democratic Presidential Primaries I'd be voting for John Edwards.

While the world seems wowed by Barack Obama and Hillary (now seemingly surnameless following stins as Clinton and Rodham-Clinton) I have been struck by John Edwards consistent championing of America's poor.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VUtU9f6oFTs

He's southern, he's the only candidate from either major party to ever appear of a Presidential Ballot form, and he's leading in New Hampshire.

I wish people would stop being drawn in by the two "top tier" campaigns, open your eyes America - he is the president you (and the rest of the world) deserve.

Forgetful or Embarrased?

It seems that De Montfort University's Chancellor Lord Waheed Alli is a little forgetful.

Over a year in post he still has not updated his entry in the House of Lord's Register of Interests.

Does Gary Day not learn?

Gary Day has seemingly decided that enough time has passed since his last lambast of students for another dose of his prejuidices to be hoisted upon them.

Following on from his condescending article in the Times Higher in February

He is quoted as part of a Guardian Article on the development of a new learning space at Oxford Brookes.

This phrase just jumped out of the page...

"Most students spend their time trying to avoid lecturers, except when it's time to hand in essays and then they urgently need to discuss family problems and the break-up of their relationships."

What a charmer.

Now I quite like the idea of this type of development (and really like the Glasgow Caledonian example) but I can see there are valid questions/critiques I just dont understand why he has to be such a cunt while doing it

Here goes

I decided to have a stab at this blogging malarkey, dunno what form it will take yet though.