Write-Place

Today, Barack Obama starts his first day as US president, after being inaugurated yesterday 20th January 2009 as America's 44th president and its first black leader. He has pledged a "new era of responsibility" and many around the world are still celebrating. Others are questioning whether he will be able to live up to the expectations that millions have of him or whether he has set himself a challenge that can not be overcome. I am neither political enough, knowledgeable enough of American history or intelligent enough to debate the issues deeply. I have listened to his inaugural speech and read of his background and policies. He appears to me to be honest and trustworthy and genuinely caring towards all, though this is usual with people when they begin office. Everything he proposes will take time and no one should expect immediate change. But if he succeeds in even a small amount of what he intends, then we should wish him well. I have not been a believer in George Bus...

Following the cancellation of the Wentworth Valley Area Assembly meeting on 8th January, a further meeting was held on 15th January at Bramley Parish Hall to discuss the issue of “Democracy” as had been previously planned. At the earlier meeting, the new chairman, Cllr Chris McMahon and vice-chair Cllr Amy Rushforth, put in place as many say unethically and against the constitution, by Rotherham Labour Councillors, called a halt to the meeting amidst cheers and jeering. The previous chairman Cllr Peter Thirlwall (who had the total support of the Assembly) was told he was out of order when he tried to speak and members of the public were told to be quiet when they tried to ask questions about the election of the new chairman. The next week, the meeting at Bramley was of a completely different nature from start to finish. Everyone was welcomed by Rob Foulds, a well known council critic and campaigner from Bramley, who clarified the reason for the meeting. A vote was then taken as to who...

Revd John P Richardson on his blog yesterday ( http://ugleyvicar.blogspot.com ) spoke of the increasing use of “Godwin’s Law” in discussions and reporting on the current situation in Israel. This law suggests that "As a Usenet (internet) discussion grows longer, the probability of a comparison involving Nazis or Hitler approaches ." The rule does not say that any reference or comparison to Adolf Hitler or the Nazis might be appropriate, but only that one arising is increasingly probable . John Richardson then goes on to substantiate his claims by quoting comments made most recently: “Gaza is a ghetto, in exactly the same way that the Warsaw Ghetto was, and people are trapped in it.” - Ken Livingstone “[The Israelis] will continue to create a Warsaw Ghetto in the Middle East.” - Brian Eno “Those murdering [the occupants of Gaza] are the equivalent of those who murdered the Jews in Warsaw in 1942.” - George Galloway Apparently , Cardinal Renato Martino the Pope's justi...

What a splendid example of the "democracy" that is in process in Rotherham, was shown at today's Area Assembly meeting at Wickersley - where the main item on the agenda was DEMOCRACY. In other words - there IS none! At a very well attended meeting, the "new chairman" (elected in a way that is against the constitution of the assembly itself) was asked by a member of the public to introduce himself, as he attempted to run a meeting with total disregard for public opinion and views - which is the whole idea of the Area Assemblies. At today's meeting after refusing to acknowledge a part of the constitution that was read to him, the Cllr acting as Chairman told various people to "be down sat" (????!!!!) when they tried to voice their opinion on the situation, and then he closed the meeting. Cllr Thirlwall suggested that those who wished to, remain and discuss the main item on the agenda. He was told that this would be an illegal meeting as the room was ...

Since posting yesterday's blog, I have had a few emails from people saying...ok, what can we do ? I appreciate that this is a valid point. It's no good proclaiming what's going on and saying that it is wrong, without a suggestion of what to do. For that I apologise. For those who did not receive a maill from me regarding this situation, this website gives details of what some are trying to do to help in the UK. http://www.palestinecampaign.org (The Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC) aims to raise public awareness about the occupation of Palestine and the struggle of the Palestinian people. PSC seek to bring pressure on both the British and Israeli government to bring their policies in line with international law. PSC is an independent, non-governmental and non-party political organisation with members from communities across the UK) It is not an incitement to demonstrate, unless one feels the need to , but it does give some other suggestions for action that can be taken ...

So, today a new year, 2009 has arrived, and many of us I am sure, are wondering what changes, for the better, there will be. Some new laws have come into being in this country but whether the majority of us will be affected, remains to be seen. From today, coastguards around Britain will not be able to fire flares during night rescues. This is apparently in line with changing rescue practices and more use of night-vision goggles. Crews still with flares will have to hand them to the Ministry of Defence or face prosecution. I wish they would bring in a similar law to this about fireworks Still on the medical scene, cancer patients will get free prescriptions from today, (in Northern Ireland patients will get slightly cheaper prescriptions, for some reason) This is good news at least. And 13year-old girls may be vaccinated against HPV, the sexually transmitted disease that can lead to cancer of the cervix. I suppose that is good news too, but it’s a little disturbing (to me) to say it. “...