And do you know what he was right.
I believe I said before that in my opinion the outlook for 24 hour drinking was mixed, 24 hour drinking may reduce binge drinking, but extended opening hours will probably just delay the trouble for an extra hour.
Due to the news reports being scares on the subject I can’t really report an answer to my hypothesis however the lack of a media report is indicative that the policy is actually working. And the labour insistence that this would help alleviate the problems associated with closing times was actually correct.
I anticipate that we can look forward to a nice follow up to this story just before the New Year trying to panic us against going to population centres because of the expected excess of the revellers but we’ll have to wait and see.
But this alludes to something more sinister that is the media’s ability to control our opinion.
MOBILISATION OF BIAS
My lecturer would be proud that I remembered that term.
They were so insistent that this policy would be troublesome for law enforcement and acceptable behaviour that they had us all believing that it would be the doomsday scenario. If we’re honest we were all led by the reports to believe this.
This leads me to the question, what is the media’s role? Is it to report the facts with no interpretation or elaboration in a “new drinking laws come into effect this Thursday allowing pubs and clubs to open 24 hours if they get the appropriate licence, also in the news …” kind of way. Or is it to actively mould our opinions. In the case of the BBC you could point to the charter and say to educate and inform, but the other news agencies are less clear cut. (NB – I’m not implying that in this instance the BBC were impartial)
You can see their influence in 1992 it is widely regarded that it was the “Sun what won it” for the conservatives by publishing scare stories about what labour would do if they controlled the economy.
And perhaps you can attribute the shortage of Flu vaccine to the media also by hyping up the bird flu pandemic that could strike at any moment. Which to be truthful worried me until I read a link posted on another blog that said the first recorded case of the deadly strain of bird flu was in Scotland in 1965 (paraphrasing) which allowed me to rest my fears for a while.
Finally the question is this – do we want the media to make our minds up for us, by printing / reporting information that can only lead us to conclude what we are meant to conclude.
I certainly don’t.
Upstairs and downstairs, in the conference chamber
There I met an old man, who heckled Jack Straw
So I took him by both arms, an threw him out the door.
Just included because it’s fantastic – do I need a better reason?
If you have your own version please feel free to share it with me using the comments section.
would you guess from this that i have an A2 level in ICT? ask me to programme access, excel, word fine this .... ¶ 2:21 PM 2 comments links to this post
cheers. ¶ 2:15 PM 0 comments links to this post
How the government can argue that this action will not lead to more similar cases is beyond me, although you could argue that those who are addicted to anything will always get their fix. It is my belief that this policy will make people more susceptible to falling into this horrific pattern.
The government would argue that the 24 hour drinking will allow people to moderate drinking, going for a pint when convenient and not going out all night drinking, and to some extent I agree with that argument. However, the government is forgetting that the vast majority of licensees are applying only to open for an hour longer. Now I expect many people to go drinking until they get thrown out, even if 24 hour pubs would help control the problem, the fact that many are opening for an extra hour will mean that the same problems will be delayed every night for an hour.
I live opposite a nightclub – to the best of my knowledge they haven’t got extended hours, but my sleeping patter has altered until after they close and the people have gone singing shouting fighting up the street, keeping me awake for an extra hour is all that extended hours is going to happen.
To the best of my knowledge there is no explanation given, but it would be interesting to know why this is the case.
Well not the biggest turnout in electoral history, but it is unanimous this is the new Taffia Don logo … now just got get it on the header any offers?
_________________________________ I’ve designed these logo, I just want to know what you all think of them, and which you prefer, alternatively you can tell me to start again.
Additionally if any one knows how I can put it on the header on the blog I would be grateful.
Cheers
It would be ironic if it wasn’t so serious.
Reportedly a fine that is not imposed by a court and a jury was outlawed by the English Bill of Rights during the Glorious Revolution (1689). I would argue that a sentence (including fines) are illegal under European Law as it requires the same prerequisite, but there we go.
I bet every one who has ever had a parking ticket, speeding ticket, on the spot fine for drunken behaviour, wheel clamp, - I cant even imagine the full scope of it – is now rooting around for the receipt to claim compensation.
I can predict the governments response, “all fines have an option where you can query them and have your day in court, paying the fine without taking this option is an expression of quilt – we have not broken the law please, please, please, don’t prosecute us”.
Surly the government has legal advisors who would have said ‘actually this contradicts that’ etc… If they have why are they not listening, and if they haven’t why haven’t they? Let’s also remember that Blair is a trained QC so he’s hardly overly relying on them is he.
Just goes to show the contempt Tony Blair shows for British values and the unwritten constitution. It’s because premiers like him that we need a single written constitution (amendments only allowed after referenda).
Another nail for the coffin lid, at the moment I feel like not waiting for the complete set but rather burying him alive.
While looking for that poem however to post on this site I came across this poem by Wilfred Owen and its haunted me ever since its so much more sombre in some ways, and it alludes to the fact that those that suffer more from war are often those who linger.
You can tell the difference in time between these two poems ‘Flanders Field’ being written in 1915 and ‘Disabled’ in 1917 or 1918 I’m not sure which, the former is still idealistically pro-war the latter is untaken by propaganda and the righteousness of the conflict and reflects purely on the human suffering.
Germans he scarcely thought of; all their guilt,
Now, he will spend a few sick years in institutes,
In Flanders Fieldsby John McCrae, May 1915
In Flanders fields the poppies blow
We are the Dead. Short days ago
Blogcymru.com has disappeared looks like some one has forgotten to pay the bill, its unfortunate that I didn’t record the blogs that I read via there, since now I have no way of finding them.
Additionally, clustrmap.com, which provides the little map on the right that tells me where every one who reads this blog is situated appears to be having some difficulty.
I hope these two get up and running soon I enjoyed looking at both of them.
It’s even more astounding that they are sending games to Patagonia in Argentina where there are Welsh language communities, but I suppose it is to be expected and I’m glad that the language is still alive in areas other than Wales.
Its good that companies are realising the profitability of welsh language games, as this comes so soon after Welsh Scrabble was released, lets hope that this encourages more games to follow suit.
If you’re interested in Swansea Monopoly click here – it’s just a disappointment that Liberty Properties stepped in to late to sponsor the stadium so it shall forever be known as “the new stadium”.
For the record I’m getting one for Christmas – now what do I get my brother in return?
Its looking ominous for Blair even his heir apparent is supporting him, which is always a sign that they are ready to take over but don’t want to seen as the one knifing them in the back.
But it seems that all sides are now out for blood, with a Parliamentary Committee probing Labours request to the Police to lobby MPs to get them to vote for legislations which would be a breach of their impartiality
Not really sure if I know enough about it to comment further or whether it would be wise to comment further on that particular subject, which is fortunate because that wasn’t the purpose of this post.
It looks like we could be heading towards a new leader within months as opposed to years and possibly within weeks. The succession is all but assured, the welcome has ended from the party, parliament and the country at large, and assuming that parliament don’t give him the shove, all we have to do now is wait to see how determined he is to push through his reforms or whether he believes he is still able to push through his reforms.
As soon as he believes it futile he will go – so we wait to see how quickly he learns.
¶ 4:33 PM 1 comments links to this post
This post is done in the vain hope that it might influence someone at the FAW opinion on
The Scots have already said no and the Welsh are deciding, lets face it the British Olympic Committee, are going to do their best for England, and pundits are widely expecting the side to be made up of 90% English players with the benches full of Celtic Fringe player in order to warrant the name Britain on the shirt.
There is no perceived benefit for the FAW from participation that I can see the only possibility is that they may have their right to independent entries into FIFA competitions rejected as a result.
As this course of action may lead to a loss of a national symbol I have to oppose it with every fibre of my being.
¶ 4:29 PM 0 comments links to this post
How can it be that the majority of MPs are out of touch with the public, I would like to inform our 'loathed' leader that we are all freethinking citizens in this country and there are probably as many opinions as there are people. And just because you believe yourself to be correct doesn’t mean you are, and throwing your toys out of the pram afterwards isn't going to endear you to anybody and may actually lead to more rebellions in your final days.
I shall tell you that my MP represented my opinion and wishes by not backing the government on this proposal - and he should accept that MPs are the representatives of the people and not of the Labour party Politibureau.
And as for being out of touch, There is only one MP that is out of touch with the people and that is the Honourable member for Sedgefield!
In addition to my last post, I’ve just read the commentary on the same event by Peter Black AM, which has, figuratively, smacked me in the face with what I missed about the significance of this event - I even watched the Welsh affairs committee today and still didn't twig!
Needless to say I’m even more enraged now with the hypocrisy of the government. They are awarding a lifetime peerage, with the corresponding seat in the House of Lords, to a Labour looser of an election while at the same time trying to prevent AMs who loose a constituency vote from switching to the regional lists and entering the chamber that way. Well i'm appalled!
On a different matter, as I said I watched the Welsh affairs committee grill dumb and dumber (aka, Peter Hain and Rhodri Morgan) who were both adamant that the reform to the voting system in Wales - as mentioned above - is not a partisan attempt to rig the voting system. But there is one question that I can’t get away from, and that is:
WHY ARE THEY TRYING TO INTRODUCE THIS NOW?
The only reason I can think of is because they are loosing in the assembly and want to get rid of the opposition big hitters (as it were). Lets face if they didn't mind the system when it allowed Blair's Buddy Alun Michael in to the assembly through the back door, in order for him to become the first leader of the assembly (I think i’m right in saying that the title first minister came latter) where was the moral uproar from
This attempted change of the rules is cynical and in my opinion unacceptable manipulation of the voting system in order to benefit the labour party.
Its such a shame I was going to write a post about Blair loosing his first ever vote in the commons, which considering the bill, would have been a joyous occasion, but then I saw this - link - regarding a labour candidate that failed to get elected is now going to be given a peerage!
This is an absolutely disgusting, I know giving good jobs to those who don’t get elected isn’t new, a Tory candidate that lost in 1992 I think then was given the job of high commissioner in Honk Kong. (I wish I could remember his name)
But how contrary can a government be? They removed the vast bulk of Hereditary peers as being unelected and unrepresentative, and as a custom unfitting for a democracy. Then they go and give the seats to a candidate that was rejected, loosing a safe seat with a 19,000 majority by 9,000 votes! How can they justify that this system is more democratic than the last is beyond me there is only one option that is now acceptable, that is -
The Democratisation of the Lords
Democratisation of the Lords could serve two purposes a) to make sure we are governed by democracy - which is important, and b) to correct the unbalanced results that emerge from first past the post voting for the commons - and ill elaborate on this.
If we assign seats In the Lords by Proportional Representation, based on the results on the current general elections (no new elections are necessary) then this will help compensate for the unfair make up of the commons.
If we say that the lords will be elected for 10 years as opposed to the commons 5 years. Additionally we could split up the Lords as they do for the senate in the US then we can have half elected every 5 years keeping up with current opinions.
And if we remove the Parliament Act - since the Lords would be elected it is obsolete - then we would have a government that is truly representative.
If you wanted to go further then you could insist on having minimal qualifications - all those running for the Lords have to have a masters or a PHD. And be over 50. This would ensure that it is a competent governing body - capable of proper scrutiny of legislation and hopefully prevent the crèche mentality that often prevails in the commons.
Any opinions on my reforms will be welcome.
Many Thanks
Taffia Don
Politically opinionated people to help run this blog.
Applicants will be politically neutral but preferably with Welsh nationalist tendencies.
Must be able to be fed up with politicians and write comprehensively about their idiosyncrasies.
Must understand what idiosyncrasies means.
If you don’t meet any of the criteria don’t worry just e-mail me and say ill post more than you and your hired.
Applications - like its going to be a tough selection process to
taffiadon (at) gmail (dot) com
Greetings all,
sorry my posts are a bit sporadic but i’m rather busy doing other things (third year uni lots of pressure etc...) .
However, I have, for the first time ever managed to add something to this page that is a little logo on the side. This will tell me how many people don’t look at my page. As you would expect it’s rather full.
Speak Soon
Taffia Don
- WE SHALL REMEMBER THEM
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