John Hooper, the Bishop of Gloucester, was burnt at the stake for heresy in 1555. John Quincy Adams was elected President of the United States by the House of Representatives in 1825, after no candidate received a majority of votes in the Electoral College. William G. Morgan invented a game he called mintonette in 1895. It is now called volleyball. The Beatles made their first appearance on American television, appearing on the Ed Sullivan Show in 1964.
Born today: Ronald Colman (1891-1958), Carmen Miranda (1909-1955), Brendan Behan (1923-1964), Clive Swift (1936), Janet Suzman (1939), J.M. Coetzee (1940), Carole King (1942), Alice Walker (1944), Ciarán Hinds (1953) and Gordon Strachan (1957).
It is the feast day of St. Teilo.
Morning all - good comment to close last night, Montana. It feels like there are two types of 'cultural imperative' at play here - FGM (and restriction of access to contraception / abortion) involves physical invasion, and thus is (for many) easier to condemn, whereas issues such as arranged marriage / veiling have a less invasive aspect and thus there seems to be a wider range of opinions on them.
ReplyDeleteAs I've said before, after much mulling of competing rights and harms, I would not support any banning of the veil (for adults). Similarly, if the parties enter into the arrangements for arrangement (if you see what I mean) freely (meaning, one can argue about what pressures may be affecting them but there is no open coercion) then that is a matter for them.
But both make me very uneasy. But, as with prostitution (that Shaffauser article yesterday was good), it's a matter of acknowledging that what makes me uneasy is no reason for a ban but for a debate...
There are lines to be drawn on some issues - but on others, I think more can be achieved by encouraging social change, which is better served by openness and discussion than blanket condemnation / banning things, which can just polarise things further and entrench the practices at issue.
Hello? Is there anybody out there?
ReplyDeleteJust discovered the Super Bowl Ads thread, very good work there, Philippa (together with stud, of course).
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure about how much the "men are regularly painted as idiots" miss the point: On the one hand, it's about the sexism against women that is discussed in the article; on the other hand, the article even says that those ads are as insulting to men as they are to women; on the third hand, however, why are ads that insult both genders in comparable degree slammed as misogynistic for pretty much the whole article, while their misandry is touched upon only in a half-sentence.
Hi Philippa! Must have a look at the thread ... bloody w*rk is getting in the way today!
ReplyDeleteelementary - I think I'd go with 'advertising' as one of theose subjects to which there may be separate gender-focussed responses, but the subject itself is equal opportunities oversimplistic stereotyping...
ReplyDeleteA scientist on Y&Y has just cited a latin tag re climate change, something like qui farme ferat?
ReplyDeleteWas convinced for a moment that he was recommending 'farming ferrets', and couldn't for the life of me work out how that would help...
article up on ESA. get your support in early!
ReplyDeleteI am here and today I am wandering is it me or is Hardeep Singh I love myself Kholi's article about not carrying knives even though you are a Sikh pretty bloody obvious. The commentariat have applauded him for taking down his own religion but in truth - if you think about it just a little bit - the applause would be warranted if he said "We should not wear turbans." Then we might say,"Oh Wow." It's nothing to do with what I think but Sikh kids not carrying knives to school is a no brainer methinks.
ReplyDeleteMsR - it did interest me that he descibes himself as a 'secular sikh' but still wears one...
ReplyDelete"Thanks for all the emails I received, so far they were all very inspiring - expect some pieces from commenters ABL soon."
ReplyDeleteNote to Hank, Monkeyfish, Pikey, possibly BW, Wooly, etc - this does not apply to banned posters (I asked), so if you were writing any lengthy words on the problems of disability access to synagogues or sharia beachware - do not bother submitting or "pitching" to the Graun.
Articles from banned posters would compromise the editorial line, apparently (though articles from Tanya Gold, Derek Acorah, Peaches Geldof and the young work experience boy, Meltzer, do not)
Ha ha "compromise the editorial line." Pray what is it these days. Reactionary articles on the most minute of issues written by people who know nothing. I'm thinking Heather McGregor on Toyota and brands et al. There is a lot of this stuff.
ReplyDeleteThat turban gets on my wick! But it's his trademark, like Ken Dodd's teeth, or Wossy's lithp...
ReplyDeleteThis is a good laugh.
ReplyDeleteRapidEddie has a good one on the superbowl thread tangent of whether more people watch Superbowl or Champion's League final, at 3:17 PM. Love the last sentence :-)
ReplyDeleteEl - yes he does, and I love the way that most commentators have spectacularly failed to grasp the point of StudRockman's and Philippa's posts!
ReplyDeletethauma: Just to be sure, who exactly failed to grasp the point: The poster who scolded them (and you, too, if i recall correctly) for their overdoing snark or those who wagged their finger, saying: "Your daughter should be doing her homework by herself, not copy and paste it!"
ReplyDelete'Twas not I; I haven't commented on the thread.
ReplyDeleteYes, the one about "your daughter should be doing her own homework" as well as the one or two helpful suggestions *with* the homework!
So, I recalled incorrectly. It was BB, then, and not thauma. I hope none of you feels insulted I could have mistaken her for the other ...
ReplyDeleteHad the following in from the NCADC this evening
ReplyDeleteThe courageous women behind the wire on hunger strike, with out cause or reason, were yesterday subjected to *'heavy manners'. For about eight hours, the detainees were harried by staff at the centre. Many of the women sustained light injuries but were refused treatment for several hours. People phoning into detainees, could not hear what was being said as the cries of distress in the background, were drowning out any attempt to converse. Four of the women were removed from Yarl's Wood, yesterday evening at 20:00 hrs to Bedford police station, where they are now; they have not been arrested/charged, so why are they in police cells?
The Home Office were reporting this morning that the Hunger Strike is over, women speaking from Yarl's Wood today, say it is definitely not.
* heavy manners, a situation where all civilized norms are abrogated and government forces or in this case government agents, use unwarranted force; a steamroller to crack open a peanut.
Also the following 3 articles from the Graun and the D. Telegraph today, re the UKBA make interesting reading for anyone interested
UK asylum agency report
UK - human rights - sex trafficking
UKBA unable to perform basic functions
beautifulburnoutbirdchrome@gmail.com for those who want to stay in touch.
ReplyDeleteciao for now. x
Turminder
ReplyDeleteHow can you criticise Hardeep - he's practically a saint! (secular version, that is)
btw - that Tuckerise link is wondrous - have sent it to everyone I know.
blimey, allthings is having a bit of a 'day' inne?
ReplyDeleteI didn't think we derailed things that badly, I only posted sarcy once...
where's BB off to?
bleah - tomorrow have to deal with dentistry in french.
i don't like people messing about with my head.
in any language.
oh my god - levy's gone for a burton.
ReplyDeletebotulism, for crying out loud. how could he not spot that?
sheff
ReplyDeleteRe: trafficking victims - several years ago, the Home Office domestic & sexual violence teams argued strongly for immigration to acknowledge the rights of this group as victims of crime, but immigration would only concede rights to those who agreed to give evidence against the traffickers. And obviously few want to do that, because said traffickers threaten the families which victims left behind and still want to collect what they see as the debt owed to them for shipping people into other countries illegally.
BB
?
BB
???
Ah, should've previewed me post.
ReplyDeleteMsC
ReplyDeletedon't know where BB is off to - have I missed something?
Hardeep's ok, but he winds me up a bit. I think the 'nicey nicey' is a bit put on, and the big turban is just a shtick...
ReplyDeleteWhere's BB off to?
Watson
ReplyDeleteIt was BB, then, and not thauma. I hope none of you feels insulted I could have mistaken her for the other ...
Dunno about BB, but I think it's quite flattering.
Now wossis she's on about?
I met Hardeep Singh a while ago. Pretty nice bloke, in my books, but you've all got to make your mind up about him yourselves. Or not.
ReplyDeleteInteresting discussion about arranged marriages last night. To paraphrase Bill Hicks, anyone dumb enough to get married deserves everything they get. I'm prepared and scared, but just about dumb enough to cope with it.
Hope you've all had a good day. It's been so tough not to post a song.
Hardeep is apparently not a very nice bloke. I just can't stand people who want to be liked all the time. And he does. And that article was nothing. Like what's he going to write: "Sikhs should carry knives 'cos people wear crosses."
ReplyDeleteSorry I don't like him.And no I don't think Ariane Sherine is cute or funny. Or that Daragh fellow who is not so bright. And no it's not because I'm depressed. I just think so much of CIF these days is Emperor's new clothes.
There. I'll take my pills now.
Habib - the Singh thread article was a good one.
ReplyDeleteAgree with this Bill Hicks, myself - but then I've always wanted to be a hermit.
What's holding you back from posting a song?
Oh alright, I don't want to be meaningless, Thauma, even though I probably am.
ReplyDeleteI want a song. Re Carole King's birthday - Tapestry has got to be one of the most complete albums ever. No song a dud.
ReplyDeleteThat used to be the case with a great band but now I guess with the internet this all changes and the album is not the thing.
Agree with Mrs R..can't stand the guy..right up himself and...although nobody ever seems to say so..very wisely as on the occasions that I've made the point, I've been pre-modded, the guy just isn't funny; which is no crime of course but a bit of a handicap for a so-called comedian. He gets all his work from CIF and the BBC and let's face it, without the turban, he'd get nothing...that's why he wears it..it his little gimmick..his USP..like the Iranian woman who cracks..lame, entirely predictable and not remotely shocking or challenging gags about Islam...yet she's seen as some kinda ground-breaking iconoclast even though she skilfully manages to avoid anything really contentious.
ReplyDeleteThey're basically slightly humorous (R4 panel show 'funny') and get work as a result of their 'religion' even though they're just a pair of middle-class nobodies who have more in common with Matt Seaton than your average Sikh or Muslim.
Sorry everyone. Very tired and stressed at the moment. Lots going on. Probably a tad too touchy as a result. Didn't mean to be all drama queeny about things but I shall give UT a rest for a while as I am not up to much serious discussion right now.
ReplyDeleteWill dip in and out, no doubt, rather than just throwing in the towel. Hugs to you all xx
"Note to Hank, Monkeyfish, Pikey, possibly BW, Wooly, etc - this does not apply to banned posters (I asked), so if you were writing any lengthy words on the problems of disability access to synagogues or sharia beachware - do not bother submitting or "pitching" to the Graun."
ReplyDeleteWell StudRockman hasn't been banned...although fuck knows why not...presumably he could write something?
BeautifulBurnout
ReplyDelete"I shall give UT a rest for a while as I am not up to much serious discussion right now."
Oh Balls! You mean I have to leave, too?
No habib keep posting songs. I enjoyed the last one.
ReplyDeleteI think Mr. Rockman would be a fine addition ATL.
ReplyDeleteHabib, nice choon - saw The The once, knowing practically nothing about them, and they were superb. Here's one back about fear of meaninglessness.
MF
ReplyDeleteGood idea - how do we persuade StudRockman to submit said article which he won't get paid for? I'll get him a pint gladly but he is worthy of real remuneration of the spendable variety imho.
MsR
Tapestry - brings back fond memories, that does. Mostly substance-induced :-)
And you are absolutley right about the best albums, where every track was worth listening to and was part of the whole, whereas many albums these days seem to have 2 or 3 good tracks filled out with garbage.
habib
Keep those songs coming, we need 'em, mate.
thauma
You, a hermit? Give over. Unless you can live a hermit's life watching rugby in your own pub, but who would you dance with?
definitely second call for Mr Stud Rockman to submit something atl. Will also contribute a pint to the cause.
ReplyDeleteHere's a lovely tune from Nancy Griffiths & Maura O'Connell
Trouble in the fields
and this is gorgeous
ReplyDeleteBlue Train
Habib - nice cover. I always (well, usually) like to go back to the original.
ReplyDeleteThis is a good 'un by the same bloke: toast was cold and the orange juice was hot.
My goodness, some angst in the air tonight. Neil Young is too good, Thauma, look forward to hearing Blue Train, Sheff, loved Trouble in the Fields. :-)
ReplyDeleteI'm going to have to go with the big guns.
Damn links: toast cold/juice hot.
ReplyDeleteThink I prefer your offering of Everbody's Talking, Thauma. Sounds like a tired man might have sang it... hmmm...
ReplyDeleteAnd it just gets better!
MsChin - good point on the rugby! I could just growl into my pint and not speak to anyone. Although I am perfectly capable of dancing with myself (resisted linky).
ReplyDeleteSheff - when I saw "Blue Train" I thought it was going to be this one, which I was already thinking of posting as I though Robbie was looking pretty hot in the previous.
Have to say angst is my mood of habit, Habib....i notice you are trying to lighten things up. Will have to put a stop to that.
ReplyDeleteTry this:
Born under a bad sign
Blimey thauma, I'd forgotten about that Crazy River. "Where people play games with the night." ha ha!
ReplyDeleteSheff, don't mess with me and angst.
Thauma
ReplyDeleteGod - that Neil Young took me back.....how about some Crosby Stills et al
Our House
LOL Sheff! Been down so goddamn long that it looks like up to me.
ReplyDeleteHabib, my favourite bit is
ReplyDelete- Why do you always end up at Nick's café?
- I don't know - the wind just kind of seems to blow me this way.
Yer 'angst' is cued up....
Sheff, I'm quite a CSNY fan, except I could without N except as a back-up singer.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteHabib - that had my eyes swivelling in their sockets!
ReplyDeleteThauma - the Doors huh? LA Woman
Sheff - She is all that I have left: and music is her name.
ReplyDeleteHabib - angst!
Off to bed in a mo - thanks all!
Sheff - was really gonna turn off the puter but the Bowie song has got me into a bit of living-room interpretive dance and I know LA Woman will do the same, so I'll click on that and THEN be off, really!
ReplyDeletei need to turn in soon but going through my utube clips has been keeping me up. The Congolese lad staying here thinks I've gone bonkers and retired to his room - old bird dancing round the room has freaked him out a bit i think!
ReplyDeleteMust away to sort things out for tomorrow and try and get some sleep - but will leave you with The Band
ReplyDeleteOooh nice stuff, you two. I think I was beaten for good music, tonight, really enjoyed it. Have a good night's sleep, As for me, well the wind just kind of blows you a certain way, sometimes.
ReplyDeletebloody hell Habib - just trying to escape and you put on one of my fave cowboy junkies tunes....
ReplyDelete@ monkeyfish and MsRobinson. Got to agree with you on Hardeep and Shappi Khorsandi (oh and Shazia Mirza too): not actually funny, really self-centred, and bloody hell, they get asked on to things like Question Time/Any Questions. Why? I suspect it's because they are the acceptable faces of BME communities for chatterati/media wankers: tame, unthreatening, fitting with the bien-pensant mindset, oh, and almost certainly supporters of New Labour (still)..I have a little more time for A.Sharine, but a) comedians really should be funny, first and foremost (the first three aren't while Sharine is more amiable, occasionally wry, than funny.Oddly enough, Hardeep's brother is funny-ish);b)promoting BME comics beyond what their talents merit insults the audience and BME communities alike-the actually talented edgy BME comics get crowded out by the on-message ones, who are like latter day Kenny Lynches, there for appearance , but won't ever rock the neo-liberal, NewLab boat; c)they have to be funny (did I mention that?).
ReplyDeleteKeep on hanging in there MsRobinson. There are q. a few of us on here who've gone through the mental health system in one way or another (well I know I have, and others here have definitely alluded to having done so). It sucks, but you're not alone.
Night all.
Ooh, have just finished the last book of the Millenium Trilogy. Wowee. Rarely read books that make you feel that physical sense of anticipation you get in films when the creepy music starts / everything falls into place and you realise what's going on.
ReplyDeleteThere would always be a moment in a John Le Carre when you'd have a sinking sense of dread that it wasn't going to work out alright.
But not sure any other author I've read has managed it.
Just brilliant.