http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/carrie-underwood-us-country-queen-speaks-out-for-gay-marriage--but

Christian singer Carrie Underwood risks wrath of the faithful with backing for equal rights for homosexuals.

Carrie Underwood is a popular Christian singer from America, who wants to gain foot in the UK. In an interview for the Independent she stated, she is in favor of gay marriages. This statement will no doubt outrage her fans on the religious right in the US. She supports gay marriages because of her Christian values, God is about love and not about setting rules. She is happily married herself and can’t imagine what it is like, when you are not allowed to marry the person you love. These ideas could help her to launch her career in Europe. Her first British concert will be held in the Royal Albert Hall.

Reaction:

I am not a religious person but I have always wondered, why specifically Christian people are often not very tolerant and loving towards people who don’t comply with their standards. I really liked the way this singer explained why she is in favor of gay marriages. This article made clear to me, that most people in America and Europe don’t agree on this subject. Her American fans might turn away from her, while these statements can help her with her career in Europe.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2157048/Tory-MPs-war-press-probe-airport-U-turn--Speaker-says-juvenile-delinquents.html

Tory MP Brian Binley attacks against David Cameron for hiring Andy Coulson.

The  Tory MP Brian Binley criticized David Cameron,  for hiring Mr Coulson as his main communication chief. Coulson used to be the editor for the World and was under fire because he was charged with perjury. He was one of the editors involved in the “phone hacking” scandal (the Leveson  inquiry) .  Mr.  Binley  said that Cameron should have asked for advice before he appointed his new communication chief. He accuses Cameron of not having enough experience in business management.

 The Leveson inquiry , set up by Cameron himself , was an inquiry into media ethics and the closeness of the relationship between the Government and media icon Rupert Murdoch.  People close to Cameron say Cameron regrets setting up the inquiry as the focus has switched from media to politics.

Reaction.

I have chosen this article because it was interesting to see what English politicians are dealing with at the moment. This issue has not been in the Dutch newspapers. We know about the phone-hacking scandal but I didn’t know Cameron had hired one of the editors involved in this scandal. I think this Binley is right in saying that Cameron should have asked advice. I think it is very naïve to hire a man with this kind of reputation to become the Prime minister’s  communication chief.  It shows that people in power sometimes think they are above criticism.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/eu/9319548/As-the-eurozone-breaks-apart-Britain-must-go-its-separate-way.html

As the Eurozone breaks apart, Britain must go its separate way.

By Charles More. 08 Jun 2012.

This Eurozone crises is so unmanageable because you can’t predict which way it will go. Either the market will collapse but it could also go on for years. The problem is that Europe has no clear democratic authority. From 2008 until now the question is: do we want a European Nation or breakup? Some politicians dare to state that the Euro is doomed. This seems to be the dominant view of the government but they are afraid of what might happen. It might cause a turning point crises bringing down Spain, France, Germany and Britain as well. They still hope for an unexpected rescue. The British should be realistic and step out the Eurozone.

Reaction.

The writer of this article clearly wants Britain to leave the Eurozone. He doesn’t think it is an option to give the European parliament more power. Since I have read “Britain” I understand this better. British people do not like rules and regulations let alone rules, that are made up by people from other countries. The writer would rather cause an immediate crises than wait for a slow downfall.

There are so many experts on this subject and nobody knows what might be the result of certain measures. My idea is that whatever actions  governments in Europe are going to undertake, controlling the banks must be one of them. This can only happen when the European Parliament is allowed to react in a more effective way.

Euro 2012: Netherlands preview

The Netherlands are amongst the favorites for the European championship. According to the Fifa rankings this team is the fourth best team in the world. Only two European teams are better: Germany and Spain. Van Marwijk, the Dutch bonds coach has done a remarkable job: He has won 23 out of 25 competitive games so far. Critics say that his style is a bit to defensive but the statistics show his style is effective. The Dutch had the highest goal average and Huntelaar was top scorer in the qualification games. They also won all seven games in their group.

The Dutch team has only one major tournament. This was in 1988 when they won the European championship. This year they aim for a place in the semifinals at least.

Reaction:

After all these serious blogs I was a bit tired of giving my opinion about every issue around. When I came across this article I thought it was time for a bit of amusement. It was interesting to read all this detailed information about the Dutch team in an English newspaper. All information is up to date: Who is still injured and even the fact that Huntelaar will be on the bench. What do you think of this team? How far will they get. The last three games were not very convincing but maybe that was just part of tactics.

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/justice-secretary-ken-clarke-admits-plans-for-cheap-prison-work-may-cost-thousands-of-jobs-7817812.html

Justice Secretary Ken Clarke admits plans for cheap prison work may cost thousands of jobs.

The Justice Department has planned to double the number of prisoners working. The Secretary of state (Ken Clark) has admitted this could mean there is going to be less work for law abiding people. They want to create work for 20.000 prisoners. Prisoners are not paid minimum wage however the justice department has stated this will not mean they start undercutting business outside. The prisoners who have worked in prison will have work experience. This can help them to get a job after they have served their sentence.

This program started two years ago. Now the POA (Prison Officer’s Association) has suddenly raised questions. There is a code of practice and all work is voluntary.

Reaction:

I can understand why people without a job are upset about this plan. To them it might seem it doesn’t pay to abide the law. However I think it is terribly important that people inside prison work. How can they ever reintegrate in society when they haven’t learned anything. When you put people in a cell it is not only about punishment but also about preventing crime. I know this might look very expensive but I am sure that plans like this will pay themselves back on the long run.

http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/olympics/ios-investigation-legacy-what-legacy-pulling-the-plug-on-an-olympic-dream-7813537.html

IoS investigation: Legacy? What legacy? Pulling the plug on an Olympic dream

EMILY DUGAN  , SARAH MORRISON SUNDAY 03 JUNE 2012

When Britain won the bid in 2012 Sebastian Coe promised to “inspire a generation”. Meaning more people would get active because of these Olympic  Games. As it turned out there were so many cuts that many programs and initiatives were cancelled or half- finished. Last December even the Government admitted that the target of getting a million Britons more active will  not be reached. Almost half of all young people say that they don’t do enough sport at school. The lessons are boring and there is not enough choice. The only thing the English will get is probably some good TV.

Reaction:

The Olympic games are wonderful and I am going to watch a lot of television. What I like most is athletics. But I am also aware of the fact that this whole festival is very commercial and has nothing to do with promoting sports for ordinary people. They will not be able to buy tickets because they are bought by the sponsoring companies. There will not be cuts on the festivities around the games. Stadiums and sport halls have been renovated to show the world what a great sport Nation Britain is. That there are no cycle lanes or good sport programs at schools doesn’t seem important enough.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/may/17/iran-persecution-gay-community-revealed

Saeed Kamali Dehghan

guardian.co.uk, Thursday 17 May 2012

A study conducted by Small Media ( a non-profit group based in London) shows that gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people are denied but also terrible punished by the Iranian Government.  Small Media gathered information and statements through a secret online forum. The president of Iran even said that these people don’t exist in Iran. The first detailed report on Iran's LGBT community has found that its members live under terrible circumstances: They are being persecuted and punished and even sentenced to death. Homosexuals feel they are not part of society and they are very lonely because they can’t trust anybody.

Reaction:

It is my opinion that the international community should help these people as much as they can. They should help them escape from a regime like in Iran,  offer them shelter in a Western country where they can live their own life. I think that this way these terrible ideas about homosexuality will gradually disappear. We should show everybody we stand for our values one of which is that people are free to choose their own sexual preference. Most people just ignore the signs: This morning I read in the newspaper that homosexuals going to the EK football should be careful to show their nature.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2012/may/22/didier-drogba-leaves-chelsea

Didier Drogba confirms he is leaving Chelsea in the summer

Didier Drogba is leaving Chelsea after 8 years with the club. During these years he scored 157 goals. With the help of Drogba Chelsea won 10 titles, the biggest price was of course the Champions League Victory. Drogba thanks everyone and especially Roman Abramovitch. He says it was a very difficult decision and that the club will always stay in his heart. ” I also like to say a very special thank you to the Chelsea fans, who have shown me so much love and support over the years.”

Comment:

Eight years ago Abromovitch bought Drogba for 24 million pounds. Abromovitch is a Russian man who owns Chelsea and who has invested millions in this club. He bought a number of outstanding football players, one of which was Drogba. Last Saturday the club has won the biggest price. What has this got to do with sport and club love? So many football clubs have debts. They are not able to compete anymore. Their best players are being bought by clubs with more money. Shouldn’t there be more rules to put an end to these excesses?

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/may/17/iran-persecution-gay-community-revealed

Saeed Kamali Dehghan

guardian.co.uk, Thursday 17 May 2012

A study conducted by Small Media ( a non-profit group based in London) shows that gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people are denied but also terrible punished by the Iranian Government.  Small Media gathered information and statements through a secret online forum. The president of Iran said that these people don’t exist in Iran. The first detailed report on Iran's LGBT community has found that its members live under terrible circumstances: They are being persecuted and punished and even sentenced to death. Homosexuals feel they are not part of society and they are very lonely because they can’t trust anybody.

Comment:

It is my opinion that the international community should help these people as much as they can. They should help them escape from a regime like in Iran and offer them shelter in a Western country where they can live their own life. I think that this way these terrible ideas about homosexuality will gradually disappear. We should show everybody we stand for our values and one of them is that people are free to choose their own sexual preference. 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-18091708?print=true

16 May 2012 

NHS 'should consider giving statins to healthy people'

By James Gallagher Health and science reporter, BBC News

Should we give drugs (in this case Statins) to healthy people? Very healthy people with a low Cholesterol level could sometimes suffer a heart attack. Several experts say that if we give Statics to all people older than 50 it could prevent 10.000 of heart strokes and safe 2000 lives every year. This also means that the NHS can save money by handing out these drugs. On the other hand Statics  could show side effects: liver problems, kidney failure, muscle weakness and an increased risk of diabetes.

Comment:

Handing out drugs to healthy people is not new. Very young children take pills to prevent caries and  most of us are vaccinated against several diseases. However is seems to me that the side effects are pretty serious. There is no information about percentages of people who suffer from these side effects and how serious these effects are. In this article there is nothing said about free choice. I think that everybody should be giving the opportunity to take Statin. It must be clear though what the figures are on the side effects.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-17822387

Government hits annual borrowing target.

The British government has borrowed more than expected but has still met its target. They borrowed 11 bn.  pounds less than last year. The Tax increases and the rise of VAT made this possible. The total debt of the UK is now as much as 66 % of the gross domestic product. This week it will become clear if the economy is in recession. By 2016-17 the Government aims to have paid back all her debt.

 Specialists are relieved but it might also mean that the cost of borrowing goes up. When the economy doesn't grow the government won’t be able to pay back their debts.

Comment by Anne Marieke

How is it possible that all these governments can borrow so much money? Where does it all come from? Or is this just one gigantic bubble that can blow up any time. All these years the finances have been in the hands of specialists supported by many financial advisers. How is it possible that they didn’t realized that borrowed money must be paid back some time? It is not like it never happened before. This is not the first crises but it looks like nobody ever learned from former experiences.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2012/apr/23/british-empire-crimes-ignore-atrocities

Deny the British empire's crimes? No, we ignore them

The myth of the civilized English colonialism still believed a true story by most people. When evidence is found and presented of distortions, they are ignored. Moreover the British Government has even destroyed prove of misbehavior.

Caroline Elking, a professor at Harvard,  has found that during the Kikuyu revolt in Kenia in the 1950s prisoners were killed and tortured systematically. She has written a book about it that won a prize but was for the rest ignored.

This is one example of how British people deal with their colonial past.

Comment by Anne Marieke

I always wondered how countries like England and the Netherlands can be so selective in remembering their history. They feel like they can judge other countries but don’t reflect on their own past.

Balkenende said we should be proud of the VOC mentality. It is true they earned a lot of money but so many people had to suffer because of that.

This article says that not only dictators write their own history, most countries do.

London 2012 McDonald's extends Olympic sponsorship

McDonalds will sponsor the Olympic Games for another 8 years. Jacques Rogge the IOC President says he is very happy that Mc Donalds has prolonged its sponsorship: Mc Donalds supports the Olympic movement and also the Athletes. They will give 100 miljoen dollars.  McDonald's said the restaurant chain would use the extended partnership to introduce several new programs "focused on balanced eating and fun play for children".

This is another example of how the Olympic Games have become a toy of big companies. For an individual even in England it is almost impossible to attend the games. Seats are bought by companies. Moreover how can they accept a sponsor like this who is producing and promoting extremely unhealthy fast food.

Why are there people who think they can decide on what is or isn’t art? David Lister says this is specifically the case with visual art. He  has never heart anybody say: This isn’t theatre or this isn’t a film.

Because of the opening of  a retrospective on Damien Hirst  in the Tate Modern,  this discussion has again started. Lister states : “Art is in the eye of the beholder”. It can be any kind of visual form that alters your feelings which is to him the only criteria to define art. This is why he asks the art police to step down.

I agree with David Lister when he gives his definition of art, however this can also mean that the majority of people will decide on what is or isn’t art. Only artists that sell will be able to make a career and what is or isn’t going to be in musea. In our modern society we want to give young artists the opportunity to experiment and challenge us.

Unlike David Lister I think the same discussion is going on about theatre and literature. What art forms deserve extra financial support and who decides on that?

http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-/art/news/david-lister-ive-had-eough-of-the-critics-who-insist-on-telling-the-world-what-is-and-isnt-art-7624762.html