Saturday, November 29, 2008
Bye Bye Blair
It is the end of an era. The man who led London as the police commissioner during the ghastly 7/7 bombings yesterday left the police force. Put more politically incorrectly, he was forced out by London’s mayor Boris Johnson. His departure raises serious questions.
The BBC quoted Sir Ian Blair as saying that law must change to prevent another Metropolitan Police commissioner being “forced out” by London's mayor.
The commissioner of police quit the police in October. He accused the mayor of not backing him.
Speaking in his final interview as the commissioner of police for London Sir Ian Blair told the BBC that politicians were trying to hire and fire police chiefs.
The episode raises many serious questions about the relationship between the office of the mayor and the police chief.
New equation
The Metropolitan Police Authority (MPA) oversees the force and approves its strategies and spending.
The powerful body, it was decided earlier this year, would be chaired by the mayor.
Boris Johnson met up with Blair and made it clear that he had to quit his post as Metropolitan police chief.
Legally speaking, the power to hire and fire the Met commissioner rests with the home secretary, the Guardian reported.
The MPA invoked "urgency powers" in the first week of October.
Politicisation of policing
On his last day in charge the top cop accused the mayor of politicising the police force.
Lord Stevens said of the whole affair that that the Metropolitan Police must never be politicised.
Lord Stevens, the former Metropolitan Police was speaking to the Telegraph newspaper.
He warned his successor will not only have to battle the threat of terrorism and spiralling teenage murders, but the increasing politicisation of policing. He was quoted in the Independent newspaper.
Now, it only remains to be seen if Sir Ian Blair’s prophecy comes true.
Thursday, November 27, 2008
Time up for Happy hour ?
Politicians could ban the happy hour. Local authorities could be empowered to do away with the concept altogether. Does this country really have a drinking problem? If yes, is this a solution?
That’s what most people are wondering after reports in the media revealed the findings of the Home Affairs select committee. The BBC has reported that the committee said that reckless drinking was placing a heavy burden on police resources.
The report’s aims are to lay down ways of tackling challenges facing police forces in modern times.
Ministers told the BBC that they would "look carefully" at the report's recommendations.
The Guardian newspaper reported that the government is likely to take a more holistic approach on the issue.
This would include cigarette-style health warnings on television advertising for drinks, and labels on cans and bottles spelling out their alcohol-unit content.
The home secretary, Jacqui Smith, is expected to tell the alcohol industry that self-regulation over the years hasn’t actually worked.
The Telegraph reported that the ban would apply to "time-limited" cut-price drink offers, or happy hours
The human costs
The BBC has said in a report that evidence showed the biggest problem faced by police forces was violence and disorder caused by excessive drinking of cheap alcohol.
Drink-fuelled crime meant that many forces could not meet the public's expectations of high-profile visible policing at other times, despite currently having record numbers in uniform, the report said.
And there is another factor, the health costs.
The NHS spends about £2.7 billion a year treating alcohol-related illnesses. 811,000 alcohol-related admissions are made to hospitals each year, a report in the Times newspaper has said.
Supermarkets unhappy
A report in the Times newspaper has said that in 1953 there were just 24,000 off-licences in the whole of the UK, now there are more than 40,000. There were 61,000 so-called “on- licence” premises in 1953; now there are 78,500.
There is definitely a co-relation between accessibility and consumption.
When supermarkets were allowed to sell wine in New Zealand there was an immediate 16 per cent increase in consumption, says the report.
But supermarkets face a tough choice. Tesco spokeswoman Dharshini David told the BBC: “If we stopped promoting alcohol, people would go elsewhere”.
A spokesman for the Wine and Spirit Trade Association told the Independent newspaper: "We're in danger of alienating millions of ordinary people who enjoy a drink."
So, is anyone happy at this hour?
Yes, of course. The campaign group Alcohol Concern welcomed the report, calling on ministers to target discount sales and impose a minimum price per unit on alcohol.
Don Shenker, the organisation's chief executive told the Independent newspaper: "We know there is a clear link between the availability of alcohol and the level of abuse. The cheaper the alcohol is, the more it is abused."
That’s what most people are wondering after reports in the media revealed the findings of the Home Affairs select committee. The BBC has reported that the committee said that reckless drinking was placing a heavy burden on police resources.
The report’s aims are to lay down ways of tackling challenges facing police forces in modern times.
Ministers told the BBC that they would "look carefully" at the report's recommendations.
The Guardian newspaper reported that the government is likely to take a more holistic approach on the issue.
This would include cigarette-style health warnings on television advertising for drinks, and labels on cans and bottles spelling out their alcohol-unit content.
The home secretary, Jacqui Smith, is expected to tell the alcohol industry that self-regulation over the years hasn’t actually worked.
The Telegraph reported that the ban would apply to "time-limited" cut-price drink offers, or happy hours
The human costs
The BBC has said in a report that evidence showed the biggest problem faced by police forces was violence and disorder caused by excessive drinking of cheap alcohol.
Drink-fuelled crime meant that many forces could not meet the public's expectations of high-profile visible policing at other times, despite currently having record numbers in uniform, the report said.
And there is another factor, the health costs.
The NHS spends about £2.7 billion a year treating alcohol-related illnesses. 811,000 alcohol-related admissions are made to hospitals each year, a report in the Times newspaper has said.
Supermarkets unhappy
A report in the Times newspaper has said that in 1953 there were just 24,000 off-licences in the whole of the UK, now there are more than 40,000. There were 61,000 so-called “on- licence” premises in 1953; now there are 78,500.
There is definitely a co-relation between accessibility and consumption.
When supermarkets were allowed to sell wine in New Zealand there was an immediate 16 per cent increase in consumption, says the report.
But supermarkets face a tough choice. Tesco spokeswoman Dharshini David told the BBC: “If we stopped promoting alcohol, people would go elsewhere”.
A spokesman for the Wine and Spirit Trade Association told the Independent newspaper: "We're in danger of alienating millions of ordinary people who enjoy a drink."
So, is anyone happy at this hour?
Yes, of course. The campaign group Alcohol Concern welcomed the report, calling on ministers to target discount sales and impose a minimum price per unit on alcohol.
Don Shenker, the organisation's chief executive told the Independent newspaper: "We know there is a clear link between the availability of alcohol and the level of abuse. The cheaper the alcohol is, the more it is abused."
(The picture is a creative commmons photograph from flickr.com. It belongs to Brian Rosner. Click here to go to his profile)
RAPIST FATHER SENTENCED TO LIFE IMPRISONMET
Mr X who raped his two daughters has been sentenced to life imprisonment. The rapes on his daughters had lead to 19 pregnancies. The Prime Minster has promised overhaul of the child protection system.
According to a news report by the BBC, the 56-year-old man was sentenced to a life term for each of the rapes he had admitted to. He admitted to 25.
The Sheffield crown court heard the shocking case. Nine of the children were born. Two had died on the day of their birth. The other 10 pregnancies were miscarried or aborted.
The daughters released a statement to the BBC saying that "His detention in prison brings us only the knowledge that he cannot physically touch us again."
Mr X did not leave his prison cell to attend the sentencing. The Times of India has said that the man raped his daughters about a thousand times in eight years.
He is being compared to dungeon dad Josef Fritzl.
Investigations in the matter
The entire episode raises many questions. The sisters were in contact with helath professionals and social workers. Through investigations are now being planned into the matter, the Daily Mail newspaper has reported.
Jayne Ludlam from Sheffield City Council announced a review into the matter outside Sheffield Crown Court. She was speaking to the newspaper.
The newspaper has revealed that social workers in Sheffield were in contact with the family between 1976 and 1979.
The father took his family to Lincolnshire to avoid detection and in 2004 when they returned to South Yorkshire.
Both daughters went to hospital every time to give birth and they also had miscarriages and other medical problems.
A sad history
When either one of his victims tried to end the sexual abuse, he threatened to kill them and their children a report in the Guardian newspaper has said.
The mother’s role in the entire case has been one of a silent, somewhat aloof spectator, local newspaper The Star has reported. The newspaper has said that the mother turned a blind eye and walked away.
Nicholas Campbell QC, prosecuting, said it was believed the girls' mother knew her daughters were being abused by their father but did nothing to help.
On one occasion, the women called Childline and asked for a guarantee that they could keep their children, but when one was not offered they ended the call, the BBC has reported.
The Times newspaper has reported that social services in Lincolnshire had contact with the family when the daughters were young and suspicions were raised about the children’s parentage.
In 1997 the women’s brother came forward with “hearsay evidence” of incest. Police investigated the claim, but no further action was taken
According to a news report by the BBC, the 56-year-old man was sentenced to a life term for each of the rapes he had admitted to. He admitted to 25.
The Sheffield crown court heard the shocking case. Nine of the children were born. Two had died on the day of their birth. The other 10 pregnancies were miscarried or aborted.
The daughters released a statement to the BBC saying that "His detention in prison brings us only the knowledge that he cannot physically touch us again."
Mr X did not leave his prison cell to attend the sentencing. The Times of India has said that the man raped his daughters about a thousand times in eight years.
He is being compared to dungeon dad Josef Fritzl.
Investigations in the matter
The entire episode raises many questions. The sisters were in contact with helath professionals and social workers. Through investigations are now being planned into the matter, the Daily Mail newspaper has reported.
Jayne Ludlam from Sheffield City Council announced a review into the matter outside Sheffield Crown Court. She was speaking to the newspaper.
The newspaper has revealed that social workers in Sheffield were in contact with the family between 1976 and 1979.
The father took his family to Lincolnshire to avoid detection and in 2004 when they returned to South Yorkshire.
Both daughters went to hospital every time to give birth and they also had miscarriages and other medical problems.
A sad history
When either one of his victims tried to end the sexual abuse, he threatened to kill them and their children a report in the Guardian newspaper has said.
The mother’s role in the entire case has been one of a silent, somewhat aloof spectator, local newspaper The Star has reported. The newspaper has said that the mother turned a blind eye and walked away.
Nicholas Campbell QC, prosecuting, said it was believed the girls' mother knew her daughters were being abused by their father but did nothing to help.
On one occasion, the women called Childline and asked for a guarantee that they could keep their children, but when one was not offered they ended the call, the BBC has reported.
The Times newspaper has reported that social services in Lincolnshire had contact with the family when the daughters were young and suspicions were raised about the children’s parentage.
In 1997 the women’s brother came forward with “hearsay evidence” of incest. Police investigated the claim, but no further action was taken
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
For Better of for Verse
The search has begun. Who will be the UK’s next poet laureate? A tradition that has lasted for several decades is now attracting many entries and a lot of existential questions.
The BBC has reported that for the first time it is the British people will have their say in the nomination of the poet laureate.
The current poet laureate is Andrew Motion who was appointed for a term of 10 years starting in May 1999.
He was the first poet laureate to be appointed for a fixed term. Before that, the post was meant to be for life.
Motion told BBC Radio 4's Front Row his successor would be "jerked into a more-or-less public life".
While Andy Burnham the Culture Secretary said it was "exciting to be looking to the future and to appoint a successor" to Motion.
The preface
What is the history behind this tradition? The Times newspaper reports that the job of Poet Laureate was at first that of a straightforward propagandist.
John Dryden was appointed by Charles II in 1668 as the poet laureate. The Times makes a sarcastic allusion calling the him a sort of poetic Alastair Campbell.
The main task of any poet laureate was to write verses for the court and national occasions. Medieval kings are believed to have had a bunch of poets and writers on the payroll.
A royal birthday, royal marriage and military victory etc were often the subjects that a poet laureate wrote about.
Colley Cibber (1730-1757), Nahum Tate (1692-1715) a Laurence Eusden (1718-1730), Nicholas Rowe (1715-1718) etcetera are some of the poets of olden times. This post however, was not reserved for the best poets. Many average writers have also been appointed to the job.
Some 19th century greats include: Robert Southey; William Wordsworth; Alfred, Lord Tennyson; John Masefield; Sir John Betjeman and Ted Hughes still have serious poetic reputations and none of them was a lackey of the administration of his time.
One of the most popular ones was Betjeman.
How do the words fall into place?
The process as explained in the newspaper is quite simple really.
It is up to the queen to make the choice from a list of poets. The nominees are compiled on behalf of the Prime Minister.
It is the Prime Minister who pitches in with his suggestions about the future poet laureate. Then, it is upto the queen to give her nod.
Once that is done, the Lord Chamberlain officially appoints the Poet Laureate by issuing a warrant to the Laureate-elect.
Questions about the role
Motion told the BBC in an interview in September 2008 that the post had been “Most damaging” to his work as a poet.
Also a report in the Guardian suggests that readers criticised Motion's poems. A report in the newspaper quotes from an earlier report – comments of another writer: "The kindest thing to be said about Andrew Motion's latest effort is that it is faithful to an ancient tradition: poets laureate have been writing very bad verses for centuries."
The list
Whatever may be the relevance of this post in modern times, here is a list of people who may be your next poet laureate, according to the Times Newspaper:
Simon Armitage
Carol Ann Duffy
Alice Oswald
Benjamin Zephaniah
Wendy Cope
I am wondering if I should apply,
Especially because of the short supply!
The BBC has reported that for the first time it is the British people will have their say in the nomination of the poet laureate.
The current poet laureate is Andrew Motion who was appointed for a term of 10 years starting in May 1999.
He was the first poet laureate to be appointed for a fixed term. Before that, the post was meant to be for life.
Motion told BBC Radio 4's Front Row his successor would be "jerked into a more-or-less public life".
While Andy Burnham the Culture Secretary said it was "exciting to be looking to the future and to appoint a successor" to Motion.
The preface
What is the history behind this tradition? The Times newspaper reports that the job of Poet Laureate was at first that of a straightforward propagandist.
John Dryden was appointed by Charles II in 1668 as the poet laureate. The Times makes a sarcastic allusion calling the him a sort of poetic Alastair Campbell.
The main task of any poet laureate was to write verses for the court and national occasions. Medieval kings are believed to have had a bunch of poets and writers on the payroll.
A royal birthday, royal marriage and military victory etc were often the subjects that a poet laureate wrote about.
Colley Cibber (1730-1757), Nahum Tate (1692-1715) a Laurence Eusden (1718-1730), Nicholas Rowe (1715-1718) etcetera are some of the poets of olden times. This post however, was not reserved for the best poets. Many average writers have also been appointed to the job.
Some 19th century greats include: Robert Southey; William Wordsworth; Alfred, Lord Tennyson; John Masefield; Sir John Betjeman and Ted Hughes still have serious poetic reputations and none of them was a lackey of the administration of his time.
One of the most popular ones was Betjeman.
How do the words fall into place?
The process as explained in the newspaper is quite simple really.
It is up to the queen to make the choice from a list of poets. The nominees are compiled on behalf of the Prime Minister.
It is the Prime Minister who pitches in with his suggestions about the future poet laureate. Then, it is upto the queen to give her nod.
Once that is done, the Lord Chamberlain officially appoints the Poet Laureate by issuing a warrant to the Laureate-elect.
Questions about the role
Motion told the BBC in an interview in September 2008 that the post had been “Most damaging” to his work as a poet.
Also a report in the Guardian suggests that readers criticised Motion's poems. A report in the newspaper quotes from an earlier report – comments of another writer: "The kindest thing to be said about Andrew Motion's latest effort is that it is faithful to an ancient tradition: poets laureate have been writing very bad verses for centuries."
The list
Whatever may be the relevance of this post in modern times, here is a list of people who may be your next poet laureate, according to the Times Newspaper:
Simon Armitage
Carol Ann Duffy
Alice Oswald
Benjamin Zephaniah
Wendy Cope
I am wondering if I should apply,
Especially because of the short supply!
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