The value attached to individual human lives varies. As an individual we would like our value to be as good as anyone else’s and if possible better. The weekend has emphasised unjustified discrepancies.
On Saturday morning the Mayor of the City of London, the area where the financial institutions, including the Bank of England are located held his annual parade marking his new year of office. The office is ceremonial and representative as the elected individual, usually someone of considerable personal wealth and long good standing, spend their year attending four to five events a day at home and abroad making speeches, entertaining royalty and politicians. Whether they deserve the honour or have bought it remains in question.
The mythological Christmas story Pantomime Dick Whittington who leaves his poor home in the belief that the streets of London are paved with gold to make his way to the city where after failing he leaves, but is called back to London and makes his fortune and becomes the Mayor. Those who make their individual and national millions do not live beside their workplace while those who live in he neighbourhood are usually poor migrants and refugees, Jews, Irish those from the Indian sub continent being the main groups of recent times. Last year for the Sophie Calle exhibition at the Whitechapel, I walked the area and noted the differentials.
You cannot just walk up to watch the Mayor‘s parade. You have to buy a ticket in advance and because of the variability of British weather, as luck will have it you can find yourself standing in the cold and wet watching bedraggled citizen try and appear they are enjoining themselves parading along the street for about an hour. This year the weather was dry and bright, but cold and the BBC hyped up the event for all their and its worth.
Yesterday the government sat down with the Bankers to see if the estimated £7 billion of bonuses which would have been paid to a few thousand individuals is to be reduced to say £4 billion which for individuals will mean collecting one million instead of two, and thus those experience a pay freeze and pay cut, who will lose their jobs and some their homes will not take to the streets in violent revolt. The government has promised political measures if there is a failure of voluntary restraint.
The students, protesting at the potential threefold increase in tuition fees who flooded into Whitehall last week was the first of a number of organised protests in central London being planned by various groups and interests over the coming year to undermine the plans of the Coalition and to influence the outcome of the next General Election. The organisers have a medium term strategy in mind accepting that in a democracy Government have the power to do what they wish. The anarchists had bonded with the extreme right and leftwing groups to stage a breakaway which in this instance smashed in the windows of the Conservative central office. This ritual was given a new twist because of the problems which arose at the G 20 when one passer by was killed by the police who tend to be indiscriminate is hitting out when under fire in such confrontations.
This is what happens. A meeting will take place in advance between the police and the organisers to establish likely numbers, the route and the behaviour. Those involved will be aware that other interests will attempt to use the event as an opportunity to pursue their agendas. The theory is that if you provoke the authorities they will retaliate with proportionately greater force to which the public will respond eventually forcing the authorities to suspend democratic processes and civil rights with a right or left regime, depending on viewpoint. The situation is little different from the behaviour of other hooligan groups such as associated with football.
The police appeared to be as negligent as they had been at the G20, this time in being unprepared for such an eventuality but what was the political direction from the Home Secretary and number 10 beforehand?
After the Lord Mayor’s show the Queen and other members of the Royal family attended the annual service of Remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall. This is always a moving event, but more so since the military interventions in Iraq and Afghanistan, especially the moment with the wives or parents of someone killed during the year walk into the auditorium, down the steps and across to sit before the musicians and directly beneath the hundreds of thousands of poppies which are released with the playing of the Last Post. As with recent years the live event is interspersed with pre-recorded film including an interview with at least one grieving widow or parents, reminding of the individual value to loves ones of the loss.
The following morning there is the laying if wreaths at the national Cenotaph in Whitehall by Members of the Royal Family, leading politicians past and present, representatives of Members and former Members of the Commonwealth countries and overseas territories and those of the former Empire and they are now called, and of all the religious leaders in the UK. Then there is the march past of veteran organisations and national groups who played and continue to play their part in support and defence of the homeland. The march continues along Whitehall to the Horseguards parade ground where the salute this year was taken by the Princess Royal. The event is repeated in every city, town and village across the land. The eldest son of the heir to the throne attended a service in Afghanistan with the Minister of defence.
The mood remained sombre when Sunderland’s game at Chelsea was televised live on Sky Sports. Last year Sunderland was thrashed 7.2 and has not one against Chelsea throughout most of the past decade, at home as well as away while Chelsea had not yielded a goal, let alone lost their home games for most of the past 12 months. With the humiliation at St James two weeks ago still in everyone’s mind and despite the good 0.0 draw at Spurs during midweek, the expectation was that Sunderland would lose and at best by only one or two goals.
The expected continued to appear the likely outcome the first 15 minutes until Gordon, whose first game back after injury appeared uncertain, bravely went for the ball off the feet of a forward risking a penalty, sending off and further personal injury. This proved to be the turning point and the twin forwards of Gyan and young on Loan from Manchester United, Welbeck, had goal bound shots stopped by the Chelsea goal keeper who quickly became the busiest he has been at home since taking the position. Then as the first half ended the miracle happened. A second young on loan player, a full back from Manchester City then found himself in midfield with the ball about 40 yards out and resisted the temptation to take a hopeless pot shot at glory. Instead he successfully outwitted the five Chelsea defenders, three of whom appeared to make serious effort to stop him before scuffing the ball around the goal keeper into the net. The Chelsea home crowd were stunned, the travelling Sunderland supporters were in disbelief and the TV and radio commentators were ecstatic as Sunderland took a lead which they richly deserved.
Most games where this happens the home side regroup and the away team defend. Twice over the past week in similar situations the big team came back to with or draw within moments of the final whistle an Chelsea have won several games this year in the closing ten minutes. Within tem minuets Sunderland commenced what proved to be the decisive movement with England call up young midfield player Henderson slipped into space and taking the ball passed it to the wing who in turn passed to forward Gyan confidently slotted the ball passed the goalkeeper into the net and with still over a third of the game to play Sunderland were 2.0 up. Chelsea did stage a rally but Sunderland where two or three men rushed to close down any Chelsea player with the ball held firm and then the final miracle. Former united wing back Richardson continued what was a hopeless chase after the Ball which was collected by England player Cole who under pressured sent the ball to another defender without checking the Welbeck had also chased a hopeless cause into the area, who collected the ball instead and again slotted the ball carefully out of reach of the stranded goalkeeper to seal a 250 .1 outside chance of winning.
Everyone across the land in football has heaped on praise at the Sunderland victory with those on Sky and BBC Five live continuing to sing their praises. Even Malcolm McDonald gave Sunderland their due although making the point the important Chelsea captain John Terry was missing as well as three others players who might have commanded a first team place for this game. However the replacement were all seasoned internationals in their own right. Young Henderson has been rewarded with a call up for the England Friendly on Wednesday evening and will be joined by Andy Carroll from Newcastle. When was the last time that two lads born in the North East played for their country at the same time?
On Monday mornings I usually see at most half a dozen vehicles on my way from the Lawe top to Sunderland Seaburn, but on this occasion vehicles were everywhere, three following each other as I turned from South Marine across to North Bents and I do not think it was fanciful to presume that everyone was getting early to work in order to talk about the happening. Certainly the mood at the club and in the town has been joyous, but also realistic about the future. Sunderland, who have obtained 7 out of the 9 available points with two matches away from home, will play Everton at Home next Monday and this will also be televised on Sky.
On the question of individual value, the main event over the weekend has been released of a couple who were kidnapped from their small world travelling yacht in international waters well out of the Somalian coast from which the pirates operate. They have been held for over a year and appeared well although skin and bone from under nourishment. This June the family raised £250000 ransom which the captors decided was not enough. It is thought another £150000 was raised either by the Somalian government or Somalians living in the UK. However one ahs to remember the couple could afford to travel the world in their own boat and offers to tell their story to the media, newspapers, Screen and books rights could yield them over a million pounds maybe as high as five to ten as the ending is a happy one and because of their age and maturity.
This contrasts with the young British citizen on honeymoon in South Africa whose bride was kidnapped from eh taxi in which they travelled and killed. There is obviously more to this story yet to be revealed.
Operation Daybreak is a film seen again on TV during remembrance week and is based on the decision taken during World War II to parachute in two young Czechs into their home country to assassinate the Nazi head Reinhard Heydrich the Reichprotektor. A close friend of Hitler and one the brains behind the Holocaust he had establish a reputation for cold ruthlessness in suppressing opposition and for this reason the resistance was taken aback at the decision to assassinate fearing what would happen in retaliation.
The mission did not get off to a good start being dropped several hundred miles from their intended destination and the work in finding a way to kill the man were thrown into disarray when it was announced that he been recalled to Berlin in order to become Reichprotektor for all European captured territories. Then there were two pieces of luck, one good and one bad on the day when at Daybreak as Reinhard travelled from his palatial home to his city office in an open topped vehicle, he was late and travelled separately from the usual accompanying convoy so that Anthony Andrews, playing the part of Sergeant Jozef Gabeik should have had a clear opportunity to machine gun the man down. It jammed and it was left to his colleague Sergeant Kubis (Timothy Bottoms) to throw a grenade which hit the back of the vehicle causing life threatening injuries. He died later after his treatment was delayed until Hitler’s personal medical team arrived. The official cause of death was septicaemia and vengeance was dramatic although not as widespread as had been anticipated. The main target was Lidice. On June 10th 1942 all 192 males aged over 16 years were murdered in the village of Lidice and all the women and children sent to concentration camps were most also died,... there were 42 girls and 42 boys aged 1 to 16 years. The buildings were then flattened and he name of village removed from all maps. The village has been rebuilt and several towns and communities have been renamed on memory cross the world. There is also a museum and memorial to those who perished. Only 17 children survived. The two men who carried out the assassination were betrayed by a member of the support group who went after the reward to protect his family. They were killed rather than be captured and he was executed as a war criminal five years later. Martin Shaw played he man, Nicola Paget, Joss Ackland, Diana Coupland, Kika Markham, Nigel Stock, Philip Madoc and George Sewell also had parts in the 19785 film, Operation Daybreak.
On Saturday morning the Mayor of the City of London, the area where the financial institutions, including the Bank of England are located held his annual parade marking his new year of office. The office is ceremonial and representative as the elected individual, usually someone of considerable personal wealth and long good standing, spend their year attending four to five events a day at home and abroad making speeches, entertaining royalty and politicians. Whether they deserve the honour or have bought it remains in question.
The mythological Christmas story Pantomime Dick Whittington who leaves his poor home in the belief that the streets of London are paved with gold to make his way to the city where after failing he leaves, but is called back to London and makes his fortune and becomes the Mayor. Those who make their individual and national millions do not live beside their workplace while those who live in he neighbourhood are usually poor migrants and refugees, Jews, Irish those from the Indian sub continent being the main groups of recent times. Last year for the Sophie Calle exhibition at the Whitechapel, I walked the area and noted the differentials.
You cannot just walk up to watch the Mayor‘s parade. You have to buy a ticket in advance and because of the variability of British weather, as luck will have it you can find yourself standing in the cold and wet watching bedraggled citizen try and appear they are enjoining themselves parading along the street for about an hour. This year the weather was dry and bright, but cold and the BBC hyped up the event for all their and its worth.
Yesterday the government sat down with the Bankers to see if the estimated £7 billion of bonuses which would have been paid to a few thousand individuals is to be reduced to say £4 billion which for individuals will mean collecting one million instead of two, and thus those experience a pay freeze and pay cut, who will lose their jobs and some their homes will not take to the streets in violent revolt. The government has promised political measures if there is a failure of voluntary restraint.
The students, protesting at the potential threefold increase in tuition fees who flooded into Whitehall last week was the first of a number of organised protests in central London being planned by various groups and interests over the coming year to undermine the plans of the Coalition and to influence the outcome of the next General Election. The organisers have a medium term strategy in mind accepting that in a democracy Government have the power to do what they wish. The anarchists had bonded with the extreme right and leftwing groups to stage a breakaway which in this instance smashed in the windows of the Conservative central office. This ritual was given a new twist because of the problems which arose at the G 20 when one passer by was killed by the police who tend to be indiscriminate is hitting out when under fire in such confrontations.
This is what happens. A meeting will take place in advance between the police and the organisers to establish likely numbers, the route and the behaviour. Those involved will be aware that other interests will attempt to use the event as an opportunity to pursue their agendas. The theory is that if you provoke the authorities they will retaliate with proportionately greater force to which the public will respond eventually forcing the authorities to suspend democratic processes and civil rights with a right or left regime, depending on viewpoint. The situation is little different from the behaviour of other hooligan groups such as associated with football.
The police appeared to be as negligent as they had been at the G20, this time in being unprepared for such an eventuality but what was the political direction from the Home Secretary and number 10 beforehand?
After the Lord Mayor’s show the Queen and other members of the Royal family attended the annual service of Remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall. This is always a moving event, but more so since the military interventions in Iraq and Afghanistan, especially the moment with the wives or parents of someone killed during the year walk into the auditorium, down the steps and across to sit before the musicians and directly beneath the hundreds of thousands of poppies which are released with the playing of the Last Post. As with recent years the live event is interspersed with pre-recorded film including an interview with at least one grieving widow or parents, reminding of the individual value to loves ones of the loss.
The following morning there is the laying if wreaths at the national Cenotaph in Whitehall by Members of the Royal Family, leading politicians past and present, representatives of Members and former Members of the Commonwealth countries and overseas territories and those of the former Empire and they are now called, and of all the religious leaders in the UK. Then there is the march past of veteran organisations and national groups who played and continue to play their part in support and defence of the homeland. The march continues along Whitehall to the Horseguards parade ground where the salute this year was taken by the Princess Royal. The event is repeated in every city, town and village across the land. The eldest son of the heir to the throne attended a service in Afghanistan with the Minister of defence.
The mood remained sombre when Sunderland’s game at Chelsea was televised live on Sky Sports. Last year Sunderland was thrashed 7.2 and has not one against Chelsea throughout most of the past decade, at home as well as away while Chelsea had not yielded a goal, let alone lost their home games for most of the past 12 months. With the humiliation at St James two weeks ago still in everyone’s mind and despite the good 0.0 draw at Spurs during midweek, the expectation was that Sunderland would lose and at best by only one or two goals.
The expected continued to appear the likely outcome the first 15 minutes until Gordon, whose first game back after injury appeared uncertain, bravely went for the ball off the feet of a forward risking a penalty, sending off and further personal injury. This proved to be the turning point and the twin forwards of Gyan and young on Loan from Manchester United, Welbeck, had goal bound shots stopped by the Chelsea goal keeper who quickly became the busiest he has been at home since taking the position. Then as the first half ended the miracle happened. A second young on loan player, a full back from Manchester City then found himself in midfield with the ball about 40 yards out and resisted the temptation to take a hopeless pot shot at glory. Instead he successfully outwitted the five Chelsea defenders, three of whom appeared to make serious effort to stop him before scuffing the ball around the goal keeper into the net. The Chelsea home crowd were stunned, the travelling Sunderland supporters were in disbelief and the TV and radio commentators were ecstatic as Sunderland took a lead which they richly deserved.
Most games where this happens the home side regroup and the away team defend. Twice over the past week in similar situations the big team came back to with or draw within moments of the final whistle an Chelsea have won several games this year in the closing ten minutes. Within tem minuets Sunderland commenced what proved to be the decisive movement with England call up young midfield player Henderson slipped into space and taking the ball passed it to the wing who in turn passed to forward Gyan confidently slotted the ball passed the goalkeeper into the net and with still over a third of the game to play Sunderland were 2.0 up. Chelsea did stage a rally but Sunderland where two or three men rushed to close down any Chelsea player with the ball held firm and then the final miracle. Former united wing back Richardson continued what was a hopeless chase after the Ball which was collected by England player Cole who under pressured sent the ball to another defender without checking the Welbeck had also chased a hopeless cause into the area, who collected the ball instead and again slotted the ball carefully out of reach of the stranded goalkeeper to seal a 250 .1 outside chance of winning.
Everyone across the land in football has heaped on praise at the Sunderland victory with those on Sky and BBC Five live continuing to sing their praises. Even Malcolm McDonald gave Sunderland their due although making the point the important Chelsea captain John Terry was missing as well as three others players who might have commanded a first team place for this game. However the replacement were all seasoned internationals in their own right. Young Henderson has been rewarded with a call up for the England Friendly on Wednesday evening and will be joined by Andy Carroll from Newcastle. When was the last time that two lads born in the North East played for their country at the same time?
On Monday mornings I usually see at most half a dozen vehicles on my way from the Lawe top to Sunderland Seaburn, but on this occasion vehicles were everywhere, three following each other as I turned from South Marine across to North Bents and I do not think it was fanciful to presume that everyone was getting early to work in order to talk about the happening. Certainly the mood at the club and in the town has been joyous, but also realistic about the future. Sunderland, who have obtained 7 out of the 9 available points with two matches away from home, will play Everton at Home next Monday and this will also be televised on Sky.
On the question of individual value, the main event over the weekend has been released of a couple who were kidnapped from their small world travelling yacht in international waters well out of the Somalian coast from which the pirates operate. They have been held for over a year and appeared well although skin and bone from under nourishment. This June the family raised £250000 ransom which the captors decided was not enough. It is thought another £150000 was raised either by the Somalian government or Somalians living in the UK. However one ahs to remember the couple could afford to travel the world in their own boat and offers to tell their story to the media, newspapers, Screen and books rights could yield them over a million pounds maybe as high as five to ten as the ending is a happy one and because of their age and maturity.
This contrasts with the young British citizen on honeymoon in South Africa whose bride was kidnapped from eh taxi in which they travelled and killed. There is obviously more to this story yet to be revealed.
Operation Daybreak is a film seen again on TV during remembrance week and is based on the decision taken during World War II to parachute in two young Czechs into their home country to assassinate the Nazi head Reinhard Heydrich the Reichprotektor. A close friend of Hitler and one the brains behind the Holocaust he had establish a reputation for cold ruthlessness in suppressing opposition and for this reason the resistance was taken aback at the decision to assassinate fearing what would happen in retaliation.
The mission did not get off to a good start being dropped several hundred miles from their intended destination and the work in finding a way to kill the man were thrown into disarray when it was announced that he been recalled to Berlin in order to become Reichprotektor for all European captured territories. Then there were two pieces of luck, one good and one bad on the day when at Daybreak as Reinhard travelled from his palatial home to his city office in an open topped vehicle, he was late and travelled separately from the usual accompanying convoy so that Anthony Andrews, playing the part of Sergeant Jozef Gabeik should have had a clear opportunity to machine gun the man down. It jammed and it was left to his colleague Sergeant Kubis (Timothy Bottoms) to throw a grenade which hit the back of the vehicle causing life threatening injuries. He died later after his treatment was delayed until Hitler’s personal medical team arrived. The official cause of death was septicaemia and vengeance was dramatic although not as widespread as had been anticipated. The main target was Lidice. On June 10th 1942 all 192 males aged over 16 years were murdered in the village of Lidice and all the women and children sent to concentration camps were most also died,... there were 42 girls and 42 boys aged 1 to 16 years. The buildings were then flattened and he name of village removed from all maps. The village has been rebuilt and several towns and communities have been renamed on memory cross the world. There is also a museum and memorial to those who perished. Only 17 children survived. The two men who carried out the assassination were betrayed by a member of the support group who went after the reward to protect his family. They were killed rather than be captured and he was executed as a war criminal five years later. Martin Shaw played he man, Nicola Paget, Joss Ackland, Diana Coupland, Kika Markham, Nigel Stock, Philip Madoc and George Sewell also had parts in the 19785 film, Operation Daybreak.
No comments:
Post a Comment