Mixedmatt is quite the Politician :-) …
Readers, its General Election time in the UK in May 2015. This documentary lays bare the human classification of race and the dangers it poses for any election. After watching it fully through I shall review it.
The story of the anti-immigration campaign in the 1964 General Election – featuring one of the most infamous slogans in British history – that made a small Midlands town notorious around the world
Link – http://www.channel4.com/programmes/britains-racist-election/on-demand/59088-001
Traditional Romanian dancing outside the EU parliament
Yesterday, (Sept 30th) I went to Brussels again. I was a bit nervous the day before as I was going alone. My friend from the Netherlands pulled out because of flu.
It was my first time in Brussels alone and it was a success 😀 😀
I went and ate at my favourite restaurant Chez Leon. Took a trip to Porte de Hal/Hallepoort and went up The Halle Gate. Amazing place, so much history and the views were to die for! I walked around the top and could see the whole city. Only problem was my phone battery died. So I got no snaps of that 🙁
Went to the EU quarter again. There where lovely stalls selling Romanian goods. There was Romanian cheeses and foods on offer! Lot’s of cheese on sticks.
Outside the parliament complex in the place, there where several placards about what action the EU should take on various topics from Agriculture to Syria (Bombardment of Kobane). All in all I managed to see a lot. Even though I hadn’t planned on going alone.
Waiting for departure on Eurostar:
Video of Romanian Folk dancing near the EU parliament:
I hope to return soon. More prepared to go it alone. Love ya readers 🙂
Heavy reading? Aiming for 100% in everything 🙂
As I said in my previous post, I think I’d be more then a little busy this year this has turned out to be true.
I’ve bought two economics books as I really want too boost my grades in Economics. Andrew Gillispies book seems to be more lighter and suitable to introduce newbies into Economics.
Doing two modules at once with the open university was always gonna be tough. Economics much tougher then politics but on the whole both very engaging, interesting and applicable to the real world.
Today at work I had what I thought was the beginning of a good conversation going with a customer. She asked me what I was studying I told her PPE and she then asked what career options am I thinking of. I told her EU or civil service. She told me to keep quiet it’s a dirty word then told me how soldiers fought and died so dictators at the EU wouldn’t make laws for us and how the EU is undemocratic. I didn’t say this but was just thinking as she was mouthing off… The EU is an example of representative democracy. Like our nation is. It’s not a direct democracy. It has stayed true to its founding principles as laid down by Sir Winston Churchill and Robert Schuman amongst others. It’s by no means perfectly democratic but what institution is? We can act to improve it. She then started talking or should I say SHOUTING about Mr Farage and she wouldn’t stop. Rambling on about him being a man of the British people. Looking out for British workers. Much how a certain German politician promised to before the Second World War I guess. She sounded like she was brainwashed unfortunately considering I wasn’t answering her at this stage because she was so ill informed and seemed so ignorant to anybody else.
I couldn’t believe all that reaction came from my career path to be honest. It’s scary to think we have ignorant and the ill informed in the country who cannot even reason or disagree in a polite manner without raising their voices to be heard. If I had been a ex-soldier or if I said I wanted to join the army how would she have viewed me then? Presumably in a positive light despite the fact I may have ended the lives of people with a gun or maybe going on to. Really is this what has Britain come to? Hmmm. Something doesn’t sit right 🙁
So as you can see politics comes up even without intention. Maybe more so because of my pathway. I’m finding I’ve learnt so much more though. When walking around shops or any public place my economics and politics knowledge seems to kick in! I read the economist and understand more and more week by week. It’s all very exciting 🙂
My exams for economics are in June so a lot of prep ahead!
I went to Paris on March 25th. It’s a beautiful city but not as beautiful as Brussels! It was a rainy day but still it was nice to be away from London for a change. I can’t believe it being only a train ride away I never been. Take a look at the assortment of photos below.
It was lovely though, didn’t want to return home. Day trips do feel really long though. I’m planning to go racing again and go gym after I finish DD209 – Running the Economy. Then I can focus just on DD203 – Power, dissent, equality: understanding contemporary politics. Once DD203 finishes in September 2014, I will be moving on to DD309 – Doing economics: people, markets and policy this looks to be interesting.
I probably won’t post again till after the 6th June 2014. When I actually stop going full-time and go part-time with my studies again.
Till next time. See you 🙂
One of my TMA 2 hand drawn diagrams for DD209 – Running the Economy. Output and demand increase!
Happy new year readers! Hope you had a fattening Christmas and great new year. I’ve only got round to writing this now as I have been extremely busy 🙁 .
First I feel I need to explain why my posts may be fewer this year. I am now a full time university student again with the open university and one module in particular. DD209 – Running the Economy is particularly taxing being so technical, it’s consuming my time. I’m about to start DD203 – Power, dissent, equality: understanding contemporary politics this week!! My free time will be limited this year.
Anyway, so far so good with my Economics module. I made a reasonable start but really excelled in the recent TMA before Christmas. Achieving 80% which was a surprise to say the least. It was all about the situation facing the UK in spring 2013 economically. Quite interesting 😛 .
I need to crack on with DD209 – TMA 03 now which poses a even bigger challenge it seems. More diagram drawing. A collaboration exercise and an extract. The workload for this module doesn’t feel like a level 2 it feels more level 3 to be honest. ICMA 42 (Online Assessment) is also due in on the same day as the TMA! I love DD209 but it’s so time consuming. What I have seen of DD203 so far looks the opposite.
My DSA equipment request made by my assessor was approved and I received a printer/scanner, Dictaphone, Claroread plus, and a book stand amongst other things all without charge!! Very happy.
I want to get out and go gym and run. I want to be fit for when the go-karting season comes round but I have such little time it’s irritating me to the max. I need to try and eat healthy!
On another note, just guess how long this blog has been running??? Seven years this February!! Amazing. I never intended to start this and have it up and running forever! Till next time peace and if I’m not back before Valentines day. Enjoy the day haha 😛
All 6 Philosophy texts that have been studied. Not including the huge set book!
I’m on the final book of my Philosophy module. Book 6: Political Philosophy.
Thank goodness. I’ve kind of liked and disliked this module. Like marmite! 🙂
Sometimes I’ve enjoyed the philosophical debates and thinking that I’ve done, and at other times just loathed it.
Political Philosophy seems interesting so far. I’ve covered political obligation and I’ve read part of the Crito. Which is a dialogue between Socrates and Plato on his obligations to the state, with Socrates arguing he should remain in the city of Athens and face his inevitable death sentence. The three arguments Socrates uses are first, a parental analogy, disobeying the state is like disobeying your parents. The second because the state where the authors of his education and thirdly, because he has made an agreement with the state to obey the law. I’ve enjoyed that first half of this book. A lot more then the others 🙂
Every day I get closer to the exam!! Today, I was meant to do some mock questions but I couldn’t. The library was busy and I wasn’t prepared. I’m a bit behind in reading for my final assignment on my module. Pressure is in the air but I’m cool as usual 🙂
I’ve not been writing much. Been busy with life and as a few of you readers may know. I’m really living life to the full now 😉
Hope all my readers are having fun and are in peace. Till next time.
The Bible has now been translated to Jamaican Patois.
The suppression of Jamaican culture in Jamaica.
As some readers of my wonderful blog might know. I have some roots to the Caribbean so I have strong views on what goes on there especially 🙂
One thing I’ve always been interested in is the amount of time it seems the government would rather suppress its own culture. I’m talking about Jamaican Obeah being illegal and Jamaican patois still not being recognised as an official language.
It seems as though Jamaica wants to feel British?! Lets take a look at Haiti. Right next door to Jamaica yet they have recognised voodoo as a religion and Haitian Creole as a language.
What gives Jamaica? You have a religion and a language that people practice and use in the country yet it’s not recognised and these aren’t new issues.
The Obeah man who promises to fix all your problems in life for a extortionate fee would most probably disappear if Obeah was legalised. He will be unable to rip people off! Well we can hope right? 🙂
I don’t know who makes these policies or what the Jamaican people think, however I can only think of good things if these two pieces of Jamaican culture were finally recognised.
Another issue is how some Jamaicans view Africa
A lot of Jamaicans with African Ancestry generally are not happy about being linked to the continent in any way! However European, Chinese and Indian Jamaicans are proud and for the most part seem to have maintained a little of their identity. I think this sort of thinking is doing damage to the whole island. It’s like Jamaicans are happy to throw away large parts of history and culture because the colonists said so a long time ago.
Maybe this is related to Jamaica’s political system? It is a two party state isn’t it? No real libertarian (or other view) brought into their politics 😉
What Jamaican Obeah is – http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Obeah
Freedom – Is the only way!
More freedom? Less freedom? What does the populace want and need?
Happy New Year! Hope everyone have a great one 🙂
Readers of this blog will know that I do like to mention the education system quite a bit in my posts. So, I’ll start with a familiar trend 😉
In the UK the education system is formal and rigid. However, The pupils are given more freedoms then in certain other countries. We have moved away (mostly) from the i’ll teach and you write (no opinion for the pupil) years. Moving on however, There are plans in place to introduce the army into schools to deal with poor behaviour. Is instilling what we call discipline militarily in schools the right way to go about things? Or is it just painting over cracks that lead to a much bigger issue? What are the children rebelling against? Bullying is at crisis levels in UK schools too.
Go into most state and even private schools and you will see shocking behaviour. This seems like outright rebellion of rigid rules to me.
Imagine a school with a progressive, democratic education with punishment delivered by pupils as well as teachers in the school community. You imagined this school. Look what talent it has produced.
Parents and our modern society put ridiculous pressure on children. From a young age many parents map their children’s path out! No wonder why some break out! Life is about the pursuit of happiness not at the expense of others. I know a lot of people are going to suggest that discipline only comes from strict rules being laid down. This is not the case. A needs guidance in a childs younger years and up to their teens they should be enjoying life. Enjoyment in life should continue through adulthood at work or wherever. If the sole pursuit of someones glory is a career thats guided by parents, or lines the pocket with wads of money in the hope of happiness you will not discovery true happiness.
One reason why schools fail so hard is what they produce. All they produce are factory made children ready to serve the state. If you have a child, What would you say if your child said he wanted to become a refuse collector?
This is just from a educational perspective. I feel more school choice is needed.
I don’t feel I’ve explained this as well as I wanted! I never feel I do 🙁
I’ll leave you with a few quotes….
“No one is wise enough or good enough to mould the character of any child. What is wrong with our sick, neurotic world is that we have been moulded, and an adult generation that has seen two great wars and seems about to launch a third should not be trusted to mould the character of a rat” — A.S. Neill
“I would rather Summerhill produced a happy street cleaner than a neurotic scholar.” — A.S. Neill
“The basis of a democratic state is liberty.” — Aristotle (384 BC – 322 BC), Politics
Hope everyone has stuck to their resolutions! If any were made 🙂
Enjoy the rest of your January. Fun to all.
