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MichaelMcGuire
MichaelMcGuire's Journal
MichaelMcGuire's Journal
July 1, 2012
http://www.channel4.com/news/british-english-scottish-who-do-you-think-you-are
https://www.iser.essex.ac.uk/2012/06/30/ethnic-minorities-living-in-the-uk-feel-more-british-than-white-britons
British, English, Scottish - Who do you think you are?
In England, people of Pakistani origin feel more British than members of the white population, according to a new survey, whereas in Scotland a sense of British identity is much weaker.
British versus English
Britishness has been successfully promoted as an open identity that is multi-cultural and multi-ethnic - but it is important to ask why people from ethnic minorities almost never describe themselves as English. It is still perceived as an ethnic identity.
Labour leader Ed Miliband touched on this in a recent speech when he said: "We were too nervous to talk of English pride and English character. Connecting it to the kind of nationalism that left us ill at ease."
North of the border, Scottishness trumps Britishness, even among ethnic minorities.
He did not say it so bluntly, but Mr Miliband's concern is that for too long English national identity has remained the preserve of racists.
The debate is different in Scotland where British identity is much weaker than in other parts of the UK.
Britishness has been successfully promoted as an open identity that is multi-cultural and multi-ethnic - but it is important to ask why people from ethnic minorities almost never describe themselves as English. It is still perceived as an ethnic identity.
Labour leader Ed Miliband touched on this in a recent speech when he said: "We were too nervous to talk of English pride and English character. Connecting it to the kind of nationalism that left us ill at ease."
North of the border, Scottishness trumps Britishness, even among ethnic minorities.
He did not say it so bluntly, but Mr Miliband's concern is that for too long English national identity has remained the preserve of racists.
The debate is different in Scotland where British identity is much weaker than in other parts of the UK.
According to the report, if there are two persons who are exactly similar in every respect other than country of residence, then the person living in Scotland is predicted to report a Britishness score that is 1.04 points lower than a person living in London.
North of the border, Scottishness trumps Britishness, even among ethnic minorities.
Questions of identity
Professor John Curtice, from Strathclyde University, told Channel 4 News: "In Scotland, Scottishness has been sold as a multi-cultural identity and it does not have the same association with xenophobia as Englishness."
Prof John Curtice
Scotland's most prominent Asian MSP, Humza Yousaf, says that questions of identity have become more fluid and unrestricted -
"Take my own example. As an Asian Scot born in Glasgow to a father from Pakistan and a mother from Kenya, I went on to marry my wife, Gail, who is a white Scot born in England to an English father and Scottish mother.
He adds: "I would challenge anyone to accurately define the identity of any children we may have in the future. Will they be a quarter Scottish, a quarter Pakistani, a quarter English?”
Questions of identity
Professor John Curtice, from Strathclyde University, told Channel 4 News: "In Scotland, Scottishness has been sold as a multi-cultural identity and it does not have the same association with xenophobia as Englishness."
Prof John Curtice
Scotland's most prominent Asian MSP, Humza Yousaf, says that questions of identity have become more fluid and unrestricted -
"Take my own example. As an Asian Scot born in Glasgow to a father from Pakistan and a mother from Kenya, I went on to marry my wife, Gail, who is a white Scot born in England to an English father and Scottish mother.
He adds: "I would challenge anyone to accurately define the identity of any children we may have in the future. Will they be a quarter Scottish, a quarter Pakistani, a quarter English?”
http://www.channel4.com/news/british-english-scottish-who-do-you-think-you-are
https://www.iser.essex.ac.uk/2012/06/30/ethnic-minorities-living-in-the-uk-feel-more-british-than-white-britons
June 30, 2012
Continue reading here: http://ajw.asahi.com/article/0311disaster/fukushima/AJ201206300021
Even Noda startled by size of anti-nuclear protest outside his office
Thousands rallied outside the prime minister’s office in Tokyo’s Nagatacho district to protest the government's decision to restart two reactors at the Oi nuclear power plant in Fukui Prefecture.
The No. 3 and No. 4 reactors, operated by Kansai Electric Power Co., had been shut down for regular maintenance inspections. The No. 3 reactor is due to go back online on July 1.
Similar protest rallies were held across the country, including Osaka, which is served by Kansai Electric.
Many people joined the rally in Tokyo on June 29 in response to calls on Twitter. Holding banners and placards, the crowd filled the sidewalk on the way to the prime minister’s office.
Organizers said the crowd numbered 150,000 to 180,000, but Tokyo police estimated it at 17,000 strong.
“Make an honorable withdrawal from nuclear power generation,” one protester shouted.
“Listen to the people’s voices,” said another.
Protesters, shouting until they were hoarse, called on the government to unequivocally abandon nuclear power generation.
Protests outside the prime minister’s office have been a weekly occurrence since March. That event initially attracted only 300 or so people.
The number of people attending the rallies, held mainly on Fridays, has grown over time as a result of calls on Twitter and other social networking sites.
According to organizers, about 45,000 people attended the June 22 rally. The latest rally far outnumbered that figure, they said.
Chants of “Saikado hantai!” (We oppose the restart of the reactors) filled the street from 6 p.m.
The No. 3 and No. 4 reactors, operated by Kansai Electric Power Co., had been shut down for regular maintenance inspections. The No. 3 reactor is due to go back online on July 1.
Similar protest rallies were held across the country, including Osaka, which is served by Kansai Electric.
Many people joined the rally in Tokyo on June 29 in response to calls on Twitter. Holding banners and placards, the crowd filled the sidewalk on the way to the prime minister’s office.
Organizers said the crowd numbered 150,000 to 180,000, but Tokyo police estimated it at 17,000 strong.
“Make an honorable withdrawal from nuclear power generation,” one protester shouted.
“Listen to the people’s voices,” said another.
Protesters, shouting until they were hoarse, called on the government to unequivocally abandon nuclear power generation.
Protests outside the prime minister’s office have been a weekly occurrence since March. That event initially attracted only 300 or so people.
The number of people attending the rallies, held mainly on Fridays, has grown over time as a result of calls on Twitter and other social networking sites.
According to organizers, about 45,000 people attended the June 22 rally. The latest rally far outnumbered that figure, they said.
Chants of “Saikado hantai!” (We oppose the restart of the reactors) filled the street from 6 p.m.
Continue reading here: http://ajw.asahi.com/article/0311disaster/fukushima/AJ201206300021
June 30, 2012
A petition launched by Wikipedia founder Jimmy Wales to halt the extradition to the US of Sheffield Hallam University student Richard O'Dwyer has garnered 160,000 signatures in less than five days.
O'Dwyer, 24, faces up to 10 years in US prison for alleged copyright offences relating to TVShack.net, a website that provided links to places where users could watch TV shows and films online.
Wales's petition, which calls on the home secretary, Theresa May, to revoke her permission to extradite O'Dwyer, has picked up more than 75,000 signatures in the last 24 hours alone after being circulated among US supporters of Change.org.
The petition is now the fastest-growing Change.org petition in the UK. In the Guardian article that launched the campaign, Wales said the extradition represented a battle between the film industry and general public.
"Given the thin case against him, it is an outrage that he is being extradited to the US to face felony charges for something that he is not being prosecuted for here," Wales said. "No US citizen has ever been brought to the UK for alleged criminal activity that took place on US soil."
Continue reading here: http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2012/jun/29/richard-odwyer-160000?newsfeed=true
Please sign the petition below
http://www.change.org/petitions/ukhomeoffice-stop-the-extradition-of-richard-o-dwyer-to-the-usa-saverichard
Richard O'Dwyer petition hits 160,000 signatures
A petition launched by Wikipedia founder Jimmy Wales to halt the extradition to the US of Sheffield Hallam University student Richard O'Dwyer has garnered 160,000 signatures in less than five days.
O'Dwyer, 24, faces up to 10 years in US prison for alleged copyright offences relating to TVShack.net, a website that provided links to places where users could watch TV shows and films online.
Wales's petition, which calls on the home secretary, Theresa May, to revoke her permission to extradite O'Dwyer, has picked up more than 75,000 signatures in the last 24 hours alone after being circulated among US supporters of Change.org.
The petition is now the fastest-growing Change.org petition in the UK. In the Guardian article that launched the campaign, Wales said the extradition represented a battle between the film industry and general public.
"Given the thin case against him, it is an outrage that he is being extradited to the US to face felony charges for something that he is not being prosecuted for here," Wales said. "No US citizen has ever been brought to the UK for alleged criminal activity that took place on US soil."
Continue reading here: http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2012/jun/29/richard-odwyer-160000?newsfeed=true
Please sign the petition below
http://www.change.org/petitions/ukhomeoffice-stop-the-extradition-of-richard-o-dwyer-to-the-usa-saverichard
June 29, 2012
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"I would unite with anybody to do right and with nobody to do wrong." F Douglass
I live by it
Fredrick Douglass
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"I would unite with anybody to do right and with nobody to do wrong." F Douglass
I live by it
June 29, 2012
http://www.mandeladay.com/
In Scotland
"ACTSA Scotland was formed in December 1994 as the Scottish Section of the national organisation Action for Southern Africa and works to develop solidarity between Scotland and all the states of the Southern Africa Development Community. As the successor organisation to the Scottish Anti-Apartheid Movement our closest links are with South Africa and in particular with the Eastern Cape Province with which Scotland has had a particularly strong historic connection.
In addition to individual ACTSA members and supporters a range of organisations are involved in the work of ACTSA Scotland, including church and religious organisations, trade unions, international support groups, local authorities and schools.
One of ACTSA Scotland's key areas of work is to develop direct contact between individuals and organisations in Scotland and Southern Africa. Links have been established between several organisations and this has led to some very helpful connections, including exchange visits and other contacts which have helped to build relationships. One significant example is the link between Glasgow City Council, Amathole District Municipality and Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality.
Arising from this interest in links with Eastern Cape, two major areas of work are the collecting and sorting of books to send to school libraries in the Province, and the arrangement from time to time of sponsored walks on the Wild Coast with visits to the inspiring organisations for which the Walks raise very modest funds. For more information on these click the links below.
ACTSA also works for peace, democracy, reconstruction and development in Southern Africa, and to increase knowledge and understanding in Scotland of that region, including the legacies of apartheid and its widespread destructive consequences.
Nelson Mandela Day in Scotland - 18th July, 2012."
Message from Archbishop Desmond Tutu
Remember to mark Nelson Mandela Day where ever you are.
International Mandela Day - July 18.
http://www.mandeladay.com/
In Scotland
"ACTSA Scotland was formed in December 1994 as the Scottish Section of the national organisation Action for Southern Africa and works to develop solidarity between Scotland and all the states of the Southern Africa Development Community. As the successor organisation to the Scottish Anti-Apartheid Movement our closest links are with South Africa and in particular with the Eastern Cape Province with which Scotland has had a particularly strong historic connection.
In addition to individual ACTSA members and supporters a range of organisations are involved in the work of ACTSA Scotland, including church and religious organisations, trade unions, international support groups, local authorities and schools.
One of ACTSA Scotland's key areas of work is to develop direct contact between individuals and organisations in Scotland and Southern Africa. Links have been established between several organisations and this has led to some very helpful connections, including exchange visits and other contacts which have helped to build relationships. One significant example is the link between Glasgow City Council, Amathole District Municipality and Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality.
Arising from this interest in links with Eastern Cape, two major areas of work are the collecting and sorting of books to send to school libraries in the Province, and the arrangement from time to time of sponsored walks on the Wild Coast with visits to the inspiring organisations for which the Walks raise very modest funds. For more information on these click the links below.
ACTSA also works for peace, democracy, reconstruction and development in Southern Africa, and to increase knowledge and understanding in Scotland of that region, including the legacies of apartheid and its widespread destructive consequences.
Nelson Mandela Day in Scotland - 18th July, 2012."
Message from Archbishop Desmond Tutu
Remember to mark Nelson Mandela Day where ever you are.
June 29, 2012
Batman - The Dark Knight IRL (In Real Life)
June 29, 2012
The Scottish Parliament has passed a law designed to offset the impact of UK Government cuts on the poorest families.
The Welfare Reform (Further Provision) (Scotland) Bill aims to protect council tax benefits and so-called "passported" benefits, which entitle claimants to other forms of support such as free travel.
MSPs took the unprecedented step of refusing legislative consent for the Welfare Reform Act, passed at Westminster, which will replace a whole raft of benefits with a single universal credit.
Health secretary Nicola Sturgeon said evidence gathered by the Scottish Parliament's Welfare Reform Committee found that disabled people stand to lose up to £250m in benefits, while 170,000 households are expected to lose money when they receive the single universal credit.
"This Government will do everything we can to protect people in Scotland from the worst impact of these reforms," she said.
"But I make no apology in saying that the only way that we can ensure that Scotland is no longer subject to the kinds of reforms going through Westminster is to make sure that powers for these matters pass to this Parliament, and we can design a welfare system that reflects the values of this Parliament and the Scottish people."
Continue reading: http://news.stv.tv/politics/108466-holyrood-passes-law-to-protect-benefits-from-uk-cuts/
Scotland: Holyrood passes law to protect benefits from UK cuts
The Scottish Parliament has passed a law designed to offset the impact of UK Government cuts on the poorest families.
The Welfare Reform (Further Provision) (Scotland) Bill aims to protect council tax benefits and so-called "passported" benefits, which entitle claimants to other forms of support such as free travel.
MSPs took the unprecedented step of refusing legislative consent for the Welfare Reform Act, passed at Westminster, which will replace a whole raft of benefits with a single universal credit.
Health secretary Nicola Sturgeon said evidence gathered by the Scottish Parliament's Welfare Reform Committee found that disabled people stand to lose up to £250m in benefits, while 170,000 households are expected to lose money when they receive the single universal credit.
"This Government will do everything we can to protect people in Scotland from the worst impact of these reforms," she said.
"But I make no apology in saying that the only way that we can ensure that Scotland is no longer subject to the kinds of reforms going through Westminster is to make sure that powers for these matters pass to this Parliament, and we can design a welfare system that reflects the values of this Parliament and the Scottish people."
Continue reading: http://news.stv.tv/politics/108466-holyrood-passes-law-to-protect-benefits-from-uk-cuts/
June 24, 2012
In order to become a US citizen, immigrants must pass the Naturalization Test. American citizenship bestows the right to vote, improves the likelihood of family members living in other countries to come and live in the US, gives eligibility for federal jobs, and can be a way to demonstrate loyalty to the US. Applicants must get 6 answers out of 10 in an oral exam to pass the test. According to US Citizenship and Immigration services, 92 percent of applicants pass this test.
You must get 58 or more of these test questions correct in order to pass.
http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/2011/0104/Could-you-pass-a-US-citizenship-test/Who-signs-bills
Could you pass a US citizenship test?
In order to become a US citizen, immigrants must pass the Naturalization Test. American citizenship bestows the right to vote, improves the likelihood of family members living in other countries to come and live in the US, gives eligibility for federal jobs, and can be a way to demonstrate loyalty to the US. Applicants must get 6 answers out of 10 in an oral exam to pass the test. According to US Citizenship and Immigration services, 92 percent of applicants pass this test.
You must get 58 or more of these test questions correct in order to pass.
http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/2011/0104/Could-you-pass-a-US-citizenship-test/Who-signs-bills
June 20, 2012
Donald Trump Stares Forlornly At Tiny.....
Aged Penis In Mirror Before Putting On Clothes, Beginning Day.
NEW YORK—Real estate mogul and television personality Donald Trump reportedly stood before his bedroom's full-length mirror Wednesday morning and stared forlornly at his aged, shriveled penis before getting dressed and leaving his residence in Manhattan's Trump Tower to start the day.
According to reports, the 66-year-old had laid his suit out on his bed and was preparing to step into a pair of silk boxer shorts when he glimpsed his deteriorating body in the mirror. Trump then spent approximately 15 to 20 minutes morosely reflecting on his appearance, dedicating most of that time to gazing at his desiccated sexual anatomy and contemplating its all-but-total lack of function.
"God, look at this thing," said a dejected Trump, hoisting up a large quantity of belly flab with his forearm to make his stunted organ visible. "Pitiful."
Trump, who in just over an hour would be appearing on the morning show Fox And Friends to assert that the president of the United States was not an American citizen, is said to have grasped the bulb of his penis with his thumb and forefinger and stretched the organ to its full 3-inch length before letting it go and leaving it to loll on an unruly tangle of mostly gray pubic hair. Noticing the pronounced droop of his scrotum, Trump glumly cupped his testicles in his hand and lifted them several inches until they reached the approximate height at which they had hung in his youth and even into early middle age.
Continue reading: http://www.theonion.com/articles/donald-trump-stares-forlornly-at-tiny-aged-penis-i,28589/
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