University education today

I read a piece in the UK News section of Google, which gave the league tables of the first hundred universities of the world, starting at the top with America. It was noticeable how few British universities appeared on the list. The comment accompanying this list was a verbal wringing of hands. To me, who… Continue reading University education today

I am all astonishment.

Forgive me for plagiarism but I believe the phrase fits the bill. I’m referring to Peter Mandelson’s return to British politics from his role as Trade Commissioner to the EU. I find it surprising in view of the fact that he resigned twice from the Cabinet in his days with Tony Blair. What astonishes me… Continue reading I am all astonishment.

Criticism,Art and Chicanery

Art today is driven more by money and exposure, than by genius and the quality of the work. So many of the artists, whose paintings are now so in demand as investments, were quite often very poor. In the earlier centuries they had to depend upon patronage or commission. At the time of the Impressionists… Continue reading Criticism,Art and Chicanery

The Ilogicality of the Law

What I write here is really only relevant to people who are interested in the law, or over 50 years of age. The fact that a woman had to go to the High Court to discover whether her husband would be charged with the criminal offence or not, of aiding and abetting suicide, if he… Continue reading The Ilogicality of the Law

A letter to my MP.

Having listened to David Cameron stating that the Conservatives intend saving money by getting rid of consultants, I felt I had to write to you, as I believe this short-term approach would lead to total disaster. I believe him to be wrong both in principle and in practice, what is required is long-term change in… Continue reading A letter to my MP.

Poor, that overused word.

The word is being used to such a great extent these days that I started thinking about it in the round. It is misused at every turn. When they talk about the poor, it can mean anything, or indeed nothing, because the relationship has to be stated to have relevance, and this is often the… Continue reading Poor, that overused word.

Strange Behavioural Patterns

To my old eyes oddities were so prevalent in Belfast yesterday. I saw so many young men who clearly had a full head of hair, walking about in strong sunlight with their heads shaven. From a clinical point of view this was asking for skin cancer because it wouldn’t have dawned on them to replace… Continue reading Strange Behavioural Patterns