Islamophobic Intolerance

There are some seriously stupid people out there.

No doubt you will be aware of plans by a small, and long may it remain small, church in America to burn copies of the Koran tomorrow. President Obama has said that such an act is against American values of religious tolerance and freedom, but Reverend Terry Jones of the 'Dove World Outreach Centre' claims that Islam is 'of the devil' and that Americans have a duty to burn its holy book.

Demonstrators in Kabul have responded by burning an effigy of Terry Jones in the streets, proving that hatred only begets hatred. Wouldn't it be wonderful if, for once, people celebrated our differences rather than burning symbols of each other?

Of course, it's easy for small-town folk in America, brainwashed by the emotive forces of fundamentalist Christianity, to believe that Islam is dangerous. However, look within the Bible, particularly some of the passages in the Old Testament, and see just how gruesome it can be. Just as many Christians reject violence in the name of God, many Muslims do the same. It's not the holy books that are the problem. It's extremism. And through his internationally controversial publicity stunt, Terry Jones is joining the ranks of the extremists.

Sad stuff :(

J xx

Festival Fun

I have just returned from the Greenbelt Festival, an arts festival with an emphasis on social conscience and inclusivity, and I've had a marvellous time!

Me relaxing in a queue!

Just as Greenbelt was getting started we saw a spectacular rainbow. It was a complete arch, and extremely bright, with a second, fainter rainbow at its side. Although I tried to capture the moment in photographic form, my camera is not powerful enough to do justice to how beautiful it was.

Pretty!

Talks

I had the pleasure of hearing Clare Short speak on two separate occasions. One of her speeches was on the difficult Israel-Palestine issue, and her view that we should be boycotting Israeli goods in order to achieve a solution. The second was part of a discussion about electoral reform and Short's views on proportional representation and the possibility of major political changes in the near future. Clare Short is an inspirational speaker, famous of course for resigning from Blair's government over Iraq, and a woman who truly understands the nastiness of politics.

I also had the opportunity to hear controversial human rights campaigner Peter Tatchell. For many years he has been famous for his outspoken campaigning, mostly on LGBT issues. This particular talk was on the subject of queer rights (or lack thereof) in Africa. Although I do not agree with all of his opinions, particularly his often mendacious criticisms of members of the Anglican church, Tatchell is a key figure in highlighting the massive inequalities in humanity. While the picture is bleak, there is cause for hope, and the tent was full of people of all ages and sexualities who felt inspired. Many gay people came forward to give their own testimonials.

Fun!!!

On Sunday, I went to see Milton Jones, comedian of Radio 4 and Mock the Week fame. His series of surreal one-liners and amusing flip-chart doodles had us all in stitches. My friends and I managed to get into the queue reasonably early, which meant getting good seats in the balcony of the venue after a long-ish wait. We left feeling considerably happier, and sillier, and were delighted to have the chance to get to see some comedy at Greenbelt.

Yesterday afternoon we headed down to the Mainstage for Sing-a-long-a-Grease, which did what it said on the tin! As we watched the film on a big screen, lyrics appeared for the songs. There was a great feeling of togetherness as hundreds of people of all-ages gathered to join in. We all got on our feet for a rendition of Greased Lightening, complete with dance moves.

Jiving in front of Grease. You can see my friend Rach in her penguin hat!

Last night we had the joy of the Rockabilly Grand Ball. As a bit of a 50s-freak I'd been looking forward to this for ages. We began by jiving around to all the classic rock'n'roll hits, before the Dodge Brothers (featuring BBC film critic Mark Kermode on double bass and harmonica) appeared on stage for one of the most entertaining music sets I have seen. Everyone was dancing and enjoying the infectious brand of skiffle and blues. After the ball, my friends and I went to grab a cuppa in the Tiny Tea Tent, an environmentally-friendly mobile cafe with a hippy vibe and the best tea you can get at the festival.

The Tiny Tea Tent

As well as seeing music acts that I haven't mentioned and helping out in the G-source charity tent, we had a great time soaking up the atmosphere of the festival and browsing the various stalls. We each (that is, the three of us) purchased a silly animal hat, and enjoyed eating a great deal of chocolate.

Behold my pig hat... which mostly sits above my face.

Can't wait for next year!

J xxx

Bits and Bobs

Good evening!

I have a few things that are of interest to me to comment on this evening... I have not got the capacity to write a single organised post today, being so tired!

1) I came across this interesting article on the potential harmfulness of Tory policies in The Independent by Johann Hari:

http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/commentators/johann-hari/johann-hari-the-harsh-truth-about-tory-policies-1815642.html

It's an interesting read, and I think Hari is an interesting bloke. I agree with many of his principles: he's a strong believer in democracy, in secularity, in gay rights, in nuclear disarmament and in stronger action on climate change.I don't agree with everything he says -- he's a bit too much of a fan of the EU and the single currency for my liking -- but I think this article is a good one and I am inclined to agree with him.

2) I heard a new word this week: 'Flexitarian.'

What on Earth? See this BBC article:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/magazine/8341002.stm

This is ridiculous! As a committed vegetarian of ten years, I really can't see why flexitarians bother. Obviously, I am a big advocate for people reducing their meat consumption to try and help the planet in these times of strife, but I wouldn't expect such people to call themselves 'semi-vegetarians' or 'flexitarians.' I really hope I do not hear this term again. You are either a vegetarian or you are not. And, just for the record, vegetarians do not eat fish.

3) I am very pleased that the government have chosen to increase the amount of sex education in schools and make it more difficult for people to opt-out on religious grounds. Sex education is so important, and I really don't think it's right to pull your child out of a lesson on condoms because you as a parent oppose contraception on religious grounds.

I was having a conversation with my friend the other day, about how I think that a parent should not allow their personal principles to hold a child back. In that context we were discussing private education and the importance of giving your child the best education that you can, regardless of socialist principles or otherwise. When it comes to sex education, it is so important that religion does not interfere with the basic facts of life. Pulling your child out of a lesson, because you as a parent do not agree with homosexuality, is not going to make homosexuality go away.

This is not to say that I am opposed to children being brought up in a specific religion. On the contrary, I think religious values -- if not too extreme -- can be extremely beneficial to a child. Growing up in a Christian family, I have witnessed my parents' amazing hospitality to guests and the kindness, patience and tolerance that comes from their religious values. Yet I am not here to debate the pros and cons of organised religion, though I would certainly argue that telling a child categorically what to believe is morally wrong.

So, I believe that a child can learn about religion and sex and that children should not be patronised by being expected to believe that their parents' attitude to sex is the right one. A child must have freedom of choice. I simply cannot see why a child cannot be taught by their Christian parent that sex before marriage is wrong, at the same time as being told how to have safe sex. I do not see a contradiction, and the child is free to make up his or her own mind.

And, after all, which parent, however religious, would not be horrified if they discovered their child had caught a disease due to ignorance over contraception?

xxx

Little Bits of Life

Bonjour,

I am possessed with the desire to write a blog entry, but what to focus on...? I therefore present to you a disconnected mess.

1) Political angst.

I'm beginning to wonder if maybe it's a good thing that I'll probably be two or three weeks too young to vote in the next general election. As my close friends place their ballot papers in boxes across the county, I will be watching BBC News in anticipation as political commentators express their predictions and thoughts on the election. I have absolutely no idea who I'd vote for if my mum had given birth to me a month earlier. Of course, there is a minuscule possibility that the election could be on or in the two days after my birthday, but it's not very likely.
I think, if I did have the privilege to be able to vote (and to be honest I'm slightly annoyed that, as an actively interested A-Level Politics student, I am not) I might end up spoiling my ballot paper or voting for a small party like the Greens out of protest. I feel that no party is representing the ethical Left.
We shall see, I suppose.

2) More identity musings

Identity is of enormous interest to me, partly because my own identity has been developing so much over the last few years and I've enjoyed self-analysing myself, and partly because the areas I'm most interested in (politics, feminism, music, sociology, religion, literature) have an over-arching theme of identity.
I spent many years agonising over my identities, because I was so confused and dismayed by how I seemed to be so many people at once. Today I am confused, but not so much dismayed. I quite happily place all my quirks under the label "eccentric" and forget about them. But my own identity, and the identity of others, continue to fascinate me.
I've been thinking recently about the difference between self-perception and the perception of others. John Lennon, perhaps one of our most misunderstood rock heroes, clearly felt that how other people, specifically fans, saw him was a load of rubbish! I love the wonderfully ironic Glass Onion, one of John's Beatles tracks off The White Album. John is clearly ridiculing the fans who try and read heavily into his lyrics and find non-existent meanings in them. In the song, he feeds the fans red-herrings, complete bollocks basically, as if to emphasise how no one can ever truly know him, or his songs.

"I told you about the walrus and me, man

You know that we're as close as can be, man.

Well here's another clue for you all,

The walrus was Paul."

In searching for identity and authenticity, none of us can afford to forget the danger of reading into things too heavily. I am a huge culprit and I spend far too long analysing everything anyone says to me. I'm very self-critical, and probably, if I'm being honest, critical of others.
The fact remains, however, that none of us can know what's going on in anyone else's head, and probably a lot of what is going on within our own.

3) Please buy Fairtrade.

Thank you!

This was truly awful, I know! Apologies!

J xxx

Tension: Dramatic and International

Good evening!

The rain is pouring, it's rather chilly, and I am drinking a very pleasant bucket of ordinary tea.

But beneath the internet-geek, tea-sipping facade is a rather tense person.

I have relatively recently arrived home from an hour and forty-five minutes of drama doom. I HATE THE CASTING PROCESS FOR SCHOOL PLAYS. This particular play, "The Diary of Anne Frank," has already been a long, drawn-out affair. Firstly, the initial auditions at the beginning of June. Secondly, the call-back auditions a week ago. Thirdly, the publication of the cast list, without specification of individual roles. Then, this evening, the read-through. It was essentially a reverse witch-hunt: a search for shining talent. It was hideous, nerve-wracking, and now I have been assured I will finally find out my part tomorrow after one month of DOOM, my stomach is tight with nerves.

Still, there's nothing like a bit of tension in the world. My schoolgirl tension is nothing in comparison to the international tension that bubbles under the surfaces of all of our little lives.

However, according to this morning's Independent, THE COLD WAR IS OVER. This is an interesting idea. Firstly, the Cold War is generally acknowledged to have finished in the early 90s, although it has become fashionable to discuss the concept of whether the Cold War is still a reality or not. Let's face it, Russia has thousands of nuclear warheads, and the states still has only slightly less than their traditional Eastern enemy. George Bush and Putin were hardly the best of friends. Perhaps, though the Doomsday clock was turning its wrathful attention to climate change as opposed to nuclear holocaust, we were in a state of Cold War throughout the last twenty years, which brings us to the second point. Why is the Cold War now completely over if it wasn't before? Well, Obama and Medvedev have had nice, pleasant discussions and have posed for a few pretty pictures in the usual stage-set fashion that is so familiar in international relations. Oh yes, and they have agreed to reduce the number of nuclear warheads.

Perhaps the risk of the Americans being blown up by the Russians, or the whole world being blown up by the Americans, has diminished as a result of today. But the fact remains that those horrible, disgustingly evil WMDs are still lurking in the submarines of the world's seas, and it is still possible for either nation to wipe the world out several times over. What happens the next time a Republican is elected to the Presidency?

Maybe the headline should have been phrased differently. THE COLD WAR IS OVER. FOR NOW.

J xxx

p.s. Please look into CND. I'm wanting to join Liberty at the moment, so I can't afford to join CND as well, and I'm a bit unsure as to what to do with all that nuclear waste once you've disarmed, AND I'm a bit unsure how you can prove that a nation has entirely disarmed, and without a deterrent it is possible the world could be blown to smithereens. But I agree with them on principle! http://www.cnduk.org/

p.p.s Wish me luck in the play!

Procrastination and Civil Liberties

1) Why? Why do I do it?

I am a motivated student in so many ways. I love my subjects, I usually only daydream for five minutes per lesson, and I am desperate to go to a good Uni. I really do care.

Most of my Sundays are spent glued to the computer screen, doing "homework." This means that for about six out of seven hours I will be on Facebook, and maybe I will occasionally procrastinate in other ways, such as compulsively cleaning my teeth or looking up pictures of ageing glam-rockers.

Procrastination is, for me, like a health condition. It causes me distress and I hate it, but I cannot really help it. There have been some articles in the newpapers recently saying that people who are happy in spite of the recession must have an "optimism gene." Perhaps there is a procrastination gene? I should contact Richard Dawkins.


2) Britain is sleepwalking into a police state, a nanny state, a Big Brother surveillance state...

It's time to wake up!

I have decided to refuse to carry an ID card if this bad idea, if you will forgive the pun borrowed from the Tories, ever comes through.

And if I do manage to vote in the next general election (although this is seriously unlikely as the election will probably be a month before my 18th) I will cast some kind of protest vote, possibly Green. I've always been a bit of a hippy at heart.

For more info, there's a fascinating and frightening film called "Taking Liberties" by Chris Atkins, which I definitely reccomend if you ever find yourself wondering what happened to liberty and justice.

Also visit no2id.co.net, liberty-human-rights.org.uk, and get reading political manifestos: our rights are slipping away! Let's get them back :)