‘Chillaxing’ Prime Minister David Cameron Forgets Daughter in a Pub

Summary:                                                  
Yesterday, Prime Minister David Cameron unintentionally forgot his eight-year-old daughter in a pub after Sunday Lunch. They had lunch with two other families in a pub two miles from his country residence. His daughter supposedly went off to the toilet when the group arranged lifts. The Prime Minister drove off with protection officers and his wife and other children left in another car. At home they immediately realised she was missing and called the pub to find her safe and well. This news comes at an inconvenient time shortly after the publishing of his biography, for which he is criticised for being too ‘chillaxing’.

Commentary:

This news would not have been this interesting if it had happened to an ordinary family man. Of course he is not this neglecting parent, who had a bit too much to drink over Sunday lunch and therefore forgot his daughter at a pub. Being a Prime Minister puts you in the spotlights and the ‘chillaxing’ attitude he is accused of due to his autobiography, is damaging. He is supposed to be always focused and working his buts of for the nation. It all happened within a period of 15 minutes within a distance of 2 miles. Telling stories in a non-exaggerated manner is simply to boring for quality newspapers such as the Sun.

The information is retrieved on june 11^th 2012 from the website of the Independent

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/distraught-prime-minister-david-cameron-leaves-eightyearold-daughter-nancy-in-pub-after-sunday-lunch-7835551.html#

article ‘Distraught’ Prime Minister David Cameron leaves eight-year-old daughter Nancy in pub after Sunday lunch’

Coldplay Keeping You Awake

Summary:

The Coldplay glow-in-the-dark wristbands that were handed out to light up with the music and stage lights show, spooked their fans afterwards because of their spontaneous flashing. These so called Xylobans are triggered by wireless signals, that were not supposed to flash of their own accord. The firm that developed them has received many requests to use them and does not see a cause of concern. It is no sinister power, mind control or tracking device, but just something for fun. The disturbed fans need not worry long, for the battery has a limited life span.

Commentary:
I find the reaction of a Belgian fan commenting 'Mine is alive!' hilarious. High tech gadgets can be great fun, but can really give you a scare when they supposedly come alive of their own accord in the middle of the night.  I like my wristbands and bracelets plain and simple. Good for Coldplay that they invest in gadget that make their concerts even extra special, even though their music speaks for itself. For young adults there is more to good bands than just good music. They probably expect more technical quality in the shows, than I do. I am from an era when it was more about the ambiance and good music. Am I now reacting like an elderly woman?

The information was retrieved on june 11^th 2012 from the website of the Independent

http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/news/the-coldplay-gigs-that-are-impossible-to-forget-for-all-the-wrong-reasons-7834918.html

article ‘The Coldplay gigs that are impossible to forget (for all the wrong reasons...)’

Jubilee Pageant Composers Complain

Summary: 

The BBC frustrated the composers who were invited by them to compose special music for the event. They used their music briefly and did not even refer to it.  Other involved musicians were disappointed too. According to a BBC spokeswoman, there was no way of guaranteeing TV attention, because of the nature of the broadcast. She hoped that artists would have felt honoured to be a part of the celebration, irrespective of the actual TV coverage. The Sunday pageant has received 2,425 complaints so far of the overall coverage, with a majority about the Sunday’s Thames pageant. The BBC remarked that there was positive feedback too.

Commentary: 

I enjoyed watching parts of Queen Elizabeth's Diamond Jubilee celebration events, including the impressive Thames pageant. We as viewers have high expectancies when it comes to BBC's coverage. Of course one cannot plan every detail in such a huge event, but it really seems such a waste of time and money to invest in specially composed music and not mention it during the coverage. Could they have not included it in the scripts? Any way, I enjoyed it very much because for me it did have that special British BBC-like touch. I dare anyone to match the BBC's record and style in covering major events.

The information was retrieved on June 6^th 2012 from the Guardian website

http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2012/jun/06/jubilee-pageant-composers-bbc-coverage, 

the article ‘Jubilee pageant composers condemn BBC coverage’ by Ben Dowell

Legionnaires' Disease on the Rise in Scotland

Summary: 

61 people have been diagnosed of having Legionnaires’ disease in Edinburgh. Health officers have identified 16 industrial cooling towers in South-West Edinburgh as likely sources. By now, these towers have undergone a treatment as to kill off the bacteria.  According to the Scottish health secretary the number of people in critical condition remain stable, even though the numbers rise. The given antibiotic treatment is successful and people are informed and reassured via leaflets of the low risk of contamination.  A leading bacteriologist believes that the outbreak could have been prevented. Legal action has not been ruled out.

Commentary: 

Disease outbreaks are no ‘acts of God’ but mostly the result of human failure and their intervention with the normal course of nature. Despite our technological advancement, nature can still have the upper hand.  I even fear the common flu, for it is always evolving and can result in very dangerous strains. This Legionnaires’ disease sounds a bit more exotic than the ordinary flu and can alarm people rather easily. It is good to hear that the authorities have taken the trouble of informing the people.  It is not a contagious disease, but it can do serious harm if it is not diagnosed and treated in an early stage.  

The information was retrieved on June 7^th 2012 from the Guardian website http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2012/jun/07/legionnaires-disease-cases-rise-scotland,
the article ‘Legionnaires' disease cases rise’ by Severin Carrell

Britain's Scientific Illiteracy

Summary: 

I read a review article by the Guardian journalist Nick Cohen about Mark Henderson’s ‘Geek Manifesto’. According to Mark Henderson, we need to use the experimental methods of science for various aspects of society and politics.  Nick Cohen sees in this book a political program for British scepticism for it warns for scientific illiteracy. Sixth graders should at least take one science subject and politicians should read the book.  Science provides the means of testing policies before implementing them. Alternative healthcare is attacked and greens are gently scolded, but religion is not provoked. There is much to be admired, but the book has a little bit of cowardice. 

Commentary: 

Using scientific methodology for testing policy seems such a logical thing to do, but it does not hold up in practice.  Politicians are in fact supported by governmental institutes where scientists work, but most scientists are by their very nature not inclined to become politicians. Most  politicians have a background in business. I totally agree with setting the rule for sixth graders to take at least one science subject. Taking it even further and make science a part of the compulsory program at primary and secondary school, might even be the solution to scientific illiteracy. Go geeks!

The information was retrieved on May 25^th 2012 from the Guardian news website http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2012/may/25/geek-manifesto-mark-henderson-review
review article  ‘ The Geek Manifesto by Mark Henderson’

Most Schools Miss Out on Renovation Programme

Summary: 

Despite widespread concern about the state of the buildings, fewer than half of the schools that asked for renovation via the school building programme, will be renovated.  The educational secretary Michael Gove admits that his manner of cancelling Labour’s building programme had been 'clumsy'. The previous government led them believe that rebuilding was needed but afterwards priorities changed. Fortunately, the 42 schools with the worst conditions will be given priority. Gove also denied, that the closure of grammar schools was responsible for a decrease in social mobility. According to him, the decrease had more to do with 'progressive teaching methods and softer subjects in state schools'. 

Commentary: 

It is understandable that in times of crises, harsh measures and cutbacks are required.  I however expect more consistency in long-term projects affecting the educational system such as these building agreements. With regard to the decline in social mobility, I believe that indeed more factors than closing down grammar schools play a part, but not necessarily the ‘softer subjects’ at state schools.  The investment in the educational system should be part of an on going steady process that can not be halted by the whim of politicians and economic fluctuation, for it is one of the most steady and sure investments you can make for the whole nation to benefit. 

The information was retrieved on May 24^th 2012 from the Guardian news website http://www.guardian.co.uk/education/2012/may/24/schools-privately-financed-renovation-programme article

‘Most schools miss out on privately financed renovation programme’ by Jeevan Vasagar