Category: First Thursday Archive

Why are US Democrats and UK Labour unable to capture the imaginations of their voters?  Is it because they cannot express their messages of hope in fewer than twelve words? (our current “sound bite culture” makes this harder- see the link below). Or because they are too concerned to keep wealthy supporters “on board” to…

In the ancient world crucifixion was a regular and public means of execution, an open threat to potential rebels against state authority.  Five centuries before the time of Jesus, Darius, the Persian king, crucified 3000 Babylonians; in 100 BCE Alexander Jannaeus, king of Judea, crucified 800 Pharisees; when Jesus was a boy the Romans crucified…

In September the UK Evangelical Alliance issued a comment on the “Unite the Kingdom” rally in London, and its misuse of Christian faith and symbols (see the other attachment). The notion of a Britain economically and culturally under threat from immigration sets an agenda to which others feel they must respond (always a futile task),…

The memory (or anticipation) of family weddings is usually one of the most joyful events in our lives, though far fewer of these are celebrated today in churches- less than a quarter, compared to about half in the 1970s, and 85 percent in 1900. Perhaps another sign that Britain is no longer a “Christian” country…

The world (or part of it, at least) waits to see what President Trump will do next.  Gerrymandering* Texas constituencies to ensure a Republican majority in the mid-term Congressional elections only the latest escapade (*from Elbridge Gerry, Governor of Massachusetts in 1812, and the new ward boundaries, described by the “Boston Gazette” as resembling a…

The Catholic Bishop of San Bernadino in California gave dispensation from Sunday Mass, because of fears of ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) picking up “undocumented” people who attend (see the link below).  “Immigration” is high on many people’s “agenda”, and rational discussion increasingly difficult against the flood of anger and resentment fuelled by politicians blaming…

The UK Government’s response to Israel in Gaza “hit peak feebleness” said “Responsible Statecraft” on May 21st (see link below)- because many Labour MPs fear being labelled “antisemitic” if they condemn Israel’s war crimes, remembering what was done to Corbyn?   For some other MPs bringing Hamas to “justice” takes priority over any ceasefire (so ignoring…

What motivates President Trump’s “Tariff War”?  Some powerful people “pulling the strings”, or a populist response to resentment against globalisation, to the loss of US manufacturing jobs caused by global capitalism’s search for cheap labour and greater profits?  Globalisation was promoted as an important contribution to solving global poverty, but it also increased domestic inequality. …

One danger of the constant flood of often contradictory media news and opinion can be that it induces a paralysis- of action, even of attention.  This is especially true of President’s Trump’s statements and actions- and that is perhaps his intention.  Jeffrey Sach’s analysis of US policy from the days of the Washington Consensus (last…

It is clear that not enough is being done to tackle Global Warming, and with President Trump in the White House less progress with come from the USA.  China is doing much, despite its still burning coal.  Global temperatures have reached 1.3 degrees above pre-Industrial levels, though the averages are less (1.2 to 1.3 degrees). …