Argumental is a great BBC TV Show based on the good old British tradition of the debate club.
Argumental is a great BBC TV Show based on the good old British tradition of the debate club.
The Thick of it is one of my favourite shows – it’s deeply cynical and a great satire about political dealings. It based on the British Labour Government under Tony Blair – but it could be any modern Government.
It’s all about spin doctors, power grabbing and back stabbing, while trying to score points with the public and being politically correct …
It follows the British tradition of such great shows like Yes Minister, Yes Prime Minister and The New Statesman.
Season 3 just finished and I can’t wait for another one. There is also a movie called In the Loop featuring almost the same cast of actors albeit playing a bit different characters.
Highly recommended for people who love politics and satire.
I grew up watching a lot of SciFi series aimed at kids – it still was the space age and we all wanted to Astronauts (and not bloody rapper or skinny super models).
Barry Gray composed the soundtracks of many famous British TV shows.
I love his style: driven, funky and almost always cheerful. A bit militaristic sometimes – but most SciFi was based on military organizations: like SHADO in UFO or Captain Scarlet.
His music also reflected the positive attitude to the future – something we finally lost in the 1980’s (thank you so much Riddley Scott and Chernobyl).
Click player below to start the UFO – Opening Theme:
Click player below to start the Mysteron Theme from Captain Scarlet:
Click player below to start the Loch Ness Monster Suite:
Click image for more water.
This years autumn storms are causing once again a lot of devastation and misery. My heart goes out to the wet people in Britain …
There was a big public outrage when the British BNP won two seats in the European Parliament in the last election.
The "good" British Public tried to ignore the "problem", but yesterday the BBC had invited the Parties Leader Nick Griffin on Question Time.
Question Time is a big institution in Britain – it’s a long running public forum, where voters and officials can debate and discuss issues.
Many people were angry at the BBC, because they think the Beep gives the BNP a big stage to spew it’s poison.
Obviously this edition of Question Time turned out to be a one sided bashing affair – Nick Griffin had to take a lot of criticism, mostly he had to eat his own words …
It is easy to "beat up" that right wing nutter and his whites-only-party.
But the sad reality is that Britain had racial tensions brewing for a long time. The recent population explosion (the biggest in the UK’s history) is mostly down to mostly "brown" immigrants having way more babies than Brits.
There also another factor: since most European societies are also aging rapidly it is becoming more conservative and protective. Suddenly grey Europeans see only "brown" people having babies – and it’s true: the Muslims / Immigrants birth rate is much higher than the "native" European one.
First of all this is a statistic reality. In same city areas there are more brown, than white people. Especially in harsh economic times this aggravates many people. This kind of Xenophobia is pretty normal and happens not just in Britain. Plus the old argument of "why do we allow immigration, when we have such a huge unemployment rate" always adds fuel to the fire.
Britain – as well as the rest of Europe – hasn’t really faced the reality of a strong and fast growing Muslim part of the population.
Especially Britain has allowed many extreme Muslim activist as well as radical preachers / Imans (often financed by Saudi Arabia) into the country. Often angry Muslims demonstrated violently against British politics. Plus many Muslims call for the introduction of Sharia Law in Britain. The terrorist attacks on London didn’t help either …
There is a Anti-Secular, Anti-Democracy and intolerant movement inside the British Muslim community, which can’t be ignored either. The racism is not strictly a white affair and some Muslims really do believe in conquering Europe via their wombs.
So this shift in population and basically reintroduction of strong influences of religion into public life and politics. Many people react negative to these new influences, the reactions range from frustration to outright anger. "So many people feel shutout in their own country." (Quote from Nick Griffin)
Britain’s immigration politics has been a failure in many areas. It has allowed more immigrants than the British Public actually could stomach.
So the BNP simply reflects the fringe racists as well as people who are simply angry about the failed immigration policy. So some of their anger and concern are legit.
As much as many leftist often turn a blind eye to religious fundamentalism and Muslim racism – the right also sticks to their ignorant doctrines as well.
Like I said before: Europe has not really faced it’s identity crises in face of a new religious pressure (which happens to be Islam). Based on the tragic events of racism and genocide during WWII plus the guilt from Colonialism has created a fake openness to other cultures.
It is not just Britain, but almost all European countries haven’t succeeded in integrating immigrants. The beloved idea of a multiethnic society proves harder to form than idealists hoped it would be. But also European politicians and citizens have forgotten to foster and evolve their own culture and historic values. So it’s no surprise that many people feel left alone and even abandoned in face of a new, strong and often aggressive "foreign" culture.
As a final part of the story one has to mention to new lower class and poverty in Europe that adds to that problem. The economic development in the last twenty years – thanks to the Free Market ideas Margaret Thatcher and constant pandering to big business – has eroded the middle class Europe. Poverty is on the rise and a new lower class has been created when the working class disappeared – thanks to the shift of factories to the east and Asia.
Underprivileged people in poverty are rarely tolerant or willing to share. And their anger of being left behind finds an easy target in foreigners, especially when they have to share public purse for social support with big waves of immigrants – as it happened in Britain in recent years.
So booing Nick Griffin on Question Time is so politically correct, but doesn’t solve the problem of racism nor the real concerns of immigration and poverty.
Click image for a larger version.
Evelyn de Morgan belongs to the rare breed of female classical painters. Her Pre-Raphaelite style is as powerful and enchanting as that of her male colleagues.
I adore Mister Cohen for his talent to spot societies awkward taboos and hitting them hard. His Borat was already brilliant and I think Brüno will just as painful to watch.
Wimbledon – the Ladies take the court. But they grunt – a lot! This is more like a soft porn instead of a civilized tennis match.
Although the BBC says the grunting is getting less …
A recent strike in London forced many people to commute the old fashioned way: by foot or by bike. Substitute buses picked up the moving masses and many people remembered the fabulous idea of car sharing.
It gave us a glimpse into the future of mass transport: we eventually have to use our own bodies again or "share" more.
While oil prices going up again using a car will be unaffordable for many and even public transport will become more expensive as well.
Unless we change from a oil based transport system to a renewable energy transportation will become very expensive. But also urban planning has to be improved in the US and Europe to many cities have sprawled to far apart, making daily live more like a long commute / drive from home to work and back.
Cities and communities used to be more integrated: living, shopping, learning, entertainment and work much closer together.
He is the first modern Prime Minister in Britain who wasn’t elected by popular vote. He simply took over from ever smiling Tony.
Gordon was never popular, he simply isn’t the buddy type, but he also always underestimated the need for good public relations.
Now the huge British expenses scandal has broken his back – and it’s actually a scandal he can hardly be blamed for. MPs from all parties did it.
But the Brits are sick and tired of the current political establishment and want their say … or better their vote.
I just hope Gordon is smart enough to call for new elections instead of waiting for "better times".
Just watching this hurts … a lot! Wanna see some closeups? Click here! Wanna know what this madness is all about? Click here! And you can even visit the local website with loads of images here …
I love the Brits for their weird traditions, but I also applaud them for still allowing such dangerous stuff. People should be able to kill themselves for the amusement of others …
BBC News: MPs’ expenses in detail, Speaker quits ‘for sake of unity’ and A guide to what the expenses furore is all about
British Members of Parliament have abused an all to willing expenses system to enhance their wages. In recent weeks more and more of the abuses have come to light and all big parties tried to come clean … somehow.
Now the more or less honourable Speaker of the House was forced to resign, because he was head of the expenses system and (ab-)used it as well. He was hardly the most serious offender …
Once again it shows that politicians can’t "oversee" themselves. Even reasonable checks and balances don’t work if it’s done by people within or to close to the "system" they should control.
Citizens and the Press are required to stick their noses into the affairs of the so called elites. There is no system that can make it all perfect, sooner or later loopholes are found or installed.
People in power have to be watched. Not because they are all bad, but because power and money are always too tempting for some. But most important: it’s the job of the voters to watch those they voted into power.
Democracy is not a nice automatic process – it’s constant work for all. Only an active electorate guarantees "clean politics".
In Britain there will be a big ruckus, some changes, some ghastly figures will disappear (and reappear in other positions).
Click heads to get some more acting.
I am a huge Fan of Richard Burton, he was one of a kind and an amazing actor. Too bad he was wasted in many stupid movies.
When I was a kid and heard about the Sinclair QL I was on fire! Great processor, stylish design and powerful graphics. But Sinclair blew the product launch and sold the machine before it was ready for the market. The rest is history as they say.
I still think this is a great machine.
It was a very symbolic meeting from a historical point of view. Obama represents for me not only the US of A, but "brown people" of all developing nation: India, Brazil, Iran, South Africa, Indonesia etc.
So far the world’s power has been in the hands of White People. It’s time for more colour and new blood …
The Anti-Everything-Coalition currently wrecking London’s City district is a coalition of many groups. So it’s no surprise that their message(s) are a bit mixed up.
Overall I find a lack of alternative concepts appalling and disappointing. Some want less globalization. Some want more fair trade. Some want no capitalism. Some want justice.
Well we can’t turn the clocks back. More justice is always a good thing, but first we have to agree on what "just" means. And the good thing about globalization is that you can live in almost any country you like (like North Korea). The other good thing in democratic countries is, that you can start a lobby group or join a political party to create "change" my dear protestors.
Once you join real political work you’ll find out that most people don’t want change at all – just perfect security and a nanny state that keeps them "happy".
Protests and the will for political change "infects" most people when the situation is already bad. We need better ways of hitting the streets when it’s too late – we need more active and engaged citizens who watch politicians, companies and other (lazy) citizens as well.
The world leaders met and the protestors come as well. It’s a modern ritual and a boring one. Suddenly all protest groups come together and shake their angry fists against those "ugly" politicians. And many people joined in this time, because of the financial crisis.
Well, I applaud your protests. The pressure from the streets is still necessary, because Mousetivism on the Internet hardly works.
But please – try to build a smarter political protest movement. The G20 / G7 / G8 protest seem too automatic – you sound more like Pavlov’s dog, ready to drool and bark when the bell rings.
And I don’t think you need to protest against politicians and bankers alone – why don’t you divert some anger at ignorant consumers and voters as well. Unless voters pay more attention to politics and the economy nothing will change. We need to own our societies and put some effort into understanding and shaping it. Most people just don’t care – and so they are basically handing their money and their future to the politicians and bankers – unchecked and uncontrolled.
Power always needs checks and balances. And a good citizen should never be ignorant or lazy.
Dutch MP Geert Wilders and British MP George Galloway are not very popular with many people. Although they both come from extreme right and left of the political spectrum they have been the victim of the same "sickness" that’s currently gone mad in international politics: extreme political correctness.
Geert Wilders has been refused entry into Britain in the grounds that he is pushing religious hate against Muslims. His movie "Fitna" will hardly win any love in Muslim countries – but it is far from being an extreme hateful propaganda movie it was labeled. It actually points out many bloody passages in the Koran in visual contrast to footage of Islamist Terrorist attacks. Not very charming, but a very effective piece of film making.
George Galloway has worked the "other side" – supporting many Arab groups and talking to groups like Hezbollah and Hamas. He was recently refused entry into Canada on the grounds the he is a threat to it’s national security.
In both cases the reasons for refusing legitimate Members of Parliament of an allied country to enter were stupid – and pushed through by extremist political correctness.
Yes, Messr Wilders and Galloway are extreme activists themselves. Although I don’t support their points of view I think they are important politicians. They try to confront the public with their views and they actually "do" something instead of just looking at poll numbers and pleasing the crowds.
And booth worked within the legal framework of their countries. But they were both simply inconvenient fellows.
I am very disappointed in Britain and Canada to crumble under the pressure of political correctness – just for pleasing lobbyists (Islamists in the UK and an Jewish support group in Canada).
SHAME ON YOU!
Side note: Funny enough Galloway supported the ban on Wilders.
Britain, France and even Spain are suffering heavy snow these days. Weird weather – but a great opportunity for great photos!
One British Pound is hardly worth one Euro these days. This deeply pisses of many Brits, who have been euro skeptic bunch anyway.
Still most Brits wouldn’t go Euro any day. They simply hate it. I just don’t really understand why the Brits are so euro phobic?
BBC News: Eurozone officially in recession
Thank you so much – I have hardly recovered from the dotcom bubble burst! Why can’t there be a new kinda gold rush or green revolution that brings in a lot of money.
Thank you very much America and your unregulated financial institutions!
But Europe really has had a bad economy for some time – and not much growth anyway. So even the slightest wobbles make the EU nation quake in their economic boots.
Britain and Spain have been hit hard by the housing crises. But only British banks crumbled like mad, Spain had much better regulation and oversight. The Spanish bank Santander is currently picking up former competitors all over Europe.
But I am still not sure what to do with these terrorists in Iceland! They still insist they are normal people just like and me.
BBC News: Iceland: Britain’s unlikely new enemy
The current financial crises sparks the most ridicules situations: under the Anti-terrorism, Crime and Security Act of 2001 the British Government has seized Icelandic assets in the UK.
You can call the lovely people from Iceland many things, but terrorists?
The Icelanders are not amused (see article above).
It once again proves that governments are only to willing to twist any law and regulation to suit their agenda.
Channel 4 documentary / 48 minutes / 2007
An excellent report from Afghanistan. Not very cheerful, but it will give you some insight of what is like over there.
Once again it that British openness and honesty that makes this report so special and valuable.
Steve Schofield has shot a charming and insightful series about British Nerds in their costumes. I like his ‘dry’ style and mixture of the real and surreal.
Don’t miss his other great work – like the shots of Boxers!
One of the greatest movies of all time – but also social criticism and vision for our future. It’s is blatantly pro-science and pro-technology. Hardly something you could sell in our green-crazy world today.
More? Things to Come @ Wikipedia
I miss London a lot these days. I don’t mind it’s high pressure and loud environment. It’s hard to beat it’s historical background and international variety.
And that is a bloody cool place to live.
Part 2, Part 3, Part 4 and Part 4.5
I am a huge fan of British Humor – and some of their TV as well like "Have I got news for you" and "QI".
Compared to US television the Brits can be very raunchy and would say stuff that would give the American FCC multiple heart attacks (like Stephen Fry’s famous "arse gravy" quote).
This episode of HIGNFY with Brian Blessed as the host was so hilarious that the BBC didn’t broadcast it. But some generous soul made available via YouTube.
Enjoy!
If you can cope with nasty British Humor – watch & enjoy!
Got 90 minutes to kill?
Watch some British Humor "Trigger Happy". They play nasty tricks to unsuspecting people with their weird humor and hidden cameras.
*Thanks to Edosan for some more fun in my life*
I always have loved London – what a great city. When London reelected “Red Ken” as it’s Major I was thrilled. But after eight years Londoners wanted to kick Gordon Brown for his miserable job and kicked out good old Ken and elected the weird ‘Alexander Boris de Pfeffel Johnson’ instead. Oh, the tragedy …
Boris has been more on television in game shows in actually running any tiny local anything so far. Even George W. Bush had more experience running ’something’ than Boris. His political view are terrible – when he presented the TV documentary The Dream of Rome his remarks and historical conclusion were way of the scale.
He is an old school populist born in the wrong century. He would have loved living during the 17th or 18th century – the heydays of the British Empire. But – dear Boris – these days are long gone …
I always liked British currency – although it’s coins were always on the heavy side. If you had several one pound coins in your pocket you would walk in an awkward way.
So the British got some new designs – and these are butt ugly. The look like extra cool … I think the designer still had that early Blair period mantra “Cool Britannia” still in his head.
Instead of using established symbols and emblems in sound way, the designs try to be extra hip. But money shouldn’t be hip, but easy to “understand”, visually easy to separate and have unique tactile characteristics (which the British coins certainly have – hence the very different shapes for 50 and 20 pence).
I find the 20 pence piece especially odd – only showing the arse and tail of the English Lion. I think now would be the best time to get the Euro my dear Brits …
On the 1st April 1918 the RAF was founded to defend King and Country – and what a great job they did so far.
The RAF most iconic machine – the Supermarine Spitfire.
It’s most controversial Commander Sir Arthur “Bomber” Harris – who ordered the fire bombing of Dresden and Hamburg.
Today’s coolest jet – the Eurofighter Typhoon (yeah I know this one has German insignia – couldn’t find a good image with RAF ones).
More? RAF Homepage (for airforce nerds – visit the official Timeline) and Wikipedia entry –
France – like Germany – is in dire need of reforms. Sarko started his campaign for his Presidency with the promise of change (sounds familiar). Many French people liked his busy and aggressive style – and had high hopes for some positive change.
But with his ugly divorce and stupid handling of his own affairs he has lost a lot of political capital. In recent local elections Sarko’s party has lost many votes.
France still is in need of reforms, but they new leader has busted a lot of his power for silly personal affairs. Too bad, because I won’t help him and his still necessary task.
Sarko admires the British economy and it’s success in recent years. Tony Blair inherited many necessary – but painful – changes made under Thatcher and built his success on it. France is not in such a bad shape as Britain in the late 1970’s, but still there is a lot to be done.
Sarko is especially fascinated by London’s vitality, something Paris lacks (his won words). In terms of international importance, stock market and political influence London easily beats Paris. Only the number of high ranked restaurants is higher in the French capitol.
So no surprise that this visit to Britain is so important to Sarko, he needs some serious political action to restore his credibility and some backing for his ideas for change. Maybe some serious glamor from the British Crown will rub off and the dry Mr Gordon Brown can add some intellectual spice as well …
Once again the somewhere a Muslim mob goes bonkers and wants to kill someone for an insult. Once again the West shakes it’s head and tries to understand all the madness about a Teddy Bear named Mohammed. Once again we secular people try to reassure ourselves that only a few radical Muslims are willing to kill poor Gillian Gibbons. Once again the secular people in the West fail to understand that Religion can’t be tolerated, because it will always breed idiocy and violence.
Highly recommended: read some of the comments on the BBC website regarding the current situation with Ms Gibbons and Sudan. Plus: learn how governments once again play the religious card to make petty politics.
If you live outside the UK you might not have heard of the Clangers. I love these little buggers. They are so very different from today’s often brutal computer animated action heroes and monsters for kids.
Nothing bothers English people more than sports. England just got very ungraciously kicked out of the Euro 2008 (watch some highlight here). This is causing a big ruckus on good old England – who still consider themselves world class footballers. All in all – a national tragedy. Even politicians got involved. Now that’s real dedication!
Let’s send them some chocolate and some fine German lager to get over it. 
I do hate sailing, but I do love a good ‘naval’ movie! Most of these are centered around the British Navy – and I have a weak spot for the period of British Empire anyway.
Most of the old movies tend to be charmingly naive and adventures (like Horatio Hornblower or the Sea Hawk), but only Master and Commander is both ‘modern’ (read: realistic) and exciting at the same time. And it helps a lot that no phoney love story is woven into the plot … it’s rather bloody, but full of friendship and the terrible truth about the moments of horror of war at sea.
More? Official Trailer
*update*
Boy oh boy, one time I do not check an entry via Wikipedia and I am in trouble. Jolene and Edosan gave me a proper lashing for my failure!
The movie is based on a HUGE series of novels by the great writer Patrick O’Brian – who has been working on navel novels for over 35 years now. Here is a NPR radio special about the author. There is obviously a huge maritime fan base out there – I was completely ignorant about …
I really really really don’t like cars. Never owned one, probably never will. So TV shows about cars hardly appeal to me … unless it’s done in style with that dry British humor …
In this episode our three heroes try to cross one African nation with the shabbiest and oldest second hand cars they could buy off the natives. A highly amusing adventure unfolds … enjoy!
London City Hall is a great landmark and worth a visit. It looks like a spaceship from a Japanese SciFi flick – crashed near the river. But it’s round shape makes it even more intriguing.
I like the great difference between the modern look and the old places of power – which were usually styled to impress and intimidate people.