Sunday, December 25, 2005

For Zoe

The case of a 12 year old girl supposedly commiting a devious crime against a 5 year old boy hurtled around the world and was relayed to people throughout a bewildered community before anyone on the ground got to hear what really happened. 'Attempted murder!' screamed most headlines and the court of public opinion was being cast come teatime. (1)

Given the level of coverage of the story and the venom hurled at the young girl surely the media and official line must be true? In the days and weeks following the case being made public typing in 'Earlsheaton hanging' into a Google search revealed many entries for papers around the globe - all with the same (associated press?) tagline stringing the girl up. Go to internet chat forums about the case and the discussion largely follows the same thread - ' she is evil, her parents must be wasters, what kind of community allows such a thing to happen?, what is the world coming to?' and so on. (2)

More to this than meets the eye? - quite possibly so. However, initial contacts didn't look good. Some two weeks after the event first broke I asked a couple of older teenagers from the area what they thought about it. Not good - 'she's an evil cow and she should be locked up' came the reply. Punters in the local pubs no longer wanted to talk about it - they were sick of having intrusions into their private lives and having their words twisted around and used against them - the girl, her family and the wider community all held up to be in a state of moral degeneracy and confidences betrayed.

Ongoing reports in the media talked of the park where the incident occured as an area where gangs of 'feral youth' caused mayhem. Yet 3-4 trips revealed the usual park activities - dog walkers, parents and children and 'gangs' of kids all enjoying usual park like activities. Sure, there had been the odd spot of vandalism but the park largely served it's function well and is definitely not a no-go area.

A 19 yr. old youth, wrapped up warm for a cold evening, said the area could do with lighting up to make it safer; so that such things do not happen again. Suspicion? In that case maybe he should be wary of talking to strangers in raincoats in dark parks and I should avoid hoodied and baseball-hatted youth in the same - who knows what might happen? A better case for lighting up the park would be to extend its use in winter time.

The best news came from talking to the groups of scattered cherubs that presumably make up this 'feral youth'. Quite an encouraging picture of youth culture emerged. Yes there was the odd fallout amongst friends, the general ribbing and mickey-taking but all kiss and make up stuff, and par for the course.

I asked whether there was bullying but the kids generally looked after each other and nothing much really goes amiss. Here was where the young lady really scored her points. Any kid has their detractors and one or two did have their disagreements but the overwhelming impression was that this 'evil young girl' was actually quite well liked and despite her personal problems (seeing her mother die suddenly on Xmas day 2004 for one) reasonably well balanced. She stood her ground when cornered and defended her mates when they were picked on, she would share her school dinner amongst her friends if they had forgotten their money and so forth. Hardly evil then.

It further transpires that she would study at home and even set herself extra work. Steve, her father, says she runs rings around him with her abilities. He was reluctant to say too much given the character assasination of his daughter and self - a quiet and tidy man who, when gardening on a hot day and enjoying a beer, saw himself labelled an alcoholic in the media. He hasn't bought a paper since and rarely watches the news and, even rarer, dare have a drink. Him, his daughter and the community want no more bad press and hope that this will all blow over so they can get on with rebuilding their lives. He speaks to his daughter daily on the phone and despite everything they are ok, if not slightly sullen. It's an extremely humbling experience to hear him talk of things not being so bad now - that he can see his daughter without counselling services being present.

There is not much good feeling within the wider community towards the family of the boy involved. Close and friendly neighbours, perhaps, but after taking their thirty pieces o' silver and scarpering off to a new life most in the area feel that the guilty party has been let off the hook - chat rooms, opinion pieces and workplaces laying into this party perhaps unfairly too. Comments ask how come a small boy can wander off and end up in such a situation? Yet given what I've found out about the community he seems to be largely in safe hands and it is some testimony to the companionship within such a place that he can do so.He has recovered from his 'ordeal' and 'injuries'. So much that he was back out playing soon after all the fuss and was lastly reported wishing he had a girlfriend. Clearly then, not put off the fairer sex.

The young lady has quite a good reputation amongst her peers and the neighbourhood, even in her unwarranted absence. Everyone hopes things will blow over and get back to 'normal', yet she has a blot on her character and possibly something that will lurk at the back of her mind and undermine her.

From what has been found out from people that genuinely know her she does have tremendous character and allowed herself to carry the can in a case that never should have been. The facts of the case as presented do not seem to match up to reality - perhaps the real reason why it took some nine attempts to get a truth to fit the billing?

And also allowed a lot of grown ups to make themselves look big.

The worst 'crime' that this young lady has done was to have a child's game or prank go maybe that little bit too far - everyday childhood experiences where boundaries are learnt naturally. In this case it was the girl herself who sorted the boy out after his ordeal - she bought him a drink and, apparently, called for an ambulance. In the mainstream media this was reported as bribery. After their shenanigans the word hypocrisy springs to mind.

No doubt offered counselling by 'concerned' authorities so she can come to terms with her 'defects'. Maybe it's their heavy handed and shameful approach that needs re-examining.

After all - they started it.


See also -

(1)http://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en&q=daily+mirror+earlsheaton+hanging&btnG=Google+Search&meta=
(2)http://www.onlinearsenal.com/forums/printthread.php?t=5208&pp=40
http://www.thesims.co.uk/forum/printthread.php?t=14699
These views are typical apart from the immediate locale.
(3)Very good reporting can be found in the 7th. October 2005 edition of The Press (Dewsbury paper) , email news@dewsburypress.co.uk
(4)http://www.westyorkshire.police.uk/section-item.asp?sid=12&iid=1568
(5)http://www.instituteofideas.com/publications/index.html - 'Who's antisocial? New Labour and the politics of antisocial behaviour'.
ASBOs: Politicians behaving badly http://www.spiked-online.com/Articles/0000000CA9C0.htm

What's working?

It seems a bit rich the government launching another review of the benefit system and hassling the unemployed. Sure, everyone should work and that work should be beneficial, progressive and rewarding and maybe people shouldn't be 'wasters'. Ok, notwithstanding the usual antagonisms of the employer/employee relationship and some utopian vision of a better society then surely official ideology should be held up to more scrutiny?

Whilst far eastern economies are beginning reaping the rewards of progressive development the angst of our western leaders stifles much that is forward. Itself mocking New Labour's slogan 'Forwards, not back' and, indeed, 'Thiiings can only get bettter'.

Yeah, right, it would be hilarious if the consequences weren't likely to be disastrous. Britain is stuck in the mud and our leaders seem to like wallowing in it or being beholden to the stuff (mayan rebirthing and environmentalism (1).

UK industry is in a right state - it cannot use the talents of the workforce properly, is mired in reams of bureaucracy (what happened to saving the rainforest?) and 'real' jobs are losing out to low skilled work or growth in layers of admin.

The benefit system is not one that offers a decent existence and to some could be a cop out but given that the powers that be seem to be doing their utmost to hamper everything progressive maybe they should give themselves a looking over while they are at it.

What are our MPs for anyway? (2)

Of further interest -
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/newsnight/4617308.stm
http://www.instituteofideas.com/transcripts/policywatch12.pdf

Cheap shots -
(1)http://www.newhumanist.org.uk/volume118issue2_comments.php?id=8_0_2_0_C
(2)http://www.wakefieldtoday.co.uk/ViewArticle2.aspx?SectionID=702&ArticleID=1308889

Friday, December 16, 2005

(Actually) Cider with Rosie

Google's earth programme is a must see - highly recommended. Words almost fail me. You can type in anywhere - I've just relived my youth @ po13 0ll.

Enjoy yourselves.


http://earth.google.com/

Monday, December 05, 2005

Review (sort of): The politics of fear: beyond left and right.

This review does not intend to provide a complete insight into this book but merely covers the parts recalled or that caused myself to think of what the author's message is.
Much of Furedi's work once read and seemingly not absorbed at the time has a tendency to creep up on you - Mythical past, elusive future, for example (1). It has resonance and I am a fan though would not call myself a sycophant. Yes, I'd buy him a pint and maybe even ask for an inspirational quote in a book. I even considered nominating a spot in Prospect's leading intellectual poll. Though am sure he wouldn't appreciate an enamel badge being struck.

To those familiar with Furedi's work a significant part of the book covers ground that has been issued in essay form - perhaps an unbeknownst recognition of the fact that there is a great deal of competition for our attentions (2) and he is inadvertently accommodating to this. Books most definitely have their uses but in a fast paced world where lies travel around the world before teatime then information of worth needs presenting in many forms. In this though his early essays serve to soften up the reader before the book proper. Perhaps academic training on the sly?

In this I must apologise to many an author for an often scant recall of their works. Sometimes it's a mere passage or sentence that hits home. A key one in The politics of fear is when that shibboleth of the left is probed - religion. Advocating the devil mayhaps? It does sort out the fakers from the makers (one day I'll grow out off this but for now it's lubricant) and makes a wannabe consider what they are on about. In a non polarised but fragmented society it could also offer something of a key to newer engagements and thinking.

The ending session at the Battle of Ideas (3) event provided a spirited and reasonably anglo-saxon rejoinder* against this point. Some dissenters maybe missing out that the event seemed aimed at analysing the strengths of contemporary ideas and how we begin to deal with them. Maybe I'm astray here as my mind was, as always, preoccupied with other matters.
The range, calibre and quality of contributors was impressive enough to make the inquisitive question themselves and maybe attempt a gearchange. Dare we take the first step? A willingness to study and challenge one's own thoughts and motivations? Perhaps then an ability to remain focused in debates and rise above bar room banter?

I think so. I had a humbling experience observing the sixth form debate re sustainable architecture - a subject I really ought to be able to talk about by now. A couple of teenagers revealed a reasonable enough grasp of their subject to offer a confident and commanding delivery. The fact that I disagreed with their views, and worse - they hoped to become members of the legal profession, was alarming. I wanted to offer my twopenceworth but couldn't. Not very full vessel requires filling.

Getting back to the book -

The phrase pre-political also interests and seems somewhat ambivalent for aren't the problems we are dealing with those of a state actually in some disarray? Whose adherents lack a positive message and latch onto any bandwagon going to score points, comfortable in the knowledge that rivalries just aren't what they were. Whether new kid on the block, Cameron, can prove up to the task is debatable and better commentators have raised this. If perhaps he mounted a strong case for investment in development and industry rather than the stifling growth in bureacracy under Labour then I may even vote. I've done worse, albeit with no illusions.

Our politicians are daily ridiculed for the most part. There are maybe good ones amongst them but it seems to be something of a quagmire. The ridicule part is the easy bit but as a strategy makes poor politics. There is perhaps an element of fiddling while Rome burns; UK politics desperately in need of a volte-face and, on the surface at least, not getting one. One wouldn't profess expertise at any level but all projections thus far have proved optimistic and selfcongratulatory obscuring the fact that there are quite big problems ahead on current track. How to turn that around seems beyond their ken.

How long before the pre-political becomes Political and to what extent is it necessary, in particular, for the UK?


(1)http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/0745305318/qid=1134624695/sr=1-1/ref=sr_1_0_1/026-0715067-7125224
http://www.spiked-online.com/Articles/0000000CAD5B.htm
(2) At 169 pages and for less than the price of a reasonable evening's entertainment there are few - if any - excuses for not reading and discussing such a book.
(3)http://www.battleofideas.co.uk/
*http://thesaurus.reference.com/search?q=rejoinder
For the aspiring radical a reading of Norman Geras' The legacy of Rosa Luxemburg further illuminates this book. Although by no means discussing the same circumstances.

More thoughts on dancing . . . .

(Got some Edith Piaf duet on at the mo' (pass the tissues) *

(' A life lived in fear is a life half-lived' from Strictly Ballroom. pff!)

I've always loved dancing. From being a kid in the juniors and getting all excited about clutching Maria Jarvis's sweaty palms in scottish country dancing to dancing like a complete twat to happy hardcore (how old are ya? It was a rite of passage for my daughter and I must admit it did put a smile on my face) or even back in my teenage years when dancing meant exploding.

My interest was rekindled when a few years ago I read of a Tango event held in a park in that there London, apparently held over two separate weekends. The first weekend attracted some 400 but for the second, when it rained, 200 turned up and danced under umbrellas. Sweet.
I later came across an article on salsa holidays and classes mentioning that there was a shortage of willing fellas - get yourself forward, lad.

Initially something just to get out of the house and loosen off salsa became something else, something that I had to work at - it took six weeks just to learn to mambo. The feet just don't want to go in them places but it makes sense when you see how the moves unfold. The breakthrough came when some spanish people came to the class and their feet were all over the place - not like us mechanical english clompers and bobbers.

Then there was the flamenco weekend at West Yorkshire College of dance. Just me and some thirty ladies - woof! I must admit I did feel a bit of a pillock, especially when I caught sight of myself in the mirror being all graceful. No doubt the lads building outside in the cold on the cherrypicker must have had a laugh but this was saturday and it was no 'Y.M.C.A'.

It's a tough job, but someone's gotta do it. . . .


Go dancing!

Like many recently (I think it was Zoe Ball's hip movement on an ad that finally drew me in) I've become a bit of an addict of Strictly come dancing (1). I'm loving seeing fat yorkshire lad Goffy enjoying himself so much - most of 'em really. In fact as soon as he and the charming Lilia hit the floor I actually voted (being fairly merrie at the time I also voted for a couple of others but to make sure gave The Dazzler another. This is some going for someone who doesn't like the idea of charidee.)

For me the show is too audience focussed. I'd like to see the dancers dancing for no-one else but themselves. Methinx this is something that besets all these kind of shows - the crowd and judge pleasing that encourages a degree of superficiality lacking at club level. I get the impression that the celeb dancers seem constrained having to hold their heads at awkward angles - maybe I just lack finesse. It does seem to put them under added pressure.

And please - get closer! Anyone can be a three minute hero so to dance with someone for two like you are one shouldn't be too hard. And Zoe Ball ought to ease up on the cheese. (rearange book, leaf, ect (sic) Perhaps hubby could knock up a dance track? - naw . . . .

Talking of which, I was wondering who else they could have in the series - Keith from Prodigy? Roy Keane? Go on, break a leg. What about a flamenco face-off? Hmm.


And I do like Anton wotsisface.

Best quote of the show so far? Julian Clary: 'I'm sure he'll pull something out of the bag', which is a tad cheeky even by his standards. (Ok, and CJ's 'You filthy minx!')


(1)http://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en&q=strictly+come+dancing&btnG=Google+Search&meta=

*(Finishes off with 'ain't misbehavin' ' via 'On a little street in Singapore' - very nice.)