As any one who knows me will know I love the colour purple, and although this picture is a photoshop manipulation I like it very much, it's surreal and magical!
Sunday, 28 January 2007
Freedom of information!
This is a quote from the The webpage of Index on Censorship
" Freedom of expression groups have condemned a bid to exempt Parliament and its members’ correspondence from the Freedom of Information Act – dubbing it a “serious attack on the public’s right to know”. Index on Censorship reports.
MP David Maclean's bill to exempt Parliament and MPs’ correspondence from the Freedom of Information Act presents a serious attack on the public’s right to know and the scrutiny of the democratic process say Article 19, English PEN and Index on Censorship.
Since the Freedom of Information Act was passed, the UK has at last begun to enjoy a more open democracy. The government’s current attempt to emasculate the Act, by putting a financial limit on requests, already constitutes a threat to a hard-won and essential democratic freedom.
The bill now seeks to put MPs beyond the reach of the Act, when surely they should be the most accountable individuals in the UK. In addition, it proposes that Parliament as a whole, the most important of all our public institutions, be exempted from the Act.
This would put the UK out of step even with the newest and most fragile European democracies, such as Bosnia and Serbia, who have recently legislated to open up their parliaments to public scrutiny.
The claim that the main reason for the bill is to prevent MPs’ letters on behalf of constituents from being released to the press and public does not hold. In fact, it will make all correspondence between MPs and public authorities exempt. Yet, constituents’ personal details (if any were divulged in correspondence) are already protected under the Act. In this matter, then Mr Maclean's bill appears to be totally redundant.
David Maclean's bill to exempt MPs, Parliament and the House of Lords from inquiries made under the Freedom of Information Act had its second reading on Friday 19 January.
If the bill becomes law, a farcical scenario will ensue where all correspondence on a matter of public policy - say, the closure of a hospital - will be available under the Act - except for MPs’ correspondence. The most accountable public figures in the country will enjoy a protection denied to their constituents.
Is this what is intended? To give MPs the privilege of keeping their activities secret? "
Now I know the world is going mad!!
" Freedom of expression groups have condemned a bid to exempt Parliament and its members’ correspondence from the Freedom of Information Act – dubbing it a “serious attack on the public’s right to know”. Index on Censorship reports.
MP David Maclean's bill to exempt Parliament and MPs’ correspondence from the Freedom of Information Act presents a serious attack on the public’s right to know and the scrutiny of the democratic process say Article 19, English PEN and Index on Censorship.
Since the Freedom of Information Act was passed, the UK has at last begun to enjoy a more open democracy. The government’s current attempt to emasculate the Act, by putting a financial limit on requests, already constitutes a threat to a hard-won and essential democratic freedom.
The bill now seeks to put MPs beyond the reach of the Act, when surely they should be the most accountable individuals in the UK. In addition, it proposes that Parliament as a whole, the most important of all our public institutions, be exempted from the Act.
This would put the UK out of step even with the newest and most fragile European democracies, such as Bosnia and Serbia, who have recently legislated to open up their parliaments to public scrutiny.
The claim that the main reason for the bill is to prevent MPs’ letters on behalf of constituents from being released to the press and public does not hold. In fact, it will make all correspondence between MPs and public authorities exempt. Yet, constituents’ personal details (if any were divulged in correspondence) are already protected under the Act. In this matter, then Mr Maclean's bill appears to be totally redundant.
David Maclean's bill to exempt MPs, Parliament and the House of Lords from inquiries made under the Freedom of Information Act had its second reading on Friday 19 January.
If the bill becomes law, a farcical scenario will ensue where all correspondence on a matter of public policy - say, the closure of a hospital - will be available under the Act - except for MPs’ correspondence. The most accountable public figures in the country will enjoy a protection denied to their constituents.
Is this what is intended? To give MPs the privilege of keeping their activities secret? "
Now I know the world is going mad!!
Saturday, 27 January 2007
27th January 2007 - Cat food ??
When shopping in town today I couldn't quite believe my eyes when I noticed this hole in the wall on Cambridge Street. Someone is obviously feeding a cat or two...
Friday, 26 January 2007
Friday 26th January Taking Risks
Taking Risks
To laugh is to risk appearing the fool
To weep is to risk being called sentimental
To reach out to another is to risk involvement
To expose feelings is to risk showing your true self
To place your ideas and your dreams before the crowd is to risk being called naïve
To love is to risk not being loved in return
To live is to risk dying
To hope is to risk despair and,
To try is to risk failure
But risks must be taken
The greatest risk in life is to risk nothing
The person who risks nothing... does nothing, has nothing, and becomes nothing
He may avoid suffering and sorrow
But he simply cannot learn and feel and change and grow and love and live
Chained by his servitude, he is a slave
He has forfeited his freedom
Only the person who risks is truly free.
William Arthur Ward
To laugh is to risk appearing the fool
To weep is to risk being called sentimental
To reach out to another is to risk involvement
To expose feelings is to risk showing your true self
To place your ideas and your dreams before the crowd is to risk being called naïve
To love is to risk not being loved in return
To live is to risk dying
To hope is to risk despair and,
To try is to risk failure
But risks must be taken
The greatest risk in life is to risk nothing
The person who risks nothing... does nothing, has nothing, and becomes nothing
He may avoid suffering and sorrow
But he simply cannot learn and feel and change and grow and love and live
Chained by his servitude, he is a slave
He has forfeited his freedom
Only the person who risks is truly free.
William Arthur Ward
Thursday, 25 January 2007
25th January 2007 Hall Cross 1793
Sarah and I went to Doncaster today, had a good wander round taking some photos, this is Hall Cross, apparently it was built in 1793.
We also met a lovely lady who was interested in what we were doing. She told us that she was in her 70's and had been in the land army during the second World War and had worked as a rat catcher.
We also met a lovely lady who was interested in what we were doing. She told us that she was in her 70's and had been in the land army during the second World War and had worked as a rat catcher.
Sunday, 21 January 2007
Winter Wonderland
Driving back from Mums this evening, it was snowing quite hard as we came over the high part of the Dronfield bypass. Ben got very excited, it shows how rarely we see much snow these days.He commented that Graves Park looked like Narnia!
Friday, 19 January 2007
Green Metropolis
In an attempt to alliviate bordom and make some money I have put quite a few books up for sale on Green Metropolis today, I've already sold two!
Thursday, 18 January 2007
Firemen told not to go up ladders!!
Apparently the firemen of Humberside have been told by their bosses that they should not climb ladders! This is not the extending ladders they have on the back of their fire engines but step ladders in peoples homes when they install smoke alarms.
Wednesday, 17 January 2007
Chorley FM
Saw this on a car sticker today! I's a good job I wasn't driving I was laughing that much!
Scarthin Books Cromford
Sarah took me to Scarthin books in Cromford today. What a wonderful book shop and fantastic cafe. What amazed me is that I have lived in Sheffield for so long and was brought up in South Derbyshire and I didn't know about it!
Tuesday, 16 January 2007
Are you more Cat or Dog?
You Are: 40% Dog, 60% Cat
You and cats have a lot in common.
You're both smart and in charge - with a good amount of attitude.
However, you do have a very playful side that occasionally comes out!
Wonderful Ebay
As some of you who read my blog will know I have been off sick since before Christmas with stress and depression due to various reasons I won't go into here! But a few things have helped cheer me up and keep me relatively sane
These have included, my friends, Flickr and Ebay shopping for camera filters (Infra red) and clothes. I bid for and won the blouse on Ebay today.
Saturday, 13 January 2007
What's in a name?
Facts about the name Elizabeth listed in The Saturday Times supplement
- Average income £21,000
- Average age 57
- Most likely to live in Northern Ireland
- Elizabeth is the second most common name of women who earn more than £100,000 a year.
- They are generally thought to be trustworthy, according to a 199o study carried out by a professor of psychology.
- They are most likely to be married to a man called John.
- They are half as likely as most people to have a contract mobile phone
- But they are more likely to enjoy hiking.
box of peace
This arrived in the post today from an artist in America Franck de las Mercedes.A box of peace is just what I need at the moment!
Monday, 8 January 2007
Flowers from Andy and Elaine
My lovely brother and sister in law sent me some beautiful flowers today to cheer me up.
Friday, 5 January 2007
Easter Eggs on the 5th of January!
What happened to things happening in the right seasons? When out shopping today I saw Easter eggs on sale!
Wednesday, 3 January 2007
Magna Rotherham
Ben and I went to Magna in Rotherham today. lots of great photo opportunities but not the easiest subjects!
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