John's blog

Take a few minutes to digest this short no-punches-pulled summary / expose of the EU by the excellent and gallant (he now finishes every speech in the EU chamber with the words "Pactio Olisipio censenda est" — Latin for "The Lisbon Treaty must be put to the vote") Dan Hannan.

Amongst other realities which he brings home, is the comparison with Norway, a country which has prospered greatly on the back of its arm's length relationship with the EU. The sooner Britain takes a similar approach the better.  read more »

Each time I've watched this, I've gained a small lump in my throat and a broadening grin on my face. Go on. Try it. Only a hardened liberal cynic won't feel a little of that infectious joy and confidence breaking through as you listen! Especially when she talks about her baby and his special needs.

"Politics; shmolitics."  read more »

Everyone has a view on sporting incidents...

For years, McLaren fans have sensed a Ferrari bias being played out amongst the hallowed paddocks of F1 — not least, of course, when Shumacher ruled the roost for ten long years. For them, last season's unprecedented $100 million fine handed out to McLaren for being found in possession of a Ferrari handbook was only further confirmation.

And niggly stories do keep on coming...In the last race, for example, Massa was not handed a 25 second penalty for his pit-stop incident. Fair enough, most would say. But apparently, at Spa, a very similar incident happened in the morning's GP2 race, where a penalty of that order was imposed. Hmmm.

Nevertheless, for those who are, first and foremost, fans of F1 racing itself their has always been a bit more too it and never quite enough evidence to give conspiracy theories real validity.  read more »

I enjoyed reading that fellow blogger, Charley Le-hardy, of Another Think, made it out into the wilds of Madeira Canyon, of south Arixona, for a few hours recently, a place where his heart was able to experience the special "lightness" that I believe is indicative of fellowship with God. But on his trip he also encountered a memorial to three youths who died upon the mountain in a freak storm and thus also experienced the heartache that comes when we encounter the tragedies of life and death.

Charley and I have previously discussed our personal dispositions with respect to depression and some of the ways that geting out amongst nature can be important in alleviating its effects.  read more »

Following his fall from political 'grace' (if leading the Tories can really lay claim to such a moniker), after the 2001 General Election, William Hague connected with his gift for writing serious historical prose, such as a book about William Pitt the Younger, twice PM, as well as a more recent one on William Wilberforce, which has received wide acclaim. In that sense, he stands in the tradition of the Great Briton, William Churchill, whose understanding of his times was rooted in his deep understanding of Britain's et al history.  read more »

Watching this video, which presents an eclectic series of quotations of Albert Einstein, I was struck by what a statesman Einstein was, on behalf of his vocational establishment (i.e. 'Science' — although also, one might add, of 'Humanity').

What a contrast that is with Professor Dawkins and other atheistic fundamentalist scientists, whose insecurity shines through in their need to vehemently diminish those who think differently.

The difference, for me, is captured in these two contrasting quotations from Einstein.  read more »

...and that the little guy doesn't always lose!

An extraordinary wildlife sequence, filmed in southern Africa, a buffalo calf which escapes from the jaws of death - twice!, demonstrating in the process why community is important...and that the little guy doesn't always lose!

Question though: why do people tend to feel empathy for the buffalo, but not the lions? Presumably because one are herbivores, the others carnivores. Or were you rooting for the lions?!

(Image via Wikipedia)

A stirring historical analyis and a rousing challenge to today's faith communities to fully recognise the vital partnership of politics and faith.

Drawing upon his deep knowledge of fellow-Yorkshireman and namesake, William Wilberforce, William Hague sets out how evangelical Christians played an extraordinary role in transforming the Britain of their day, as well as impacting the world beyond.

Building upon this example, William Hague then sets out the global evils which staulk the world of our day, particularly the international trade in drugs and human beings.  read more »

Speaking at the Cardinal Lectures at Westminster Cathedral, Tony Blair talks of the importance of faith in an era of globalisation.

Once you get beyond the surreal experience of listening to Tony Blair speaking about faith in exactly the same manner and with the same conviction as he did about political issues, a raft of thought through arguments and a cohesive philosophy of faith are apparent. Worth listening to.

Note: each video link opens in a "lightbox" which hovers above this page, while it plays — try it, it's quite cool! Each video is from three to eight minutes long (the whole lecture seems to be presently unavailable via Google videos).  read more »

An enjoyable rambling, discourse through a range of topics, given to an 'emergent' congregation / conference (I think I saw Brian McLaren hovering around in a second video from the same venue).

Reflecing the exegetical thoughts of Old Testament seminarian and lively septuagenarian, Walter Brueggemann in connection with narrative theology, post-colonialism and military consumerism...!

Watch and listen... (opens in a 'lightbox'...try it!)