Saturday, October 19, 2024

Why Belief in God Is Disappearing in the West | David Voas

Oct 18, 2024 | In this video Social Scientist David Voas examines the compelling reasons behind the gradual decline of religion and belief in God in modern societies.

About David Voas:
David Voas (rhymes with gross!) is Emeritus Professor of Social Science at University College London. His research is mainly concerned with religious change in modern societies, based on quantitative analysis of large survey datasets. Having returned to university life in his early 40s, he mostly does the usual academic things (papers, conferences, talks), while continuing to entertain himself in other ways. He used census data on the birthdays of 20 million married couples in England and Wales to show – in the largest test of astrology ever conducted – that there’s no special attraction or compatibility between people of particular sun signs (like Gemini, Libra and Aquarius).



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Assisted Dying Debate: Lord Moore vs Lord Falconer

Oct 18, 2024 | Parliament is set to debate legalising assisted dying, following a bill introduced by MP Kim Leadbeater. The former justice secretary Lord Falconer (who introduced a similar bill to the Lords) and The Spectator’s chairman Lord Moore sat down to debate the idea. Do we all deserve the right to choose? Or, is this the overreach of the state, endangering vulnerable people?

True or False: 5 Myths about Italian Cuisine | DW Food

Oct 19, 2024 | Italian cuisine is renowned for its quality and is loved around the world - but what if its supposedly centuries-old tradition is just an invention of the past 50 years? At least that's what the economic historian Alberto Grandi claims. We got to the bottom of his outrageous theories.

The Lincoln Project: Razor Thin

Oct 19, 2024 | Democrats, stop panicking and start organizing. This is Kamala Harris' race to win.

Does Australia Need a Monarchy? King Charles Commences First Royal Tour

Oct 19, 2024 | King Charles III and Queen Camilla will be in Australia this week — their first visit here since taking the throne. Given the king's ongoing cancer treatment, and recent drastic changes to the British Royal Family, the trip won't be as busy as previous royal tours.

So, this will be a slimmed-down tour - but is Australia's fever for the Monarchy still as passionate? Three experts from The Australian discuss whether King Charles has a bright future - or whether we'll be heading toward another shot at the Republic.


Margaret, Death of a Revolutionary

Jun 24, 2021 | Martin Durkin's explosive film about Margaret Thatcher argues that she did more to liberate and enrich the working class than any socialist ever has or will. And that is why the Left (and the intelligentsia and the Tory old guard) hate her so much.

This star-studded feature-length film includes interviews with the Prime Minister, Norman Tebbit, Nigel Lawson, Cecil Parkinson, Neil Kinnock, Kenneth Baker, Norman Lamont, Geoffrey Howe, John Redwood, David Davis, Bernard Ingham, Charles Powell, Janet Daley, Polly Toynbee, Kelvin MacKenzie, and others close to Mrs Thatcher.

Martin Durkin's previous films include The Great Global Warming Swindle, Britain's Trillion Pound Horror Story and the series Against Nature.


Michael Lambert: Gothenburg, Sweden Shows How Far the UK Has Fallen behind since Brexit

Oct 19, 2024 | This week, I have visited Gothenburg in Sweden to make another video showing how the quality of life in cities within the EU compares with that of cities in the UK following Brexit. Gothenburg (Göteborg) is the second city of Sweden with a population of around 600,000. It is a clean, well-run city with nice streets and plenty of parks. I saw no empty shops, charity shops, pound shops, betting shops, graffiti or litter. The city was busy, with of plenty of people out shopping.

The food in the supermarket, especially fresh fruit, was outstanding. Prices in restaurants were reasonably and the food was amazing.

Sweden is a progressive country where university education is free, healthcare is inexpensive or free and where parents of new babies can share up to 18 months maternity/paternity leave on 90% of normal pay.

Recently Sweden has become known for violent crime, but this is almost exclusively within immigrant communities and relates to drug gangs who now operate in Sweden.


Friday, October 18, 2024

Authoritarian Labour's Attack on Free Speech in Pubs Strikes at the HEART of British Culture

Oct 18, 2024 | NCF (New Culture Forum) Founder & Director Peter Whittle addresses Labour's latest attack on British pubs.

Chesterfield Cigarettes in World War II | Tobaccoland at War | Industrial Film

Jan 21, 2017 | Chesterfield Cigarettes presents “Tobaccoland USA at War,” a black-and-white circa 1943 “new kind of pictorial adventure” examining tobacco production in such states as Tennessee, Virginia, and the Carolinas — areas that have made “Chesterfield synonymous with American smoking pleasure.” We visit the offices of Liggett & Myers Tobacco, Inc. (Chesterfield’s parent company) in Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina starting at mark 01:04 and view production lines and tobacco fields, meeting some of the “fine families” who grow the product. We watch as families work together in the fields (mark 02:25) and later processed. There’s a look inside a farm’s curing barn starting at mark 03:21where the product is later sold at auction — a process shown starting at mark 04:40. The film continues as the plant undergoes a “new” and “scientific” process, shown starting at mark 06:37, which restores to the tobacco leaves the precise amount of moisture needed for a perfect flavor. Eventually, the final product — Chesterfield cigarettes — roll off an assembly line at mark 08:44.

Released during World War II, the promotional film makes note that Chesterfield cigarettes are enjoyed by “fighting men” around the world and is “one of the few comforts” of home as we see a filmed scene of soldiers in a bunker pausing for a smoke (mark 09:25). Starting at mark 09:55 the film visits “the fighting fronts” and a group of US Marines in combat at land and at sea, followed by scenes aboard a US Coast Guard vessel (mark 11:23) and US Navy ship (mark 12:27), as well as the Merchant Marines. Through various battle scenes, the narrator reminds the viewer that American servicemen gain its strength not only from its weaponry but also from support from the home front. As scenes from the Army Air Force fill the screen starting at mark 14:56, the narrator says that “with each pounding the enemy is weakened” And while fathers and sons are away from home, families at home continue to tend to the farms — and the tobacco crops — to continue to meet the demand for Chesterfied’s. …



Not so much an ad, more a propaganda film really! 😊 Don’t be a wussy! Smoke a Chesterfield! Light up! Inhale deeply! Wait a few seconds! Exhale! Oh, the pleasure! 😊 – © Mark Alexander

Australie : l’incarcération de mineurs de 10 ans possible dans le Territoire du Nord

LE FIGARO : Jusqu’ici la limite de l’âge de la responsabilité pénale dans le pays était de 12 ans. Selon la ministre en chef du Territoire du Nord, cela permettrait aux forces de l’ordre «d’intervenir» le plus tôt possible.

Jeudi, le Territoire du Nord de l’Australie, le troisième plus grand territoire du continent, a abaissé l’âge de responsabilité pénale de 12 à 10 ans sous l’impulsion du parti dirigeant, le Country Liberal Party (CLP). C’est une première dans le pays. La ministre en chef, Lia Finocchiario, a expliqué au parlement que ce changement permettrait aux autorités d’intervenir plus tôt. «En abaissant l’âge de la responsabilité pénale, nous pouvons intervenir plus tôt dans la vie d’un jeune et lui apporter le soutien dont il a besoin pour tourner la page et entamer un meilleur parcours de formation professionnelle», a-t-elle indiqué. » | Par M.B | vendredi 18 octobre 2024

Farah Pahlavi Mémoires


CRITIQUE DE LIVRE : Chaque soir, avant de m'endormir, je lis un livre en français. Je le fais pour améliorer mon français et parce que le français est une langue magnifique. Mon objectif est aussi qu'un jour mon français soit aussi bon que mon anglais et mon allemand. Je suis heureuse de pouvoir dire que j'ai fait de très bons progrès jusqu'à présent.

Je lis actuellement les Mémoires de Farah Pahlavi. C'est un livre fascinant sur sa vie avant et après être devenue la dernière impératrice de Perse. Si vous aimez les mémoires, je vous recommande vivement celui-ci, surtout si vous vous intéressez à l'Iran.

L'Iran devait être un pays très fascinant avant que les ayatollahs ne prennent le pouvoir et ne ruinent le pays par l'islamisation. Comme nous le savons tous, il fut un temps où l'Iran se tournait vers l'Occident pour trouver l'inspiration et pour le progrès, et non vers les siècles passés. Les femmes s'habillaient également comme les femmes occidentales, montrant leurs cheveux et portant des jupes courtes.

Ce livre extrêmement intéressant retrace la vie de Farah Pahlavi, la dernière Shâhbanou d'Iran (la reine et l'impératrice). Née Farah Diba, elle a étudié l'architecture à Paris où elle a rencontré Mohammad Reza Shâh Pahlavi alors que le Shâh était en visite en France. Ils sont ensuite tombés amoureux.

Ce livre retrace la vie de Farah Pahlavi depuis son enfance jusqu'à son jeune âge adulte et les années où elle et le Shâh se sont mariés jusqu'à l'époque où la monarchie a été déposée, et au-delà.

Si vous êtes intéressé par la lecture de mémoires et si vous aimez lire des livres en français, je ne peux que vous recommander ce merveilleux livre. De plus, pour une personne qui essaie d'améliorer son vocabulaire français, ce livre fera des merveilles.

Ce livre se lit comme un conte de fées.

© Mark Alexander

Hungry Man Kitchen: How to Make Urfa Kazan Kebab - Spiced Lamb Eggplants in One Pot

Oct 18, 2024 | Urfa-Style Kazan Kebab, (Kazan means large pot or cauldron in Turkish) is a delicious and traditional Turkish dish where eggplants are stuffed with a spicy lamb mixture and cooked in a single pot on the stovetop. This savory, easy recipe features tender eggplants filled with seasoned lamb, red peppers, tomatoes and spiced with Urfa [biber]/isot pepper [see below], making it both flavorful and simple to prepare at home. Serve it with rice pilaf or pita bread for a complete meal.


WIKIPEDIA: Urfa biber/isot pepper »

Maggie Thatcher, Karriere einer Eisernen Lady [Doku]

Mar 12, 2017 | Margaret Thatcher war von 1979 bis 1990 die erste weibliche Premierministerin des Vereinigten Königreichs von Großbritannien und Nordirland. Sie gewann den Falkland-Krieg mit einer Entschlossenheit, die ihr den Beinamen "eiserne Lady" einbrachte, kürzte die Sozialausgaben, privatisierte die britischen Staatsbetriebe und zwang die in den Arbeitskampf getretenen Bergarbeiter und Docker in die Knie. Ihre altmodisch-konservative Aufmachung und ihre Vorliebe für die puritanische Sittenordnung ändern nichts an der Tatsache, dass "Maggie" eine Revolutionärin war. Die Passionaria im Gouvernantenkostüm brachte der Welt den "Thatcherismus".

Margaret Thatcher Interview | Conservative | British Politics | 1982

Apr 9, 2013 | Llew Gardner speaks to British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher for TV Eye | First shown: 18/02/1982


A look back at a time when the Conservative Party could show the nation the way forward. Of course, not everyone agreed with Margaret Thatcher's economic solutions for the woes of the British economy. But love Maggie or hate her, she had oodles of class, polish, style, and intellect. Compare her with the contenders for Conservative Party leadership today! There is no comparison! The Conservative Party has truly lost its way. – © Mark Alexander

Former Archbishop of Canterbury Urges C of E Bishops in Lords to Back Assisted Dying Bill

THE GUARDIAN: Exclusive: George Carey’s position in stark contrast to that of current head of C of E and that of Islam and the Catholic church

George Carey, the former archbishop of Canterbury, has urged Church of England bishops in the House of Lords to back a parliamentary bill on assisted dying, saying that in the past “church leaders have often shamefully resisted change”.

The 26 bishops should “be on the side of those who … want a dignified, compassionate end to their lives”, Lord Carey told the Guardian.

Carey, who retired as leader of the C of E in 2002 and still sits in the Lords, said he would back Kim Leadbeater’s bill to legalise assisted dying “because it is necessary, compassionate and principled”.

He said it was “ironic that I will represent the vast majority of Anglicans who favour change, and the bishops in the House of Lords will not”.

Carey’s position is in stark contrast to that of the current archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, who this week described Leadbeater’s bill as dangerous, saying it could put pressure on people to ask for an assisted death.

Stephen Cottrell, the archbishop of York, also said the state “should not legalise assisted suicide”, saying better resourcing of palliative care was the right response to end-of-life suffering. » | Harriet Sherwood | Friday, October 18, 2024

Related material here and here.

How to Defeat Islam! Sam Harris

Oct 15, 2024


Islam cannot be reformed. Islam is what it is. The Qur’an means ‘The Recitation’. Or ‘The Reading’. Muslims believe that the Qur’an was recited to the Prophet Muhammad by the Angel Gabriel, who was conveying Allah’s actual words. So, if Muslims believe that the Qur’an contains Allah’s actual words, it would be considered heresy to change even one syllable of Allah’s words. It would be a brave man who would try to change anything!

Pinning one’s hopes on a reformation in Islam is tantamount to whistling Dixie! Period! – © Mark Alexander

The Lincoln Project: Hurricane Trump

Oct 18, 2024 | The storm didn't end with Hurricane Helene, or Milton. Trump continues to devastate our country, and it won't ever end if he's re-elected.


Surely, after the fiasco of Trump’s first term in office, the American electorate won’t be so rash as to re-elect Putin’s puppet back into the White House for a second term. If they do, they will pay a very high price. Unfortunately, however, the rest of the world will have to pay a high price, too. It will have to suffer along with Americans.

It is to be hoped that the American electorate will think long and hard before committing such a blunder. – © Mark Alexander

Thursday, October 17, 2024

KERA, A Conversation with Margaret Thatcher | Reupload

Apr 17, 2013 | In 1991, KERA's Lee Cullum talked with Margaret Thatcher as part of the station's "Conversations" series. At the time of the interview, Thatcher had recently resigned as the 49th prime minister of Great Britain. The former leader recounts her years at the pinnacle of her career and reveals unexpected facets of her personality, her love of poetry and her devotion to her father.

George Negus' Iconic Interview with British PM Margaret Thatcher | 60 Minutes Australia

Oct 17, 2024 | George Negus’ iconic interview with then-British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher is still one of the most talked-about political interviews of all time.

Trump Presidency Will Leave America ‘Impoverished, Bumbling and Stumbling’ | Timothy Snyder

Oct 12, 2024 | “Without the rule of law, you’re looking at a bumbling, stumbling, impoverished, unpredictable United States.”

Historian Timothy Snyder tells Jane Mulkerrins what he thinks a Trump presidency will look like.