Autonomy – from the Greek autonomia, the freedom to live by one’s own laws. More commonly defined today as ‘freedom from external control or influence; independence’ (Oxford dictionary), or philosophically as ‘the doctrine that the individual human will is or ought to be governed only by its own principles and laws’ (Collins English dictionary). The Stanford encyclopedia… Continue reading autonomy & baby boomers
education?
I listened to the car crash that is Michael Gove’s education policy unravel last night. As politicians slugged it out in Westminster, both in the traditional cross party fight and in increasingly bitter internecine war, it seemed that few people were giving much thought to the hundreds (correction – thousands) of students involved. The so-called… Continue reading education?
dignity in dying
I attended the AGM of Dignity in Dying today – an extremely well attended meeting (I estimated that there were about 200 present). The focus of the meeting was the forthcoming second reading in the House of Lords of Lord Falconer’s bill on assisted dying. The bill is clear and concise, and if passed will… Continue reading dignity in dying
reflections on the eve of the D-Day landings
We are now approaching Ford (the next train is not scheduled to call at this station). Children whining, exhausted mothers gathering up belongings; We are now approaching Angmering. “Just leave it there, do you want to stand up? Come on then.” Hum of voices, sleepy June afternoon, Sussex fields flashing by – a million miles… Continue reading reflections on the eve of the D-Day landings
poem on the train
Grey landscapes flying past rain streaked windows, sitting inside the pitching and tossing sea green carriage I contemplate eternity, the meaning of life prompted by Donna Tartt and her goldfinch. Two ladies, seventy-something, Daily Mail readers, pontificate predictably. “Things aren’t what they were, I never dreamed of asking my parents for money” ‘The next station… Continue reading poem on the train
train conversation
“She thinks she’s still about 30” “She dresses young (contemptuously)” “She’s made some very bad decisions” “She’s too busy doing her own degree to be keeping an eye on Julie” “She’s hopeless with money” “She went off to Spain to live in a cottage when she had a really good job with the council” (I… Continue reading train conversation
being sensible
It is the small restrictions that frustrate the most. On Friday evening I went to Wembley with my son, to watch England play Peru before leaving for the World Cup. I was excited – I hadn’t been to Wembley before; three current Saints players were in the squad (although, sadly, we knew that by the… Continue reading being sensible
europe
30 May 2014 Very appropriately I was in Brussels on the Sunday that most of the rest of Europe voted in the EU elections (only Britain, the Netherlands, Latvia and I think Croatia having voted during the preceding three days). The one positive to take from watching the full horror of the rampage of the… Continue reading europe
healthcare reflections
I noticed an inconspicuous piece on my BBC news feed yesterday that has made me think again about equality, access to health care, economics, and how we put a value on human life. The report was about the problem of health care amongst refugees, and the study that was discussed had looked at refugees in… Continue reading healthcare reflections
suffragettes still needed?
I am still furious, and not getting any less so, about the behaviour of the FA and the Premier League. I think I am just as angry with many of the women who have become involved in the fuss about Richard Scudamore’s private emails. The only woman who has had any publicity and has come… Continue reading suffragettes still needed?
crackedmirrors and angelpie 