SPHEEL

Radicalists and racists, what better solution to a country that faces over-population, economic turmoil, and the diminishing value of those proud to be British.  Before continuing, I best inform I’m writing this ironically, yet don’t be fooled; the heading still stands. The BNP and it’s member’s belong in our society.

The propaganda which surrounds this topic has now resulted in some people afraid to speak out about their pride for their country. Freedom of speech is important to all society and each individual should have the chance to air their views irrespective of content.  If we adhere to the former in it’s entirety,  it suggests I don’t condemn racist statements or those that promote hatred.  Well, I do.  But why does my thought count more than anybody else’s?

If liberty and equality, as is thought by some, are chiefly to be found in democracy, they will be best attained when all persons alike share in the government to the utmost. – Aristotle

Detracting the BNP, detracts from our democracy.  People may not like what they hear, but those wanting the BNP to be shutdown are those limiting choice and freedom.  For me, shame on them more than the BNP.  The British Nationalists and their idealistic views are niave at best, but whenever I see these controversial issues discussed, I am happy that, as a citizen of the United Kingdom, we still have the choice to say our piece despite the controversy which it surrounds.

matt Politics BNP, Politics, racism

Raised by a loosely Christian family, I spent my childhood at the occasional church sermons, being taught the fables and morales of the Christian faith.  As I’ve aged, my connection with an all powerful spirit has distanced.  When younger, I would prayer in times of desperation, to cleanse my woe’s and be honest with my God.

The shame in the majority of Christian’s is the fact they prayer when they personally need something, rather than preaching to their lord.  But does our Earth need a God?  What is a God?  For me, a God is not an omnipotent, omniscient originator.  No, for me a God is the bridge between knowledge and naivety.

When we speak to many modern day Christian’s, creationists are limited.  Instead, they take the old testament as a more metaphorical document rather than factual.  This time 200 years ago, when we trialled people for witchcraft, would the same be said?

It is only because science has proven that the old testament as incorrect, is that many Christian’s dismiss the seven day theory.  As science evolves, it’ll be more evident to religious folk why atheists do not believe.

There are so many arguments between these two cultures of believers and non-beleivers to get involved in.  But whenever pushed to a corner, the word faith is used.  That is the equivalent of playing tick in a playground and when tagged, claiming your in your den. It’s too easy a claim to make.

In the past, organised religion has helped teach children values and morality.  But now as our cultures collide, religion is becoming a pivotal factor for politics, war, and terrorism.  I for one have faith and passion towards science and exploration.  Darwin’s theory is an amazing feit that human’s discovered.  2000 year’s ago our ancestors had a lot of questions without the tools for answers.   The bible was created to provoke thought, and it has done so.

My frustration is not with religion in it’s single entity.  My father is a Christian, and has a bible at his bedside, but if you were to meet him, you wouldn’t know otherwise.  It is just ironic how religion is a catalyst for war and  hate rather than equality and morales.   In isolation, each religion has inspiring fables, and some fantastic traditions.  But how can religion expect acceptance if they too can’t accept each other within the same land.

As an atheist, I know for sure that whether I meet a fellow atheist from Asia or England, we’ll respect our views.  If I were to meet a Christian or Muslim, I’d fail to empathise but again, respect their views.  But when the extremities in each religion coincide, we see pain, torture, and death.   That is not something I want to follow, be a part of, or associate myself with.

matt Theology atheist, Christianity, religion

This conversation cropped up between me, my brother and my father not so long ago, and in retrospect I think it’s quite a controversial issue that could be discussed in more depth as our society pulls towards a multi-cultural system, while a minority lag behind with the nostalgia of what used to be.

But what is British?  This island has been colonized for centuries, and so it’s difficult to find a pure Brit.  I mean, just look at our monarchy (…but that’s a completely different argument).  I sit here, with my Malaysian produced laptop, watching my Japanese manufactured TV, wearing my Italian T-Shirt, eating some Mexican cuisine.  Quite a lot to be doing at one moment but treat it more as  a symbolic metaphor.

The key is, over millions of years tectonic plates have digressed from the concept of Pangea, yet I feel now as a new decade begins, western civilization is something that is becoming collective rather than these individual entities.  The UN, the EU, it’s accepted we have different cultures and values, but we all breathe the same air, and we’re all made from the same elements.

My point is, I’m in the progress of applying for a Green Card for the USA.  If accepted, once nationalized, I have the same privileges as any other US civilian.  Except I can’t run for presidency.  For me, I can’t understand this.  A nation which plagued it’s native ancestors does have a right to feel proud for their constitution and the infrastructure they now have in place.  But why does this rule still live on that ensures no foreign blood can become president.  Freedom of choice this nation cries; yet they cannot trust their 300 million strong population to formulate their own viewpoints on a given candidate?

That right there is where I tend to find people disagreeing with me.  Politicians can lie, deceive, and we know power corrupts.  But as a British Citizen if the majority of my fellow people elect a foreign born candidate; so be it.   That should be the beauty of freedom and the power of the people.  I think that the obstacles for these foreign candidates would be colossal, and the chance of it occurring would be minute.  So why engrave it in stone that they don’t even have a chance to pitch their ideas to their residence, and acclaimed nationality?

matt Blog election, foreign, racism

Recently, I was offered the opportunity to go to London and discuss my view’s, as a student, on the upcoming election (on the BBC Breakfast show).  After some thought I decided that if asked a question, I wouldn’t know where to start.   I’m no more a politician than Jedward are fantastic singers, but nevertheless I do take a stance towards our current government policies, and at the moment, I can only beg questions rather than provide the answers.

Once upon a time labour and conservative were contrasting political organisations, each with their own different agendas.  Now, with the fear of losing votes, it seem’s that policies are nurtured with very little difference between the two organisations.  Conservative now crave Downing Street, something they have not had since John Major over 12 years ago.

David Mitchell spoke how both governments pitch themselves to reduce waste and hereby improve performance and efficiency of our nation.  In business terms lean production is desirable by many organisations, and this is true in the public sector.

However absolute productivity can never be achieved, and it seems that when I switch on BBC News, there is no pivotal factors or initiatives that inspire me.  As a young 21 year old, I’d like to think for my first election, I’d have something to get excited about that would affect my future.  But no, instead, it still revolves around the propaganda, publicity stunts, and slating of past occurrences.

Cameron offers the country, a fresh, young face.  But he’s backed by a party who pride themselves on traditional values and their conservative ideologies.  Gordon Brown has had to manage the nation through a tough economic crisis, and has been criticised accordingly.   But for the rest of this decade, am I happy for either of those named to be taking a podium and preaching British values?  No.

matt Politics brown, cameron, conservative, election, labour

Decided finally to take the plunge and buy a camera.  Although a conventional point and shoot is often preferred by many due to portability and ease of use, I decided to get a DSLR camera so that I have more ownership of my photos, and hey, it’s something I find interesting.

The process at the moment is converting some data in to information. I don’t have too much knowledge on the terminologies used within the industry.  Now loaded with e-books, this  journey is going to begin and substantiate over the next two weeks.

My Nikon D3000 is an entry level DSLR camera, hence the accompanying price tag of £350.00.  I just couldn’t justify an extra £100 or so for other versions when I don’t know what specs to look for.  In the future I can always invest in new lens’ which will enhance image quality (…or so I’m led to believe!).

With graduation looming, I’m hoping wherever I’ll be come Summer, it’ll have some use!

matt Photography camera, dslr, nikon

After some brief consideration, I’ve decided that this blog can be used for anything.  With no target or focus, it’s not going to appeal to any demographic, other than me.  One post might be useful to one person, but then nothing similar may be posted for another few months.

Let’s see how it goes.  I’ve added some categories to give the website a bit of a design, yet they’re not set in stone.   I’m not focusing on any given direction; the majority of the time this site will be act as a soliloquy rather than public address, I’m sure.

Nevertheless; here it is.  Just turned 21, let’s see what an aspiring university graduate has to report.  Hopefully it won’t resort to critiques of the repeats on channel Dave.

Watch this space.

matt Blog

Ok, so I’ve finally created a blog.  I’m not quite sure on where it’s going, but it’ll be a nice place to come and express myself on whatever issues take my interest.  So it’ll probably be varied and inconsistent; but hopefully interesting.

matt Blog