Selective Quotations

The producers of Footloose, (the musical) showing currently in the West End are showing selective quotes on their website from The Sun and banners outside the theatre from The Daily Express: "Sensational" - The Sun "The Perfect Show" - The Daily Express But what were the critics really trying to say in less words? "despite one sensational country and western-influenced showstopper, this is a sort of poor man's Saturday Night Fever, more tongue-tied than Footloose." - Bill Hagerty - The Sun "Footloose is not about the plot, nor yet the characters, and it is certainly not about the performances which are almost uniformly end-pf-the-pier sub-West End standard, nor the choreography. No, it is about an audience coming to hear songs they already know from the film. It is the perfect show for those who hate surprises." - Ruth Leon - The Daily Express Have to credit Private Eye with this, picked up a copy today. Tags: ITM Politik Footloose Musical Critic Quotes The Sun Daily Express Humour West End Theatre Private Eye

Repost: Talking Politics

Those who spurn politics may as well live apart from society, not work and not dial the emergency services when there is a problem. My church is mainly made up of pentecostals and a lot of them don't like to discuss politics, social justice or reform. When someone brings up a political issue they roll their eyes, joke or try to change the subject. Most of these very same people are the ones who like to quote many great and inspirational politicians and social activists and reformers from the past when speaking and preaching. People like Winston Churchill, Martin Luther King Jr, Gandhi, Abraham Lincoln, Charles Spurgeon, Nelson Mandella, Mother Teresa, Francis of Assisi, Steve Chalke, Franklin D Roosevelt and Charles Colson. Winston Churchill is a favourite, a source of much inspiration, and he wasn't even a confessing Christian! He described himself as an "optimistic agnostic". So what is politics? Merriam-Webster defines it as: 1 a : the art or science of government b : the art or science concerned with guiding or influencing governmental policy c : the art or science concerned with winning and holding control over a government 2 : political actions, practices, or policies 3 a : political affairs or business; especially : competition between competing interest groups or individuals for power and leadership (as in a government) b : political life especially as a principal activity or profession c : political activities characterized by artful and often dishonest practices 4 : the political opinions or sympathies of a person 5 a : the total complex of relations between people living in society b : relations or conduct in a particular area of experience especially as seen or dealt with from a political point of view My interpretation is that is about managing a large tribe, region or nation of people. It is trying to make decisions that will benefit all or most, to the well-being of all or most. Those who spurn politics may as well live apart from society, not work and not dial the emergency services when there is a problem. The next question is: Are you someone who is not interested in politics but have quoted at least one of the politicians or reformers above? Then you may be interested an excellent summary of the history of Democracy in the Western world written by Prof. Prabhu Guptara on his blog - "What does it mean to be a democracy?". It is interesting to note that many of the founders of Western democracy were all Christian believers of one denomination or another. It was their faith that inspired them to take up politics and to campaign or introduce social justice, change and reform. I don't doubt at all that Churchill was a great leader, but I try to think why it is that most present day Christians I know will show lack of interest or dismiss political and social issues today, yet draw so much inspiration from these past politicians and activists. I have a few theories which I am willing to share: 1) It is easier to look back in history and separate the 'good' from the 'bad'. It requires much more insight and thought to look at present day leaders and determine their character and intent. 2) It is much easier to quote something inspirational from a great leader who had done something for ordinary people, than it is to stand with ordinary people and do something great for them. 3) We have a general apathy towards the causes of fellow man or are cynical that politics can achieve anything useful or good. Finally, this is not a general criticism of those who have difficulty understanding politics, or of those who are already committed to social or missionary causes and do not have the time to engage in political debate. I know a number of people who do not have the time or understanding but do show interest in and/or concern for political and social issues, as well as involve themselves in social causes. In the end, we will be judged not by the knowledge we didn't have, but by what we did with knowledge we had. Tags: Abandon All Fear T-Shirts Talking Politics Church Pentecostals Social Justice Reform Winston Churchill Martin Luther King Gandhi Abraham Lincoln Charles Spurgeon Nelson Mandella Mother Teresa Francis of Assisi Steve Chalke Abandon All Fear Charles Colson Influence Inspirational What is politics? Democracy Guptara Christian Believers History Leaders Tags: Abandon All Fear T-Shirts Add to del.icio.us

Resourcing Not to Blame for 7/7 - Not Proud of Britian...

Excellent post over at Not Proud of Britain... "With hindsight, when would the authorities have arrested Mohammad Sidique Khan or 'Sid the school assistant' as he was known? As he headed towards Kings Cross on July 7th or sometime earlier when his intentions were still far from certain?" - Snafu I think this pretty much sums up the whole problem with The War Against Terror (TWAT) and our current governments obsession with micro-managing our lives, and locking up people before they have (potentially) committed any crime. There are 2 certainties here; number one, there is no person, scientist, government, computer or spirit on earth that can predict with 100% accuracy that someone is destined to commit a crime or turn into a terrorist. Secondly, every human being alive has the potential inside themselves to commit good or evil. The bible, and indeed nature, tells us that we are inclined towards evil, and that good is only achieved when we overcome our own evil (selfish) desires. I wont get into it here, but anyone who wants to argue with me on these points can feel free to leave a comment and I will respond. The only being that knows whether we will do right or wrong is God. So why doesn't God intervene and stop these things? If Sid Khan was 'destined' to become a suicide bomber, why did God allow him to carry out his plan? Well, there are 2 answers. The first is if God was to start interfering with our lives, interfering with our decisions, good or bad, then where would it stop? We know Sid Khan was basically plotting to murder people. What if God had read Sids mind when he started planning this? What if God just ended Sids life as soon as the thoughts began? Is there anyone who can tell me they haven't thought about 'murdering' someone in the heat of the moment. Even spoken the threat out loud "I'm going to kill him..."? If God interrupted to take out any person who ever issued a threat or thought about doing wrong, I'm pretty sure people would start dropping dead everywhere, in the street and at work. If God did this, sure we would be safe, but there would be no people at all! We wouldn't have had these people either: Mother Teresa Alfred Nobel (Nobel Peace Prize) Stanley 'Tookie' Williams St Paul Since we know suicide bombers believe they are doing Gods work (just as Saul of Tarsus did), we can assume they also prayed to God, even before they carried out their malicious acts. What is to say that God has not already tried to appeal to these people on their way to the target? Regardless, one thing the bible does make clear is that God could remove those destined to do evil, even stop them from being born. By his grace, he doesn't, he allows them to live being patient. In other words, giving them a chance to repent and escape their destiny. And by his grace, we all are allowed to live our lives.

New Offerings

Some new links I have to share with with you which I have found through other excellent blogs: I Work With Fools - A blog where you can write in and share your nightmare stories of work hell. It's a good place to let off steam if you don't already use your blog or have a blog to do that. I Am Livid - I thought my ranting was pretty vitriolic at times till I came upon Mr Angry;s blog. Still it's a very funny read and some good observations, exactly what I like to see. Gun Toting Liberal - I'm neither red or blue, the closest I would consider myself liberal with conservative values. I have to say that this is an excellent blog with some excellent commentary of US politics. I agree with a lot of things said by the GTL and it is very different from the typical left/right stances. Ideal Government - A UK blog with articles on the present government and ideas on how it should be. Anyone who is concerned about ID cards, sweeping legislation and general mismanagement by New Labour should check this out. Not Proud of Britain (But Would Like To Be) - Another UK blogger with political commentary which is pretty much summed up in the title. Short posts and easy to digest. Whilst I'm at it, I would also like to credit some of my existing links, so hats off to: Sojourners - I am currently reading a book by Jim Wallis called God's Politics, and I'm finding it an excellent read. It's helping to shape my own view of politics and culture. Pepipoo - The best place to go for UK Motorists for advice on the law and their rights. I Heart Irony - Rohan described himself (in my comments a while back) as a frustrated writer, which motivated him to start this blog. As a frustrated IT Monkey (and frustrated UK citizen), I can fully relate. This is also what makes his blog especially funny, witty and gives it edge. Keep it up Rohan, you've got good observational skills. The Policemans Blog - PC Copperfield's is the first blog I read, after spotting it a the national newspaper. This is the one that got me thinking of the idea of blogging out my frustrations. PC Copperfield opens the doors that are normally shut to the public and in doing so exposes the general bollotics that takes place at the higher levels of our police force. At the same time showing us that ordinary coppers are just like us and also share similar resentments to the target/statistic driven culture we all live in. The Magistrates Blog - Another thought-provoking, revealing blog, this time into the closed world of the courts. Bystander affirms my faith that the courts are there to protect us and to allow us to be judged fairly and equally. Magistrates and Judges are people, they are appointed for our benefit. A lot of public organisations use the courts as a threat, as though it was just another part of the prison system. This is a wrong perception of justice and I am grateful for a blog like this. You're Nicked - Like PC Copperfield, Stan Still is one of the flourishing anonymous police blogs that are blowing the doors open on this institution. I find this blog thoughtful and intuitive. Overheard in the Office - Short, funny dialogs between co-workers, managers and other company bods. This is always good for a quick chuckle during my lunch break. In Training - This blog is by a girl who is engaged to a Royal Marine. As well as just personal experience, Kath offers quite a funny, energetic commentary on politics and culture of her country. Fiercely patriotic and 'right wing', she also shows an interest in UK politics and culture. I do want to comment on other blogs and links, but for now I'm spent, so keep coming back to check!