tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-53876705283647114542024-02-20T13:21:47.103+00:00My Thoughts on the DayThis is my view on life and everything. Topical and Random Comment, Opinion, Quotes, Poems and Ideas. Whatever comes into my head, when it comes to me.
I hope you enjoy what you read and please +1/Like me if you enjoy it. I also encourage you all to leave comments and critique etc. Both positive and negative. I want your feedback, whether you liked it, hated it, feel I am wrong, anything. I look forward to hearing from you and I will respond to all comments.rauvinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09797541978997129757noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5387670528364711454.post-41442665560599802592012-08-22T19:09:00.000+01:002012-08-23T16:44:02.284+01:00Life is about attitude and nothing more.<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I have been prompted to write this blog, my first in far too long
after waking up in the middle of the night from a nightmare. We all get
them from time to time, we all fear them to some extent. (& if you
don’t, what’s your secret?).</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">For me this has changed. I have rarely suffered from nightmares in my
life, but those times that I have, I remember well… Despite being
really bad at remembering dreams… Tonight was my first in quite a while.</span><br />
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<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: large;">What differed this time was not the nightmare itself, that was as
scary as ever… But that I did not run! On the contrary, in this
nightmare I took control of the situation, armed myself and started
fighting back and hunting down what was supposed to be hunting me! When I
woke it was with adrenaline rushing through my system, the muscle
tension and rapid breathing normal with nightmares, but nothing more
than a mild anxiety to accompany it. No panic, fear or other terrors, I
felt composed and in complete control.</span><br />
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<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Life really is no more than attitude! I have lived “an interesting
life” in the last two years or so… (</span><span style="font-size: large;">“</span><span style="font-size: large;">May you live in interesting times”
is an ancient Chines curse</span><span style="font-size: large;">.</span><span style="font-size: large;">) During this time I have encountered all of
my personal nightmares face to face and beaten each one. This experience
has changed me in many profound ways and I no longer fear the unknown
twists and turns of life. Do not get me wrong here, I have faced my own
death and carried on regardless, I have held true in the face of pure
evil and survived to tell the tale. It is not something I would
recommend for even my worst enemy (although one or two of them deserve
it…). I feel proud to have survived, it was not easy, but I endured with
attitude and determination.</span><br />
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</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Of course things can still scare me, I am human… But that fear is now
balanced by an absolute confidence myself, who I am and my abilities.
For all the pain, fear and emotional trauma that I have suffered in
these last two years, I have grown as a human being and grown as an
individual. The innate trust, confidence and belief in myself that has
replaced the insecurities and doubt we all feel at times, has translated
itself into my dreams, allowing me to master that instinctual fear and
turn it on its head.</span><br />
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</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: large;">This attitude of inner confidence and trust in oneself can be applied to <i>ALL</i> forms and facets of daily life.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">For much of my life, I have struggled to remember my dreams, but
today has changed that. Today I learned how strong I have always been
and that at last the cork is out of the bottle and I have a deep
instinctual faith in who I am and what I stand for in life… With this
aspect of myself now out in the open, even the most scary place of all,
our nightmares, holds no fear for me. I have replaced the “flee &
hide” instinct with a “stand & fight” instinct… Even a “turn on my
fears and hunt them down” instinct if you will.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Life still has unknowns, still holds scary things and places… But my
new outlook , my new attitude to life and it’s multitude of twists and
turns, ups & downs, lets me take control and lead with head held
high and an “I will go down fighting” response to anything that
threatens me and my own.</span><br />
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</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I have never been violent in my life, but I have rarely taken crap
from people. I am one of natures pacifists, using my brain before brawn
and that is still true of me today. However, if you back me into a
corner with no other option, you can expect me to come at you in a fury
of rage using all that I can to go on the offensive… I am not one to
cower in the corner. That has never been the real me, just the scared
child of my youth that never quite left me until now.</span><br />
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</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Only five times in my life have I had to resort to violence over
intelligence, I only lost the first of these… Ever since that learning
curve I have never lost! Now I know why… I have an innate faith in who
and what I am, now more than ever before and am not afraid afraid to
stand up for what I believe in… It seems that my attitude to life and
this belief have always protected me, but I have only just understood
how, recognised what was happening… That how you respond to the crap
life throws at you can turn even the most negative of experiences into
positive personal growth.</span><br />
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</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: large;">For years now I have been saying: “There is good in every experience,
no matter how bad, painful or traumatic. If you look hard enough, you
will always find the good that came out of it”. There is ALWAYS
something good to be taken from everything that life throws at you. It
may take some time, but if you survive it, you grow from it!</span><br />
<br /></div>
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</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Search deep within yourself and focus on what makes you proud of who
you are, what makes you the person you aspire to be… (we all have
something, however negative we may be)… Focus on those aspirations and
the positives and draw strength from them when you stumble into one of
those aspects of yourself that you dislike or fear.</span><br />
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</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Be proud of who you are, learn to believe in what you stand for in
life and what your aspirations are… Use that to gain control of your
fears and turn them to your advantage. We only have one life, it is too
short to waste on fear and hesitation, grab life, live it, don’t just
pass through… Make the most of it at every turn. Look around you and
realise how many beautiful things there are; The stars, a sunset, a
flower, children playing and laughing, the kindness of someone, an act
of charity in others, the beauty of shape and colour in everything
around you…</span><br />
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</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: large;">When you can recognise these things for what they are, even in your
worst moments and when you can truly mean the words “I am proud of who I
am, faults and all”. Then, if you are lucky you can also wake up from a
nightmare and realise you had turned on what frightened you and made it
run from you instead.</span><br />
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</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Trust me when I say it is worth the pursuit! It is one of the most satisfying feelings that I have ever known…</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Good Luck</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">---------------------</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Thankyou for reading and please feel free to comment.</span><br />
<b><i><span style="font-size: large;">** It's time we stand back and look at what we prioritise in society today **</span></i></b></div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">.
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Live every moment, love every experience and collect as many memories as you can...
Rauvin 1998
It's time we stand back and look at what we prioritise in society today.
Rauvin 2012</div>rauvinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09797541978997129757noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5387670528364711454.post-32539301038363411302012-04-15T22:45:00.000+01:002012-04-16T04:14:48.940+01:00The Politics of Human Rights...<div>
<div>
<span style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; border-collapse: separate;"><i style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: medium;"><span style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; border-collapse: separate;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia;"><br /></span></i></span></i></span><br />
<div>
<span style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; border-collapse: separate;"><span style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; border-collapse: separate; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: small;"><span style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; border-collapse: separate;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;"><i style="font-size: 16px;">Recently there has been a lot of Justified controversy in Human Rights circles over Bahrain. This has brought the recent decision of FIA , the Formula 1 governing body into firm media focus as the world has started to unite against their decision to continue with the Bahrain Grand Prix this year. The sport has been propelled, along with the Bahraini cause, into the public eye and centre of the world stage.</i></span></span></span></span><br />
<div style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 16px;">
<span style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; border-collapse: separate;"><span style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; border-collapse: separate;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;"><i><br /></i></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: medium;">
<span style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; border-collapse: separate;"><span style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; border-collapse: separate; font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">I have followed this continuing pressure, not closely enough I admit to my shame, as a result of being </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 16px;">both</span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 16px;"> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 16px;">a Formula 1 fan and having a general interest in the world around me. Certainly, the accusation of abuse and repression by the Bahraini Government against their own population stands up to scrutiny. It is doubly tragic as the ruling regime appears to show nothing more than disdain for public opinion and pressure. However, I feel that the decision to go ahead with the race bears further scrutiny... It could even be a diplomatic master-stroke...</span></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; border-collapse: separate;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Heartfelt pressure from the world's human rights organisations and the slow, but ever increasing pressure from the political community, have so far, essentially fallen on deaf ears. Unfortunately, the formal process has been unable to make any significant progress on behalf of the people we all wish to be justly protected. </span></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; border-collapse: separate;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">See this article from The Human Rights Watch that discusses the FIA decision. </span></span></div>
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<a href="http://www.hrw.org/news/2012/04/14/bahrain-grand-prix-decision-ignores-abuses"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">http://www.hrw.org/news/2012/04/14/bahrain-grand-prix-decision-ignores-abuses</span></a></div>
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<span style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; border-collapse: separate;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="font-size: 16px;">
<span style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; border-collapse: separate;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">It discusses the public-relations benefit and validation of the regime by FIA's decision to go ahead with the race, this despite the regime's ongoing record. They make a good and reasoned argument. It makes sense and is undeniable. However, far from obscuring their record on human rights, in my opinion, it will actually highlight it further. I feel that the article overlooks the unique opportunity for diplomacy that only an event like Formula 1 could provide to a situation of this nature... That of the back-channel discussion.</span></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; border-collapse: separate;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="font-size: 16px;">
<span style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; border-collapse: separate;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Here is where I feel the decision to continue with the Bahrain Grand Prix may very well be an intelligent master-stroke of diplomacy. To explain this, I need to give you a very brief overview on the profile of Formula 1.</span></span></div>
<div style="font-size: 16px;">
<span style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; border-collapse: separate;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; border-collapse: separate; font-family: Tahoma;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px;"><span style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; border-collapse: separate;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Formula 1, at it's core, is a very large financial industry (in recent times, often at the expense of the sport itself) and that draws the attention of the famous, wealthy and powerful</span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia;">, as well as </span><span style="font-family: Georgia;">the world's press, cutting across social demographics, race, religion and culture</span><span style="font-family: Georgia;">. The prestige of being seen and associated with this sport is immense, especially from within a host country. Without doubt, the most influential of Bahra</span><span style="font-family: Georgia;">in's ruling elite and political leaders have, for some time now, been ensuring that they are there. A chance to show off their wealth and "status" to the rest of the financial elite of the world, as well as the very validation the Human Rights Watch so correctly says they need and are chasing, will be hard to deny for a country that is not particularly welcome anywhere in the world just now.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; border-collapse: separate;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="font-size: 16px;">
<span style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; border-collapse: separate;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Added to the status profile of the sport, is the additional media coverage that even now is publicising not only the event, but also the cause of the average Bahraini and the country's human rights record. This will prove a powerful voice and is being made even simpler and more effective by the regime itself, in it's continuing abuses, providing all the fuel needed to continue feeding this media attention. In this continuing and open repression, even now with the world looking on, news reports, chat shows, discussion and politics shows the world over, will all be carrying the story, some in minute detail. The world is already being educated to the plight and once large scale public opinion gets moving it can be hard to turn. The trick is getting that opinion moving in the first place... and in the right way.</span></span></div>
<div style="font-size: 16px;">
<span style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; border-collapse: separate;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="font-size: 16px;">
<span style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; border-collapse: separate;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Even if the regime itself chooses to ignore the message, the minds of the outside world are now focused on the issue in a way they have not been before. In addition, the added controversy of 'sport' once again going against both local and public opinion, raises this discussion above the limits of Bahrain alone, to the cause of human rights globally.</span></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; border-collapse: separate;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; border-collapse: separate;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Win, win I say.</span></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; border-collapse: separate;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="font-size: 16px;">
<span style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; border-collapse: separate;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">In it's decision to proceed, FIA and Formula 1 in general, has provided a stage on which the right people can quietly discuss one of the greatest issues of humanity today. That of the oppression of the masses at the hands of a few (certainly not exclusive to Bahrain or dictatorships). I am not talking about a conference table and aids, but of a quiet, relaxed chat between two key policy makers over drink and good entertainment. Never a bad way to create a conducive atmosphere.</span></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; border-collapse: separate;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="font-size: 16px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><span style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; border-collapse: separate;">Publicity like this could not be bought with the deepest of pockets today, certainly not with the same 'global conscience' that the media is currently generating and will, I am sure, </span>continue to direct at Bahrain over the next few weeks. By direct association, it will also focus minds and attention on all such behaviour, the world over.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; border-collapse: separate;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="font-size: 16px;">
<span style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; border-collapse: separate;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">The opportunity for world governments to take advantage of this forum to discuss the issues at hand is hard to deny. History has frequently shown that the best progress on the biggest issues has been gained from the informal meetings where opinions can be more freely expressed whilst the world focuses on something else. Lastly, all sorts of influential people have their justifiable public reason to be present without raising undue attention. In addition to this, the event provides a reasonably safe, neutral environment that both sides need in order to justify mingling openly.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;">To me, Formula 1 and the Bahrain Grand Prix has, in proceeding with the race, created the chance of being a perfect venue for an opportunity of seeing progress.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">Now lets hope that the people who need to be there, are...</span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">.</span></div>
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Thank you for reading and please feel free to comment.<br />
Rauvin.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div>
<span style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; border-collapse: separate; font-family: Tahoma;"><b style="font-size: 16px;"><i><span style="font-family: 'Segoe Print';">It's time we stand back and look at what we prioritise in society today.</span></i></b></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; border-collapse: separate; font-family: Tahoma;"><b style="font-size: 16px;"><i><span style="font-family: 'Segoe Print';"><br /></span></i></b></span></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">.
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Live every moment, love every experience and collect as many memories as you can...
Rauvin 1998
It's time we stand back and look at what we prioritise in society today.
Rauvin 2012</div>rauvinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09797541978997129757noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5387670528364711454.post-46762789061909159962012-04-02T01:58:00.000+01:002012-04-25T06:29:40.738+01:00Philosiphy & Maybe A Future For Society.<b><br /></b><br />
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<span style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; border-collapse: separate;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I was wanting to write about the Budget and it's injustices, but try as I might, it would just never work out right. Then, out of nowhere, this happened... I hope you feel stirred to comment... Good OR Bad, I won't be hurt or offended, just don't be rude, but do be honest. Everyone has a right to their own opinion, and this is mine...</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">One of these days, I may put my thoughts on the budget to "paper", but not just now. I feel this is where we need to start... </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>Realistically, I am more interested in your disagreements and criticisms than the positives, as only with debate and differing viewpoints can the pitfalls, weaknesses and details be rounded. If it stands up, we might have something. (Although, on a personal basis, I do hope one or two of you feel moved to make a positive comment.)</i></span></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Why</span></u></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">What the budget <i>did</i> do for me, was to encourage me to look beyond the rhetoric and promises (broken and yet to be broken), as well as the spin centred "Publicity Machines" that drive and buy elections today. This political process can leave even the best intentioned politicians, firmly "in hock" to their new sponsors. I will say that in my mind, I fully understand why the budget was what it was and why, a big claim I know. But, understanding is not to be confused with sympathy, or even remotely an acceptance. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">My idea will need many additional aspects, input and changes to have a chance to succeed so throw in your comments, ideas and opinions... We have more minds put together than any government. Lets turn this into a working model...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"></span><br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">If that is even possible... but to me, the following is the core of an idea that may just give us a chance not to follow in the history of other great civilisations, to turn the tide of society and culture today (eventually).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">In my eyes, society is broken. (It's clean, it's simple.) Look around you, really look at the WORLD around you. Below the skin binding everything together, no-one with a heart could ever think it's right.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">There are MANY reasons for this, none of them good enough on their own, but as a society, I feel that we have lost our perspective on what we value in people and success. The following is a (Very) sketchy model for something that I feel would benefit society as whole. With good hearts working together, a generous sprinkling of effort and faith from others, hopefully, we can start the long, painful climb to a better, more balanced society. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The Idea</span></u></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">It is my fervent hope that this policy, would, in time, lead to a change in voter behaviour and voting numbers, benefiting society as whole. When the population is forced to choose a party mainly on policy alone, not slick publicity campaigns, WE, the People, might at last have a chance to make/get a party that is convincing in it's efforts to represent us. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">(A dream? maybe... Difficult? Yes... Nigh on impossible? Possibly... But NEVER beyond ability.)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">In my own opinion, politics today relies on keeping the voting population as small as possible. This is so the even smaller group of "floating voters", that decide elections, is as physically small as possible. This benefits all the political parties and means that policy is easier to make (less "painful"), funding for electioneering can be more effectively targeted and the election more easily "controlled". This philosophy is a natural result of the system we have today and means that the large majority of disaffected non-voters (who have just argument), continually feel even more disassociated with the process of life and politics around them. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">A common cry is: "What's the point, they are all the same and just as bad as each other". We have all heard this at some time or other. Another common cry is: "we know its broke, but how can you fix it? It will never be fixed!", Just and true words in my opinion, or are they really?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Below is my idea. It is far from perfect and there are many details to iron out (I have many already). BUT, it is an idea, a start.... Take a look and read it all before you judge.</span></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></u></b></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></u></b></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The Details</span></u></b></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></u></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">In my view, the basic need of society today, is the removal of all 3rd party finance from the Election process and minimising financial influence on party funding in general. Nothing new, I am sure you will agree. but here is how and why I think it can work.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The change in party funding and electioneering will, hopefully, have the eventual effect of forcing all parties to focus on policy, not "theatre". It can even force a peaceful and almost willing change of direction in the politics of today. I believe that it will, in time force the parties, <i>all of them</i>, to begin actually listening and responding to the general population as a whole. Election promises will have to be more rigidly held to, or the party concerned will lose ground the next time. (Remember, they have nothing more than their public perception to sell).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">NO-ONE will be able to buy themselves out of trouble with over inflated advertising budgets and "spin". In addition, because of the reduced entry level and even handedness of funding, more people may be moved to join in the democratic debate, or even start parties of their own. In my eyes this can only be better for politics. Lastly, without the current quantity of money floating around the political system, a large number of the "Career Politicians" will be tempted to move into the private sector in order to gain the associated financial rewards, power and influence that is their, so often transparent, motivation.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">A new generation, already maturing, will have the chance to gain positions in government and more freely pursue their true values. Also we all benefit from the lower risk of blatant corruption and a higher threshold of consequences when discovered. I hope we would start to see some integrity return to politics. Possibly naive, yes! But honestly, the threshold <i>is</i> pretty low right now.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The next generation will have a chance to grow in a more transparent, more trustworthy democracy. Nothing is ever perfect, but they would have the chance. That has to be better than today?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Before I go on... YES, my plan is likely to be tough on the public purse (at least in the short term) and it is not cheap in regard to the possible implications on taxes... BUT, I do believe that as the changes start to take hold, we will see genuine financial benefits in way of a reorganisation and re-prioritisation of the tax system, health, benefits and employment law amongst others. The very system will force the parties to distinguish themselves by policy, things will inevitably start to change. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">(everything in time, we all know it's broke, but lets not stand by and complain... Lets try to fix it as best we can). </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">When will we be able to say "it's done" and who will suffer the most? Who knows, your guess is as good as mine... BUT, <i>if</i> it happens, we might just be lucky enough to see the embryonic form of a better society before we die. Some will kick and scream, some will relish it, others still will, unfortunately, struggle. But what are the majority of us doing right now. Every day? Really?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">In time, with faith and patience, I believe society and all of us could be the winners. (if we are lucky and stay determined on the path.) </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Now don't get me wrong here, I have experienced life from the top to the bottom of society, been lucky and had a good life. Yet, I have met good at all levels of society, but there are too few, anywhere. I am no Communist, nor am I a "true capitalist", if such a thing can truly be tolerated on grounds of simple human decency. Also, don't get me wrong! I have no problem with the acquisition of wealth. On the contrary, it is a good thing for society and the general population. For me, the testament of a person, is purely in what they choose to do with that wealth and whether they respect the responsibility it conveys. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Can they use it, or be used by it?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">"That is the Question", to quote a very famous writer. Another influential man once said to me, "measure twice, cut once", it's all the same analogy.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Too many in this position of wealth choose the latter path and forget that this society today was built on the "generosity" of the wealthy. However selfish, or financially motivated it may have been, never forget that our first sewers, schools, hospitals, libraries and many other services that we take for granted today, were exclusively paid for and funded by the wealthy before being turned over to the tax payer in the form of Government control and ownership. Our tax system and society was never designed to operate without this support. It is a direct result of the wealthy not continuing this tradition in any meaningful way today, that has led to the ever increasing tax burden and general dissatisfaction of the "common man".</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">We are being asked to pay for it after it was gifted to us. The responsibility lies with anyone who has the wealth spare to fund the basics of our society. You and me too... When we make it, we have a duty to repay those around us who, as a community, as friends and family, supported and encouraged us. Brought a smile that changed the mood of a day. We ALL have the responsibility.</span></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The Legislation</span></u></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">This legislation changes little in the political process. Essentially it is the same as now with two key changes...</span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>D</i><i>uring Elections</i>, ALL party funding (publicity, campaign funding and all that goes with an election), would come from the public purse and be limited in value (Another debate again). </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">ALL outside funding, in ANY form whatsoever would be Strictly Prohibited. Existing party funding would be frozen. (certain exceptions are necessary here. But again, for another day.)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Only when Election finance MUST come from an evenly distributed, publicly funded source. As well as, all non Election funding of political parties by businesses, of ANY size and that of any other interest groups, is prohibited. AND with ALL party donations capped to an annual limit (Again for another day) AND all personal donations are listed on a freely accessible register, with amounts and all business interests disclosed... Only with this and more, in way of complete financial transparency in government, can we ever have a hope of beginning to achieve this change that society is crying out for.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The goal is to establish the beginnings of a long, slow process of re-balancing the socio-economic system toward valuing the person and intellect, not wealth, apparent success or self importance.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Potential, not Paper.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">And there it is, in three paragraphs.</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">To Conclude</span></u></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">It is my fervent hope (and yes, you have seen many such words here), that this change in values at the "top" of our society, will eventually bleed (far too slowly, but inevitably) into the Psyche of the general population and with luck (there it is again), this will eventually lead into a new philosophy in life, business and the worth of the employee and fellow man. As new generations become the business and political leaders of the future, we might just be lucky enough to see it start taking hold in a permanent way. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Don't bemoan the problems, look at how your actions can change the life of those around you for the better. And how that could lead to a better world for us all one day.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">To the truly wealthy, who might just read this blog (my ego again), Think! Do you pay lip service with your charitable donations, or do they come from the heart. Only you know the answer to that question and only you that has live with your conscience.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Lets not go the way of the great empires before us, let's not fold in ourselves.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>It Starts Now!</b></span><br />
<b></b><br />
<div style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<b><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>It's time we stand back and look at what we prioritise in society today</i></span></b><br />
<div style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
<b><br /></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
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Live every moment, love every experience and collect as many memories as you can...
Rauvin 1998
It's time we stand back and look at what we prioritise in society today.
Rauvin 2012</div>rauvinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09797541978997129757noreply@blogger.com0United Kingdom55.378051 -3.43597336.641164 -43.8656605 74.114938 36.9937145tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5387670528364711454.post-68224245583293129122012-03-20T15:42:00.000+00:002012-04-16T16:53:07.371+01:00French Shootings in Toulouse, A Critique on Reporting<span style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; border-collapse: separate;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; border-collapse: separate;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: x-small;">Modified to better reflect what I wanted to say and the intentions of the original article.</span></span><br />
<span style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; border-collapse: separate;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: x-small;">(I left too much unsaid the first time out.) </span></span><br />
<span style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; border-collapse: separate;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: x-small;">H Samuel 16/04/2012</span></span><br />
<span style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; border-collapse: separate;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: x-small;">----------------------------------------------</span></span><br />
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<span style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; border-collapse: separate; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: small;"><span style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; border-collapse: separate; font-family: Georgia;"><i><br />
Tragic yes, horrific and shocking, definitely... But in all it's violence and wasteful senselessness, let's not allow the crime today and those in recent years threaten to return us to the bad days of open persecution of religious and cultural practice along with those that openly follow their Faith and Beliefs.</i></span></span></div>
<div style="font-size: 16px;">
<span style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; border-collapse: separate; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: small;"><span style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; border-collapse: separate; font-family: Georgia;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; border-collapse: separate; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;"><span style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; border-collapse: separate;">The Media and those that report on the events around us have a direct responsibility to the society they serve. In modern reporting and using far too many "throw-away" excuses, this is too often ignored at the expense of feeding the dramatic and the perceived "need" of the people for big, eye catching </span>headlines. To all you reporters, bloggers, politicians and media owners... It is just as dramatic to have a headline that reads something like "Mass killing at School. Many Dead and Injured!" and use a focus on the family and community, loss of potentially great minds, etc. over the motives of the murderer. </span></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; border-collapse: separate; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; border-collapse: separate; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">We do not "need" to glorify the crime and provide an inferred platform for the miss-directed ideas of a few to attract viewers/readers to our words. Nor do we have to use the current approach to maintain free speech. A more sympathetic and community focussed approach can work just as well. There are good examples of this in the press today, they are just not often given the prominence they deserve.</span></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; border-collapse: separate; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="font-size: 16px;">
<span style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; border-collapse: separate; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">If the media were to start switching focus towards this way of thinking, they would, in my opinion grow their audience, whilst serving to undermine justification of the "cause" of the criminal. </span></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; border-collapse: separate; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;"></span></span><br />
<a name='more'></a><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;">Freedom of the press? Without Doubt!</span></div>
<div style="font-size: 16px;">
<span style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; border-collapse: separate; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; border-collapse: separate; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">But with freedom comes the responsibility to respect that very freedom and what it stands for. It is not just the responsibility of those that we elect to enforce and make our rules, it relies on us all.</span></span></div>
<div style="font-size: 16px;">
<span style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; border-collapse: separate; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="font-size: 16px;">
<span style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; border-collapse: separate; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">In all reporting, victim and criminal should be separate, treated according to their actions alone. In reporting, the religion, race, culture and geography of those involved is rarely the centre of the story, Just a factor in a tragedy for someone's mother, father or sibling. Unfortunately, so often these factors are allowed to drown the real story as the dramatic is allowed to dominate.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;">The headlines following this shooting were directed almost exclusively at the race aspect of the crime and hardly at all on the horror that had been visited upon the families involved and the community at large. This is a crime that touched an entire community , this is no more or less a senseless murder than Columbine or any other of the school shootings around the world.</span></div>
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<div style="font-size: 16px;">
<span style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; border-collapse: separate; font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-size: 16px;">
<span style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; border-collapse: separate; font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;">All government and media attracts and breeds a certain psych, the world over. it is, unfortunately, just the nature of the form of democracy we as a people have allowed to evolve around us. </span><span style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; border-collapse: separate; font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;">Race is only an aspect at best, definitely not the focus.</span></div>
<div style="font-size: 16px;">
<span style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; border-collapse: separate; font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-size: 16px;">
<span style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; border-collapse: separate; font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;">In my humble opinion, the focus should have been on the tragic loss of life and potential of those who sadly died at the hands of an </span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;">unfortunately </span><span style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; border-collapse: separate; font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;">delusional and ultimately misguided individual. Let's not allow this and other such tragedies to spread a message of hate and intolerance. Let's not let it start </span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;">us concentrating on our differences... We all know where that leads...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><br /></span><br />
<div style="font-size: 16px;">
<span style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; border-collapse: separate; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">It is time we looked at the sub-concious effect that reporting choices can have on society around us. It does not "have" to be this way...</span></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; border-collapse: separate; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Tahoma;">---------------------</span><br />
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<span style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; border-collapse: separate;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Thank you for reading and please feel free to comment.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<div>
<span style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; border-collapse: separate;"><span style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; border-collapse: separate; font-family: Tahoma;"><b style="font-size: 16px;"><i><span style="font-family: 'Segoe Print';">It's time we stand back and look at what we prioritise in society today.</span></i></b></span></span></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
For clarification,<br />
<span style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; border-collapse: separate;">This is a comment on the style and focus of the reporting of the event, not the terrible waste of human life, which, without compare is a vile, evil act and the apparent motivation just compounds this. But never underestimate the shared humanity and solidarity that is present in the world over this and the many other tragedies around the world... There is too much apathy and spin in media reporting these days...</span><br />
<br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">.
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Live every moment, love every experience and collect as many memories as you can...
Rauvin 1998
It's time we stand back and look at what we prioritise in society today.
Rauvin 2012</div>rauvinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09797541978997129757noreply@blogger.com0