Friday, June 29, 2007
Thursday, June 28, 2007
Good Bye Blair, Hello Brown- To Change or not to Change that is the Question
“Let the work of change begin,” said a man who is now one of the most influential on the world’s political stage. Gordon Brown has stepped into to Mr Blair’s shoes stating boldly “At all times I will be strong in purpose, steadfast in will, resolute in action in the service of what matters to the British people, meeting the concerns and aspirations of our whole country." In this speech he continued to say, “If we can fulfil the potential and realise the talents of all our people then I'm absolutely sure that Britain can be the great global success story of this century.” Great charismatic words, I ‘ill admit.
Reading in the NZ herald today however, certain policy issues and the ‘Brown Approach’ to them, jumped off the newsprint at me screaming “What the… ?!”
It’s the phrase Brown has used that threw me off causing the “What the…?!” effect. “Let the work of Change begin” being the phrase.
“What the…?!” point #1: The problem with law in order is that violent crime is on the rise, Sanction Detection (See Appendix 1 for definition) rose from 23.4% (2005/06) to 27% (2006/07) in London, however actual violent crime overall dropped. The herald also claims full prisons big issues for the new prime minister.
So the solution? According to Brown, to build 9500 more prison places, more neighbourhood policing and wait for it… the right to detain terror suspects longer than 28 days without charge.
Building more prisons is not the “work of change” to “be the great global success story of this century”. Prisons do not rehabilitate offenders, because they do not deal with underlying causes of offending, cause isolation from society therefore making integration difficult, punishment has been shown to have little effect on changing human behaviour . And it may not be the crime that calls for new prison places but Legislation such as new anti terror laws that make the spectrum for police intervention wider and easier to act on ‘crime’. So by Brown staying on the path of imprisonment, as we know it, is not new, revolutionary or slightly helpful to the people of the UK. Change would mean overhauling the system entirely, thinking beyond the ball and chain.
“What the…?!” point #2:Terror threats, just as for the Blair administration, haunt the new prime minister. The Solution according to Brown? Bringing in the right to hold suspects for more than 28 days with out charge. The only place to start here is that this is entirely, utterly against all creeds of human rights. Article 9 of the United Nations Declaration of Human rights states: No one shall be subjected to arbitrary arrest, detention or exile . Absolutely Enough Said.
Brown approaches aren’t all bad, yes my criticism ceases for a moment. In terms of the 1.6 million people on the council waiting list for housing, Brown wants to make this a priority . In light of 2.7 million people on a benefit, the New prime minister wants to approach getting 1 million of them back to work by stressing responsibilities and rights, encouraging fit people to seek work. Pension assistance to be increased from 2 billion pounds to 8 billion pounds will work to help the elderly. Lastly the ‘overstretched’ defence force may see a refocus on ‘hearts and minds’ rather than on military solutions. Time will tell and unravel these approaches, and in some cases what they actually mean (like ‘hearts and minds’???).
I hope Brown does actually “do the work of change” with the intentions he has stated, instead of favouring international relationships (like with the US) over the people of the UK and those who are dependent on them (like countries who receive aid etc.).
Brown was, is and will be the best M&M in the packet, so live up to the standard Mr Prime Minister!
Appendix 1
Definitions of Sanction Detection
“A sanctioned detection occurs when (1) a notifiable offence (crime) has been committed and recorded; (2) a suspect has been identified and is aware of the detection; (3) the CPS evidential test is satisfied; (4) the victim has been informed that the offence has been detected, and; (5) the suspect has been charged, reported for summons, or cautioned, been issued with a penalty notice for disorder or the offence has been taken into consideration when an offender is sentenced.”
www.devon-cornwall.police.uk/v3/help/glossary.htm
Retrieved 28/6/2007
Reading in the NZ herald today however, certain policy issues and the ‘Brown Approach’ to them, jumped off the newsprint at me screaming “What the… ?!”
It’s the phrase Brown has used that threw me off causing the “What the…?!” effect. “Let the work of Change begin” being the phrase.
“What the…?!” point #1: The problem with law in order is that violent crime is on the rise, Sanction Detection (See Appendix 1 for definition) rose from 23.4% (2005/06) to 27% (2006/07) in London, however actual violent crime overall dropped. The herald also claims full prisons big issues for the new prime minister.
So the solution? According to Brown, to build 9500 more prison places, more neighbourhood policing and wait for it… the right to detain terror suspects longer than 28 days without charge.
Building more prisons is not the “work of change” to “be the great global success story of this century”. Prisons do not rehabilitate offenders, because they do not deal with underlying causes of offending, cause isolation from society therefore making integration difficult, punishment has been shown to have little effect on changing human behaviour . And it may not be the crime that calls for new prison places but Legislation such as new anti terror laws that make the spectrum for police intervention wider and easier to act on ‘crime’. So by Brown staying on the path of imprisonment, as we know it, is not new, revolutionary or slightly helpful to the people of the UK. Change would mean overhauling the system entirely, thinking beyond the ball and chain.
“What the…?!” point #2:Terror threats, just as for the Blair administration, haunt the new prime minister. The Solution according to Brown? Bringing in the right to hold suspects for more than 28 days with out charge. The only place to start here is that this is entirely, utterly against all creeds of human rights. Article 9 of the United Nations Declaration of Human rights states: No one shall be subjected to arbitrary arrest, detention or exile . Absolutely Enough Said.
Brown approaches aren’t all bad, yes my criticism ceases for a moment. In terms of the 1.6 million people on the council waiting list for housing, Brown wants to make this a priority . In light of 2.7 million people on a benefit, the New prime minister wants to approach getting 1 million of them back to work by stressing responsibilities and rights, encouraging fit people to seek work. Pension assistance to be increased from 2 billion pounds to 8 billion pounds will work to help the elderly. Lastly the ‘overstretched’ defence force may see a refocus on ‘hearts and minds’ rather than on military solutions. Time will tell and unravel these approaches, and in some cases what they actually mean (like ‘hearts and minds’???).
I hope Brown does actually “do the work of change” with the intentions he has stated, instead of favouring international relationships (like with the US) over the people of the UK and those who are dependent on them (like countries who receive aid etc.).
Brown was, is and will be the best M&M in the packet, so live up to the standard Mr Prime Minister!
Appendix 1
Definitions of Sanction Detection
“A sanctioned detection occurs when (1) a notifiable offence (crime) has been committed and recorded; (2) a suspect has been identified and is aware of the detection; (3) the CPS evidential test is satisfied; (4) the victim has been informed that the offence has been detected, and; (5) the suspect has been charged, reported for summons, or cautioned, been issued with a penalty notice for disorder or the offence has been taken into consideration when an offender is sentenced.”
www.devon-cornwall.police.uk/v3/help/glossary.htm
Retrieved 28/6/2007
Friday, June 15, 2007
Nuclear Free Thank you!
This month, as a country we celebrate being 20 years Nuclear Free. This was a controverial move for us 20 Years ago and still is today. Nuclear free means no chemicals that we have to create, use then bury only to come back to bite us in the behind. There have been so many and today are many nuclear disasters, what do we do with waste, especially if everyone starts to create nuclear generated power and weapons?? where will it all go in the end? Examples of human disasters is Hiroshima. We have other forms of less harmfull power sources... lets use them! this subject calls for wisdom, hopefully our leaders will continue on the nuclear free path!
What do you lot think? agree or disagree?
Thursday, June 7, 2007
G8 Summit
The G8 summit is happening now, Brittian has said it wants carbon emissons cut by 50% by 2050... And awaits suport from the US. If the US agree then other countries such as China and India are likely to have to follow.
THe thrirteen countries meeting, currently produce 70% of the worlds carbon emmissions (says the NZ Herald, B1, 7/6/2007. So this needs to be addressed.
Leaders- Take Responsibility!
For more infor on Climate change and the G8:
http://www.ft.com/indepth/climatechange
Sign the Petition:
http://www.avaaz.org/en/climate_summit
THe thrirteen countries meeting, currently produce 70% of the worlds carbon emmissions (says the NZ Herald, B1, 7/6/2007. So this needs to be addressed.
Leaders- Take Responsibility!
For more infor on Climate change and the G8:
http://www.ft.com/indepth/climatechange
Sign the Petition:
http://www.avaaz.org/en/climate_summit
Friday, June 1, 2007
More Our World...
It is very cool to see New Zealand making moves towards dealing with climate change. we can do so much good as humans but we can also be so destructive. Maybe the key is personal responsibility? good and bad effects from our actions are inevitable but what are we going to do to replace what we took? we are often so busy we think someone else will do it... but we are that someone else!
New Zealand government have alsorts on this site, we also can find out how we can curve our destructive behaviours
http://www.mfe.govt.nz/issues/climate/
New Zealand government have alsorts on this site, we also can find out how we can curve our destructive behaviours
http://www.mfe.govt.nz/issues/climate/
Our World
Global warming, Climate change... Words that bring feelings of uncertianty. This site has heaps of semi-home made vids about this issue. Particually how we can do things better.
http://www.hotscience.co.nz/index.php?hdrcode=1
http://www.hotscience.co.nz/index.php?hdrcode=1
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