The blog of Richard Hall, a Methodist Minister in Wales.
From the monthly archives:
The tenth anniversary of the first IRA ceasefire is an appropriate day to remember that not all terrorism has arisen in the Middle East. It is not just Muslims who have called upon the name of God to justify their atrocities.
And while Northern Ireland is not exactly at peace, it is in a far better [...]
{ 0 comments }
Olive marks the tenth anniversary of a change in Britain’s Sunday trading legislation
Has the time come to plead for new legislation – a Family Protection (Sundays) Act – to guarantee a shared weekly day off for everyone? Is Sunday Trading as inevitable as it was made out to be? Do we really value the ability [...]
{ 0 comments }
Living north of the 49th means we get quite a bit of US news.
Canadians have an abiding interest in surprising those Americans who have historically made little effort to learn about their neighbour to the North. - Peter Jennings
So I suppose it is a natural extension that I enjoy so many US bloggers. Travelling in [...]
{ 0 comments }
I’ve just been watching a bit of BBC Parliament’s replay (”as live”) of the Republican Convention. Rudolph Guiliani said triumphantly: “We won’t let the terrorists tell us where we can travel — we’re Americans. The land of the brave!”
Fine rhetoric. But that’s precisely what Americans did after 9-11. Ask any tourist operator in London.
I’m just [...]
{ 0 comments }
A very clever protest aimed at the Republican Party Convention has been postponed because the protestor was arrested before he could really begin. His story is well worth reading.
The cyclists had spent the previous night in a location that they were calling “Lil’ Gitmo,” a former bus depot on the west side piers converted into [...]
{ 1 comment }
Hugo Schwyzer is not only a fine fellow, he’s also a pretty wise one. Read his insights on Catholics, porn, and the meaning of condoms if you don’t believe me.
{ 0 comments }
We all believe in democracy, right? The freedom to choose who it is will govern us. Some say in the way our communities and nations are run. I’ve been listening to the Republican Party Convention and it’s pretty clear they believe in democracy. The party Conference season will start soon in Britain and if there’s [...]
{ 3 comments }
I need your help. I think i’ve written another hymn tune, but can’t be sure I haven’t just pinched it from somewhere. If you can face listening to a very quick and dirty recording of my tinwhistling, I’d appreciate knowing if you recognise it from anywhere. (If you think it’s loathsome, I don’t need to [...]
{ 6 comments }
The new template comes from Hadley Wickham, whose blog seems rather sadly to be inactive.
It took me more than a little while to discover a problem with the old design, specifically the way the comment box worked in some browsers. I’d be glad to know how this one looks.
{ 5 comments }
Here’s a valuable new resource. A group-blog, bringing together experts from around the world, Gambling Watch Global will publish research on what, I think, is a much bigger social problem than is often thought. Formally launched only yesterday, this is a site well worth keeping an eye on.
{ 2 comments }
I feel pretty stupid, I do.
Coming away from church this morning I tripped and fell, for no reason that makes any sense. Accidents happen I suppose. I ended up on my back in a muddy puddle (which is very bad for anyone’s dignity) and bust my ankle up pretty well. So I spent a cheery [...]
{ 9 comments }
COME, O thou Traveller unknown,
Whom still I hold, but cannot see!
My company before is gone,
And I am left alone with thee;
With thee all night I mean to stay,
And wrestle till the break of day.
I need not tell thee who I am,
My misery and sin declare;
Thyself hast called me by my name,
Look on thy hands, and [...]
{ 4 comments }
Andrew Gilligan, the journalist who sparked off the controversy over whether the British government’s intelligence dossier on the threat posed by Iraq was wholly accurate has hit back.
“The dossier was sexed up, the intelligence services were unhappy about it… and Alistair Campbell was at the heart of the process,” he said. “If the aim was [...]
{ 5 comments }
My photoblog hasn’t been updated in a good while. Mea culpa. But I’ll be posting a few pictures from my American trip over the next little while, starting with this one.
{ 0 comments }
Chuck Currie points to this lovely Flash animation which explains why Christians should vote for Bush.
The closing slogan (”Take back our faith”) spoiled it a bit for me, but it is still a useful contribution from those fine people at Sojourners.
{ 2 comments }
Republicans who are certain that they won Florida in 2000 fair and square seem equally certain that John Kerry stole his Vietnam service medals. Democrats who are sure that Bush stole Florida are sure that Kerry won his medals legitimately.
I’m ready to deal. Let’s make a swap. Kerry gives up his medals [...]
{ 1 comment }
From the United Methodist News Service:
Two weeks after Hurricane Charley ripped off roofs and damaged the steeple of Grace United Methodist Church in Cape Coral, Fla., church members received bottles of water during communion as a reminder to serve their neighbors.
“We served communion as a reminder of God’s hope and help, and then we gave [...]
{ 0 comments }
