Rod Fleming's Blog, page 90

A Greek Lesson in Democracy

Originally posted 2015-06-30 15:58:44.

[image error] Greece is the oft-lauded birthplace of democracy and perhaps it is fitting that this small and fiercely idiosyncratic European country may be about to give the world a lesson in it.

It would be true to say, as John Redwood has pointed out, that the entry of Greece into the Euro a decade and a half ago was sheer hubris and folly. That hubris has been shown up for what it was since 2010. During this time, Greece has been subjected to so-called ‘austerity’ me...

Guest Posts

Originally posted 2015-06-16 21:28:03.

I am starting a new feature on the site for guest posters. These will be people whose writing I have found stimulating, well researched and enjoyable. If you’d like to be considered, please contact me using the form below.

[contact-form]

The post Guest Posts appeared first on Rod Fleming's World.

Transsexualism: Will it end the gay lifestyle?

Originally posted 2017-11-07 19:57:03.

It’s clear that there is a deal of brouhaha about the extent to which transsexualism is impacting on the lesbian and gay, and to a lesser extent bisexual, lifestyle and political hegemony in the West. This is contributing to an increasingly bitter spat about young transitioners — people transitioning gender before they reach their majority.

There is no doubt that political activists are operating on this body of young people, some with laudable motives, oth...

Boris Johnson is Right on Sharia

Originally posted 2015-04-20 14:30:51.

[image error] Pic: BBC

It’s not often that I give the words of the disingenuously shambolic Boris Johnson an awful lot of thought, really. He has occasionally given me a good laugh and there’s no doubt that he’s a lot smarter than he lets himself appear to be.

But a post on Facebook by the excellent Eu Citizens for an Independent Scotland brought to my attention one of BoJo’s statements in March, when I was too busy getting jetlagged to really notice. The article is here...

We Live in Interesting Times

Originally posted 2015-04-04 13:41:41.

[image error] Pic courtesy of Bella Caledonia

We live in interesting times, as the proverb says, politically speaking at least. The ‘United’ Kingdom’s lack of unity is being demonstrated once again and the whole beast now seems to be in the throes of a terminal case of dyspepsia.

For decades the right-leaning south of England got its way; it elected Margaret Thatcher, a puppet of the patriarchal hegemony, and the decline has gathered pace ever since. Even when a governme...

New Year’s Resolution

Originally posted 2015-02-03 10:48:02.

[image error] molinot

New Year’s Resolutions have never really been my thing, but this year I have made one. Let me explain.

Twenty-two years ago, almost to the month, my then wife Madeleine, my first son Brodan and our dog Dina, set off in a Ford Granada Estate car to find our dream home in France and live the life we pictured there.

The quest, discovery and purchase of said house became the subject of a series of books called French Onion Soup!. The first was published...

Fear of Islam is common sense in 2020

Originally posted 2015-01-31 03:17:47.

This article was originally published in 2015. If I thought then that things might be better by now, five years later, I was deluding myself. Today we see an upsurge, again, of Islamist violence and hatred. All of our appeasement has failed; the war intensifies. Fear of Islam is just the common-sense position to take, in 2020.

France and the world have been shocked by a brutal and vicious massacre of journalists at the offices of the satirical magazine Char...

A watershed month

Originally posted 2015-01-31 03:17:47.

[image error]January 2015 has been a watershed month.

France and the world was shocked by a brutal and vicious massacre of journalists at the offices of the satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo. This atrocity was perpetrated by Islamists with the specific aim of preventing criticism of their ideology. In the aftermath, unprecedented levels of public outrage and grief were displayed all over France.

Just this week, 44 men of the Philippines Special Action Force were murdered...

Philippines Diary: Jeepneys

Originally posted 2015-01-28 14:52:34.

[image error] Jeepneys at Waterfun, Taguig. Pic Rod Fleming

Most people have at least heard about jeepneys, the ubiquitous, colourful and incredibly noisy backbone of the Philippines public transport system. For those who have not, you’ll catch up.

The first jeepneys were in fact modified Willys Jeeps that the Americans left behind. The enterprising pinoys lengthened the chassis and fitted seats. Now they are custom built with stainless steel, all-enclosed bodywork and d...

The Goddess in The Philippines

Originally posted 2014-03-10 13:59:50.

The Goddess is a big deal in the Philippines and goddesses are out in strength there this week. The occasion is the closing rounds of the Universities Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) women’s volleyball tournament, held at Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City. Teams with names like De La Salle Lady Spikers and Ateneo de Manila Lady Eagles, the Tigresses, the Lady Warriors and the Lady Bulldogs battle it out in front of huge, enthusiastic and ...