Scotland’s plan to introduce a 50p per unit of alcohol policy may infringe EU trade laws (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-34133269).
I have been massively against Scotland pursuing this policy as I think it will damage the alcohol industry and also not help alcoholics at all. Rather, it will merely penalise poor people and is an easy way for the Scottish government to rinse the masses.
However, the idea that the EU can dictate to nations what they can and cannot do within their own borders is disgusting. The United Kingdom can do whatever the hell it pleases, and we please that Scotland has such rights. It is not for the EU to tell the UK or Scotland what we can do. People need to wake up to this reality: the EU simply does not exist to serve the democratic will or prerogative of nations, and never has — but rather, it exists to serve its own strengthening and survival.
And it is for a thousand “little” reasons like this that I will be voting for the UK to leave the EU in the forthcoming EU Referendum. No jingoism, no racism or hatred, just a belief that the people of a nation should decide their own fate.
© 2015 Bryan A. J. Parry
featured image from http://www.businessforscotland.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/3224006627.jpg
I used to love collecting stickers as a kid. But despite being an avid sticker collector, we were pretty poor, so the only album I ever completed was the Rugby World Cup 1999 album. It was (kinda still is) my pride and joy.
I may now be 31 years of age, but in female years that is about eleven. So I’m pretty excited to buy the Rugby World Cup 2015 Official Sticker Collection.
One problem.
This seems to be the first RWC with no official album. What the hell!?!?!?!?
Someone tell me I’m wrong! I NEED MY STICKERS!!!
PULL YOUR FINGER OUT, MERLIN AND PANINI!
© 2015 Bryan A. J. Parry
featured image from http://i.ytimg.com/vi/ASsPVanwCyY/maxresdefault.jpg
The Rugby Union World Cup 2015 kicks off this Friday. I’m really excited about it, even more excited than usual — probably because it’s being held in England.
Bit of a confession-cum-sob story to tell you, though.
I was born in ’84. My first World Cup was South Africa 1995. I have eagerly followed every World Cup since then, even completing the 1999 official sticker collection! (The only sticker collection I ever completed without having to order missing stickers)
Yet I went through a difficult period in late adolescence (of about five years) when I almost totally went off all sport. Just happened to co-incide with the 2003 World Cup.
Yeah, the one that England won(!) The only World Cup I didn’t avidly follow and watch. (The only World Cup England won, for Rugby newbs out there).
I’m hoping for a dream home win for England, a win I might actually experience this time! And I’m hyped. Especially so given our tough pool (including, as it does, Wales and Australia): but I say, Bring it on!
Another confession (of sorts) to make.
The Spring Boks, The Wallabies, the mighty All Blacks, The Frogs, Semis and Final. Meh. My favourite time of the tournament is the pool stages. That’s when we get to see plucky teams with plenty of heart that we don’t normally: the Japans, USAs, and Fijis (what’s left of their team that hasn’t been pinched by other nations, that is *cough* Tuilagi *cough*). I just can’t get enough of those minnows!
Which leads me to a novel and, though I do say it myself, genius idea.
After the pool stage, when the top two teams from each pool progress to the Quarter Finals, there should be a parallel Losers World Cup, where all the eliminated teams duke it out for the title of “Best of the Rest”™. A kind of Bronze Final for the entire competition, if you will. Or a Europa League type competition (for the association football fans in the room). You like?
All of this is to say: I’m bouncing up and down and giddy with excitement. Friday can’t come soon enough!
© 2015 Bryan A. J. Parry
featured image from http://i1.wp.com/royal-fans.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/rugby-world-cup-England-2015.jpg
Yesterday in the Metro I read about beautician Adele Bellis, yet another victim of an acid attack. This manly crime, for those of you not in the know, involves throwing sulphuric acid in the face of somebody you don’t like, leaving the victim permanently disfigured: often it’s the victim’s ex, as it was in Adele’s case.
I don’t know if this crime is on the increase, or whether it’s just that we hear about it more now. But either way, every time I read about it happening, it turns my stomach with disgust. Not only is it grievous bodily harm, and not only is it grievous mental harm and a total violation of the person, it displays a callous, cruel, wickedness which is both reprehensible and disturbing.
To be clear, I don’t know anyone who has been attacked in this way. But I just can’t bear hearing about it anymore and feeling powerless in the face of such cruel barbarity. Adele talks of how the Katie Piper Foundation has helped rebuild her life. The Foundation was set up by Katie Piper, a former model and victim of an acid attack herself. This flagged up what I rather densely hadn’t realised before — maybe there is an organisation set up to help people who’ve been attacked this way.
So I urge everyone to support the Katie Piper Foundation: http://www.katiepiperfoundation.org.uk/. Subscribe to the newsletter and keep abreast of their work. Follow the twitter feeds @KPFoundation and @KatiePiper_. And join me in setting up a standing order and donating:
Bank: HSBC
Account name: Katie Piper Foundation
Sort code: 40-02-13
Account number: 01733141
Please also check out the amazing documentary Saving Face and the Acid Survivors Trust International @Acid_Survivors.
© 2015 Bryan A. J. Parry
featured image from http://www.suffolk.police.uk/images/oxborough.jpg
The best thing I’ve heard anyone say for weeks? Natalie Haynes in last night’s Evening Standard:
…why is it that those who proclaim the greatest religious fervour are so threatened by gods no longer worshipped.
Indeed.
As “Islamic State” continue their sacrilegious and totalitarian destruction of civilisation, culture, and history with the demolition of the ancient temple of Bel in Palmyra, I too am taking time out from my anguish and highly effectual hand-wringing to wonder: why are ISIS so scared of dead gods?
© 2015 Bryan A. J. Parry
featured image from http://www.blazingcatfur.ca/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/An-aerial-view-taken-on-J-007-620×372.jpg
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