tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6059328Sun, 22 Jan 2012 18:40:36 +0000christianitysporteducationmediabollockstechnologyislamotherwalesdemocracyliberalismlawfeminismpoliticseconomyhumourfrancemusicjudaismartphilosophymiddle eastterrorismrights/ethicsliterature/comicsnorthern irelandracism/xenophobiasexfilm/TVitalyhomosexualitycatholicismukeuropereligionamericaelection2010healthlovesciencereligion, politics, ethics and science ... for liberal minds onlyhttp://paswonky.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.com (Francesca E S Montemaggi)Blogger222125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6059328.post-2301381957255555663Wed, 14 Dec 2011 16:22:00 +00002011-12-14T16:24:13.302ZWhat is often branded as the ‘national interest’ is nothing but a justification for the pursuit of internal politics.The question of politics, the economy and democracy. Read article at Opendemocracy.http://paswonky.blogspot.com/2011/12/rightwing-politics-of-national.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Francesca E S Montemaggi)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6059328.post-2635813850233551216Fri, 09 Dec 2011 11:02:00 +00002011-12-09T11:32:24.833ZeuropeliberalismpoliticsdemocracyeconomyYoung and clueless David Cameron went all the way to Brussels to ‘defend British interests’ and wave his veto to other European countries. In one stroke, he humiliated Britain and made her irrelevant. Cameron fought to retain British sovereignty, didn’t he? Nope, he waved his veto to protect financial services from regulation, the same financial services that got us into this mess. Now, I’m not http://paswonky.blogspot.com/2011/12/euro-sovereignty-and-capitalism.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Francesca E S Montemaggi)3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6059328.post-6054804565700385812Thu, 08 Dec 2011 11:05:00 +00002011-12-08T11:02:14.094ZeuropeukdemocracyeconomyIn the UK, there is the mistaken belief that the euro has a problem and that if the euro breaks up, it's a problem for countries in the eurozone. Wrong! The euro is a strong currency, it is countries in the eurozone that are the problem. For example, Greece has a structural deficit problem, which no amount of revenues from taxpayers can solve. Greece’s debt was a very small proportion of the EU’shttp://paswonky.blogspot.com/2011/12/eurocrisis.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Francesca E S Montemaggi)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6059328.post-1117927882396010062Wed, 16 Nov 2011 09:30:00 +00002011-11-16T09:30:40.782ZeuropeitalypoliticsdemocracyeconomyI’ve come across shrill articles about the financial crisis being an excuse, opportunity or, if you’re into conspiracies, a cunning plan to replace elected representatives with technocrats across Europe. This thinking seems to imply that there is someone planning, scheming and pulling strings … it’s a comforting thought, but I doubt there’s anyone in charge. Merkel is playing a dangerous game andhttp://paswonky.blogspot.com/2011/11/technocrats-of-europe.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Francesca E S Montemaggi)3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6059328.post-9096657479838739422Tue, 15 Nov 2011 15:16:00 +00002011-11-15T15:17:07.161ZeuropepoliticseconomyThere’s a comforting story out there that the eurozone is in crisis because of countries such as Greece and Italy have huge deficits and that if they weren’t in the euro everything would be ok. Nonsense! The crisis started in the US … but let’s skip a few passages. The euro is a strong currency and it’s an international currency, which means any problems with it will impact on the rest of the http://paswonky.blogspot.com/2011/11/is-europe-about-to-crash.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Francesca E S Montemaggi)4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6059328.post-768282462322813466Thu, 05 May 2011 07:04:00 +00002011-05-05T08:04:52.462+01:00politicsdemocracyI’m very much against AV because I’m very much in favour of proportional representation. However, what the ‘yes’ lot and the ‘no’ lot forgot to ask is: ‘what is Parliament for?’. It might seem obvious but it really isn’t. At present, the ‘first past the post’ system means that we have 600+ elections, rather than one. The British electorate chooses a member to represent their constituency, not a http://paswonky.blogspot.com/2011/05/what-are-electoral-systems-for.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Francesca E S Montemaggi)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6059328.post-5156983934941152660Sat, 12 Mar 2011 10:36:00 +00002011-03-12T13:03:55.404Zsexhomosexualityukliberalismrights/ethicsreligionchristianityThe law courts are becoming the main arena where morality is discussed. It is regrettable because the law is a blunt instrument, which creates precedents and, therefore generalises a principle on the basis of single cases. It is also regrettable because morality is always in development and cannot be decided once and for all. The latest is a Christian couple who were turned down by the Council http://paswonky.blogspot.com/2011/03/fostering-homosexuality-christianity.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Francesca E S Montemaggi)3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6059328.post-5353124949616065225Fri, 11 Mar 2011 10:06:00 +00002011-03-11T10:06:00.950Zukrights/ethicsphilosophymediascienceLeave all hope, for thoughtful ethical discussion, ye who watch BBC documentaries. The documentary 23 Weeks Babies: The Price of Life is no exception. Director Adam Wishart, who ‘writes about science’, as he tells us, spends six months in a hospital where intensive care is given to babies of 23 weeks. Economics is today’s unquestioned paradigm, so it’s all about how much it costs. The ‘ethics’ ofhttp://paswonky.blogspot.com/2011/03/premature-births-nhs-money-and-ethics.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Francesca E S Montemaggi)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6059328.post-3966998801785420896Fri, 25 Feb 2011 17:24:00 +00002011-02-25T21:47:18.448ZukliberalismpoliticsdemocracyHere is the webcast of yesterday's Council meeting. I'm at 1.02 and 2.48Here are the texts for both my speeches.Corporate Plan 2011The corporate plan is the vision of this Council, a framework for five years. I believe it should not be too specific but flexible. It is a work in progress.I’d like to think at the bigger picture for a moment.One of the reasons why I find difficult to speak in this http://paswonky.blogspot.com/2011/02/politics-from-chamber.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Francesca E S Montemaggi)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6059328.post-4814645832907559870Fri, 25 Feb 2011 12:40:00 +00002011-02-25T12:43:35.448ZukliberalismpoliticsdemocracyI very rarely speak in the Council Chamber. It is not the place for honest exchange of views. Last night I spoke in the two debates: the Corporate Plan (the plan for the city) and the Budget. It was difficult to condense my thoughts in 2-3 minutes, which is what might have caused the consternation, confusion and support from across the benches. On the other hand, it might have been quoting http://paswonky.blogspot.com/2011/02/politics-of-going-beyond-politics.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Francesca E S Montemaggi)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6059328.post-8633100544164157956Thu, 24 Feb 2011 15:27:00 +00002011-03-07T11:36:19.283Zeuropeukliberalismrights/ethicsmediapoliticsdemocracyGood for Ken Clarke for avoiding to take the populist stance. Instead he focussed rightly on how to make the European Court of Human Rights work properly. This doesn’t mean pandering to the worst sentiments of the population. My grudge with MPs is that they don’t understand that their populist rhetoric (see last post) harms us all, even them. When governments lack popularity, they blame somebody http://paswonky.blogspot.com/2011/02/human-rights-are-british-values.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Francesca E S Montemaggi)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6059328.post-8284656596461673533Sat, 19 Feb 2011 09:44:00 +00002011-02-19T09:50:32.669Zeuropeukliberalismrights/ethicspoliticsdemocracyIt might be because public sector cuts are unpopular that politicians are resorting to the old vice of ignorant populism, but it is only a sign of immaturity. First was the opposition to the European Court of Human Rights’ decision on prisoners’ vote, then against the Supreme Court’s judgement on the sex offenders’ register, and let’s not mention forests.It is quite remarkable how MPs seem unablehttp://paswonky.blogspot.com/2011/02/we-people-need-no-populism.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Francesca E S Montemaggi)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6059328.post-8210753165928283495Wed, 22 Dec 2010 10:45:00 +00002010-12-22T10:47:33.392ZukliberalismmediapoliticsdemocracyThe Lib Dems (in England) have been out of government for a long time and always the third party, never the official opposition, so the whole experience of being pragmatic and consistent is new. By contrast, in Wales, Scotland and councils around the country, the Lib Dems had to take responsibility and run cities and countries. They made mistakes, had impractical and expensive policies. They got http://paswonky.blogspot.com/2010/12/if-i-were-nick-clegg.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Francesca E S Montemaggi)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6059328.post-3369992416380391527Wed, 15 Dec 2010 09:59:00 +00002010-12-15T10:07:04.302Zukeducationliberalismrights/ethicsdemocracyThe indignation of students and the protests which are mainly directed against the Lib Dems tell us something unsavoury about democracy. Undoubtedly, the Lib Dems have managed the situation of university tuition fees very badly, but they would have met opposition even without ‘the pledge’. [I dealt with the issue of fees previously, so this is not about fees].However, NUS did a disservice to http://paswonky.blogspot.com/2010/12/pledges-puppets-and-protests.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Francesca E S Montemaggi)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6059328.post-2396307529860061917Sun, 12 Dec 2010 12:10:00 +00002010-12-12T13:21:15.523ZukeducationmediapoliticsdemocracyThe story is that the Lib Dems, ever so close to students, signed a pledge not to raise tuition fees and reneged on it once in power. The broken promise is causing revolt on the streets and threatens the extinction of the party at the next election. As a narrative, the story is coherent, touches every emotional chord from hope to betrayal, and from trust to suspicion. It is a classic story, it http://paswonky.blogspot.com/2010/12/fees-lies-and-lib-dems.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Francesca E S Montemaggi)3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6059328.post-7874437876977808836Sat, 27 Nov 2010 14:09:00 +00002010-11-27T14:19:12.058Zliberalismrights/ethicsphilosophyreligioncatholicismThe other day, I offended a priest (unintentionally). As my irritation with the Vatican interference with the Italian legislative process grew, I suggested that it would perhaps be a good idea if the Vatican relocated back to Avignon. I was struck by my ‘friend’ suggesting that he would not criticise Judaism as I was criticising Catholicism. First of all, I was criticising the politics and http://paswonky.blogspot.com/2010/11/offending-priests-and-freedom-of-speech.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Francesca E S Montemaggi)4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6059328.post-4489513205906484565Thu, 11 Nov 2010 11:07:00 +00002010-11-11T17:30:29.677Zmiddle eastA recent debate at Cambridge Union debating society had the proposition "Israel is a rogue state". Arguing in favour was Gabriel Latner, who is a law student at Cambridge. Although he tecnically argued in favour of the proposition, he provided a definition of 'rogue' to suit a rather pro-Israel stance. Here you can find his argument.Gabriel calls himself a 'sophist', but I'm not sure his 'trick' http://paswonky.blogspot.com/2010/11/israel-is-rogue-state-debate.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Francesca E S Montemaggi)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6059328.post-7008242393768099439Sun, 15 Aug 2010 09:54:00 +00002010-08-15T10:54:39.919+01:00lawliberalismrights/ethicsphilosophypoliticsdemocracyfeminismThe world is, at times, divided into optimists and pessimists. There are the Pangloss of the situation (those I call ‘shallow liberals’) who believe that everything will be for the better as long as we are 'free'. On the other side, there are the Scrooges of the radical left who see the world as a fight between oppressed and oppressor where freedom is a smokescreen for the powerful to rule. The http://paswonky.blogspot.com/2010/08/libertys-essential-ingredient.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Francesca E S Montemaggi)11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6059328.post-7799419990308043741Thu, 12 Aug 2010 11:22:00 +00002010-08-12T21:57:44.416+01:00sexliberalismwalesrights/ethicsfeminismHooters, the American restaurant chain, whose ‘trademark’ are scantily dressed waitresses (men need not apply), has lodged a licensing application in Cardiff. ITV reported that the plans were “voraciously” (how about ‘vehemently’?) opposed by the Cardiff Feminist Network who are against its “promiscuous clothing” (how about ‘undignified’?). Leaving aside the unfortunate use of words, should a http://paswonky.blogspot.com/2010/08/shallow-liberals-and-ambiguity-of-sex.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Francesca E S Montemaggi)10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6059328.post-2148191513066901905Wed, 11 Aug 2010 20:03:00 +00002010-09-26T09:21:32.184+01:00rights/ethicsreligionfilm/TVI've recently watched the film Whistle down the wind and was a bit taken aback. The first 30-40mins are superb. It is a wonderful portrayal of childhood innocence. The children are spontaneous and funny, but the film thesis is problematic. It is the story of two children finding a man in their barn and believe he’s Jesus. The innocent and naïve faith of the children is contrasted with the world http://paswonky.blogspot.com/2010/08/childhood-innocence-and-faith.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Francesca E S Montemaggi)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6059328.post-5355779081127510730Sun, 08 Aug 2010 20:20:00 +00002010-08-14T10:09:08.092+01:00islamliberalismrights/ethicsreligionamericaFinally something to blog about. A friend of mine posed the question whether the project of the Islamic Cultural Centre to be built near Ground Zero should go ahead. Caldwell on the FT made the point of the location of the mosque being insensitive to the victims of 9/11. He argues that whilst Islam should not be seen as responsible for 9/11, the atrocities were committed in the name of Islam and,http://paswonky.blogspot.com/2010/08/when-mosque-is-not-mosque.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Francesca E S Montemaggi)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6059328.post-2762546521926859946Wed, 26 May 2010 09:34:00 +00002010-05-26T10:35:04.599+01:00europepoliticseconomyWe are in a pickle. Across Europe governments have amassed billions of debt, unemployment is on the rise, which, with the help of few cuts here and there, will go sky high, and the euro has wobbly foundations.We are in debt because we believed ‘the markets’. We didn’t want to pry into contemporary sorcery; we didn’t want to ask how it all works; we left it to the ‘experts’. Too many numbers, too http://paswonky.blogspot.com/2010/05/europhobia-wont-balance-books.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Francesca E S Montemaggi)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6059328.post-5078871962108035905Sat, 15 May 2010 19:56:00 +00002010-05-15T21:06:36.113+01:00ukmediaelection2010politicsI think the Miliband brothers should form a coalition, it’s so this season!Jokes aside, I'm generally in favour of coalitions because they temper excesses and offer stability. ‘Strong governments’ only turn into an ‘elected dictatorship’. This is because Parliament stops being a check on the executive as soon as the executive can rely on the party’s majority to get everything through. The courts http://paswonky.blogspot.com/2010/05/coalitions-are-not-marriages.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Francesca E S Montemaggi)5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6059328.post-7789364793496601720Sat, 08 May 2010 13:34:00 +00002010-05-14T19:28:53.663+01:00ukelection2010politicsWinter is back. As the cold winds bring the temperatures down across Britain, the political heat generated by the Prime Ministerial Debates has evaporated and turned into the dampness of political stalemate. It had been duly predicted so I’m not sure why everyone is puzzled. I feel what happened is quite clear. First, Britain discovered TV which allowed people to learn more about the Lib Dems, http://paswonky.blogspot.com/2010/05/nobody-made-history.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Francesca E S Montemaggi)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6059328.post-4840678212511212383Wed, 05 May 2010 20:50:00 +00002010-05-14T19:30:35.554+01:00ukliberalismrights/ethicselection2010politicsamericaThe political rhetoric of this election offers very little hope and courage. Cameron and Brown, in particular, have only votes in mind, not politics. Their words are uninspired and uninspiring. They only reaffirm our fears instead of overcoming them. It is not our society that is broken but our politics.Of course, I shall not be voting because, not being a British citizen, I'm not entitled to http://paswonky.blogspot.com/2010/05/election-2010-why-im-liberal-democrat.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Francesca E S Montemaggi)0