Listen : Think : Act

Sunday Song - If you tolerate this.....

noreply@blogger.com (Mr John Cooper) — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 11:42:00 +0000

Today's song comes from the Manic Street Preachers. It is a simple reaction to the following news.... Nick Griffin, leader of the British National Party, will be part of the team representing the European Union at the Copenhagen Summit.

So Nick Griffin will attend the key environment event of the century. With the potential to deliver justice to millions around the world. It will set the tone for years to come.... so what does he think about climate change?

According to 'Two Doctors' he sees the peak oil crisis as a chance to exploit people's fears and bring them to fascism.
He believes climate change is a 'hoax' that has been created to provide 'the liberal elite' with new ways of controlling the population
Let's not forget his opening comment earlier this year when he said he wanted to 'capsize' boats carrying asylum seekers from North Africa. Therefore the issue of climate justice, and our (Global North) need to deliver restorative justice to a globe we have scarred through our overconsumption - thereby committing millions around the world to a live of misery....

Words fail me about this move.

Take Care Y'All

John

Stopping the Vultures

noreply@blogger.com (Mr John Cooper) — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 10:05:00 +0000

The moves to stop the vultures continues with much pace. I had a fantastic email action from Jubilee Debt Campaign in my inbox this morning and I just had to share it....(ok this is my write up of it)

The call is simple - This latest case is yet another example of the horrors of Vulture Funds. They can be stopped if an MP introduces a private members bill. The 'winners' of the poll this year to introduce a bill (of their choice) are currently deciding what to introduce....

So.... JDC have suggested....if Vulture Funds get your Goat (not to mix my animals up) then contact the MPs direct. But also I would suggest letting your own MP know your concerns and asking them to lobby the MPs to introduce such a bill as welll.

Incase you don't know the winners list they are

1. Dr Brian Iddon MP (Labour, Bolton South East):

2. David Chaytor MP (Labour, Bury North):

3. Andrew Gwynne MP (Labour, Denton and Reddish):

4. Albert Owen MP (Labour, Ynys Môn):

5. Julie Morgan MP (Labour, Cardiff North):

6. Anthony Steen MP (Conservative, Totnes):

7. Alistair Burt MP (Conservative, North East Bedfordshire):

As ever, if you want more info then go to the Jubilee Debt Campaign page and also send the MP there as well... or make it easier and print out a Vulture Funds briefing and send it to them with a note.

(Brief History........

Spring 2009 - An early day motion is lodged opposing the practice of Vulture Funds - this EDM currently has over 200 MPs signatures - the equivalent of a 1/3rd of the house

Late Spring 09 - Sally Keeble, and a group of cross bench MPs introduce a Private Members Bill to severly limit the practice of Vulture Funds

Spring 2009 onwards and JDC gets thousands and thousands of lobby cards signed by members of the public

Summer 2009 and the Government has a consultation on the issue of Vulture Funds - an issue no-one was talking about (bar JDC) around Christmas last year

Autum 2009 - Consultation closes and no further word from the government....)

The Vultures Have Swooped

noreply@blogger.com (Mr John Cooper) — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 21:22:00 +0000

Rage. Anger. Fustration. Blimey the news makes my blood boil. But what news is this? Quiet simply the news that Vultures Have Struck Again on a Vulnerable Nation....

Vulture Funds are, by their name, a scavaging mode of making money. They purchase debt cheaply from the debtee and the pursue the debtor for the full costs (and some) making profit out of these actions. For some areas of the market this could be seen as what ensures that those with poor credit are able to get credit, because it enables their debt to be passed on if the person lending the money knows they will get at least some back. However, for some areas of the economic market this is nothing but outragous exploitation and can potentialy lead to some vial consequences.

Today's case serves only to highlight what a blight on this country such actions are. Both the UK and US legislators have been considering legisation to stop such action. The UK held a consultaiton on the issue, but results have yet to be released - but nothing about it in the queens speech does imply the result. The US is reconsidering its options after the presidential election stalled their equivalent bill.

Church groups were at the forefront of calling for debt relief way back in the 1990s. Church groups have been key to ensuring the debt issue stays on the agenda. Because of church groups Jubilee Debt Campaign still exists to ensure that we all work towards a world without illigitimate and onorous debts enslaving nations.

However,

All this good work will be undone if vulture funds can continue to operate. Email your MP today and ask them to take action on this subject because for all the moral condemnation the law still enables it to happen... because the government haven't released the results of the summer consulation and time is running out.... not just for this parliament.... but for some of the most economicaly vulnerable nations in the world.... and I for one don't want another private firm to benefit off a soverign nations poverty, and at the same time by the act of litigating enslave another generation to live in poverty.

To live in poverty for no more than private gain.

This isn't an issue of economics.

This is an issue of justice.

And for every one of us that keeps quiet, we are allowing the next case to be brought to court.

Take Care Y'All

John

(For information updates and to donate to support the campaign to defeat these funds please go to the Jubilee Debt Campaign website)

Ethical Chocolate

noreply@blogger.com (Mr John Cooper) — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 19:06:00 +0000

The certification of Cadbury's Dairy Milk, in 2009, should be considered a highpoint in the fairtrade campaign. It is estimated the impact of this will have been a doubling of the amount of fairtrade cocoa sold to the UK.

Therefore, it was quiet a shock to visit Cadbury's World last week and not find any reference, bar a few pictures stuck on the wall, that the bar had gone fairtrade. This was, to be honest, rather odd. Through a fantastic set of interactive videos, the story of the ethical, Quaker founded, Cadbury company seemed to end slightly too early.

Unfortunatly, it could all end slightly too early. Another set of people taking a peek around the factory were journalists. With notebook and cameras, they were getting the low-down on what impact the proposed take-over bid from Kraft could have.

Therefore I thought it wise to return to an age old piramid cartoon. For, through the movements of craft, I am convinced one of the problems of capitlism - well the shareholder part - is clearly illustrated. Kraft discussed with the board what they thought of the plan. The board of Cadbury's said 'thanks but no thanks'.

Now, I would think at this point Kraft should take no as an answer. Afterall, that is what Children are taught - no means no.

Instead Kraft launched a hostile takeover bid. This operates, not in the companies interest, but in the interest of the shareholder. Ie the company aiming to do the hostile takeover opens up its wallet and waves money at the shareholder and says 'dare you overule the current management'. Certainly, this grows even more worrying, because reports have begun to circulate that the Fairtrade status of the bar could be under threat should the deal go through.

So, to return to the pyramid. Popular around the time of the Russian revolution, it outlines the way the richest percentage of any population rely upon the poorest to prop up the system. When shareholders are given dream amounts of money it is as though the top of the pyramid leans down to the bottom and begs them to move. However, as the Building Society debacles of the last decade illustrated, if you go away from a more co-operative approach to purely chasing profit the future isn't bright - it is the potential for absolute disaster.

Cadbury's are a fascinating orgainsation. Somehow they try to mix ethics with being one of the biggest confectionery companies in the world. Many people didn't realise they striving for ethics - yet that is being highlighted as the biggest issue that challenges the merger talks. Almost, it appears management have realised ethics behind the machine and wish to defend it. Will the shareholders wish to defend it?

Sunday Song

noreply@blogger.com (Mr John Cooper) — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 18:12:00 +0000

"Do you want salt and vinegar", was what they made her say,
But in the language of the ghetto,
That means, "Help, I'm a woman in chains"

This weeks Sunday song is a wee bit of fun. Bill Bailey and Billy Bragg unite to sing one of the finest songs ever written.

Take Care Y'All

John

Awards for Methodist Bloggers?

noreply@blogger.com (Mr John Cooper) — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 15:21:00 +0000

Exciting news.

The Original Christian Web and New Media Awards meet this evening. In line for awards are blogs run by some key Methodists.

In the 'Best Small Church' category we find Wellspring Methodist Church. Their website features a calender, blog and podcasts in a well designed and accessable site.

In the 'best blog' category we find the current chair of lincoln and grimsby. Rev Dr David Perry runs 'Daves District Blog' and we readers are in for a treat. Using well taken photography and his love for his locality, we find a range of worship resources and personal reflections that give you an idea of all that goes on in his world.

Finally in the category of 'Best Leadership Blog' we find our very our President and Vice-President. In their co-authored blog we get an idea of their diary, their photography skills and their personalities. Since its inception with Martyn Atkins and Ruby Beech this has become a firm staple of the Methodist year. As a blog whose authorship alters each year it doesn't have a definitive style. However the cycle of visits mean different people, places and buildings are stressed in this online eye into the world o f Methodist leadership!

Outside of the Methodist world it is good to see 'Church Mouse Publishing' in the running for best newcomer.Church Mouse Publishing has always presented a very sharp view of the goings on in the Anglican world. Unlike some critical blogs, it manages to mix criticism with praise - and always a faint hint of disbelief at events - in a very readable and accesable way.

This is a very exciting evening for Methodism so lets hope for some silverware...well proberbly it'd be glassware....or at least a wee banner for their blogs or websites! Best of luck to all entrants.

Take Care Y'All

John

They came, saw - then waited and waited and waited

noreply@blogger.com (Mr John Cooper) — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 18:38:00 +0000

Hello patient reader.

This blog has fizzled to an ungainly halt. This is because I'm unhappy with many aspects of it.

The plan is simple - relaunch, re-freshed and revived around Pentecost 2009.

Why? Because Pentecost was when the Desciples found ways to communicate to a wide variety of people in multiple differnt ways that everyone understood...

Warm Regards

John

Dan's Story - Our Story?

noreply@blogger.com (Mr John Cooper) — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 23:32:00 +0000

The above advert was recently released by Action for Children.

What do you think the key message is?

What impression does it give?

What issues does it highlight?

With Regards

John

(Will respond in three days with reasons why this is listed)

Bye Bush : Ola Obama!

noreply@blogger.com (Mr John Cooper) — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 02:09:00 +0000

Bush

Bush n Blair

Hello Obama...

Let's get ready to see what the land made for everybody can deliver...one day at a time.

Take Care Y'All

John

Sunday Song

noreply@blogger.com (Mr John Cooper) — Sun, 18 Jan 2009 09:00:00 +0000

Performed at last weekends demo by 'Lowkey', Free Palestine is a fascinating exposition of frustration and anger. Focusing not on the massacre - but our own place in supporting it - he gets to the nub of the issue.

Take Care Y'All

John

Sunday Song

noreply@blogger.com (Mr John Cooper) — Sun, 11 Jan 2009 17:52:00 +0000

Song: He Was My Brother (Simon and Garfunkel)

Saturday saw over 50,000 people take to the streets to demands Israel out of Palestine

Sunday has seen tens of thousands flood the streets again - this time supporting Israel but calling for peace.

Both sides see brothers (and sisters) stand up willing to be killed to set each other free.

Take Care Y'All

John

Enemy of Apathy

noreply@blogger.com (Mr John Cooper) — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 01:07:00 +0000

There is a point in paying interest.

There is a point to taking action.

Without action others die - others that you could have saved.

Take Care Y'All

John

Sunday Song

noreply@blogger.com (Mr John Cooper) — Sun, 28 Dec 2008 09:38:00 +0000

Donovan - Universal Soldier
by America13

Universal Soldier song by Donovan

This one is dedicated to all those who fight for peace. Not with weapons, but with words and actions and dialogue.

As Israel unleashes merry hell upon the Palestinian population once again may we all begin to push for peace.

Take Care Y'all

John

Sunday Song

noreply@blogger.com (Mr John Cooper) — Sun, 21 Dec 2008 09:00:00 +0000

(Apologies about the lack of Sunday Song for a few weeks)

Of Course I believe in Santa...because Santa's a true man of the people.

That's right '

too many pies, not enough exercise, that's why he's one of us

' Santa's a Scotsman!

Take care Y'All

John

Archbishop challenges building blocks of ecomomic growth

noreply@blogger.com (Mr John Cooper) — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 23:50:00 +0000

J.Humphries: Is it wise for a cleric to advise the economists?
R.Williams: It's suicidally silly I think because I'm not an economist by any stretch of the imagination but I want to ask where these moral questions are in the economic discourse..."

Rowan Williams, current Archbishop of Canterbury, raised serous questions he felt were being unanswered about the cause, impact and solutions to the current financial crisis. In a wide ranging interview, broadcast live on BBC Radio 4's Today program, he questioned, and was questioned on, a wide variety of economic questions and the nature of his answers illustrated a clear moral, rather than economic mindset.

J. Humphries:The problem with your position is that if you are one of the Woolworths workers with no job just before Christmas they are going to disagree with you?
R.Williams: I wonder, I think the thing a woolworths worker will want overall is job security and knowledge that their savings are safe...

J.Humpries (interrupting)...they want a job....

R.Williams..yes they want a job and, the economy has to be orientated, as I said earlier, to making things to production and making things that allow people to have that security

The Archbishops answers were a fascinating mix of economics and theology. What became clear was his compassion for the individual, yet at the same time his passion for community. His underlying analysis appears to be that the nation has destroyed local communities while trying to build an economy built on false credit. Once our false economy begins to crumble everyone needs to examine the way the economy is being r

R.Williams: My fundamental concern is what makes a society wealthy, in terms of taking everyone's welfare seriously built and what principles this new growth is based upon.

Throughout the interview the Archbishop was at pains to illustrate he was not trying to be an economist. He was more forthright about his views on disestablishment (no different from what he said before), the Iraq War (it was wrong) and the need to put international pressure on to remove Mugabe.

Reaction to the interview has been mixed. The morning press briefing at Downing Street issued a cautious response which clearly distanced the government from the Archbishop's statements without outright condemning the man, instead choosing to say the Archbishop 'chooses his own words' while the government gets on with doing what it thinks is right.

My personal view is that the Archbishop is right. We cannot get out of debt by getting into more debt. We cannot also continue on a purely service based economy that doesn't include providing for this country the basics. We cannot continue to look to the same old solutions -we need to be looking for new solutions to the current problem.

A wide range of NGOs are currently calling for Gordon Brown to 'call time on Global Greed' and to listen to the people, not the Bankers. While the economic establishment has a key role in providing answers, as well as being accountable for previous actions, the fundamental cracks appearing in the economic system mean we have a chance to listen to those currently excluded and build a new inclusive economic system. If we don't we have wasted the opportunity of a lifetime.

[Note: If you wish to read an 'outraged from tonbridge wells' reaction to the interview then, as ever, head over to the Methodist Preacher blog for David's latest thoughts]

Youth Participation Video

noreply@blogger.com (Mr John Cooper) — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 10:57:00 +0000

Latest Video explaining and exciting....

Looks good to me

Money Money Money

noreply@blogger.com (Mr John Cooper) — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 15:44:00 +0000

Hello

First, welcome if you are a new reader! The added fame of being contained in the Methodist Recorder (thank you Olive) has topped off a marvelous day all round.

Click here to see the full post referred to in the Methodist Recorder

Here are other musings I had on the Credit Crunch, the final (tidied up version) was published in 'The Friend' (The weekly Quaker journal)

-- - - - -- -
Today I would like to set you a challenge. See if you can find one form of media that doesn't comment on the growing credit crunch. It is fairly difficult. The reality is to continue such intense coverage the media needs a wide range of voices.

One voice heard was that of the Church of England as the Archbishops of Canterbury and York got involved in the debate. This is nothing new, Christianity has always had something to say about money. Jesus turned over the tables against money lenders in the temple, Judas Escariet selling out Jesus for his pieces of silver, multiple leaders campaigning against slavery not forgetting the multitude of (mainly Victorian) philanthropists who went one step ahead (such as Bourneville creating his 'model village for workers') due to their religious values.

More recently a Christian undertone has inspired multiple organizations that engage the population in examining their use of money. The 'Made of Money' work undertaken by Quaker Social Action is one example. It has been raising levels of financial literacy among some of the poorest communities in east London. By raising levels of financial literacy the individuals are able to take control of their own life and dignity.

Yet for all these 'headline' acts the more inspirational stories, and true reflection of Gods love for all, can be shown through the actions of ourselves. As a nation we have enjoyed prosperity and education based upon high levels of credit. Now debts are called back we all find ourselves in tighter spots. How should we respond? Start by looking in Advices and Queries – delve into the collective knowledge contained in 23 'Social Justice' because the reality is religious leaders can never speak for all the members. A clerical word or two in the media won't solve any problems.

Instead, they can exploit their positions to put forward the beginnings of an alternative viewpoint. One which states we should look for the value in the individual over the value they have in the bank. Ultimately we can only be a reflection of Gods love for all, when we start with ourselves and take responsibility for our own actions – even in these harsh times.

-- - - - - - - - -

Take Care y'All

John

[Note: This post was edited on 17th December 2008 to reflect the true nature of 'The Friend]

Testing Testing 123

noreply@blogger.com (Mr John Cooper) — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 23:56:00 +0000

This is a wee test....

Latest Food & BBC Updates

noreply@blogger.com (Mr John Cooper) — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 21:20:00 +0000

Civil War affected by Brand / Ross 'scandal'

and

Supermarkets React with new product lines to reflect the credit crunch

Take Care Y'All

John

The Apostles Creed

noreply@blogger.com (Mr John Cooper) — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 08:45:00 +0000

Take Care Y'All

John

New Apple Mac Products!

noreply@blogger.com (Mr John Cooper) — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 08:16:00 +0000

Watch until the end.

Take Care y'all

John

Paddington Bear....

noreply@blogger.com (Mr John Cooper) — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 21:24:00 +0000

....

while I digest the latest Methodist Council meeting (and apologies for not blogging before about it - job interviews got in the way) I thought you would appreciate the beginnings of my reflections

Take Care Y'All

John

Confession Corner

noreply@blogger.com (Mr John Cooper) — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 18:03:00 +0000

I have always wanted to be a Blue Peter presenter. If I saw a job advert for it tommorow I would sign up. For many years I was addicted to the show and one of the hardest moments was donating my colleciton of Blue Peter annuals to the Oxfam shop last summer. This was a serious collection that covered almost the entire period they were originally published.

Anyway happy birthday blue peter

I wish I could come work for you

Take Care Yall

John

Sunday Song

noreply@blogger.com (Mr John Cooper) — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 09:00:00 +0000

Every day - it's a getting closer
Goin faster than a roller coaster

It is nearly Methodist Council again - whoop whoop!

Take Care Y'All

John

Wesleys Words on Credit Crunch

noreply@blogger.com (Mr John Cooper) — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 08:30:00 +0000

The crunch of the credit crunch has pre-occupied a wide variety of media outlets. Everyone from the Archbishops of Canterbury and York to the Secretary of External Relations for the Methodist Church have had a say... but I thought rather than comment on any of that I would highlight some wise words from Wesley.

3. We are. Thirdly, to gain all we can without hurting our neighbour. But this we may not, cannot do, if we love our neighbour as ourselves. We cannot, if we love everyone as ourselves, hurt anyone in his substance. We cannot devour the increase of his lands, and perhaps the lands and houses themselves, by gaming, by overgrown bills (whether on account of physic, or law, or anything else,) or by requiring or taking such interest as even the laws of our country forbid. Hereby all pawn-broking is excluded: Seeing, whatever good we might do thereby, all unprejudiced men see with grief to be abundantly overbalanced by the evil. And if it were otherwise, yet we are not allowed to "do evil that good may come." We cannot, consistent with brotherly love, sell our goods below the market price; we cannot study to ruin our neighbour's trade, in order to advance our own; much less can we entice away or receive any of his servants or workmen whom he has need of. None can gain by swallowing up his neighbour's substance, without gaining the damnation of hell!

Taken from John Wesley's 'On the Use of Money' (Sermon 50)

What amazes me about this particular sermon is it is, in the main, still true and just as cutting a critique on the materialistic 21st century as it was on the world around him when he first delivered the sermon.

If you would like a more modern view on the economic crisis then I would heavily recommend

This fine analysis from the Guardian which looks at cause, effect and future political moves

and

Methodism's very own Methodist Preacher has delivered a very fine series of Blog posts on the economic collapse including:

i) A call not to rush towards de-nationalisation
b) A (bearded) flashback to the 1970s and then forwards to today
c) A challenge that 'Thatcherism has failed'
d) A reflection as a 'reluctant capitalist' - mainly looking at demutalisation

OUtside of all this the remarkable Richard Hall manages to find time to visit a favourite haunt of mine, now called 'Now Tea Vicar' and which does a remarkably good baguette....anyway take a good run and read his thoughts here

Take Care Y'All

John