Wednesday 5 September 2007

The Good, the Bad and the Ugly...

...in reverse order!

THE UGLY

Bob Crow and his 'Awkward Squad'. I don't want to bore the rest of the UK with the story behind this tit, but my poor blistered feet, tattered nerves and general feeling of helplessness compel me to say, "Fuck that". As Leader of the RMT Union, the biggest representative for Tube workers, he has guided all his members out onto a 3-day strike as a pre-emptive measure against redundancies which has meant a 90% shut down of the biggest underground transport system in the world. When miners' families were fighting against the imminent threat of job losses it was a real and present danger. Bob Crow's actions are power-crazed, lacking in purpose and cynical. He has shown no remorse or sympathy for the millions of people affected. Imagine a city of 11 million who are sitting in gridlocked traffic (while wanting to stick pins in their eyes), packed, oven-hot buses bursting with people (wanting to end it all) or people walking miles and miles just because it's quicker (hobbling and cursing). His behaviour in the media has been UGLY and Facebook has pulled no punches (which is quite nice to see in such a fluffy network); just key in Bob Crow and feel the anger! UPDATE the RMT have now agreed to go back to work *does a cynical "Whoo!"*

THE BAD

The album above is being released in time for Christmas. I saw this promo sleeve on popjustice and wept. Not because Money is on there (time hasn't been kind) but because there is a need for the album. The fact that most of the world refused when Jamelia asked to Walk With Me means that money has to be recouped and she is gently shoved down pop's dumper - just ask our Bev (Knight), she knows all about it. Above it all is that BAD, cheesy title, Superstar. It sums up everything that's wrong: the only song the majority of people will know her for and the only song anyone will choose to download or sing in a karaoke, (actually, I'm guilty of that one, so I'll get my coat).

THE GOOD

The ad on TV for a BBC drama (see below) gets my heart racing and something else stirring. Consenting Adults (pic above) is part of a huge BBC 4 series of programmes called Hidden Lives commemorating the huge social impact of The Wolfenden Report 50 years ago. Basically, a chance to show load of gayers on TV. Yay! The GOOD! But *ahem* seriously, a committee of 14 men and women decided that the Law should not interfere with 'consenting adults' leading to a ten year debate on the legalistaion of homosexuality. Although it may be quaint, Wolfenden suggesting that, for the sake of the ladies in the room, they use the term Huntley & Palmers - after a popular biscuit brand at the time - for Homosexuals and Prostitutes, the country was still homophobic and repressed. This report was the beginning of the gradual dismantling of anti-gay culture. The series includes the ITV classic film, The Naked Civil Servant (itself affecting a social shift in British attitudes) about the life of Quentin Crisp - my little identity at the top right of this very blog.

8 comments:

Yuяi said...

I'm glad the Tubes will be running again. That would be a nightmare to have to drive or walk!

When Olga & I visited London last November, we used the Tubes (or is it just the "Tube"?) extensively and found it very easy to navigate. I can't imagine how that'd be with all those folks on strike.

loobylou said...

God, Tory Boy! Listen to yourself. Why don't you ask yourself why this strike had such support from union members? Like The Daily Mail, you seem to believe that any modern-day strikers are stupid and led by greedy union bosses (my grandad used to say the same about Scargill). The reason these people are going on strike is that their parent company Metronet has collapsed and their pensions are under threat. I believe you'd do the same if your future was in similar doubt. So your feet are sore? Boo hoo.

Phil said...

Yuri, it was a nightmare...

And Loobylou, fair enough with the Daily Mail comparison (heaven forbid, Dan76 will have me guts for garters) but Tory? And the strikers greedy? No. I'm a socialist through and through. See the next post for my reasons for the rant against the strike.

D'luv said...

Did you delete my comment? How very dare you.

Phil said...

No Mr D'Luv! You left it under the video clip! x

D'luv said...

Oh, for fuck's sake. That's the last time I drink while blog-hopping.

Phil said...

Try blogging after a drink. Some of my longest and passionate... not.

Adem With An E said...

You know, I never understood the popularity of "Superstar." I've loved virtually all of her other songs bar that one. Just totally annoys me, it's the one pop song I'd probably most like to eradicate from the history books.