Red Devil

Original article: http://www.economist.com/people/PrinterFriendly.cfm?Story_ID=3984320

S u m m a r y

Manchester United fans are not happy with their club’s new owner. Malcolm Glazer is American, a true businessman and the owner of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, an American Football team. The fans plan to protest during Saturday’s English FA Cup Final by leaving their usual red scarves at home in favour of black flags.

Glazer and sons are viewed as typical profit-driven American capitalists and fans fear ticket prices may go up. Likewise, the naming rights to United’s Old Trafford home could be sold to a sponsor. Worryingly, the club’s debt is piling up since Glazer used a high-risk financing technique to fund part of the purchase price.

Despite the fact that his input may proof beneficial to United in the long run, death threats have been made against him.



R e a c t i o n

On the one hand, I understand that the fans are upset. A new owner is going to change things, whether for the better or the worse. More and more often it seems more about the money than the game. Understandably, the “red devils” fear the ticket prices will rise.

The fact that an American is in control now must also be hard to swallow for the fans. The identity of the club might be at stake.

On the other hand, I think that some fans have gone overboard by wanting to do anything they can to get rid of Glazer. Other foreign owners have proven to do a good job for British clubs.

[Arsenal beat Manchester United in last weekend’s FA Cup Final]

Scientist spooked by ghost study

Original article: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/4564383.stm

S u m m a r y

Mary King’s Close is spooky. But just how spooky is this warren of underground streets that was sealed off from the outside world when Edinburgh’s Royal Exchange (now the City Chambers) was built on top of it in 1753?

Professor Wiseman from the University of Hertfordshire wanted to find out the truth behind the reported apparitions and phantom footsteps. He sent 200 volunteers to different locations. Only two of these locations had reputations for being “haunted”.

A majority of the volunteers reported strange phenomena were indeed happening, and many more so at the “haunted” locations. Reports included clothing being pulled, a continuous low frequency rumble, and even sightings of a sinister figure in black.

Although the professor was surprised, he credits environmental and psychological factors for most of the experiences. The origins of the others are still unknown.

R e a c t i o n

What I like about Scotland are the myths, monsters and ghosts, so it was with great pleasure that I read about this investigation into Mary King’s Close spooky world underground.

I think it is remarkable that the sites that had reputations for being haunted, have had many more sightings reported by these brave volunteers. Although reports of the ultrasound low frequency sound waves could be explained by overhead traffic noise, I think it is quite interesting that numerous people reported seeing a sinister figure in black.

BNP on the rise because Blair ignores working class

Original article:
http://news.independent.co.uk/uk/politics/story.jsp?story=639801

S u m m a r y

New Labour’s ignoring of white working-class voters is contributing to a rise of the British National Party (BNP), a former Downing Street adviser has warned. Labour MPs fear that if Mr Blair remains leader, a fall in Labour support could further increase the support for the BNP, who is openly racist, in next year’s local elections.

BNP’s growth is a “wake up call to all of us to work harder to challenge racism”, according to Home Office Minister Paul Goggins. Government’s failure to listen to the white working-class and local grievances like the lack of affordable housing, have helped increase the number of protest votes.

Mr Blair should not ignore the power of the BNP, who consider themselves the fourth party now that their votes have risen dramatically since 2001, and do more to answer the legitimate concerns of potential BNP voters.

R e a c t i o n

I am concerned by the increase in support for groups who are racist. There seems to be a trend in Europe for right-wing political groups to serve as an umbrella for those members of society who aren’t being listened to by the local or national government in a way that makes them feel that their lives, or their futures, are going to change for the better.

Something should be done against racism, but I also think it is difficult to come up with a clear solution to this problem. Yet, listening to people who are unhappy could be a start. What else should Mr Blair do? Your reactions, please.

Mystery of the silent, talented piano player

Original article: http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk_news/story/0,3604,1484698,00.html

"Piano man" and the sketch he made

S u m m a r y

Last month a man was found wandering and dripping wet on the Isle of Sheppey, Kent. Police officers tried to find out who he was but the man did not speak. They took him to the Maritime hospital in Gillingham.

The man remained silent but was able to draw a sketch of a grand piano. When he was offered access to one he began to play. Weeks later he still has not spoken, expressing himself only through his music. He plays skillfully and may be a professional musician.

Staff don’t know who he is, so anyone who has information that might help identify this man should contact. For now, his familiar music may help “piano man” find some relief from the trauma he must have suffered.

R e a c t i o n

I think this is a very sad story. I am also intrigued by the mystery. It really puzzles me what has happened to the “piano man”. Is he suffering from amnesia? Did he experience trauma and is he still in a state of shock or is he a psychiatric patient?

I really hope they soon find out who he is and hopefully he will recognize people “from his past” when they visit. I was surprised when I saw the picture of the drawing he made of the grand piano because it looks so detailed and realistic. Maybe he has been to art school?

How tops turn teens into hoodlums

Original article: http://www.guardian.co.uk/crime/article/0,2763,1483709,00.html


Bluewater Mall, photo: bbc.co.uk

S u m m a r y

“Street rats” as some call them, are youth wearing hooded tops and baseball caps. They are labelled disrespectful and are associated with alcohol abuse and violence. They can be found in and around shopping centres like Bluewater in Kent. Are the kids worse than ever? Some think they are.

Bluewater has decided to ban hoods and caps after shoppers’ complaints. Schools and clubs in the area have outlawed hats and hoods so they don't obscure troublemakers' faces on CCTV. Tony Blair promised to make the restoration of respect a priority, after voters told him of teens' loss of respect.

Although most people agree with the safety issues, there is criticism about these bans and the government’s drive for respect. Statistically youth offending is falling, but people complain about teenagers as much as always.

R e a c t i o n

I think it is dangerous to stereotype and label people.

This article made me think about the Lonsdale issue we currently have in the Netherlands. It seems that more and more schools choose a similar approach as Bluewater and surrounding schools do.

Without diminishing society’s problems with young offenders and anti-social behaviour, I think a major issue is the way some people deal with groups of people they feel they don’t understand. By banning fashion items I believe the only problem that will be solved somewhat is society’s anxiety over groups of youth they feel they are out of touch with.


Hoodies: crime or fashion?

'Policing to blame' for wife's death

Original article: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/nottinghamshire/4518279.stm

S u m m a r y

Widower Victor Bates spoke to BBC News outside the Old Bailey after 19-year-old Peter Williams was sentenced to 22 years in prison for the murder of his wife Marian. Williams was one of two men involved in the killing. The second, who fired the shot that killed her, has not been caught.

In this interview Mr. Bates comments on the fact that Williams had taken off an electronic tag after release from a young offenders' institution, admonishing those responsible. Also, Mr. Bates expresses his criticism on the management of the Nottingham police force and expresses his worries about the gunman still being at large.

R e a c t i o n

I am surprised to find that the Nottingham police force are criticized over similar issues as their Dutch colleagues. It worries me that the unsafe situation as mentioned above, could have been avoided if people had taken their jobs more seriously or if there were means to do their jobs more effectively.

Unfortunately, this is not the first story I have heard about offenders committing crimes when on parole, or shortly after a release from an institution. Apparently, this is a critical period in which a relapse is more likely to occur so all the more reason to watch these people closely.

Also, every decision that increases emergency response time is a bad decision in my opinion. I agree with Mr. Bates, the Nottingham police force should get their priorities straight.

Life sentence for jeweller killer

Original article: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/nottinghamshire/4517439.stm

S u m m a r y

Williams, 19, had denied murder but was convicted at a trial at Stafford Crown Court in March. He must serve at least 22 years for killing Marian Bates. Mrs. Bates tried to shield her daughter from armed robbers in a Nottingham jeweller’s store and was shot dead.

Additionally, Williams was convicted of causing grievous bodily harm with intent and possessing a firearm with intent. The prosecution alleged he was present during the robbery and had helped an unknown gunman to escape by attacking Mr. Bates, 66, with a crowbar in the moments after the shooting on 30 September, 2003.

The alleged gunman, officers named him as James Brodie, is still missing and being hunted in connection with the murder.

(This article also addresses criticism on Nottingham police force, see related article, above).

R e a c t i o n

This article leaves me frustrated because I think some valuable information is missing.

At this moment, I am not convinced that Williams himself killed Mrs. Bates, yet he has just been convicted of this crime and sentenced severely for it. What were the circumstances? Where was Brodie and where is he now? What hard evidence is there?

Of course, Williams deserved to be punished for escaping the young offenders' institution, for possession of a firearm, for helping the gunman escape and for assaulting Mr. Bates and for causing grief to the Bates family. But should he have been sentenced for murdering Mrs. Bates as well?