Beaman's World

Interiors, Cat Sculptures and Sliding Bunks

2009-05-21T07:52:00.001Z

I've been busy lately working on my Interiors website along with constructing a number of Squidoo lenses. In this post I thought I'd showcase two or three of my favourite pages that I have completed.

The first page I want to mention is the Cat Sculpture and Art page that gives a multitude of examples of wonderful sculptures that devout cat admirers will no doubt be impressed by. They are all available for purchase too and very good prices. As a cat lover myself this was a page I very much enjoyed creating.

The second page is about kid's bunk beds. These ones come with slides that create an extra fun module to the bedroom ambiance. I know that when a child I would have loved these bunk bed slides. It's a great addition to any little boy or girl's bedroom and each can be bought online very easily.

I'll be showcasing some more interesting household items over the coming weeks and months. Stay tuned.

Home Interior Design Themes

2009-03-23T16:13:00.002Z

A week ago I created a new website called Home Interior Design Themes. It's aim is to showcase the best of modern furniture, designs and decorations, as well as inspire visitors who are seeking ideas and tips on what to do in their home.

Whilst still very new, it already has a selection of posts on some exciting products from the Dishy Vase through to the Honeycomb Cardboard Furniture.

Future posts and articles will concentrate on such things as furnishings, lighting, bedrooms, bathrooms, decorative art, rugs, colour schemes, to name but a few.

If you like Interior Design or are needing some inspiration, then bookmark the website and/or subscribe to its feed.

Richard the Lionheart

2009-03-17T20:08:00.004Z

A New Dawn

2009-03-14T22:25:00.004Z

I've decided to re-open Beaman's World after more than 3 months of hibernation. Whilst this will not be my main blog, Politics & Poetry being that honour, I will aim to regularly update this site with information, interesting links and bits & pieces of things that take my fancy.

Recently, much of my time has been devoted to writing articles on various subjects ranging from biographies of famous poets such as John Milton author of Paradise Lost and Lord Byron the troubled English poet. These have been fascinating studies which in turn have furthered my understanding of great poetry and the depth of the human mind.

In other related poetry articles I described in some detail what exactly, with some examples, Onomatopoeia Poetry is and how to write it. This is rather vital information, if like me, you aim to make money writing poetry online.

The next few days will provide further subjects for me to engage in and gain knowledge in. I'm excited daily by the new things I learn. I'm hoping it will improve the quality of my poetry tremendously.

I have moved!

2009-01-26T01:31:00.003Z

Dear readers,

I have moved to a new self-hosted website which will take over the job of being my blog.

My new home can be found here: Politics & Poetry

It's been great fun on blogspot and it has been greatly beneficial to my online learning curve. I wish to thank all who have linked to Beaman's World over the last few years. Hopefully you will come and bookmark my new website.

My business website is Pen Me A Poem from where you can hire a poet (myself) to write you a poem for a friend or loved one.

Best regards,

Beaman.

Note: I know I have a backlog of emails, which I will answer in the next day or two.

Standing with Israel

2008-12-29T18:50:00.002Z

I want to register my complete support for Israel's actions in the Gaza Strip over the last three days. For many years, the terrorist Islamist group Hamas has been firing rockets into southern Israeli towns and villages with little to no retaliation or defensive measures on the part of the Israeli government, especially in recent months. Despite the latest so-called 'ceasefire', missiles of various sorts continued to be fired from Gaza with hardly a murmur of condemnation from the International Community, not including the United States.

Israel must continue it's defensive measures in the Strip until Hamas is eliminated. Good luck Israel!!

Baby Beaman in Pram

2008-11-20T12:42:00.003Z

A photo of me in my pram. Circa 1980-81.

Budur: Love on the face of the moon

2008-11-07T11:33:00.003Z

One of the short stories I wrote whilst residing in the city of Berlin. Written on the 8th of June 2006.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

It was around 8:30 yesterday evening when I saw the pretty Arab girl standing outside the video rental store in my home district of Berlin. She wore a white hejab (headscarf) which completely covered her hair and a loose fitting, long-sleeved shirt and trousers. I'd seen her a few times before but never alone like she was last night. Her gaze was directed upwards, over the nearby trees, towards the moon, just visible in the light blue evening sky. The sun was still shining between the leaves, casting it's glow onto rooftops and advertisements that hung on lofty walls. Little flies flittered madly in circles, dancing their last before the night closed in. There was something wrong. A tear was rolling steadily down her left cheek, her eyes were filled with sadness. I could vaguely see her lips moving as though whispering to an unseen listener.

Three weeks ago I had seen her in the Tiergarten with a German boy of the same age. It wasn't the first time I'd caught a glimpse of their happiness together but this memory of them in particular remains the most vivid. The day had been warm and humid, sunshine present for most of it but in the late afternoon a mass of grey clouds had gathered and unleashed a torrent of heavy rain. I had happened to be walking through the park at the time and as is my luck, got caught unawares in the most central part of the sprawling gardens, a good ten minutes run from any form of comfortable shelter. With a rather light heart, I gave in to the inevitable and enjoyed a good soaking while walking at normal pace. A little later, thinking myself the only sane person in the area, I came across two figures racing across a wide area of grass surrounded by trees. A boy in jeans and a light-weight black jacket was chasing a hejab wearing girl. They were both laughing, she giggling and crying out in joy, he making monkey noises. I watched them run in circles, twirling together, jumping over puddles that had quickly formed. Neither cared about getting drenched, they even rolled over on the ground, whooping like children without a care in the world. They knew no one was around to watch, they were alone, they soon took their chance and kissed beneath the open skies.

It's very rare in Berlin to see a Muslim girl walking with a non-Muslim boy, infact they were the only pair I had ever seen. Probably the very reason why they had anchored in my memory. An odd occurence but one that should be usual, in an ideal world.

Her parents had told her recently, that if they caught her with him again, they would kill him and glady serve a prison sentence in order to save the reputation of their family. She had been mortified and had pleaded for them to relent. Sleepless nights she had spent in thinking of ways in which to solve their terrible predicament. Her father had even scoured through her diary for the boy's phone number and told him, without her knowing, that he would kill his own daughter if he, the boy, kept seeing her. An untruth, the father dearly loved his daughter but he knew the boy would be unsure.

Last week, the boy got a job in Stuttgart and knew he would have to leave her. Their last meeting together was three days ago, in the grounds of Charlottenburg Palace, beside the river Spree. After strolling in near silence for an hour, he had told her about his plans. They both cried but she knew even so, that they would have had to have finished sooner or later. She could not leave her sick mother or her family and also she feared being tracked down if she went with him. It was in the late evening when they had said their final goodbyes. He would leave on the early train, the next morning.

Whilst looking into her eyes, he had made her promise that as often as they could they would look up towards the moon, the one thing that would always be visible to both of them for the rest of their lives and remember one another. She had then told him to imagine them together, like when they had visited the cinema, sitting side by side, their fingers interwoven, watching the film. In some small way, by looking towards the stars, they would always be connected.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Budur was born in the Berlin district of Moabit, in 1986, to Jordanian immigrants. Her father owned a video rental store which he ran with his eldest son. Her mother was diagnosed with Multiple sclerosis two years ago and much of Budur's time is spent caring for her. She had met Benno in her first year at University last year, whilst studying medicine but before the end of the second term, her family had urged her to quit. The reason they gave was that as she was the only daughter, she must stay and look after her sick mother but she knew the two real reasons were to keep her away from 'Western men' and to become accustomed to home life in preparation for a likely arranged marriage in the near future. She would never forget Benno nor their promise.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

A Poem About Olivia

2008-10-11T16:58:00.004Z

The below poem is a piece I wrote for a friend which was intentionally to be used as an example of the poetry I can write for other people on my 'Hire a Poet' website.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

I saw her walking from the shadows,
Oh! A splendid sight was she to behold,
on a Summer’s noon; Blazing azure eyes
playful, beneath the canopy of leaves.
Flowers nearby, began to fade away
from my view, as her head tilted high
beckoning rays of sunlight to caress
her silky cheeks. Sweeping blonde hair unfurled
divine; Her resplendent jaw line perched on bold
imagination’s shoulder. Soft, lips, ripe,
magnificent; Thirst, and typhoons of lust,
Simmered hot within my embracing arms.
Then as a candle blown out at night
I stilled my mind; Her beauty etched upon my heart.

© Beaman 2008

Customised Poetry

I'm back!

2008-10-10T23:30:00.003Z

I would just like to thank all those who gave their best wishes over the last couple of months.

********

August Note

2008-08-17T09:45:00.003Z

Readers might be wondering where I've gone and whether this blog has been deserted. Plus my obligations elsewhere are not being fulfilled. It's not coming to an end nor will it be deserted for too much longer.

I've been deliberating whether to admit this but over the last month I've been rather overcome with a bout of depression which has rendered my desire and ability to write both incredibly difficult and somewhat futile. The majority of what energy I do have has been thrown into my poetry website but even that is quite light.

I would just like to apologise for any lack of contact via emails or comments. To be honest I've avoided both as they seem like giant mountains at the moment. Anyway, I will be fine and should be back by September, if not before.

Best wishes,

Beaman

Holiday Limerick

2008-07-27T21:40:00.000Z

I saw a small tabby in Spain,
Who sat sipping Moët champagne;
He looked up at me,
Spat out: "You bourgeoisie!"
Then swallowed his mouse with disdain.

Vacation Verse

Who has seen the wind?

2008-07-22T11:18:00.001Z

Who has seen the wind?
Neither I nor you.
But when the cat's tail trembles,
The methane's passing through.
Who has seen the wind?
Neither you nor I.
But when the cat it's bum does use,
My foot must be applied.

By Beaman

Second Poetry Prompt

2008-07-19T10:19:00.003Z

When she was born, according to the late American actress Gracie Allen, she was so surprised she didn’t talk for another year and a half. Thankfully the birth of life, new adventures or friendships don’t render participants speechless in such a fashion. This week’s Poetry Prompt subject is “Birth”.

To take part in this week's poetry prompt visit Poetry Prompt 2 - Birth.

RIP Goldwasser & Regev

2008-07-16T08:13:00.002Z

RIP Goldwasser & Regev

The two soldiers returned in coffins.

My Cat and I

2008-07-14T18:51:00.001Z

Poetry Prompt

2008-07-13T09:44:00.003Z

First of all I would like to offer my apologies to BlogPower and NeoConstant Journal for my lack of input and visiting over the last month or so. As some might have noticed, I've been rather preoccupied with setting up my new poetry website 'Pen Me A Poem'. I have been worried about my lack of commitment to the above two causes that I take great pride in being associated with and pledge that I will come back into the fold within the coming days.

Secondly, I have started a weekly poetry prompt on my website where each Friday I will provide a new cue and catalyst for those seeking inspiration and a place to share their work in a like-minded community. For full details of this, visit Poetry Prompt.

Thirdly, if anyone would like to share literature related links with my new site, then use the contact form that you will find here. I can't guarantee they will all be accepted but I will give them my full concentration.

A new blog post shouldn't be more than 48 hours away, from now on.

Best regards,

Beaman

Pen Me A Poem

2008-06-28T12:28:00.004Z

Ladies and Gentleman,

It is with great pleasure that I announce the opening of my new poetry website:

'Pen Me A Poem'

Feedback is most welcome via the comments section here.

This blog will of course continue as normal.

My Website Design Process

2008-06-22T11:36:00.004Z

Here are some basic design ideas for my new poetry website, 'Pen Me A Poem'. As you can see, it's still in it's underwear. Let me know what you think of the images below and if you have any suggestions for backgrounds, headers and general design, then fire away in the comments section. If any kind soul is decent at website/header/logo design, and is willing to help out for a small fee (sadly I mean small), then also shout out.

(edit. Photos were deleted - 18 July 2008)

Question to Readers

2008-06-16T16:09:00.005Z

Dear readers,

I'm looking to create a website for my poetry, short stories, written ads and other literature. Can anyone recommend a good website creator and host that is good for it's money. I'm proficient in html and similar codes so I'm planning on making it myself. The aim is to showcase some of my work in order to attract customers who would hire me to write for them. Any suggestions would be very much welcomed. This blog will of course continue as normal.

Beaman

In Support of 42 Days

2008-06-12T12:54:00.005Z

In 2004, Scotland Yard detectives slept on the floor of their offices as they gathered evidence that could be used in court against a terrorist network led by Dhiren Barot. The intelligence was overwhelming but it was only in the final moments of the two week time period that they were able to prevent the release of Al Qaeda terrorists onto the streets of London.

As The Telegraph noted: "Two years later, they pleaded guilty to plotting to make a dirty bomb and to kill fellow citizens in huge numbers."

Many journalists, politicians and bloggers like to make comparisons of Islamic terrorism to the atrocities of the IRA. Former British Prime Minister Sir John Major made the astoundingly naive claim that the United Kingdom had, "faced far more regular - and no less violent - assaults from the IRA".

What Major fails to tally up is the intent behind Islamist extremism and their global desire to destroy anything and everything that is not in their sphere of Islamic acceptability. They seek to kill in the tens of thousands, and if possible, in the millions. Unlike previous terrorists who more often than not gave some warnings, the Islamists do not and therefore the Police have to make arrests well before they have completed their investigations.

In 2005 the security services decided on 90 days as their ideal time frame for holding terror suspects but the political echelons refused. The global Jihad we now face crosses multiple continents, various language zones and is waged in a more computer related and internet savvy environment that we have not faced before. Evidence that would stand up in court has to be gleamed from hundreds, if not thousands, of computers, mosques, Islamic bookshops not just in Britain, but worldwide.

Many, like David Davies, who resigned as an MP today to force a local by-election in his constituency of Haltemprice and Howden in protest of the Terror Bill, claim that the habeus corpus has been undermined or destroyed. What they forget is that regardless of the detention limit, whether 28 days, 42 days or 90 days, a suspect must still be produced before a court within 48 hours of arrest. Scaremongering by various groups and media outlets has led to a myriad of misunderstandings and charges of Britain turning into a 'Police State', which are completely erroneous. What critics also forget or seem to gloss over is that the police's powers to detain are heavily checked by the judiciary in order that a long period of detention is only used in special circumstances.

Still more critics complain that we are in danger of alienating British Muslims. This point can only remain irrelevant in that those Muslims, the majority, who are against acts of terror should feel no affinity whatsoever with those arrested for concocting the murder of innocent civilians, Muslims included. If Islamic communities are so concerned and victimised, then what does that say about their desires for integration?

Britain must adapt to the growing threat and enemy forces that face us in the 21st Century and which seek the complete destruction of our values and freedoms. I personally back 90 days.

Finally I would like to add that I disagree with the seemingly underhand manner in which the Brown government has dealt with the terror bill vote and the likely 'paying off' of the DUP in return for their votes. Despite it being passed as a result, it is yet another sign of the disparagement of the Labour administration.

Virtual Caliphate - James Brandon

2008-06-11T23:10:00.005Z

A former Al Jazeera journalist today revealed the true extent of the Islamic cyber-Jihad being waged across the United Kingdom. A report produced by the Centre for Social Cohesion has laid bare the horrifying facts the British government has either ignored or as yet does not know about.

As Damian Thompson writes in The Telegraph:

"The days of the high-profile “radical mosque” are coming to an end: they are too easy for the security services to infiltrate or close down. Likewise, Islamists know that naked incitements to terrorism over the airwaves or the internet are risky, so they have switched to a form of rhetoric which concentrates on citing historical precedents for Islamic violence against the infidel – and there’s no shortage of them, needless to say.

Creepiest of all is what Brandon – a Middle Eastern specialist who has worked for Al-Jazeera, the BBC and Bloomberg – calls a “deep preoccupation with radicalising children”. One poster to Islambase, a leading radical website, recalls how he left the room to praise Allah when he heard his small sons fantasising about attacking “kaffirs”.

There is also a trend – which I predict will grow exponentially – for Islamists to home-school their children, in response to what they regard as anti-Islamic secular education."

To read the full report visit the Centre's website and download the PDF document under the title of 'Virtual Caliphate: Islamic extremists and their websites' by James Brandon.

This comes on the same day a new Terror Bill was sensibly passed raising the pre-charge terrorist detention period from 28 days to 42 days (my reasons for supporting the bill will be explained in the next post). The danger we are facing is enormous and it is growing.

********

I'm Supporting Germany

2008-06-07T23:45:00.003Z

According to news sources, the 1966 World Cup winner and football legend Sir Geoff Hurst will be supporting Germany in the 2008 European Football Championship, which incidentally started today. Of course, the English team embarrassingly failed to qualify for the tournament.

Hurst was heard to say: ‘Since England won’t be playing in the European Championships, I’ll be backing Germany.’

After causing many fans across the British Isles to choke on their early morning cups of tea, he then urged England supporters to rally around the German team.

‘Whether some people care to admit it, they are very much like us – determined, strong and proud. They’ve even got a sense of humour, I’ve found.’ he said.

Sir Geoff! I absolutely agree and will be supporting Germany myself over the next three weeks. Our shared love of the German nation and people is something I would like to see seep into British society in general. That's not to say Germany shouldn't remain our fiercest footballing rival, but rather the unnecessary tabloid abuse, war jokes and constant stereotypical pokes should be toned down to a certain degree and in some places replaced with an air of respect and friendship.

My English readers will cry foul but I have to admit I have been a Germanophile for most of my life (from the age of 7) and indeed during the period between 1990 and 1998 I was an active German football supporter, even over my own nation of England. The great names of Klinsmann, Matthäus, Kohler, Häßler, Völler and Möller still send a shiver of excitement down my spine as do the old scenes of celebration after a goal.

As the years passed and I entered my twenties, I came back to the English football fold, mostly out of a growing realisation that I was in fact being a traitor and that love for my own country was maturing, the more I read and studied. I still have the German football jersey from 1990 and a couple of 'Deutschland' scarves. They will once again see the light of day, as I proudly announce that my team for Euro2008 is, Germany.

********

Hava Nagila Dance

2008-06-04T21:05:00.000Z

The Perfect Library

2008-06-02T23:58:00.003Z

Perfect annex to a home.

Time to Strike

2008-06-02T14:36:00.004Z

"You should know that the criminal and terrorist Zionist regime which has 60 years of plundering, aggression and crimes in its file has reached the end of its work and will soon disappear off the geographical scene," - President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad

"As the Imam Khomeini said, if each Muslim throws a bucket of water on Israel, Israel will be erased," - Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki

The time for a just and much needed war against the Iranian Regime is drawing near. Israel cannot and will not let these tyrants gain nuclear weapons with which to control and threaten the entire Middle East and beyond.

Perhaps later this Summer, the skies over Iran will be filled with the wings of the glorious Israeli Air Force as they swoop and destroy nuclear power plants and military instillations across the nation. Many will cry foul but the annuls of history will be on Israel's side, just as it was in the Iraq strike of 1981 and the fabulous victory over the cowardly Egyptian and Syrian armies in 1967. Future generations will for centuries venerate the heroes of 2008, in the mould of the great Bar Kochba. Israel will once again regain it's aura of invincibility and keep her status as the beacon of democracy, modernity and human rights in the entire region.

The world must support Israel, for a nuclear Iran threatens not just Jerusalem, but the major cities of the civilised world including London, New York, Berlin, Mumbai and Tokyo. For many years Iran's proxies including the likes of Hezbollah and Syria have been waging war against the Jewish State and the people of Iraq, including the coalition. Now we must strike back and deliver a decisive blow to the head of the snake.

See: Hassan Nasrallah's speech about Israel.

Tutu's Hypocrisy

2008-06-02T12:20:00.004Z

Islamic intolerance strikes yet again. A car bomb exploded in the Pakistani capital Islamabad, directly outside the Danish Embassy today. Eight people were killed and dozens more wounded in what is believed to be an Al Qaeda attack. No Danes were caught up in the incident. Eyewitnesses said there were "screams all over".

Perhaps Nobel peace laureate Desmond Tutu should take a visit to the site of the explosion in Pakistan and see for himself what his Islamist friends do to those trying to preserve freedom and human rights.

I wonder if Desmond Tutu has forgotten his own country of South Africa, where over the last few weeks up to 70 immigrants have been slaughtered, some burnt to death and tens of thousands of displaced people have sought sanctuary in community halls, churches and police stations. The nation of the former terrorist Nelson Mandella is quickly sinking into a Zimbabwe-like abyss and risks loosing the rights to hold the 2010 Football World Cup. Crime rates are soaring. Indeed, Mr Tutu should sort out his own backyard before collaborating with Islamic terrorists. Then again, there are very few Jews to blame in Pretoria.

Like Arabs, Africans such as Tutu realise their own societies have contributed little to nothing to human rights, modernity and freedom. Enough to make any man mad with jealously and fury. Jews, again, are their scapegoat. If Tutu is regarded as "South Africa's moral conscience", then they are indeed, in very serious trouble.

My Interview with Douglas Murray

2008-05-27T19:24:00.004Z

Last week I had the great fortune to interview the leading British Neo-Conservative author and political commentator, Douglas Murray. In the year 2000, he became the youngest ever published biographer with his widely acclaimed ‘Bosie: A Biography of Lord Alfred Douglas’. However, it is probably his most recent book ‘Neoconservatism: Why We Need It’ that has seen his reputation and popularity soar. He’s also written articles for numerous newspapers and magazines across the globe including The Sunday Times and The New York Sun whilst his lectures, broadcasts and discussions have been featured on BBC radio and television, Sky and Fox, to name just a few. He is the director of the think-tank The Centre for Social Cohesion.

To read the questions I put to him and his detailed answers, visit: NeoConstant Interview: Douglas Murray.

********

Seven Songs Meme

2008-05-17T12:00:00.003Z

KateKate has tagged me with the 'Seven Songs Meme'.

The rules:-

List seven songs you are into right now. No matter what the genre, whether they have words, or even if they’re not any good, but they must be songs you’re really enjoying now, shaping your spring. Post these instructions in your blog along with your 7 songs. Then tag 7 other people to see what they’re listening to.

Mine are as follows: (right click on the song's name to be taken to a page where you can listen - no downloading involved)

1. Leaves' Eyes - Symphonic metal band from Norway - "Norwegian Lovesong"

2. America - 1970's American rock band - "Sister Golden Hair"
(See also: "A Horse with no Name" on same page)

3. Pink Martini - Oregon-based ‘little orchestra’ - "Dosvedanya Mio Bombino"

4. Ленинград - Ska band from Leningrad, Russia - "Свобода"

5. Сергей Шнуров - Russian singer and the frontman of the above band - "Главное ребята, сердцем не стареть"
(Take a giant gulp of vodka and enjoy)

6. יהודית רביץ - One of the most successful of Israeli singers - "A Night Stroll / Tiyul Ba'shdera"

7. Vespa - Polish band - "To miasto"

I will now tag 7 people to face the same treatment.

Amina of 'Muslim by Choice'
Choco of 'Choconet's Chronicles'
Clay of 'Clay Lowe'
Rev of 'Revellian Dot Com'
Paisley of '...Why Paisley???'
Ian of 'Shades of Grey'
and last of all, any other member of the Blogpower Group that wants to have a go!

My Road to Atheism

2008-05-15T17:43:00.004Z

"There is exactly the same degree of possibility and likelihood of the existence of the Christian God as there is of the existence of the Homeric God." - Bertrand Russell

Few if any people in the world today would put faith in the Gods presented in the epic poem The Iliad of ancient Greece. Most Christians and Muslims would treat such theistic claims as humorous folly akin to a child believing in the tooth fairy. The majority of Atheists would concur with the addendum that Abrahamic Monotheism is as equally daft.

The above notion was part of the reason I became an Atheist at the age of seventeen. My parents had provided a solid foundation of religious belief in the assumption that it would be a bedrock from which to either continue to build or reject when I was old enough to choose. Both my parents were agnostics but each held great interest in all the religions of the world, past and present. I was baptised Roman Catholic shortly after birth and would later go through my first Holy Confession and Communions, as well as attending an all boys Roman Catholic Prep School where prayers were said twice daily.

As a child, I strangely never questioned the existence of God and took for granted the religious teachings as truth. I did the same with Father Christmas who in many ways was more magical and endearing than Jesus Christ. It could be said that the terrible revelation about the non-existence of the bearded man in red shook the foundations of my religious core just a little too much, thereby weakening the essence of 'belief' for the aftershocks of later contemplation and study. If one highly regarded invisible charachter was fiction, then what about the rest?

I tend to see my switch to Atheism as a belated experience. One that should have happened earlier and probably would have if it had not been for certain circumstances in my life. The years from when I was ten years old to fifteen were not the happiest and without going in to detail, the safety blanket of belief in a highly benevolent diety was in many ways a life saver. Add to that the wonders of angels, spirits and saints, so prevelent in Catholic tradition. These dark years led to the temporary cancellation of theological pondering and indeed strengthened my Christianity. Prayer was natural, it was needed, it was also something that I believed would help me from day to day. Consciously, any shards of doubt were surpressed.

Then at the age of sixteen, my life changed dramatically for the better. Prayer still continued and religious symbols, churches and the pope's speeches still held a particular signifiance but they gradually started to fade in importance as the months went by. With my parents being agnostics and respectfully not caring either way which route I chose, the importance of religion was slowly becoming a downward spiral to oblivion.

My father was a religious and philosophical scholar and my mother well versed in Christianity, theology and literature. Naturally that led to often nightly discussions on subjects from Sumerian Culture through to the Renaissance and on to the broad ranges of Ethics and the Analytic Tradition. All throughout my life, these discussions became background noise for whatever else I was involved in, such as waging war on the French with my miniture toy soldiers or later trying to watch the American sitcom Frasier. When particularily bored I actually followed what they were discussing especially when they started shouting and throwing things.

It can be taken for granted that my family home was filled to the brim with books on religion, philosophy, classical fiction, Greek and Latin translated texts, encyclopedias and history. As an only child, they often provided the only sanctuary from boredom and loneliness. This fact alone is a strong reason for my eventual rejection of religion and indeed, of God.

When I had studied the evolution of religious thought, from the very beginnings to the modern day, in all their various forms and guises, including how the Bible and Koran were put together, it became impossible to rationally accept the existence or possibility of a higher power. It didn't become a case of saying "I don't know", it went further to an outright denial of God, which was an additional stage down the path from my parent's perspective.

I rememember the day I symbolically said goodbye to God. It was in the Cathedral of Santa Eulalia, in Barcelona, Spain. Sitting to the side of the nave, I gave thanks for the help my belief had given me during the dark years and offered up an internal monologue of my rejection and willingness to suffer any resulting consequences. It wasn't so much a message to a supposed being, for I had gone past that stage, but more a self directed statement of intentions, a clean break, a finiality and the closing of a chapter. Over the months when I had allowed doubt to return to my conscious mind, it had rushed in like a broken dam and drowned all perceptions of God. The structure of the library I had created in my mind through study, listening to my parents discussions, television documentaries and quiet contemplation kept my mind from collapasing in utter confusion with the loss of God and even possibly saved me from returning to an earlier form of intellectual suppression.

Whilst I cannot prove there is no God, I likewise cannot disprove the existence of a pink teapot floating around the plantet Neptune. I can however, say it is highly unlikely and that I don't personally believe there is a teapot floating around the eighth farthest plant from the sun. I am an atheist and will always be one, unless there is some day an obvious and irrefutable goblet of proof to the contrary.

Lady Mildred's Mirror

2008-05-13T21:23:00.004Z

The above photograph is of Lady Mildred hissing, spitting and growling at her reflection in the mirror. I really don't understand women.

Happy Anniversary Israel Week

2008-05-07T21:34:00.002Z

HAPPY DESERVED 60TH ANNIVERSARY ISRAEL!

This proud nation is an example of liberty, courage and hope for all. May it thrive, grow and prosper for centuries and centuries to come!

Please take time to read or re-read an essay I wrote last year called 'Why I Strongly Support Israel'.

Many people have an idol or hero. Someone or something to look to with deep respect and try to emulate in areas of courage, stamina, ethics, beauty and individualism. In my case, this champion is the nation of Israel. I salute this most misunderstood but extremely valiant, spirited and gallant country! You'll never walk alone my friend.

NeoConstant Journal

2008-05-03T10:26:00.004Z

A few days ago I was invited to contribute to a new and quickly growing online political magazine. I gladly accepted. NeoConstant is a grassroots journal of politics and foreign affairs from a Neoconservative perspective. All articles I place there will also be posted on this blog but that shouldn't stop anyone taking a look at the other contributors.

As some readers have probably noticed, my political stance has gradually moved from the Liberal Democratic to the NeoConservative position. This is not exactly true regarding many social and domestic issues but is an exact definition of my foreign policy and international outlook. I do believe this philosophy is vital for the latter if we are to keep our democratic and cultural values, and remain 'free' from tyranny and oppression.

Battle of Morality: Good vs Evil

2008-04-27T10:39:00.003Z

I've long thought of Agnosticism as the lazy thinker's way out of cerebral toil. Whilst not personally sharing the militant atheism of Richard Dawkins, I had concluded before I read his fascinating book, The God Delusion, that people who declared there might or might not be a divine being, were as bad as those who caught splinters sitting on the political fence. Surely if the agnostic in question has delved into the history of man's belief in Gods and the religious and cultural evolution of such concepts, then there would appear to those with doubt, that indeed God does not exist, except as a mental construct. Add to the melting pot, the imperfections of life, from the mass extinctions through to the tendency for one in three people to get cancer in their life times, then one has to ponder that if there is a God, He is as imperfect as we are, and therefore not worthy of praise and worship.

I might be seen to be attacking Theists but that is not my agenda. In my view, religious belief in a higher being is perfectly natural to humanity and it is therefore pointless and perhaps damaging to fight against such a phenomenon. If a person is to hold a devout belief in God, whilst I might disagree, they are at least prepared to sink and lay foundations of moral absolutes and principles.

We've been taught in modern society that there is no such thing as right or wrong, only different perceptions. I fully believe this nihilist relativism is in danger of undermining our identity, our cultures, our principles and indeed our freedoms. When we cannot be prepared to stand up for something that is morally right, of which I believe there is only one course, then our whole system is weak to the attack of those with wrong, but unfortunately strong, moralistic absolutisms.

When we start to equate Islamic suicide bombers to noble and brave freedom fighters, or the Communist tyrant Fidel Castro to a saviour of his people, then we must assume our morals are in danger of rotting away. In my humble opinion, it is a mixture of self-gratifying pomposity and dire intellectual fraud to suppose the 'rights' we have cultivated over centuries are open to question from the morally corrupt and retrograde forces of, for example, Socialism, or worst still, Islamism.

Whilst a belief in God is not a necessity, the concept of the religiously inspired battle of 'good versus evil' is vital. There is not, in my eyes, a giant intellect in the Universe setting the standards of what is right or wrong. However, if democratic and free values are to be defended on our insignificant planet, then humanity in the West must grasp and champion the morally correct universal human rights set out in both the Judeo-Christian scriptures, in the works of the Philosophers of old and indeed, the likes of the American Constitution.

Otherwise we let our comfortable Liberalism self defeat itself and open the doors to those with no doubts about what is right and wrong, but who are in fact, entirely morally bankrupt.

Happy St George's Day!

2008-04-23T11:23:00.003Z

Happy St George's Day to my fellow English countrymen!

For more information on England's National Day click here.
(More regular blogging will continue soon)

Happy Passover!

2008-04-19T10:31:00.003Z

I'd like to wish a very Happy Passover to my Jewish friends and readers.

To know more about Passover visit this post by Smooth Stone.
H/T: Jeremy Jacobs

How to pack eBay items for shipment

2008-04-17T15:43:00.006Z

eBay: How to

The basic principle to adhere to when packing a sold item for shipment is to prepare it as you would wish to receive it yourself. This should be carried out regardless of the final amount, whether that be 99 cents or 99 dollars. How the item arrives is the major factor in how you will be judged as a seller and whether the customer will leave you positive feedback. Or more importantly whether they will return and buy from you in the future which could involve an item with a higher price.

It's impossible to make individual packaging rules for every item that can be found on eBay but there are a few general rules of thumb that will help you deliver a high rate of customer service. They are as follows:

1. A Collection of Packing Materials.

Before you start selling items you will need to gather a range of packing materials of various kinds. Bubble Wrap is a vital component of an eBay seller's repertoire and can be bought in bulk relatively cheaply. Make sure to get a varying amount of sizes if you plan on selling miscellaneous. Scrunched newspaper is also a possibility but nothing is better than Bubble Wrap, it really is gold in the eBay packaging world.

Boxes are another necessity which like Bubble Wrap can actually be ordered online on eBay. At a last count, there were over 500 active auctions selling cardboard boxes. They come flat but are easy to reassemble. The below table shows some of the prices you can find for 25,of the most popular box sizes.

~ Size 127 x 127 x 127mm = $22
~ Size 203 x 152 x 102mm = $28
~ Size 305 x 229 x 127mm = $31
~ Size 279 x 254 x 115mm = $39
~ Size 432 x 254 x 153mm = $45

For smaller items it's best to use Bubble Bags which will ensure items do not get excessively bent, or cracked. Like with the Bubble Wrap and Boxes, it is advisable to buy in bulk which will lower your costs in the long run. Find retailers in your local area from which to buy around 100, if you are planning on making a career or part-time job out of eBay that is. Below is a table of differing sizes of Bubble Bags with their ideal content and usual price for a bulk buy of 100.

Size A (110 x 160mm) jewellery, watches = $9.50
Size B (120 x 210mm) floppy discs = $12.30
Size C (150 x 210mm) CDs = $12.30
Size D (180 x 260mm) DVDs = $15.45
Size E (220 x 260mm) small giftware = $20.60
Size F (220 x 330mm) small books = $28.80
Size G (240 x 330mm) brochures/magazines. Size A4 = $28.80
Size H (270 x 360mm) large books = $41
Size J (300 x 440mm) small clothing = $54
Size K (350 x 470mm) Size A3. = $60

Wrapping paper should also be considered as an extra security measure and also as a sign to the customer that you've done your best. They will certainly respect that and this in turn will mean a returning customer. Sticky tapes are vital, both the brown sticky tape and the smaller clear tape.

2. Over-Protect

It is best to spend a little extra on making sure the sold item arrives safely with the customer otherwise it can mean a lot of extra work, money and trouble if somehow it is damaged. You will receive negative feedback, an angry customer, a refund to make and wasted time, not to mention a battered ego. Pretend you are packing an item for the President of America, the Queen of England or for someone you dearly love, then you will be on the right path.

3. A Packing and Preparation Space

If you have a damp-proof and empty garage then something like this would be ideal. Otherwise a spare room or a shed. The dining room would also be fine but unless you don't mind spending time getting all your materials and utensils out, then putting them away again, each time you want to pack something then it's best to find a dedicated area. Wherever you choose it must be kept clean, dry and free from wandering pets and toddlers.

4. A Thank You Note

Customers are not used to little notes in their parcels which is a positive for you. Make one! Thank them for their purchase, remind them that if they have any problems to contact you and also invite them back in the near future. If worded correctly, it will hit the right spot and you will have yourself a long-term customer.

Most of your items will vary in size and shape therefore it is important to be prepared and to adapt. By having a large store of boxes, bubble wrap, envelopes, bags and so forth, you will save yourself a lot of time, speed up the delivery process and also save money. Most importantly you will impress the buyer!

Written by Beaman (This article can also be found at Helium.com)

Clip from 'Bande à part'

2008-04-15T21:44:00.005Z

The above scene is from Jean-Luc Godard's 'Bande à part'. The woman in the centre is the stunning Danish-born French actress Anna Karina. European understated style and elegance. Sit back and enjoy.

Beaman's Website & Blog Finds

2008-04-11T12:52:00.006Z

Beaman's Website & Blog Finds

Muslim by Choice is an insightful look into the life of a Polish convert to Islam. Amina, a delightful young woman, offers up intelligent posts on why she converted, how Islam has helped her and also exploration of Muslim literature.

Gregg Beaman is a prospective Parliamentary Candidate for Wyre and Preston North for the UK Independence Party. His blog is a mixture of Political comments and general observations about life. Incidentally, we also share the same surname but are not related, not within the last Century at any rate. Our differences over the EU do not hinder a general agreement when it comes to International Politics and The Guardian.

My Shrapnel is a courageous journal of a young Israeli woman who was severely injured in a Palestinian Suicide Attack in 2002. The explosion left shrapnel wounds over her entire body, many of which have not yet been removed, plus hearing loss. She doesn't like to see herself as heroic but that's exactly what she is. She has managed to keep her gentle and kind nature in the face of all the pain. A must read.

Neo-NeoCon is about an American lady who has gradually moved from her lifelong Democratic stance to a more right-wing, dare she say 'NeoCon', standpoint. Her blog details the reasons why and also describes the effects her conversion has had on her family, friends and even her profession. Apart from being very well written, it has also hit home with my own instinctive move towards the Neo-Conservative viewpoint from a former far-left position at the beginning of the decade.

Douglas Murray is probably the top British Neo-Conservative commentator and writer. Along with Melanie Phillips, he has been a very strong influence on my present move to the right. A fascinating chap and well worth checking via Google and YouTube.

...and finally, my Myspace Page. I use it mainly for collecting music and messages. Feel free to add me!

...and also my LastFM page which shows the music I listen to most. Again, add me if you have this programme too!

China is getting ready for the Olympics

2008-04-10T12:13:00.002Z

H/T: Poor Bastard Marvin

News Bites - 9 April

2008-04-09T16:08:00.006Z

In 2005, Britain made a terrible mistake. Tony Blair agreed a memoranda with Jordan, Lybia and Lebanon in which assurances were given that 'suspected' terrorists would not be tortured or killed if returned to their native countries.

Now "Osama bin Laden's right-hand man in Europe", Abu Qatada, has won an appeal against deportation back to Jordan because of this legal gimcrackery. He has been convicted by Jordan for numerous terrorist attacks.

Human rights group Amnesty International called for Qatada to be "fairly tried - not shipped off to Jordan to be sentenced on the basis of evidence that was tortured out of someone". Gareth Peirce, Qatada's solicitor, said she welcomed the court's decision.

Can we not get a law passed where we can torture these people ourselves and then dispose of them in the North Sea?

-------------------------------------------

Palestinians once again shoot themselves in the foot by attacking the fuel stations that provide fuel for...Palestinians! Hamas knows full well that a humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip with hundreds, if not thousands of Palestinian dead would be a major PR victory for the Islamist terrorist organisation to use against Israel.

Two Israeli workers and an IDF soldier were killed. The Israeli Defence Forces named the dead soldier as Saif Bissan, 21.

The time passed months ago when Israel should have retaken the Gaza Strip and safely repatriated Gazans to Egypt. They had their chance for peace and their own state, many times over, but each time they blew it. Hamas children's TV will be popular enough in Egypt with its anti-Semitic caricatures. A nice little oasis can be constructed in the Sinai.

Ban the United Nations

2008-04-08T15:43:00.006Z

Beaman's World is now officially anti-United Nations.
Enough is enough.
Bring on the League of Democracies!
Richard Falk, Ban Ki Moon, Mohamed ElBaradei, shame on you!

Frederick: Grains of Time

2008-04-04T00:13:00.005Z

The trees across the road were beginning to stir. Not from some idle wind but of their own accord. Branches swayed slightly before the creaking of the main trunks became apparent. The sound of soil and stones being disturbed and the rustling of roots then followed. Birds leapt from the branches before their wings had a chance to open, with sudden fear. Above the sky became a darker shade of red in the cold dusk. Metallic sounds akin to swords hitting shields could faintly be heard from the North and to the South and everywhere in between.

He was an elderly man, obviously well into his eighties, with a thick mat of brilliant white hair upon his head. A large bodily frame was covered with a generous layering of buttoned shirts that protruded from beneath a well-worn dark jumper. Little holes could be seen in the vicinity of the pits when he lifted his tired arms. Straggles of cotton or wool flared in the faint breeze. The man's face was red with the effort of trimming the edges of his lawn with rusting shears. A green polythene bin bag rested on the ground nearby.

The long stone wall on the opposite side of the road was cracking. He'd obviously noticed the strange phenomenon for he paused momentarily looking at the scene out of the corner of his eyes; his ears twitched in answer to the increasingly loud sounds of beating drums. Then as quickly as he had stopped, he continued with his wearisome task.

Night shrieks would not wake this old man from any dream, he knew as much. This was no midnight terror but the slow descent of the grains to come. Sand whistling through the hourglass. The memories were returning and there was nothing he could do about it. The wailing of witches screeched from a house nearby as streams of foul toxin funnelled out of half opened windows. Dogs howled and cats cried as he looked towards the blood soaked heavens.

I watched him as he suddenly straightened up from his hunched position and walked back to his front door. A woman's voice, obviously his wife, had announced that dinner was nearly ready. She wanted him to change into something clean before sitting at the table. From the smell I presumed it was Lasagne.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Frederick was born in 1926 in the seaside town of Whitstable in Kent. From a young age his natural acting talent had shone through and his parents had encouraged him by visiting London theatres as often as they could afford on their modest income. After the war he attended a prestigious drama school and from there went on to act upon some of the most famous stages in Europe. In 1965, his life's dream of playing Shakespeare's Macbeth came true which resulted in numerous accolades and awards. During the 1970's and beyond he wrote, directed and starred in a number of popular Horror B-movies which became classics to many adoring fans. Frederick lives with his wife of the same age and has grown increasingly concerned with his own mortality. He can't help but wonder what he will look like on his deathbed once he is deceased.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Gaza War Cemetery Attack

2008-04-03T20:15:00.009Z

"Palestinian gunmen blew up a monument in a British-run cemetery for foreign soldiers in the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip on Thursday, witnesses and British diplomats said.

Witnesses said gunmen blew up the two-meter (6.5-foot) high stone monument in Britain's Gaza War Cemetery in central Gaza. No group claimed responsibility for the attack.

A statement issued by the British Consulate General in Jerusalem said the Gaza War Cemetery contains graves of British and other foreign soldiers who were killed in conflicts in the region from as early as World War One.

Many tombstones in the graveyard are marked with a cross or star of David, indicating that both Christians and Jews were buried there." YNet

First it was Gazans attacking the EU embassy over the Danish cartoons, then it was the kidnapping of a British journalist and now it's desecration of our war dead. When will the West finally acknowledge that the so-called 'Palestinians' are our enemy too and not just Israel's? All aid we give to these Jordanian migrants, in whatever format, must immediately be cut in its entirety. Let Egypt and Jordan feed their brethren or better yet, invite them back to their original homes. The 'Palestine' concept is the biggest fraud of the last 60 years.

Finley & Cerys: Red Passion

2008-04-02T21:53:00.004Z

I was naturally wondering how the couple made love as I watched them walking from their car and then down the hill towards the town centre. Geometry had never been my strong point at school. A scene of large white cotton fields and plumped-up pillows came to my mind's eye, and I started to busy myself with the visual dynamics of copulation. Broken bed springs, tilted wall pictures and a Yorkshire Terrier whining under a coffee table hindered the initial images but then gradually the entire lust-filled but physically regulated panorama, soaked into clarity.

The couple had just exited their red car when I spotted them from my window. Each wore black trousers and red jumpers which matched exactly with that of their vehicle's paintwork. They were clinically obese with stomachs protruding with bodacious charm that merited a slight gasp from this particular onlooker. If classical music had been playing in the background, their parallel movements would have fitted perfectly in some street theatre musical production.

A small blackbird on the stone wall nearby that had been busily plucking at an old bread crust, paused, cocked a fascinated head and carefully surveyed the oncoming humans. Even the wind rustling the branches of the trees seemed to hold its breath and peer at the couple from all directions like a circus clown.

The little bird quickly melted into the giant bra strap lying on the floor next to the conjoined lovers. Large welds of fat, criss-crossed with stretch marks and potted like the moon's surface waved with the passion of their intimate ardour. Hands grasped the spare flesh, tugging and pushing until they were placed safely out of the way of entry. Then large fingers caressed silken cheeks whilst eyes smiled. A knowing sense of humour filled their gaze that only they could share and then laughter filled the room shutting out everything and everyone else.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Finley and Cerys had met at a Weight Watchers meeting fifteen years ago when they were both in their mid-twenties and desperate to loose weight. Finley's mother had booked his place after he constantly created cracks in the bath. He'd complained that it was just a woman's group but she would have none of it. Cerys had been there of her own accord when her depression and self esteem had plummeted and led her to suicidal thoughts. They'd spotted one another immediately but for days did not have the confidence to speak together. Finally Finley had offered her some Ryvita cracker bread as an ice breaker and their love became almost instant. They now live alone together and that suits them both perfectly.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

My Mother and I

2008-03-31T00:20:00.003Z

My mother and I - 1982.

Geert Wilders launches 'Fitna' film

2008-03-27T23:58:00.005Z

Dutch MP Geert Wilders launched his anti-Koranic film 'Fitna' this evening online. I fully support the airing of the film and hope television channels will eventually also show it. Being offended is not a reason to clamp down on freedom of speech and expression. Viva l'Europa!

Great Satan's Girlfriend

2008-03-26T20:15:00.004Z

Dear readers, please make time to visit 'Great Satan's Girlfriend' on her anniversary week. For a few months now we've shared many anecdotes and political comments, and have found her posts both humorous and startlingly succinct in their audacity.

Read my review here. (Warning! May cause frothing at the mouth if a Guardian reader)

Happy Easter!

2008-03-23T19:43:00.002Z

Blame Alcohol, Not Islam

2008-03-19T23:28:00.004Z

According to the Assistant Secretary-General at the Muslim Council of Britain, Inayat Bunglawala, the vicious attack on a London priest by three Muslim youths last week was an example of Islamaphobia. In his Guardian article (19 March) he instead blames rampant alcohol consumption which he believes was to blame for the attack. Bunglawala then goes on to state "Alcohol-fuelled antisocial incidents are worrying and reprehensible enough without being hijacked by those with a not so subtle anti-Muslim agenda of their own."

You see, Islam is not to blame for that evening's attack, nor for the weekly bricks through church windows right across East London. He deplores the fact that some Muslim boys break Islamic Law by consuming alcohol and that that fact alone is the sole vice that should be condemned. Not a word is uttered about the fact that the yobs shout such things as, ‘This should not be a church, this should be a mosque.’ Incidentally, this is the same area where Muslim youths stoned a group of Jews marking Holocaust Memorial Day this year.

Perhaps Inayat Bunglawala hasn't been informed of a recent survey which was noted in The Daily Telegraph.

"A survey of London clergy by National Churchwatch, which provides personal safety advice, found that nearly half said they had been attacked in the previous 12 months. The organisation suggested that vicars should consider taking off their dog collars when they are on their own."

Of course, we can't blame Islam. It's a religion of peace after all, isn't it? It's that damned alcohol which was obviously to blame for 9/11 too.

Circus Monte-Carlo

2008-03-19T02:12:00.001Z

Supporting Tibet

2008-03-14T22:17:00.004Z

Deaths Reported in Tibet Protests
Beaman's World stands with the people of Tibet.
I support the boycott of the 2008 Chinese Olympics and the 2008 Chinese Grand Prix.
See Reporters sans frontières.

Formula One Season Begins!

2008-03-14T13:13:00.003Z

The first race of the Formula One 2008 Season starts this Sunday in Australia. Four British racers will be competing against the best of world motor sport for the magnificent Grand Prix title. Last year's winner, Finland's Kimi Raikkonen, will be hard to beat but the great Lewis Hamilton will be in the strongest position to dethrone the Ice King.

Hopefully last year's snail-paced Honda will provide Jenson Button with a more beneficial system with which to show his obvious talents. David Coulthard, the Scottish skirt-chaser, will probably have a better chance in the ever improving Red Bull Renault but is his age against him?
Then there is the perennial test driver, Anthony Davidson in the Super Aguri, who is likely, unfortunately, to be fighting it out in the battle to finish anywhere but last.

My Predictions for the overall 2008 Championship top 3:

1. Lewis Hamilton. (McLaren Mercedes)
2. Kimi Raikkonen. (Ferrari)
3. Fernando Alonso. (Renault)

My Predictions for the Australian Grand Prix this Sunday:

1. Kimi Raikkonen. (Will have the confidence from last year's title still in his system)
2. Felipe Massa. (Ferrari will be dominant in the first few races)
3. Nick Heidfeld. (The German will be raring to go in an attempt to best last year's 5th place)

Unfortunately, I think Hamilton will not finish due to careering off the track somewhere in the excitement of the fight. Still very young. However he will recover during the season and go on to win the title.

What do you think? Who are your top 3?

BBC's 'White Girl' Debate

2008-03-12T19:40:00.008Z

I happened to come upon an interesting blog post in relation to the subject of my own previous blog entry, the BBC's drama 'White Girl'. I exchanged a number of comments with the author and have received permission to print them here along with the original post so that if anyone is interested to add to the debate, they are more than welcome to in the comments section of either blog.

The following is a little introduction to the author of 'Walls Come Tumbling Down':

Chris, is Director of Research & Policy at brap, an equalities and human rights charity based in sunny Birmingham. He has a PhD in Theology (Islamic Studies) and has explored in particular the discourse and theory of Islamophobia. In the past he has also taught University level modules on ‘Introduction to Multiculturalism’, ‘Muslims in Britain’, ‘Media, Culture & Society’ and ‘Research Skills & Methods’. As well as all this, Chris has appeared on a number of television and radio shows including the BBC, Sky News and the Islam Channel.

Finally, in his own words: "[Chris is] a moderate, mainstream, middle of the road 100% culturally British Muslim - the Muslim equivalent of a power ballad by somebody like Heart".

Click here to read his full and detailed biography.

Click below to continue.

Chris' original post is below.

‘White Girl’ was a gritty and emotional drama about a white family that relocates from Leeds to an almost entirely Asian Muslim community in Bradford. As the BBC2 website puts it:

“Abi Morgan’s compelling film is told from the perspective of 11-year-old Leah, played by newcomer Holly Kenny, whose world is turned upside down when her mum Debbie (Bleak House’s Anna Maxwell Martin) moves the family to Bradford to escape the fallout from her recent relationship break-up.

Leah becomes friends with her neighbour Yasmin and discovers that the culture she was initially intimidated by isn’t so alien after all. She is soon seeking sanctuary in the rituals of Islam, away from the pain and strife at home. But this innocent fascination turns sour for Debbie when her daughter comes home wearing a hijab, and the family’s violent reaction has explosive consequences for everyone.”

What was interesting about the drama was that despite there being much made about Islam - see the accompanying images above as a case in point - Islam was almost incidental. Clearly, all the positive role models in Leah’s life were Muslim, but it was the security and maybe the spirituality that Islam afforded her that was attractive rather than anything else. Likewise, there also seemed to be something about the ‘otherness’ of Islam that was attractive to her. Because of this, the drama was clearly not suggesting that Islam provided the ‘answers’ to the ‘problems’ in society but that when people are trapped in a void of nothingness and desperation, they need something to give them a glimmer of hope. For Leah, this was the security, ritual and relative tranquility of Islam.

In terms of being ‘white, working class’, the drama raised some interesting questions: around their lifestyles, hopes and aspirations. Throughout the series so far, the identity of the white working classes seemes to be central to BBC2’s series: an identity that seems to be one that is in deep crisis. In contrast to the highly romanticised version of Islam that the drama presented, the white working classes were represented as being self-destructive and damaging, lacking a sense of community and togetherness, and possibly even lacking any sense of moral underpinning. All in all, the drama did little to present a positive image of the white working class identity. More pertinently, the series seems to be ringing its final death toll.

‘White Girl’ then was an interesting drama and one that reversed the tide of recent media representations that identify Islam and Muslims in entirely negative frames. Whilst probably going a little too far in the positive (romantic?) direction, the drama was engaging, timely and an important reminder of the problems that ‘white’ society has in a time when Government and far too many others continue to disproportionately focus on the ‘problems’ of the ‘others’.

Below are the resulting comments.

Beaman: I was quite disgusted by this drama. Although I will say the acting was excellent. However, to put this programme on during a supposed ‘white season’ which was to study the white working class, seems to be an intentional kick in the teeth to the aforementioned group. So far, this hard working sector of British society has been portrayed as illiterate, racist and lazy ’stuck-in-the-mud’ fools over the last week.

With respect I must disagree with your assertion that the factor of Islam in this drama was ‘incidental’. The religious preaching by the school teacher and neighbour, to the eldest daughter, about the benefits of Islam was certainly an extremely politically correct interpretation of Islam as a ‘religion of peace’. I’m afraid, personally, I see it as anything but. Then there was also the factually incorrect advice, which in an indirect way suggested a Muslim wife can divorce her husband with mere words.

I think if the roles had been reversed, with the worst type of Muslim family moving into a respectable white non-Muslim area, then this drama would not have ventured past the drawing board in the BBC studios.

Chris: Hi Beaman (apologies if that’s not your name),

I think maybe you’ve misread some of the things that I said - as such let me pick up on them.

I suggested that Islam was “incidental” because at the end of the drama, when Leah got the security she needed from her mother, she removed all the outer manifestations of Islam (hijab etc). This didn’t seem to suggest that Islam was the answer for her, but instead that it was security, love and belonging.

I also suggested that there “seemed to be something about the ‘otherness’ of Islam that was attractive” to Leah and by this I meant that it was the hijab, the culture, essentially the ‘difference’ that seemed to appeal, rather more so than anything else.

In terms of the representation of Islam and Muslims, I also stated that the drama presented a “romanticised version” of the religion and so I think that this observation would in many ways agree with the point that you yourself made. However, I don’t think that this is all bad in the same way that I don’t think that every now and again getting a ‘bad’ representation of Muslims/ Islam is a tragedy either. Despite what some might argue, there are ‘good’ and ‘bad’ in all communities, Muslim, non-, white, black etc.

And finally, I do agree that the series has raised some difficult questions about the white working classes. However, I do think that this was played out better in the ‘Last Orders’ documentary where a discussion between a father and son highlighted how difficult it is now to argue that a white working class identity continues to exist. Hence my observation about these programmes being largely about a loss of identity rather more so than anything else.

I do wonder whether you’d have been as disturbed if there had been a series entitled ‘Black’ and the programmes in this series had represented black working class communities in the same way? Maybe I’m being a little harsh.

To wrap up, “the drama was clearly not suggesting that Islam provided the ‘answers’ to the ‘problems’ in society” and I’m going to stick to that comment. Also, ‘White Girl’ was a DRAMA and so things don’t always have to be entirely accurate (see the BBC’s ‘Ashes to Ashes’, ‘Holby City’, ‘Casualty’ etc - all dramas and all far from being completely real). All I can say is that sometimes drama requires you to take a ‘leap of faith’ (if you pardon the pun…!!!).

Chris

Alfie St Taurie: Being a member of the white unemployed class (previously known as working class) I was expecting to see a taut ‘fly on the wall’ type drama with superb acting like the good old days of TV drama. I was’nt disappointed until I quickly realised that this was a drama about a white dysfunctional family being rehoused into a muslim community which prompted a peal of PC alarm bells. What was portrayed and may have given the impression to the easily impressionable was that ALL white working class families contain violent, abusive, drunken low lifes whose only hope of salvation is through the benign ‘religion of peace’, Islam. Yet another example of BBC pandering to the muslims with a blatant piece of ridiculously biased propaganda. Beaman succinctly pointed out, ‘if the roles had been reversed, with the worst type of Muslim family moving into a respectable white non-Muslim area, then this drama would not have ventured past the drawing board in the BBC studios.’ Also, I wonder if are we going to see a similar gritty drama about young muslim girls being removed from schools in Luton to be married off to unknown ‘husbands’ in Pakistan. According to recent figures published yesterday, there were 300 girls reported absent in Luton alone which should make very uncomfortable reading for the Muslim Council of Great Britain, if indeed they actually care.

Beaman: Leah converted to Islam earlier in the drama which therefore means unless she became an apostate, she was very much still a Muslim. As even you must admit, people who leave the Islamic religion do not have a happy ride thereafter from their community. There was no indication she had thrown off the bonds of Islam.

I agree, she was attracted to something different which held the appeal of ordered structure and sympathy when she needed it most. However to portray Islam as the epitome of tolerance, peacefulness and respect for the female gender when every year hundreds of Muslim girls are forced into marriages, where Mosques nationwide are hotbeds for extremism and the threats against Salmon Rushdie and cartoonists is widespread, is pure BBC propaganda. It was a lot more than a ‘romanticised version’ of Islam.

‘Last Orders’ was also extremely poorly done. It portrayed the white working class as ignorant and old fashioned racists. Why did they feel the need to interview a yob with a swastika in the middle of the Union Jack? Was he meant to represent the young white working class of today? Disgusting parties like the BNP have very little support nationwide and it was extremely repellent of the BBC to make such assumptions about sections of society they obviously do not know.

Yes, I would point out the terrible bias regardless of the race being portrayed, especially in regards to the drama. Whether it had been a black, Hindu, Sikh, Chinese or Greek family being portrayed as morally corrupt in a neighbourhood of pious, ‘can-do-no-wrong’, preaching Islamic families and teachers, I would be as equally troubled.

Of course a white working class identity exists. How can you say otherwise? Just because the BBC portrays them as lost, ignorant, racist and illiterate doesn’t mean the majority are actually like that. I studied with working class students who had a great deal of cultural confidence and identity, plus they were thoroughly hard working. The BBC ‘white season’ has put down, sledgehammer style, the ordinary man in the street as much as it has raised up the feathers of one of the most troubled and potentially dangerous sections of society, the Muslim communities.

It was a drama indeed but its inclusion in ‘white season’ which was meant to be a study of the white working class, was either seriously misplaced or intentionally cruel.

Chris: Hi Beaman and Alfie,

Beaman - happy for you to link to this site and post the comments - I have no problem with debate as long as we all respect each other’s differences of opinion. So no problem there…

Alfie - It’s amazing, because there are far more than 300 drunken white working class people in towns and cities every weekend across Britain so maybe the representation is not entirely unfair in much the same way that a representation of some Muslims being misogynistic wouldn’t also be entirely unfair.

However, I’m not defending either the BBC or the series, I’m only commentating and would encourage you to read my post on the ‘reality tv’ programme “Make Me A Muslim” where I am very critical of both Channel 4 AND the Muslims that were involved. Similarly, on the post “Some people are gay. Get over it”, I’m also very critical of some Muslims as well.

One thing though, I try not to make sweeping generalisations about anyone whether that is the ‘white working classes’ (which I do personally feel are undergoing a crisis of identity not least because of the post-thatcher years and the pressure for all to ‘aspire’ to being middle-class) or Muslims either.

Chris

(END)

If you want to add anything to the debate then please feel free to do so. What do you think of our comments?

BBC's White Season - 'White Girl'

2008-03-11T14:48:00.003Z

“Cruelty is in theory a perfectly adequate ground for divorce, but it may be interpreted so as to become absurd” - Bertrand Russell

The BBC is midway through its 'White Season', a series of programmes created to address the increasing marginalisation of certain sections of British society. As Roly Keating, Controller of BBC2 says, "The White season is a complex look at how life has changed for the white working class in Britain".

Many people, including myself, assumed the 'white season' would be focusing solely on the white British working class and their views on life in the 21st century, their concerns, their joys and the uncovering of the deep and fascinatingly varied structure of their existence. For a Middle Class person like myself, this promised to open up a goldmine of information and endearing stories about my fellow countrymen without the politically correct adage of immigration. For once, religious indoctrination and positive discrimination would be put on a back burner.

How wrong I was.

Based on the drama, 'White Girl', shown last night on BBC, the white working class are a load of drunken, drug addicted, wife-beating, illiterate, swearing, hate filled, cultureless, child abusing, intolerant, racist thugs who can only be saved through conversion to Islam. I'm not joking! This was the exact thread of the storyline.

The plot begins with a mother and her three children fleeing an abusive husband and eventually settling down in the suburbs of Bradford. To their disgust and horror, they have been placed by the council in a completely Islamic neighbourhood. Their neighbours walk around in religious garb, some of the women showing only their eyes underneath black all-body clothing. There is the usual stereotypical racist rant from the mother and her eldest daughter followed by an array of examples of the above mentioned vices.

The eldest daughter eventually moves out and lives next door with an extremely compassionate and overly pious Muslim family who teach her Islamic values and aid her eventual conversion to Islam. All this time, the father, who has returned to the mother, engages in outdoor fights with his partner, only being broken up by concerned and peaceful men in South Asian clothing. At one stage the mother beats her son in the alleyway in full view of everyone else.

The 'happy' ending is of course predictable, with the father running off for good (albeit with all their furniture) and the mother and her children making do with what they have left and indeed, their new religion of hope. The wailing of the call to prayer can be heard on and off throughout the entire drama.

The acting was good, especially that of the eldest daughter but I am rather at a loss as to how and why this has anything to do with the supposed 'white season'. The BBC seem to have purposefully shown a drama that will wedge a large boot into the mouths of the white British working class. The Muslim Council of Britain could not, even in their wildest fantasies, have portrayed British Muslims as more saintly, compassionate and morally superior as the writer of this programme did.

In my view, this drama's aim and message can be summed up in one sentence. "White working class scum should save themselves by converting to Islam". Am I mistaken?

The BBC has unleashed a very cruel portrayal of probably the largest section of British society and has played right into the hands of the Islamist agenda.

Here is a Times review of 'White Girl'.

Moshe Feiglin Banned

2008-03-10T02:46:00.003Z

I'd like to register my disaproval of the British Home Secretary's decision to ban the deputy leader of Israel’s centre-right Likud party, Moshe Feiglin from entering the United Kingdom.

My sentiments can be summed up entirely by what Archbishop Cranmer wrote on the matter.

Leon Greenman - British Auschwitz Surviver

2008-03-08T12:35:00.003Z

Leon Greenman, the only Briton held at Auschwitz, died yesterday at the age of 97.

Throughout his long life he had actively campaigned against Fascism and war of any kind, even when in his later years the likes of the National Front were throwing bricks through his windows. He lost his wife and child in the Holocaust and was never to marry again. Friends said he mourned their deaths for the rest of his life.

To read more about this great man, visit this web-page, written back in January of 2005.

The world must never forget the horrors of the Holocaust. Everyone, regardless of faith or race should loudly condemn anyone who tries to dilute or refute the atrocities that the Jews suffered in 20th Century Europe. Whether these slanderers are the BNP (British Nazi Party), far-left politicians, Muslims, journalists, bloggers or plain old anti-Semites, they must be roundly condemned.

"May his great name be blessed forever and to all eternity. "

Jerusalem Massacre

2008-03-07T13:32:00.004Z

To the Westerner who "understands" the terrorist:

Spare us the explanations.

Spare us the learned, sociology-drenched justifications.
Spare us the reasons why you "get" Palestinians when they gun Jews down in cold blood.

Spare us the chapter and verse on how the plight of the Palestinians is at the root of Islamic terrorism the world over, and if the Palestinians were to receive full justice, Islamic terrorism would pass from the world.

Spare us.

(Continued here)

Peterborough's Disgrace

2008-03-06T17:31:00.005Z

" RAF personnel have been ordered not to wear their uniforms in public after incidents of verbal abuse on the streets. Troops have been told to keep a low profile in Peterborough after taking advice from RAF police."

(Source)

I'm afraid this makes me absolutely furious and I held back from writing this post for a while for fear of what could explode from my mind and into words. The Royal Air Force are particularly dear to my heart, mainly due to my mother and one of my grandfathers having served in this sector of our Armed Forces.

My late grandfather was a hero in my eyes and his tales of life during World War 2 in the RAF filled much of my childhood. The same with my mother's accounts. The bravery of our airmen both past and present is something every single Briton without exception should be thoroughly proud of. Without them, the United Kingdom would not be what it is today - one of the greatest countries in the world.

"It's a sad day for the city and for the country when the RAF can't wear their uniforms, particularly when they hold the Freedom of the City honour." said the city of Peterborough's mayor Marion Todd.

Many of the airmen who are based at nearby RAF Wittering, live in the city and surrounding area and have been subjected to verbal abuse when they walk out in their uniform. According to base spokesman Squadron Leader Tony Walsh, "the verbal attacks had come from a "cross-section" of the community" but tellingly finished off with "...and were believed to be linked to the RAF's current operations in Iraq and Afghanistan."

When he says 'cross-section' he is indeed correct. A Wikipedia quote of the demographics of Peterborough sums it up:

"In May 2004 groups of Pakistani residents clashed with Afghan and Iraqi asylum seekers. In the "running street battles," houses and cars were set alight and windows were smashed. Some people were hospitalised....
In comparison with the rest of the country, Peterborough has a lower proportion of Christians, Buddhists, Hindus, Jews and Sikhs. However, the city has a higher percentage of Muslims than the national average."

The Jihad continues apace.

(edited) Living in Britain is not a right, it is a privilege.

Book Meme: p123.

2008-03-05T19:03:00.003Z

Nina Munteanu of 'The Alien Next Door' has tagged Beaman's World with a book meme. The basic rules are as follows:

1. Look up page 123 in the nearest book to you at the time.

2. Find the fifth sentence and write it down. Then write down the three sentences that follow.

3. Once you've done this find three other people you'd like to tag and pass it to them.

There's a bookcase close to where my laptop is crouched so I chose the nearest book on the centre shelf. The book happened to be The Ancien Régime in Europe: Government and Society in the Major States 1648 - 1789 by EN Williams.

The fifth sentence down on page 123, along with the following three sentences was found to be on the subject of Spain and her 'Eighteenth Century Revival', which can be found below:

"He could begin with a clean sheet, and give the province a new constitution, known as the Nueva Planta. By this, the office of Viceroy was replaced by that of Captain-General-Governor, ruling in co-operation with the Audiencia. The Principality was divided into twelve areas for local government, each under a corregidor, as in Castile. Moreover, Catalonia now at last had to pay something likes its proper share in taxation to the Spanish Monarchy; but, instead of introducing the chaotic Castilian revenue system, Philip gave Catalonia the catastro - a uniform tax based on ability to pay."

I now tag the following three bloggers for the same treatment:

Sicily Scene
Nourishing Obscurity
Skindiving

Olmert Makes a Stand

2008-03-02T13:04:00.003Z

‘At this present juncture, I am opposed to armed struggle because we cannot succeed in it, but maybe in the future things will be different’.

The words of Mahmoud Abbas during a recent interview to a Jordanian newspaper.

He then went on to say Israel's actions are "worse than the Holocaust."

How the West expects Israel to work towards peace with this cancerous fraud is beyond belief and it comes as no surprise and indeed no great loss that the Palestinian Authority have finally broken off complete relations with Israel.

Today Olmert has finally recovered his spine and informed the world where to shove their concerns for terrorists firing rockets from amongst civilian populations. The terrible scenes in the Gaza Strip, where innocent children and women are being injured and killed are completely the doing of Hamas and its allies. Hamas/Fatah do not care for peace and never have, therefore the only option is to carry out their total defeat. Something Israel is likely to do very soon.

"It needs to be kept in mind that the State of Israel is defending its civilians in the south. No one has the right to preach morals to Israel, which must take the fundamental action of defending its residents against the rocket fire," Olmert stated today.

Thousands of rockets have hit southern Israel since the IDF withdrew from the Gaza Strip. Now the Palestinians will learn that their refusal for peace, tolerance and development will cost them very dearly. The West should and must stand shoulder to shoulder with Jerusalem.

Lorna Fitzsimons sums up the situation perfectly when she writes:

“What is plain is that the past seven years of attacks — and the dramatic increase in the past few months — have been unbearable for so many Israelis. Israel has acted with a commendable level of restraint that in all probability no other country in the world would have shown when under attack. Israel may well have to re-occupy large parts of Gaza, essentially admitting that its 2005 experiment of unilateral withdrawal failed — it wasn’t able to bring security to the region by giving back Gaza without a clear partner for peace on the other side. And where will all this leave Israel? Back at square one, pondering her next step in the search for a land-for-peace deal.”

Hetty Yet Again

2008-03-01T13:01:00.003Z

Too refined and beautiful not to photograph and publish over and over again.

Surrend in Berlin

2008-02-29T20:34:00.004Z

It is the turn of Berlin to surrender. This is extremely sad given the avant guarde and freedom loving heart that the great city has cultivated.

According to the BBC: "A Berlin art gallery has temporarily closed an exhibition where one of the posters made fun of Islam's holiest shrine, the Kaaba in Mecca.

The director of the art gallery in Berlin said there had been threats of violence if the poster was not removed, so they had decided to shut for a while."

Can they not place police officers outside the gallery and check the people going in for concealed weapons? There needs to be a strong stand against this Islamic censorship through violence otherwise it will only get worse.

"The art group 'Surrend' says its mission is to make fun of the world's powerful men and crazy ideological conflicts, using stickers, posters and advertisements."

To see more art from this interesting group see their website.

In 2006 they placed the below advertisement in an Iranian daily. Look carefully at the first letters of each line, then read downwards.

Hetty Photo

2008-02-26T23:28:00.003Z

Comments Section Debate

2008-02-22T14:23:00.005Z

There is a lengthy, civilised and fascinating debate taking place in the comments section of one of my recent blog posts. If anyone wants to join in on the discussion about Islam, they are more than welcome.

Click on the following link: 'Something to think about...'

Update:
Or even here regarding a discussion about the Iraq War.

Fidel Castro Steps Down

2008-02-19T21:38:00.006Z

The Cuban dictator, Fidel Castro, has finally stepped down after nearly 50 years in power. Despite having been through such notorious incidents such as the Bay of Pigs invasion, the Cuban Missile crisis, embargoes, various assassination attempts and latterly serious illness, he has managed to become one of the longest lived rulers in history. His crimes against humanity are just as long.

"Nothing but maximum respect and admiration to Mr Castro for standing up to American aggression and interference. Communism may not be the best way of life but it sure beats so called democracies such as the US." said a commenter on the BBC 'Have Your Say' section.

Another chimed in: "The majority of problems we suffer in the UK are born from the problems with democracy. Maybe our future leaders can be inspired by Castro?"

And even: "...they think their way around problems in a similar manner to the Scandinavian countries...".

Unfortunately these comments are on the front page with agreeable votes running into triple figures. How can people be so wrong?

Do they not know about the estimated 80,000 Cubans murdered for their political beliefs? Or the attempted eradication of homosexuals who were killed or forced into Labour Camps?
What about the fake elections and blatant lack of any democratic rights? What made Oliver Stone call the cold blooded killer 'Very selfless and moral. One of the world's wisest men'?, and why did Jack Nicholson refer to him as a 'genius'?

For decades Castro forced a Neo-Cartesian drama upon his people which can be summed up as 'I don't think, therefore I survive'. This cancerous social weapon having been transferred from the Soviets during the 1950's.

Why have the Left been so vocal in defence of Castro's Cuba when a great many of his actions have been polar opposites of Social Democracy? Perhaps it is his virulent anti-Americanism or his use of the magic-pill word 'revolution!' Many dictatorships, terrorists and criminals such as Che Guevara and Yassir Arafat have been idolized due to their opposition to America and Western values in general yet this lazy philosophy never connects the dots towards those who truly suffer because of these tyrant's actions. Armchair hero-worshippers of Castro can do so very easily in the West. Unfortunately the majority in internet-curbed Cuba don't have the means to rebut these assertions.

What will the historians of tomorrow, in 200 years time, make of the Left's moral and ethical compass in relation to many of the 20th/21st century's mass murderers? Fidel Castro unfortunately got to choose the time of his retirement at a grand old age. Let's hope and make sure others of his ilk don't have such similar opportunities.

Further information:

I discovered that Cllr Tony Sharp of The Waendel Journal has provided some great links in answer to people who claim Cuba's medial facilities are some of the best in the world. Specifically here and here.

A Sad Day for Europe

2008-02-17T15:07:00.003Z

The 17th of February 2008 is a sad day for Europe and a disastrous day for Western policies and future security. The USA, European Union and others have recognised a century long bout of ethnic cleansing of the Serbian population from their homeland. It has also paved the way for further breakaways across Europe, Russia and indeed the world. I personally refuse to recognise this new national/cultural crime known as 'Kosovo'. My sympathies are with the Serbs.

Iraq Poem & Discussion

2008-02-14T21:36:00.004Z

The majority of my political focus on this blog is directed towards the Israel/Palestine conflict with the inevitable connections to Hezbollah and Iran. I'm pretty used to having conflicting opinions in the comments sections of these posts and do in fact welcome them.

Last September (2007) I wrote a poem on the subject matter of Iraq and my thoughts and feelings towards the chaos emanating from said country. This post will therefore address a number of points raised by a very recent commenter about the situation there after having read the poem.

First of all take a minute or two to read the piece, 'The Gift'.

thepoetryman: "The poem gave nothing in return for my reading it. Unfortunately you as its author do not seem to understand the Iraqi people or the people of this world, for that matter."

I do not understand the Iraqi people, you are quite right. I've never had the good fortune to meet an Iraqi or travel to Iraq. However, no where on my blog have I ever claimed to be able to understand them. I will take it that you do know Iraqis and have a more advanced knowledge and understanding of their society.

Regarding knowledge of people worldwide, again, your assertion is accurate. I am not a Multiculturalist and have never claimed to be. That's not to say I don't have much admiration for people who have studied a wide variety of cultures and societies across the globe. Your position is something to strive for, most certainly.

thepoetryman: "You certainly do not understand the US foreign policy. It is empire on the march my friend. It is not a blessing or a gift that landed in Iraq. It was never a war, it was and will remain an occuaption of a soveriegn land."

It's an occupation, yes. I don't see any malice or 'evil' in such an occupation though. The US and UK are not intending to make Iraq a 51st state of America, or to wipe out a certain section of Iraqi society like Saddam was. I can't think of many invading forces in history that rid a suppressed people of a vicious dictator then attempted to rebuild the infrastructure and install democracy. If you think a tyrant was good enough for these Arab and Kurdish people, then fine but I disagree entirely.

thepoetryman: "Do you honestly believe that this venture was a gift? You are either very young or very naive. Either way you are so far off base as to what we did and are doing to the ancient land of Iraq. It isn't a gift, it is rape."

Unfortunately since the allied invasion, Islamist and Nationalist ideologues have put all their efforts into destabilising Iraq and bringing the death count to an unimaginable and horrific level. Whilst the US builds, the terrorists/insurgents/freedom fighters blow up markets and police stations. I fully believe the US and UK gave the Iraqis a gift, which many have mishandled and are now in the process of destroying for the rest.

thepoetryman: "Make no mistake about it, it was not a blunder."

The decision to invade was not a blunder, true. How the allies dealt with the occupation could have been a lot better managed.

thepoetryman: "It was a plan to destabilize Iraq and have our way with the resources and then saunter into Iran. If not now, very soon."

By resources I guess you mean their oil. I find this a rather ridiculous argument for the sole reason that the US could have made a deal with the corrupt Saddam Hussein rather than spend the billions of dollars they did to invade the country and occupy it.

Quite why the US and UK would want Iraq to remain destabilized if they were planning an entry into Iran is another point I do not fully grasp. I'm sure you have a good and detailed answer. Wouldn't the US need a stable Iraq so they could focus all their forces for the attack on Iran? As for air strikes on their nuclear facilities which I hope happen soon, they can be done from Turkey, Israel and the Persian Gulf.

thepoetryman: "Sanctions had killed millions before the occupation began!."

No thanks to Saddam and his Baathist Party indeed. He was a tyrant of the highest calibre.

thepoetryman: "The initial invasion killed over 800,000 Iraqis!
After the invasion, over 200,000 Iraqis have perished!"

These figures are nonsense. Where are the statistics showing civilian casualties against militia/terrorist casualties? Plus where are the details of who killed what number of civilians? Car bombs and mass executions at the hands of Islamists are certainly a very large part of the final figures. You make it sound like the American and British soldiers have carried out a genocide, which is plain ridiculous.

thepoetryman: "Where is the gift?"

The gift is being sliced and diced by ignorant, violent, backward and intolerant thugs.

Readers are welcome to add their opinions in the comments section.

Valentine's Day - Nightwish

2008-02-13T14:34:00.003Z

While Your Lips are Still Red by the Finnish group Nightwish
ww

Something to Think About...

2008-02-12T00:02:00.001Z

A man whose family was German aristocracy prior to World War II owned a number of large industries and estates. When asked how many German people were true Nazis, the answer he gave can guide our attitude toward fanaticism.

"Very few people were true Nazis "he said," but many enjoyed the return of German pride, and many more were too busy to care. I was one of those who just thought the Nazis were a bunch of fools. So, the majority just sat back and let it all happen. Then, before we knew it, they owned us, and we had lost control, and the end of the world had come. My family lost everything. I ended up in a concentration camp and the Allies destroyed my factories."

We are told again and again by "experts" and "talking heads" that Islam is the religion of peace, and that the vast majority of Muslims just want to live in peace. Although this unqualified assertion may be true, it is entirely irrelevant. It is meaningless fluff, meant to make us feel better, and meant to somehow diminish the spectre of fanatics rampaging across the globe in the name of Islam. The fact is that the fanatics rule Islam at this moment in history.

It is the fanatics who march. It is the fanatics who wage any one of 50 shooting wars worldwide. It is the fanatics who systematically slaughter Christian or tribal groups throughout Africa and are gradually taking over the entire continent in an Islamic wave. It is the fanatics who bomb, behead, murder, or honour kill. It is the fanatics who take over mosque after mosque. It is the fanatics who zealously spread the stoning and hanging of rape victims and homosexuals. The hard quantifiable fact is that the "peaceful majority", the "silent majority", is cowed and extraneous.

Communist Russia was comprised of Russians who just wanted to live in peace, yet the Russian Communists were responsible for the murder of about 20 million people. The peaceful majority were irrelevant. China's huge population was peaceful as well, but Chinese Communists managed to kill a staggering 70 million people.

The average Japanese individual prior to World War II was not a warmongering sadist. Yet, Japan murdered and slaughtered its way across South East Asia in an orgy of killing that included the systematic murder of 12 million Chinese civilians; most killed by sword, shovel, and bayonet. And, who can forget Rwanda, which collapsed into butchery. Could it not be said that the majority of Rwandans were "peace loving"?

History lessons are often incredibly simple and blunt, yet for all our powers of reason we often miss the most basic and uncomplicated of points: Peace-loving Muslims have been made irrelevant by their silence. Peace-loving Muslims will become our enemy if they don't speak up, because like my friend from Germany, they will awaken one day and find that the fanatics own them, and the end of their world will have begun.

Peace-loving Germans, Japanese, Chinese, Russians, Rwandans, Serbs, Afghanis, Iraqis, Palestinians, Somalis, Nigerians, Algerians, and many others have died because the peaceful majority did not speak up until it was too late. As for us who watch it all unfold; we must pay attention to the only group that counts; the fanatics who threaten our way of life.

Lastly, at the risk of offending, anyone who doubts that the issue is serious is practically contributing to the passiveness that allows the problems to expand.

England has almost surrendered to the Islamic wave having more than 130 new mosques built in 2005 and proposed 100 to be built in 2006 - in 2007 the count was 843 prayer meeting places with howling/wailing towers across England.

(Author: Paul of Celestial Junk)

H/T: Renate, author of 'From the Promised Land to the Lucky Country'.

How to Set Your Pricing on Ebay

2008-02-11T00:29:00.000Z

How to set your pricing on Ebay

Pricing your goods for eBay is one of the most important decisions you will have to make on an often daily basis. If followed through without much thought then you are likely to loose a lot of money but if done correctly, it can mean the difference between a hobby and a very successful career. The following guidelines will provide the serious seller with a valuable path on which to increase their overall profits.

1. Know your Item.

The most essential first step to pricing your item is to know how worthy your item is in quality and longevity. This might surprise many people who think the market research aspect is the pinnacle of this particular process however unless you know your product inside and out, you will be wandering in a thick fog. It's safe to say a majority of sellers price their items either too low or too high, hence the many sellers giving up and writing articles about how eBay is impossibly difficult to get into. Do not follow the crowd thereby settling for a price of which you have no idea whether it be the ideal or maximum. As I will mention further on, the way you market your goods is key. The more customers you get to each auction, the more bids you will get regardless of your competitor's prices.

Find online sources of information about your product and become an expert so that you are fully aware of the benefits it will give the lucky buyer.

2. Marketplace Analysis.

Market research of course is still very important and you will need to spend a large percentage of your time in this area. Use the eBay search engines to find what your competitors are pricing for their items and how many they have sold in different time frames. It is possible to search for only 'completed listings' which will give you a marvellous account of how popular your particular product is. Think also about the time your auction ends so that it is not the second or third auction selling the same product on the same evening. Study what the brick and mortar stores (eBay jingo for real-life shops) sell the products for too.

3. Ebay Fees.

There are a wide variety of different fee structures on eBay depending on the initial starting price, the number of items, the length of the auction and the closing price. As well as these there are the optional added extras which can spruce up your listing making it both more noticeable and also considerably more professional. If selling a car or an expensive item, then these added extras are well worth the investment.

You need to spend time constructing spreadsheets based on how many items you want to sell daily/weekly/monthly and the resulting eBay fees for both listing and final value percentages taken by eBay, which can be found in the 'Help' section under the heading labelled 'Selling'.

4. Postage and Packaging Costs.

Professional and full-time eBayers have a rich and constantly topped up supply of packing materials of varying shapes, types and sizes. For each item you plan to sell you first need to discover in what form it will be delivered to the customer. Work out the cost of the box, bubble wrap or envelope then add this calculation to the postage costs. Check your local post office for postal rates and remember it is best to send anything over $30 as recorded delivery.

5. Photograph and Internet Connection Costs.

These two factors are very often forgotten by new eBayers or have definitely been forgotten by those sellers who crash and burn into penny profit oblivion. Great photos speak for themselves and will increase the chances of selling your item immensely. If you're serious about an eBay career then you will need to invest in good equipment. However you will also need to work out the costs involved in photographing a single item and work that into your final calculations.

How much do you pay for your internet connection? Work that out by hourly, weekly and monthly rates. You might not think all this is important but the taxman certainly will!

6. Tax.

Speaking of tax, you need to work out how much you will have to pay depending on your location and other variables. Research this area thoroughly.

7. Paypal Costs.

It's not just eBay that will take a percentage of your final amount but also your trusted friend, Paypal. The percentage taken varies depending on what plan you have agreed to and also a small set fee will be included. Again, research is your friend and make sure to factor these costs into your final calculations.

8. The Price of your Item.

Finally you can decide what price you want to sell the item for. You have a number of factors which we have covered that you will need to go through in order to discover the best possible price that will make you a good profit. Add these costs all together, plus the amount you paid when you originally obtained the item, then add what you consider to be a reasonable amount of money for your efforts. If you have followed all these steps in detail and used a little imagination, you should come to a final price that is to your liking.

As was mentioned in point 1. How you market your goods is incredibly important. By using back-end sales techniques, search engine optimisation, adverts and creating a customer database, you will dramatically increase the number of people who see your sales, thereby also increasing the number of bids, regardless of the price and how that compares to your competitors. A lot of buyers do not check more than one listing of the same item. Good Luck!

My article can also be seen at Helium.com.

Woman Seen on Oil Platform

2008-02-10T14:28:00.000Z

A total of 539 people were airlifted off a North Sea Oil rig today after a woman was seen standing ominously. Fourteen aircraft were dispatched to the area, mainly helicopters, plus a bomb disposal team.

There are reports that the mysterious woman was dangerously close to pushing buttons which could have lead to the rig exploding.

"Obviously there are concerns when a woman is alone and in front of controls, that something will go wrong. These oil platforms are very technological and are a far cry from a microwave or vacuum cleaners", said an anonymous expert.

The evacuation is said to have gone extremely smoothly, helped by the frequent drills over the years carried out in case of terrorist attack.

Bomb disposal teams were summoned when the woman was seen heading for the kitchens.

"One of our pilots reported seeing the woman heading towards the rig's kitchens and issued a 'red alert' which meant the Ministry of Defence sending in the big guys", said an anonymous source. "We were afraid that if she needed to fix her hair after being out in the windy open, she might have forgotten to turn the oven off, if indeed she had turned it on earlier."

The incident took place at 09.20 GMT around 130 miles off the Aberdeen coast. It has been suggested that the mysterious object, thought to be a bomb, was in fact a make-up bag.

The Treatment of Egyptian Christians

2008-02-09T00:15:00.000Z

Part 2
Part 3

The Archbishop of Canterbury would do well to visit the slums of Cairo to see how Christians are treated in predominantly Muslim countries. Appeasement is not the answer to stem Islamic terrorism.

For more on the Archbishop's comments, read this very interesting and insightful article by Melanie Phillips of The Spectator.

********

Sharia Law in the UK (2)

2008-02-08T17:28:00.000Z

The following is an article written by Religion Correspondent Ruth Gledhill of The Times. It is on the subject of Muslim women in Britain and an article that I hope the Archbishop of Canterbury gets to read.

"A few weeks ago, I was chatting to a woman who works in an advocacy role for Muslim women in an area that, quite independently of the Bishop of Rochester, she described as a 'no-go area' for non-Muslims. Her clients were women in the process of being sectioned into mental health units in the NHS. This woman, who for obvious reasons begged not to be identified, told me: 'The men get tired of their wives. Or bored. Or maybe the wife objects to her daughter being forced into a marriage she doesn't want. Or maybe she starts wearing western clothes.There can be many reasons. The women are sent for asssessment to a hospital. The GP referring them is Muslim. The psychiatrist assessing them is Muslim and male. I have sat in these assessments where the psychiatrist will not look the woman patient in the eye because she is a woman. Can you imagine! A psychiatrist refusing to look his patient in the eye? The woman speaks little or no English. She is sectioned. She is divorced. There are lots of these women in there, locked up in these hospitals. Why don't you people write about this?'

My interlocuter went very red and almost started to cry. Instead, she began shouting at me. I was a member of the press. 'You must write about this,' she begged.

'I can't,' I said. 'Not unless you become a whistle-blower. Or give me some evidence. Or something.'

She shook her head. 'I can't be identified,' she said. 'I would be killed. And so would the women.'

So there you have it. After weeks of wondering what to do, inspired by the Archbishop, I've taken her word that she is telling the truth, respected her anonymity, and written it anyway.

And this, I imagine, is what the Archbishop wants for the whole of England. As they used to say in my father's country parish: 'Heaven preserve us!' I wonder what they're saying there today. Expressions somewhat shorter and sweeter, I fear."

H/T: Stephen Pollard

Sharia Law in the UK

2008-02-07T19:39:00.000Z

Seventh Century laws should be adopted in the UK said the Archbishop of Canterbury today. Dr Rowan Williams was quoted as saying on a BBC Radio 4 programme, that adoption of certain aspects of Sharia law in the UK "seems unavoidable". He argues that adopting parts of Islamic desert law would help maintain social cohesion and that Muslims should not have to choose between "the stark alternatives of cultural loyalty or state loyalty".

The Islamisation of Europe - soon to be Eurabia - is at full steam and those who are in a position to fight this ethical and moral brutality are falling to the ground in fear. The Defender of the Faith himself, is cowering at the feat of the Islamists whilst women in Britain continue to be brutalised in 'honour killings', genital mutilation and forced into a social second-class position. Centuries of Judeo-Christian evolution and development seem to be irrelevant to this Archbishop.

Dr Rowan Williams must resign immediately and preferably be replaced with someone who cares about the cultural, ethical and moral prowess of Great Britain. Someone like the Bishop of Rochester, the Right Reverend Dr Michael Nazir-Ali.

Negative Feedback for Ebay Move

2008-02-05T23:45:00.001Z

I've been an eBay buyer and seller for four months and have thus come to an understanding about how vital feedback is, especially for those making a career out of the system. Therefore it comes as a monumental shock to read that eBay is to peel yet another layer of protection away from sellers.

In May 2008, sellers will no longer be able to leave neutral or negative feedback for buyers. As I would expect, there has been a massive outcry against this move which leaves us sellers irreversibly vulnerable to fraudulent and dishonest customers. What will stop impatient buyers who would have normally waited an extra day for their item from destroying the reputation of a consistently quick and professional seller? Nothing.

It will no longer be possible to warn other sellers about certain customers who have a habit of not paying, or who are excessively rude or those who fake damage in order to receive a second item for free. There are those who argue, notably eBay themselves, that by contacting eBay Customer Services, such problems will be dealt with. However this is a joke with most problem queries being returned with a "sort it out yourselves" deportment.

Worrying times for professional eBay sellers.

Hetty Statistics

2008-02-04T22:23:00.001Z

Hetty Beaman

Age: 10-12 months.
Gender: Female
Nationality: United Gardens Out Yonder.
Interests: sleeping, eating, mouse torture, de-winging birds, fish flapping, flirting with Lord Nigel and fridge jumping.
Political Leaning: Along the fence.
Favourite TV Programme(s): Nature documentaries showing tigers and killer whales with seals. Cat food adverts. The Birds.
Disliked Characteristics in Others: Laziness at food time, forgetfulness at food time, humans falling down the stairs at food time.
Favourite Song: Symphony No. 217, 'The Cries of the Gutted Budgie'.
Religion: Church of Cushions.
Quirks: Jumping on Beaman's shoulders, kicking Beaman's chest, sleeping on the top step of the stairs.
Likes: People with food.

Clearing Up Misconceptions

2008-01-31T12:19:00.000Z

Following a couple of recent posts of mine relating to Islam and the Israel/Palestine conflict, I've had a number of interesting and sometimes angry comments. Most of course are well thought out and civilised but others have been quite offensive. Above all some accusations have been completely unfounded.

I do not hate Muslims and no where on my blog or anywhere else where I have written do I state such a thing. It is just not the fact.

Question from a commenter in previous post: "If you travelled somewhere, and something happened, anything (accident, or similar), and the only person to help you was Muslim, what would you do? Tell them to bugger off because they're Muslim?"

The above question shocked me, I have to say. I have never spoken a bad personal word to a Muslim, and yes, I have known and do know many. I understand the following will be seen as a cliché but I do have a very close relationship with an Egyptian Muslim whom I speak to daily. She is a devout Muslim who wears a headscarf yet we are fantastically happy in each others company. We discuss theology often and my disdain for the Islamic religion just like her frustration over Atheism. In Berlin I lived in a Turkish district surrounded by Arab and Turkish shops and families where thrice monthly I had my haircut (and ears flamed) at a Turkish barbers. I had tea with them, taught them English and had dinner with them and very much have a desire to travel across the Middle East. To think I hate peaceful Muslims is absurd and plain wrong.

In answer to the above question. It makes no difference what religion someone is to me when friendships, relationships, giving aid, laughing with, crying with and living with are concerned. The only people I would tell to 'bugger off' would be child abusers, rapists, terrorists, murderers and racists.

To sum up, yes, I do have a problem with the Islamic religion and that I have no difficulties admitting, but I certainly don't dislike individual Muslims as people!

Another comment from a commenter: "Beaman you have an extreme hate problem and it is reflected on your site."

Yes. I do have a hate problem. I absolutely despise Islamic terrorism and the curbs on freedoms many followers of the Islamic faith so desire (think Salmon Rushdie, Danish cartoons, Van Gogh, criticism of faith). I also despise the Palestinian propaganda and their constant lies and deceptions against Israel and how so many Westerners believe their bile.

I want peace for Israel and then the rest of the region. In my ideal world the whole of the Middle East would be living to Western European standards of equality, health, education, democracy, wealth and morality, for their sakes. However, I am an emotional person and when constant rockets and terrorist deceptions continue to hit Israel, a desire to see Gaza flattened does cross my mind. I know it's wrong but I will not lie.

Comment I received: "I just wish you'd shut the fuck up and stop trying to pretend to be a Jew, because you're not, and your rants only make Jewish people look worse..."

I have never claimed to be Jewish. In my essay 'Why I Strongly Support Israel', I clearly stated I was not Jewish in the introduction. Nor do I try to speak for Jews or Israelis. I speak from my own singular position and no, I will not shut up.

Comment continued: "Only Euro-Trash pseudo academic bourgeoisie like you go on and on and fucking on, creating discord..."

I don't deny that I am a Euro-Trash pseudo academic. I've often thought that myself. However I will not refrain from speaking my mind. You don't have to read my blog.

Another commenter: "Frankly I don't see how frothing at the mouth, and spreading hatred in a blog is considered civilized."

I am not intending to spread hatred. My blog is an outlet for my thoughts and political opinions. I have a readership of 30 a day, not exactly a platform to purposely spread hatred. All the facts I present are factual which have been researched and linked to.

Yes, I admit the comment in my last post regarding the Muslim Council of Britain could be seen as hatred and offensive. I was angry that the largest Muslim body in the UK had so much disdain for Jews that they would boycott the most important Holocaust memorial service of the year. It makes me sick, I'll be fully honest about that, as well as the corruption and extremism burrowing away throughout British mosques. Just read the former Islamist Ed Hussein's book. Now he is a great Muslim!

I am sorry if people find my posts offensive but this is my personal blog and I do not want to feel restricted in airing my views on religion and politics. You will notice I have never attacked Muslims as individuals, as people, and never will. I attack and will continue to attack the Islamic theology and the actions that are born from that (Terrorism, Hamas, Hezbollah, Al Qaeda, Iraqi 'insurgents', Iran). Anyone is more than free to remove Beaman's World from their links list.

Holocaust Memorial Day

2008-01-27T14:03:00.000Z

Holocaust
by Barbara Sonek

We played, we laughed
we were loved.
We were ripped from the arms of our
parents and thrown into the fire.
We were nothing more than children.
We had a future. We were going to be lawyers, rabbis, wives, teachers, mothers. We had dreams, then we had no hope. We were taken away in the dead of night like cattle in cars, no air to breathe smothering, crying, starving, dying. Separated from the world to be no more. From the ashes, hear our plea. This atrocity to mankind can not happen again. Remember us, for we were the children whose dreams and lives were stolen away.

Berlin memorial

If the Islamofascist Council of Britain wishes to boycott the Holocaust Memorial Day again, that is their prerogative. They can then also kindly get out of Britain and take their followers with them. Wife beating, 'honour killings', Jew-hatred, threats against free speech, Sharia Law, and terrorism that is endemic to Islam, can return back to the Middle East and Pakistan.
See: What the West needs to know about Islam.

Tedious Second Life

2008-01-22T20:12:00.000Z

Last week my dear old laptop finally conked out. This was the same machine that accompanied me to Berlin and who gave so much pleasure and aid to its mentally deranged poet-cum -businessman-cum-secret (wannabe) Casanova owner.

After a few tears and repeated last glances at the faded keypad and scratched screen, I ventured out to purchase myself a new one. I type on her now. She is quite a savvy little number with a wide and luscious screen ideal for sucking up all the valuable information the internet holds. The keypad spreads invitingly under my fingers leaving my mind to concentrate on furthering the intensity of the many moments we now enjoy.

Last night during a moment of intense boredom, I decided to test out the famous virtual world called 'Second Life'. For years I've noticed referrals to it in magazines, newspapers, on the News and so forth, and declared to myself the time had finally come to step in and see what all the fuss was about. I'd tried a few months earlier but my old specification laptop could not handle the graphics but my new one can.

For the first half an hour it was all very interesting and even exciting. I had delirious fun designing my avatar and the clothes and accessories it wore. Then I nearly tried to climb through the screen when I noticed the 'fly' button. You can fly into the sky and pretend you're a jet. Much fun was temporally had.

However an hour later I was wondering why this 'Second Life' thing was so appealing beyond the newcomers cheap thrills. There was nothing to do except wander around virtual worlds, rarely meeting any other characters (people) or cars or gunfire. Where were the street wars and the riots? I soon found out that to do anything of note one needs to acquire some cyber money called 'Linden Dollars'. Everything such as the shops had a price, just like in the real world, as did any remotely fun looking gadgets and vehicles. You can't even smash a window and steal a car and then be taken to a Linden Jail.

The people I met there seemed to always be shopping or sitting on benches earning money, for doing nothing. Apart from a group of horse-people (I later guessed I had been talking to a group of 13 year-old girls into horse riding) and a kind chap who gave me a free gun, little conversation was to be had.

There were a couple of interesting environments I did enjoy. The first was a recreation of Berlin, with the Brandenburg Gate and even the Berlin-Mitte Underground station, which looked identical to the real one. The second was a recreation of ancient Rome which a group of archaeology professors had obviously had fun making. Clicking on the various objects, statues, artworks and buildings provided a pop-up detailed history of each.

Will I go back into Second Life? Not unless someone I know goes too. Otherwise it's a waste of time and utterly mind numbing. Without 'Linden Dollars' you can do very little except roam the streets and buildings as though you are the last person alive on Earth.

What have been your experiences? Want to join me? Know anything I don't about having fun in Second Life?

Gretchen: A Fiat Panda in the woods

2008-01-18T15:28:00.000Z

The following is a short story from my time in Berlin.

'Sucking' and a 'wasp's nest' came to mind when I saw the middle aged lady a few days ago. Her eyes were screwed tight and her lips pushed into a pout of condescension as she glared incredulously at us as we had past by. A companion of her's was a few metres behind, sorting through something in a bag. They sat on their bicycles in a similar manner to that of how the Queen of England used to sit, when inspecting her troops on horseback. The lady infront wore black lycra leggings, a large grey, leaf-patterned wooley jumper and on her back, a brown leather satchel. Her hair was tied tightly into a ponytail so that from a distance she seemed almost bald.

The location of our encounter was in some beautiful woodland just outside Berlin, to the north, in Brandenburg. It had been raining on and off for the past week and the rather uneven and potholed lanes between the trees and ferns were laden with puddles of various sizes. When the weather is more cheerful, the area is very popular with walkers and cyclists. Indeed, a couple of friends and I had been enjoying the scenery regardless of the sunshine hiding behind ominous black clouds. The place was deserted and so it had, at first, been a nice surprise to see other people after nearly an hour by ourselves.

We knew straight away why they were giving us the nasty looks. Little old cars, the size of a Mini are just not meant to go speeding along unkept cycle paths, especially ones that launch vehicles into the air every so often if going fast enough. The two ladies were stationed on a different path and so were in no danger from our antique 'auto' yet they were not amused. Even when all three of us waved in a friendly manner to them as we sped by, their trout-like features did not move an inch.

Of course, they were right, it was not very civil of us to take a car where cars are not really meant to go, yet we were lost and when lost, some rules often have to be disposed of. Having said that, I noticed tractors had used the routes as their tyre marks were imprinted on many of the paths, so maybe we were not totally in the wrong.

A little later we were reminded that we were not indeed a tractor or even a landrover when we lost a few nuts and bolts going over a particulary high ridge in the centre of the track. A large pool of water had hidden a deep trough on the right-hand side. Once back out on the main roads, believing little damage had been done, we found to our dismay that we could not go above 20 km per hour without the engine cutting out. Then to make matters worse, the speed barrier went lower and lower after every 5 minutes until eventually we had to push the car through a town for half a mile to a mechanic's garage. It was at this time I realised German drivers are not like British drivers. They don't get out and help you push the car out of the way, they just sit and honk...and honk...and honk.

Surely this sight would have added a smile to the lady in the woods, a smile of triumphant recognition of her superior reasoning. Perhaps but she wouldn't have a funny story to tell her grandchildren about rally driving through German woods in a little green Fiat Panda.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Gretchen was born in 1968, in the East German town of Erberswalde, near to Berlin. At the age of 18 she had joined the German Police force and had risen quickly through the ranks. On her days off she likes to test her fitness by either jogging, cycling, sailing or swimming in the many lakes around the capital. Gretchen is well known amongst her colleagues as a perfectionist and reports the most minor of infringments she observes when on patrol and even when off duty. She has been married for nearly ten years to Manfred, a timid dentist who she knew was perfect for her fetish of female sexual domination. Patients and friends have long been worried about Manfred's health.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Written 7. June 2006.

New Car Park

2008-01-17T22:15:00.000Z

"The president (Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas) has said that he will resign if the military escalation and daily killings continue," the official said. "Israel's actions undermine the Palestinian Authority and drive more Palestinians into the open arms of Hamas and Islamic Jihad."

Abbas was supposed to be the 'Palestinian' dove that made peace? Good riddance I say. He can resign all the way to his Perdition of 72 virgins if he thinks Israel will sit on her hands while his countrymen fire rockets freely at Sderot.

The rocket count over the last 48 hours has passed 70.

For decades Israel has given land in return for peace, powered and watered Gaza, treated its sick and wounded and bent over backwards to avoid civilian casualties when targeting terrorists. Despite the fact the 'Palestinians' are in breach of International Law, Israel has refrained from destroying that, which in war, it has every right to obliterate. How many more days, weeks and months will Olmert allow his people to be put in danger? Surely it's time to finish this Gazan Islamic terror once and for all and cement Israel's dominance, security and above all her existence in the face of her foes.

Gaza Strip - June 2008: Israel opens new car park and tourist resort.

Blogpower: Best Posts of 2007

2008-01-13T13:32:00.000Z

JMB of the blog 'Nobody Important' has put together a round-up of the best Blogpower posts of 2007. As the administrator of this interesting and dynamic group created by the esteemed James Higham, JMB called for all members to contribute their favourite individual post they constructed over the past 12 months.

What is 'Britishness'? How far can we go in criticising a religion? What do you do when confronted with an army of pro-life demonstrators? Can one snowboard in Devon?

These are just a few of the questions raised in the wonderful collection of posts called:

Blogpower: Best Posts of 2007 by Blogpower Members - Self Chosen

There is something for everyone!

My post 'Why I Strongly Support Israel' was included which is an essay outlining the reasons why I support and feel affection for the state of Israel during its times of peril and war with its neighbours. Why are so many people hostile to Israel, in the West? I explore such reasons.

Liverpudlians Celebrate 2008

2008-01-11T19:12:00.000Z

Scousers celebrate the city's status of European Culture Capital of 2008.
Liverpool 08

To see Scouse passion at its best watch this short video.

Quote of the Day - Nuclear Power

2008-01-10T15:08:00.000Z

"I'm all in favour of reducing emissions. I think we can start with what comes out of your mouth."

(Business Secretary John Hutton's reply to the Liberal Democrat Nuclear sceptic MP Steve Webb.) Source

Quite how the Liberal Democrats expect Britain's energy needs to be met with renewable and foreign based energy supplies over the next century, I do not know. Perhaps they desire the building of wind farms in every back garden and the gradual destroying of our coastlines and mountain tops with lethal (to winged wildlife) and unsightly spinning contraptions, but many Britons do not.

The Liberal Democrats are the first to cry foul any foreign connection to oil producing nations and in many cases, especially regarding Saudi Arabia, quite rightly so. Therefore it should be in their interests to end our disturbing dependency on these corrupt and inclement regimes.

As usual Greenpeace and Clegg's merry gang of 'not in my name' ethical fruitcakes miss the moral and physical imperatives of the situation. How can the green boat brigade get it so right in regards to whaling but so wrong in regards to what keeps their toes warm in the Winter and their websites running. If left to these two every increasingly blinded groups we would be living back in the 16th Century.

Bring on Nuclear Power and quickly!

Pick Your 2008 Candidate Quiz

2008-01-08T23:50:00.000Z

I came across a Pick Your 2008 Candidate For President quiz when browsing the blog of Miss Wagstaff. I thought I would give it a go after the recent post about my choice for future US President. The results were not really surprising and they are as follows:

75% Hillary Clinton
73% Chris Dodd
70% Barack Obama
69% John Edwards
69% Bill Richardson
65% Joe Biden
54% Mike Gravel
54% Dennis Kucinich
52% Rudy Giuliani
48% Mitt Romney
42% John McCain
39% Tom Tancredo
34% Mike Huckabee
34% Fred Thompson
15% Ron Paul

My choice before completing this quiz was Rudi Giuliani and still is. If I was a US citizen and dependable on domestic issues it would very much be a Democratic candidate.

See My Choice for the 2008 US Elections.

Louise Attaque - Du nord au sud.

2008-01-08T18:19:00.000Z

ww
One of my favourite French musicians.

Also, in case anyone so desires they can listen to the 15 songs I listen to most on Last.FM.

Feed Your Family Feed The World

2008-01-07T18:27:00.000Z

Are you sitting there wondering how you could do your bit to help the children in Africa who are suffering from disease, malnutrition, poverty and drought? It’s all very well for those volunteers with great health and some money to go out there and directly help in the relief of human suffering but what about the ordinary person tied down to their jobs and family? Well, you can still do your bit and it’s very easy to do.

Feed Your Family/ Feed The World is a website by where each grocery product you purchase, a significant amount goes to helping an African child. Choose from a variety of jams, salsas, mustards, vegetables and salad dressings for under $5 and a single dollar of which will provide support for a suffering child for one whole day!

These wonderful foods are prepared by the Amish and Mennonite families of Lancaster Country, Pennsylvania. Recipes and traditions past down from generation to generation providing a unique and delightfully delicious taste.

Having combined efforts with the Christian humanitarian organisation, ‘Project Hope and Charité’, the two have given renewed hope to thousands of children and their families in the Central African Republic who daily face the extremes of human suffering. Rarely has it been so easy and rewarding for you to make a difference to a life so young, so very far away.

Naturally you do not have to buy a grocery product for yourself. Why not buy a range of gifts for others which the website will send on your behalf, thereby bringing a smile to more and more people. Perhaps a sick child in your neighbourhood or an elderly woman living alone. The choice is yours.

~~~~~~~~~~~This is a sponsored post.~~~~~~~~~~~~~

My Choice for the 2008 US Elections

2008-01-06T01:55:00.001Z

My Choice for the 2008 US Elections

I feel ready to throw my hat into the ring regarding support of a US presidential candidate for the 2008 elections. I’m not American but whoever gets into the White House will certainly affect the whole world and her closest allies especially. So, I have chosen, after much research and study through the various policies, mostly foreign related, my hope for the forty-fourth American President.

That man is Rudi Giuliani.

Over the next few weeks and months I’ll explain why in greater detail but suffice to say my reasons are regarding the substance of his foreign and international policies.

John McCain being a close second.

What are your choices? What do you think of Giuliani?

What not to do on your honeymoon!

2008-01-05T00:02:00.000Z

Ladies and Gentleman, lend me your eyes, for the following tips on what not to do on your honeymoon could save that lovely trip to Tuscany or Arizona from being the last you ever make together. How would you explain that to the parents-in-law? Indeed!

So where to start? Obviously with the groom of course, for some of the most notorious disasters have occurred because old Harry couldn't keep his hands to himself, whether intentionally or not. Take the story of the newly-weds from Bristol in England, who went to Venice for their honeymoon only to end up travelling home separately because the husband mistook a pretty Italian lady for his wife during an evening classical concert. Then there's the tale of the Cunningham's who went to Florida where the bride spent a week trying to coax the groom away from the Golf on television. Not surprisingly their marriage ended in divorce when a golf club was found impaled into his car windscreen.

Gentleman take notes!

1. The most important rule is focus entirely on your new wife throughout the honeymoon and try to make it a time to remember for both of you. That means averting your eyes when you see a beautiful maid, air hostess or worst of all that scrumptious belle at the reception desk. Your lady is to be treated like a princess!

2. Turn the television off. Unless your new wife is a wildlife documentary fanatic like your Aunt Silvia, then she will certainly not appreciate you spending most of the time admiring the birds and the bees. Take her out and spoil her rotten! Talk, talk and dance some more.

3. Your personal hygiene does not take a honeymoon at the same time as you. This means cleanliness must be kept to a high standard at all times. Take regular showers, comb your hair, use some expensive scents, clean under your finger nails and clean your hands after every lavatory visit! Your new wife may love you but she will suddenly loose all desire to make your nights a volcanic eruption of hotel-rocking love making if you smell like the local donkey herder.

4. Make sure you have everything organised before you embark on your honeymoon, that means the hotel booked, the transport arranged, the maps checked, the bank account topped up and any medical and insurance documents up to date. It is the husband's job to look after all these mundane but very important necessities. Your lovely wife will not look so pleasant if you're stranded on a deserted forest road when the sun is quickly setting, nor will your cheeks when she has given you her opinion of your organisation skills.

5. It's highly amusing to break wind with the lads and to compete to see who can belch the loudest. However on your honeymoon you do not want to bring these disgusting habits into the bedroom or wherever you are enjoying those romantic sparks. After years of marriage the wife will surrender to your bowl movements but she won't stick around if you cannot put a cork in it for the first few special weeks. If you have wind problems, then take some medicine with you that are widely available from all good chemists or alternatively keep it locked until you have a private moment.

Ladies, you might at this point be full of mirth but now its your turn!

1. Let the man take control. You might be a highly successful business woman in charge of a Multinational Corporation or the Chief of Police in your region but let the traditional gender roles work their magic during the honeymoon period. A man likes to feel in control and to be the protector, none more so than in your first few weeks as a married couple. It will certainly reap rewards later on, most of the time.

2. Do not talk about your past boyfriends or husbands during the honeymoon. This is the equivalent of your husband watching ladies tennis all afternoon. It will affect his pride, his confidence, his patience and will suck the romance and passion out of the room in no time. Keep those types of memories for when you are back at home, when the man can hide in the shed or better yet, for your girlfriends.

3. A man's mother will be sharing the title of most important woman in his life with you but that does not mean he wants a mother figure during the honeymoon. Refrain from complaining about his dining habits, smelling his dirty socks, talking to him like he is an imbecile or cleaning behind his ears, especially when out in public. Keep the romantic and sexual chemistry at boiling point, after all that is what the traditional honeymoon is all about.

Remember these basic rules and your special time alone together should remain a wonderfully vivid memory for the rest of your lives. Above all, enjoy yourselves!

By Beaman
Originally written for Helium.com

Fridge Jumper

2008-01-04T19:05:00.001Z

This rather poor quality photograph shows the typical antics of one of my cats. Every time the fridge door is opened and she is nearby, I suddenly find a hairy growling creature inside.

If anyone is wondering what I had for Christmas dinner, well, all you need to know is that this wretch was photographed on Christmas morning. Look at the size of that belly!

Hetty is a stray I rescued who was originally starved in kittenhood and left on a doorstep, hence her ferocious food obsession.

Alenie: A small act of kindness in a big world

2008-01-02T21:59:00.000Z

I discovered an interesting post by Baekho of nunc-fluens on the subject of beggars. What do you do when confronted with the sight of a fellow human being begging for money or food? The post is intriguing and I suggest people visit and have a look. It also reminded me of a short story I wrote whilst living in Berlin about an incident on the streets in the centre of the magnificent city.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Small is the new big because small gives you the flexibility to change the ...."

I couldn't help but overhear the conversation of two city slickers walking along just in front, on Potsdamer Strasse. The well worn cliché of advertising agents and business executives had never before garnered any ponderous thought on my part, as had been the way with similar ambiguous ‘we want your money’ slogans. Indeed if it hadn’t been for a chance sighting earlier that day my indifference to the phrase would still be intact.

She had been no taller than 5 foot and probably a couple of inches less. A very small women indeed but not a dwarf or the more politically correct term, ‘little person’. She was of sound proportions and her gait rather attractive. I guessed from the face, a Cambodian or Thai, in her early 20s, pretty visage but with badly crooked teeth. As she strolled along, I noticed people turning to look, perhaps a little surprised by her diminutive frame. Her walk was fast and agile, as though she had been trained as a gymnast, her head was held high and her back was straight. Weaving in amongst the crowds of pedestrians, she was almost like a child, playing hide-and-seek between forest trees or like a feather floating through the reeds on a fast flowing river. I was fascinated by the little figure as it confidently strode amid people nearly twice its size.

Then she came across the old beggar. He was sitting against a wall, holding out a plastic drinking cup in the hope of a sprinkling of loose change from passers-by. Most people walk past such a figure, hoping not to make eye contact and be confronted with the humanity behind the pleading gaze. This was not the case with her. She slowed her pace and gently drifted towards the beggar and knelt down in front of him. Out of her bag she took a few coins and placed them in the cup, then she took hold of the weathered hands of the old man and clasped them together between her delicate fingers. She looked directly into the eyes, not wondering who was watching or what was going on around her, just caring for the health and well being of the forgotten life before her. His eyes lowered, perhaps unable to comprehend the kindness being shown. She stayed there for a good two minutes before standing, saying a few words, then walking slowly away back into the wilderness of the rush hour. I lost sight of her within seconds.

I don't know whether 'small is the new big' but a small woman gave a big gift to a lonely man out on the street that day. She gifted him with the age old human need, that of the basic acknowledgement of one's existence.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Alenie was the daughter of the Cambodian ambassador to Berlin. She had lived in Germany for 5 years, in which time she had learnt a little German, mainly through reading a translation of The Little Prince written by the French writer, Antoine de Saint Exupery. Due to her Buddhist background she had gained knowledge of Metta Bhavana, the practice of loving-kindness, which with determination she had cultivated to a high degree. Every weekend she met with other South East Asians resident in the city and performed dances rich in the culture she dearly missed.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Written 18. April 2006 on 'Beaman in Berlin'

Altocelarophobia and Four

2008-01-01T17:40:00.000Z

For the first post of 2008 I’ve decided to come out of the phobia closet. That means stating my three main phobias for all to read. I have more than three of course but they are small or their Latin names cannot be found. Therefore fear of being burnt alive, waking up with a small penis, tarantulas, having an out of body experience and Frenchmen, can be ignored.

The most problematic phobia I’ve had since childhood is called Altocelarophobia. This is a fear of high ceilings. Most people I’ve told confuse this with Agoraphobia (fear of open spaces) or Acrophobia (fear of heights) but they are not at all in any way similar. I have no fear of the latter two whatsoever. The troubles come only when I am contained within four walls with a very high ceiling above my head, such as in a large church, cathedral, museum, gallery or hall.

Saint Paul’s cathedral in London is one example where under the main dome I was left clutching at the person next to me, eyes closed and sweating. However later in the whispering gallery above, when looking down at the floor I felt as relaxed as a cloud in the sky. All cathedrals are generally no-go areas for me, unless I can stick to the side wings and have someone by my side. The idea of sitting through a Mass in the central nave, people either side of me, with the loud bellowing music resounding against the gigantic walls and pillars fills me with absolute horror. I would have to crouch and hold on to something for dear life.

Why? I have absolutely no idea. It is an irrational phobia. I don’t have visions of the ceiling falling or something dragging me up to the roof. I don’t have any specific thoughts or images spring to mind at all, I just feel intense fear. Everything around me disappears and all I can focus on is getting out of the area. Obviously a sign from God that I was meant to become an Atheist.

My second phobia is not really something that fills me with fear but rather something I dislike and avoid. It’s called Quadriphobia (a name I made up myself based on the Latin prefix). Fear and/or dislike of the Number 4.

This started when I was around nine or ten years of age when I had a lot of time to myself and much time to think up strange and bizarre concepts. It’s also securely tied in with my third phobia, Dphobia.

My reasoning at that young age dictated that because more negative-meaning words in the dictionary began with the letter ‘D’ than with any other, it must somehow be an unlucky letter. Words like ‘death’, ‘depression’, ‘disgusting’, ‘drab’, ‘deranged’, ‘dire’, ‘dirty’, ‘devil’ and ‘doomed’. Then I figured that ‘D’ came 4th in the Alphabet so ‘4’ was the unlucky number. There were no pointers in my life at that time to suggest 4 was in anyway bad or unlucky, it was purely because it was associated with ‘D‘.

Then a little later ‘8’ became my lucky number as it was twice ‘4’ and so, for some reason or another, annulled its negative power. Strangely the 8th letter of the alphabet, ‘H’, didn’t become my lucky letter, instead that became ‘B’. Partly due to it looking like ‘8’ and also for the fact that most positive words seemed to begin with ‘B’ over any other letter. ‘Best’, ‘beautiful’, ‘beneficial‘, ‘brilliant’, ‘better’, ‘big’ and of course ‘Beaman’.

It’s irrational and I know it is ridiculous but it has not left me. Even now I cannot finish reading a book for the night on a page ending with ‘4’, such as ‘34’, ‘74’ or ‘204’. I have to get to the next page, or pre-plan and stop at the page before if I feel my eyes closing. I never choose the number ‘4’ in other situations, such as the lottery or the number of items I am to carry somewhere. I never make a list of just ‘4’ items. Similarly I make sure the last letter I pressed on my keyboard before finishing is never the letter ‘D‘. I even go as far as typing ‘B’ then deleting it.

Mad? Yes. I know but I can't quite shake it off. The crazy mind of an only child.

Which do you dear reader, suggest for me, an asylum or heavy medication? What are your phobias?

Eight Wishes for 2008

2007-12-30T15:46:00.001Z

Lewisham Kate tagged me for the Eight Wishes for 2008 meme. With eight being my lucky and favourite number it comes as a welcome surprise.

My wishes for 2008 are, in no particular order, as follows:

1. For my new online businesses, beamansbazaar.com and beamans-ebooks.com, to flourish, along with my eBay shop which is growing steadily. Marks & Sparks better watch their backs! Twiggy my arse.

2. For Lord Nigel and Lady Mildred to remain safe and away from large moving rubber tyres and Rottweilers.

3. To make new friendships from across the globe, that will have the possibility of lasting a lifetime.

4. To find another place to live in a different part of the country, or even abroad again.

5. For Wolverhampton Wanderers FC to win promotion to the Premier League.

6. To find time, energy and inclination to write poetry and short stories on a regular basis.

7. For more and more people to realise the real dangers of Islamic Terrorism both at home and around the world, especially the horrors that Israel faces.

8. For the US Republicans to win the elections and continue to blast terrorism and Iran to shreds and burst the Global Warming myth. However also being thankful I don't have to suffer Republican domestic policies.

I now tag 5 fellow bloggers. They be Mihaela, Mutley, Paisley, Gautami and Theo.

Werner: Flying Goggles and Art

2007-12-29T19:35:00.000Z

Trundling around the main art galleries in any city can get a little stale after the 3rd visit and so it was I decided to search out some less conventional artistic locations. I'd recently overheard a couple of friends discussing the art centre-cum-nightclub called Kunst Haus Tacheles and so had decided to have a gander, as they say.

Located on Oranienburger Strasse it covers a giant area of land which looks derelict at first glance. Yet this is not a Chernobyl-style, uninhabited waste ground one could easily be forgiven for assuming. It is instead a hub of the Berlin arts scene.

Gigantic graffiti painted murals coat the walls of the main complex, some quite beautiful, others tacky. It is nevertheless loud, not in sound but in visual vibrancy, which cries out from a fair distance away when one approaches the area.

I don’t actually know what the original use of the building was but in 1991, the original artistic meeting place on the site burnt down, many people later being cynical for the reasons of how and why. However, out of the burnt out shell grew another flowering of art, cinema and theatre.
Now artists from a wide variety of nations and cultures show their creativity. Nationalities include German, American, British, French, Japanese, Turkish, Russian and even Iraqi.

So there I was, arriving at the entrance one April day. On the ground floor, various doors were wide open with welcoming signs gesturing for passers-by to enter. I wandered round 2 of the street-level galleries taking in the quite wonderful metal-work sculptures and in places, erotic paintings.

It was there that I came upon the likely great-grandson of Baron Von Richthofen, the Red Baron famous for his flying prowess in WW1 dogfights. The grandson was sitting in the furthest corner behind a computer screen. He never looked up to greet my presence or question who was around. He wore a green flying cap with flying goggles upon his head, his unshaven face looked hazy, perhaps with ground in dirt. His eyes glued to his monitor were unblinking. I thought for a moment he was a wax work of the finest quality but then his black mongrel dog stirred behind him and he muttered some command...or obscenity.

There was a sculpture of a chair, possibly made of iron, which was reminiscent of the electric chairs they use in US executions. Picturing the man behind the computer on this seat gave the rather disconcerting image of Francis Bacons screaming Pope painting. He indeed seemed half dead.

I left after a good look round and continued upstairs to further galleries. Usually saying a farewell on leaving a shop or gallery, I chose on this occasion to contemplatively step out in silence.

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Werner was a sculptor as well as an internet junkie. Born, then deserted at birth in 1965, he had been adopted by a well-to-do judge and his wife from Dresden. After repeated attempts to get their son to focus on academia they opted to send him away to Art school in Berlin where he flourished as did his marijuana pots. He bathed once every four months and put on the smart suit he had when duty called for him to visit his foster parents and tell them about his International Graphic Design business based in New York.
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Written 8. April 2006

Benazir Bhutto Killed

2007-12-27T14:03:00.001Z

Benazir Bhutto killed.

The next few hours and days will certainly be interesting.
According to the BBC 'she was shot in the neck and chest as she got into her vehicle, before the gunman blew himself up.'
What do you think will result from this action?

Merry Christmas!

2007-12-24T15:07:00.000Z

Merry Christmas!

Beaman, Lord Nigel and Lady Mildred.

Cinema Paradiso

2007-12-24T03:24:00.001Z

I've just finished watching Cinema Paradiso in the small hours of the morning. I don't know what to say except it is, for me personally, the most powerful and heart wrenching film I know of. I saw it a decade ago but now watching it again, .... speechless. I don't care that I have tears running down my cheeks, I really don't care.

Beautiful film. Beautiful.

The Three Little Elves

2007-12-22T12:44:00.000Z

Roll up! Roll up! Come and see the 3 little elves dancing for your Christmas pleasure.

Click HERE to watch!

Terry's Fabrics

2007-12-21T20:55:00.001Z

The old adage that an Englishman’s home is his castle is, well, very true. We like our privacy when pottering around the kitchen or gently swaying to the sweet chords of Boccherini in the study. The prying eyes of neighbours and the inquisitory glance of the postman can be enough to drive a man to an early grave.

It’s with this in mind plus the obvious benefits of ease of use that I recommend Terry’s Fabrics who offer a wide variety of cheap blinds that will compliment a multitude of interior environments. Prospective customers need not be worried that blinds would be unsuitable for a more traditional setting either for there are a number of products that can cater for such scenarios.

The blinds come in the following categories.

Roller Blinds

These are the traditional kitchen & bathroom window adornment where the wiping of a wet sponge easily removes the beef stew smudges and wet pasta specks from the flat and smooth covered fabric. Today they can be attached to a window in any room of the house or office and come in a large choice of fabrics, colours and patterns.

One of my favourites is the Linen Black Out Blind which can shield that cold Winter Sun from your eyes during a snug afternoon nap. With its versatile and sophisticated simplicity and choice of colours it is a perfect match for most rooms.

Other fabrics that can be found in this range include the linen and suede panelled Dallas, Kansas and Cheyenne Rollers which give very modern looks to a lot of windows.

Roman Blinds

These are the extremely functional and elegant folded blinds which neatly collapse in on themselves as they are raised. Roman Blinds are simple to use involving easy to use cords which can be pulled and released. These are my particular favourite type of blinds which I have myself in many rooms.

Included in this category are the Natural Nigeria Roman Blind which is made of a simple poly cotton fabric with a simple woven pattern to add a little extra focus. Then there is the beige/coffee coloured striped Atlanta Roman Blind perfect for a kitchen or dining room environment. Also in this range are the Brussels Roman Blind composed of a simple yet classy check pattern; the plain faux suede Buffalo Roman Blind; plus the Hampshire and Renoir Blinds.

Venetian Blinds

These type of blinds are perfect for showing off intricate and much loved architectural features which would otherwise be hidden by the full fabric versions. Venetian Blinds are more associated with an office or studio type environment but with the wide array of different sizes, colours and materials, they can now be seen in any room imaginable. Oak wooden slats, hardwood, metal and even faux leather are possible looks.

Vertical Blinds

Like the aforementioned Blind these are associated a lot with office environments but in the home they are perfect for sun rooms, morning rooms and conservatories. For the ultra modern home owner they can be incorporated anywhere.

Wooden Blinds

Blinds made of wood are growing in popularity and with the use of wooden floors also growing they are a super complimentary kindred material for many UK homes. Wooden blinds from Terry’s come in a variety of types including oak and hardwood in colours such as honey, cherry or the more natural look. One of the most exciting materials is the bamboo in various shades which would be ideal for the quiet and spiritual room of the house, or even for the hectic kitchen.

With such a wide choice of blinds one would be hard pressed not to find something suitable for even the most fussy interior designer.