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Wednesday, July 24, 2013

Graeme MacKayBy Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Wednesday, July 24, 2013

Online porn: David Cameron declares war

The Prime Minister is to outline plans for every UK internet user to be asked whether they want access to pornography.

Every internet user in the country will be asked whether they want to have access to pornography, David Cameron will say, as he warns that hardcore images are “corroding childhood”.

A joint British and American “task force” will be created to tackle obscene websites, while Google and other search engine providers will be required to draw up a “blacklist” of the most depraved and illegal search terms, the Prime Minister will announce.

The initiatives will also include new measures to stop children accidentally stumbling across explicit but legal pornographic images in public places, according to well-placed sources. The six biggest companies providing access to wireless internet in cafés and railway stations have all signed a deal to block legal pornography where children could view it. The roll-out of “family friendly Wi-Fi” is expected to begin from the end of August.

The moves follow concern that hardcore and violent images are damaging children’s lives while access to illegal child pornography has been linked to high profile crimes.

Mark Bridger, who was convicted of murdering five-year-old April Jones, and Stuart Hazell, who murdered Tia Sharp, 12, were both found to have viewed child pornography online. Children’s watchdogs have also found that boys’ attitudes to women and girls were in danger of being shaped by their easy access to pornography online. (Source: The Telegraph)

Tuesday, April 9, 2013

Tuesday, April 9, 2013By Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Tuesday, April 9, 2013

Thatcher had profound effect on popular culture

Margaret Thatcher was not just a political titan, she was a cultural icon skewered by comedians, transformed into a puppet and played to Oscar-winning perfection by Meryl Streep.

With her uncompromising politics, ironclad certainty, bouffant hairstyle and ever-present handbag, the late British leader was grist for comedians, playwrights, novelists and songwriters whether they loved her or as was more often the case hated her. To the satirical puppeteers of popular 1980s TV series “Spitting Image,” Thatcher was a cigar-smoking bully, a butcher with a bloody cleaver, a domineering leader ruling over her docile Cabinet.

Pop was political in Thatcher’s day, as the bitter social divisions of the 1980s sparked an angry musical outpouring.

“I see no joy, I see only sorrow, I see no chance of your bright new tomorrow,” sang The Beat, urging Thatcher to resign in “Stand Down Margaret.”

In “Tramp the Dirt Down,” Elvis Costello imagined the day of Thatcher’s death: “When they finally put you in the ground, I’ll stand on your grave and tramp the dirt down.”

Former Smiths frontman Morrissey went even further, lyrically fantasizing about “Margaret on the Guillotine.”

Musicians including Paul Weller and Billy Bragg formed the Red Wedge movement to campaign against Thatcher and for the Labour Party in the 1987 election. But for some later musicians, Thatcher was a more positive figure.

Former Spice Girl Geri Halliwell who sported a Union Jack mini-dress as part of the 1990s’ girl group tweeted Monday: “Thinking of our 1st Lady of girl power, Margaret Thatcher, a green grocer’s daughter who taught me anything is possible.” (Source: CTV News)