Sue’s Blog

Is life ever really fair? And is there the political will to do anything about it?

“It is a thought echoed by the Child Poverty Action Group which recently said that “the combination of a major recession,… the challenges of climate change and a new political wind from the US show that the time is right for change”.

What were once political and economic certainties are now being revisited and charities believe there is an opportunity to reshape the debate about the role of the state in focusing on inequality and poverty for the long-term.

As an article in the Economist newspaper put it just the other day, there is “a sense that the greedy rich have cheated decent working people of their rightful share of the pie”

(http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/thereporters/markeaston/)

Big Issues but are there any Big answers?

Two apologies; that the link doesn’t work and the poitical content, but just sometimes……

A couple of articles have caught my attention this week, on an issue we were talking about when I was a teenager! But somehow human rights seem to have got in the way!! I find I have to agree with David Attenborough on this one, we need to do something or else…….

I enjoy my life here and I love my new home but just sometimes I need to spend time with my family and friends……..

Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don’t matter and those who matter don’t mind.

– Dr. Seuss

Living between two worlds causes my heart to ache! Where is home? Home is where the heart is, as quoted on my recent tattoo, does not actually help me; because my heart lives here, and there too.

I am very sad at the current attitude of this government, who (in my humble opinion) appear to be taking some very odd decisions and actions which appear to be (mainly) for their own benefit rather than the good of this country!

Here we are into the second week of February, KC went home over two weeks ago and what have I done? Well I have done lots of pleasant, social things but, the necessary things I need to be doing, well…….
I have always been good at procrastination, or rather I should say; I have always been bad at getting on with things, my motto is, and has always been ‘always put off till tomorrow what you could do today’ and in many ways it has served me well; honestly you would be surprised how many things you do that don’t actually need doing! And the next day you wonder why you even considered doing, or were asked to do the requisite task. (I particularly found this in teaching). Having said that it is surprising, considering my behaviors, that I have achieved as much as I have in my life, but I procrastinate!

Climate change has always worried me. But like everyone else, or should I say, the majority of us (I am sure there must be someone out there who considers the future of the planet in their everyday life), I stumble on not taking care of the environment seriously. But it does worry me that we are storing up terrible problems for future generations with our selfishness and lethargy. Is Obama the man who can make things happen, I would dearly love to think so, but I am sorry to say I have major doubts.

It is the first of January 2009, A time when traditionally we take stock of our lives….and make resolutions for our future. After due consideration what I wish for in the new year is that it is as happy and as fulfilling as 2008.
I hate to sound ’smug’ but it was an amazing year for me. I got to spend quality time with my three beautiful children (forgive me guys!) I had the opportunity to be reminded why I married my lovely husband (enough said!!) We built our dream house, I lost 2 stone in weight and regained a degree of physical fitness, made some lovely new friends and strengthened ties with some old ones.
KC reminds me that not everything went our way, so probably the most important thing I gained last year was the ability to deal with what happens, take some responsibility for it and to get on with life as best I can..
So whatever 2009 has in store for me I will endeavor to be positive……and that is to be my new year resolution!

Good to see they now have freedom of speech in Iraq