View from the Shire: News you might have missed: October 2014

From UKIP to drug laws, and S Club 7 to lad culture...

Here's the news you might have missed in October...

Politics

Five things we learned from Cameron’s human rights announcement

http://ukhumanrightsblog.com/2014/10/01/five-things-we-learned-from-camerons-human-rights-announcement/

Basically – it is not as bad as it could have been!

Islamic State: Turkey to let Iraq Kurds join Kobane fight
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-29685830

Better late than never - the Kurds need all the support they can get

Ukip's European Parliament group has collapsed: what does this mean?
http://www.newstatesman.com/politics/2014/10/ukips-european-parliament-group-has-collapsed-what-does-mean

UKIP to lose money and influence - what a shame!

House of Lords agrees to make revenge porn a criminal offence
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-29697600

A good move

Ukip does deal with far-right, racist Holocaust-denier to save EU funding

http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2014/oct/20/ukip-does-deal-with-far-right-to-save-european-grouping

A pleasant chap -->

Korwin-Mikke has also called for the vote to be taken away from women, has claimed that the difference between rape and consensual sex is “very subtle” and said that Adolf Hitler was “probably not aware that Jews were being exterminated”.

Opinion: Gough Whitlam: Farewell to a reformer
http://www.libdemvoice.org/opinion-gough-whitlam-farewell-to-a-reformer-42996.html

He sounds like he was a really interesting politician...

Tory MEPs refuse to back their own Commissioner in EU vote
http://bearder.eu/en/article/2014/923775/tory-meps-refuse-to-back-their-own-commissioner-in-eu-vote

Am not surprised...

Scottish Labour leadership: Likely candidates say they will not enter race
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-29784568

Looks like no-one wants to lead Labour in Scotland...

A powerful message from Canada’s Liberal leader in response to Wednesday’s shootings

http://www.libdemvoice.org/a-powerful-message-from-canadas-liberal-leader-in-response-to-wednesdays-shootings-43040.html

Moving

Why is David Cameron afraid to call himself a feminist?
http://www.elleuk.com/now-trending/david-cameron-afraid-feminist-shirt-meaning

Is it really difficult for David Cameron to say "I am a feminist"?

National parliaments with a regionally elected federal parliament: a new constitutional model for the UK

http://britologywatch.wordpress.com/2014/10/29/national-parliaments-with-a-regionally-elected-federal-parliament-a-new-constitutional-model-for-the-uk/

I like the idea

No link between tough penalties and drug use - report
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-29824764

Home Office report: "Looking across different countries, there is no apparent correlation between the 'toughness' of a country's approach and the prevalence of adult drug use,"

Lib Dem view: "The "war on drugs is not working" and evidence showed addicts must be dealt with as "people who need treatment so they don't remain hooked". Conservative view:

Tory MP Michael Ellis said the Lib Dems had "hijacked" it for political gain.

Government view: The government says it has "no intention" of decriminalising drugs.

The joy of coalition!!!

Tower of London poppies: Queue chaos as tens of thousands line up to see poppy display
http://www.standard.co.uk/news/london/tower-of-london-poppies-tens-of-thousands-visit-display-as-london-basks-in-autumn-sun-9830477.html

I'd like to see this but not if the crowds are that bad...

LGBT

Unbearably wonderful BearScotFest
http://www.kaleidoscot.com/unbearably-wonderful-bearscotsfest-1576

A great write up of the event I went to last weekend...

Colorado, Utah, Virginia, Wisconsin, Indiana and Oklahoma all begin marrying same-sex couples

http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2014/10/06/colorado-utah-virginia-wisconsin-indiana-and-oklahoma-to-all-begin-marrying-same-sex-couples/

A good day!

LGB, trans and marriage things that are now LibDem policy

http://www.complicity.co.uk/blog/2014/10/lgb-trans-and-marriage-things-that-are-now-libdem-policy/

Progress!

Date set for first same-sex marriages in Scotland
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-29595701

Good news...

Estonia votes to allow gay civil partnerships
http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2014/10/09/estonia-votes-to-allow-gay-civil-partnerships/

First former soviet republic to do so - good news!

Release of Moroccan friend of Brit jailed for ‘homosexual acts’ confirmed

http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2014/10/09/release-of-moroccan-friend-of-brit-jailed-for-homosexual-acts-confirmed/

Because laws abroad don’t just affect UK citizens

Ireland: Poll suggests landslide victory in upcoming equal marriage referendum
http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2014/10/12/ireland-poll-suggests-landslide-victory-in-upcoming-equal-marriage-referendum/

Looks hopeful

Alaska same-sex marriage ban ruled unconstitutional

http://equalityontrial.com/2014/10/12/alaska-sex-marriage-ban-ruled-unconstitutional/?utm_source=feedly&utm_reader=feedly&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=alaska-sex-marriage-ban-ruled-unconstitutional

Another one bites the dust…

Palau: Gay sex decriminalised in penal code revision
http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2014/10/15/palau-gay-sex-decriminalised-in-penal-code-revision/

One more reason to go on a pacific cruise...

Government announces new regulations for civil partnership conversion including religious venues

http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2014/10/16/government-announces-new-regulations-for-civil-partnership-conversion-including-religious-venues/

Better than the draft version

Tim Cook: "I'm Proud to be Gay"
http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2014-10-30/tim-cook-im-proud-to-be-gay

CEO of Apple comes out: "While I have never denied my sexuality, I haven’t publicly acknowledged it either, until now. So let me be clear: I’m proud to be gay, and I consider being gay among the greatest gifts God has given me."

Gay Ukip MEP David Coburn Says Gay Marriage Supporters Are 'Equality Nazis'
http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2014/10/30/david-coburn-ukip-gay-mep_n_6060184.html?1414669911

***Let's just say i'm glad he doesn't represent me***

Some quotes from the gay UKIP MEP for Scotland:

On equal marriage...

"But when you go across the road to pick a fight with someone of faith, that's not got anything to do with it, that's the equality Nazis trying to give Christianity a jolly good kicking. You know it, I know it, we all know it - it's false bollocks, the lot of it."

"For one word, 'marriage', it doesn't mean that much," he lamented. "It's just for some queen who wants to dress up in a bridal frock and in a big moustache and dance up the aisle to the Village People, quite frankly if that's the cost of upsetting a hell of a lot of people, then I don't think it's a price worth paying."

On Scottish Tory leader Ruth Davidson...

She could have been a ten pound gorilla or a rhinoceros, and they [the Tories] would still have clapped her [at the Tory conference]. She's the only thing they've got." Asked what word would best summarise her, Coburn chose "porridge".

The Importance Of Speaking Out
http://romeo-golf.tumblr.com/post/101340380091/the-importance-of-speaking-out

I think @bobbert_ has captured my thoughts regarding Tim Cook (Apple CEO) and other celebs coming out

Globally-ranked Pro Strongman is made stronger by revealing he loves men

http://thenextlevel.me/coach-xn/2014/10/28/one-of-the-worlds-strongest-men-is-made-stronger-by-loving-men

Professional strong man comes out!

Civil partnership conversions in Scotland to be free for the first year

http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2014/10/31/civil-partnership-conversions-in-scotland-to-be-free-for-the-first-year/

Something to think about ;)

Entertainment

S Club 7 reunion official: Band will make comeback for Children in Need

http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/music/news/a605047/s-club-7-reunion-official-band-will-make-comeback-for-children-in-need.html

Breaking news...

Miranda Hart calls time on BBC sitcom
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-29747338

Sad but not unexpected news...

Lynda Bellingham's death exploited on Facebook by far-right extremists
http://www.mirror.co.uk/tv/tv-news/lynda-bellinghams-death-exploited-facebook-4496725

This is why everyone should double check what they are liking or sharing or commenting on Facebook

More women play video games than boys, and other surprising facts lost in the mess of Gamergate
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-switch/wp/2014/10/17/more-women-play-video-games-than-boys-and-other-surprising-facts-lost-in-the-mess-of-gamergate/

An interesting update on #gamergate

ITV News presenter Charlene White: Why I don't wear a poppy
http://www.itv.com/news/2014-10-25/itv-news-presenter-charlene-white-why-i-dont-wear-a-poppy/

I respect her decision

Education

Officials wanted to axe FE colleges - Vince Cable
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-29496475

Civil servants don't care about FE shock!

John Latham: 'I don't want more students, but I'm glad the cap's going'
http://www.theguardian.com/higher-education-network/blog/2014/oct/08/john-latham-i-dont-want-more-students-but-im-glad-the-caps-going

Coventry Uni is going global...

Lad culture thrives in our neoliberal universities

http://www.theguardian.com/higher-education-network/blog/2014/oct/15/lad-culture-thrives-in-our-neoliberal-universities

"There is a feeling at lad culture at UK universities is on the increase" Surely someone must be researching if it is actually on the increase or there is just more awareness of the issue.

What has QAA ever done for UK universities? A lot, actually http://www.theguardian.com/higher-education-network/blog/2014/oct/20/qaa-uk-university-review-critics

An interesting contribution to the debate about the QAA...

Managing your career in HE administration

http://www.wonkhe.com/2014/10/24/managing-your-career-in-higher-education/

A book review but worth a read

Student visa rules condemned by employers
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-29746859

Nothing will change before the election...

Science

‘Not rocket science’: Texas male stripper in Ebola self-quarantine shocked CDC didn’t order isolation after he was on plane with sick nurse Amber Vinson
http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/male-strippers-quarantine-flying-ebola-stricken-nurse-article-1.1977644?cid=bitly

Headline of the day

Common workplace misconceptions about introverts.
http://www.slate.com/blogs/moneybox/2014/10/24/common_workplace_misconceptions_about_introverts.html?wpsrc=sh_all_dt_tw_bot

Another reason why coffee does nothing for me...