
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mahidoodi/322037776/
Racist Ubiquity
Monday 7th December 2009
Racism is everywhere. To most, that’s a startling statement. People prefer to believe racism—really, inequality of all sorts—has been wiped out. In reality, though, evidence of racism (namely racist jokes) is still quite ubiquitous. I find this trend worrying.
Monday 7th December 2009
Racism is everywhere. To most, that’s a startling statement. People prefer to believe racism—really, inequality of all sorts—has been wiped out. In reality, though, evidence of racism (namely racist jokes) is still quite ubiquitous. I find this trend worrying.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/comunicati/353181339/
The Oldest Profession
Monday 7th December 2009
It is thought that by the time of the Aztecs prostitution was already an established profession. Today, sex is sold in various forms, be it by high-class escort agencies or street side solicitation.
Monday 7th December 2009
It is thought that by the time of the Aztecs prostitution was already an established profession. Today, sex is sold in various forms, be it by high-class escort agencies or street side solicitation.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/altemark/479857185/
The Final Word
Monday 7th December 2009
Online news is replacing its print rival, circulation figures for broadsheets are down, and even the tabloids are starting to suffer. With the rise of the e-paper devices such as the Kindle, how long will it be until hard copies books become obsolete?
Monday 7th December 2009
Online news is replacing its print rival, circulation figures for broadsheets are down, and even the tabloids are starting to suffer. With the rise of the e-paper devices such as the Kindle, how long will it be until hard copies books become obsolete?
Defending America
Monday 23rd November 2009
Many people speak of Americans in scoffing tones, labeling us “rude, loud, and ignorant.” I will not deny that some Americans are indeed rude, loud, and ignorant— but the same is true of people al over the world.read
Monday 23rd November 2009
Many people speak of Americans in scoffing tones, labeling us “rude, loud, and ignorant.” I will not deny that some Americans are indeed rude, loud, and ignorant— but the same is true of people al over the world.read

http://www.flickr.com/photos/bachmont/1414623570/
Thank You For Smoking
Monday 23rd November 2009
I am glad that it’s no longer legal to smoke inside public places. Inside my favourite pub, back home, I’m able to see from one end of the bar to the other without having to use infra-red goggles to see through the mists of cigarette smoke. read
Monday 23rd November 2009
I am glad that it’s no longer legal to smoke inside public places. Inside my favourite pub, back home, I’m able to see from one end of the bar to the other without having to use infra-red goggles to see through the mists of cigarette smoke. read
Missing like Madeleine
Monday 23rd November 2009
During the summer of 2007, the press was dominated by stories of the disappearance of Madeleine McCann in Portugal. The nation was taken on a media driven rollercoaster ride of suspects, dead-ends and even accusations against the child’s own parents. read
Monday 23rd November 2009
During the summer of 2007, the press was dominated by stories of the disappearance of Madeleine McCann in Portugal. The nation was taken on a media driven rollercoaster ride of suspects, dead-ends and even accusations against the child’s own parents. read
That's So Gay
Monday 2nd November 2009
The recent Stonewall poster campaign ran with the words: ‘Some people are gay. Get over it!’ Britain desperately needs to.
Monday 2nd November 2009
The recent Stonewall poster campaign ran with the words: ‘Some people are gay. Get over it!’ Britain desperately needs to.
Time For A Change In New Jersey
Monday 2nd November 2009
I have found there to be some surprise amongst St Andreans when I mention to those not in the know, that in the United States, 2009 is an election year. The surprise is understandable: odd years are not typically election years in the States, and an election so soon after the emotionally draining 2008 elections seems like too much.
Monday 2nd November 2009
I have found there to be some surprise amongst St Andreans when I mention to those not in the know, that in the United States, 2009 is an election year. The surprise is understandable: odd years are not typically election years in the States, and an election so soon after the emotionally draining 2008 elections seems like too much.
To Drink or Not to Drink
Monday 2nd November 2009
“First you take a drink, then the drink takes a drink, then the drink takes you.”, or so F. Scott Fitzgerald said. A notorious drunkard, true, and yet many students can’t help understanding exactly what he means.
Monday 2nd November 2009
“First you take a drink, then the drink takes a drink, then the drink takes you.”, or so F. Scott Fitzgerald said. A notorious drunkard, true, and yet many students can’t help understanding exactly what he means.
My Subject is Better Than Yours
Monday 2nd November 2009
I’ve experienced my fair share of condescending put-downs based on the fact that I’m studying English and Psychology. When I mention English, people assume I want to be a teacher.
Monday 2nd November 2009
I’ve experienced my fair share of condescending put-downs based on the fact that I’m studying English and Psychology. When I mention English, people assume I want to be a teacher.
The Devolved Decade
Monday 2nd November 2009
t’s been ten years since the formation of the Scottish Parliament, but even after a decade of home rule, Holyrood is still a contentious issue among many. While for some it has failed to live up to expectations, for others it provides a sense of optimism about Scotland’s future.
Monday 2nd November 2009
t’s been ten years since the formation of the Scottish Parliament, but even after a decade of home rule, Holyrood is still a contentious issue among many. While for some it has failed to live up to expectations, for others it provides a sense of optimism about Scotland’s future.
Tattoos taboo in St Andrews?
Monday 19th October 2009
As a third-year student visiting from the US, I have had a startling realisation about St Andrews: very few people here have visible tattoos. At first I told myself that the chilly weather meant that people were more inclined to cover up, which seemed like a fitting explanation.
Monday 19th October 2009
As a third-year student visiting from the US, I have had a startling realisation about St Andrews: very few people here have visible tattoos. At first I told myself that the chilly weather meant that people were more inclined to cover up, which seemed like a fitting explanation.
I Don't
Monday 19th October 2009
The changing structure of the British social system is a constant fascination for our newspapers and TV programmes, and it seems that it has now reached Westminster. The Conservatives have recently announced plans to encourage families to stay together, by implementing a three month “cooling off” period before a couple will be granted a divorce
Monday 19th October 2009
The changing structure of the British social system is a constant fascination for our newspapers and TV programmes, and it seems that it has now reached Westminster. The Conservatives have recently announced plans to encourage families to stay together, by implementing a three month “cooling off” period before a couple will be granted a divorce
The Proverbial Rock
Monday 19th October 2009
With the release of convicted Lockerbie bomber, Abdelbaset Ali al-Megrahi, the Scottish government came in for intense criticism. Outraged at the decision to return him to Libya, victims families on both sides of the Atlantic reacted angrily.
Monday 19th October 2009
With the release of convicted Lockerbie bomber, Abdelbaset Ali al-Megrahi, the Scottish government came in for intense criticism. Outraged at the decision to return him to Libya, victims families on both sides of the Atlantic reacted angrily.
Every Little Helps
Monday 19th October 2009
We live in an age of awakened spirituality and awareness. The best place locally to test your inner peace and Zen-like qualities is, of course, St Andrews’ Tesco, between the hours of one and five. At no other time and in no other place will your patience and endurance and good-humour be quite so stretched to their limits.
Monday 19th October 2009
We live in an age of awakened spirituality and awareness. The best place locally to test your inner peace and Zen-like qualities is, of course, St Andrews’ Tesco, between the hours of one and five. At no other time and in no other place will your patience and endurance and good-humour be quite so stretched to their limits.
Keep Drinking The Kool-Aid
Monday 19th October 2009
The continued love affair between the international establishment (i.e. the UN, the Nobel Committee), the media, and Barack Obama bewilders many in the United States, myself included. It is near messianic, and messianism in the public sphere is deeply disturbing – most especially when it is blind.
Monday 19th October 2009
The continued love affair between the international establishment (i.e. the UN, the Nobel Committee), the media, and Barack Obama bewilders many in the United States, myself included. It is near messianic, and messianism in the public sphere is deeply disturbing – most especially when it is blind.
United We Stand
Monday 19th October 2009
“I am all for anarchy”, was what struck me when I first thought about politics. I must say that even now, I remain all for civil liberties – but you do have to draw the line somewhere! I also asked myself: what is the most important thing in the world?
Monday 19th October 2009
“I am all for anarchy”, was what struck me when I first thought about politics. I must say that even now, I remain all for civil liberties – but you do have to draw the line somewhere! I also asked myself: what is the most important thing in the world?
Wanted: a Slave for Three Months+
Monday 28th September 2009
INTERNSHIPS: supposedly one of the best ways to improve your CV and make you much more employable at the end of your degree. But are they really worth it? Like thousands of other students across the globe, I spent many an hour at the start of second semester emailing my CV and covering letters to MPs, political organisations, charities, newspapers, etc. etc. You name it; I tried it.
Monday 28th September 2009
INTERNSHIPS: supposedly one of the best ways to improve your CV and make you much more employable at the end of your degree. But are they really worth it? Like thousands of other students across the globe, I spent many an hour at the start of second semester emailing my CV and covering letters to MPs, political organisations, charities, newspapers, etc. etc. You name it; I tried it.
The Power of Dreams
Monday 28th September 2009
Almost half a century ago, a nation witnessed the dawn of a dream. John Fitzgerald Kennedy, accepting the Democratic Party’s nomination for President of the United States, proclaimed his vision for a new frontier, a new era for America and for the world – a future free from poverty, conflict and injustice.
Monday 28th September 2009
Almost half a century ago, a nation witnessed the dawn of a dream. John Fitzgerald Kennedy, accepting the Democratic Party’s nomination for President of the United States, proclaimed his vision for a new frontier, a new era for America and for the world – a future free from poverty, conflict and injustice.
The Oxbridge Reject
Monday 28th September 2009
So you heard the big “no”. And yes, Durham had a hill (and a very interesting UNESCO heritage castle as well, yet still a part of the general hill landscape). Nevertheless, you soon decide that life goes on and find student happiness in the arms of another, more welcoming, institution
Monday 28th September 2009
So you heard the big “no”. And yes, Durham had a hill (and a very interesting UNESCO heritage castle as well, yet still a part of the general hill landscape). Nevertheless, you soon decide that life goes on and find student happiness in the arms of another, more welcoming, institution
Obama and the goldfish
Monday 28th September 2009
The White House try to control the news. They stifle our reporting. They plant questions in the Audience. They have favourites, and they reject anyone they don't like. It's unfair.
Monday 28th September 2009
The White House try to control the news. They stifle our reporting. They plant questions in the Audience. They have favourites, and they reject anyone they don't like. It's unfair.
The Price Tag of Your Degree
Monday 28th September 2009
Degrees are 'dumbing down', or at least they are according to last month’s parliamentary inquiry into them. This report said that since the number of first-class university degrees in England had dramatically increased
Monday 28th September 2009
Degrees are 'dumbing down', or at least they are according to last month’s parliamentary inquiry into them. This report said that since the number of first-class university degrees in England had dramatically increased
Changing Politics
Monday 28th September 2009
I have a new found appreciation for politics in Britain. Spending part of the summer in the South African parliament gives one a unique view of politics in the most developed nation in Africa. It is divided by race and maintained by fear.
Monday 28th September 2009
I have a new found appreciation for politics in Britain. Spending part of the summer in the South African parliament gives one a unique view of politics in the most developed nation in Africa. It is divided by race and maintained by fear.
Gordon Brown on Strictly Come Dancing
Monday 28th September 2009
You may find these images immensely entertaining, but politicians seem to be devoting more and more of their time to popular media, with an emphasis on television.
Monday 28th September 2009
You may find these images immensely entertaining, but politicians seem to be devoting more and more of their time to popular media, with an emphasis on television.
Identity Crisis
Heather Graham looks at the possible dangers of eroding civil liberties.
Monday 28th September 2009
Heather Graham looks at the possible dangers of eroding civil liberties.
Monday 28th September 2009
Spending Sprees and Liberty Trees
Drew Hall examines a possible solution to the financial and political hurdles facing America.
Monday 28th September 2009
Drew Hall examines a possible solution to the financial and political hurdles facing America.
Monday 28th September 2009