David Cameron on religion. Or not.

Today I heard about David Cameron's speech on religion. Or more specifically on Christianity. When I first heard him quoted as saying-"a revival of traditional Christian values to counter Britain's moral collapse", I was incensed. Was he seriously of the opinion that if you did not actively decide to follow the church, then you were somehow living a bad lifestyle?

But I restrained my eagerness to immediately stick the boot in on here, instead deciding to read up and see what he actually said. Upon doing so, anger quickly gave way to amusement.

The Prime Minister spoke a great deal, but said nothing at all. Take a close walkthrough of some quotes with me.

1.) "called for a revival of traditional Christian values to counter Britain's moral collapse".

2.)"I know and fully respect that many people in this country do not have a religion

3.)"And because many of the values of a Christian country are shared by people of all faiths and indeed by people of no faith at all."

Result? Cameron's first point explicitly states that "Traditional Christian Values" are a counter to a Britain with no sense of morality. This is then completely countered with point 2-he accepts that it is fine not to have a religion. And with point 3-he accepts that the good values held by Christians are not exclusive to that religion, or indeed religion itself.

So he has made no point at all concerning religion, christianity, or morality. And he hasnt finished saying nothing;

"But what I am saying is that the Bible has helped to give Britain a set of values and morals which make Britain what it is today."

But earlier he said that morality and religion are completely independant from one another. So thats another point without a point.

"Because the tolerance that Christianity demands of our society provides greater space for other religious faiths too."

Again, he accepts that other religions are fine. Again, he defeats his own argument that Christian values are a counter to a moral decline in Britain.

So every major point made countered another major point. Nothing was said, no stance was taken, no opinion given.

Now this was obviously so that the speech couldn't possibly offend anybody.

But it gives you an interesting insight into being a politician- they have no opinion unless it will increase their popularity. And in this case there was nothing the Prime Minister could say to increase his popularity.

So he spoke a lot.

And said nothing.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-16224394

Will

Fuck off with your artistic leaves (please)

Am I the only one to be thoroughly pissed off by big budget "longboard" videos need to include at least one shot of somebody sliding through bloody leaves? Or sand. Or riding past a wall and sliding their hand over it (often with the aforementioned leaves also present).

It adds emphasis to nothing. It is not original. It is done to death. It is not artistic.

Go away.

Cheers

Will

sand and leaves :( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HUDSu2Y8iEQ

Why Don and Giovanni are wrong

So, the latest musings from the fantastic minds of John and Rob are in. But on this occasion, I dont agree.
http://donandgiovanni.wordpress.com/2011/12/13/wankers-with-no-integrity-or-imagination/

They and others reckon that some skate companies; Mindless, Early, Brighton Skateboards specifically,  are chucking out very similar shapes that have not been designed by the company (and therefore are stock shapes offered by the guys who make the boards).

This is a similar view to that which has been expressed in the past by those over at Lush- concerning Mindless bringing out very similar boards to Lush.

So why dont I agree? Well, my main point is, there isnt much you can do with anything on a skateboard.
The Mindless "Rascal" http://www.atbshop.co.uk/images/mindless/mindles_rascal_colours.jpg , Brighton Prototype http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/307732_139781479445078_100002396808432_236647_3381903_n.jpg
and Lush "Zappa" http://www.lushlongboards.com/index.php?p=product&products_id=2726
are all compact, kicktailed cruisers. Only very minor aesthetic (and token) details can possibly be changed, say the shape of the kicktail.

The Lush Vandella http://www.lushlongboards.com/index.php?p=product&products_id=2713
And Earthwing Belly Racer http://longboardskater.com/mm5/graphics/00000001/EWBellyRacerC.jpg
are very similar shapes. Why? They are both topmount speedboards. They are similar shapes through practical neccesity- considering factors such as wheelbite.

So there is very little innovation you can make in deck shape. Or wheel design. Or truck design.

But what about the implied claims from some (such as those at Lush) that certain companies (such as Mindless) actively copy successful board shapes of other companies? They havent reached the same shape through testing and realisation of practicalities, but through deciding to clone the successful shape. If this is happening, is it wrong?

No.

It's business. Yes, it's pretty shady, uncreative and piggybacking the hard work of others, but a company is set up to make money.

But hey, you're opinion is just that- yours. If you dont like what a company does, dont buy from them. Encourage others not to as well if you want. At the end of the day, who you buy from is your choice.

So ignore everything I have said in this blog post. Ignore everything Don and Giovanni have said. Ignore everybody who believes in blind patriotism to the U.K scene.

Ignore everybody but yourself, look at the facts, and make your own mind up. Skate whatever you want.

And have fun.

Cheers for reading,

Will

On the clarkson comments.

I am greatly amused to see that the complaints about Jeremy Clarksons "execute the strikers" comments have topped 20,000.

People see others complaining and decide they want to feel slighted as well. They want to feel aggrieved.

The comments were meant to be humourous, and this is the "character" Clarkson plays and is paid to play. Anyone who believes he actually wants the strikers to be executed deserves to be deported for gross stupidity.

In short- CALM THE FUCK DOWN EVERYBODY AND STOP WANTING TO FEEL OFFENDED BECAUSE IT MAKES YOU FEEL BETTER.

Goodbye.