About Me

There seems to be no area of our lives, whether public or private,that is not subject to the scrutiny of the 'Equality People' Yet, no one ever defines Equality. So, how will we know it when we see it? Is it definable? And are the principles of equality, however we define them, attainable?.Is the ever extending range of government regulation over our lives 'progress'Or,are we on the road to totalitarianism. Are we hindered or helped in our quest for rights and justice through membership of the E.U., U.N.,e.t.c. or, would a strengthening of our own Parliamentary Democracy serve us better. This Blog will comment on equality and related issues with the hope of making some small contribution to the debate. Feel free to post your opinions and share your thoughts and experiences. That way we can get a better idea of how we, the little people really feel about things. And,just maybe,we might even influence the debate!

Sunday 24 July 2011

Equality Means?

In the search for a definition of equality I decided to shift focus from government and policy makers to my peers.  I have posted some of the responses below.  Thank you to those who were kind enough to participate in my not too scientific piece of  research.

I shall post more as I get them.  In the meantime please feel free to respond to any of the posts or, take the poll, or even both.



  "every one is equal in every way__some hope!"
Peter, retired film editor.


  "every one is the same"
Michelle, Community volunteer.


  "never thought about it that much. But if I said what I thought it probably wouldn't be liked"
Lee,tyre fitter
  " Asking - What the term Equality means to me is one treacherous question its a bottomless pit in discussion, one persons equality is another persons route to oppression.
In my job as a firefighter the term equality has been sidelined and replaced to some extent by the concept of Fairness: Fairness at Work is an attempt to protect the worker against the employer the minorities against the majority. Although progress has been made and tolerance has increased the tendency is to force prejudice underground under the banner, often, of Political correctness gone mad.
Equality may mean treating everyone the same, without favour with justice rather than a set of laws. It is about accommodating difference or tolerating difference with due regard, respect and dignity
.Structurally society is at odds with fairness and equality ours is an unequal world wealth, power and control over ones own life go hand in hand, discrimination exits at all levels the law can only lay down behavioral limits which can be easily pushed aside or circumvented. Some religious groups could never be reconciled to homosexuality, or the role of women. Justice and fairness for all is but a slogan not a reality.
In conclusion, equality has a social and political edge, a secular Trinity always in conflict always being redefined and accommodated by the structure it exits in its strength ebbing and flowing in a constantly warring sea of conflicting needs. Reconciling those needs often requires a fight were there are winners and sore losers."
 John -Fire fighter

  "Never really thought about it, But, if I said what I think it probably wouldn't be liked"
Lee, Tyre fitter.



Monday 11 July 2011

Are some of us more equal than others?

The recent furore over the alleged phone hacking by News of the World journalists and who at the top knew or didn't know has provided a glimpse into the world of our so called elites, those people who shape and fashion our society. Here we have hundreds of workers at the News of the World losing their jobs at the click of an email, while those who held positions of responsibility during the time of all the alleged dubious practice seem to still have enough clout to participate in the discussions and decision making about how the crisis should be dealt with. They seem to move effortlessly from one little cloud to another. Mr Coulson, when things got heated at the newspaper, simply moved to advising our Prime Minister, Ms Brooks kindly offers her resignation. Mr Murdoch, the big man himself, well he's going to sort it all out. And while he's taken the trouble to come over here he might as well try and boost his bid to get the rest of BSkyB.So, all's well with the world then .I don't know what Coulson and Brooks  will do next to earn a living. But I doubt they'll be spotted down the local Job Centre.
It's a nice thought though to image them completing a modern job application. And anyone trying to find work lately will know what I mean. I wonder how they would answer these typical questions:

 a) How do your skills and experiences meet the job description-please give examples?

 b) What qualities will you bring to our organisation?
.
 c) Have you ever been the subject of disciplinary procedures or investigations at your place of employment?.

And last but not least, the Criminal Records Check! Let's wait and see

In a fair and equal society the handling of this scandal would be very different, and there may not even have been a scandal. Perhaps if those journalists, who hacked into mobile phones had not been allowed to get away with it on the spurious ground that the victims were celebrities, maybe they would never have gone on to hack into the phone of a missing child. It should have been nipped in the bud. And it would have been if it were you or I stealing  and interfering with other people's private correspondence
But we all know in an equal society, some are more equal than others.