Friend for Friday: Bob Crow

He's always got a say on something. He's hated by commuters, but loved by the unions. Yes, Bob Crow - one of the biggest voices in the UK's fierce trade union movement. I met him last year for a surprisingly smooth interview with the tough personality. He is this weeks Friend for Friday.

Since his appointment as General Secretary of the Rail and Maritime Union (RMT) in 2002, Bob Crow has seen his union’s numbers increase by a third to more than 80,000 members currently. From organising strikes on the Underground, to his beliefs in Communism and Socialism - we chatted to him about his role as secretary and how he felt as a panellist on the recent edition of Any Questions?

It is not your first time on Any Questions is it Bob?
No, it is not. I’ve actually appeared as a panellist three times before my fourth appearance tonight. I’ve also appeared on Question Time three times too.

And do you enjoy your appearances?
Oh yes! Thoroughly, I love the interaction between the audience and the panel. A good old-fashioned debate is brilliant on this programme, and tonight was no exception. The audience were fantastic - lots of people make it brilliant, and you love the cheers, and boos. I think tonight was one of my favourites!

You are certainly a man of staunch views, and you made that clear tonight. Do you agree?
Well, I’m honest. You have to be in this game. I’m happy to be a minority. Sometimes my views do not agree with the audience, but as tonight they did meet with cheers and applause (we can confirm that he was the biggest crowd pleaser). All I will say is that I respect any view, so long as it is not a racist view.

The media describe you as a communist/ socialist. Is this correct?
Yes, it is. I believe in Socialism, I believe in decent life for all and opportunities for all. We should respect other people, whatever our economic or social background - something our society is currently not doing.

Since your appointment as General Secretary for the Rail and Maritime Union in 2002, union members have increased from 57,000 to over 80,000. What would you suggest has pleased the public the most about your appointment?
I guess it is my beliefs and aims for the union.

Which are?
Well, the main aim is job security. All members of the union should have security in their jobs, and that is my number one aim. Decent pay and the security of a pension are also key to my beliefs.

With the ongoing National Union of Students Crisis, and what with the past furore surrounding the RMT Underground strikes this year, would you argue that these strikes seem to be doing more harm than good?
No, not at all. The reason we have these strikes is because of the injustices of the workers. The big bosses take all the profit whilst the worker does all the work. It has happened for decades, if not centuries. By enforcing strike action, the union represents all its workers, which in turn makes their life better. The only way is forward - whether that means strike action or not!

Interviewed by Kieran Watkins 
Picture Courtesy of http://postrecession.wordpress.com/

Top Ten for Tuesday: top ten tv presenters

It's Tuesday! Hmm, not my favourite day either. But it does mean that it is time for another amusing insight into my opinionated mind for Top Ten for Tuesday. This week, I have compiled my favourite television presenters. They are all on their for different reasons - and will probably provide quite a lot of debate between readers. I have also named and shamed my top worst to. Don't judge the jourknow, he is just expressing his most humble opinion.

Top Ten TV Presenters

1. Sir Bruce Forsyth - the showbusiness legend, he has entertained our screens for decades. The King of saturday night can still hold his own above the rest, and still makes me laugh every weekend. Over 80, he is a national hero - or certainly one of mine anyway!

2. Graham Norton - another King, this time for Friday night. Graham Norton is one of the funniest TV presenters on-air, and his chat-show is perhaps the best in the UK. A younger Bruce Forsyth in the making, I think everyone loves a bit of Norton!

3. Fiona Bruce - one of the only reasons for watching the Antiques Roadshow, Bruce is a formidable journalist and one of the best female presenters in the country. As a journalist, I am particularly intrigued into her success, and long to follow in her footsteps one day.

4. Vernon Kay - OK, so he is cheesy and predictable, but the humour Kay adds to shows has made him the successful presenter he is, and why he is one of my favourite presenters in the UK. For light-entertainment, he is number one, or should be!

5. Claudia Winkleman - Her laugh is delightful, her presence is charming; Claudia Winkleman is one of the most desired TV hosts in the country. She has probably appeared on every channel, and her bubbly personality is really heart-warming.

6. Ant & Dec - the UK's favourite duo, they have won more presenting awards than most, and continue to delight viewers with their witty remarks and school-boy banter. A great partnership which is rare on most TV channels.

7. Chris Evans - now he might not be as popular as he once was, but Chris Evans is a television legend. His life story - read his autobiographies, they're brilliant - is one that is not only fascinating, but inspiring. I wish he was on TV more!

8. Anne Robinson - the wicked witch of UK TV, the formidable Anne Robinson - queen of mean - still never fails to entertain and inform audiences. One of the eldest female presenters in the business, she is still appealing to all generations.

9. Noel Edmonds - come on, who does not like Noel Edmonds? Like Chris Evans, he is not on TV enough. A legend in his hey day, and the face of one of the best TV shows in the country, he is an endearing face of prime-time TV who just gets better with age.

10. Barney Harwood - now you might ask why I  have included a CBBC presenter on here, but he is a firm favourite for kids across the country. In fact, all my generation would be able to recognise him if asked. Currently on Blue Peter, I expect great things for Harwood in the future.

Top Worst:
1. Eamonn Holmes
2. Holly Willoughby
3. Vanessa Feltz
4. Stephen Mullhern
5. Richard Hammond
6. Adrian Charles
7. Chris Hollins
8. Alexander Armstrong
9. Jonathan Ross
10. Tess Daly

Pictures Courtesy of Wikipedia
Opinion is that of my own!

Review of the Week: 'Ordinary Thunderstorms' by William Boyd

So, I thought I would launch a new feature. Yes, another one! Review of the Week will be a small feature, changing each week, on various items which include; books, films, albums and places. The jourknow wishes to provide his opinion, and he will do so. Enjoy!

Ordinary Thunderstorms

‘A compelling fugitive chase through the dark side of modern-day London’ - Evening Standard

I could not say it better myself. To say I had a few sleepless nights due to the eagerness of turning the next page, completing the next chapter is short off the mark. From the first word, I was drawn into the setting and the narrative like flowers bursting into spring. It had everything I ever wished for: compelling characters, a strong storyline of action, adventure, crime and at some points, sexual fantasy all set in the quirky yet somehow familiar suburbs of London town.

Boyd, a familiar writer with accolades from the Costa Book Award, to Richard and Judy Bestseller for the prestigious‘Restless’ has done wonders for a story I was at first hesitant to read. A stubborn traditionalist when it comes to books, I normally‘judge by the cover’ or choose familiar titles and authors, so what chose me to pick this one? Ok, the cover did hold a certain mystery that appealed to me, and the James Bond familiarities (The main protagonist, Adam Kindred - being a modern day 007, perhaps?) made me feel comfortable as I purchased the read from Waterstones.

The plot, as it thickens, leads you too a wild goose chase at the best of times, between Adam Kindred - an American geologist/scientist/professor who is wanted for a murder he didn’t commit. Hmm - sounds a bit cliché and common to some book genres, however this uncovers a certain London that we take for granted. A realistic narrative (I know it is fiction - but how do we know it does not happen?) that leads to murder, prostitution, crime and more murder. The tone of the book is not menacing however, which is more to my liking. And what with the ever-changing events from one character to the next (The protagonist, A Police-woman, Chief Executive of a pharmaceutical company, his brother, a charming prostitute by the name of ‘MHouse’ and even a villainous assassin all share the limelight), this book makes for an engaging read from start to finish. It is realistic, it is identifiable with setting and time, and it is able to create a genre of reading that is familiar, but at the same time exciting to flick through!

Ok, there may be a few comparisons to your classic spy novels. Moreover, a slight undertone of a sexual nature does create an uncomfortable feeling for the reader (read it - and you will understand what I mean) - but this book has to be loved. With a twist at the end, it does take a while to get going due to the back and forth between assassin and escapee, yet what concludes is a cleverly written tale of a modern London in the depths of crime and corruption, each page becoming irresistible and you read on into the twilight hours.

4/5 Stars. Kieran Watkins
Warning: Lack of sleep may occur as a side effect of reading!

Picture Courtesy of Wikipedia

Monday Madness: Road Deaths - the reality behind the statistics

Today's Monday Madness story - a story which appears to dominate the news agenda for the next week - looks at a news report, issued by the BBC, which shows the locations of deaths from road accidents on our roads over the last decade.

Now when I first looked at the article, I was fascinated - and saddened - to see the number of road accidents in the UK, especially after you've typed in your postcode and noticed that some are on your doorstep. It's similar to how the government's Crime Statistics website works; it places a dot on the map to where the accident has occurred, and gives you a list of what caused the accident (i.e. a car, motorcycle). It has taken the BBC years to create, and it's certainly a reliable source if any for providing the locations and details of the road accidents in the UK.

Yet I was surprised and shocked to learn that the UK has one of the best records in the world for road accidents. According to the report, there were 36,371 deaths in Britain between 1999-2010, with 1,850 recorded last year. Yet still hundreds die, and with promises of new technology improving car safety, stricter police controls and better roads - it's still; horrifying to see so many accidents take place across the country.

Six months ago, I lost a friend to a road accident. It was a tragic shock to her friends, family, peers; a shocking accident, who we all miss everyday. Yet it provided a staunch reminder of just how scary driving on the road can be, and just how close the ties between life and death really are.

As someone who passed their driving test a few months ago, I was appalled at the lack of safety measures taught in the tests. In fact, there was very little regarding safety mentioned during the Theory test - my examiner, thankfully, taught me vital lessons in road safety. Our we a nation who takes it for granted? I mean, we all know what a seat belt is for, but what is its function?

Road safety is a big issue in the UK, and a death as witnessed by myself earlier this year ignited my fear of the road. I used to live in a village where the main road, a singe-lane carriageway, had a speed limit of 30mph. Over a mile of road stretched through the village, with only one set of traffic lights. And even then, did many of the cars, lorries and the like take notice of the speed limits?

Moving to a much larger area, the similarities in road safety are similar. The dual-carriageway that runs past my university accommodation has a maximum speed of 40mph, with a speed camera in place. Yet, beyond the speed camera, I have already witnessed two accidents in the last month. Quite frightening when you have to negotiate crossing the road everyday.

Besides precautions, the state of the roads have a lot to be desired. In the village, the road was forever being churned up by developers and made worse by the influx of pot holes they introduced. In the town, the road layout leaves a lot to be desired.

Not to mention the flashy cars and hybrids out on the market. Just passing my local car dealer, I happen to notice the new models and shiny exteriors of the latest cars on the market. Good for the environment, cheap to run - but safe for all to use? You don't see that one printed often.

Now I realise it takes a deep level of skill and maturity to be able to drive safely, and therefore some accidents are down to reckless driving; whether it be drinking under the influence or speeding. But you cannot blame the drivers entirely.

I hope, with the changes planned for the Theory Test, and new developments in the industry, that Britain can start tackling the massive problem of road accidents. Despite the statistics in other countries, and problems, there must be a solution. I would love to believe that roads across this country could be 100% for drivers, and that those behind the wheel were 100% confident to drive safely. Hopefully, the government, the road agencies, the car companies and the public will come up with a solution.

Because I would hate to lose another friend to a road accident.

Picture courtesy of BBC News website

In Memory of Erin Shee

Apologies!

Hi Everyone.

the jourknow wishes to apologise for his absence over the last week. An important essay was due, and sadly that had to come first.

Anyway, I will be posting here all week...and then will be on Christmas vacation for one month. Yes, even us Journalist's deserve the odd break now and then. I will try and add a few posts once I'm in New Zealand, that's if I'm still alive after jumping off a cliff and kayaking.

Anyway, hope you keep with it. Tell all your friends, I'm so proud to have 14 followers already!

Regards,

the jourknow