Current Affairs Archives - Page 19 of 26

Ferguson Missouri: What it illustrates to me about America

By Dean McCleland in Current Affairs, Opinion Pieces 10 December 2014 0 Comment

I have not followed this episode closely at all. As such I am unable to sit in judgment on this tragedy in any way. Whatever the culpability of each party, it is irrelevant but in my mind it offers some confirmatory views of American race relations in particular and American societal values in general.

Before the rioting a few weeks ago in Ferguson Missouri, I, like countless other people in the world, had never heard of the place. The closest that I had ever come to knowing a Ferguson was Road Running with the grand old running stalwart by the name of Alan Ferguson in his Joburg Harriers vest. But that is a story for another day.

Main picture: An alternative view from the other side of the fence

Are Blacks in SA worse off now than under Apartheid?

By Dean McCleland in Current Affairs, Opinion Pieces 8 December 2014 0 Comment

This comment is periodically heard especially around the braai and after a few beers. But does this statement bear any truth in reality or is it merely a nostalgic yearning for the “good old days.”

Two recent episodes have brought this issue to the fore – in my mind at least. The most recent incident was an article this week by Justice Malala in The Time’s tabloid in which he berates the performance by the ANC under the all-dancing all-Zulu Jacob Zuma. Mr Malala even goes so far as question whether South Africa has not in fact “outgrown” the ANC and pointedly questions whether in fact it is now a hindrance to South Africa’s development especially when in alliance with the COSATU and the Communist Party.

Bill Cosby: From Chastened to Defiant

By Dean McCleland in Current Affairs, Opinion Pieces 5 December 2014 0 Comment

“Not Cosby. Anybody BUT Bill Cosby!” The Breakfast Drive Presenter, John Robbie on 702 Talk Radio, almost willed a different outcome to a fairy tale gone rotten. Strangely I totally concurred with him. Somehow there was no way in which I could accept that Bill Cosby could have perpetrated such vile deeds. Why did he do so and why did I not believe that he was resort to such acts?

A number of such scandals have erupted recently, mostly decades after the event. The Bob Hewitt and Rolf Harris cases spring to mind. Then of course there is the on-going saga of the Catholic Church where literally hundreds of men had now come forward and exposed their friendly priest to be a paedophile.

Music Sales: The Pandora’s Box Dictum in Action

By Dean McCleland in Current Affairs, Opinion Pieces 3 December 2014 2 Comments

Undoubtedly technology is a wondrous thing which has improved humankind’s lives immeasurably. As is it wont, its effects are never exactly as anticipated thereby creating new complications. The technologies unleashed upon the music business have created their own predicaments and conundrums.

The original forms in which music was delivered to the plebeians was extremely user unfriendly. Both the record and the reel-to-reel tape were cumbersome and unwieldy pieces on equipment not suited for use in moving vehicles and carrying with one to the beach.

Main picture: The mainstay of consumer music until the mid 1980s, the extremely cumbersome and fragile vinyl record.

Learning how to become a Good Citizen in the New South Africa

By Dean McCleland in Current Affairs, Opinion Pieces 16 November 2014 0 Comment

Until Saturday morning after the 21km race at the Kolonnade Retail Park near Sinoville in Pretoria, I never realised what the requirements were to be a good citizen in the New South Africa. My understanding has always been that the main prerequisite was that as long as one accepted all South Africans of whatever race, religion or gender as equals then one was automatically classified as a good citizen. But then Nigel rudely disabused me of this puerile notion.

After this encounter, upon reflection I now consider myself a slow leaner in this regard. When I cast my mind back, I can now recall numerous incidents where I was mystified by the new social, moral and ethical code that was being imposed seemingly by society at large rather than by legislation.

Where women are prohibited from Driving

By Dean McCleland in Current Affairs, Opinion Pieces 10 November 2014 0 Comment

Where in the world would females be prohibited from driving or a whole host of restrictions placed on their doing so? Does this country understand that this is the 21^st century? What about the concept of human rights?

This country is Saudi Arabia. Within this bastion of the ultraconservatives, women only possess the rights of a minor. Even a woman’s minor children have more rights than they do. In most circumstances, the permission of a close senior male family member is required before they may perform many tasks. Failing that, they may defer the decision to the minor male family members.

My Past is Another Country

By Dean McCleland in Current Affairs, Other Personal 6 November 2014 3 Comments

Notwithstanding the fact that I still reside in sunny South Africa, however the country of my birth has changed irrevocably since then. It has been refashioned to such an extent that it is no longer the same country that I remember as a callow youth. This alteration is more than a racial voting issue as the very fabric of society has been rendered asunder. This blog addresses these modifications and assesses whether they were for better or worse as the marriage in 1994 to the New South Africa was consummated.

Main picture: With my cousin Marilyn & her two boys circa 1976

The Post Office Strike: We will Smash it up whatever it Takes

By Dean McCleland in Current Affairs, Opinion Pieces 29 October 2014 0 Comment

This is not a trick question so just relax and answer with the first thoughts that cross your mind. “What are the characteristics of a South African strike?” Apart from the toy-toying workers bearing semi-literate signs on pieces of cardboard, what is next aspect which crosses one’s mind: the wanton destruction of property?

Main picture: The destruction of the Benoni Post Office by members of the CWU

The Destruction of Homs: Flagrant Hypocrisy

By Dean McCleland in Current Affairs, Military History, Other Galleries 22 October 2014 0 Comment

Ask most citizens of South Africa about the situation in Homs and they will in all likelihood answer the question with a question of their own such as “Where the hell is that?” Moreover the same question posed of Gaza or the Palestinians would elicit an immediate response. Why is this so?

Firstly some background.

High fat low carb diets: The jury obtains additional evidence

By Dean McCleland in Current Affairs, Health 19 October 2014 0 Comment

A recent “discussion” between Tim Noakes and an eminent cardiologist on 702 WTT [8th August 2014] during which Noakes was accused of “being criminal” brought this issue to the forefront again. What does the latest research reveal regarding this debate?

Conventional wisdom decrees that fat is bad for one’s health and if one so much as lets a glob of fat past one’s lips, one is liable to suffer from high cholesterol and die. The eating of all forms of fat including eggs, cream and fat on meat was not only eschewed, it was verboten. If any product had .005% less fat than a standard product, it would have the words low fat emblazoned all over it as if even such a miniscule reduction in imbibing fat would be beneficial.

Main picture: Tim Noakes

The Opinion Pieces are an eclectic bunch on current affairs & history often with a human interest aspect. The Movie/DVDs reviews are mainly on documentaries with a smattering of movie reviews.

Category Archives: Current Affairs

Ferguson Missouri: What it illustrates to me about America

Are Blacks in SA worse off now than under Apartheid?

This comment is periodically heard especially around the braai and after a few beers. But does this statement bear any truth in reality or is it merely a nostalgic yearning for the “good old days.”

Bill Cosby: From Chastened to Defiant

Music Sales: The Pandora’s Box Dictum in Action

Undoubtedly technology is a wondrous thing which has improved humankind’s lives immeasurably. As is it wont, its effects are never exactly as anticipated thereby creating new complications. The technologies unleashed upon the music business have created their own predicaments and conundrums.

Learning how to become a Good Citizen in the New South Africa

Where women are prohibited from Driving

Where in the world would females be prohibited from driving or a whole host of restrictions placed on their doing so? Does this country understand that this is the 21^st century? What about the concept of human rights?

My Past is Another Country

The Post Office Strike: We will Smash it up whatever it Takes

The Destruction of Homs: Flagrant Hypocrisy

High fat low carb diets: The jury obtains additional evidence

A recent “discussion” between Tim Noakes and an eminent cardiologist on 702 WTT [8th August 2014] during which Noakes was accused of “being criminal” brought this issue to the forefront again. What does the latest research reveal regarding this debate?

This comment is periodically heard especially around the braai and after a few beers. But does this statement bear any truth in reality or is it merely a nostalgic yearning for the “good old days.”

Undoubtedly technology is a wondrous thing which has improved humankind’s lives immeasurably. As is it wont, its effects are never exactly as anticipated thereby creating new complications. The technologies unleashed upon the music business have created their own predicaments and conundrums.

Where in the world would females be prohibited from driving or a whole host of restrictions placed on their doing so? Does this country understand that this is the 21st century? What about the concept of human rights?

A recent “discussion” between Tim Noakes and an eminent cardiologist on 702 WTT [8th August 2014] during which Noakes was accused of “being criminal” brought this issue to the forefront again. What does the latest research reveal regarding this debate?

Where in the world would females be prohibited from driving or a whole host of restrictions placed on their doing so? Does this country understand that this is the 21^st century? What about the concept of human rights?