2009

HAPPY NEW YEAR to MY READERS

Having taken a couple of weeks off over the holidays I feel out of tune as I try to pick up the thread of this blog. Perhaps it's just a reaction from being outplayed by my youngest grandchild, a mere 12 years old, on a Wii guitar. If you know what I am talking about then you're into TV electronic games, if not, you're not missing much.

Christmas was fine with the whole family (13 max) getting together for four communal dinners. Christmas Day, courtesy of daughter Judy, and then for Boxing Day at our house where Joan demonstrated that she has not lost her touch. Jim and family were here from France for their bi-annual visit to spend their unexpectedly valuable euros in our winter sales.

THE AUDACITY OF HOPE by BARACK OBAMA

Since I filled out a wish list on Amazon I got showered with books. If you're into political thinking and in need of an uplift then I can recommend this one. He writes as eloquently as he speaks and details clear comprehensive well thought out liberal views. (At our last book club meeting Jill Govier was questioning the use of Prologue & Epilogue - well he has even got that structure right and there is no need for an Introduction as he promotes himself.) He is truly a breath of fresh air, I suspect the world is going to need outstanding leadership if it is to negotiate 2009 successfully.

One can only hope that he is able to do justice to his aspirations and is not blown off-course by events. But he is not well placed to deal with his first, Gaza, since contrary to his otherwise even handed, new broom, approach to Foreign Affairs he would seem to be obligated to the US lobby for Israel.

Democracy and the US Constitution

I had always associated democracy with our parliamentary tradition but now realise its large scale practical application started in 1787 with The Constitution of the newly born USA. He claims that was the first instance of its application to something larger than the governance of a Greek City. He has written a wonderfully informative chapter about it, as you might expect from someone who taught Constitutional Law at university level, and is clearly in awe to the foresight of the founders and in particular to the powerful architectural structure of James Madison, who went on to be the fourth president. That structure provided the ‘checks and balances’ which have withstood enormous change in a country progressing from one of 13 states on the eastern seaboard and 4 million people, to the USA which is still the most powerful state on earth. It divided power into three branches, Legislative (Two (elected) Houses with separate functions forming Congress), Judicial (Supreme Court) and Executive (President & Cabinet).

But in his words it contained its ‘original sin’, by endorsing slavery and excluding slaves and indigenous Americans from the wide ranging liberties set down in the Bill of Rights. A fault not finally corrected until the 14^th amendment by Abraham Lincoln, the first President to be assassinated.

Faith

I found this a most thought provoking chapter if only because he started off in a family without religion and found his way to Christianity via the Black Church in America, whereas I started off in a very committed Christian family and have ended up a non believer. I am not too happy when he links God to the ‘Big Bang’. However I am totally with his belief, which shines throughout the book, of the imperative to understand, respect and be courteous of anothers thoughtfully held point of view even to the extent of empathising with it.

Odd Bits which Resonated

He contrasts the honour paid at the funeral of Rosa Parks, the coloured woman who refused to give up her seat on a bus to a white person, with the underclass which is still reality for many black Americans as underlined by their appalling living conditions and treatment exposed by the New Orleans floods.

The bedrock of the Republican Party is now the seemingly bizarre combination of the Evangelical and the Catholic Churches. Almost the last event of my five years in North America was the election of John F Kennedy, the Catholic who broke the religious barrier was a Democrat. The almost universally left wing young Irishmen I knew then are now said to be diehard Republican supporters of George W Bush. Funny old world!

GROUP EVENTS NEWS

CHESS
The year for the new groups will start off with chess on Monday 5 January at 10.00 at Hazel Court. Further members welcome to turn up. Ken Huntley will be providing coaching for all skill levels.

FRENCH CONVERSATION
Is next to meet on Thursday 8 January, 10.00 at Hazel Court.

LEARN ITALIAN & READING 4
Meet Monday 12 January at 10.00 (Italian) and 10.30 (Reading) sharing the Craft Room at Hazel Court. Further members welcome to turn up. the session is just starting.

LEARN JIVE
First meeting will be Wednesday 14 January at 10.30 at the Monkey Cafe with rumour that this will also serve as an audition for appearance in the PANTOMAGORIA that very afternoon.

POLITICS and CITIZENSHIP
Kick off with an interesting visit to the Jewish Synagogue 10.00 and the Muslim Mosque 11.30 on Tuesday 13 January. Contact Roger Knight (401019) if interested in joining the party.

CALIGRAPHY
Is fully subscribed for two courses which run for 4 consecutive weeks, starting, for Beginners at 10.00 on Tuesday 20 January, and, Improvers on Thursday 22 at 1.30, both at Hazel Court.

LITERATURE
Revived group meets at 2pm on Tuesday 20 January at St Mary's Church Vestry for the final reading with Lawmary Champion of 'An Inspector Calls' by J B Priestley and to choose the books 2009.

WEDNESDAY LECTURES
Start again on 21 January at 2.00 for 2.30 with 'The Pubs of Mumbles by Brian Davies.

CLIMATE CHANGE meet in the Grove immediately after that lecture to discuss 'Energy - The Way Forward'.

TASTE OF series of dinners cooked by Lyn Holt start with the Celtic Fringe at 6.30pm on Friday 23 January. Contact Angela Holt 403238.

After that it's all downhill, I hope!

PERSONAL COMPUTERS

Nick Hill our Treasurer (tel: 369232, email: hill_n_j@hotmail.com) has been investigating discounts which are available to members via U3A Head Office. He forwarded me the following information.

Software. Anyone who is thinking of purchasing software such as Office or Photoshop may find it worthwhile ringing Julie Travers at the U3A central office in Bromley and seeing what they can provide it for, as they get educational rates. The quoted price for Office 2007 Professional recently was £97.03 including 1 licence. Additional licences can be purchased at the same time or later for £55.23. This compares with over £300 for the same package without the educational discount. Obviously these prices could sensibly be checked against others, such as Amazon, if price is important.

We had thought that if enough people were interested we could get a package with several licences, thus spreading the cost. However, only one person has so far shown interest.

Anyone in the U3A can talk to Julie directly - you do not have to go through the Committee or use formal paperwork. The telephone number is 020 8466 6139.

Dell Hardware. Dell give significant discounts for bulk purchases, ranging from 5% up to £499, 10% for £500 - £1000, 15% for £1000 - £2000, and 20% over £2000. This info was given to the last Wednesday meeting at the Grove. To get the discounts, once you know what you want, the contact is Linda Kavanagh at Dell, tel no: 0844 4445254, email linda_kavanagh@dell.com

(NB linda_ kavanagh)

Once again, anyone interested can apply directly to Linda, you do not go need to go through the Committee.

So far only 4 people have shown an interest. In view of the fact that people will need to be specific about what they want when ordering, and sort out how to pay, it is suggested that those interested be put in touch with each other so that thay can sort things out amongst themselves. Nick Hill as Treasurer is willing to take names and put people in touch BUT will take no part in the specification or ordering - interested parties will need to sort out their own financing, it will not be done through the Committee none of whom can take responsibility for what you order, pay for, or get!

DELL OUTLET (www.dell.co.uk/outlet)
I used this avenue twice last year (one laptop, one desk top) to buy refurbished/returned computers (in effect unused and in new condition) at discount prices plus a special offer - often free delivery and/or say £50 further off. Prices and offers are subject to continual change so you need to watch the site in order to find the real bargains, as I write there are no special offers. You don't need to be restricted to the Home systems in both occasions I bought from the cheap end business Vostro line. Note the desk top computers are usually sold separately, ie without monitors.

Dell is a respected brand and a popular way to buy but your search should never be restricted to this company, especially in the current sales climate.