Eyes front

I got the following series of pictures in an email entitled "We've all been there lads" - which I think sums it up fairly well...





Good to know that even celebrity demi-Gods like Mr Beckham get themselves into the same bother with women that us mere mortals do!

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RC church supports death penalty for homosexuality

Sensationalised title - yes.

But true nonetheless.

The Vatican is to oppose a UN Resolution calling on governments to decriminalise homosexuality.

You can read the Irish Times take on it here while the International Herald Tribune has the story here.

And there was me thinking Catholics were concerned with the right to life yet now stand opposed to ending death sentences for those who are "convicted" in countries where homosexuality remains a crime.

It's a bizarre world we live in.

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When is a Springbok not a Springbok?

I understand that the South Africa Rugby Union side will no longer have the Springbok as its crest on the left-hand side of the shirt. It will be replaced by the national flower of South Africa - the King Protea - which adorns the shirts of South Africa's other national sporting sides. A smaller version of the Springbok will appear on the right of the shirt.

So you're probably wondering why this story makes it onto a politics blog? Well, I will tell you. The rugby side, up to the 1990s, was a manifestation of the apartheid regime, with only white players allowed to don the Springbok jersey and some in South Africa - including politicians and sportsmen alike - have called the Springbok "divisive". However, opposition to the move comes from across racial lines, with Archbishop Desmond Tutu and Bryan Habana, the speedy South Africa winger both supporting the Springbok and suggesting that the issue is a minor one - that there are bigger issues to be fighting over.

When South Africa first won the Rugby World Cup on their reinstatement to the sport in 1995, then-President Nelson Mandela presented the trophy to the triumphant South African captain Francios Pienaar wearing his number 6 jersey (above). This was seen as an image of national unity - of bringing the nation together, both black and white, and triumphing as a united nation. This stopped any ideas of changing the symbol at that time.

However, the side that won the RWC in 1995 contained only one non-white player - winger Chester Williams - while only 2, Bryan Habana and JP Pietersen were in the side that most recently won the tournament in 2007. Suggestions that rugby remains the preserve of the white man continue to dominate South African rugby, and it was felt that the changing of the symbol - while retaining the Springbok in a smaller capacity - would reduce this.

I'm not convinced it will, and I'm not sure how I feel about the issue. Sure, I deplore what happened under apartheid and all that it represented, don't get me wrong. I'm just not convinced that changing the symbol of South African rugby from an animal to a flower is evidence that progress is being made - they need change at grassroots level.

As a student of nationalism I know how much symbols matter, of course they do. I don't make light of it for any reason other than this: if the symbol is to change, then peoples' minds have to too. Otherwise, what is the point?

Thoughts?

PS - If the symbol of South African rugby is to become the Protea, are they no longer to be known as the Springboks? And if so... will England, with their 42-6 defeat last week, be the last side that the "Springboks" ever beat?

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Central Ayrshire

2005 result:
Brian Donohoe LAB – 19,905 (46.4%)
Garry Clark CON – 9,482 (22.1%)
Iain Kennedy LD – 6,881 (16.1%)
Jahangir Hanif SNP – 4,969 (11.6%)
LABOUR HOLD
Majority: 10,423 over CON

Candidates:
Brian Donohoe MP (LAB)
Phil Gallie (CON)

Swing required: CON – 12.15% LD – 15.15% SNP – 17.4%

Council area: -
North Ayrshire (LAB minority)
South Ayrshire (CON minority)

Scottish Parliament: -
Ayr: CON (majority - 3,906 over LAB)
Cunninghame South: LAB (majority – 2,168 over SNP)
Carrick, Cumnock & Doon Valley: LAB (majority - 3,986 over SNP)

Electorate: 69,161
of Scottish Parliament Constituencies -
Ayr: 33,544 (48.5%)
Cunninghame South: 32,760 (47.4%)
Carrick, Cumnock & Doon Valley: (4.1%)

Prediction:
Despite the Tories holding onto Ayr in the Scottish Parliament, this remains very much Labour heartland territory. With a majority of over 10,000, Brian Donohoe should be safely returned for Labour in a straight Labour-Tory fight. Phil Gallie will give him a decent run for it, though he won’t be returning to Westminster. He should slash the Labour majority, possibly in half, and give the Tories hope for winning the seat next time out – though it is a big Labour area. If the Lib Dems are having a particularly bad night, look out for them dropping to fourth while the SNP shore up their vote on the back of an increased national share of the vote. LAB HOLD

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