London USDR Across the Pond

Week of Jul 18 – 24

Read Time:3 Minute, 26 Second

By Steve Parkhurst, Senior Editor, USDR.

Looking at the news and opinion out of London each day.

7-23-17

Russia may criticise Dunkirk, but at least Britain wasn’t effectively allied with Hitler at the time

Dunkirk, Christopher Nolan’s depiction of the 1940 evacuation, has delighted critics and audiences in Britain, but not in every country. French writers observe (with some justice) that the role of their army is largely overlooked.

7-22-17

The BBC should not be a platform for egos, but an ark of our culture

The 8am news on BBC Radio 4 yesterday reported the discovery that male northern elephant seals “use the rhythm of their deep, grumbling calls to identify each other” on the beaches of California. “Once the lower-ranked males heard recordings of big high-status giants,” the report continued, “they hauled themselves away.”

Deus ex machine: Social networks can’t replace religion

The object of going to church isn’t mental wellbeing, but it happens to be a side-product of ‘doing’ religion

7-21-17

Why my ‘gig economy’ review favours gradual change over quick fixes

My report has been misunderstood by some. It advocates opening up new possibilities that could offer significant benefits for workers and unions

It can be dangerous to have leaders with no experience of war – as Macron’s spat with his military chief shows

As David Cameron found when he was considering intervention in Libya, those who have experienced, or at least know about war, are generally warier about the prospect than those who have not, and more conservative in their assessment of what can be achieved

7-20-17

In the light of Jeremy Corbyn’s surge, it’s now clear that the former Labour leader’s election defeat was caused by pandering to the right of his party

For all its blunders, faults and bias, the BBC is a price worth paying to help build a civilised society

Lavishly-paid stars; right-on, tax-avoiding presenters and all, the BBC is a counterweight to fragmentation.

EU asks for clarity on UK financial payments

I don’t understand why there is any lack of clarity on this simple subject. The UK owes our regular contributions up to the date of departure. The UK owes no contributions thereafter or special payments to leave.

Uganda shows the power of the free market in action

A comparison with its neighbour, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, is stark.

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