Is Foreign Policy Hypocritical?

After juxtaposing recent personal events with recent public events, I have come to the conclusion that foreign policy or more specifically, public diplomacy, is hypocrisy. In comparison to the highly publicised shooting of the young Pakistani girl Malala Yousaf-zai by the Taliban, it can be said that unless you have money in the bank, have celebrity status or the whole world backing you, you will be treated like complete and utter rubbish!

The US and the UK governments were, in a way, competing to attract the young girl to their respective countries for treatment and of course, the UK won this so-called 'battle'. BUT being thrust in the limelight for taking in a girl who is suffering is to be expected but that does not mean that you forget about citizens of the UK.

Reading up about the Liverpool Care Pathway has brought me to realise that not only does the UK government not care about the citizens who have paid their way through their lives but they are also trying to get rid of them in the most derogatory, undignified way to every grace British medicine.

So, how is the LCP related to what I call the hypocrisy of British foreign policy you ask?

Well lets just say that the NHS has been portrayed to the rest of the world as THE best institution that has graced the medical world in order to attract other governments and citizens of other countries but the truth is that it is corrupt deep down. I thought hospitals were supposed to take care of you and help you get back on to your feet. But over the past 2 months I have come to realise that not only do the NHS want to hold back treatment but they do whatever they can to deprive you of food and water and all they really care about is the financial inducements they receive from the British government.

So now how much do you love the NHS? Do you agree about the Liverpool Care Pathway? And of course, do you think British foreign policy is as hypocritical I've come to believe?

Authority and Ignorance

Why do people in positions of trust and care feel they are superior to those they caring about?
My issue I. This blog post is in regards to the 15 year old girl, Megan Stammers, who, last Thursday, ran away with her Maths teacher and her school, despite knowing something of their relationship, did not intervene when they had suspicions. On a school trip to Los Angeles, Megan's friends had seen her and the teacher, Jeremy Forrest, holding hands through the flight and reported it to teachers. These teachers however have clearly did not encroach upon this topic with Forrest or Stammers, allowing them to continue their 'relationship' despite constantly being informed of the relationship . Now in a school where there have previously been sex offenders working and teaching, surely it should have been their number one priority to investigate into concerns being raised by Megan's fellow students. However, it appears not. To me, it looks as though the school's staff clearly had too much pride and were too ignorant to believe the students' issues thus allowing the affair and grooming to continue. While the school claims they were investigating Forrest and Stammers' relationship, I feel it should have been their utmost priority to suspend the teacher on the grounds of safety for other students but also trust the students raising these concerns and treat the reports with seriously and professionally.
I have personally felt incredibly inferior to teachers when wanting to raise an important issue but chickened out for fear of being made to feel stupid by the teachers.

Captivating Stars (and Stripes)

What is it that makes us all so fascinated about America?
Is it Hollywood? Fashion? Music? Politics? History?
Or maybe it is their patriotism.

American transcendentalist Ralph Waldo Emerson claimed the States are an "asylum of all nations". Emerson aimed to lead his own path and set his own example and while he adheres to America's Declaration of Independence that "all men are created equal" his particular terminology in saying "asylum" suggests his acceptance of differences between all different people.

I for one know that their patriotism makes me slightly wish I was American.
They clearly know their stuff and are proud to be American while a lot of other countries' citizens are often embarrassed of being part of their home country.

Hollywood in itself is captivating. Its history as the home of the movie industry makes it what a lot of actors, screenwriters and directors aspire to be a part of. It can be said that Tinseltown is itself what the American Dream is all about.

Fashion is such a big industry in America. From the New York fashion week to Beverly Hills' Rodeo Drive, people from all over the world flock there even when they probably have the exact same stores in their home town.

American music is known far and wide. From the late Michael Jackson to the notorious Rihanna, the music of the States is more popular than any other country and is it any wonder? The music is so catchy and with a wide range of musicians with different taste, there sure is something to cater for everyone all over the world.

However, while Hollywood, fashion and music are HUGE in the US, I have always felt it is the politics that makes it so patriotic. From America's fight for independence to their war on terrorism, Americans have generally always remained as one in order to achieve their goals. Americans' patriotism has made me realise that while a lot of people - Americans and non-Americans alike - may not agree with the actions of a minority of Muslims who provoke stereotypes about Islam, that should not mean that I shy away from my religion. As Barack Obama once said:

"America and Islam are not exclusive and need not be in competition. Instead, they overlap, and share common principles of justice and progress, tolerance and the dignity of all human beings."

The Right to Anonymity

What is it with tabloid newspapers and magazines that frustrates us? Is it their insane determination to publish a story that they know is not true but everyone will believe? Is it how they insist on getting the pictures that everyone has been waiting for? Or is it the amount of pain and hurt their stories will cause to the people they are about?

One of my favourite actors, Robert Pattinson recently said "tabloids make people stupid". Is he right? Do they lure the public into a false sense of amazement at the supposed actions of other people or are they telling others what they should know? Fair enough celebrities have practically signed away their right to anonymity when they decided to become famous but do they deserve to be hounded by paparazzi? Or are paparrazi only doing their job to make a living? Celebrities are still humans and they do still deserve some sort of privacy, after all, no one wants the world to know every little detail from when they go to bed to what they had for breakfast.

Let me know what you think about this in the comments.

Thanks x

Love Story with a Kink: Fifty Shades of Grey

Master of the Universe: The books currently 'dominating' the world. (Pun intended). 

Not long ago, Fifty Shades of Grey, by E.L. James, was relatively unknown and people had no idea of the effect it would have all around the world but within just the last six weeks it is now sold out in almost all shops with long waiting lists of people eager to read it. 

Fifty Shades of Grey is a novel set in Seattle that follows the complicated relationship of multi-billionaire Christian Grey and university graduate Anastasia Steele. It is currently a New York Times bestseller bypassing the Harry Potter series and the Twilight Saga by being the fastest selling paperback in six weeks and having sold 100,000 copies last week in the United Kingdom alone. The effect of the novel in the United States is much more widespread with it having sold over 5.4 million books in just four weeks. This success of the book is ironic especially considering it started off as Twilight fan fiction yet it has dwarfed its 'predecessor'. Constantly breaking records, it has been claimed that Fifty Shades of Grey has today reached the one million mark via Kindle e-books. 

Fifty Shades of Grey is followed up by two books: Fifty Shades Darker and Fifty Shades Freed. These make up the trilogy that depict the growth and progress of the relationship between Grey and Steele and the obstacles they face in their attempt to "bring him into the light". Just like the Twilight Saga used the vampire/werewolf façade in an attempt to make the love story between Bella and Edward more exciting, James uses this framework to introduce the element of BDSM to cover up the real issues at play in her series and these prove to be deeper than the sexual references. The trilogy follows Steele's attempts to get to know Grey and help him overcome his "fear of being touched" and eventually uncovers that he is the victim of a drug-abusing mother who neglected her child and this has led to him being emotionally detached from society until Steele conveniently "falls into his office". Up until this point, Grey has learnt to deal with his issues through control which is something he tries to inflict upon Steele but her innocence proves to be an asset to her as he grows to accept that while his mother was not capable of love, he is. As a result of this, he learns that his previous methods of coping just do not fill the void that Steele's love fills so aptly.

Also, with a film adaptation on the horizon after having been snapped up by Universal Studios, I'm sure this is a series that will continue to captivate people all around the world with its fans, dubbed 'Fifty fan girls' debating on who they would like to see play one of their favourite literary characters. 
From the likes of The Vampire Diaries' Ian Somerhalder to the Twilight Saga's very own Robert Pattinson to Snow White and the Huntsman's Chris Hemsworth, being considered by fans for the role of Christian Grey, the casting director for the upcoming Fifty Shades of Grey movies has a difficult job on his hands as this is one decision the fans would want to be perfect!

Many shades of Grey: The rumoured casting choices for the role of Christian Grey.

While some may have issues with some regarding its explicit content as inappropriate, Fifty Shades of Grey continues to draw people in and aptly lives up to its blurb as it will "obsess you, possess you and stay with you forever".

Introduction: Literary Genius

First blog! Go easy on me!
Just before I start blogging on a 'serious' note! Just thought I'd mention a few things I love and a few things I despise in terms of literature, TV and films just so you know what I'm interested in!
LOVE:

1. LITERATURE
1. Fifty Shades of Grey Trilogy, E. L. James - Yes its a tad out there but once I read it I was hooked. Lets face it, all of us were despite what disgusting-ness we were reading. 
2. Twilight, Stephenie Meyer - I'm a big fan! Sad to see its coming to an end but it will always hold a big  place in my heart for years to come. 
3. Classics such as Pride and Prejudice, The Scarlet Letter, The Great Gatsby, Romeo and Juliet, Of Mice and Men, Huckleberry Finn, The Yellow Wallpaper and Wuthering Heights. Come on, how can you be a literary genius if these books haven't had a profound effect on you? 8-)
2. TV
1. Pretty Little Liars - its been dubbed the new Desperate Housewives and frankly I never watched DH but PLL is sure shaping up to match up to the hype. With its gory and dark twists and turns, PLL is turning out to be a gripping show!
2. Gossip Girl - my favourite American TV show. Full of scandal, typical high school bitchiness and scheming. Nothing beats that! 
3. 90210 - Can't beat Naomi and her one-liners on her quest to be the best at everything!
4. Vampire Diaries - One word: VAMPIRES!! Stefan and Damon Salvatore on their quest to save the one girl they both love from the supernatural elements that threaten her life. Even the enemy becomes an ally.
5. The Lying Game - A relative newcomer to my list of TV shows, TLG is sure shaping up to be a great show with its unexpected twists in Emma and Sutton's search to find their birth mother.
6. Revenge - "This is not a story about forgiveness" - the title basically says it all. Revenge portrays the loyalty of a daughter to protect the legacy of her father in the aftermath of his death.  
3. FILM

• I have an eclectic taste in movies so just because I've watched and loved the Twilight Saga does not mean I am an emo or a goth, it simply means I have great taste LOL. Just kidding.
• Just because I have watched Twilight does not however mean I won't like something like say Rush Hour. Whatever tickles my fancy. I love all sorts of  movies from horror to comedy to romance to chick flick to politics.
• I also love to know what's happening in terms of production with reference to taking one of my favourite books from page to screen. So look out for anything I mention on upcoming movies such as the Fifty Shades movies or so!