The Critical Commentator

                                              BBC After 32 years, John Humphrys is to leave the BBC radio four Today programme. One of his colleagues there is Justin Webb who wrote in the Sunday Times.   Adieu , Edmund Blair Leighton (1852-1922) Photo Credit: Manchester Art Gallery [CC BY-NC-ND] “In the world of the sleek and well connected, John is a stranger, an outsider. He doesn’t give a bugger who you are or think you are. He wants to ask you things for a few minutes and then get on with his day… He listens intently to what you say. If it is flabby, cliché-ridden or downright foolish, he pounces… He hates authority and is suspicious – and will be until his dying day – of those who wield it… In a media world in which almost everyone went to university – and most to a posh one – John stands out. Look at Today . Sure, we all have our own paths and ...

                                           Health Sickness and Health, Thomas George Webster (1800-1886)  Photo Credit: The Wordsworth Trust [CC BY-NC-SA] Lord Prior of Brampton, the chairman of NHS England, has said that targets, competition and reliance on inspectors had all led to a disjointed system and demoralised staff. A series of NHS reforms that have broken up the health service into autonomous hospitals, “makes driving an integrated strategy across the NHS almost impossible.” …The main aim of a ten year plan was to overcome organisational divides that had “riven the NHS over the last 25 years.” (The Times, 2019) Well who was responsible for the setting up of targets, competition and reliance on inspectors in both the Health and Education sectors in the first place? Politicians. Don’t keep interfering. Remove both organisations from their influence....

                                                     Mindfulness Meditation, Richard Parkes Bonington (1802-1828) (after)  Photo Credit: Nottingham City Museums [CC BY-NC]  My wife is dead spiritual. For a date night she said we should do some mindfulness. I asked: what did that involve? She said we need to sit together for half an hour in silence. I asked, isn’t that what we normally do anyway? (Tony Vino, The Observer, 10.2.2019) People Faces , Madge Gill (1882-1961)  Photo Credit: London Borough of Newham [CC BY] Rafi Anteby is a martial arts expert who has worked with celebrities suffering from anxiety and insists that the products he has on offer are answering a genuine need. “Serenity breaks” range from spa holidays at Bali’s Royal Purnama hotel – where stressed out celebrities can be covered in heali...

                                                                                      Davos Justice and Peace , Hendrick van Balen (1573-1632) Photo Credit: Glasgow Museums [CC BY-NC-ND] “A family reunion for the people who broke the world.” (Anand Giridharadas, journalist and author) “I hear people talking about the language of participation, justice, equality and transparency but no one raises the real issue of tax avoidance and of the rich just not paying their fair share.” (Dutch historian Rutger Bregman speaking at Davos 2019. (The Observer, 2019) Teeth Whitening Products                        ...

                                              The Royals Greek Icon (left wing) , Greek (Western Islands) School Photo Credit:The Higgins Art Gallery & Museum, Bedford [CC BY-NC] Prince Philip drives again 48 hours after having been involved in a car crash with members of the general public. We know this because police have had words with him after he was seen driving without a seat belt. What was he trying to do? Anthony Spiro, in a letter to the Times, 21.1.2019, had a suggestion.    Sir, The nation owes the duke a debt of gratitude for his valiant attempts to change the news agenda. Three weeks later and the prince voluntarily surrendered his driving licence. Will he be prosecuted for careless driving? What do you think? A few days later, on the 14.2.2019: The Crown Prosecution Service has decided not to pr...

                                                     People Adam naming the Beasts William Blake (1757-1827) Photo Credit: Glasgow Museums [CC BY-NC-ND] (The Times, Births, Marriages and Deaths.) De Piro O’Connell. On 11 th of January 2019 to Katsiaryna (nee Kavelich) and James, a daughter, Alexandra Eirene, sister to Minnie and Falafel, Labna and Bimbi, Othello and Ambrym. Surely a coded message? The Serious Fraud Office Francis Bacon, Viscount St Alban . unknown artist Photo Credit: National Portrait Gallery, London [CC BY-NC-ND] The Serious Fraud Office has abandoned two of its largest investigations in a decision called “extraordinary” by one city lawyer. The SFO dropped a six-year inquiry into alleged bribery and corruption by individuals associated with Rolls Royce, as well as a five year enquiry into allege...

                                                                                          Art Palm Trees at Le Cannet , Pierre Bonnard (1867-1947) Photo Credit: Manchester Art Gallery [CC BY-NC-ND] An exhibition of paintings by Pierre Bonnard, (1867 – 1947) the French post-impressionist, went on view at the Tate Modern in January. It was sponsored by a Hong Kong property company whose VIP guests attended a preview. One was heard asking a curator if she could meet the artist. Mental Health Hard Times , Herbert von Herkomer (1849-1914) Photo Credit: Manchester Art Gallery [CC BY-NC-ND] Students get bubble wrap to ease stress.  A report in the Times, 21.1.2019, outlined the measures that Bristol University was taking in order that the...