It's clearly time for Sepp Blatter to go!

Sepp Blatter should retire from his job as president of FIFA.  He is out of touch and brings very little to the beautiful game.  In fact, he should have retired years ago.  He is no longer up to the job and continues to make stupid comments and decisons.  The football world will be far better off without him. I shall rejoice when he goes.

Ian Wright, the former England and Arsenal footballer, has turned down an opportunity to give Le Ballon D'Or football award at a ceremony in Switzerland.  Well done Ian, for not wanting to appear alongside Blatter and be used as publicity stunt. Ian Wright says that Blatter must go.  Blatter's recent comments about racism are disgraceful, unacceptable and a deep embarrassment to international football. Yes, he must go.

Ken Clarke, jazz connoisseur

Ken Clarke is a really good presenter of Jazz Greats, and you can hear him on BBC Radio 4.  It is very cool for the Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice to be able to talk authoritatively about great jazz players and their music.  He is real connoisseur who has a love for Jazz and speaks about this subject with enthusiasm and knowledge.  Dear Ken has just the right voice and delivery for the programme.

Wise words from King Abdullah of Jordan

Yesterday I listened intently to very wise words from King Abdullah of Jordan when he was being interviewed by the BBC.  He clearly has an excellent grasp of the situation in Syria.  It is evident that President Bashar al-Assad has lost legitimacy and it is in the best interests of the Syrian people for him to step down.  If he cares about his country then he should go.

 However, even if Bashar stood down it is doubtful that the current regime would be able to deliver reform and the necessary changes.  A full scale civil war is a possibility, but the future is very uncertain.  Armed pockets of resistance have been on the streets.  Further bloodshed seems inevitable.

Arab League at last takes action

The Arab League are now taking action against Syria, where murder and mayhem are committed by the Ashad regime, particularly in the Homs area.  Syria deservedly should be expelled from the Arab League.  There has been no real reform but empty words and rhetoric. The UN should no longer stand idly by, but they must take a stand against the evil Syrian government.  Political gangsters and criminals continue to run the country and the only outcome is more bloodshed and civil unrest.  Shame on the Ashad regime and its vile violent security forces.

And still the protesters are camped by St Paul's

The key text quoted by Christians is: Render unto Caesar what is Caesar's and to God what is God's.  Matthew 22:21. This should bring about a good settlement based on moral principles.  While the protesters may have a good case against the unacceptable face of capitalism, they do not have the right to camp whether and whenever they please.  In a democratic society we have laws and regulations that take account of the needs and welfare of others. Some of the protesters seem to have no regard for the views and wishes of others.

It has been argued that as a result of the serious crisis of capitalism and the need for the socio-economic issues to be discussed, the protest camp should remain.  It looks likely that the camp will continue until the new year.

Some of those who will be involved in remembrance services at the Cathedral have expressed concern that the  protest camp probably will be spoiling their occasion.  The closure of the Cathedral last month was a bitter disappointment to visitors, tourists and worshippers.

Further thoughts about the protesters by St. Paul's Cathedral

After listening to views expressed on television by Anne Atkins (columnist and writer on Christian affairs) and Simon Jenkins (editor of Ship of Fools), the Church of England could have done far better in handling the situation; they could have engaged, shared and cared.  They had a new congregation literally on their door step. There was an opportunity to use these events to bring the true message of Jesus to the protesters, media and the watching world.  Now the Church of England looks uncertain, dithering and confused.

It has been pointed out that Jesus would not have consulted lawyers.  He feed the five thousand and knew how to speak words of life and meaning to a crowd.  The St Paul's Cathedral clergy seem to be at a loss.  They could have been on to a winner.

Had there been an encampment in St Peter's Square in Rome, the protesters would have probably been subjected to water cannons and hostile actions by the Papal Swiss Guards.

Had the protesters camped by St Helen's Bishopsgate, Church of England with an Evangelical tradition, then they would have been evangelized and given Gospel fellowship.