Stop right now, thank you very much

I refuse to accept the view that mankind is so tragically bound to the starless midnight of racism and war that the bright daybreak of peace and brotherhood can never become a reality... I believe that unarmed truth and unconditional love will have the final word.

Martin Luther King, Jr.

This morning I attended a Parliamentary presentation from Global Uncertainties, on the topic: security for all in the changing world. The meeting brought accessible and relevant research in the important area to UK policymakers who are dealing with these natural and manmade challenges. Goal of the meeting was to discuss how to best disseminate these findings to Westminster policy makers. I found the panel of speakers and the discussion enlightening. A good point that a handful made was that radicalization is dangerous – and it comes in the form of not only terrorist groups but in misconstrued individuals. What I enjoyed hearing most was the program encouraging the role of universities, which produce research based groups. I could not agree more with the statement that academics bring in conceptual thinking and assist in explaining how research is being made intelligible and accessible. Each of the representatives was a skilled speaker, my favorite being Shami Chakrabarti, who is the current director of Liberty and Chancellor of Oxford Brookes University.

Following the meeting I popped into the office for about an hour before going to our weekly seminar with Lord Cormack. Fortunately this week he took us on a tour of the House of Lords and the House of Commons. In both Houses there are so many paintings, statues, and significant architecture details. I appreciated LC pointing them out and providing the history behind each. Otherwise I believe I would have just sat and wondered who it was a sculpture or painting of and/or why are they shown here? A striking difference that I have begun to recognize more and more each time I walk through is the color difference. The benches and carpeting of the Commons are green; the Lords are red. Of course there are more important differences such as the Commons is publicly elected; Lords mostly appointed and includes experts in a number of fields. Overall it was a wonderful tour, ending in the Crypt of Westminster Hall, a true hidden gem.

After our seminar with Lord Cormack and lunch, the next few hours were pretty standard. However there was one bizarre moment – that actually lasted for a while. A raven, crow, I don’t know exactly what it was but it was big and black, was fighting on the ledge of the office balcony with another big and black whatever. The one was caught or pretending to be caught inside the balcony ledge and it just complained forever. We found it kind of comical and yet a little frightening. The new secretary, Fey, is a doll. I liked getting to know her and help her with the transition.

Later in the afternoon, with a stack of casework done, David took me to a few parliamentary receptions/ presentations. The most worth discussing is Breast Cancer Care’s Strawberry Tea. Breast Cancer Care, in regards to Parliament, responds to Government consultations making sure Parliamentarians and policy makers hear the voices of those people affected by breast cancer. 

Here is where it gets more exciting: Geri Halliwell, yes, former Ginger Spice was at the Strawberry Tea reception. She was not originally the woman that MPs could take a picture with but David, knowing her importance and presence there, suggested having his picture taken with her. Home run! I got to shake her hand and briefly chat with her while we waited for the photographer to set up the backdrop. I was going to take an additional photo, as I did at the previous reception but couldn’t because of her stardom and her publicist woman being there on the prowl. You’re probably now wondering why was she there? Well, she became a Patron of Breast Cancer Care in 2000 following a breast health scare. Over the last eleven years she has attended fundraising and launch events, donated to the charity, and more.

Happy it was a much warmer day today! Certainly added to the good of the day!

Cheers!