On a recent visit to Boston (Mass) which, as ever, I enjoyed, I did however come across a couple of ominous signs of our times. The first sign may seem small to some, but in my view little things often show how deep a problem goes - like down at heel shoes. On a day off, we visited the USS Constitution
in Charlestown Navy Yard. It is a very well preserved warship, currently being restored, built in 1797 and which defended American shipping in the Mediterranean and won an important battle in the War of 1812. Later, in the gift shop, I noted that the models of this emblematic ship were marked ‘Made in China’.
This experience echoed a similar one in England when I was trying to buy the English flag. The only ones I could get (having explained to various assistants that the Union Jack was not the English flag, which is the Cross of St George) were marked ‘Made in Taiwan’. These small matters show how deeply the spiritual decay of globalisation has set in, and what a threat to pride and identity is constituted by this wretched process. Would you not think that symbols of a nation should be made in that nation? The sadness is that many of our people, some in important positions, seem now to have little or no awareness of the importance of such matters.
The second sign was the threat that is faced by quality newspapers throughout most of the western world. Both in the UK and the US many papers are, in physical terms, shadows of their former selves. Changes of ownership in the UK have been followed by downgraded journalism. In the US several titles face severe problems. Included in this list is what in my view are the world’s greatest newspaper, The New York Times and its quality sister from the same stable The Boston Globe. I sincerely hope that both titles will overcome their difficulties and that their quality journalism will be preserved. Since I was in Boston, I wrote a short letter to The Globe as an expression of moral support. Here is what I wrote.
"A visit to the United States is always enriched by time spent with quality newspapers such as The Boston Globe and The New York Times. So I have been following with concern the financial difficulties you have been experiencing. May I express some international support? In a world where there is a marked coarsening of the written media (in the UK The Times of London has been ruined under Murdoch ownership) ways must be found to preserve quality journalism. Moving the cover price of the Globe up to one dollar would still give great value and could go along with a drive appealing to public-spirited buying with a slogan fit for the times (as it were). 'Save The Globe' would be highly appropriate in more senses than one."
Both the US and UK constitutions to operate properly depend on freedom of the press. For this to be meaningful there has to be a functioning fourth estate and a worthwhile press to be free. And in my view our constitutions should include a provision that national symbols are national copyright and should be made at home. All of our constitutions, including the temper of the people themselves, need to be restored. Perhaps out of the present crisis will emerge a determination to do just this. I for one certainly hope so.
in Charlestown Navy Yard. It is a very well preserved warship, currently being restored, built in 1797 and which defended American shipping in the Mediterranean and won an important battle in the War of 1812. Later, in the gift shop, I noted that the models of this emblematic ship were marked ‘Made in China’.This experience echoed a similar one in England when I was trying to buy the English flag. The only ones I could get (having explained to various assistants that the Union Jack was not the English flag, which is the Cross of St George) were marked ‘Made in Taiwan’. These small matters show how deeply the spiritual decay of globalisation has set in, and what a threat to pride and identity is constituted by this wretched process. Would you not think that symbols of a nation should be made in that nation? The sadness is that many of our people, some in important positions, seem now to have little or no awareness of the importance of such matters.
The second sign was the threat that is faced by quality newspapers throughout most of the western world. Both in the UK and the US many papers are, in physical terms, shadows of their former selves. Changes of ownership in the UK have been followed by downgraded journalism. In the US several titles face severe problems. Included in this list is what in my view are the world’s greatest newspaper, The New York Times and its quality sister from the same stable The Boston Globe. I sincerely hope that both titles will overcome their difficulties and that their quality journalism will be preserved. Since I was in Boston, I wrote a short letter to The Globe as an expression of moral support. Here is what I wrote.
"A visit to the United States is always enriched by time spent with quality newspapers such as The Boston Globe and The New York Times. So I have been following with concern the financial difficulties you have been experiencing. May I express some international support? In a world where there is a marked coarsening of the written media (in the UK The Times of London has been ruined under Murdoch ownership) ways must be found to preserve quality journalism. Moving the cover price of the Globe up to one dollar would still give great value and could go along with a drive appealing to public-spirited buying with a slogan fit for the times (as it were). 'Save The Globe' would be highly appropriate in more senses than one."
Both the US and UK constitutions to operate properly depend on freedom of the press. For this to be meaningful there has to be a functioning fourth estate and a worthwhile press to be free. And in my view our constitutions should include a provision that national symbols are national copyright and should be made at home. All of our constitutions, including the temper of the people themselves, need to be restored. Perhaps out of the present crisis will emerge a determination to do just this. I for one certainly hope so.
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