Michaela's Weblog

Radio News Day

mkerner — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 16:29:33 +0000

A Hampshire man, who ran over a milkman, was today jailed for three years.

Gregory Locke, from Southampton, was sentenced at Winchester Crown Court, to three years in jail.

On the 3^rdJuly last year, only hours after taking amphetamines and cocaine, Mr. Locke drove his seven-and-a-half tonne lorry into Allan Knight as he stood at his milk float in Winchester Road, Alresford.

53 year old Allan Knight died instantly from multiple injuries

Judge Patrick Hooton also disqualified Mr. Locke from driving for five years and ordered him to take a test before getting his licence back.

PM story

mkerner — Tue, 04 Mar 2008 14:59:26 +0000

Gordon Brown is backing plans to make organ donation automatic.

He says the only way you could dodge it is to sign an opt-out clause. He said yesterday “”This could serve to increase donation levels significantly.”

The Prime Minister said he wanted to start a discussion on organ donation guidelines, which would include, a policy of involuntary organ donation. This would allow surgeons to automatically use organs.

But, he stressed, it would have to be agreed to by the family of the dead person. He said “This could serve to increase donation levels significantly.” The PM continued, “A different consent system, more like the one used in Spain, could serve to increase donation levels significantly. Of course any’opt-out’ system would leave the final decision with the family: that is only right and proper.”
“But a system of this kind seems to have the potential to close the aching gap between the potential benefits of transplant surgery in the UK and the limits imposed by our current system of consent. A serious debate -involving the public most of all, but bringing in professional views and those of religious leaders too – is long overdue.”
However although Mr Brown says he believes everyone should be automatically placed on the organ donor register, there are those who think it should be a choice for the individual.
There will now be a review of the donation system considering how these changes could help create a “more compassionate Britain” and help save thousands of lives “that might otherwise be lost”.

Into the newsroom: Court Story

mkerner — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 17:57:55 +0000

A MAN who has a number of convictions, including burgling his own grandmother, was today advised to make an effort to prove he can become drug free.

Paul Michael Whybrow, 42, was given a firm talking to by His Honour Judge Guy Boney QC, and told to “Show a greater commitment” to the drug and alcohol programme he had been previously put on.

Mr. Whybrow attended Winchester Crown court due to a breech of order. On 26^th October 2007, he had been found guilty of burglary.

On 11^th June 2006, Mr. Whybrow stole food from his own Grandmothers home in Basingstoke. Mrs. Reed told courts she had given her Grandson a “roof over his head and food on his plate”, but explained that she had “simply had enough”, adding he has a “serious drug problem.” He was given a community rehabilitation order, with 18 months supervision.

The court heard that Mr. Whybrow failed to comply with these arrangements. He only attended one CRI programme session on 7^th November 2007, and was under the influence of an illegal substance. He was absent from the next two sessions.

Mr Whybrow, who had previously gone to Basingstoke Magistrates’ Court and been convicted of burglary, shoplifting, attempted burglary and driving offences, was summoned to Winchester Crown Court. He was ordered to 2 years in prison.

The Crown Court heard today that shortly after being released from prison, he went back to drugs and stopped going to sessions.

Mr. Whybrow claimed that he was, “worried about mixing with other drug users.” “I believed I could get myself off of the drugs.” Mr. Whybrow was prescribed methadone by his GP and is currently still seeing his key worker regularly.

His Honour Judge Guy Boney QC, described Mr. Whybrow, as “wasting an opportunity” given to him. He continued; “I will give you one chance but not two. My advice to you is to go back to the programme and show the utmost commitment.”

Mr. Whybrow has until the 19^th March to change he’s ways, whilst a pre sentence report is being passed.

350 words Michaela Kerner

Link between Friedrich Nietzchse and Kanye West

mkerner — Mon, 18 Feb 2008 13:50:12 +0000

Ok so the link between Friedrich Nietzchse and Kanye West….. well……Friedrich Nietzchse was a German Philosopher who said, “What doesn’t kill us makes us stronger.” This links to the musician Kanye West because it is repeated in his song; “Stronger”. The line in the song is, ”That that don’t kill me, can only make me stronger.” “Stronger” uses references to Nietzche along with references to ”God” on a number of occasions. This is ironic as Nietzsche declared “God is dead”, and opposed Christianity.

My local MP

mkerner — Mon, 18 Feb 2008 11:03:32 +0000

I found out that my local MP for Rochford and Southend East, is James Duddridge. He is a Conservative. Examples of the most recent stories about him in the media have been:

The birth of his son.
He urges local people to vote
He travelled to Afghanistan
Attended a meeting about tackling Graffiti
Praised a Dementia charity

One story of high intrest to me is that James was appointed to David Cameron’s Front bench team in the house of commons. He took up the position of opposition whip. (I have no idea what that means but i will find out) His role focuses on matters relating to children, schools and families.

Hi!

mkerner — Mon, 18 Feb 2008 10:43:43 +0000

I didn’t even know what a blog was untill I had to make one. Im so confused, but hopefully it’ll all start to make sense soon. Anyway, My name is Michaela, Im currently studying English and Journalism at Winchester Uni. I’m from Southend-on-sea in Essex.

The topic of politics confuses me rather alot, but it is something that I would like to know more about considering it does kinda affects us quite alot. So hopefully this module will help.