mikesamuels's blog



The law of Unintended Consequences

By mikesamuels, November 8, 2011

The American sociologist, Robert K Merton interpreted the ‘law of Unintended Consequences’ into roughly three group types:

• A positive unexpected benefit
• A negative detriment occurring in addition to the desired effect of the policy
• A perverse effect contrary to what was originally intended

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Its as daft as having a hog roast in Stamford Hill

By mikesamuels, October 16, 2011

My late father was a world class worrier and sat up night after night worrying about what to worry about. I used to sleep like a baby all night until a certain North Manchester based rabbi recently started to meddle in Israel advocacy because he believes that the current infrastructure does it wrong.

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The Jewish Food Obsession

By mikesamuels, July 28, 2011

Yesterday at 1pm I attended a business meeting where there were three Jews and four non-Jews. I ate before attending, but the other two Jews were running a few minutes late and called to apologise and to ask if there was any lunch available. As there was not they duly arrived laden with sandwiches, crisps and drinks.

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Langdon College - a jewel in the crown

By mikesamuels, July 15, 2011

Langdon College was formed about 19 years ago to help young people with learning difficulties to be educated, gain self confidence and dignity and to become part of society. They have succeeded in their endeavour in spades.

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Anti Semitism is not bio degradable

By mikesamuels, July 7, 2011

Anti Semitism is not bio degradable wrote Howard Jacobson in The Finkler Question meaning that however deep it is buried it will eventually rise back up.

There have been two attacks on our fundamental religious rights relating to Shechita, religious slaughter, and circumcision.

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Remembrance Day - support AJEX

By mikesamuels, June 7, 2011

Remembrance Sunday, every November, has never been high on my agenda for positive action, although my late father served in the Royal Engineers for six years, this all happened before I was born and AJEX, the Jewish ex-servicemen association seemed to be made up people distanced from me.

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Bargain plants and techi sleuths

By mikesamuels, June 2, 2011

Don’t we all just love a bargain, it really is cathartic to obtain a real ‘metsia’ and yesterday I got a lovely palm plant from Tesco for £1.50 which now makes my total spend on plants £6.00 for the year so far.

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A lesson for the boycotters of Israel

By mikesamuels, May 15, 2011

Last week the giant Co-op supermarket group members voted to boycott goods from Israel that may have been produced in the so called ‘occupied territories’. This boycott came as a surprise and it was only that a Co-op member from Leeds decided to attend the annual meeting that the boycott was flagged.

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Israel advocacy an essential tool.

By mikesamuels, May 15, 2011

Israel advocacy has become a buzz word for support of Israel and as I write this there is a huge conference with an array of influential speakers taking place in London. Why didn’t I join them?? Well to get there in time for the start I would have to have caught the special coach and that left here at 5am. Enough said.

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Mayoral Visits

By mikesamuels, May 10, 2011

It is the custom that around this time of the year when our mayors change office that the Manchester Jewish Representative Council’s Honorary Officers visit and bring greetings from the Jewish Community.

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Israeli night at the church.

By mikesamuels, May 6, 2011

One of our local churches was holding an Israel night and I was invited to attend. I never cease to be amazed, and indeed feel gratified, when I meet non Jewish people who support Israel.

One local Catholic priest whom I have got to know pretty well during the past year is so incredible knowledgeable and supportive hops over to Israel when ever he can get away.

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Syria the UN Human Rights Council’s new candidate.

By mikesamuels, April 28, 2011

You couldn’t make it up. Syria could become an elected member of the UN Human Rights Council on the 20th May 2011.

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The Prestwich Communications Mast Issue

By mikesamuels, April 24, 2011

It all started a few weeks ago when Bury Metropolitan Borough Council (one of the ten boroughs that make up Greater Manchester) decided not to raise the Israeli Flag on Israel Independence Day.

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A new word for you - Frumgid

By mikesamuels, April 22, 2011

This week I learned a new word, Frumgid, a cross between frum (religious) and frigid.

Now I am a tactile sort of person but if I touch it’s a sign of affection and warmth, not a sexual advance. Some people misunderstand and this could get me into trouble.

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The Demise of the ‘Comical Council’

By mikesamuels, April 15, 2011

‘No way’ shrieked this incredulous Manchester accountant just a few weeks ago down my phone, ‘you cannot be a Vice President – you’re too young and still have all your faculties, the rep council is for old people, its just a talking shop’.

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