Alice Goss: A case where Britain fails To Protect the Public

Something that has received mass media coverage in the UK in recent days is an alleged abduction of Alice Goss – a 14-year old girl. In any case when a child goes missing it means that there is worry – with parents not knowing where to turn, and the public desperate to help in any way to find the child. This is the biggest police operation in the UK since the 7/7 bombings, a lot of manpower is being put in to this case – yet the case doesn’t appear like it will be solved any time soon.

The issue lies with the man that the Police consider to have abducted Alice. The man is called Arnis Zalkalns. He is aged 41 and from Latvia. While in Latvia, he stabbed his wife to death and buried her body in the forest. He was sentenced to seven years in prison, within months of being let out, he moved to Britain. Within EU laws, this is perfectly normal. But just because it is normal, it doesn’t make it acceptable.

The Police have enough man power to deal with people like Zalkalns. When I say deal I mean that the Police must have been aware of the fact a killer was coming to the country and that there was a need to keep watch on him and protect those around him. But he obviously wasn’t, now that he is the prime suspect in the case, it makes you fear for the safety of Alice. Especially how the bag she was carrying has been found. Sadly, the chances of her turning up alive and well are slim at best.

This is nowhere near the first time that this has happened. Take the case of Daniel Pelka. This was a small child in Coventry who was beaten to death by his Step-Dad and Mother, enduring horrific abuse in the months leading to his death. The Council are without doubt to blame, as they had many opportunities to save him. However the issue is that the Step-Dad had a criminal conviction prior to coming to the UK. He applied to go to the United States of America, however was turned away by them due to his conviction. Just by doing this, the USA had saved one of their citizens from a similar death. This policy that the US have is the ideal way to defend their citizens.

The UK were unable to do anything in either of the two cases. It is to be remembered as well that these are two of thousands of cases. There are obviously rules that Britain has to abide by due to being part of the European Union, but how many more victims, how many more deaths are there going to be before something is done. It remains to be seen, however something really should be done soon. In the mean time, hopefully Alice will turn up fine, while hopefully her parents will be able to deal successfully with the inevitable pain that is going to come at the end of this case.

/MF/
(‘017’)

Reviewing Images: What does this one Suggest?

I stumbled across this image earlier, it made me think immediately about the different conflict around the world, it is unbelievable really to think about these numbers.

Thirteen years have passed since 9/11 and honestly – what has changed? The West is still plagued with fear over what damage Islamic militants could cause. In the last couple of months we have seen a new terrorist group – ISIS, claim large swathes of territory in Iraq and Syria, establishing a “caliphate”. Thirteen years ago it was Al-Qaeda, it is clear that times haven’t actually changed all that much. It is a shame really, there is no reason to wonder why, but so many lives have been lost in that time.

To think almost 3,000 people died in 9/11 is terrible. 3,000 people who had family, many of which had children, wives, husbands. To think that so many lives were ruined just because of this one event. Then there are all of the millions of lives’ that have been lost in conflicts around the world since then. That is where some of the other figures come from. The image suggests that perhaps due to 9/11 the other lives have been lost, how fair that is, that is open to opinion.

9/11 was a horrific terrorist act, to think that terrorist actions like this are happening as we speak is terrible, yet more lives will be lost as people strive for power. You wonder when will it end, probably never. But thirteen years on from 9/11, it is a time to remember the brave souls that lost their lives on that day, plus all those who have struggled as a result of the event. RIP to all those who lost their lives in 9/11.

/MF/
(‘016’)

Serena Williams: The Greatest ever?

This past Sunday Serena Williams claimed an eighteenth grand slam title and her third successive U.S. Open title. Williams is without doubt one of the greatest players to ever appear on a tennis court. Fifth teen years ago Serena captured her first U.S. Open title, to win grand slams over a period of fifteen years is incredibly impressive. It also looks as if Serena could go on and win more grand slams. At the moment the rest of the women just cannot deal with her immense power.

In terms of whether or not Serena Williams is the best player of all time, it can be argued both ways. Serena has won eighteen grand slams, that is six short of the overall record, held by Australian Margaret Court. However in tennis’ “Open Era”, whom many look to as the beginning of the tennis we see today, she is just four short of the record – held by Steffi Graf of Germany. She is tied on eighteen grand slams alongside Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova.

On the basis of the history books, perhaps Serena isn’t the greatest ever. However with the advancement in technology and more of an emphasis on fitness, tennis has become more competitive in recent years. Tennis has also become so much more accessible due to advancement in technology and facilities, allowing the breeding of many more players. With this, so many more tennis players are appearing on the horizon, making it more difficult to win tournaments, and in particular – grand slams. But Williams has done well, even just a few weeks short of her 33rd birthday she is still competing incredibly well and as we saw last Sunday, still in a position to win grand slams.

Although the statistics currently indicate that Serena isn’t the greatest ever, when you take into consideration the factors in twenty-first century Tennis, it becomes apparent just how good Serena is. How much longer Serena can go on remains to be seen, sadly it is unlikely she will reach either record of Margaret Court or Steffi Graf – this would make her the undisputed best! Whatever happens she will leave a legacy, she is an incredible player and an inspiration to many, she is going to take some stopping these next few years!

/MF/
(‘015’)