Debate: Capitalism vs. Communism

INTRODUCTION
Capitalism and Communism are two opposing systems which offer alternative ideologies. The question as to which is best has been considered and debated for a considerable length of time. Famously – the United States of America is a capitalist country, while Russia is the example of the most well-known communist nation. In this article, the advantages of both will be put forward.

DEFINITIONS
Communism is defined as “a system of social organization in which all property is owned by the community and each person contributes and receives according to their ability and needs”. Capitalism on the other hand is “an economic and political system in which a country’s trade and industry are controlled by private owners for profit, rather than by the state.”

FOR COMMUNISM:
Equality is always an important issue, and communism promotes this. Everyone is treated the same way, regardless of their job or status. The fortunes of China are the perfect example of how communism can succeed. China has grown exponentially to the point where it is one of the world’s biggest superpowers. With China thriving, this in part can be attributed to the stability of the country, helped by the communism system. Communism allows access to health care and education, making them easily accessible. No monopolies can form, which protects the majority. The nature of communism also means that there is low unemployment rates. While Scandinavian countries follow a ‘Nordic model’, many areas of this model are in line with communist values. Again, Scandinavian countries are an excellent example of forward-thinking nations. Furthermore, they frequently score highly in peace indexes. These points posit an argument which shows communism has many strong points to it.

FOR CAPITALISM:
On the other side of the argument, there are several positives of capitalism. Capitalism promotes the ‘free market’. Anyone can succeed, with hard work usually resulting in success – which only seems fair. Freedom and independence are two buzzwords commonly aligned with capitalism. USA’s Statue of Liberty is the perfect symbol of this. By having freedom, anyone can build a business, which boosts economic growth – in turn improving living conditions for both the rich and the poor. Moreover, capitalism is dominant in the majority of developed countries, with Japan, Canada and the United Kingdom just some examples of those who follow this system. Freedom is an integral part of capitalism – and is surely one of the most important human rights in existence. This together shows how capitalism too can work.

DEBATE:
Yet despite the advantages outlined above, there are disadvantages to both systems. It could be suggested that communism is good in theory, but poor in practice. A common criticism of communism is that the ruler leads with ‘an iron fist’. This sometimes amounts to a dictatorship. Yet those who try and fight this often become the opposite of communism while fighting – using capitalist ideologies. It could also be suggested that the nature of communism destroys motivation and the work ethic of people. There is a lack of personal growth, with little chance of progression. Poverty too is something that is near-inherent with communism. Of course capitalism has been criticized too. Its focus on profit could easily be interpreted as greed – which isn’t a desirable trait. The very nature of capitalism also needs constant-consumption  – it is arguable that this isn’t sustainable. Again, the fortunes of China in recent times suggest capitalism isn’t always the way forward.

CONCLUSION:
It is a question that will surely never be answered definitively. It is a debate which will rage on for some time. And as it common on the ‘debates’ section of this blog, it is open to interpretation. And each different person reading this will have a different idea of what the correct answer is. As outlined, there are certainly merits to both methods. I will leave the debate with this scenario: If you were in charge of a start-up into artificial intelligence and there were two methods of achieving your goals, which method would you follow? The method that the majority use, or the method used by the minority? Thanks for reading.

(‘088’)
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In Another Life: What If?

It’s strange, that when you come towards the end of something, that you start to suddenly over-think everything, and perhaps even become emotional. As we reach the end of a journey, there is often a period of reflection. And then you have the farewells to people you have come to know so well – and will miss heavily. Even when you’ve been in a similar position before and come out stronger, you still wonder, how is this going to work out?

Life is an incredible thing. While before I’ve spoken about how you only appreciate the value of something when it’s gone, at the same time, on select occasions, and I find especially with people, it is possible to appreciate every moment you have with them, particularly if the time is coming to an end. But when you have shared so many moments together, you could wonder, I often do – in another life, just what might have been? It is easy to think – isn’t it – about what might have been if ‘I had done X’, or said Y.

The incredible thing about life is that for me to be writing this post, and for you to be reading this, the billions upon billions of things that have happened to get us both to where we are today – it is astounding. It really is mind-boggling to think about it. Even your decision an hour ago, or when you woke up this morning, the different decisions you’ve made since then to get you to this blog. Then you look at the wider choices made in life – relationships, holidays, new jobs, new locations. So much has happened, and has affected us to this day.

That’s why sometimes you wonder with people, that you care deeply for, what could have been. Perhaps you met the person just too little too late. Or maybe there was baggage from the past that prohibited you from moving on. These are questions that we can easily ask in hindsight. But hindsight is a powerful thing, it is important to try and live in the moment, and to do everything in your power, when you come across that special person.

We don’t know what the future holds for us. It is easy to over-think when you are coming to the end of a journey. But it is important to look forward to what comes next. It is easy to look back and reminisce about the past, but looking forward is a better use of your time. And who knows, maybe, just maybe, things will work out exactly how you want. But of course, stopping and appreciating what you have at any given point is important. As I mentioned, life is an incredible thing. It is up to us to embrace it, and do what we can in this life.

(‘086’)
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Maria Sharapova: The Debate

A drugs cheat who should have to work her way back to the top, or a fallen hero who deserves the chance to make amends? As Maria Sharapova, one of the most famous tennis players in the world, makes her return to professional tennis, there is intense scrutiny towards the treatment that she should get. It is a highly-polarising topic that looks set to reach a climax shortly, with a decision set to be made over whether or not Sharapova should receive a wildcard to the French Open.

Background
Ever since bursting onto the scene as a teenager in 2004, Maria Sharapova has become one of the most instantly-recognisable names in sport. Yet Sharapova isn’t limited to tennis, with the Russian known for modelling, and even being the name of one of the most infamous computer viruses in history. Yet after a successful career, her lowest point came in 2016, when she failed a drugs test. Sharapova served a fifteen month ban. In that time, Sharapova saw her ranking plummet to the extent where she is no longer guaranteed a starting position in the tournament. Yet she has been receiving wildcard’s to enter WTA Tour events. While this is a start, the second Grand Slam of the season – the French Open, is fast approaching, with considerable, and often heated, debate being held in regards to whether or not Sharapova is worthy of a wildcard entry.

Cheat
One side of the argument would suggest that Sharapova deliberately cheated in order to try and give herself a competitive advantage over her rivals. Even if she wasn’t aware that the drug she was taking was illegal, even so, she has made a mistake. The wider societal implications should also be considered – it is arguable that it sends out the wrong message if she is welcomed back. For the players that work their entire lives for a shot at glory – is it fair to see a player who has been caught cheating being welcomed back? Many would argue the French Open is a highly-prestigious event, and would risk tarnishing its reputation by pandering to Sharapova. Meanwhile the ranking system exists for a reason – and for Sharapova to appreciate the gravity of her actions – clawing her way up the rankings again is the best way for her to make amends.

Fallen Hero
Yet the alternative argument is that Sharapova should be handed a wildcard entry. Some would argue that she has made such a contribution to tennis – that she deserves a wildcard entry. After all, she is a highly-successful female tennis player. Tournament organisers too could be concerned that without Serena Williams and Sharapova – arguably two of the biggest three names in women’s tennis (Venus Williams continues to impress) will be missing from the event. This presents a similar scenario to golf’s Masters Tournament – who have lost considerable viewing figures in the absence of Tiger Woods. The other argument supporting this notion is that Sharapova has served the ban that was handed to her, and therefore should be given the chance to make amends. It could be a dream scenario for her – with Serena Williams out of the event – she will have a glorious opportunity of success. Ultimately – what is wrong with a second chance? And if she isn’t given an entry this time, surely it is only a matter of time before another Grand Slam offers her an entry – this could just be delaying the inevitable.

Conclusion
What will happen? It could go either way. But the final point that was alluded to is important – surely Sharapova will eventually be given a wildcard entry. But if she is good enough – she will be able to utilise smaller events to obtain a higher rank, which can facilitate her entry into the Grand Slams. Ultimately, it is expected that she will be handed an entry into the event. As shown, there are several points that would both agree and disagree with this outcome. It is simply a matter of waiting to see what happens, either way, it is likely to cause controversy. This again, is an example of the wider societal implication that an episode involving drugs causes.

(‘085’)
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Serena and Venus: A lesson to All

Serena Williams has defeated sister Venus at the 2017 Australian Open to claim a record 23rd Grand Slam title, and further re-affirm her position as the greatest women’s tennis player of all time. Venus, after battling back following a debilitating illness, put in a fantastic performance in the tournament, but fell short in the final. Both sisters continue to be a credit to not only their sport, but people in general.

A now famous fable has been told on numerous occasions – the story of how Richard Williams stumbled upon a tennis match while channel-hopping, only to see the winner presented with a cheque for $40,000. It was in this moment he decided his daughters – at the time unborn – would become professional tennis players. Raising them in the notorious Compton, few would have thought this was possible, but Richard’s bold expectations not only came true, but were surpassed.

Nineteen years after first competing against one another at the 1998 Australian Open, the duo would compete in the final at the 2017 edition. With a combined age of 71, few would have expected this to be possible. Throw in the fact that Venus has been battling the energy-sapping Sjogren’s syndrome, and it is an even more incredible feat. Both have ushered in a new era of women’s tennis – they have changed the game forever.

I alluded to the hurdles that the duo have faced, but in a wider context, they have done a considerable amount. The sisters have been instrumental in fighting for equal prize money in tennis. There have been several marches in recent days since the inauguration of Donald Trump, with women protesting. Yet how much does this actually achieve? These girls that sit back on social media, ‘liking’ photos and updates to apparently show support – how much does that actually help?

Then you compare it to what Serena and Venus have done. They have actually gone out and made success for themselves’. Instead of sitting back and complaining, they have actively gone out and made a difference. They have had to overcome several hurdles and pitfalls. Everyone can learn a lesson from the sisters. They should be the ultimate inspiration to these girls that are protesting. They show that if you put in the hard work – anything, and it is anything, is possible.

We are fortunate to live in an age with the best female tennis player of all time. Serena Williams thanked and paid tribute to sister Venus in her post-match speech. The bond that the duo have is robust. Their embrace after the match was an incredible moment, one that as youngster’s, they would have dreamed of one day happening. How much longer we have of seeing these two sisters compete like this remains to be seen – any tennis fan, and the wider community, should enjoy these two while we can.

After their Wimbledon 2009 final, it appeared that never again would we see the two sisters compete in a grand slam final again. Yet almost eight years later, the two competed like the champions they are. They’ve been written off before and always come back, and it’s highly possible they will compete again soon. But if not, then they have left a remarkable legacy. They have done everyone incredibly proud – they quite simply, are an inspiration.

(‘083’)
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Sony Xperia E5: Review

INTRODUCTION
After the popularity of my last phone review, I have looked in-depth at my latest handset – the Sony Xperia E5. After two years with the trusty EE Kestrel, I finally upgraded to a new model – and overall, I am very pleased. There is intense competition in the £130-200 range when it comes to smartphones. However, for around £140, the Sony Xperia E5 is good value.

KEY FEATURES
First of all, this is of course part of the Sony Xperia range. This is not a brand you would be ashamed of showing off, with in my opinion Sony handsets proving the most attractive Android phones on the market. While the E5 is the budget version in the Xperia range, on appearance, it is difficult to distinguish from its parent models. The camera, as you would expect, is impressive. The rear camera is 13MP, with the front camera offering 5MP resolution. There is 16GB internal storage, which can be supplemented with the use of an SD card. With 1.5GB in RAM, there isn’t much waiting around, the processor is very quick and offers a strong user interface. The Android system runs seamlessly on the phone.

INTERFACE
The E5 follows the interface of the Xperia model. The Android operating system runs, meaning Google runs prominently. The phone can be synchronised with your Google account, which is useful. The Google Play store offers many applications to run. There is easy access to key areas of the phone, with the homescreen editable to make it personal. Following the rest of the Xperia range, it has a fantastic, easy-to-use interface.

INTERNET BROWSING
Since upgrading to the E5, this was certainly one of the areas that I have noticed the biggest improvement in. Internet browsing is both quick and easy. Google Chrome is built in, while there is also a native browser. 4G is enabled, meaning loading times are typically quick. This is definitely one of the key areas of the E5.

COMPETITORS
In many E5 reviews, it is suggested that just for a few pounds extra, you can get the Motorola Moto G. While this is commonly seen as the market leader for the budget smartphone range, there are some drawbacks. Following the iPhone, the Moto G continues to get bigger, and while the E5 is large, it doesn’t get out of control. By all means the Moto G appears to be an impressive phone, but I would take an Xperia over it any day. There are also a range of cheap smartphones coming over from China and Japan. These are both impressive and offer good value. These are likely to come to the fore more in forthcoming years. Of course, Lumia’s, the ever-improving Wileyfox and Huawei offer further choice. Then there is the EE Harrier – the natural successor to the EE Kestrel.

DRAWBACKS
You get a lot for your money, there is no doubt about that. Perhaps the one area that could’ve been improved was battery life. Battery life was supposedly one of the strong points of the phone, however I have found that the battery isn’t too impressive. And while 16GB storage is ample, some phones at this price range offer 32GB – double. Aside from these two concerns, it is a very good choice.

CONCLUSION
Overall, this is a very good phone. The Sony Xperia range is an impressive one, and is highly fashionable too. It is a highly competitive market that this phone is in, but it is a sound choice. A stylish, powerful phone with a strong interface – this is a very good option to take. I hope you’ve found this review helpful.

Rating – 4.5/5

(‘082’)
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Social Networks: Fall of Bebo

As Facebook continues to go from strength-to-strength, it is easy to forget just a few years ago, that Facebook wasn’t the biggest social network in the world, a site named “Bebo” was. But fast-forward to the present day and Facebook is in control, while Bebo have suffered a tremendous fall from grace. But after their market position just a few years ago, many would question how such a fall can take place.

Bebo was founded in 2005 by husband-and-wife team Michel and Xochi Birch. Like Facebook, it was a social networking site, offering users the chance to connect with one another, view content and generally interact. At the height of its popularity, with almost 11m users, Bebo overtook Myspace to become the most-used social networking website in the United Kingdom. Content included blogs, photographs, videos and questionnaires. Many elements were more customisable than Facebook.

Things were going well. The popularity of Bebo led to conglomerate AOL purchasing the company for a mammoth $850m in 2008. On paper, AOL now had a behemoth of social media that could help their brand secure further profit. However the deal would turn out to be a nightmare, with the-then CEO of AOL Randy Falco losing his job in the aftermath. With rival sites Facebook and Twitter prospering, it led to the numbers dwindling. What was once a hugely-popular website had become a rarely-used network. It simply couldn’t keep up with the advances of other social media sites. Facebook particularly have been proven to be a highly-innovative company, which didn’t help Bebo.

The site would evolve and make changes, staying online for a few years to follow. After a three-day outage in 2012, it appeared Bebo was gone. The hashtag ‘Bebo memories’ trended on Twitter – showing it is a website with considerable nostalgia to it for many. While the site would return, in 2013 Bebo filed for bankruptcy. This led to the original founders purchasing the site for $1m, just $849m less than they sold it for – not bad business!

While Facebook is prospering – it shouldn’t be forgotten that things can change in the blink of an eye. In 2008, AOL would have never imagined what a horror would become of the brand. Bebo has transformed and is still trying to battle back – but it is highly unlikely it will ever be able to restore itself to its old glory. What was once an enormously popular social network has suffered a dramatic fall from grace. It’s a shame what happened to the website, but it is more proof that nothing is forever.

(‘081’)
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America Goes for Trump: Summary

After a close-fought battle lasting many months, Donald Trump has shocked the world by defeating Hilary Clinton to become the 45th President of the United States of America. There has been considerable reaction to the shock victory, with some comparing the election result to Britain’s ‘Brexit’. Mainly, there has been shock horror at his victory, with many looking to book the first flight out of America. Here are the main points:

TRUMP IS PRESIDENT
In an unexpected result, Donald Trump is the President-elect. The vast majority of states, including considerable amounts of ‘swing-states’ voted in favour of Trump – handing him the victory. Large turnout of white, male working-class voters appeared to swing the pendulum in the favour of Trump, beating the coalition of female and minority workers which favoured Hilary Clinton.

In a move similar to that of Brexit, pollsters underestimated the amount of working-class Americans that would turn out to vote, and ultimately swing the election. Trump secured 289 votes to the 228 for the Democrats. The Republican party also secured control of the House of Representatives in what turned out to be a highly memorable day for their supporters.

CELEBRITY REACTION
Reactions from celebrities and general social media reaction have not been favourable towards Trump. Several celebrities, including Katy Perry and Ariana Grande, have voiced their disapproval of the result. Countless memes have been created poking fun at the result, and warning of the ‘season finale’ of America – such is the lack of faith of some in Trump.

QUESTIONABLE POLICIES
There are some questionable policies that Trump has spoken of, these include the building of a wall between USA and Mexico – something that will have the bill footed by Mexico. There are also question marks over USA-Cuba relations – something that is part of the legacy of Barack Obama’s fine presidential run. There is also the suggestion Trump might start a ban on allowing Muslim’s to enter America.

TRUMP: BUSINESSMAN
Something that can provide faith in is the work of Trump in terms of his business career. Trump has forged a highly successful business career – there are some hopes that he will be able to transfer this to the world of politics. There is no doubting his fine work in becoming a billionaire, but now he needs to apply this to the Presidency of the United States.

CANADIAN IMMIGRATION SITE CRASHES
With the result coming in, many Americans looked to research immigration in neighbouring Canada, flourishing under Justin Trudeau. However the surge in interest caused the site to crash, and there have been many reports of a lag on the site ever since. It appears that such is the unrest in the result, that many want to leave the country. It is a similar sight to the one seen in Britain after the Brexit result.

INFLAMMATORY QUOTES
There have been several inflammatory quotes applied to Trump that are simply not true. While we has said some frankly ridiculous things, some of the reports, quotes and pictures of him simply aren’t true. While he certainly isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, he deserves our respect – after all he is the President of the most powerful country in the world.

WHERE NEXT FOR CLINTON
Hilary Clinton deserves mass credit for her efforts. She leapt out of the shadow of her husband to run in the race. Despite significant detractors, she ran an admirable campaign and was unfortunate not to claim victory. She gained admiration from many and deserves credit for her demeanour throughout, and the fact she was gracious in defeat. Trump may have won the election, but Hilary won our hearts.

BARACK OBAMA
It is also worth mentioning this brings an end to a fantastic eight-year reign from Barack Obama. There is no doubting the incredible efforts he has made for his country – there is no doubting they are in a much better position now compared to when he assumed office. There is no doubting he will be missed, and he deserves considerable credit for his work as President – a very nice man who has positively impacted many lives.

WHAT NEXT?
So once the dust settles and Trump assumes office in January 2017, all eyes will be on the new President. Hopefully Trump will represent the interests of all Americans and bring them back together after a hugely divisive election. What’s done is done now, and whether people like the result or not, it is time to accept it – Donald Trump is the President-elect of the United Srates of America.

(‘080’)
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Beware: 2016 Apple Email Scam

Security is of the utmost importance in this contemporary digital age. Phishing – the process of criminals gaining sensitive information – potentially card details, is an ever-increasing problem. Being savvy and sensible on the Internet is of crucial importance. However, it isn’t always easy to do so – especially in the case of scams which look legitimate.

Apple, one of the largest companies in the world – take pride in customer loyalty, as already discussed on this blog. However even Apple are powerless to stop criminals trying to access sensitive information. Not for the first time, I received an email, purportedly from Apple, which suggested that an order had been shipped, before the next day another was sent, supposedly after suspicious activity was detected.

However, there are several tell-tale signs that this is not legitimate. The first of all, and is a home-banker to begin with, is the simple fact I have never set up an Apple account. Although that is unusual in the modern day world. So rolling with the idea that the recipient of this email has an Apple ID, it would be normal to be scared. An order you haven’t completed? Sounds strange. A second sign could be the sender – Apple with the trademark sign, although why would Apple need to include this? Let’s take a look at the first email, suggesting an order has been shipped.

Unlike the majority of phishing emails, this is a very legitimate effort. The order suggests I have made a purchase for $75.22. As I reside in the United Kingdom, this would be an unusual currency to purchase with. However, perhaps the user thinks, hey, Apple is an American company, this makes sense. The blocked out parts are simply my email address, which generally is different to an Apple ID, another sign this is a scam. At the bottom of the email:

Now, again the information provided all looks good, even professional. As the email correctly states, Apple is Luxembourg-registered, while that is a story for another day, it is still true. Now, the user who feels they haven’t made this purchase would now head for the ‘Manage/Cancel subscription’ option. So the user clicks on the link, resulting in the following:

Again, an impressive look – the designers of this site took their time. On paper, it looks highly legitimate. A slightly worrying note is that it wasn’t picked up by Antivirus. So, the user thinks they have to cancel this order, they are in a panic, yet in the midst of this panic, they enter their details, sign in using their Apple ID, then their password. They click ‘sign in’, and lo and behold, the user has just handed over their information to criminals. This of course will lead to many more problems. Yet it is worryingly quick – all it would take is under a minute. The biggest tell-tale sign of them all is the actual URL. If you notice, the website is ‘Twisted Flow’ – the last time I checked this wasn’t the URL for Apple. So several signs all together, but all easily missed.

While this was a professional effort, the next day another email was sent. This one was about supposed ‘suspicious activity’ on my account. In an age where we are all very careful, this again would be easy to alarm anyone. However, while the first email was professional, the second email was a bit of a ‘dog’s dinner’ – a disaster. Take a look at this:

Firstly, the Apple logo is all wrong. As if that wasn’t a sign not to proceed, it is well documented Apple and other large companies don’t ever address you without you name. On this occasion, when I clocked on the link, it was sending me towards a ‘Bitly.com’ site. However fortunately, Bitly had picked up that this was a dangerous site and warned the user not to proceed.

So overall, the first email was a very good effort – it looked and sounded legitimate, and would be enough to worry the vast majority of people. While the second email wasn’t very impressive, again it would be enough to scare some users. But fortunately, there are several signs that show the user not to proceed. It is so easy to get caught out these days, but being careful is also easily done. Remember never to click on any links in these emails, and in general to be very careful with what information you are handing over. I hope these screenshots have helped in some way. While the Internet is a great place, it also has the potential to be a dark place. Thanks for reading!

(‘079’)
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Time flies when you’re having… Fun?

I can’t quite believe it has been three months since I last blogged. For my followers and any other viewers, apologies! It is remarkable to think what has happened in the last few months since I posted. I’m sure anyone reading this would have had a lot going on in recent times. There is an old quote – ‘time flies when you’re having fun’. While that may be the quote, in many cases, it isn’t true.

The thing about life is that it goes so quickly. Each day comes and goes and before you know it, it is a new year. I digress, to an extent, this is how I have felt in the past few weeks, time really has flown by. But when life goes by so quickly, it is difficult sometimes to notice others, to appreciate what personal battle’s they are going through. In actual fact many, many people suffer.

Earlier this month it was the United States National Suicide Prevention week. The week aims to engage the American public, along with those from afar, about the dangers surrounding mental health, and more specifically suicide. Suicide is a huge killer. In USA, between 1999 and 2014, suicides rose a staggering 24% – it is becoming an enormous problem.

So many people suffer in silence. They feel as if there is no one to talk too about their problems. This is the issue with mental health – there appears to be a stigma around the topic, before you know it, it is too late. Take the ‘Lad Bible’ – a social media page revolving around the ‘lad culture’ that has unfortunately influenced millions of people. Not so long ago they posted an Internet meme of actor Wentworth Miller, poking fun at him. Why? Just because he had put on weight.

As Miller himself put it, big F-ing deal. In an admirable riposte, Miller criticized the meme, putting his weight gain down to mental health issues. Miller is an advocate for suicide prevention, and is a perfect example of why suicide isn’t the answer – he has admirably responded to his demons. The Lad Bible didn’t even begin to consider Miller’s personal circumstances – something sadly all too common.

That is why it is so important for society to be more educated on the topic. It is highly possible those close to you will be suffering, it is crucial to look for tell-tale signs. Just talking can be an enormous help. Having someone to talk too really is invaluable. Having someone to spell out your problems is a huge help. But sadly, not everyone has someone there for them when the chips are down. Therefore, it is vital that in our day-to-day activities, that we take an interest in the well-being of others, and offer them a helping hand when it is necessary.

This entire topic is very sensitive to me. The details of that are for another day, but it is something I, and many others, feel very strongly about. At times this can be a cruel, cruel world, but it is up to us all to rise from our lows, and try and create highs. It’s good to be back, I hope to post more regularly in the forthcoming times.

Remember, as bad as things can get, you aren’t alone.
http://www.iasp.info/wspd/
http://www.prevent-suicide.org.uk/
http://www.save.org/

(‘078’)
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Little Mo: The story of Maureen Connolly

With Wimbledon starting today, the eyes of the tennis world will be on the latest Grand Slam. Wimbledon is one of the most well-renowned sporting events in the world. In its incredible history, there have been several moments to cherish, while some of the game’s greats have passed through the fabled courts. While in the women’s game the focus if often on the likes of Serena Williams, Venus Williams, Steffi Graf and Margaret Court but to name a few, there is one player, sadly forgotten, that may just have gone on to be the greatest of the lot. Sadly it’s a near-forgotten story – the tale of Maureen Connolly – known as ‘Little Mo’.

Maureen Connolly was born in San Diego, California in 1934. While horseback riding was her first main passion, difficulty in paying for the associated costs meant that Connolly took up tennis – a decision which would go on to reap considerable rewards. By the age of 15 she had become the youngest player in history to have won the U.S. National Championship for girls under the age of 18.

1951 was the break-through year for Connolly. At the 1951 U.S. Open, Connolly became the youngest winner of the event of all time. While this was a fantastic year, 1952 resulted even better for her. Wimbledon and the U.S. Open were claimed. Five grand slam starts – three wins, all at the tender age of 18. By now, Connolly was well on her way to becoming a star.

1953 was the highlight of her career. She made her first appearances at both the Australian and French Opens, winning both – a remarkable achievment. She followed this up with a second successive Wimbledon and third successive U.S. Open. By achieving these four wins, she became the first woman to win all four Grand Slam tournaments during the same calendar year.

She missed the 1954 Australian Open, but returned for the French Open, which she won, alongside a third successive Wimbledon title. From eleven grand slam starts – she achieved nine victories – a fantastic record. Astonishingly, she won nine majors in a row between 1952 and 1954 – a run of 50 consecutive single match victories.

While it seemed a long career lay ahead – tragedy would follow. Just two weeks after winning the 1954 Wimbledon Championship, while out horseback riding, a passing cement mixer truck frightened her horse, eventually causing Connolly to be thrown. The result of the incident was a compound fracture to her right fibula, which ended her fledging career aged just 19. In the coming years, she would continue to be involved in tennis-related activities. However, in 1966, Connolly was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. In 1969, Connolly passed away.

There is no telling quite what Connolly would have achieved. The fact she won nine grand slam titles before even hitting 20 is an achievement never seen before, and one likely to be never seen again. There is a very good chance that she would have gone on to at least match the record of Margaret Court, if not win more. It is such a shame that this event happened – but her achievements should never, and will never, be forgotten.

/MF/
(‘077’)