View across the Outer Harbour of Stornoway

Sunday 11 July 2010

Sunday evening

Well, that's the Football World Cup gone to Spain, who beat Holland 1-0 in the last twenty minutes. Disappointing game, in which about 8 yellow cards were doled out and one player sent off after a second yellow. The game was pretty physical, as demonstrated by the number of bookings. I did not really enjoy it, and am naturally a bit sad that Holland did not get it - again. However, in all fairness, the Spaniards played better and got that all deciding goal after 116 minutes of play.

In the early hours of Saturday, the discharge from a sawn-off shotgun ended the troubled life of Northumberland man Raoul Moat. This 37-year old had previously shot his former girlfriend, killed her new partner and shot a police constable in his patrol car. Moat then went into hiding near the village of Rothbury, 30 miles north of Newcastle-upon-Tyne. He issued threats against the police, the media and the general public. Moat had serious psychological problems, and the police appeared to have been aware of that, judging by the way they addressed him through the media, and through letters. On Friday evening, he was spotted on the bank of a river at Rothbury, and quickly surrounded. After a six-hour stand-off, with police within 20 feet of him, Moat received two shots from a Taser-gun. He then shot himself in the head.
Leaving the over-exposure in the media to one side (which did not help the situation), the family are claiming that the police declined offers of help from them. It's always easy to see the (perceived) right path with the benefit of hindsight. But questions are being asked from more impartial quarters as well with regards to the handling by police.

4 comments:

  1. Too bad Holland didn't win for you. I don't know much about it and only watched the games USA played if I was around the tv at the time. I don't understand it so it was difficult and I hated that annoying buzzing sound!

    Sad story about Raoul. I suppose until one is actually in the position of the police it is hard to say what should be done.

    Love your header picture!

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  2. As you say ,regarding Moat, hindsight is a wonderful thing ,and mistakes were made ,but how can you legislate for this sort of thing ..love Jan xx

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  3. Wow!! Guido I love your new header,it so reminds me of one of my favourite beaches Koukounairis in Skiathos Greece.Back from a two week break catching up on comments what a beautiful scene to come back to.I didin't watch all the match but I did want Holland to win for my Son in USA who had a bet on them to win LOL!!Though my Daughter and family have lived in Spain for seven yrs, so I had to be careful what I said He-He.Regarding Moat,I agree with Jan's comment on this subject,and I am happy it is over for the community around it all.Thankyou for the wonderful memories of Skiathos with your lovely header it looks so much like where I swam each day.Swimming here in rain today in the Pennine area.Take care God Bless Kath xx

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  4. Sorry to hear about Moat. Hindsight is often 20/20```too bad life isn't while we are living it.

    ~Mary

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