Gender roles and child abuse in blackpropaganda

A question - which super-model is this? Answer - it isn't - it is the Minister of State for Employment walking up Downing Street - and just about every newspaper in Britain had it on the front page - and was part of a story about women getting promoted on the Conservative side of the Coalition Government under David (call me Dave) Cameron. It was all about freshening up the Cabinet, and giving their rightful place to women - in fact, for many newspapers it was an opportunity for another exercise in sexism. Never mind her political capabilities, Esther McVey, pictured here, has some cracking thighs. Also, while being able to attend the Cabinet meetings she is not a member of the Cabinet. How many politicians are complimented on the quality of their suits? Looks like we have a long way to go in the UK when it comes to giving women their head ( don't go there!!!)

Meanwhile the 'moral panic' about paedophiles in society still goes on. Don't get me wrong - the activities of men (mainly men) who abuse children is totally abhorrent to me - but we now have 'historical' cases from the past where it seems the activities of paedophiles were known to the police and others - but nothing was done. Was there a cover-up to protect the rich and the famous? So there is to be an enquiry. Then yesterday it was reported that over 600 men in the UK had been charged with offences of having or watching obscene material related to young children. Note - charged - not convicted - but the coverage suggested they were all guilty. They were part of the 'dark net' - and there may be 10000 others out there using the internet.

Now, to be honest, I have no idea how many are involved - I do know I have come across websites which featured young girls - but nothing obscene - I moved on quickly - but I did 'visit' the site. The web has opened up so many opportunities for all kinds of activities - but I do know that long before the internet I was approached by a man when I was about 15 to have my photo taken - all above board of course - but I was suspicious - with good reason I reckon. I remembered his name last night and have to put it in a search engine.

The News of the World used to have court cases every Sunday about Scout Masters and choirmasters - and let us not forget the shameful history of cover ups by the Roman Catholic Church.

'Moral panics' divert attention from important issues in society - as does the emphasis on women in the Cabinet. But what can you do?

Oh - and I am reading Dombey and Son by Charles Dickens in bed - and it sends me off to sleep nicely - that is, until I reached the chapters where Paul Dombey, a business man and financier confronts his new wife about her unwillingness to fit into his scheme of things - his power lies in money - he married here because she was vulnerable and he was powerful - but she refused to give way - it is very powerful writing - and I thought about people on PB who write about the very same exercise of power today. When I finish the book I will tell you how it worked out