Death By Bullying: This Centuries Leading Form of Persecution

In some previous posts, SHC has covered the topic of bullying in some depth giving both examples of some of the most incredible cases of bullying and its consequences as well as giving opinion on various elements. Back in December 2008, we featured an article about homophobia and the Prop. 8 in California. Now it seems that both bullying and homophobia are back in the media and for all the wrong reasons. In the past few weeks, stories about 5 teen suicides emerged in the media. Each of the teenagers was either outed as gay or perceived as gay by their 'peers' and as a result of immense taunting and bullying, took their own lives.

UK General Election 2010 RETROSPECTIVE: Why the Liberal Democrats' Electoral Reform Proposal Cannot Work

Now that the election is well and truly behind us all, and a coaltion government between the Liberal Democrats and the Conservative Party has 'triumphed', it is maybe a good idea to take a look back at a couple of areas where this new administration might meet obstacles.

UK General Election 2010 UPDATE: Results, Review & Response

After a gruelling night and morning of vote counts, recounts and declarations, the UK electorate gave a verdict which resounded across the country regarding who they want to run their government; nobody.

UK General Election 2010: Decision Time or Damaging Deadend?

In what has perhaps been the most hyped-up general election in British history, the three leading parties all share one thing in common; they have no idea of what the outcome will be!

Beyoncé's Hop, Skip & Jump in the Right Direction...One Year On & Bordering 'Must Have' Territory

To give the bottom line first: Beyonce is doing nothing but good for the music business. Why? Simple, she isn't using her vast resources to produce a killer video to take your attention from poor music.

The Biggest Loser? No Thanks, I'd Rather Be The Biggest Winner.

Recently, I started what I like to call a “health-kick”. It's definition? To allow myself to detox from all the junk I've consumed over the previous few weeks or months and try to, once again, get myself comfortable with the way I look.

Feminists Hurting Feminism: A Look At The Recent Primark Debate

I appreciate that this article may either/both confuse or anger people, as it is a topic that some of you may feel that I have no business commentin on but, having paid particular attention to the issue for quite some time, I feel that something should be said.

It's Official: WWW.SMOKINGHOTCOFFEE.ORG

As I said yesterday, SmokingHotCoffee will now be moving to it's own domain.

1 Million Hits: The Time Has Come!

This blog has been open for a couple of years now. Initially it was just a place where I could write an opinion here and there but, over the past 18 months or so, the growth and interest in what's being said here has truly grown. So much so that it went from recieving several hundred hits over the course of the first 6 months, to recieving over 20,000 hits on some days.

Sex in Ireland: Are Irish Teens' priorities really the wrong way around?

Today I read an article published by IrishHealth.com regarding Irish teens' knowledge and concerns about having sex. They claim that while Irish teens are aware of many sexually transmitted infections, they are relatively unaware of the symptoms and potential health issues that STIs bring with them.

UPDATE: Chile's Earthquake Story: An Honest Perspective/ACTUALIZACIÓN: El Terremodo De Chile: Una Perspectiva Honesta

It would certainly appear that the message portrayed in our recent post regarding the Chilean earthquake was fairly 'on the mark'. The Huffington Post recently published figures from Oxfam's latest efforts to raise funds for the victims of this tragedy. Seemingly, people in more fortunate countries are suffering from "Giving Fatigue". Is this the case? Do we live in a World where people can simply grow tired of natural disasters and say "erm...not this time, I have done my good deed for the year"?

Chile's Earthquake Story: An Honest Perspective/La Historia del Terremodo de Chile: Una Perspectiva Honesta

Just a few days ago, the South American country of Chile was rocked by one of the strongest earthquakes ever recorded in history (8.8 Magnitude). While 700+ people have lost their lives, the deathtoll is minute in comparison to that which we saw in Haiti in January of 2010. However, all one has to do, is to examine the worldwide news coverage to see the extent of the damage caused to Chilean townships across the country.

Crystal Swing-Showband Sensation or Tragically Traumatising?

Crystal Swing are the latest music craze to take Ireland by storm. Thanks to the influence of social networking sites such as Twitter and Facebook along with their YouTube videos gaining thousands of hits in the space of a few hours it makes me wonder, what is it that has caused this media frenzy?

Fr. Ted's Lenten Challenge.

So the time has come for all good Catholics out there: Lent. Some might say that a good Catholic is one that prays all the time, reads the Bible, goes to mass regularly. I certainly wouldn't consider myself to be a very good Catholic, but this is my attempt at trying.
I've decided to combine these two things to create a new challenge I like to call...Fr.Ted's Lenten Challenge!

Education & The Millennium Development Goals: Give Cynicism a Chance?

In September 2000, at the Millennium Summit in UN Headquarters in New York, 189 heads of State met to discuss the issues of poverty and deprivation in the World's poorest countries. As a result of this three day event, the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) were conceived.

The Execution of Akmal Shaikh: A demonstration of Britain's "Powerlessness in the World"?

On December 29th 2009, at approximately 10am Urumqi (China) time, Akmal Shaikh was executed after being convicted of attempting to smuggle 4kg of heroin into China.

URGENT APPEAL: Help Haiti Now!

Hey Everyone,

Unless you have been living under a rock lately, you will be aware that there has been a devastating Earthquake in Haiti. This disaster has left over 80,000 dead, caused thousands to become homeless and caused utter chaos in Haiti. Without going into too much detail here, click on the links below to see how you can help the people of Haiti overcome this natural disaster.


Links:
HOPE FOR HAITI NOW (Huffingtn Post Web Coverage and Links to Donation Websites)

HOPE FOR HAITI NOW (Official HFHN Website)

AMERICAN RED CROSS (RC Information Page)

OXFAM (Website is the most direct Oxfam route to gve to Haiti)

YELE HAITI (Haitian Foundation Established by
Wyclef Jean)

Click now!

SHC

A New Leader: Why? When? How?

Today it emerged that Geoff Hoon and Patricia Hewitt of the Labour Party in the UK have called for a 'secret ballot' to decide the fate of both the Labour Party and British PM, Gordon Brown. This has raised some eyebrows of surprise, condonment and condemnation. Some say that to have a such a party exercise so close to an election (in the UK, there must be a general election before June 3rd 2010) is proverbial suicide for the party, others say that it is a brave move that may boost the party image at the right time.

Retracton Time: Long Let GaGa Live!

Not long after the now infamous 2009 VMAs in NYC, I published an article regarding to antics of the night, namely the idiocracy of Kanye West and, perhaps in the heat of he moment, we spoke in a less than flattering manner about Lady Gaga. However, while I stand behind my opinion of Mr. Wests antics, it is imperative that a correction be made.