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Gail Davison | all galleries >> Photo Galleries >> Walking in My Shoes >> PESO 2004 - 2008 >> 2004-2005 >> April 05 > 6 April
Duck Season
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06-APR-2005

6 April
Duck Season

Tonight we went to the cinema to see **Duck Season** . It was enjoyable but not brilliant. I took this in the cinema - I thought it had a seedy look about it. Unfortunately it has a bit of camera shake but since a) it's the only photo I've taken today and b) it's 11pm and I'm tired... so I'm afraid this is it.

Yesterday prompted questions about our national general election so here's how it works: it’s a very simple system.
Our country is divided into a number of political constituencies. Each person of voting age gets to vote for one person – the person we want as the Member of Parliament for the constituency we live in. The Political party who wins the most constituencies also gets to be the Government and the top Prize of Prime Minister. This voting system is known as the First Past the Post System.
The benefit of this system is that it’s an easy job (though laborious) to count up the votes. Therefore, the election results are known quickly, usually in the early hours of the next morning.
But, it has it’s issues, for example, imagine the following result:
Candidate A (Labour) :       22,000 votes
Candidate B (Tory) :           19,000 votes
Candidate C (Lib Dems) : 15,000 votes
Labour would win this constituency ‘seat’ because their candidate got more votes than either of the others EVEN THOUGH more constituents voted against that candidate than voted for him/her.
There is another way…Proportional Representation (as used in Scotland)… that may be my essay for tomorrow (let’s hope not)….. hahaha

Canon PowerShot A80
1s f/2.8 at 7.8mm full exif

other sizes: small medium original auto
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Stu06-May-2005 12:31
PR is only used in Scotland for the list candidates in the Scottish Parliamentary elections. 59 MSPs are elected by first past the post, while the remainder are elected by PR - hence, we get two votes (one for constituency candidate, the other for list candidates). This system was a compromise between Labour and the pro-devolution campaign - it virtually ensures that Labour stays in power - unlike pure PR, which wouldn't. PR is used in European Parliament elections and for all elections in Northern Ireland. They like to keep thing
Guest 10-Apr-2005 17:13
I like this image Gail
Guest 07-Apr-2005 21:46
I like the red lighting on the edges of the seats. Sounds like a high class film for which we get similarly packed audiences here!
Dan Chusid07-Apr-2005 16:10
Please take off your duck hat , I'm trying to watch the movie!
Guest 07-Apr-2005 13:16
I feel an explanation of the offside rule coming... :-) I like FPTP, it means the person who represents the constituency in parliament was voted for by that constituency. It's hard enough getting some of the MP's to remember there's a world outside westminster without PR. Keeps the lunatics (if you ignore John Prescott) out of parliament too.
Chris Sofopoulos07-Apr-2005 09:52
I like your excuse. For today I vote your humour as well as the orange colour of shot.
Guest 07-Apr-2005 06:22
not a bad image.
despite the camera shake i like the warm colours.
i am surprised you were alowed to bring the camera in.
Guest 07-Apr-2005 06:00
Gail, excellent shot! Heres a vote to ya!
Guest 07-Apr-2005 02:44
hey.. you're not allowed to bring a camera into a theatre.. ;)
Guest 07-Apr-2005 01:23
beautiful lighting, colors and contrast...I like this image!
don nieman07-Apr-2005 00:53
Wow, I'm glad I read your narrative. Very educational.

And going to the cinema, is that like going to the movies? Hey, I think I know that guy sitting in front of you.

Interesting shot, made me silly.
Ian Clowes06-Apr-2005 23:34
Tomorrow - the rules of cricket!
Vinh Luu06-Apr-2005 23:01
the photo does look on the cozy side. no doubt the camera shake was due to the 1 second exposure (to reveal shadow detail). i think the image would've worked just fine with less exposure.

the voting system over there is unusual. if i'm understanding this correctly, the government is heavily based on political parties, where the majority wins the entire government and top post. if this is the case, what keeps the government and prime minister in check? they're of the same political party and likely of the same mindset... isn't there a concern that the government will favor the views of their own political party and neglect those of the parties that lost the election (which, while they didn't have the majority vote, are not insignificant in numbers)?

it would seem there is a bright side to it... with the government all of a single party, things must get done rather quickly and efficiently. less bickering amongst themselves along party lines and more action. interesting.
Guest 06-Apr-2005 22:55
Very warm and inviting image...makes me want to go to the movies!!!
JeremyGood06-Apr-2005 22:41
Your caption made me a little bit tired.

I like this shot, but wonder why you didn't use the ULTRAPOD!
Antonis Sarantos06-Apr-2005 22:34
I love everything in this image!!! You know very well how to trap a feeling in every photo!
Lisa Schlender06-Apr-2005 22:16
The low light makes it look really cozy, warm and romantic :)