CONFESSION TIME

I am fairly certain I am no longer a racist – that sounds bad! I am 70 so was bought up in a white town in Essex. I watched “till death us do part” and thought it funny (although I was not an Alf Garnet fan, the Liverpudlian was my preference), I watched the “Black and white Minstrel Show’ without questioning its basis. I have never been overtly racist, but will admit to being slightly shocked when talking to a black Nigerian Professor and realising just how much cleverer than me, he was! By racist I think I mean the little things. Tamsin had a friend called Leon who was black and an ace skier – I asked him where he was from – my interest was the geography and not meant to be racist, although I realise it was (well Tamsin pointed this out to me rather bluntly! I think I have totally banished even the hidden covert racism now. Is anti-semitism racism?

I hate what the government of Israel is doing, and with that the actions of many Jews. I have been to Israel and found the people friendly. So I am not anti-Jewish – maybe some of the people I meet are Jewish? I do wonder about why the Jews have been persecuted throughout history though! I put them/that in the same category as persecution of catholics and protestants in this country in the 1600’s. Basically I suppose I think all religeon is rather peculiar and I would not die for it anymore than I would my football team. I do think that Israel is out of order in Gaza and understand why the Palestinians resorted to the massacre. I would like to believe in a single party state rather like that which hopefully Ulster is moving towards.

So i am lacking a term to describe myself. Is there a word to describe someone who is anti-bigotry? Is it WOKE? By definition people like me will not take to violence in our cause so are we always destined to be dominated by the bullies like Trump, Orlan, Putin, Farage, Johnson, etc.?

It seems that much of the racism and bigotry in this cpuntry is associated with priveledge and perceived entitlement. The likes of Sunak and Rees-Mogg believe that they are better than the rest of us – yuck!

I hope I am not racist?

DISGUST

This government is unbelievably still trying to find a lower level in their cess pit. Accepting £10 million from a racist who called for a sitting MP to be shot. Government ministers refuse to condemn. A government minister says she would have punched an OFSTED Inspector. And our press remains silent or rather concentrates on a meaningless photo by the royals. This country is truly fucked!

SIMPLE

Racism is wrong. OK I am 70 and grew up with racism as the norm with ‘Till death us do part” and “The black and white minstrel show” and thought that society had moved on. However Anderson, Braverman and the Conservative Party seem to want to regress and encoursge the racist bigots who still lurk in the sewers of our society. James O’Brien had a phone in regarding Islamaphobia and yet some tory councillor had to phone in and complain that it was not about anti-semitism and accuse a Labour MP of making anti-semitic without offering any evidence. Both anti-semitism and islamaphobia are evil and should not be tolerated.

There still seems to be the problem between being anti-Israel and anti-semitism. Why is there a blurring of these definitions? Is a criticism of Saudi Arabia or Hamas anti-islam? Why will the government not use the term Islamaphobia to describe Andersons comments and why are they not kicking Braverman out of the party?

England is basically conservative with a small c as elections over the past century have shown. There has not been a swing to the left, only a swing away from corruption and incompetence. The shite papers ownwed by fascists are trying to drag society to the right. The Express this morning was supporting Anderson on its front page whilst the Torygraph and Mail churn out a daily recipe of hatred and bile. However, if the polls are to be believed, the vote at the next election will place the emphasis down the centre again.

Labour will need to sort the economy and the corruption out before it can implement much needed reforms of our public institutions like councils, education and the NHS – but it will not have much time to do this.

TOMATOES

I know it is early but I have put some tomato seeds in under plastic in the greenhouse. I reckon that next week – if long range forecast is relatively warm I will sow herbs, chillies and peppers. I will also order some lemon verbena as last yearshave died.

Lemons, turmeric and avocados have arrived from Spain.

Indoor plants I bought from Cadbury are doing ok on bedroom window sill.

TV arrived but will wait for help before unpacking.

BAKING and ANGST!

Just making a loaf with rye flour and some cookies with rye flakes. There is something magical about baking. It is always a little special when the oven produces a loaf or edible cookies! The warmth and smell of the baking is priceless. I have plans for some more tomorrow – possibly with pineapple and coconut flakes. Then to make some pasta and plan pancakes for next week!

So Labour are going to back track on £28billion pledge – I understand why – the tories have slaughtered the economy. However Labour should have the courage to recreate a society worth living in. Sunak’s callous and unthinking words at PMQT’s reflected the decline in our society over the past 14 years. Is it my age that mkes me look at the society of today with some angst?

INCOMPETENCE OR TREASON?

The ministers of this government seem to be under instructions to keep their mouths shut and stay away from the office, and definitely do not work from home! There have been fewer examples of gross incompetence recently but this maybe because Sunak has been plotting the biggest travesty of all. WHY are British forces joining the USA in attacks in the Middle East? Is it due to pressure from his mates in the oil industry who apparemtly are concerned about the reduction in their gigantuan profits? No doubt Starmerr will meekly follow in appeasing the capitalists? Where are NATO in this? Maybe the situaltion is too febril for them? My take on the situation is as follows.

The Houthi rebels of Yemen appear to have taken advantage of a paucity of understanding by the west to gain dominence in Yemen despite the attempts by Saudi Arabia backed by the west to overthrow their rule. By choosing to ignore the war crimes perpetuated by Israel in Gaza and the West Bank the west have increased support for the Shia groups supported by Iran. Israels annexation of Gaza and the West Bank have drawn uncomfortable parallels with the colonial record of the UK and its replacement (capitalist USA). The UK government has tried to disassociate the actions of the Houthi with those taking place in Gaza whilst showing minimal empathy with Palestinians. Whilst the EU has also been broadly supportive of Israel (no doubt due to the historical aspects of guilt regarding the holocaust) they have not joined in with the American led attacks on Yemen.

So what is the motive for the UK stance and involvement? Recent reports of the lack of capability of the British armed forces would normally play to the TorybGammons, but with little financial heft available it maybe that Sunak is playing the long game politically. It is apparent that despite Starmers lack of popularity with the public he seems odds on to win a landslide at the General Election. This being so it would seem prudent from a Conservative viewpoint to sabotage the economy to ensure that Labour cannot improve the situation thus creating a vacuum for the right wing in the near future. Is this a conspiracy theory? It would seem to have much evidence to back it up!

So Sunak creates a “war situation” with British interests directly attacked by Iran backed rebels in the Middle East, Russia and China show support for these groups thus enforcing a massive increase in military spending. Labour can only extricate itself by appearing to appease terrorism. The economy is a;ready shattered by Brexit although Badenoch continues to extol success stories like the export of honey to Saudi Arabia (unverified) and pet food sales to India (unfathomable!).

Public services are at breaking point across every sector and plans for future investment by Labour will have to be put on hold due to deteriorating finances. Will Labour be brave enough to introduce press reforms immediately they gain office? It seems unlikely as they seem to be courting big business and capitalism wholeheartedly. My belief is not that we need to grow the economy – but that we need to nurture a sustainable economy and redistribute wealth equably.

LABOUR

I am very disappointed at the stance taken by Keir Starmer on many issues. Primarily I feel nausea at the lack of a firm line against Israels genocidal ambitions in Gaza and the West Bank.

Regarding the £28billion green investment I am hopeful that the public pressure to maintain this investment will prevail early in te next Parliament. Here the Labour Party need to set out clearly the long term benefits. It is interesting to see what the Labour Party in Wales are recommending regarding the unfair council tax. As taxes go it would seem to offer the least possibility for evasion. No readjustments have been made since its introduction in England. Some obvious bits – 5 categories is too low, I think Wales are recommending 12 which seems about right. They should do away with the single person discount. There are many reforms necessary for Local Councils, including a salary cap!

However the Labour Party disappoint me I will support them in the sole intention of getting rid of the shitwhow we have at the present. The Tories seemto be intent on leaving the country in the worst possible situation. Any incoming Labour administration will have a myriad of problems and obstacles to over come. Every aspect of government should be overhauled within 12 months.

SICK

So Israeli forces shoot an unarmed man carrying a white flag and the British Establishment is fucking silent. It is a war crime, I wonder how many other instances there are – the Byline Times reported on a family sheltering from the bombing discovered by IDF soldiers who took the men outside and whilst their families watched shot them, the women and children were then sent back inside and grenades thrown in – all died. This was reported by the UN Commission for Human Rights. Meanwhile in a desperate piece of electioneering the USA and the UK bomb Yemen and the Telegraph talks about conscription.

What the fuck do MP’s do all day? They are not running the country. Is the government hoping for some sort of military coup to keep it in power? Sunak is still criticising Starmer due to him being a supporter of Corbyn in the past, and for doing his job as a lawyer.

The Mail has complained that woke activists have made adverts less sexy than they were in the 1980’s. Their readers must yearn for the days when they could jerk off during an ad break!

The Culture Minister bemoans bias at the BBC until asked for evidence, to which she states that some people have complained! And another minister asks for balance (presumably balance that provides support for racists, misogynists and sex offenders?

TAX

Time for a public discussion regarding tax and public services. Basically it is a no brainer. Especially tax increases for those earning most and stopping tax avoidance.

At the same time there seems to be a growth in public servants earning huge salaries. I think I am correct that some counties have more than 100 people earning over 100000, how?why? I am sure there are inefficiencies that can be addressed, (e.g. MP expenses), but the basic fact is that tax cuts directly impinge on public services. Everyone is aware of the short falls in funding in police, health and education systems. The arts and services like museums pay back investment. is Britain broken? It certainly seems like it. 14 years of Tories have smashed public services. Private airports are the busiest in Europe, super yachts are proliferating. Public services benefit everyone.