JUST STOP OIL

I am unequivacle in my disgust at the decision to jail them for 4/5 years

I am also minded of the massacre by Hamas in Israel! When reasonable discourse is prevented or hidden – then the result is an excessive response. So just as I recognise the angst behind the actions of Hamas I also recognise the lack of proper discussion and action regarding the climate crisis. For the law to act with such venom is surely beyond the concepts of a democratic society.. This is further compounded by the fact that violent criminals are being released early from prison to make room for peaceful protestors. I have already posted that I believe that Just Stop Oil could be more creative, but I do not criticise the need for direct action. I am a long time supporter of GREENPEACE. Also yesterday saw the publication of a criticism of governmment ministers in the Covid crisis (deaths approx. 230000).

It also raises concerns regarding the judiciary – we have seen what the politicalisation of law in America results in (and we might have some horror stories in the future?). The law was created by the Tory Government, and thisbjudge obviously is a petrol head with a lack of empathy and concern for the planet! Obviously the law has to be obeyed or face the consequences.

Interesting phone in on James O’Brien – driving whilst using a mobile phone and causing an accident resulting in death will cost the economy over a million, and the perpurtrator will possibly get 6 months suspended. This judgement reeks of a vindictive past government! On the positive – Lammy has restored the UK contribution to the UN in Gaza. (UNWRA). A small gesture but an important one – I do wonder what the role of Starmers wife being a Jew is having on him? I do not mean this in any malicious way but there is an impact of a close family tie?

Also the main reason for Just Stop Oil is the publicity for the cause – a success there. And predictably the Mail, Telegraph and Express continue to demean their readers with horrific propaganda. Amusingly those readers are visibly uncomfortable when presented with facts!

Interesting visit to the supermarket where I was told on entry that it was cash only! It reiterates how vulnerable we are to a cyber attack? I think they had a similar event in Ireland a while back which lasted weeks? People shopping using IOU’s and honesty box’s.

WHATEVER

were they expecting. Telegraph, Mail and Express all take issue with the King’s Speech. This was as boringly predictable as the speech itself! Starmer has set out to do exactly what he said it would do during the election. I admit that this was bit of a shock after years of Tory lies and false promises – but the headlines seem to imply that the papers have not yet become adjusted to the facts of the election! Of courrse they hate facts just as much as they hate “experts”, and exemplify this by using neither in their journalism! The next interesting thing is how the party whips manage to perform in getting the wide spectrum of Labour MP’s to tow thw party line – will the LibDems and Greens and Independants also take each act on face value or be boringly prdictable like the Tories in voting against – pointless with the Labour majority?

And for all the obfuscation of reviews and draft laws – there does seem to be. aradical edge to the new Government. We knew that they had set themselves strict monetary guidelines – and they have not renegraded on these. Personally I think they have decided to settle the labour disputes with the doctors, etc. and railways before deciding on what comes next, as these could be expensive (with other public sector workers watching on – e.g. teachers who have seen relative salaries fall by – I think 9%). Other areas are also screaming for more money – children, care workers, councils. I am not sure how much wiggle room Rachel Reeves will find? The immigration conundrum will take some consideration as there is no “quick fix” – not that the Tories would have taken it anyway, immigration was their only hope of saving the election! And to be fair it did save Braverman, Badenoch and a couple of others (not Rees-Mogg and Truss and other notable others!)

Internationally Keir is meeting European leaders today and I would guess that much conversation will be about America? Trump seems odds on for a win at present and few will think that Biden having Covid is a get out clause. Trump and Vance seem to be setting out a complete reset of the worlds tenuous political structure – like tearing down the structure that holds the world in relative peace? He has said that Taiwan and Europe should pay America to defend it! That perhaps precludes that American companies basically rule the world? Nvidia, Microsoft, Apple and X all have $billions invested around the world so either Trump is being extremely ignorant (and it is his mouth that is, not his brain!) or very disingenious. Appealing to red neck America and the top executives is a common con trick pulled by the rich. But his isolationalism that may put India and China into allegience with Russia is not a happy thought! I guess they feel that Iran is dispensable – a convenient provider of arms to Russia and Syria and Hezbollah. As Vance has stated that the UK is an Islamic state we need to wonder what their pronouncements will be on Israel? Which itself is on its way to conflict with Hezbollah in Lebanon. Just like with the last 5/14 years of our government – you have to ask “are there any adults in the room”? I guess (my default for I have not got a fucking clue!) thatbthe industrial/military complex of the USA is powerful enough to ensure that conflicts continue to occur – and Trump will convince poor voters that their tax money needs to support the military! What a fucked up world!

SPEECH

So the reaal work starts today with The King’s Speech where Labour will outline plans for new legislation. All ver positive – no diatribes about Rwanda and other failed Tory policies. The Daily Express leads with an article about boat people – who actually gives a fuck any more. We know Labour will come up with sensible policies in time – proposals for asylum visas to allow legal entry until processed seems practical and sensible and also allows management. Presumably this type of policy needs collaboration with our European neighbours, which may occur at the meeting at Blenheim Palace of 45 European leaders at the meeting Of the European Political Community. Whilst this is “yet another summit” it does allow European leaders to open up channels of communication (something Sunak should have considered when spurning D Day opportunities). This is needed ever more importantly as America seems to be headed for a period of Trump induced isolation and revisionism. Europe remains a very diverse political landscape despite some gains by the right.

What I will be hoping for are some real moves on climate change. Arguments about China’s coal power stations are irrelevant, especially as China invests heavily in wind and solar. Therewillbe announcements regarding housing and planning regulations. This will result in a right wing frenzy as the NIMBY element smacks in! I am in two minds regarding this – with the population likely to fall in next 50 years is there an argument for high quality radical temporary homes which can be expanded of dismantled relartively easily? Does evryone need their own outdoor space – a radical rethink needed before Barrat Homes build thousands of rabbit hutches in the countryside. The aspect of communting to work also needs consideration. Tory landlord MP’s voted down control of rents and minimum quality standards – can these be re-aired?

The prison situation needs urgent attention, but plans seem to be afoot as Labour has been planning for the takeover day for a year! Two more huge budgetry problems are Councils who have seen budgets cut at the expense of services as their responsibilities for care have increased. Universities also need urgent attention. Maybe a parental tax for university students? Parents are happy to pay £50000 per year for Eton, etc. but then get Oxbridge and others free! This is fraught with difficulties as I know having Tams going through University having just divorced – but doable!

Oh and then there is the water industry shit shower! I know Labour want to attract foreign investment (even home grown investment would be good -as a report decried the lack of investment in tec firms in the UK), but maybe those set to lose heavily (as they should) could be offered percentage holding in the companies that could pay out theoretically in the future? Mean time, interesting artical which suggested Londoners could/should be charged for covering gardens with concrete. Waffle style driveways and even side roads would allow infiltration and stop the subsidence that is already affecting London? I read something about London’s water table a while back which suggested that tower blocks may be facing problems as the water table reduces/

BUT I am still mega positive – the future is bright despite Trump

SOUTHGATE

Well done Gareth Southgate. He did not leave on the highest level but did manage to create a a team worthy of the countries support. He stood up for players taking the knee, and stood firmly against the vile racist abuse that the 3 palyers received after missing penalties against Italy. So for this and the hope, we thank you. You have set the bar high for a follower – anything less than a final win in the World Cup will be seen as abject failure!

I do wonder what happened to the attacking brio that ws manifested by sterling (shame his finishing was not better!). was it the Walker throw in that ended our dreams in frustration? Who will pick up the mantle – apparently the wage is crap, only £5million! However is the press examination of every aspect of their lives worth it? Although as Kate pointed out – it is sort of part-time!

So the front runners are Tuchel, Potter and Howe. Personally I would go for Tuchel as England need the added technical nous that he could bring. Potter was turned down by Leicester and needs to rebuild, whilst Howe maybe priced out as he will be on big money from the Saudi owners of Newcastle (but how secure is his job?). He has done well at Newcastle without setting the world on fire – and that is what the supporters demand! Others like Pochettino and Klopp are probably just fantasy picks?

The potential is there for any new manager, as long as he can maintain the team spirit that Southgate promulgated – Saka, Bellingham, Guehi, Kona, Palmer are a fine start, Rice and Foden will surely come good again. Kane looks to have played his last whilst there are many others who performed well and deserve another chance, and several new players yet to be seen. I am not advocating playing a 16 year old like Yumal did for Spain – but are we too slow at bringing players through? I seem to remember a very young (16 year old) Rooney scoring a scorcher against Arsenal his first league goal? With all the psychologists available I am sure they can work out who is ready for the big game!

And now for the transfer game! Clubs need to sell homegrown players as this balances the books better – e.g. Gray to Chelsea. Personally I think it sad that players are not allowed to show loyalty to their home clubs! And I know they have massive wages but also for young players it must be difficult moving across the country?

Argentina beat Columbia in Copa America, and Canada 4th? Maybe the world will need to realise that the USA league is developing players (and the Canadian League!). I cannot forsee a time when Saudi attracts young upcoming starts like Nico Williams and Lamine Yamal, or Rodri or Pedri or Gavi. Why would they leave the adulation and support to go to a country with a completely different culture!

POSITIVES

What a change we have in the new government. No more scandal of MP’s perverted weekends surfacing in the media, no more harebrained schemes like Rwanda or the Folkstone Harbour debacle, or PPI scandals. Just a few crap stories eminating from the seats opposite with idiots being put in the HoL, Johnson dressing like a dosser for a wedding and Farage going to the USA to avoid Clacton!

We are hearing only good news – or at least policies designed to make things better. Ed Milliband has got off to a flyer with plans for solar and wind generation. We await sensible initiatives regarding, housing, prisons and a host of other complicated issues. But we await them with hope that there will be a solution rather than backhanders for the tory faithful. Temporary visas for asylum applicants would negate the need for small boat crossings and allow them to work in the meantime? For this to be politically acceptable to the racist fringe in Parliament there would need to be an agreement with France on the return of failed applicants – or other destinations agreed!

Then the football – the best team in the tournament won! there will be much discussion of the future for Gareth Southgate – I would not be surprised if he says that enough, is enough. I do not blame the media here – every football fan in the country will have had a voice in saying how he could have done better! History will be kind to him. Yes it is possible that he could have set up the teams in a freer and more attacking style – but the press would have virtually lynched him if that had gone wrong! the players for the future are there, but managing an international team is much more difficult than training a league side 24/7. If Gareth goes, and I believe it should be his decision alone as he has brought the England side so far, there will be much speculation of who would/could take his place. Eddie Howe at Newcastle has done well/OK, and there wll be other English names put forward, but the one which sparked my interest was Klopp – we have had foreign managers before and Klopp did a fantastic job at Liverpool. Of the England squad it might be time to say farewell and bon voyage to Harry Kane? But basically a great squad who would match Spain 3/4 times? I think we can say that we are better than France, Germany, Italy, Portugal? So definitely the ability to mix it withnthe best!

TRUMP

Well I always have thought of myself as a caring, sharing sort of person who would try to think the best of anyone. Then Trump survived an assassination attempt – I would have shed no tears if he had died. However what might have happened in the USA would possibly have been akin to a civil war? Perhaps that what the perpetrator was hoping for? If Trump had been killed I am sure that thousands of others would have lost their lives so I reassess my initial thoughts and am pleased he has survived! However smarmy Nige is on his way so all is not yet lost!

This actually is as fucking hilarious as Johnsons wedding suit! I post my wedding photo here so I am not adverse to personal criticism! I must have borrowed the tie, my last one was used to tie up my exhaust that fell off in Oxford Street!

Why does Farage think that Trump gives a fuck about him? Is this an extreme trait of narcissists? Perhaps Charlie Mullins will join him and then they could flat share in Manhattan?

SOLAR ENERGY

Already the NIMBY’s are bleating. A new solar farm that will give clean energy to 92000 homes for the next 60 years is called out by a tory MP who is “utterly appalled”. Is it the clean energy that has her so appalled? References to farmland are a concern, but a solar farm can easily be removed if necessary and will protect the farmland from chemical and physical degradation by the agricultural industry. People in the countryside must come to the realisation of what harm food production at cheap prices is doing to the ecosystem. Sunny morning – all the right flowers in the garden and number of butterflies = ZERO.

The government has not said if it will reinstate subsidies for private home owners or introduce legislation for house builders. The downside of solar energy is that 80% are produvced in China – but presumably this could change? Also the benefits to homeowners will not affect those who are stretched to the limit by current energy prices. And we await the battery revolution which would enable thousands or even millions to go off grid! A use for the garages that have never housed a car! Or even for the unused chimneys and fireplaces?

Which makes me think – do we need a radical rethink of housing design? From runoff to grey water disposal to heating equipment. Underfloor heating invented by the Romans would finally become common. Will houses also benefit from shutters to keep unwanted sun out? Many houses expand their kitchen areas so a new design of kitchen/dining areas would seem sensible? And why are house builders so set on providing a set format – surely we have reached a situation where the buyer can dictate the house design to a much larger extent. House builders profits of approx. £50000 per property seem extortionate. Could blocks of flats be designed to include communal facilities that could be booked via an app and allow filmed entry to avoid misuse – thinking here of washing/drying, even lockers for outside clothing and bikes? Time to think outside the box and have some blue sky thinking (are there more modern crap phrases?).

Communal areas in all large new housing developments makes sense. Green areas for play, BBQ areas – I am thinking of the wonderful area by the river in Lostwithiel where the council have provided a couple of brick BBQ’s and a couple of tables – nothing earth shatteringly expensive. The communal part of society has disappeared. I am not particularly friendly, or solitary! I go to the local shop every morning to sort out the papers and supplements at the weekend. My garden, is I admit!, different! But other than a brief wave I have not spoken to a neighbour for several months. Are they, like the fear of witches in the past, frightened of me and my herbs? Maybe I should get a black cat and really freak them out! I ahve offered free herbs to all and no one has taken it up! I know cooking skills are crap nationally, but really! Rosemary, thyme, mints, basil, marjoram, bay, and for the more adventurous there are nasturtium, evening primrose, rose patals, lemon basil.

It was funny this morning, trying to explain the concept of reducing prison numbers – the guy seemed to have problems with the word rehabilitation! He repeated it a couple of times like it was a foreign word!

A sunday morning – I phoned Tams and she told me she was just doing day 23 without a day off! She was also positive about the weather despite starting a glamping business! Maz has a maternity cover as a first teaching job and Martin has just got a promotion as an electrician. On which he was talking to a 22 year old electrician who had trained straight from school – was working for an agency and getting £38000 pa! Not bad!

FOOTBALL

Too much hype! The useless naked nationalism seeps out of the putrid sores of their election defeat! Why? Is it a group therapy thing? “If I am seen waving the flag and singing allegency to some toffee nosed twat I will be accepted as a patriot and good person by other twats like me”? I guess it is the fear of being alone, the desire for uniforms (formal and informal), the need to belong maybe a primeval instinct when rejection by the community meant death – maybe in some turgid swamps this is still socially true!

My views on the game – well I hope for a good one. If a 16 year old sets the game alight with magic I will be thrilled. As a teacher what an inspiration he is – he also made a point of refering to his roots as a poor child of immigrants. Also if he combines with Williams, who has a magnificent haircut (not that that is relevant but!) to send the game to a different level I will be happy. Jude and Bukayo and many others in the England squad also deserve support.

Whatever the result we will see the RWP claiming it as a victory or, if a defeat, placing the blame firmly on Labour! For fucks sake just get a grip – it is just a game!

PRISONS

So the MSP are trying to say that Labour are releasing violent criminals – to be honest it all seems a bit halfhearted – everyone knows the problem was created by a totally incompetent Sunak government.

The appointment of Timpson seems inspired. At a minimum of £50000 per year to incarcerate a prisoner, and with a reoffending rate of 25% or more makes a transfer of money to Probation staff, education and community schemes makes 100% sense. If they want tips on how to do it – Visit Holland! And in case the knuckle draggers who advocate locking them up at every opportunity forget – every reformed and rehabilitated offender equals less victims of crime.