Whilst much of California is in mourning due to the death of Brian Wilson, ICE have been conducting immigration raids. An estimated 255000 workers in agriculture in the state are undocumented (about half of the workforce). Yet another policy not thought through! The states ag.produce is valued at $59 billion and whilst Trump might not know it – the produce does not pick itself. 13% of Americas food comes from California including 19 crops not grown elsewhere in the states. Over 12% of tax revenue comes from California; 25% higher than any other state – Texas and New York are next.
A couple of sayings come to mind here – ‘Don’t bite the hand that feeds you’ and “Don’t cut off your nose to spite your face”. Trump is doing both!
BALLYMENA
Riots and blatant racist riots following an alleged sex attack. Is this a microcosm of Reform Britain. The predominantly protestant town is seen as a dumping ground for migrants. Protestants have been losing ground politically and demographically. Tory austerity punished the working and often unemployed population. (unemploment is 11% compared to NI at 1.8%). Whether the sexual attack happened or not is largely irrelevant to those thirsting for a chance to show their frustration! and anger. As ever lets pick on migrants and minorities. The alleged sexual (attemted rape) attack was by two 14 year old Romanian boys – hardly an act of community aggression. Comments by protestors confirmed their lack of education and knowledge of facts, but that does not undermine the basic grievance.
What that grievance is is probably very complicated! Sectarianism, pre-Friday Agreement hostilities, unemployment, frustration with governments, austerity, racism, ignorance, all have a part to play and then add in the media that promotes racism and hostilities, and Trump and the who, there goes the leisure centre that was build for the people by the people, in a fireball.