Category: Environment

So Thames wanted to pay bonus’ to senior executives related to performance? Well fuck me – being shit at your job, polluting rivers and seas, running out of water (later this year?), raising customers fees by 59% and then get a bonus = to at least 50% of your 6 figure salary! The mind set is stated by the Chair of Thames who said “We have a bonus scheme to protect our most precius resource, which is the senior management team”. This comment needs some analysis. Their most valuable resource should be water, clean and wholesome and delivered to customers. Protect them – from what? Inflationary rises on yachts? And they are shit at their jobs – otherwise why would they have accrued a £20 billion debt and come to within days of being nationalised. Yes – a great idea, and whilst at it offer them back their jobs at 25% less with no perks or bonus payments unless they increase efficiency and reduce customer bills. If they think about leaving they have to repay their bonus payments for the last 5 years.

I think SMT’s must have some sort of training indoctrination – school SMT also thought they were better than everyone else! They surround themselves with sycophants and expect everyone to respect them – “emperors new clothes syndrome”. One of my favorite games whilst on field duty at lunchtime was to see how close I could get to the head without having to speak to him! Traversing the field with precision timing to just avoid collision of interception. teachers used to come out to watch the game! Personally I did not respect any of my headteachers apart from the first one , his introductory speech to newcoming staff stated that as head he would have to make decisions which we did not like, but he hoped we would not hate him. The rest were just arrogant arseholes.

Back to water – reservoirs are not full – estimates vary. This summer could be long hot and dry – we are due one like this. When it rains it is likely to be convectional (fast and heavy), and will thus run off rather than replenishing groundwater (Uk 30+% but south east and London approaching 100%). I fear for the quality of rivers such as the chalk streams which are likely to be innundated with shit before they run dry due to over extraction. Farmers too, have to accept part of the blame.

Numbskulls abound. It is not only the primary elements and the publicised secondary effects, So I thought I would list some of the less visible impacts.

1. Sea level rise by millimetres – this has a greater impact.  During a storm those millimetres may mean the difference between inundation or safety.  Flood defences are not updated often – there are concerns regarding the effectiveness of the Thames Barrier.  Erosion is also increased – this has had huge impacts in Alaska and closer to home – they might have to move the Beachy Head lighthouse inland again, sooner than predicted.  I suspect there is a lot more to add here.
2. Sea temperatures changing.  This impacts in a variety of ways, coral bleaching is the most apparent, but it can also impact on the habitats of sea creatures – Sharks being the most apparent. But it may have an impact of ocean currents (The day before yesterday scenario that was laughed at).  
3. These changes could have an impact on the jet stream and lead to a markedly different climate for W.Europe and especially the UK. The fuckwits and knuckle draggers will rejoice in sunny weather for the beach until the beach is eroded and winter sub-zero temperatures become ‘normal’
4. Nature is a jigsaw of interlocking pieces in all dimensions. (I do not understand concepts about more than 4 dimensions – but thought I would cover my back).  Earlier summers – elderflowers are def 2/3 weeks earlier to flower – may be a topic for polite discussion – but for migratory species it can mean that their food source is no longer available.  Are chemicals really to blame for the absence of insects?  We have been using them for a long time, but the disappearance has been quite sudden.
5. Glaciers provide much of the human worlds water supply, as they melt – and the evidence is horrific – much of Asia fed by the great rivers, Yangtse, Indus, Mekong, Huang He,Ganges, Irrawaddy, Salween, Brahmaputra will face drought and environmental disaster – and their only hope will be migration.
6. As permafrost melts methane is released – a very harmful greenhouse gas.
7. I am sure that there will be many, many more subtle changes that will be harmful.

So Labour will announce a new immigrant policy next week. They cannot win. They are associated with the lack of or ludicrous policies that saw immigration bloom. Reform just need to spout some racist and unfounded nonsensence for the numbskulls and knuckle draggers to hoot with joy and cheer them.

Some facts – migration to the UK is more expensive than to other countries. We need migrants to fill jobs in the NHS and on farms. Our Universities need them for their fees and their brains.

The Tories managed, with a compliant press to keep the emphasis on the ‘small boats’ rather than the mass migration that swamped many areas. It is too late to turn back the clock so Reform will continue to make headway due to the Tories lack of legislation. I am sure Labour will make it mandatory to advertise jobs locally before employing migrants – my local shop will be interesting! Migrants from India are sponsored by the owner and have to work 48 hours a week to reach the required threshold. One says that he will work for 10-15 years and save enough money to retire comfortaably to India with the Standard of living difference. He should beware as this gap is closing..

It is unlikely to be soon, but is inevitable. The taps could be this summer and the lights in a few years. That is unless the government is brave and nationalises water and the national grid. Water is the greatest danger of collapse. A hot dry summer will increase demand and cause further stress on the environment of rivers as they are used to extract water whilst also being used to dump sewage. Reform state that they will do all they can to undermine Net Zero aspirations. Note the undermine bit – I would have some sypathy if they suggested that the plans need to be modified whilst technology catches up, but no they are thick as shit climate deniers. Who will they blame for the lack of rain? Brussels, woke clouds? Or they just try to confuse the issue with lies? There will also be localised thunderstorms which will cause localised flooding which will strengthen their pathetic arguements.

For sure pylons do not look great, but a) they are better designed than in the past, and b) the cost difference between pylons and underground is staggering. So objectors should just shut the fuck up! keep the lights on with clean energy and avoid international fluccuations in price and supply. It is acknowledged that fossil fuels will be in the mix for decades – but as of now – I actually mean this minute Renewables are providing 50.2% whilst fossil fuels 8.6%. Obviously this changes at night until we get other renewables on stream – me I am loving the sunny weather – solar panels power up between 6am and 8pm – so washing and dish washer are free to use. To those who say orientation of new houses is not condusive to solar panels my answer is change the orientation or change the roof design – burgh!

India and Pakistan – I am actually horrified by the glee of the Indians in the shop. I have thought many to be thick, but has nothing about our tolerant country rubbed off on them? They extol Modi as if he was not a Putin image. The news blackout imposed by India seems to be following Gazan experiences. Both countries are still basically 3rd World – they have nuclear weapons and top grade scientists and entrepreneurs, but most of their inhabitants are thick as shit peasants. In this context I mean thick as shit, as in having received little education.

This is the detailed analysis from Trumps Office. Surely the office of Pope is by definition woke? And according to the right wing anyone who cares for the weaker and disadvantaged and economically poorer is a Marxist! Are they upset as they have nothing to intimidate Lea XIV with? Trump is now doing trade deals based on – well he threatened everyone with tariffs and is now basking in the fame caused by people wanting to reduce the damage done to its citizens. He boasts about people wanting to do deals with him, thus revealing that he cares little about MAGA or the American people. Heather Stewart in the Guardian sums it up “In effect Trump has stolen everyones lunch money – and is now exacting concessions in return for handing some of it back”.TBH it appears that the Labour government has done a fine job in negotiating a deal that seems to be fair – the detail may change with Trumps pernicious behaviour. Next up is a deal with the EU which will have the RW idiots squealing like little piglets. It make eminent sense to make deals with our nearest neighbours – quite why any deal will be vilified by the Telegraph and Mail is ????? Fucking insane comes to mind.

I also want to make a statement about the Pope – in essence I should not give a shit as an atheist. However I am aware enough to realise that the Popes words and actions are important, to varying degrees, to 1.4 billion people. Will he have an influence in Gaza or Moscow? Or Khartoum, Teheran, Naypyidaw, Mogadishu, New Delhi or Islamabad – to name a few. Unlike Trump he cannot bully, but he can negotiate from a position of strength – based on humility and kindness. maybe I am over optimistic – but the world needs a voice of reason that transcends countries, nations and religions. One has to search for the positive in todays fucked world!

At home we are told that rainfall this winter has been down 70% in parts of the country. The water companies are also talking up £2000 bills in the near future. Whilst I totally agree with hosepipe bans to water vanity lawns, my greenhouse (at present watered by water butts, may need a hosepipe to enable me to provide tomatoes to family and friends? I totally realise the impossibility of allowing me to use a hosepipe – if necessary I will use shower water! But WTF have the water companies been doing with the extra income from new housing. Nationalise the bastards with no compensation now – or maybe fine them loads first!

So Refrom have slagged off the deal with India which seems a lot better than the one the tories were attempting. They object to the NI waver that has also been given to 50 other countries. They are just trying to increase the racist rhetoric without attention to detail.

Also the stupid bastards are having a go at green energy -What is it with these morons? I understand complaints that it may add to energy bills, but long term makesabsolute sense economically and strategically. Tice actually said he following “We will attack, we will hinder, we will delay, we will put every hurdle in your way. Its going to cost you a fortune, and your not going to win. So give up and go away”. He failed to add that Lincolnshire benefited from £1 billion in investment and 12209 jobs. He also ignores the fact that his constituency is the one most at risk from floods in the UK. Oh well – he has conned local people already – so carry on. PS. Solar farms over 100mW, pylons over 2 miles long and a survey of Reform voters showed that 58% support new wind ans solar farms! BIGOTRY KNOWS NO LOGIC!

All this supports my theory that people do not really support Reform (well other han the racists and tax dodgers); but that they were just voicing disgust with the Tories 14 years of misrule and the fact that Labour had not delivered on change.

India and Pakistan will need to step back quickly. Modi promotes Hindu nationalistic populism at every opportunity. He is no unifier, therefore having an opponent to vent his rhetoric at is convenient. Pakistanis are no more guilty of supporting terrorism than Palestiniands in Gaza were guilty of the terrorism perpitrated by Hamas. At least 35000 Palestinians have died at the hands of Israeli – will Pakistanis and innocent Indians suffer the same fate.

We are still waiting for the white smoke to eminate from the Vatican. I guess that as leader of 1 billion people in a time of turmoil it does matter! Actually very much so. I am an atheist and do not mauch care for the bigotry that accompanies most/all religions. I guess that someone who is going to believe in some historical nonsense/fairy story, is also susceptable to bigotry and conspiracy theories? However I should say that the basic tennants of most religions is honourable and worthy. It is just that they seem to believe their faith is superior to all others and worth dying for?

The year of the bully – is it stupid to blame Trump for the latest outbreak of violence between the two nuclear armed countries. The Indian in my shop was bubbling with pride that India has launched missiles against Pakistan. yes there was a terrorist attack on India last week – but what happened to diplomacy? Modi is in the Trump mode of being a bigot/bully as he has already shown within India. Does Apple really want to transfer iPhone production to India?

I am ever more bemused by Israel – how the fuck do they get away with it? They announce that they will destroy Gaza and basically ethnically cleanse the area – Is this for Trumps Mediterranean resort? It is fucking insane whatever! Oh, and the UK continues to make illegal arms sales, lying where necessary. Another example of this government carrying on the malpractise of the last one. It is no surprise that voters are looking for alternatives to both major parties – whilst the gullible vote for a private company takeover headed by kermit – the sensible are looking to Green and LibDem – although they have yet to prove themselves in government.

On the above – are the Labour and Conservative managers confident that the status quo will persist by sticking with First Past the Post, or will they see the advantages of PropRep? Or are the Conservatives happy to become Reform? Is my belief that the UK population is generally around the middle politically, sometimes to the left, sometimes to the right. With PR it would seem more likely that people would vote for smaller parties like the greens, but also reform/cons. Are Lab/Con hoping that Reform will split as it is showing signs of.

Interesting times, will Starmer hold Labour together despite his huge majority – dissatisfaction with his leadership is growing. Ed Miliband is under fire from RWPress so must be doing something right! Angela Rayner has not made the front page of the Mail or Telegraphbrecently – come on Angela – stair the bastards up!

And then the water companies. For fuck sake just nationalise the twats. Do not believe their excuses – I have predicted a great summer – not through algorithms – just common sense, a few shit ones are followed by a glorious one. How many houses and factories have been built? How many new reservoirs, by how much has leakeage been reduced? Capitalism is supposed to be about the survival of the best and demise of the worst. How fucking useless do the water companies have to be to go bust? Those Uni’s and pension funds will just have to take the loss. Workers will be re-employed whilst directors can be prosecuted. The public will support this . How many £billion have been paid out to shareholders and directors? And Labour will not nationalise them ! Why not, some bullshit about the UK being a safe place to invest? Let investors see that we are not a country to rip off (Trumpism!). A badly organised company is shit and will fail. The water companies cannot claim any major climate or environmental crisis! Just incompetence and avarice.

I want to ban it! Most of it is an affront to the senses. Yes there have been some good ones e.g. Nescafe neighbour; Guiness; Renault “papa”! but most are terrible. Fortunately I am not someone who notices them in papers/magazines or TV, although radio ones annoy me. But it ois not just for their overall banality and shitness, there are stronger reasons for banning them.

Ever been in a womans clothes shop? Unfortunately I have .. my daughter insisted that I accompany her on shopping trips. Despite my protestations that she could call me to pay whilst I sat in a cafe with a coffee and the paper – oh no – I had to pass judgement even though I tried the tactic of stating that her arse looked fat in those jeans, etc.. I also ended up standing outside changing rooms for hours before I would notice that I was standing in the middle of the bras and knickers section – then red faced move to stand by the door in case I needed to make a quick exit. Anyway, the hours of boredom made be observe that there were only a few colours available in the whole shop. My teenager and others were being manipulated into buying sub standard clothing, probably made by even younger and exploited girls in far away countries. Then the following year the colours would change and the must have clothing discarded. Fortunately we were not rich enough, or my children fashion obseessed enough for this to be an issue for us. However it is an issue for society.