Category: Politics

It seems likely that the Government will take action to restrict use by under 16’s. This has been done in numerous countries already, most notably Australia. Personally I am too old to have first hand experience as a parent. Also I wonder how it will work? I would suspect that many children will find a way to overcome any ban, however those who are vulnerable should be protected. I would also call on the tech companies to do more to fund safety measures. They are rich enough! Registration of all phones and appliances could be mandatory – which could also result in less online abuse and hatred. I suppose hacking could become easier? As usual I am uncertain! The right wing shouts for freedom of expression – but what have they to hide; apart from lies and untruths? It is not censorship, just protecting children from vile abuse and cyber bullying. As a teacher I welcome the use of mobile phones to access information, a ban on social media would enable educational use of mobile phones in the classroom. Two memorable examples were “what shape are raindrops?” and “how do they tell the time in the space shuttle?”.

Is it bad or good timing? In my opinion it is bad. For all Trump’s dementia fuelled posturing and threats America is becoming more and more diplomatically isolated. Therefore it is in no position to use diplomacy to undermine the Mullah’s; and force is not really an option. They could attack police HQ’s with cruise missiles, etc. but the fanatical religious fervour that has kept the theocracy in place is not easily displaced. Russia and China are more sympathetic to the regime as a proxy counter balance to America’s dwindling hegemony. There is no doubt that the repressive regime has slaughtered hundreds if not thousands of protesters. Whilst Iran is multi-ethnic its heartland is where the majority of Persians live with groups like Kurds and Azeri’s living is peripheral areas. As far as I can see there is no rebellion by ethnic groups although the Kurds are possibly better armed than others. There has been no mention of ISIS or al-quada groups supporting the regime. There appears to be no geographical discrepancies in the spread of unrest. So what happens next? I have NFC! The regieme seems strong enough at present – but if it can quell the riots it will lead to greater clampdowns and ultimately a change in power? Iran’s economy is suffering from embargoes and increased isolation diplomatically.

What next for Trump? For a President elected on the premise of no more foreign excursions, he has been prolific in foreign interference. This has ramped up recently with military action in Venezuela, Nigeria and threats against Colombia, Cuba and Greenland this year so far! The American industrial/military complex is deep seated and powerful. It needs arms sales and to get them it needs weapons to be fired! Has the reduction of Israeli bombing raids created a lull in the weapons market? Trump only has one negotiating tool – bullying – diplomacy is not the forte of a madman. However Vance could be worse – more calculated and ruthless? PS> Why is the US Government sending hundreds more ICE ‘troops’ into Minnesota? Is he/they trying to ferment civil disorder across the US?

My morning routine is/was predictable – shower, check Worldle, check , last nights football scores again! BBC News and newspaper headlines, check weather, then head to shop to put out the papers. The past week has changed it in an existential way. No longer can I guffaw at the antics of Badenoch, mutter about the fool Farage, grump about Starmers lurch to the right, then realise that nothing really matters! So the change – Trump has invaded a sovereign country and threatened another (European one), ICE member has shot and killed an innocent woman in Mephis and plans are rumoured for martial law of sorts to be imposed in US cities. What will the twat do next? All this without Iran being in a state of turmoil, Palestinians being slaughtered by Israeli’s, and lest I forget a climate crisis!

So it is with trepidation that that I hesitate before clicking on the news. And the even sadder news that half of Americans seem to be supportive of his foreign policy, albeit that this section also includes those who state that they have been abducted by aliens!

PS. Australia is a large country with a low’ish population and lots of resources – just sayin’. (and a crowd booed the American national anthem recently!!

The only people who understand the madness of current affairs are liars or charlatans or both! Making a quick buck by quoting Monroe or T. Roosevelt. Can we just have honesty – NOBODY knows what the fuck is happening in Donalds head! His latest claim is that he needs to own Greenland to stop China or Russia taking it! So he has already dismissed NATO from his consciousness. Neither China or Russia had suggested that they coveted Greenland – but hey semantics. The same logic could be used to invade Baffin Island and other barely inhabited lands in Northern Canada. I suppose this happens when you shaft freinds regularly.

Of more interest is Iran. There will be many more deaths before the mad mullahs relinquish power. I fervently hope that the USA and Israel keep out of the unrest. As we are seeing with America; the general population are not radicalised by religion or political doctrine. A powerful and moderate Iran could do more for Palestinians and Yemini’s that the theocracy have ever done.

Bullies like Trump and Khamenie only thrive when their tactics lead to small wins. In the long term history will treat them with the contempt they deserve. Trump will probably get Greenland one way or another – but will lose the diplomacy battle!

As you may ave guessed I love statistics (despite having failed A level maths due to statistics! I there fore post a link to the Economist site which has used YouGov stats to depict Trumps ratings across states, and by policy, race and age demographic.

Basically he is in free fall on every measure except national security; and even there the country is 50:50. Only in 10 states is his approval rating positive, and these are mainly states with low populations like North Dakota and Idaho. Even amongst his main demographic his approval rating is negative White, male and 45-64 and no college!

And a nice quote “Karl Marx said that men make their own history, but they do not make it as they please.” That goes for Mr Trump as much as for anyone else. On the economy, which due to its capitalist nature (and many having to have more than one job) the numbers offering concern are rising. Trump promised wealth and riches for the middle classes but the only policy where he can be said to have done what he promised is undocumented migration – and that, given todays news could be seen to be not so clever! All this without the Epstein files being released!! I would add my own quote – people do not write their own histories – that is for others to do!

As I get more information the the worse it seems. Is Trump intentionally hitting China which took most of Venezuela’s oil, and whose economy will be affected if US cuts off supply as the price on the market will rise. Iran is an alternative source which would give Trump scope to hit that country with more airstrikes.

Trump’s claim that Maduro was a drug runner is undermined by the presidential pardon given to former Honduran President who was serving 25 years for drug running. Basically Trump is doing whatever he wants regardless of international law – the United Nations is rendered powerless by the USA’s veto (the other 4 are Russia, China, UK and France). Starmer has not condemned the actions yet. He could be hedging his bets on getting a deal over Ukraine; or just be a sycophant? Time will tell.

At least he came out for Denmark and Trump’s pledge to invade European territory in Greenland. America already has a military base there, so his bullshit about needing it for defence is utter bollocks. ‘It is all about money stupid!’

Making America great again – by using mafia style tactics – may go down well with MAGA knuckle draggers, but not in the rest of the world. Russia, China and a host of other countries have condemned his actions.

When I replace my iPhone do I get a Samsung? Is there an alternative to Amazon, Facebook and the rest?

It all about money – not defence. America’s best defence against Russia is Europe. Alienating the EU by annexing Greenland would result in increased tension with the E.U. at the very least. China does not appear to have a great presence in the Atlantic, so it is all about Greenlands resources that are being discovered as the ice melts. So basically he has invaded Venezuela to control their oil and has threatened Colombia. The twat is out of control; International laws are being ignored whilst he creates more fantasy than Disney Studios. What next? Renaming the North Atlantic as the American Ocean? He has already dropped more bombs than Obama and Biden combined. Where next? Greenland is being hyped up by RW media; Nigeria is also a target – maybe another African country like South Africa? Trump has already accused the SA Government of genocide against white people (is he on drugs?) Or how about DR Congo or the C.A.R. both big countries with resources and weak governments.

Is this really about Epstein – I find that difficult to believe! His legacy will be smutty for sure – is he trying to create a new narrative of Making America Great Again by annexing weaker nations. This is entirely believable – and he has surrounded himself with sycophants. Apparently the invasion of Venezuela took months – did not one person in the military have the balls to question the legality?

We have not seen the evidence against Maduro, and are unlikely to do so (Epstein files and redaction!). I assume kidnapping another countries President is against international law? But giving Trump the benefit that he has the evidence – then OK – Maduro almost certainly does not deserve our sympathy. However the bit that I do not understand is that Trump has stated that he/USA will ‘run’ Venezuela for the forseeable future? What he really means is that American companies will take over the oil industry and its profits. He sys with usual hubris that he will ‘make the people rich and happy’ – his record at home does not reveal this! With a population of 28 million he is presumably relying on mass support. An Observer report quotes a dissident as saying that 80% of Venezuelans welcome the US action. Even if not hyped up that leaves over 5 million who are not so happy. And if loyal (to Maduro) civil servants, police and army officers are replaced, then an Iraq or Libyan situation could ensue. As stated yesterday – South Americans are well versed in guerrilla tactics.

We are well aware of the public statements Trump has made about invading Greenland and Canada becoming the 51st state. Expansion is his mind set. Control of Venezuelan oil would give him leverage over other states in the Caribbean like Cuba and Trinidad. Maybe this is a power play to exert influence over all the Caribbean Islands. Russia will not interfere – indeed Putin is probably plotting against the Baltic states as I type. China is an ocean away. The tech bros. will not care as it has little impact on their obscene wealth. How Middle America reacts will be interesting. If body bags start arriving home public opinion may force a reversal. As George Clooney recently stated Trump is correct “We need to make America great again – and we can start in November” (the mid-term elections that will dictate Trumps power over the last 2 years of his office.

HOLY COW: Colombian President Gustavo Petro just went after Trump:

Trump invades Venezuela and says he will stay! What is going on? Venezuela has some of the worlds greatest oil reserves – is this a land grab? the excuse about drugs seems thin. Is it to deflect attention from the Epstein files? Is he giving Putin an excuse for Ukraine (fields of influence?).

It all seems rather strange – Venezuela is at the bottom of tables for freedom for its citizens – and a limited strike against drugs may have been acceptable under international law. Trump could be taking on a ‘Vietnam’ type scenario. MAGA supporters are unlikely to be enthusiastic as Trump has talked down foreign interventions.

The international community (democracies anyway) are unlikely to be enthusiastic either. No doubt Badenoch and Farage will offer support whilst Starmer ponders what to do? A big question is how China sees it – Taiwan should feel uncertain. Do Xi and Putin along with Trump view a tri-polar world? Or is Trump just lining his pockets and protecting his legacy from sleaze?

My view! – Venezuela was amongst least popular places to live; but is brute force all America has to offer? I suppose that under Trump the USA has lost influence, but surely it has more guile than an invasion. I know little but am aware that Colombia next door has extensive guerrilla forces that would likely be prepared to move in. Iran is weakened but not irrelevant. OPEC countries seem to have opaque policies, but are willing to take on conflicts amongst themselves like Yemen. I would also not dismiss an Israeli element here?