My BlueSky feed made me smile. Firstly Tessla shares down 13.08% and second – France is stating that the money paid to support the USA War of Independance was a loan and is demanding $150 trillion in interest. Will Trump see the hypocrisy of his stance on making Ukraine repay money given as a guarantee in return for Ukraine getting rid of nuclear weapons! Thirdly – Musk, Zuckenberg and Bezos have lost $210 billion since attending Trumps inauguration!
ABSURD
There is a debate ensuing about electrcity pricing! On one side the firm Octopus advocates local pricing supported by Ofgen whilst the rest of the energy companies are opposed. My thinking is driven by geography! The least populated and also some of the poorest parts of Britain are situated near sites suitable for wind turbines and tidal power and have space for solar. If energy became cheaper it would attract industry and alleviate the stress on the South East. The National Grid is undergoing a multi-billion pound refit which will probably still be needed, but maybe less pylons will be necessary if more energy is used locally. We need to avoid the situation where we shut down and pay for wind turbines to be shut off when it is windy, and at the same time import electricity for Norway!
Greater local energy production would also make the country less vulnerable to either physical or cyber attack.
London and the south east have less ability to generate electricity. I am sure the energy companies are happy with the status quo that delivers them large profits. I am also sure the RWP are preparing ludicrous arguments for either option Milliband choses!
I hear people complaining that it is Labours fault for rising energy prices (this is partially the fault of Labour which pledged to reduce the costs). However it is a no brainer economically to not back renewables! Only those who have shares in energy companies and pension funds would disagree.
My own example of solar panels works here. I was fortunate enough to be able to have the cash for the panels and installation – it took 7 years to write this sum off with lower energy bills. So a government scheme that added the cost to a mortgage with maybe 5% interest would take maybe 9 or 10 years to pay off. Oh and I am on a guaranteed sum from the govt. The sums get confusing, but if people are willing to put up the cost of power generation as individuals, it makes total sense to guarantee them a price that rewards their investment – I believe that nuclear power plants are offered nearly double the guaranteed price.
SUNDAY
Welcome to a new world. Trump has said that he will get Greenland by whatever means! China says it is prepared to fight a trade war or any other type of war; Ukraine is under increasing attack by Russian drones whilst Trump suspends arms aid and intelligence (he really is on Russia’s side).
So we have a new world order. USA/Russia: China: and Europe. I am not sure where that leaves economic giants like Japan and S.Korea, or the growing might of India? NZ post Ahern is firmly placing itself in the USA camp and Australia is avoiding the limelight for now! South America is a mix of swinging left/right governments and has not gained attention from Trump – yet! Renaming the Gulf of Mexico is firstly pathetic but might make him turn attention to the European affiliations of many of the Caribbean Islands. What does American isolationism mean for Taiwan, or perhaps more imminently the disputed islands in the Sea of China? Should Indonesia and Philippines be concerned? I guess Africa is just seen as a source of minerals – but China has been making progress in many countries. South Africa appears rooted in Europe.
On the domestic front Starmer seems to be doing OK as a world leader – however we have had a poor team for years, to compare him with! Johnson, Truss, even Sunak appeared disinterested! And Cameron appeared like an Eton School Boy in a debating competition! Fortunately for him it has taken the spotlight off domestic policy – which is what he needs if his plans are to come to fruition?
NHS and Civil Service reforms will take years to have an effect – trade deals with whoever, hopefully Europe, will also take time to bear fruit. It is also interesting that the farmers are still protesting – the RWPress seem to think this issue is worth pursuing despite evidence to the contrary! In general they seem to have tasked “journalists” with finding obscure cases of migrant misbehaviour or criminality, and stating this as government policy or promoted by the ICJ? That or having a go at Meghan for being coloured, divorced, annoying, a woman, whatever! We should get this one sorted and give them DNA tests!
Oh and Alfred is casusing mayhem in NSW, and https://www.worldweatherattribution.org/2024/
EUROPE
Most of Europe is united behind the Ukraine with varying amounts of enthusiasm. Only Hungary maintains a pro-Moscow stance with the right wing President Orban. The right wing parties across Europe are disorientated! Most have come out for Ukraine.
Meanwhile back home – how many MP’s does a Party need to start an internal fight? Reform Party has managed it with 5 M.P.s (1 now suspended from the Party)! To the tune of 10 green bottles “there were 5 absolute shits sitting in Parliament, and if one absolute shit should accidentally fall (or be pushed). …. etc. There are smiles all round here! And the R-W press are basically fucked. Reform fighting amongst themselves, Trump proving to be a right wing arsehole, their targets are limited. Meghan has been an early candidate but nothing much to report. The Mail has a go at Bercow for claiming travel expenses whilst speaker that seem exorbitant – but how many tories will be cringing and using a shredder!
So Europe might become closer rather than splitting apart. The UK should certainly be maximising trade deals across te channel. The Euro may become a challenge to the dollar – that would really piss Trump off. It may also be of concern that the UK is dependant on the US for its trident missiles – for which we pay £3billion a year! Perhaps we should align with the French nuclear umbrella – or even just not bother – how many nukes does it take to fuck earth? Cynical – moi?
Oh well – arguments against the EU are diminishing – an European Army arrangement seems sensible, and maybe therefore an economic alignment. The Chinese proverb “May you live in interesting times” has not been so relevant in my life time.
WORLD
It gets boring talking about Trump all the time – he is an idiot. He says that Mexico and Canada would not have to pay tarrifs until April on lots of goods. Errr – thick shit – it is not those countries that pay the tarrifs but the importers i.e. American citizens! China has responded robustly to increased tarrifs. If Trump wants to promote American businesses, why not subsidise them (or reduce their taxes?). He has pledged to reduce taxes so that will not work! Will tax cuts (mainly for the rich) compensate for higher prices! Eggs seem to be a major issue !
America also seems to have a problem with Fentanyl – I am completely ignorant on this!
Most Britons and West Europeans (In order, UK, Germany,Spain, France, Italy) believe Trump is a threat to peace in Europe – this is only marginally less than Putin! Italy comes out as less anti-Trump, and less happy with spending on defence of Ukraine. Today Russia launched a large attack on Ukraines energy infrastructure – did Trump OK this? He is denying Ukraine intelligence reports so whether or not he knew he basically approved the attack.
Trump says that Ukraine started the war by wanting to join NATO, By the same argument Israel started the war with Hamas by its actions in Gaza and the West Bank? Can anyone explain the difference? Cries of anti-semitism will be ignored.
VISCREAL
I am not sure, as ever about using a new word (to me) but I want a word that describes a very deep seated hatred of the orange twat! He has threatened both Hamas and Ukraine with the same dictat – do as I tell you or else. He does this whilst siding with Israel and Russia. He sees Hamas as a crushiable organisation with no consequences for himself – ‘all actions have consequences Dickhead!’. The Ukraine is more complicated – I honestly think he is trying to undermine Europe and cause chaos so that American companies can clean up! Greenland and Panama maybe more fanciful notions in his ancient brain?
China has made itself very clear regarding the “trade war” that Trump has started. Or any other type of war! Taiwan should be worried – has protection by the USA enabled its existence? That could end soon? So Trump farts about claiming to be the great peace provider. But the reality is that the world is becoming more dangerous by the second! American hegmony has enabled peace in most countries for the last 70 years. No longer.
His acolytes have already proposed him for the Nobel Peace Prize – what a fucking laugh. The man who may cause more deaths than any other POTUS? His reduction in the Aid budget alone may do this.
WHAT ELSE! THE DOLLAR
Trump suspends aid to Ukraine to try and force it to the negotiating table – on its terms. Trump was elected on America First. He is demqnding Ukrainian minerals in return for past aid. With wealth comes responsibility! Much is made of our “special relationship” with the states – analysis shows it to have been a one way street since WW2, when did we finally pay off the debt? Why have so many American companies had preferential treatment over here? It is not currently feasible for Europe to step up supplies to counter the USA, but “there are more ways to catch a monkey?”
By pursing prefential trade deals for the USA and creating an isolationist foreign policy he could be putting the dollars primacy as an international currency at risk? I think most commodities are traded in dollars which creates a healthy income and support for the American financial system? I am not sure I fully understand the way it works but a move to the Euro or Yuan would be disasterous for America – I think?
Trade tarriffs have been imposed on China and Canada. Canada can respond by upping energy tarriffs – 30 states get energy from Canada. Canada and Mexico requiring visa for entry could be a great deterrent and fund raiser.
Europe (EU) is reluctant to use frozen Russian assets as it would be detrimental to future investment by China and Saudi Arabia?
Other knock on effects – would the American isolationist policy embolden China to invade Taiwan – it seems unlikely but ….? Will Putin be emboldened to threaten Latvia, Estonia, Lithuania, and perhaps even Finland and Sweden?
SAD
When I see someone make a complete prat of themselves my first reaction is to laugh at them and their stupidity. Then my conscience cracks in and I feel sorry for them, and especially for their supporters/family. This is where I am about Trump. The derision has passed – America is a laughing stock – when the Daily Mail comes out against a former ally and hero we know that his stock is irrepably tarnished. Trump has surrounded himself with puerile sycophants – criticising Zelenskyy for not wearing a suit and not saying thank you enough times. Tactics or just moronic behaviour.
Things may yet go spectacularlywrong – Does Putin feel embolden by Trump. Will Europe rearm and form an alliance of sorts (Canada and Turkey may also participate). Already Starmer has released £1.5 billion of Russian funds to be used to make anti-aircraft missiles in Belfast. American weaponry is not streets ahead and I am sure Europe could develop its own. Remember that Trump has also alienated the Arab world with nonsensical bollocks about Gaza. China is already alienated. Cutting aid has surely alienated much of the poorer world. So he has friends in Israel (until their next election!).
He has preached isolationism but behaves like a NY Mafia boss from the 1930’s – bull in a china shop is too sedate as a description. Europe has its own internal problems with migration – but the main stream parties will surely benefit from jingoistic policies inevitable with rearmament. A trade war with the USA would result in the development of new markets in Asia and Africa. The British Press are left inthe dire situation of supporting the EU against the bloated capitlism of the USA (The Express is already making an effort to decry Starmer).
On which a digression. A friend has said that his is all a godsend for Starmer when his policies are failing at home. There maybe an element of truth – taxes and prices have risen, energy costs are rising, NHS waiting lists are not noticibly down. But I am also aware that there are no quick fix answers to 15 years of Tory misrule. Energy costs are a world wide market – but more home grown green power generation will ultimately lower costs.
Back to the crunch. Is the world safer? As much as I hate to say it, the USA has been the worlds policeman for the last 75 years. And yes, like the Met.Police, they have screwed up big time in the past. Maybe Libya was their worst digestion, but the contra wars in Nicaragua and adjoinung countries, abandoning peoples in many countries but in general we have had peace since WW2?
Russia has said there will be a new world order decided by them, the USA and China! Russia has diplomatic relationships with both. But they ignore Europe. What I love about Europe is the lack of hegemony – it is diverse and organic. Bits are reforming at all times. And whilst I believe an EU military force is inevitable, the volition of Europe is what gives it the edge.
10 REASONS TO HATE AMERICA
1-10 Obviously is Trump
2. Arrogance and entitlement expected by white American Males (especially but not exclusively)
3. McDonalds and fast food outlets that have destroyed our cafes
4. Cola brands – as above.
5. Internet dominance – becoming challenged by likes of tikTok – but still persuassive
6. Racism
7. Misogyny
8. Ignorance by much of the population – the American school system must be fucked to enable people to think Trump is a good … whatever, I suspect many think he is a twat but like his bravado.
9. Hollywood and its male dominance.
10. The dollar – perhaps the worst thing to pervaded the world? I hope crypto currencies are better, but without legislation – unlikely.
ROYALTY
I am not a royalist. Polite diplomacy demanded an invitation to Trump I suppose – but we are paying. After the discourtesy shown to Zelenskyy we should set the rules clearly for a visit by the POTUS. Limit the visit to him and immediate family, no Musk or Vance. He will then probably throw a hissy fit and refuse to come – what a fucking shame! he attempted to out prance the Queen last time – so Charlie should be prepared for antics if the C*** does come.
Inviting Trump is not popular – a well co-ordinated plan would make any visit uncomfortable for all involved. drones over Balmoral, blocking the M4 and if necessary Heathrow? The opportunities are endless!
Zelensyy is seeing the King later so we can get an early one-up on Trump!
Budgety things! The governemnt has proposed diverting Russian assets seized to fund Ukraine – a start. Defence funding will inevitably rise – taxing MNC’s would seem a good way to do this!. I am sure the Uk, Germany, France and other countries can agree this! What must not happen is the cutting of important budgets like education, health, aid, and green progress. This later cound be funded by tax breaks rather than direct investment. Nuclear power plants are funded by promises of guaranteed pricing per watt. Similar schemes were used for solar panels – do it again. Some labour investment plans will take years to pay profits but this should not stop them. Steps are already being taken to increase efficiency – council changes should speed these things up.