LOVE

Once a hippie, always a hippie? Today I have decided to write about how a little more love would be brilliant. Instead of testosterone fuelled bigots dominating the headlines can we have more compassion and reconciliation? OK I know this is pie in the sky and no, I am not high on drugs. regarding asylum seekers can we have positive comments about the contributions they have made since their arrival? Can Trump and Putin stop swinging their little pricks around like infants. How about …. sorry … I cannot keep this up!

So the High Court has ordered the hotel in Epping to move its asylum seekers to? Not their problem! Mean while the shit rag of the Express claims this to be a victory for “the Mums” – unless that means they are deporting all the violent thugs outside the hotel I cannot see how ‘mums’ benefit? And there are things about the asylum seekers that I do not understand? The gangs ferrying them across the channel demand payment – so where do these peoples money come from? Surely there are safer ways – like hiring a yacht to call in at some Cornish, or better, northern port (less likely to be detected; or hire a plane to drop them off at one of our many less used airfields? Why have Labour Government not set up desks in embassies abroad to process, and allow in legitamate asylum seekers – then illegal attempts could be returned to France or country of origin – no profits for the gangs, no more deaths in the channel.

NOT THE 6 O’CLOCK NEWS!!!!

41 of the 60 arrested for the ‘Stop the Boats’ protest in Bristol had previously been reported for domestic abuse allegations.

Bolton grooming gang leader sentenced to 15 years – but no riots because the gang members were all white.

Robert Jenrick pictured with former chief of terror group Combat 18.

Reform UK’s Andrea Jenkyns, thinks employees should have fewer rights.

Rupert Lowe says helping sick kids is a “terrible decision”.

Reform UK’s Joseph Boam, sacked as Deputy Leader of Leicestershire County Council. Couldn’t do the job, didn’t do the job, never had the skills to do the job, never put in the effort.

The Israeli ambassador to the UN took a brick from under the table and answered why it was necessary to “kill thousands of women and children”: “It’s because of the stone. They throw these stones at us every day. What would you do?”.

AT LAST

A labour government willing to take on the too wealthy! As my mate Andy pointed out yesterday – Abranovich could flee to Russia but could not take his assets like Chelsea FC. with him. Council tax is blatantly unfair – when considering the accumulation of wealth by the rich. I do not fully understand the outline proposals to replace council tax and stamp duty – I am sure that this will be fully documented by GB NEWS AND THE MAIL AND TELEGRAPH. That will be when we know that the ideas are sound! When VAT was proposed for private schools the the papers were full of indignation and gammon faced wankers. But surprise, surprise – they all found the money. The same will happen here. Swaithes of London are owned by foreign nationals – make them pay. Huge areas of the UK are owned by a small number of the very rich – and the rest of us are banned by the laws of trespass from accessing our own country. Lets divert attention from a few thousand migrants and welfare recipients and onto those who are disproportionately wealthy.

THE FUTURE

Exam results are coming out – but what of the future? The social contract with the young has been broken. By that I mean – work hard at school and get good results, then go to Uni or College and get good qualifications; then get a relevant job and progress to purchasing a property; then a family with quality leisure time. What we have now is millionaires creaming off fat salaries whilst students scramble for the pickings at the internship table, or debate whether it is worth the effort to get a minimum wage job.

Exam boards will inflate passes to keep the fees coming in, as will universities and colleges. 55 years ago I got my A level results D,E,U. and was able to get a job at a bank in the City no problem. Bored with that I changed tack to trainee solicitor – no problem. Not suited to that I ran away to `cornwall and beach jobs, and then got to do Teacher Training with a grant, not a debt.

And the incentive for todays youth is – a hefty debt, lack of job opportunities – low wages, never ending debt due to high rents, lack of real opportunities. My advice to my grandchildren would be ….. actually I am not sure? Travel would be a definite. Then learn a skill, arts and crafts will always be needed, computing possibly. Do a shit job so they know what to avoid! (and save the money for travel). Hospitality jobs can be fun, but are generally poorly paid. As my friend Andy said this morning we need to tax the assets of the rich. Bring back grants for training and apprenticeships. Labour said they would introduce public speaking confidence into the curriculum – about time too!

With google it has become imperiative to increasing stuents ability to process and analyse and become discerning when viewing the internet. Learning facts has not become obsolete with Google, just not so necessary. Exam boards should note this difference.

This brings me on to – well society. In the past a society had a shared experience – whether was, or just common knowledge and events. This is no longer true. Do we need to build a common experience for all. I am not sure – common experience would breed nationalism – usually bad.

basically we need a vision of the future which is positive and hopeful for all our children.

SUNDAY MUSING

Is musing a word? Whatever!

I feel I must start with football – there is so much shit going down in the world that I need to return to te beautiful game. Liverpool and Wolves supporters showed the great humanity that the people on these islands generally have. One Liverpool person is to be prosecuted for racist abuse though. I hope his neighbours and family are ashamed of hime! TBH it is the impact of community that will make a difference, rather than laws. It was good to see that Surrey Police have sent out female joggers and have issued advice and warnings to those morons who bellieve it is acceptable to ‘cat call’ and shout remarks at the women.

Sunderland defied the pundits and in front of a crowd of 46233 won 3-0. They will do well to stay up, but their fans have a week of believing before Burnley away next weekend. I also love the FA Cup which is moving on – my pick, Runcorn Linnets are still going strong with 3 wins, and both Kates and John’s 2nd picks came good.

What to think about Putin and Trump meeting – my brain has gone blank with indifference/boredom/cynicism!

Weather watch – I still think we need a formal delivery of weather items by the PM infront of a pretensious podium flanked with Union Jacks. This week we could have him telling us about thousands dying in floods in Pakistans extreme monsoon, high temperatures at night in Israel and Jordan, Hurricane Erin hitting the Leeward Islands and basically who gives a fuck about the rest of the world. Sorry a bout of cynicism hit me from behind!

And Jenprick still annoys me – representing a failed wing of a once strong party he now calls for strong sentences on Palestine Action supporters. The twat is unbelieviably stupid and attention seeking. Is he really suggesting that we wshould imprison pensioners for saying free Gaza? No wonder many tories with dubious morals are going over to the Reform C***s.

FREEDOM

In Britain we have become used to a large amount of freedom. Despite attempts by the last government to curtail our freedom and expanded by this government – we still have rights. The Guardian today states clearly that International Human Rights Law does NOT proscribe banners that state that an organisation should not be banned. Only the incitement to violence, hatred or discrimination should be illegal. Kent Police were filmed stating that holding a poster saying free Gaza was supporting a terrorist group and potentially could result in a 14 year prison sentence – is this Mr.Plod at his thickest or a directive from above?

This all appears to be a pro-Jewish/Israel campaign. Unfortunately it will create anti-semetism and provide fuel for right wing knuckle draggers who will claim discrimination if peaceful protestors are not locked up like their fascist brethren.

Freedoms can be lost without vigilance – When did the UK become such an intolerant nation. Organisations such as Greenpeace were respected, if not liked or supported. The marginally more intelligent than the knuckle draggers, did not see an opportunity to promote hatred and discourse in our society. Did they actually look at the facts and silently agree with the Greenpeace Activists? Only until a complete c**t like Farage comes along to an orgy of self-agrandment. Did he look at Hitler and Stalin and think to himself that he could tap into peoples fears, prejudices and resentments and be as popular as them?

Am I pathetic for not joining demonstrations? I think I must be – I feel guilty.

BBC APOLOGISES

For not calling Robert Jenrick an absolute prick? Nothing more to say!

Whilst calling out pricks – Trump, Putin and possibly Zelenskyy. Netanyahu and his cabinet colleagues must be included together with all involved in Sudan and wars elsewhere. Starmer and Lammy have applications for the pricks club pending!

Enough negativity – it rained last night (a little) and the sun is shining. So time for another list – todays are favorite kitchen condiments and I have tried an approximate order!

Sea salt – rainbow pepper corns – chillie flakes – coriander – cumin- mixed herbs (although I have fresh most of the year, rosemary, sage, marjoram, thyme, basil))- cinnamon- bay – za’atar – cloves – paprika. I seem to collect many others that are rarely used too! Actually the 3-10 positions change with the seasons and my taste buds!

CLIMATE CHANGE

Governments are unbelieviably stupid! Anyone with half a brain could have predicted this summers weather. If not this summer it would be next summer or/and the one after. No new reservoirs or supplies yet a population increase of 10% in recent years. The ‘drought committee’ met yesterday – a bit fucking late. reactive is poor management. Only Devon, Cornwall and London, Kent and Surrey seem to be OK. Much of the South-east gets its water from aquifers and are thus protected somewhat by vaguries in supply. Areas that rely on rivers or reservoirs are susceptable to changes in the weather.

Housing design should also take into account these changes in water supply. I have 3 water butts totalling 350ltrs. The largest and most used has now run dry – I wish I could channel bath/shower water into usable containers for the garden (and toilet flushes!). Hopefully my plants will survive the drought conditions as they mostly have deep roots and have become well established (and moderate the climate of my house and garden).

However it is not a case of just inconvenience – Southern Water took time from counting their wages and bonus’s to apply to take more water from one of Britains almost unique chalk streams famed for its biological diversity. Bastards.

Elsewhere – Switzerland is suffering from glacier melt and rockfalls affecting many villages – presumably the same is happening in Austria, France and other mountain regions. But do not worry – Reform deny climate change as do MAGA supporters in the USA and BP shareholders and the rest of the fossils

PERSEIDS

The meteor shower is reaching its zenith on Wednesday – well timed for the cool of evening it is good to be awestruck by the heavens above. Also look out for Despite being millions of miles apart, Venus and Jupiter will look as if they’re close to bumping into each other in the night sky this month.Looking up is something many have forgotten how, the sky at night is awesome, but so are the clouds. Too many people spend their time looking down at their phones – it is no wonder that so many phones are stolen in broad daylight. The world is much bigger and more interesting than the microism that is the world of our phones. Apparently stealing handbags is the latest trend in Paris where there is a market for leather designer handbags.

Are our streets safe? 50 years ago there were places I would not wish to walk alone at night – this has not changed. Phones should be kept in a pocket or a bum bag, and not used whilst walking the streets. Handbags used only for cosmetics and hygeine items. That would cut down on the street theft statistics. Jenprick and Farage would still try to incite violence against migrants anyway.

What else – Gaza. The fascist government of Netanyahu has plans for the Palestinians that they will not like. No fucking surprise there, and israel threatens the UK with a travel ban – no shit! Whilst there were over 500 arrests at a pro-Palestine demo in London (49.9% over the age of 60! – maybe my generation were not all bad!) there was also a small demo to promote the plight of the hostages. I have sympathy for them – in buckets – but what choice does Hamas have, but to keep them as hostages? They are probably at more risk from the IDF and air raids than Hamas anyway. But from the Hamas point of view the hostages are the only bargaining power they have left? We assume that destroying 69% of buildings and conduction over 50000 bombing missions that the Hamas military structure is fucked? 70000 deaths as well. The world stopped giving a fuck about Palestinian children long ago!

I know I have been swearing a lot more recently – but the world is fucked up, there are too many pricks with penis envy ruling the people sphere.

PRICKS ALL AROUND!

First off Robert Jenprick – stating that ‘We MUST protect our children!’ warns Robert Jenrick as Britain’s women and girls ‘endangered by migrant crisis’. What a prick! There is a crisis in our society and it is caused by pricks like him. Domestic violence is rife in areas that support right wing aggressors. So RJ – my advice to you is to shut the fuck up until you have something positive and sensible to say. I guess we have a long wait … striped paint anyone??

Next up is Yvette Cooper – Minister for Israel and wasting police time. I am not a supporter of Palestine Action or some of their activities. But when did it become an offence to make and display a cardboard poster with I oppose genocide on it? The is an ass! I suspect that many of the more than 400 arrests will be challenged in the courts, thus screwing the judicial system even more, and for longer. We have more than enough laws in the UK that can be used against activities deemed to be against society. Even slow walking is an offense, but invoking the Terrorism Act with upto 14 years in jail – is beyond ridiculous. I suspect that most people were protesting, peacefully and quietly against the gross cowardise of our government against the genocide in Gaza, the continued supply of weapons and the continued non-recognition of the state of Palestine. Arresting people for having more compassion and bravery is bordering on fascism. And a Labour Government. The Police have better things to do than wheel and assist pensioners into the meat wagons!

TBH – I sometimes wonder why I was pleased to see the back of the nasty Party. There was something fulfilling about opposing the dreadful last government. But when hope and optimism disappear we are left with dispare. There are good people in the Labour Party – still. Angela Raynor is OK, Ed. Milliband too. and a few others of lower profile. But the cosying up to Israel and the USA of Trump and Vance is distasteful – like sicking up a mouthful of bile before propelling it into the toilet! The Labour Minister for the homeless having to resign due to exploiting tenants. Same old Westminster crap.

And Badencunt and Jenprick repeat the same old crap – what did they actually do whilst in power? Labour are enabling the immediate deportation of offenders – there may be civil rights issues here, but why did the tories not only do FA about it, but increaed immigration to record levels? Can we also see the voting records of those wet wipes going over to Reform?

Nice weather – although main water butt has run dry. Just oicked mulberries – but only a few; Pickled beetroot made and a fresh pineapple cookie. Next up is bbq spring onion wrapped in streaky bacon.