So Blowjob Johnson and 5 former foreign secretaries say that the UK should basically declare war on Russia! Was the statement that 5 former foreign secretaries had called for this declaration meant to imply some gravitas? No Conservative Minister stayed in job long enough for them to even remember what they were taking the money for!
VANCE
JDVance says that school shootings are a fact of life (or DEATH)? The American election gets weirder by the second. Vance claims that school deaths from shootings are basically inevitable! Unfortunately he may be correct – American society is so fucked up that it has more weapons in the publics hands than there are people! It is obviously too late to withdraw these weapons – but not too late to make their ownership a matter of pride or necessity! I have been to the states a couple of times, and been out in downtown Chicago – but never felt I needed a gun! Is it a small cock syndrome?
So the Harris – Trump debate is around midnight in the UK on Tues/Weds. The Guardian suggested that Harris would ridicule Trump – an easy option, and he is likely to lose the plot! However she needs to do more than that – Trump is vulnerable on international issues, and his economic pronouncements, let alone his verbage about democracy and even his confusion about abortion. Being an advisor to either side must be horrific at the moment!
Personally I would advise Harris to keep it simple! The more she talks about his age, the more of a total fool he looks. However I have absolutely no comprehension of how the American people are so indoctrinated! True red Republicans I can comprehend. The fanatics who attend his rallies are …. fuck….. . How could anyone support an arrogant rich fucker, also accused of rape, fraud, with a criminal conviction, American society is even more fucked than ours!
TARRIFFS
So Trump is planing for a regime of increased tariffs on imports. He might think he is clever but most do not! A tarriff will rapidly develop between USA and China and probably the EU. LEDC’s will probably be stuffed too!
The USA can produce enough food and products to withstand isolation. However any tarriffs are bound to be reciprocal. Regarding products China would probably be a beneficiary of countries looking to trade with a trriff free partner. Economies also react relatively quickly when needs must – the Russian invasion of Ukraine showed that disruption of even products like oil can be coped with. So economically I believe it would be an act of massive self harm – like Brexit was for the UK.
Politically it could cause the checks and balances that sustain a relatively free world to crumble. If China gets a boost economically it may feel less constrained in its efforts to exert its presence in the Pacific region.. Trump has hinted at less support for NATO – which will possibly embolden an domestically less secure Putin to take further action in Europe (personally I doubt this, but never say never!). Americas support for Israel (along with Starmers) amazes me. The Jews have a huge influence that makes conspiracy theories vaguely relevant? The death of an American woman by the IDF may cause a glimmer of regret in America but will soon be forgotten.
I am also aware that the American prescence in other parts of the world is dominant to the maintainece of the status quo (for good or bad!). And whilst ambilivent on the issue – would Herbozlah and Hamas be restrained if US aircraft carriers were not in the vicinity. But also does American hegmony allow the destruction of settlements in the West Bank? Israels continued destruction and genocide in Gaza is setting the area up for a traumatic finale? Already Iran is a treat with a religious theocracy, Israel is surrounded by very rich Muslim states and that America may not always be its protector?
I am also sure that the main losers with Trumps Tarriffs would be LEDCs. He is just a very rich K. Starvation of poor people does not concern him. So I expect greater alliance between him and tec giants like Musk. However whilst social media is world wide via the web, the contacts of most are local. This means a competitor can be created and thrive in the face of opposition from twitter, Facebook, instagram, etc. TBH – if I post on twitter I am more than happy for my posts to be read in the UK and nowhere else! I would guess that most teenagers are hoping to reach others nearby. So the USA hegmony on social media may well crumble? TikTok has become a norm. But I suspect there is room for more local artisan products!
BREXIT
The elephant in the room, people claim failure or “too early to say” regarding its success/failure.
So I thought I would try and do an analysis of the reasons people voted for it.
Firstly migration – driven by latent racism. The small boats basically started with Brexit and migration has reached record highs. So for those who voted for Brexit for that reason – total abject failure.
Secondly, take back control of our borders – again a total failure as above.
Thirdly, take back control. This was always an interesting one! Did the EU really dictate policy to the UK. From what I have seen, it appears that the UK had amasive impact on all EU legislation. I accept that there may be a democratic element regarding the ability to contact ones own MP. However MP’s like Dorries, Johnson and Farage have blown that one away. The return of control was seized on with ridiculous zeal by Tory ministers to pursue their own agendas. We live in an economically globalised world – as Labour are finding with Thames Water. Take back control is no longer easy, not even with a drastically failing privatised company.
Everything else seems to be negative – Erasmus, student exchanges, trade, science, status.
SMOKING et al.
Interesting proposal by the Government has got the usual suspects getting their knickers in a twist and throwing teir toys out of the pram! I am not sure what I think! I was a smoker for 50 years and gave up totally 4 years ago. Is it a personal freedom issue when the smoke impinges on the enjoyment of others? The4 ban in inside areas was excellent and only diehards complained with conviction (A former Minister fro Health amongst them!). Maybe pubs and venues should be able to, and encouraged to, offer smoke free areas/times. I would certainly back the banning of smoking within an area open to, and used by children. Pub gardens could be smoke free until 9pm? Some pubs could decide to be totally smoke free, others could ban children!. This would appease the freedom of personal choice (and fuck the rest of you) cohort. But then there are still morons who complain about using seat belts – but they are not the ones scraping remains of humans from the bonnet!
WHATEVER
were they expecting. Telegraph, Mail and Express all take issue with the King’s Speech. This was as boringly predictable as the speech itself! Starmer has set out to do exactly what he said it would do during the election. I admit that this was bit of a shock after years of Tory lies and false promises – but the headlines seem to imply that the papers have not yet become adjusted to the facts of the election! Of courrse they hate facts just as much as they hate “experts”, and exemplify this by using neither in their journalism! The next interesting thing is how the party whips manage to perform in getting the wide spectrum of Labour MP’s to tow thw party line – will the LibDems and Greens and Independants also take each act on face value or be boringly prdictable like the Tories in voting against – pointless with the Labour majority?
And for all the obfuscation of reviews and draft laws – there does seem to be. aradical edge to the new Government. We knew that they had set themselves strict monetary guidelines – and they have not renegraded on these. Personally I think they have decided to settle the labour disputes with the doctors, etc. and railways before deciding on what comes next, as these could be expensive (with other public sector workers watching on – e.g. teachers who have seen relative salaries fall by – I think 9%). Other areas are also screaming for more money – children, care workers, councils. I am not sure how much wiggle room Rachel Reeves will find? The immigration conundrum will take some consideration as there is no “quick fix” – not that the Tories would have taken it anyway, immigration was their only hope of saving the election! And to be fair it did save Braverman, Badenoch and a couple of others (not Rees-Mogg and Truss and other notable others!)
Internationally Keir is meeting European leaders today and I would guess that much conversation will be about America? Trump seems odds on for a win at present and few will think that Biden having Covid is a get out clause. Trump and Vance seem to be setting out a complete reset of the worlds tenuous political structure – like tearing down the structure that holds the world in relative peace? He has said that Taiwan and Europe should pay America to defend it! That perhaps precludes that American companies basically rule the world? Nvidia, Microsoft, Apple and X all have $billions invested around the world so either Trump is being extremely ignorant (and it is his mouth that is, not his brain!) or very disingenious. Appealing to red neck America and the top executives is a common con trick pulled by the rich. But his isolationalism that may put India and China into allegience with Russia is not a happy thought! I guess they feel that Iran is dispensable – a convenient provider of arms to Russia and Syria and Hezbollah. As Vance has stated that the UK is an Islamic state we need to wonder what their pronouncements will be on Israel? Which itself is on its way to conflict with Hezbollah in Lebanon. Just like with the last 5/14 years of our government – you have to ask “are there any adults in the room”? I guess (my default for I have not got a fucking clue!) thatbthe industrial/military complex of the USA is powerful enough to ensure that conflicts continue to occur – and Trump will convince poor voters that their tax money needs to support the military! What a fucked up world!
SOUTHGATE
Well done Gareth Southgate. He did not leave on the highest level but did manage to create a a team worthy of the countries support. He stood up for players taking the knee, and stood firmly against the vile racist abuse that the 3 palyers received after missing penalties against Italy. So for this and the hope, we thank you. You have set the bar high for a follower – anything less than a final win in the World Cup will be seen as abject failure!
I do wonder what happened to the attacking brio that ws manifested by sterling (shame his finishing was not better!). was it the Walker throw in that ended our dreams in frustration? Who will pick up the mantle – apparently the wage is crap, only £5million! However is the press examination of every aspect of their lives worth it? Although as Kate pointed out – it is sort of part-time!
So the front runners are Tuchel, Potter and Howe. Personally I would go for Tuchel as England need the added technical nous that he could bring. Potter was turned down by Leicester and needs to rebuild, whilst Howe maybe priced out as he will be on big money from the Saudi owners of Newcastle (but how secure is his job?). He has done well at Newcastle without setting the world on fire – and that is what the supporters demand! Others like Pochettino and Klopp are probably just fantasy picks?
The potential is there for any new manager, as long as he can maintain the team spirit that Southgate promulgated – Saka, Bellingham, Guehi, Kona, Palmer are a fine start, Rice and Foden will surely come good again. Kane looks to have played his last whilst there are many others who performed well and deserve another chance, and several new players yet to be seen. I am not advocating playing a 16 year old like Yumal did for Spain – but are we too slow at bringing players through? I seem to remember a very young (16 year old) Rooney scoring a scorcher against Arsenal his first league goal? With all the psychologists available I am sure they can work out who is ready for the big game!
And now for the transfer game! Clubs need to sell homegrown players as this balances the books better – e.g. Gray to Chelsea. Personally I think it sad that players are not allowed to show loyalty to their home clubs! And I know they have massive wages but also for young players it must be difficult moving across the country?
Argentina beat Columbia in Copa America, and Canada 4th? Maybe the world will need to realise that the USA league is developing players (and the Canadian League!). I cannot forsee a time when Saudi attracts young upcoming starts like Nico Williams and Lamine Yamal, or Rodri or Pedri or Gavi. Why would they leave the adulation and support to go to a country with a completely different culture!
BREXIT
I just do not get why they keep banging on about it! What is it that has not been done? Inflicting pain and cruelty on migrants? And then getting away with it by withdrawing from all international treaties regarding human rights or human welfare? Or is it the refusal of other countries to welcome us with open arms regarding trade deals – even the EU! Well FMB! I am not sure what else the useless, lying bastards were expecting? Most have lined their pockets and like James Dyson are now fucking off to screw someone else.
Have we not destroyed the natural world enough? Over-riding EU laws to enable more pesticides to be used, and fuck me – insect numbers go down to critical levels. I hope the bastards rot in hell! Wow – only 11.06 for the venom!
VOTED!
ITS MY BLOG – I WILL CRY IF I WANT TOO!
I will admit to tearing up listening to Glastonbury Coldplay – Fix you! I thought I would mention other places I have cried! Brussels Cathedral – I walked in all agnostic and historian – then the choir started and I sat outside sobbing! I think that is it for places!