Category: Uncategorized

In the interest of getting my arguments correct

In England and Wales, the 2021 Census revealed that 46.2% of the population identified as Christian, while 37.2% identified as having no religion. Muslims make up 6.5% of the population, and Hindus represent 1.7%.  In 2021, 271,327 people in England and Wales identified as Jewish, representing 0.46% of the total population. The majority of “Christians” that actually go to church and follow is about 8%. What is interesting is the weight exerted by Jews. My religious history is weak but I think it was Jews who were behind the death of JC. Whatever, but why the influence on the media – pro-Palestinian protests are castigated by the RW Press, why?

I cannot be a Christian as I do not believe in the bollox in the bible, however I do adhere to the rule of law that has developed, in no little part to the influence of the church. Despite the fact that greedy fuckers claim to be Christians whilst ripping the rest of the population off. I quite like the serenity of ancient churches, whilst still questioning if the money and time uwed to build them would have been better expended on the people! A visit to Pembroke made me ponder whether the church towers were actually rocket launchers! I was told the towers used to be white washed to make them stand out.

I am also a little jealous of those who believe – “something fucks you right off” – have a prayer and god will sort it! I am not so bothered by life after death – if god requires subservience he can fuck right off – misogynist twat!

Well I had better stop – greenhouse watered and at least 50 pots of tomatoes ready for a scorching summer and a bumper crop. I will plant a dozen in the greenhouse, but also another dozen in pots in the garden – this year will be hot!I think the labels are a bit muddled – cherry, plum and normal – whatever, those who get them free can have an interesting time watching them. Nasturtiums are also growing – I actual really do like the flowers! Lillies are doing ok, but not sure about last years “Flame lily’s”.

just made a lemon drizzle cake and took some down for the workers in the shop. Yesterdays herb, parmesan and chilli bread sticks were good.

On a hot summer – I have my fan. I am getting a new battery for the car tomorrow and will then get petrol and go to Draycott for jam strawberries – it is time to make jam for the family and friends again. maybe a double lot and visit Sainsbury’s in Cheddar for jam sugar.

So no rainfall for the UK until at least Saturday!. A couple of heathland fires in Scotland does not bode well for the summer. How long before our dreadful water companies impose hosepipe bans. With all the house building that has happened and will continue I have not seen plans for any new reservoirs. And with lower river flows the impact of sewage dumping will increase. I reckon I can go about a month with the watering butts for the garden and do the hanging baskets from shower water if necessary.

Tomato plants are looking good, chillies have not appeared so I moved them to the greenhouse. Planted sweet chilli and lemon coriander and Californian Poppy seeds. Plug plants also looking good. Lemon tree on patio seems to have survived but one in front not looking good. Vine also seems to be dead! Apple blossom is coming out at the same time as the bluebells, new apricot tree is later than I expected. I have still got room for more seeds so greek basil and sweet basil. i will wait and see what comes up – I am hoping that the chicory, evening primrose and will reappear and that the 10 roses will flourish. I still have the bee hotel to put up.

OK – trying to find the silver lining in the black clouds created by Trump. Less trade equals less transport pollution – ships are a major contributor to global warming. I am trying to think of another but can’t.

I bet the penguins on Heard and Mcdonald Islands must be well pissed off – to come to the attention of the world? As for the British government, we seem to be caving at every opportunity. Tax breaks for the richest companies in the world, to enable our foreign owned car and pharmaceutical companies to trade with the USA. Basically F.Off!

Stock markets crumble – are they a better barometer than politicians and the press? I would guess so – they have jobs and money on the line that cannot be covered by clever rhetoric. e.g. The government and the press thought Truss and Kwartang’s budget was brilliant but the stock market tanked it. Time will tell. The UK and Europe and others will find new markets, will China start dumping products on Europe? Will the USA policy result in a manufacturing boom in America or high inflation? Supply chains have become complicated so new factories in the US will find the cost of tariffs high. This will take months to play out, but there are unlikely to be many winners.

Well i am being a bit optimistic! I have decided to plant chillies in conservatory to start with later next week – temperatures up to double figures. So Chilli Prairie Fire; Padron; Aji Habanero and Sweet Pepper Corno di toro Rosso will be started. I will move to greenhouse when it is guaranteed abve 10 at night (I have a heater just in case).

i also have lots of herbs that I might plant at random in long pots just for fun? Most will need to wait until April though – 2 months away! I might sneak the tomato seeds in, in a couple of weeks if it warms up. Will we have a long hot summer? We are due one!

WORSE

So Trump is worse than expected – fuck, how is that possible?  Last time around he had some moderating advice.  This time he has surrounded himself with psychophants / sickofants (not sure how to spell!), Cutting US Aid is a cruel and heartless thing to do, and is counter productive to the international influence.  Then he imposes sanctions of the ICJ – because he disagrees with their verdicts.  The fucker seems to be out of control!  Gaza as a real estate project may appeal to abself obsessed lunatic on paper – but the ethnic cleansing of 1.5 million people is horrendous.  McKinley was assassinated – Trump is heading the same way as he upsets ever larger groups of people.  How long before he demands that Ameri-Indians are deported to Canada?  

I am not conversant with the American constitution in detail.  At present he has control of Congress but in 2 years there will be elections.  Rather than expanding it is possible that states like NY and California will vote overwhelmingly for an alternative.  I am vague here because there does not seem to be a strong Democrat opposition at present.  Bernie Sanders is too old, and Harris has disappeared.  

Where is the opposition in the states?  The media is sewn up, like here, What is needed is a massive economic downturn – a possibility?!  The trade wars will impact prices but America is large enough to take up gaps caused in the market.  Any trade war inevitably causes a reduction in movement and thus increased prices.  Will the EU open up to Chinese imports?  Where is India diplomatically?  I suspect aligned with the USA!  Modri is a “strongman leader” with fascist tendencies.

Back to ethnic cleansing – was India/Pakistan the last big one?  That has not panned out well!  I guess Trump is relying on every Palestinian home to have been destroyed, therefore they have to leave?  See you next Tuesday!

SMALL MODULAR REACTORS

The same questions exist whatever the size – waste, location, security and cost.  Starmer listens to big business when it asks for a subsidised electricity provision – why not the individuals?  I know people who would put up the cost of solar panels and heat pumps if made profitably.  A 5 year return on investment would enable millions of solar panels to be installed – however the energy giants would lose out!  Imagine Sandford with solar panels on most houses, heat pumps and a couple of wind turbines on the hill.  Add in a large scale battery and low cost energy is provided for all.  Yes there might need to be a need for the National Grid, but not on a large scale.  Hinkley C will eventually come on stream and will provide power for 50 years or more – that should be enough back up for the South West!  

So SMR’s are only going to be needed in the South-east! – And then where do you place them?  Not near houses!  Well that fucks that idea.  So put them in the north and west, or maybe Clacton (They are already rabid there).

SPRING

I hope the weather warms up soon – we have had a rather long cold sequence?  I am surprised the RW Press has not been filled with stories of death and hardship due to the cold weather.  Lovely to see Goldfinch on the Evening Primrose seeds again.  But garden looks dead at the moment, but 4 weeks from now it will be full of growth.  I hope that a myriad of insects have survived the winter and can procreate this spring!  The decline of insects is mega worrying!

I have a quiz thing going with the local shop – Today’s was when was Robinson Crusoe written – I was surprised that the shop manager had never heard of it (Kate got it 100%). Being 71 and an ex-teacher should I have been surprised by this? My knowledge of celbrities is almost totally absent and my lack of film knowledge is legendary

However it did made me think about the shared culture that is becoming fragmented with the internet. So a list of famous Brits that I would consider important.

In no particular order Turing, Bernier’s-Lee, Shakespeare, F. Nightingale, C.Dickens, J.Austin, Bronte sisters, RLStevenson author and the George Stevenson inventor, James Watt, IK Brunel, James Cook, Francis Drake, Wellington, C.Darwin, A.Fleming, R.Dhal, B.Potter, R.Hargreaves, L.Carrol, S.Peyps, J.Wren, Capability Brown,A.A.Milne, J.Constable, JR Turner, Shelley, Tennyson, Byron, Robin Hood, Robert the Bruce,D.Attenbrough?Horatio Nelson, Beatles, R.Branson, David Livingstone. Robert Clive (bastard!), Cabot, Mary Quant,

Politicians – Gladstone, Disraeli, Churchill, Thatcher, Lloyd-George, Peel younger and elder, Bevan Ernest and Aneurin, Marx and Engles.

Events – Tolpuddle Martyr’s, Armarda, D-Day, Dunkirk, Agincourt, Culluden,

Rulers – Arthur,Alfred, William 1, Richard 1, Henry 5,7 +8, Edward 1, Charles 1, Victoria. Cromwell

Sports -Bobby Moore, Bobby Charlton, George Best, Andrew Murray, WCGrace, Murray Walker, Hamilton, Jim Clarke,

Music – this will be dated – Cliff Richard (unfortunately) makes the list, Adam Faith, Cilla Black, Beatles, Rolling Stones, Sex Pistols, David Bowie, Spice Girls, Blur, Oasis,

I think I have been scammed? I am generally careful, I do not answer phone to unknown callers, i do not give out bank details, etc. But when I checked my bank balance (a rare occassion in itself!) I found some debits for £34.95 – when I contacted the bank they said i had done a deal for £2 on 2 Nov 2024 and should check emails for a confirmation. I have cleared my emails since then! Still £140 worse off is better than thousands! I guess I will discover if it is important when the next payment is cancelled! I have no idea – could £2 have been added to a bill for Corinnes Birthday present without me noticing? Oh well, if not a scam I will find out!

In politics Starmer has made an announcement regarding AI – I do not pretend to understand it! It is not the absolute nutters who are of concern (the planet matters more than people brigade), but the rich bastards who will manipulate things for their own ego’s – and there are a lot of them from Trump, Musk, Zuckerberg,etc. down to thelikes of Murdoch and family and other low life.

LA continues to burn – cost estimated at over £200 billion – I guess that some insurance firms could go bust (Florida’s 2 hurricanes were not cheap) and the rest of us will also pay – even in the UK! And Trump blames officials, firefighters, anyone other than the perpetrators – the oil and gas industries. In this country the RW papers blame green initiatives for the gas shortage, not the government that shut the storage facilities!

Then to Zuckerberg who is stopping fact checking in the name of ‘freedom of speech’. What a fucking knob! What is wrong when little men with little penis’s sit in their bedrooms and spout such vile shite. Havetz’ wife said she has had posts hoping they lose their unborn child due to her husband missing a penalty! What should their penalty be? Prison maybe, community service – not enough? Castration? This is a possible solution!

We live in a patriacal society whatever people say. Women are not treated equally in our society. Token women in politics, who have to act like men to succeed, do not count. Economics, especially business economics is a fantasy created for, and driven by men. The Public School system is designed for men. The House of Lords is what it says on the label!

Iceland now has a co-alition that has women in every main position of power. In this country we congratulate ourselves by having Thatcher as PM but she was surrounded by men. But have we actually had a government department actually run by women? The civil service is dominated by pseudo aristocracy, power remains in mens grip. The structure of firms is designed for power based dickheads! Labour should insist that all companies have employee sharing of profits.

Oh well – that is enough rant! Cold again, keep warm and feed the birds – I had a bullfinch in the garden but very few other species! Where are all the tits?

Morning on the 6th I ought to take decorations down but it is too wet and cold! Snow is missing us and is forecast to miss us on Weds – just the bit arond the Bristol Channel is snow free. But damp cold is not pleasant! I made some maslin bread which is a bit rubbery (perhaps due to the inordinate length of time is had to rise (I forgot about it on both risings!), but I gave the loaves away to people who had never had it before, thus they will not know that it is not meant to be like that! Goldfinch on Evening Primrose again. It is appropriately a female!

I went shopping but rather uninspired! I might make some wraps with a little heat? Beef or chicken fried with chilli, then mixed with salad of lettuce, tomatoes and scallions in garlic/basalmic vinegar sauce?

Political news is non-existent. Musk thinks Farage is not good enough for Reform – he may be correct as it is a party that solely relies on him. Musk should just stfu! How he can blame grooming gangs on Starmer and Phillips is beyond me, but the guy is psycho! Should we be pleased and grateful that he devotes his precious time to the UK? Although he has made comments about Germany too. I suspect Tesla is largely fucked and he will need to rely on SpaceX, X formally Twitter is also struggling. SpaceX is also facing competition from Amazon with mini-satellites for mobile phones (both have plans for 2000+ satellites).. Space junk is multiplying!

Chief executives of FTSE100 companies will have earned more by 12 noon today than the average British worker will earn this year! How can any of them justify this? Economics and efficiency are debateable concepts that have ruled for too long! We have seen how these concepts applied to education and health have fucked them both. Tax should be welcomed and paid with the self-satisfying glow of altruism! I aim this at mega corporations rather than small business owners – although they should listen and be aware! Near here there was a thriving cadbury chocolate factory making a profit. It was bought, closed down and business transferred to Eastern Europe for a bigger profit. Jobs lost, families decimated, and for what? Bigger profits for CEO’s and shareholders. I know there are often pension providers depending on these profits. The system is totally fucked!

So 2025 will bring what? Climatic disasters, a Labour Party bending to the RWPress, an opposition that cannot decide how far right to go? A frustrated public. Why are is there no competition for the likes of Corbyn? His views were generally liked and popular. However he was not a great leader and certainly made too many PR gaffes on foreign policy. Competition for the left is stiffled by the ghosting of the press.

Britain needs a vision for the future that is not immediately undermined by the Mail/Telegraph/Sun/Times/i/Express and to a lesser extent Guardian (not an innocent bystander!). Many doctors were horrified by the birth of the NHS but a bold and confident government could lead the way – however this Labour government does not seem up for it!

PS. My mac has someone reportedly down loading my files – they have been doing it for a week now! So they must be fucking useless or the advertisers should look for a better way to scam people!

For a very disorganised person I love lists! Not things to do obviously, but longest, most popular type of lists.

I was thinking threfore of the most iconic British things! Not in order

1. Talking abouth the weather
2. Archers theme tune
3. Shipping forecast
4. Criticising people who have ‘made it’!
5. Ignoring the class system
6. Fish and chips maybe?
7. Police mens helmets
8. Top of the Pops
9. Coronation Street
10. Desert Island Discs