So the Sunday Mail has latched onto the idea of using confiscated oligarch’s houses for refugees. I know I spouted this idea a week ago as a knee jerk reaction. Michael Gove has apparently seen it as a vote winner too. HOWEVER – it is bit of a dumb idea! Who is going to pay for conversion to flats, legal consequences, are they suitable for lots of families, etc. One would hope for a more considered approach by Government – rent them out/sell them and us the money to buy a few hotels for refugees – from wherever.
WHAT HAS HAPPENED TO FOOTBALL?
Chelsea (Russian billions dripping with Ukrainian blood) versus Newcastle United (Saudi Arabian billions dripping with Yemeni blood – and the 81 executed by beheading last week).
No doubt there will be mindless chants by spectators with scarves around their necks so tight the brains supply of blood is halted rendering the organ inoperable and possibly fuelled by cocaine (according to many reports). Incidentally Chelsea FC would receive my total support if, at the start of any pro-Abramovich chants – they walk off the pitch. I wonder how the suits at the FA would cope with that?
ENERGY
Options –
Continue to buy on the open market and be subject to the fluctuations of the market.
Fracking – called for by Tory Climate Deniers must surely be dismissed as unsafe and impractical besides taking a long time to bring to fruition.
Nuclear – probably makes sense for a 20-30% role – but is horrifically expensive and the time to bring new stations on stream is probably decades.
Renewables – could be the quickest option – although those in the Chilterns will be choking on their smoked salmon if planning rules for land based wind farms goes ahead. Could they not be sited by pylons? Problem is storage although a combination of solar and wind should cover most weather eventualities.
Cutting demand is the quickest of all – insulation of all buildings where practical should be mandatory for all property owners (landlords note). Rolling out electric vehicles could be speeded up although imposing 50 or 60mph on all roads would be fast and practical. I am sure road haulage firms are looking at their distribution networks. Would use of freight trains be practical with computer booking.
HOLLANDAISE SAUCE – NO BUTTER
UKRAINE
A Russian Official says boats taking weapons to the Ukraine will be legitimate targets. I am all for diplomacy and negotiation – but there comes a point where Putin understands that what we provide to a ‘free’ sovereign nation is none of his business. He needs to be aware that his navy will suddenly become a lot smaller if he tries it on. The millions fleeing his attempted genocide cannot be ignored. But read on for a counter argument.
It is estimated that losses to his invasion force are between 5-10% in terms of troops and equipment. His economy is being trashed. It is important not to escalate, but one also needs to stand up to tyrants and bullies. It is interesting that both sides are avoiding using their air forces as it seems that anti-aircraft systems have the upper hand. The Russians are bombing at night apparently.
I am sure military historians will be able to quote many situations where defending populations were left to their own devices (Was Warsaw in WW2 an example?).
Mean while the Russian Embassy is moving to 10 Downing Street, oligarchs are selling their houses in London with a score or more up for sale.
Of course all the above is based on my believing the narrative coming from the West. This narrative is not universally accepted – or 100% approved. Has NATO pushed too hard against the boundaries of Russia? I personally do not think so as past Russian atrocities in Chechnya, Syria and elsewhere show an intent by Putin to be the strongman! However it would be disingenuous to suggest that the USA and NATO have been without blame. The wars on Iraq and Libya, the acquiescence with the Saudi led war on Yemen all need critical evaluation.
GREENHOUSE
Planted more seeds – about 180 pots so far.Various types of tomatoes French marigolds, dill, wild bird / bee plants, red sunflower, morning glory and a couple of others.
COVID
I have not posted on this for a while. However there are some concerning statistics coming out. Locally in N.Somerset positive cases are up 72.5%, patients admitted up 37.4%, but deaths down 33% to 2. So how does one analyse this? I suppose I do not know the criteria for stating hospital admissions are up? Nationally there has been an increase in over 60’s developing the virus and a 4th injection is proposed for me!
I know there is other stuff going on – but maybe we should not turn a blind eye?
Schadenfreude
Did Chelseas supporters complain when Abramovich bought league titles with what was then an obscene amount of money? Some are even whining about ‘Why should we (the Chelsea) supporters suffer? And even that it is unfair because Roman is a nice guy.
GROWING EVIDENCE
What are the links between the Conservative Party and Russia? Lord Barker attended COP26 as a representative of the Russian delegation. Numerous MP’s (and some are not Tory) have received donations from Russians. The fact that some contracts were not given to donor companies does not dispel the possibility of undue influence in other areas.