The Jam Jam

Regarding Trumps latest publicity stunt – I have questions. Why was the supposed perpetrator in the hotel at all? Surely full checks should have been made? Is it normal to have fully geared up combat soldiers hiding behind the scenes? Or is this a disguise used by the secret service agents? Is it normal to have such lax security that the supposed perpetrator could just rush through – I have seen better security at a charity sale in a village hall! Is it time for Trump to try something positive to attempt to post his popularity? Was this an assassination event or just a publicity stunt?

In the UK healthy life expectancy has fallen by 2 years to 60.7 years for men and 60.9 years for women; of the 21 countries studied only USA was lower whilst countries like Norway, Japan and Spain show steady improvement. Have life styles deteriated in the last 10 years? I would suggest that a growth in negativity has had an impact. Everything is monetised today – even fun runs and yoga in the parks. The press leads the way with scaremongering, even when the facts tell the opposite. Cities are no more lawless than they were 50 years ago when there were places in Brighton that I would go to after 10pm on a weekend night! Youth clubs have disappeared and friendly neighbours are a thing of past, long forgotten days. Is this an old mad speaking? Yes but only observing what i see.

Politics is appalling in the UK and worse in the USA. Politicians cannot tell the truth – ever. Water companies pollute our rivers and seas whilst creaming off large profits and bonus’s, Oil companies exploit rising prices with no respect for the population. By my analysis about 25-30% of Britons are either stupid (50% probability), racist (95% probability) or just gullible (100% probability). Hopefully we will catch up with Spain and Scandinavia we have an ageing population who will pop off soon! I am not sure the next generation brought up with Torie lies and Thatcherism will be better? Time to hand over to youth.

It would be easier but I doubt that USA politicians have the balls! or the intelligence!

Sunny and relatively warm here. I just planted sweet basil, greek basil and Californian poppies. PS. I like basil and tomatoes and therefore mediterranean food! And I just made some cookies with oat flour, lemon juice, butter and coconut flour taste good!

Meanwhile – it seems there is a momentum to get the UK to rejoin the EU. And also an article in the paper about mortgages – a government owned bank could give out mortgages fixed for 25 years by taking out Guilts no risk, no rescheduling charges and a certainty that would allow families to plan and prosper.

Half of UK universities are setting deficit budgets and most are making cuts. The right wing are smiling broadly – universities are seen as hot beds of wokeism and the left wing. Indeed Reforms Education spokesperson has touted a need for 50% of young people to learn a trade – do we need an extra half million plumbers, carpenters and electricians a year! Pressure is on to raise tuiton fees to eye watering levels; to cut the arts and social science courses. Apprenticeships are fine, but with UK manufacturing in further decline , due to Brexit, a diverse and intelligent workforce is needed more than ever.

On student loans – a higher rate of tax for big earners would be a fairer way of repayment (if this is morally acceptable – to me it is not). Why should we force our future high earners to pay upfront for their beneficial contribution to society? It seems totally in line with capitalism (sorry for swearing) to charge people for their larger earnings once they are earning them – at present the threshold for repayment is ridiculously low. Society needs doctors and engineers (not so sure about financiers – but heyho!). Most employers want skilled people in their workforces (and we need to remember that AI will replace many jobs in the next decade or so).

By 2022 student numbers from abroad had reached 760000 each contributing massively to the economy and standing of Britain in the world. Unfortunately with Labours Reform induced policies this has been massively cut. Most of these graduates and post-graduates would have eventually returned to their countries with positive views on the UK, those that stayed would be contributing massively to the economy and multi-culturalism that, in general, we can be proud of (knuckle drageers and flag shaggers excepted).

For the morons who bemoan the need for trigonometry or algebra – I would state that without these stimuli to their grey matter (and other factors like discussing the context and meaning of Shakespeares works, or the impact of colonialism on countries, or the impact of Islam in the 12th century or many, many others) we would be poorer. I would ask – how many people with degrees will vote for Reform knowing that they would privatise the NHS, cut wages and employment rights. Do email me if you are in this category!

Trump has no friends who care for him! I am stating the blatantly obvious here – friends or even family would tell him to stay off social media completely, and especially not to retweet stupid comments by his psychopathic followers. The latest 2 instances are; His comments about the Falkland Islands/Malvinas – which are meant to be a threat to the UK for not supporting his illegal war games in Iran. It would seem to me that the residents in those islands should determine their governance present and future, and Argentina does not set a good example for democratic governance.: Secondly his retweet of racist nonsense regarding India. The most populous country in the world and along with China one with growing economic might. Who will the idiot slag off next – maybe the French could be asked to pay back rent for the Statue of Liberty? Ridiculous yes, but so was the MAGA spokesperson who suggest that Native Indians should be repatriated – stupidy knows no boundaries when it comes to American politics.

The world’s leading energy expert, Fatih Berol, executive director of the I.E.A., has commented that the UK would not gain anything other than marginal benefits from exploiting new projects in coastal waters. Obviously a rebuke to Farage and Badenoch and their supporters who are too thick to do any basic calculations themselves. He also stated that no one regretted investing in renewables; and that the impacts of Trumps fantasy war were likely to be long term on fertiliser, food, helium and software. The Labour government is unfortunate in that the war with Iran will affect the economy for years – and unlike Covid, the general public will be swayed by gutter press releases blaming Starmer or who ever follows him.

Labour is uping the attack on Green policies – especially legalising drugs. Again Starmer goes for the populist policy and ignores the facts. I have read no detrimental articles regarding tye many areas of he world that have legalised canabis; given the detrimental impact of stop and search policies on the non-white community it would seem to be socially sensible to legalise and I am sure the police would relish the reduction in their workload. The only concern would be related to how the gangs and lowlife would fund their nefarious activities – would we see an increase in kidnapping and female exploitation?

Sunny here and warming up – seedlings doing ok in greenhouse.

And a P.S. I SUPPORT PALESTINE ACTION.

In the UK they are less than 2 weeks away, and mid-terms looming in the USA.. It will be interesting. In the UK opinion polls are tending to be national rather than treating Wales and Scotland separately. Will Scotland show its preponderance for independance and the demise of Labour – will Reform prove to be popular north of the border? A similar scenario is occuring in Wales with Plaid Cymru leading the way. Farages obnoxious policies appeal to areas that have been ‘left behind’ by growth this century. PS. Old mining araes would seem designed for solar farms and wind turbines with their infrastructure already there and tainted soil – lots of job opportunities including data processing centres? In England Labour may take a hit in the former ‘red wall’ areas but alos cities and especially London, as young voters react to the demise of the ‘social contract’ – they are veering to the Greens and away from the racism of Farage. In rural area the Tory heartlands may continue to vote as they always have – but there are a lot of racists out there! So it will be interesting, not only politically, but also demographically and geographically. Will young adults bother to vote for a councillor whom they will never see or hear from again?

In America the situation is much more complicated/easy? Traditionally there has been a two horse race with no one else getting a look in. This is perpetuated by the ridiculous funding that tthe two parties receive and spend. Could this change with Trumps demise and and much Democratic ineptitude on major issues. With American power and influence on the wane, will Americans rebel against the inequity that pervades their society. The winds of change are blowing, bigotry and racism is retreating (Hungary and Spain, and even India).

USA made a feeble effort to get FIFA to change Iran for Italy – the tournament has already been tainted by the pathetic award of a peace prize to the warmonger Trump; by the sky high costs of tickets and parking and accomodation; and by visa restrictions on visiting fans. Also I think most fans will be more conscerned by the Premiership and Champions League than national teams – smaller nations like Scotland excepted!

Leaders are the last to realise that their time is up. By definition most leaders are egoistic and surround themselves with those who feed thier egomania. Two examples – firstly Trump who came back to power after Biden failed to realise his health and age were not up to it. He gifted Trump the presidency by not handing over to a better candidate earlier leaving the Democratic Party in disarray. Presently Trump seems to have a hissy fit nightly on his private social media platform; he also took America into a war no one wanted with a very dodgy ally. A war incidentally that he cannot “win” – He has destroyed their navy and air force/air defence, and killed many former leaders but Iran still holds the key cards. Regime change as an objective seems to have failed with the leadership of Iran strengthened by American aggression. A ‘win’ for Trump would seem to be the ability to withdraw (after spending tens of $billions and causing the deaths of many civilians and children), Iran will retain its enriched uranium, control over the Strait of Hormuz, groups like Hamas, Hezbollah and Houthis will continue to thrive against Israeli aggression and atrocities in the West Bank and Lebanon. His rant against the Pope and subsequent AI images of himself as a saviour have misfired spectacularly! But his advisors continue to worship him – time to go!

Secondly we have Sir Keir Starmer. Again he surrounded himself with psychophants of limited ability.Whilst lacking in charisma and the art of public speaking, his reputation was based on his honesty and attention to detail learnt as a lawyer. Oh boy has he fucked up! As part of his appeasement of the lobbies by big business he appointed Mandleson as Ambassador in Washington – a move applauded by right wingers and business – he seemed the perfect fit as a Trump loving paedo (possibly), but also of centre right political views. The appointmentbwas typical of Starmers move to the right and loss of ideological beliefs in favour of retaining power. I am sure Labour have done much to make the country better since coming to power – however the bar for improvement was incredibly low! It is not the rising cost of living that will defeat him – but the loss of hope. Almost everyone has to put up with a lot of shit in their lives – we cope, some with a smile, others with a scowl, but we all have a belief that things will be better in future. Yes even the knuckle draggers and flag shaggers who believe that everything would be better if all coloured people went away! But voting green is what many people will do on the 7 May in UK local elections, and Starmer will realise, or not, that he has let the people who voted him into power, down. That he should go is beyond doubt (by me), but who has retained any dignity in the appeasement of Reform and the right? Ed Miliband and Angela Rayner have both earned some respect whilst appearing to be loyal – Rayner’s renaissance is party due to the abject horror show of Reforms finances and especially those of Richard Tice.

Otherwise – a fierce cold wind this morning – I had gloves on for the first time in ages. But sunny and warm, turned heating off an hour ago, watered hanging baskets, and greenhouse – tomato plants making slow progress!

I have tried to ignore the stitshow that Trump has created. However as it has international impacts it is difficult, I was amazed that 33% of Americans think he is doing a great job on the economy – thick shits! He has elongated the ceasefire – probably due to his Christ like outbursts. He still seems to not understand that he cannot bomb Iran into submission. Basically the Iranians hold all the key cads and America’s negotiation team is too thick to realise. Yes Trump has destroyed their navy and air force, but they are far from defenceless. A land war would not be popular with his support – many off whom would be called up and killed! Iran has stolen the diplomatic initiative – who is blocking the Strait of Hormuz? and Iranian supporters in Yemen have the ability to disrupt traffic through the Bab al-Mandab area whereby ships enter the Suez Canal to Europe. With christian fanatics leading the American military, a megalomanic in the White House, and a lack of any semblance at diplomacy it seems that the world will be unstable for sometime yet. Alice in Wonderland makes more sense!

And who will suffer? Not the rich who will get on their yachts and private planes to their privately owned islands and hotels. Food will go up in price, their precious holidays in the Med will spiral in cost, shops will increae prices to ensure their stockholders get a return on their investments whilst workers hours are cut and they are dismissed. Job opportunities will become rarer, especially for the young. It is a breeding ground for facism to apportion blame to the poorer and vulnerable in society. Let us all hope that Mandami and Polanski can work magic on either side of the pond!

There are many local councillors who do an excellent job, regardless of whether they are Labour, Conservative, LibDem or Green. I do not include Reform councillors in this list, as by definition they are either racist, misogynist or very stupid! – usually all three! However I suspect most are like me and only know the names of councillors when an election is imminent. So vote GREEN.