Posts

Posted on

BANNED

Our government has banned two media personnel from America from entering the UK. Cenk Uygur and Hasan Piker have both spoken out loudly about the genocide in Gaza but the Home Office have decided that their prescence might ‘not be conducive to the public good’ whatever that means? – unlike the slimy toad faced virus that is free to encourage violence against immigrants and the police. There is no threat to the public good, but maybe the influence of Israel is paramount in the government? Both men will now speak at an Oxford Union Society event virtually. Their comments will therefore be more widely heard and garner national interest rather than the limited platform they had originally planned at SXSW. We seem to have yet another right wing government in awe of Israel.

On a different topic: Sir Gareth Southgate has spoken of the need for education to treat boys and girls separately – whilst not agreeing entirely, he has a point in that we do not have equality of opportunity in this country (although things have got better in my lifetime). Boys do mature later – both physically and mentally. Therefore it is likely that if genders are taught separately that girls would do better than boys! But education should not dismiss his comments lightly, the introduction of coursework over the last 50 years has definitely favoured girls. However it is a societal problem , the macho male image has moved successfully to business and finance, but worth of skilled workers with brawn has not transcended employment changes. Boys need to be able to use their brains rather than their muscles and bollocks, Of course these are generalisations and girls/women can be just as stupid and ignorant as men, I was surprised to see so many women at a far right demonsation in Southampton this week. I would not avocate a return to single sex schools, but the use of single sex lessons in some subjects could be worth exploring – although I am far from advocating this!

First raspberry eaten today, relatively warm and wet weather is great for plants of all types! I hesitate to call some weeds, and hesitate even more as I am aware that this is a rather woke comment! Many of the plants I appreciate, wherever they spring up are treasured, like fennel, chicory, wallflowers, and evening primrose, others I fight relentlessly like brambles, but others I have a give and take relationship with like nettles and budlia (great for butterflies both, but the nettles need to avoid areas frequented by my grandchildren). The raspberries have spread over the former lawn – lovely. Roses are good, the yellow one fantastic and the others brilliant too, I am hoping bush roses will grow in size too.

Posted on

WORLD INEQUALITY LAB

A report by this institution suggests/ i would prefer demands ways in which we can address the poly crisis that is pushing the world towards a climate crisis, political extremism and economic and social tension. In a world riven with doomsayers, it comes up with some positive ideas. Let me know which ones you think are a bad idea! Target hours worked per year 1000; Target wage per peron £5000; share of global GDP to be spent on health and education 38%. Paying for this? Well the share of wealth owned by the 0.001% of billionaires would reduce from 6% to 0.05% – enough for them to bathe in caviar still!

Farage, with his millions of ‘gifts’ from crypto billionaires is happy to castigate migrants and minorities and basically anyone who speaks out against the ruling class by manipulating the facts and living a life of luxury. The knuckle draggers and flag shaggers should be rioting against tax evasion, exploitation, misogyny (why would they riot against themselves! Hmmm!),

In this country we could nationalise land, cut rents and everyone would be free from drudgery! The rich landowners would have to pay for their estates and allow public access to land (at presnt this is less than 10% and rivers less than 3%), the we spend on mortgages and rents would go where? Not into the rich investors oh so deep pockets!

Posted on

RACIST

So Farage claims to have received hundreds of emails and letters from police officers saying they were intimidated by diversity training. As a teacher for over 25 years I did not need training to stop me behaving in a racist manner! The police have come a long way since the Stephen Lawrence case – but every report has revealed that minority groups are not treated fairly – yes there is two-tier policing, just not in the way depicted by the mealy mouthed toad. The police also have elements of misogynistic and homophobic officers. In the Henry Nowak case the police made a tragic error and this should be fully investigated, As should politicians who call for ‘cold rage’ in an attempt to gain political capital and possibly riots. The police have an increasingly difficult job, and are readily criticised for failings that are beyond their control like shoplifting; however they are a bastion against anarchy and the protectors of a civil society.

Posted on

ANGRY

I am still angry at the violence directed towards police officers at a rent-a-riot perpetrated by Farage and Robinson. Only 2 arrests – the video footage I have seen identifies many people and police cams must show more. Why have Farage and Robinson not been arrested for inciting violence? The court had sentenced the perpetrator to life imprisonment, so it was purely violence against the police with racial overtones.

My rant continues with one against South West Water who have been fined £1.85million over a parasite outbreak in Devon. What is the point of fining them when the fine will be passed onto customers. Apologies are worthless when they continue to disregard public safety – water companies should be nationalised now.

El Niño is expected to return by September with 80% likelihood and a 90% by November. I have yet to hear of any government reacting to UN General Secretary Antonio Guterres warning that “the world must treat it like the urgent climate warning it is”. Politicians across the world have been warned – “unprecedented” and “unique” will not suffice as excuses for inaction. In fact in the UK local councillors who ignore the warnings should be dismissed and possibly prosecuted where their actions are deemed to be negligent (I am thinking of Lincolnshire CC where the flood committee has been disbanded in a false money saving measure).

Israel continues with its ethnic cleansing ing in Lebanon, and the slaughter of children and innocents. It will not end well for Israel, or unfortunately for pro-Palestian jews worldwide – the ignorant do not discriminate!

But a positive to end with – Google have applied to release 32million sterilised mosquitos in the USA. Less pesticides and chemicals would obviously be brilliant, but these things have been going on for years – I used to teach about them! and whilst 32m seems large I would guess it is a tiny proportion of the mosquitos in any region?

Posted on

COWARDLY LITTLE SHITS

Farage and Robinson spread hatred like an infection disease. With no humanity or humility themselves they wish to infect as many parts of society with their pernicious obscenities. Despite the victims family requesting that his case was explicitly not to target particular communities. Right wing wankers in the states, like little Elon Musk have commented on the case, trying to stir up disharmony – shits all of them and those who were on the streets of Southampton.

Posted on

EL NINO

Scientists are forecasting a ‘very strong’ El Niño in 2027 based on measurements so far in the Central Pacific Ocean. So far away and whilst it may not have a major impact on the UK it seems likely that it will influene our weather. The Committee for Climate Change has advised the government to prepare for 3 eventualities; heat, flood and water shortages. We have already had water outages in the south east this year and it is not really hot yet and the “heat wave” was just a few days! Hospitals and care homes may find that air conditioning is not an option, but essential. Schools could conduct lessons outside, but with little shade they may need to invest heavily in sun block. How about funding schools to cover playgrounds at a height with a solar panel roof that would provide shade, heat in winter and air con in summer? Tax deductable for local businesses if they also provide work experience. Flooding is likely, and whilst some extreme storm events are inevitable and unavoidable, people in at risk areas, probably at least 5 million homes! should be advised on how to protect their properties and mitigate the damage. Weather forecasting is excellent on a regional basis but small differences occur between juxtapositioned villages! So crying wolf is to be avoided. Storm damage in coastal areas is also likely – warmer temperatures will cause sea level to rise. So the three P’s possible options are Prevention (not generally possible within the present time frame; Protection (possible individually but not possible if widespread) and Prepare?Mitigation (always the last option).

And meanwhile a report suggests that net zero is worth £100bn a year and employs over 300.000 people whose earnings are 11% higher on average than the countrywide average. So fuck of Farage and doomsayers! Reports also suggest that youth unemployment will hit high levels next year – why not offer firms a tax break to employ youngsters to instal solar panels, heat pumps and insulation – the maths is beyond me, but taking the young off benefits, and training them at the same time would seem to be a no brainer?

Posted on

JEWS

I have a problem – why have they been persecuted through history? Why did not the rich Jews arrange for mercy missions to rescue jews from Nazi Germany? Why is the media so Israel friendly when they are a state which is below North Korea as a pariah state? Is there a Jewish monopoly controlling the worlds finances?

Posted on

A FLEDGLING ROBIN

made me realise that although I live in the countryside, people have no idea about the wonders of the world outside their screens and cars. How many people can name 15 native trees (there are 42), 30 bird species (600 +), 30 flowers? Maybe Big Yellow Taxi, Joni Mitchell, should become an anthem for schools? Every school should have a garden – wildlife is suffering from ingeneous chemicals and sterile land. Sorry neighbours – a few pretty plants do not compensate for the land obliterated for you house to be built (and the fucking road outside. When did we stop caring? Seeing a kingfisher is one of the highlights of my life, alongside seeing terns on the beach at Seaford whilst everyone else just ignored them. An adonis butterfly is definitely a thing of beauty. I am no David Attenborough, but I can appreciate and name most of the wonders around me, and I feel sorry for those who do not!

There was a quote I saw once which compared a person who could walk 5 miles to a market and could name every plant, flower animal and insect; and one who visited world prestigeous galleys and museums. Who was the more enriched or wiser. A no brainer!

Posted on

HMMM!

Londons biggest ever political demonstration was 2003 against Tony Blair’s Iraq war, at between 1 and 2 million. It was a surprise to see estimates of Arsenal’s Premier League Champions Parade attracted over a million people who 2-1 were wearing replica shirts at a starting price of £80 a pop! I think this is interesting. The majority of those attending the parade yesterday would not have been fans who attended the emirates or perhaps have ever seen arsenal play live, but they feel a need to have a badge to identify with. I guess many will not identify with politics, or its leaders, they are happy to cast votes for numb skulls as long as they say the right things (they do not expect these views to be enacted anyway). Wearing a scarf or shirt gives a sense of belonging, in a world that has monetised belonging to any club or most activities. No, there is not a contradiction regarding the shirts – £80 for a membership where you are welcome and can identify with the chants and swearing, slag off the referee and opponents, especially Spurs, and glorify a common shared experience.

So is football more important the politics? Membership of all political parties is less than those attending or playing football at any weekend. I doubt any political turnout at a rally to match the turnout for Premiership clubs at a weekend. So my hypothesis is that many people are more interested in their football clubs than in politicans , who always let them down.