Looking at the Met. Office predictions it looks like a typical autumn here – bits of rain and sun, bit cloudy but warm – I seem to remember that Nov 5th was cold, wearing gloves to hold sparklers, and being warmed by the fire with a guy on top. Guy Fawkes, along with bob a job week seems to have disappeared from our cultural activities. I am digressing, but so what, other things that are disappearing ‘giving the bumps’ on ones birthday, a pinch and a punch for the first of the month? Friday the 13th – any more? Other superstitions include not walking under a ladder, not stepping on the edges of paving stones, magpies, not putting shoes on tables, and not cutting nails on a Sunday. I am sure I have missed some, but guess we all have little quirks – I always put right shoe and sock on first, and do not like adjacent light switches to be uncoordinated!
GREEN PARTY
I know that we should all commend statements that decry Israels genocide in Gaza and its murderous intentions elsewhere, but really who cares what the party members think? They have no power or even influence, people on the streets according to those out canvasing. However where the Green Party does have a huge influence is on environmental and climate change issues. Apart from the knuckle dragging flag shaggers most people, especially the young have a deep down fear of what we are doing to the planet. So forget international diplomacy and issues that you cannot influence and concentrate on the 2 issues, that if Burnham gets to introduce some form of PR, the Greens could take alead on. This does not mean ignoring all other issues – everything comes down to economics; Social issuess such as racism and misogyny are also core beliefs for members of the GP.
Burnham has also played a master card regarding the EU. Public opinion is behind rejoining – small boat crossings only started after Brexit The economic cost of leaving was, is and will be horrific, the fishing industry is decimated, farming and manufacturing in decline, immigration has fallen back under Labour from nearly a million per annum. And I think I may be a bit racist when I say that the decline of EU immigration was to the detriment of an integrated society. Europeans have a similar history and sociological make up rather than the influx of people from the far east – there I said it! A large influx of people from Europe would not have the same impact of people from elsewhere. This comment is definitely not about colour but integration into a multi-cultural society. It is also apparent that ex-pats in places like Spain have not fully integrated. I wonder if there should be a nationality test after a residence of say 10 years based on a shared history and common culture. I think I have already said too much!
Warnings of an AI economic bubble/crash are growing stronger.- tec giants have invested billions, but are suggesting putting the breaks on future developments. The thing is, can AI be monetised in a meaningful way? There are obvious benefits to using AI, but at the cost of unemployment? Books and films can be made using AI and I am told they are very good, but will they have the same nuance and moments as those captured from isolated experiences. Would AI have created the iconic Pink Floyd or would we all be listening to perfect trash music?
Badenoch goes for the grey vote by pledging to the triple lock. I am sure that I read that pensions had gone up by 23% more than the average wage – the pension issue was dire, but now it is the young who suffer.
Oh, and El Niño is not expected to fully hit for a couple of months – look out for horror weather related news stories in the media – or here!
FOOTBALL
I cannot not mention one of the best England performances ever, albeit against a rather poor Crotian side, but it was still Croatia! Bellingham, Kane, Saka and Gordon were outstanding. And so nice to see the explosive power driving forward for a change. Let us hope they can keep this momentum going.
DUH!
Its a no brainer , rejoin the EU or at least get much closer with regulations and laws. Only bogotted no brains would argue against it (latest survey says that means 28.5% of the population are thicker than shit!). Whether the EU would want us back is debatable, but a new Dublin Agreement would stop the bollocks from Farage!
The Greens should forget about Gaza – they are powerless and the public basically do not give a shit – let the Government do the hard graft on this. They should concentrate on the main threat to living standards and life as we know it, climate change.
Yesterdays post as my computer was being uncooperative –
What is Trump doing now? Basically his illegal war has caused the cost of diesel to spiral and therefore inflation will follow. So Trump is now panicking about the mid-term elections looming on his horizon, and the polls are not looking good for him. It seems increasingly likely that he will not control Congress after the elections. If there is a swing to the Democrats, it is quite possible that he will lose his present ability to act like a dictator, and possibly face criminal charges against himself and his family (he has been protected by sycophantic MAGA supporters in Congress).
Did you know that a Greenland Shark can live for 400 years.
ENVIRONMENT
This government has made a positive start to ensuring that the UK has an environment fit for the future with a pledge to plant at least 500000 trees. Trees can reduce temperatures in cities by up to 4C in summer, they also have a warming input in winter, a mature tree can intercept 15000 litres of rainfall whilst the roots enhance infiltation and thus reduce flooding. At least 150 different species of insects can live on oak trees thus being brilliant for wildlife. My road would have been wooded at one time, but now has only a half dozen trees, plus my two mulberry trees! I am sure back gardens have a few more but if every front lawn, that are unused biological deserts, had a tree of any variety, the road would be a feast of wildlife. So put away your lawn mower – which contributes to climate change and plant a tree (blossom, fruit or other). And hey farmers, supplement your income by allowing people to sponsor a tree in the more unproductive parts of your fields, do not wait for a govrnment grant but be proactive and get locals involved.
Wetter and windy is the prediction of the cheif meteorologist at the Met Office, 6 million homes are at risk from flooding and it is estimated that 2 million are unaware of it. Recent developments of houses and infrastructure may mean that areas that have not flooded before are now at risk. Antarctic sea ice has shrunk – the 4 lowest extent on record are the last 4 years. Sea ice does not in itself affect sea level, but it does have an impact on glaciers entering the sea, so if you live near the coast – be aware that coastal flooding may have little to do with rainfall, October and Merch are the real danger months although spring tides in any month can be a hazard. Glaciers melting in Switzerland are also causing concern regarding water supply, and another mountainous state is also suffering from landslips and potentially disasterous floods due to climate change -Nepal.