Category: Environment

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WILDFIRES

It is something that affects others – not me – is a dangerous notion. I have done my own risk assessment on my home. I am approximately 200m north of an unmanaged wood. 70m is a field then “the other side of the road and their gardens”. So with a s-w wind I could be vulnerable. We have also had a limited amount of overnight rain so everything is not tinder, thebwoods are not much used either, so less likelyhood of portable bbqs or cigarette ends starting it. So I think I will be ok? That in itself is a dangerous thought! Even in cities the once lauded open spaces are vulnerable – I think I remember a incidence last year where a couple of houses were burnt,

Only a tiny percent of fires are started by lightning, most are started accidentally, or maliciously by human beings with small brains. However we are now building more houses in potentially vulnerable areas, the fires in California demonstrated that the fires do not respect wealth and power! Education would seem to be essential (including the deaths by drowning in warm weather) – but here the government has a problem. Many people have no access to the BBC, a traditional source of, now amusing, educational warnings. Schools are basically the last chance to educate the whole population. This situation is made worse by the impacts of Reform, Badenoch’s tories and the other lot, basically research shows that wildfires are likely to increase in danger and become 10X more common across Europe. Stop bleating on about Net Zero ad back it. Even if we stopped polluting the atmosphere tomorrow (I wish), it would take decades to return to a ‘normal’, the oceans (70% of earth’s surface) are warming and storing heat that will take eons to dissipate, And here I have a question – What if I am wrong and Badenoch, Trump, Farage and whoever are correct? Then I guess I would be happy with small benefits like cleaner air, despite the cost of Net Zero. If I am correct – not doing anything and drilling for more oil is treason and should be punishable by the sequistration of assets – both personal and corporate.

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MOANING

My turn, I put the radio on, only to hear people complaining abut the poor bus service and how unfair it was. They have to be fucking joking, Firstly most areas with poor bus services are rich areas with high car ownership and with a low rental population – so people chose to live there despite the poor bus service (or I could go further and suggest it is beacuase of the low non-car ownership that attracts people). Often there is a regular bus service, just not one they can summon at will. With capitalism it is all about demand and supply – fewer cars on the roads should mean cleaner air, less noise and fewer accidents. With a nationalised bus service it would also mean higher income and less subsidy. With the cost of a car being between £4 and 5 grand per year without parking charges, a saving of £2000 per year would go a long way to decreasing the so called ‘cost of living crisis’. So that’s it for my moan about moaning.

£16666 per term is the cost of sending a child (boy) to Eton College. I would suggest a new council tax base it on a revised net worth housing assessment with the average cost being the same, but the introduction of higher bands at £200000 for each one and an increase of 10% per band. The rich fuckers can afford it! They could sell up and leave the country – good riddance. But I would also increase, impose a tax on private air flights, maybe through aviation fuel, so it they decide to come and go it costs them! Local authorities ould fund schools better, and care homes. 24% of Burnhams new cabinet attended private schools, compared to 8% under Starmer; I have no quibble about the number who went to Oxbridge being 55%, up from 38% they are supposed to be the best Universities in the country, and score well internationally. I am not against private education per se, maybe I am! but I hate the privilege that goes along with their £16.666 per term. Many schools are close to competing on results, despite the disparity in class sizes, where the divergence occurs is in the displays of arrogance/confidence and ability to project themselves. Sorry Maz!

And a me me me moment. I have maybe 100 plants in my garden that need watering – I have 3 waterbutts totalling 350 ltrs, but it may not be enough. I have paid for, and cherished these plants that bring pleasure to some. Various water companies have been negligent in managing new demands such as data centres, why should I be fined if I use a hose pipe, or a mother lets her children play under a sprinkler – do golf courses have a similar ban? And how is a maximum ban of £1000 fait – I send my kids to Eton and stopped worrying about 6 figure sums – why should they care?

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STUPID AND/OR VERY GULLIBLE

Or maybe they are illiterate and cannot count. These are the only conclusions to be drawn from a survey in the USA. Only 61% of Americans beleive that extreme climatic have increased in the USA, amongst Republican voters the figure is below half! Oh well Trump likes hyperbole, maybe he will be boasting about the biggest heatwave, hailstones, floods. In fairness to Americans they do suffer from the frog in a pot syndrome (heat it slowly and the frog will not notice until it is too late) they have tornadoes, hurricanes and floods/heatwaves regularly; and a frontier mentality of survival against the odds. How many would risk their lives, and those of their children by crossing a road with an 80% chance of survival? But the odds on climate change caused by human activity is creating odds that are moving from the possibility to the certainty. Of course there are natural cycles and there have been severe events in the past, but what is incontrovertible is that human activity is enhancing the impacts and frequency. El Niño may result in fewer hurricanes in the Caribbean this year, but should not be used as evidence of a human benign influence – it is anything but!

Whilst on global issues, it is commendable that we lift people out of absolute poverty and increase life expectancy – BUT – we also need to aid birth control so the survivors can have an enhanced standard of living without impinging on the ability of the natural world to survive. That would be a common sense approach but fundamental christians (and possibly other religions too) believe it is gods will to … whatever …. be a complete bastard and destroy nature – they are also against birth control and abortion (even when it is incestous). So the population of an area will increase naturally until people are again dying of starvation (more likely with flood/drought). And the so called “Aid Agencies” then cut their funding due to a war they instigated on false grounds. So, continuing with the projection – the population increases, people are dying of starvation or maybe a disease like ebola – surely a responsible parent would try to move to a safer more prosperous area – its called migration, Oh the irony of people in the rich west trying to stir hatred against the poor and suffering masses; who caused the climate change? Not a poor farmer tilling the land with an oxen. Move to a country that has supermarkets stuffed with products from around the world (without a care of the human or environmental cost of their production).

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NEW PM

So from Monday we have a new Prime Minister – Andy Burnham. Firstly cut the crap about him not being elected and not having a manifesto, this type of change has been rife in Parliament this century. Hopefully we will see some big decisions immediately; He should put Thames Water into administration, and any other utility that is misusing customers money; Political funding should be met head on – the public will support whatever restrictions are put on; Drilling in the North Sea., Rosebank and Jackdaw should go ahead with all income supporting green energy initiatives, but no new licences should be necessary!; USA – we need a reset, tell the orange child to fuck off, ban foreign governments financing political organisations – Trump has facilitated a $7 gift to Jacob Scum-Dog’s think tank, and also has supported the Argentine teams use of a banner declaring the Malvinas ‘to be theirs’. FIFA have a no politics rule for a very good reason. Football is a global game played by billions, unlike American minority sports, political gestures have long been outlawed, basically Trump is a thick narcistic bully with faltering cognitive ability, oh and also a rapist and child abuser – how the fuck did America elect the slime ball. Back to Burnham – just down the road for me!. He has already encouraged positive thoughts by talking about basic Labour virtues, can he follow through on Gaza, cost of living, green investment.

Meanwhile all has gone quite on the byelection in Clacton between Count Binface and some joke grifter. The latest IPSOS poll suggest a 60% lead for binface, but interestingly 74% said investigation into his finances should continue regardless of byelection result. Farages popularity raating is falling – perhaps people are more discerning as the facts role out – or will they continue with their racist views?

Tonights football? Heart England: Head France – it should have been the final! Will both teams play to win, or will it be another bore? Mbappi, Kane and Bellingham all have a chance to deprive Messi of the golden boot!

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NEW TERM

The Daily Fail has come up with a new term, Ann Widdecombe’s murderer MAY have been a “left wing terrorist”. Of course they have no knowledge of this – he was not known to the police or anti-terror organisations. So this is to whip up a bit of hatred against people like me and my family. Reform personalities, especially Farage and Jenprick, are trying to make it all about them – Farage turned down government funded protection saying it was inadequate ‘is that compared to the £5million you said was donated for your security, Nigel?’. Other MP’s have shown concern but not panic despite regular death threats and a desire not to be blase, she once received 600 rape threats in one evening! So back to the top – is there a left-wing terrorist threat in the UK? I am sure there are a few friendless losers who are on their own, compared to right-wing terrorism which is organised and supported by right wing parties and the press.

The village hall is showing the football tonight, I was told there will be a fantastic atmosphere! From geriatric people who hate football and are closet racists, No thanks. Spain was a revalation last night, beating the favorites France – Trump will possibly have to watch the game with 2 PM’s, one of whom is defiantly anti-American/Israel war on Iran. Starmer can be seen as right of centre but still not a fan of his. I am sure the POTUS will be supporting Argentina, and watch out for dirty tricks!

11 million people live in areas where less than 10% land gets shade from trees. A report on BBC website todays suggests the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation, or AMOC – a vast, north-south system of currents that carries warm surface water towards the Arctic and returns colder water thousands of miles south through the deep ocean (known to my generation as the North Atlantic Drift!), is breaking down. Temperatures in the south especially have markedly risen, rainfall data in the paper was selective, but it is likely that we will see more extremes and floods (unless the beavers get to work! Also a question – are grouse moors more vulnerable to wildfires, we already know that they are exascerbating flooding near them. Time to ban shooting wildlife for pleasure and the male ego! This could open up a huge swaithe of land for the public wind turbines or solar, or even more H.E.P.?

1st tomato from greenhouse today! And drying lots of herbs! More on the way!

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NO NEWS TODAY

The papers have lost the plot – the front pages were characterised by their lack of news. It was all conjecture and guesswork. Anne Widdicombes murder was ‘politica’ was suggested as a fact when all that had happened was the investigation was taken over by counter-terrorism police, who presumably have more knowledge and expertise than Devon & Cornwall police. Tonights football match also revealed a great deal of hot air and rumblings about past misdemeanours. A study of the last heatwave also revealed that the right wing press were reporting on it without a mention of climate change. there was even conjecture about the price to be spent by someone with, too much money, for a T.Rex dinasaur skeleton. In the past philanthropists would have created a museum and endowed it with scientific research teams, but now – we will see, or not see it again! The farce that is Trump’s war (with huge casualties) continues – here again the facts are hard to ascertain. Do the verbal vomit that comes out of his, and his pals, mouths mean anything at all. His latest is to charge a 20% tax on shipping in the Strait of Hormuz – illegal, but like he cares about that, he has probably forgotten he said it,nor has denied he said it.

Of greater concern is the lack of awareness regarding wildfires, there have been outbreaks across England and Wales in the last couple of days, and with no rain expected for the next week or so, it would seem sensible to issue a public warning against BBQ’s in vulnerable places – a ban on disposable units would also help. Perhaps councils should set up free BBQ sites in urban areas, or at least charge a no profit fee to ensure safety and clean up. Many people live in flats and would love the opportunity for a bbq party somewhere safe. Lostwithiel council has provided a BBQ by the River Fowey which is free to use and kept unlittered by appreciative users (as far as I know).

Everything seems to be monetised now – even scrubby Sand Bay at W-s-M has car park charges, it used to be just the NT to help pay for the upkeep of Sand Point which has free access, but now walking by the sea is seen as a money making exercise. Like all sports – there is a price to pay, when in my teens, my neighbour Ann and I would cycle into the tennis grounds provided by the council and charged a couple of bob and hour for the privilege, now it is ‘join the tennis club – darling’. A local field with goal posts is surrounded by a 8ft fence and locked – it seems always.

Where is the love? Has society turned into insular units of selfishness?

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HEY JUDE

You make me glad! Jude Bellingham was scorer of two goals in last nights tense Q-F. Now for Argentina and the GOAT, What makes the World Cup special is the differing styles of play, even the Champions league in Europe does not offer the diversity or the tension. There is a lack of atmosphere that is usually provided by a partisan crowd singing, presumably one does not shell out several thousand £s to do something as common as sing ‘in public’! However the teams have come together and melded together, albeit intermittently, and new legends created. Despite 48 teams competing the last 4 were predictable from the onset. France are probably the best team, Spain have not really clicked – yet, and Argentina have had the luck (or conspiracy?) whilst England have shown great team spirit but have relied on Bellingham and Gordon for inspiration.

Meanwhile – the Widdecombe murder is the main topic. I wonder what the police were thinking when they arrested a man for the murder and then let him go 24 hours later? Did they think that with the inevitable publicity they ought to arrest someone, anyone? Why this guy – is he a n’er do well with a reputation? What suspicion did they have to arrest him? And now they have arrested a guy 200+ miles away? In this latest scenario it would seem that the police may have had some intellignce information? It is an interesting story for a novel. Public figure with extreme views is found bludgeoned to death. Police immediately arrest local man with no evidence, then a man 200 miles away. What was the motive? Was it a robbery gone wrong? Or was it an assassination? Maybe we will find out eventually?

Weather – temperatures agin 30C here, although a breeze. I am still appalled at the lack of urgency by government regarding the climate crisis. The right wing want to drill for more oil and gas, money is all they care about. But it is a crisis and a government report has set a 20 year timetable for sorting it – air con in care homes, schools and NHS. If it was a war it would all happen much, much quicker – why is it that killing people demands a quicker reaction than saving people? And sea temperatures in the North Sea and Channel are 5C warmer than normal. But who cares?? Not the idiot standing against Count Binface in Clacton.

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BULLSHIT

The Education Minister has said it is important that kids attend school on Monday morning. I agree that for many it would be preferable to hanging around home, unsupervised, But am fed up with the ignorant comments about the devastation that a few hours of lost schooling would wreak! Every teacher knows that this time of year is not academically useful (it may still have social benefits), classrooms are hot, kids and teachers have no enthusiam, blinds are shut and videos reign supreme. That is if the kids are not visiting theme parks and watching films for “activities weeks”, or on pointless “work experience” for most. And to think parents are fined for letting theyr children have greater educational experiences other than that offered by impoverished budgets. Yes children who miss school regularly throughout the year should have their parents justify, but schools employ people to gather the evidence, whilst teachers put on a film of variable evidence. (and PS. never get to see the end of a film that is over 60 minutes long).

So my strategy would be for schools to jack in the traditional curriculum after the Whitsun break and concentrate on sports, environment and art – mostly outside!

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IMMIGRATION

Labour have announced plans, or at least have said they will, to open up safe routes to the UK for approved asylum seekers; I guess that means that all those crossing in small boats can be returned to France or wherever. My only question is why has it taken so long to do what has been bloody obvious? On saving money the welfare bill is too high – it is ridiculous that people do not take jobs as they are better off on benefits. As ever there are the rightful claimants and those who are not – but what to do about the latter? Counselling and respect should be shown and employers offered incentives. I suspect the future welfare cost will spiral – presumably those on benefits are not paying into a back up pension?

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