If you had have asked me years ago whether I would watch a programme about two men going fishing I would have said you were mad but Mortimer and 

Whitehouse Gone Fishing has become one of my favourite programmes ever. It is not about fishing, it’s about friendship with a side dish of the fish!

So I wrote the other day that I would be posting a few of my stories and then promptly forgot. Events in the world got the better of me once more. 

Anyway here is another of my literary attempts.

IN THE YEAR 3035 

Fred looked out of the portal and shook her head in disgust, the docking procedure was not going well and if it took much longer the shipment could be ruined. Her journey would have been for nothing, not to mention the huge cost involved.

“How much longer will this take? I can’t afford any further delays!” The communicator crackled and a garbled voice replied but was unintelligible. Fred sighed and thumped the console. Another 30 minutes passed before the indicators registered the docking procedure was complete, now she had to get unloaded fast. 

The autobots went about their business in their normal efficient manner but Fred fretted it was not quick enough. Finally the ship was fully unladen, She watched as the entire cargo disappeared into the vastness of the space dock.Fred tapped the side of her head and connected to the logistics map, the cargo route traced in front of his retina and she breathed a sigh of relief as she watched it reach the correct shuttle to deliver to her buyer. The craft was temperature controlled and for its short journey the cargo should remain fresh.

The bar was almost empty, most of the sector's cargo vessels would be out picking loads up from the rim planets. The storm debris would be sweeping across there soon and they would be hurrying to pick up as much as they could. The last time the storm had erupted, it had been 4 months before they could get through for more deliveries and to bring back supplies. Fred’s lids twitched as she thought of those greedy pilots who would leave it just too late, their ships would be torn apart by the jagged debris, even the gallium hardened outer hulls could not withstand a full blown storm. Less ships meant bigger profits, even if it meant greater time spent travelling and more risk. There were less ships every year and far less than when Fred had first started hauling freight. 

“What’s your pleasure, airman?” The barbots voice broke his train of thought. “Whiskey” 

“Right coming up”

The bar did not need to be serviced, a simple voice command would get you any drink you desired and much more but Fred liked the old fashioned vibe of having a proper bar and barbot. 

She picked up the drink and sat at a table. One of the sexbots came over “Hey do you want to fool around?” It’s nasal voice made Fred’s teeth grind “No” was her terse reply, the bot whirled round and left, if such a thing were possible it looked disgruntled! Fred wondered who it was that thought they should talk like that, if possible she still preferred the real thing. Sex was the last thing on her mind for now, if the credits were not transferred quickly she might struggle to have enough to purchase a contract for her next job. A call highlighted in Fred’s brain, it was Gilly. “Hi Gilly, what's going on?” Gilly’s perpetually enhanced face popped into her vision. “Your shipment is complete, credits transferred but it is 400 shorter than the agreed contract price” Gilly’s metallic ringing voice sounded as emotionless as always. “Why?” Fred asked calmly. “10% failure at point of delivery” Fred knew that was a lie but she’d expected to be short changed, it had almost become common practice and everyone believed the purchase price was inflated to make up for percentage shortfalls, it had become self perpetuating. Gilly cut the call. Fred sipped her drink and smiled, naturally she had jacked up the price. The contracts were supposed to be tamper proof but she knew a guy who had a scam bot and he had forged the manifest. Scam bots had been banned twenty clicks ago but her contact had managed to get his hands on one. It cost her but it was well worth the price.

She looked up, two Keepers had entered, they were looking straight at her.  Fred reached down to her belt and pressed the buckle activation, she did not want trouble but she was damn sure she’d be ready for it. The Keepers came to within a metre of the table and she tensed ready for action. Keepers were cyborgs and originally the peacekeepers but many had long ago decided that was not much of a job and had gone rogue. An empty bar was a perfect target for them, if an unsuspecting patron was in one and alone. They looked Fred up and down and she looked back, she could almost see their circuits calculating whether she was worth the effort, Keepers were tough but they weren’t invincible. Decision made they turned and moved off out of the other exit. Fred blew out her breath. 

A minute later the creature she most wanted to see entered the bar and glided over to the table. “Your late Beta” Fred smiled

Beta stretched out a long tentacle and laid it on her hand, a familiar warm feeling coursed through her body, comforting words in her mind “Welcome home my darling” 

“It’s good to be home”

Stay well

I know I have ranted a lot about the embarrassment that is our current government but each morning when you read or, as I have this morning seen a video clip of Johnson and Raab, you run out of words to describe their behaviour! For those who remember, it’s like watching the “Upper Class Twits” from Monty Python. I said it yesterday and i will say it again they are completely divorced from reality and all evidence indicates they don’t care. 

Lots of stuff is posted and I suspect a lot of it is taken out of context or simply false but you never see a single source, that  does not throw doubt over their ability to govern. The coverage of this government is uniformly critical, irrespective of where it is posted or written. 

Governments are always going to be criticised, it goes with the territory but never have our ministers or ruling party and especially the PM been under such sustained and deserving flak!

The sad truth is that whomever was in no 10 at present, you would not have much confidence in their ability to run the country. The many MP’s who talk sense seem to be those with nothing to loose within their parties. The ones at the top are uniformly spineless and pathetic and not just in the Tory party! 

Johnson statement, as the last of our personnel pull out of Afghanistan is yet another example of his complete detachment from reality. They should be proud, of course they should but I can almost hear each one scream “what was the point?”

We have left Afghanistan, once again ripe for terrorists to blossom, not that it ever was even vaguely defeated. The best we did was keep the peace and now we have given them free reign once more. I am no supporter of keeping troops there indefinitely but to have pulled out in the manner America did is madness and according to reliable sources they have left behind 8.5 billion dollars of military equipment in the hands of the Taliban!

It remains to be seen what the developments will now be but you bet that the West will bitch and moan and collectively suck in their breath in mock outrage, over yet another situation which we caused in the first place!

Stay well

What have we done to our country? Not enough HGV drivers, shortages, many industries without enough staff to continue. I want to know why anybody thought becoming “independent Britain” was a good idea rather than remaining in the biggest trading block in the world. Don’t tell me it’s just teething problems and it will all sort itself out, the damage is already done and will hamper our future for years. The stupidity of this idiotic decision has been discussed to death, not least of all by me. I am not going to re-hash all the old arguments here but surely it is obvious that our leaving the EU was a serious error in judgement. I can absolutely assure you it was not a movement that had the best interests in mind for Britain but it was a underpinned by those who had vested interest and could line their own pockets. the wealthy (and I mean really wealthy), it is the rest of us that have to deal with the consequences! Nobody saw Covid coming (did they?) and it certainly put a huge wrench in any plans but each day brings fresh evidence of the monumental foolishness of our exit. You do not have to be an expert in geo-politics to see the mess that has been created, so much uncertainty, so much change that was completely unnecessary! Furthermore, have you noticed that prices have rapidly risen for all sorts of goods and at a far faster rate than normal. Wages have remained stagnant, prices have risen, shortages of many goods, not enough staff, travel in Europe (ignoring Covid) more difficult, export bureaucracy and cost increased, no European court of human rights and many other additional difficulties, not to mention the mess that is Northern Ireland! Oh what a happy bunch of campers we in our free and independent Britain are! It will all be okay because Boris says it will and if anyone would know it would be him, because he obviously is so capable of leading us in to this bright new future, as he has already proved! Never in our recent history, has a convergence of events happened whilst our future has been in the hands of such an incompetent and badly run government, what a recipe, you could not write it! The don’t have a clue what is going on in the country and don’t care. There answer to everything, is the answer of privileged rich boys and women, out of touch with real lives and no understanding of the daily problems that so many face! 

It has prompted us once again to plan leaving this place and living in Crete, our spiritual home. Of course it is not as easy as it once was but it can be done. I don’t particularly want leave on a more permanent basis but this country just makes me sad and angry and that is no way to live. I would miss much about our land (not the climate) and all our family and  friends but………………………..  

Stay well

This may come as a surprise but I am developing a fondness for Piers Morgan. Like many I had always thought of him as a bigoted, loud mouth, shouty man. Having followed him on twitter, to my surprise I find he is actually quite witty, cares about world events and often talks sense. He is certainly direct and there is nothing wrong with that. He is often controversial and says some stupid things. He has to be thick skinned considering all the bile he has to put up with, which he often re-tweets  with a suitable reply. 

I am all for people with strong views. At least you know exactly where you stand with them! We have far to many whose wish washy views are confusing and trite. I wrote the other day that I always try to understand each side of any subject and every view. In reality I would like to scream and shout my opinions about many things but restrain myself in the guise of fairness? I do rant from time to time and often express strong views but then why not?

I have just  read that this government have published in official documents, that the NHS must designate any major regeneration or additional building on their sites to be registered as a “new” hospital! I will say nothing more.

Corruption is an ugly word and is nothing new. Each of us has, if we are honest, have indulged in a little “corruption” in our lives but when it is perpetrated on the scale that our own government does it, the repercussions are so enormous that we have no idea how much of our money they have channelled into the pockets of those who they favour, usually for the most unlikely justification!

For your information if your passport is running out next year and your planning a trip to Europe, you need to be aware that the 6 months leeway you used to have has been stopped. you have to have 3 months visa plus 90 days and as i found out my passport no longer had enough time on it to qualify. Getting a new “British” passport is a pain and expensive if you need it fast. I am hoping to pick mine up 2 days before departure. Did you know that the contract for printing our new “British” passport was lost by the UK company and awarded to a French one! There is no need for me to say anymore!

Stay well

To the select and very small band of people who read this column, I am temporarily suspend me relentless moaning. Instead I will be publishing some of my short stories each day and maybe the odd poem.

But first this from Susie Dent which will make you smile”

Penguins were once called “arse-feet”

Eggs were “cacklefarts”

Hands were “Daddles”

Sausages were known as “Bags of Mystery” because you never knew what was in them.

Here is todays story, I hope you enjoy it:

Fly in the Ointment

Mr Shallack was fussy and his class could not stand his constant interference in their projects “don’t do it like that” “do it this way” “no Gordon that will never work” He never stopped pointing out what he thought was their mistakes. 

They spoke often about him and what they could do about his confidence sapping comments. “We should teach home some kind of lesson, something he won’t forget” Gordon said vehemently, he thought Shallack picked on him more than the others. 

“What?” replied Sheila a rather attractive lady whom Gordon fancied but had been rebuffed when he had asked out. 

“Yes what?” Repeated several of the others 

Gordon looked round at the group and realised he did not have a clue what lesson they could teach him.

Weeks went by and Shallack did not stop his relentless critique of their work. He was very knowledgeable and there was no doubt he had taught them much about the subject and it’s background and theory but when it came to any encouragement there simply was none. The grumbling and moaning from the students continued and a couple actually gave up and quit the course. True to form Shallack mocked them in front of the whole class and said he never thought they were any good!

Gordon had almost given up but if had one guiding principle it was to never give up. One evening Shallack was particularly savage in his criticism of ladies work, she had largely been exempt from his ire until now. She was quiet and from what Gordon could see one of the better students with a real control over her experiments. This evening however Shallack spared her no mercy as he lambasted her sloppiness and complete lack of understanding as he saw it. Freda, that was her name, looked at him in horror as he red faced tore her work apart she physically recoiled from him and the others stopped what they were doing looking on with undisguised hatred.

Gordon was boiling inside “Shallack you horrible bully you have gone too far and we aren’t going to take it anymore you owe that lady a sincere apology” was what he thought but somehow something stopped him from saying it out loud!

They were all relieved when the class ended and nearly all of them tried to comfort Freda who looked shell shocked and very upset.

Gordon did not consider himself a brave man or especially strong when it came to confrontation but he knew this couldn't go on. It was more than just demoralising but it might turn quite a few of them off of the subject for good. He wondered how other past students had tolerated Shallack and whether the college was aware of his behaviour. He had to do something but what?

The following day as Gordon arrived at the college he saw Mr Shallack arrive on his vintage Vincent motorbike. Gordon knew it was Shallack pride and joy and he had seen him warn anyone who got to close to it or stopped to admire it. He kept it in pristine condition and would often go out and polish it during the day or put a cover over it if it rained. An idea formed in Gordon’s mind and he smiled to himself as he visualised the outcome!

A couple of weeks later on a warm summer's evening as they were leaving, Gordon and his classmates were crossing the car park when they suddenly, they heard the most terrible scream and looked over to see Mr Shallack waving his arms madly and what appeared to be a black cloud forming around him. He was trying to shout but the cloud was getting in his mouth and nose. In his desperation to get away he knocked over his precious Vincent and it crashed to the ground heavily breaking the headlight. None of them moved, they stood rooted to the spot mesmerised by the scene unfolding before them.

“There flies” Sheila shouted “Hundreds of flies”

“Yes” said Gordon with a sly smile on his face “ I wonder how they got there?”

Stay well

I have just read an article regarding the numerous scams that are being plagued upon the unsuspecting public. It appears there is little we can do because the phone system security was implemented in 1975 and was written on the basis that the network would be honest. It means that the scammers can link their false numbers to make them look genuine. If you have been contacted by these scammers, either by text or phone, it will come as no surprise, they have risen by 83% over the last 12 months. The system needs to be completely re-written to update all of it’s protocols and even then the scammers, as always, will still find a way round it. If you have a mobile you have the option to block any number (or email) and the list of blocked numbers on my phone is very long!

I wonder how many more people who have subsequently died of Covid having been staunch anti-vaccine will be reported on, before those who still protest against it, understand that it can protect them with the chance of any side effects being minimal? Choice is all well and good but how would you feel if your loved one died from the virus because they refused to have the vaccine?

If you find the articles, you will read that a lot of Russian money is finding it’s way into the pockets of our government. It is filtered and channelled through what appears to be legitimate sources, such as a charity but it is a worrying  development and further highlights the corrupt nature of the top political hierarchy!  The reports cite the “donations” are being given by some very dodgy Russian businessmen. There is no doubt in my mind that the Russians have never stopped trying to destabilise the West and that the “cold” war for them has never really ended. Putin must be having a right laugh over the Afghanistan shambles, as once again it is a shining example of how “might is right” has absolutely no meaning. You leave when it is right to do so, not when you feel like it, a commitment is a commitment, no matter how much we all might not like it.

I am a man who likes to play “Devils advocate” and tries to see all sides of a situation or an argument. I like to try and understand things form each point of view and while I may vehemently disagree with the one side or the other, I will always (within reason) support the right to their stance. Most of the world events we are daily bombarded with, are not simple or easy to resolve. Mistakes are easy and much is just the capricious whim of Mother Nature (caused by us). It is easy to see an issue from one perspective and dismiss that with which you disagree.  There are times when you have to have the courage of your own opinion and state clearly that which you believe to be just! I have been brought up in Britain and my beliefs and principles are largely defined by that. I have travelled and always tried to open myself up to other cultures and how they live. We can gain a lot from others, sadly even though the world is more connected and integrated it seems we never really learn!

Stay well

It is difficult know what more one can say about the state of our world and particularly the state of our own nation. I know good things are happening and people are leading there lives in with happiness surrounding them. It is all to easy to highlight the tragedies. Yesterday my baby sister and my brother in law Mark came over to our flat for their first visit. We had a splendid day, highlighted by a lunch at our favourite Cafe Amore. We laughed and had fun, very little of a serious nature was discussed and the troubles of the world were forgotten. My side of our family consists of three people, me, my brother and sister, no nephews or nieces, just us, small but close.

I have no answers to the constant tragedies that befall our world, except to say that history shows that it has always been this way. My 68 years on the planet have largely been peaceful by comparison to past events but it seems no matter how hard we try humans cannot live in peace for long. The reasons are as hard to fathom, as are all those ideologies that we struggle to understand. It is odd that all religions preach peace and love and yet often are interpreted in such a way that the opposite happens. Why are some who follow Islam so extreme? It is not a new thing, the Infidel has been targeted for centuries? Islam worships the same God as Christianity, even has many of the same characters! As you will know I am an Atheist and don’t believe in any God or religion and for me it is even harder to understand why you would follow so fanatically a doctrine that for me is complete nonsense. I acknowledge the comfort that belief and faith have for so many but why does it have to cause so much death and destruction when it’s teachings promote the opposite? Interpretation of stories written so long after any the actual events are at best stories and and worse the doctrines of a cult that wanted to keep a ignorant population under control. The Bible, Koran, Haftorah and many other so called religious texts are nothing more than stories and rules for life written for a less educated time. How people now in the 21st century still believe in these ancient texts, is utterly beyond my understanding. If religion is your thing and you believe,  thats fine for you but when like the Taliban it is imposed on others in a violent and dictatorial way and especially the treatment of women then it must be resisted with every means possible. There is no room in this world for Islamic extremes and as so many who follow Islam, tell us, it is the minority who have these fundamental beliefs, I wonder why they doing nothing about them?

Here is a gruesome but historical fact: In 1632 the Taj Mahal was commissioned by  Emperor Shah Jahan, it is a tomb for his favourite wife. Once it had been completed he had the hands of all the workmen cut off so as they could never build a building as beautiful again! That was almost 5 centuries ago and yet the same biblical text that governed this barbarism and justified his cruelty, is still followed today, for me that is a horror that cannot be supported! 

Religion has always been a contentious issue and I am not dismissing the many good things that are done in the name of religion or by religious organisations. If religion galvanises people to behave well and help others fine but far to often it destroys lives and that is completely unacceptable!

Stay well

You could not write a script showing how appalling we are behaving towards Afghanistan. We thought Trump was a disaster and completely unfit to be President and now it looks as though Biden is a complete tosser! I am lost for words! The contradiction and hypocrisy and avalanche of lies and deception have become the norm, honesty, integrity, compassion, actual help are things of the past. Get used to it because it is the new normal!

To say we have spent the last years let down by politicians of every stripe is an understatement. My good friend Peter wrote a very intelligent email asking his MP The Attorney General Michael Ellis, what the government were doing about shortages and the transport problem that Britain is experiencing. He referenced all of the umbrella organisations that look after these sectors, all of whom are saying we have a big problem. The reply was frankly insulting as this minister of the Crown quoted all the success the government was having and all the policies that had implemented to combat the problem, in short he said there was no problem and hoped he’d put his mind at rest? Peter was not expecting a reply that addressed his concerns but as usual our representatives can only reply with well worn platitudes and double talk, we should have expected nothing more! Is there a single minister who has any concept of the daily lives of the people that are supposed to represent?  Have any of them a grasp of the reality of our daily lives (I do not speak for myself I am pretty well off and have few problems) Think of all of those who struggle each day to survive, for the many reasons that we are all familiar with. We have a broken system that is beyond it’s ability to cope. We have a government so divorced from those they serve, so privileged, so corrupt, so dishonest, so uncaring, that it is a complete mystery how anyone supports them? 

If I sound as though I am yet again beating a well worn drum, it is because it cannot be said too often, until these idiots are replaced and we try another way of electing our representatives we will only continue to get the same results. I do not claim to know the answer but I am sure we cannot remain the way we are. It is easy to constantly writes on the ineptitude of our government, without offering any alternative, I don’t claim to be that clever but I do know what we have has become  hopeless!

Stay well

Firstly let us not forget that Tony Blair was responsible for sending our troops to Afghanistan. Admittedly it was a NATO operation but as usual Britain provided the bulk of the personnel. Having said that the last 11 years have been controlled by a Tory government and now the “withdrawal” has been overseen by the most inept collection of minsters it has ever been the misfortune of this country to have in power. Not withstanding the fact that we have pissed off just about every country in Europe by leaving the EU, wee now find proof that the “special” relationship with America is nothing more than illusion that has been shored up with meaningless rhetoric. 

It has not taken long to realise how isolated as a country we now are, few friends and far to many countries who could care less about a relationship with us!

I watched the debate in the House of Commons and all the righteous indignation being spouted from all sides. A debate on the withdrawal from Afghanistan is a prime example of discussing why the horse has bolted and is now owned by someone else! There were some powerful speeches and there is no doubt many MP’s are genuinely outraged about the withdrawal and it’s utter shambles, as we all should be. Watching these comfortably paid men and women pass the buck around and ask for all sorts of action to be taken, whilst pointing out the terrible betrayal was an unedifying sight. I will no pass comment on the role played by Dominic Raab, too many have already condemned him, except to say why is anyone surprised! Day after interminable day we see more and more evidence of why this bunch are unfit to be in power and one can only hope that the Conservative party cut their losses as the embarrassment continues and rise up and get rid of them. Unfortunately Johnson is (unbelievably) popular and therefore they can ride his coat tails to keep their seats! 

It is heartbreaking to watch the Afghanistan tragedy unfold but we will soon forget we always do? We have forgotten Iraq, Libya, Syria and more of the countries we have invaded under the banner of humanitarian actions, when in reality it was usually just an excuse and far more prosaic than we were ever lead to believe but it’s okay we can leave a trail of chaos wherever we go under the banner of democracy. The first Gulf war was a legitimate rescue of Kuwait but any action since has left an unstable region where the very enemy that the West fears most has flourished. It’s a shame Afghanistan only has opium and lapis lazuli and not oil, if it had we would still be there!

Before I go today, I would like to express my sadness at the death of Sean Locke. I though he was a brilliantly inventive comedian who never failed to make me laugh with his direct and weird take on the world.

Stay well

Well how do you feel about the withdrawal from Afghanistan? I’ve made my feelings clear. There is as always a broader point and in this case it is one more example of the hubris of the West and particularly the USA and ourselves. We continue to believe we have every right to police the world when most of the problems were historically created by us in the first place and when I say us, let me be clear Britain carries a huge responsibility for much of todays troubles. They are not alone and the causes of conflict are often steeped in centuries of history. The problem is, that with all of our well educated experts on historical events the politicians hardly ever listen and certainly don’t understand the context and background when launching these campaigns. They have been knee jerk reactions to often unfounded, so called intelligence and as such mismanaged and ill prepared!

Take Afghanistan, ignoring the catalyst for going there, did the Americans and the British truly believe they could defeat an ancient fundamental “enemy” who are probably the best guerrilla fighters in the world, they defeated the Russians and have done the same throughout history too all invaders. Using their mountain strongholds they are patient, well armed, well organised, determined, patient and unwavering in their own cause and fundamental Islamic beliefs. They knew the west would eventually tire of policing the country and they could swoop down and take back power. I’m sure even they did not think it would be this easy but they knew eventually they would win? Well armed and well trained, these are not the rag tag bunch of bearded turbaned terrorists that they were are so often portrayed as. If they had of been, surely the might of the western forces, would have defeated them? We are fools to think that our might is right and that we must be able to win! Yet again we have tired of a conflict that should never have started and have left having failed to achieve the objective.

Do not misunderstand there have been times when if we had not stepped in the disaster unfolding would have been much worse. 

The wailing and disgust, over the actions of the withdrawal, will I predict be quickly overtaken and forgotten because history reflects that’s the way it always is? If only we took note of the lessons of our past and actually learnt from them. 

I’m sure there were well meaning and genuine attempts made during the course of the last 20 years to try and secure a peaceful outcome and leave Afghanistan in a position where self rule was achievable with all the parties but surely by now they would have realised that the Taliban were never prepared to compromise, implacable and fanatical, a combination that is impossible to fight.

Now the West are showing their true colours as they backtrack faster than the the troops who have been withdrawn. Biden has done himself no good and as usual our Conservative government are conspicuously absent or making trite remarks which as always are insulting and meaningless. The headline says we take 20000 Afghanistan refugees, read further down and you will see that is 5000 per year for the next 4 years! Big boots, cowardly hearts!

I read a piece today quoting a soldier who had served in the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts who said we may as well have lined up 500 British soldiers in Brize norton and shot them! A bitter and gruesome reflection but one can understand the strength of his feelings!

To end today another word from Susie:

IMPRESCIENCE (19th Century) The total lack of foresight and for knowledge!

Stay well

Yesterday I wrote how it would be bliss to live in ignorance of world events but I cannot ignore the Afghanistan tragedy. I was no supporter of President Bush knee jerk reaction to the 9/11 terrorist attack and the UK’s support of their military intervention. It was done on the basis of, we have to do something and the Taliban must be the culprits. Yes the Taliban are not a acceptable to our western views and are a horrific religious based dictatorship whose attitudes particularly to women is misogyny gone mad! Here’s the thing though, imagine you are the family of all the Afghan’s that have lost their lives during the conflict, imagine if your the family of the soldiers of whichever nationality that fought there and lost their lives or were disabled, suffer from the terror of PTSD and were probably abandoned by their own governments when they retuned. What was the point when you withdraw so quickly and the Taliban swoop down from their mountain stronghold and sweep through the country. If you have a shred of decency you can feel nothing but disgust for the abandonment of this country. The women of Afghanistan will now live in terror and strict Sharia law as if the clock had returned to minute zero, simply because the West made a commitment they no longer wanted to maintain. But for glandular fever my youngest son would have gone albeit in a support roll but you can only imagine our apprehension as parents when he told us. For him it was his duty and if that was where he was ordered that’s where he would go. Our feelings were nothing compared to those whose sons, daughters, husbands, wives, fathers and mothers who did go! How would you now feel if you lost that loved one or they had come home with missing limbs or severe trauma? 

I have written many times that I have no concept of those who are fundamentally implacable in their beliefs and any belief that subjugated women in such a brutal fashion is so alien that the despair we should feel cannot be quantified. We are now helpless in the face of an implacable force that just bided their time until the West lost interest and would no longer sustain their commitment. All the politicians words and gesture’s of horror are meaningless and insulting. I have always said that the so called “civilised” West has caused bitter destruction throughout the world and here is yet another example of our interference causing more long term damage. We’ve done it in the Middle East and throughout history. 

What a colossal waste of time and money but far far worse the huge loss of human life on every side. If your rightly angry then do what you think best and protest in your own way, I will be firing off a missive to my MP for what good it will do?

Stay well

 

I am trying to avoid further comment on the usual suspects and the coming and goings of the world in general. It is difficult, when at the breakfast table my darling wife relates yet more of the awful stuff that is happening, rightly getting indignant at the inhumanity of so many to so many others. I grunt and go oh dear hoping she will take the hint and stop but it never happens. I am not someone who has ever suffered from depression, although thats not to say there have not been times when I have been depressed if only for a brief time. The world for some long long time has been what I suppose it always has been a horrible place, with outbreaks of joy! The difference these days, as we all know, is the ability for so much to be reported on one platform or another, even if it is not on the more mainstream news outlets. I have never wanted to isolate myself from what is going on in the world good and bad but I am rapidly coming to the conclusion that it might be best for my mental health? Generally I am a happy person who tries to be optimistic and upbeat (you may not think so having read my writing?) but I am struggling to find enough good in the world to be optimistic and upbeat about. 

I am jealous of those who have little interest in events, it must actually be bliss to live in ignorance and I wish I could stop. For instance and I promise this will be the one thing I mention today, why would the second most powerful country in the largest trading block in the world decide to be a second bit player in the worlds economic hierarchy? As someone wrote, it is a bit like Manchester United deciding  to leave the Premier League to play in the third division? 

Anyway, my advice stop reading all the crap that is going on I am sure you will be better off, now if only I can take my own advice!

Signing off today with a word from the wonderful Susie Dent 

MUMPSIMUS (18th century) One who sticks to their opinion despite clear evidence that they are wrong! (Anyone you know!)

Stay well

I said to Wendy this morning that I have had enough please lock me away and don’t let me read or hear any news I can’t take anymore of this depressing world. I no longer know what to say or write I have exhausted my ability to comment, I am not a natural pessimist but each day seems to get worse. No clear truth about anything that emerges, so many opinions, stories, misinformation, I’m right and they are wrong, it becomes impossible to get any real understanding! History dictates that this is always the case but in 2021 it is worse than it has ever been. 

This may seem trivial and nostalgic but yesterday we watched the brilliant Repair Shop. A man brought in a bus ticket machine to be restored so as he could once again see it print. It had belonged to his Uncle. It was fascinating to see a mechanical machine that I remember so well form riding buses in London when conductors were still in place. Wendy and I spoke fondly of the simplicity of the handle being turned and a thin paper ticket would emerge, sometimes in a long stream if there were two or three of you! It was lovingly repaired and the owner was delighted, wanting to show his young grandchildren how it worked as they had kept asking. Now I know we progress and it’s easy to look back to what we fondly believe was a simpler time and long for that simplicity, when we know that the world was just as complicated but it brings into stark relief todays rush to do everything and the pace we now live at. We did not know what advances would be made or how quickly they would develop. Sometimes progress is not what we need. One can understand those who opt for a simpler life, or get off the “grid”. And yes I get the irony of writing that and then posting on social media!

Stay well 

Well you invest all that money and people to fight in Afghanistan because of your reaction to 9/11. You send thousands of troops to many of whom never came back alive. Then once you decide to withdraw everything you fought against comes crashing in and the Taliban who obviously were biding their time rapidly take over large parts of the country. What a waste of all those years and lives. I am not suggesting that the horror that is the Taliban is welcome or should not be resisted but from what is going on it appears to have been a massive failure in the military war fought against them? The real horror is the way that women will be subjugated once again and made to be second class citizens. What was the point of all that death if the result will turn out to be that which they were there to stop? 

I struggle to understand the mentality of many who seemingly disappear down the rabbit hole of conspiracy theories? I have no problem with those who research legitimate findings from al angles and base there reasoning on solid scientific evidence or have a personnel choice to not do something that the majority will. I object to those who spread their unfounded and wild speculation infecting other weak minds. I just don’t get the though processes. There are many sinister and clandestine things going on in the world much of it driven by money, greed, power, drugs, crime and many other nefarious activities. But some of these conspiracy theories are so nonsensical it beggars belief that so many get sucked in?

Still lets all be cheerful and happy and try to forget the horrors of this world and live our lives as best we can.

Stay well

You know you may find this hard to believe, if you have read any of my previous scribbling but I truly believe that we are intrinsically good and given the opportunity will help each other. We watch an innocuous TV drama on Netflix called Virgin River. It is about a small town community in rural America where a nurse with a troubled past goes to work. The main characters bicker, argue and gossip is rife, everyone is everyone’s business but when needed they all help and support each other as a community. They may snipe and talk about each other behind their backs but they always step up when help is needed. Now this series has no great point to put across and is a mindless but enjoyable 40 minutes of soap. Why do I mention this simply because I wonder if given the opportunity we would actually all behave in a similar manner? I am sure there are still communities that are tight knit and close but in general most of our country no longer does. I find when needed most people will help others but this no longer translated into a “community” spirit as we understand it. In Kettering where we now live you do get a vague sense of a town that cares about itself and and somewhere in the background there is a sense that a community is still there. 

We bitch and moan and blame everyone else (I am no exception) but we are the only ones who can change things and make them better.

Stay well

Having been away this weekend I have not written any of my pithy comments on the world. 

The Olympics ended and I found much that was enjoyable and entertaining with some fantastic sporting achievements but whilst the competitors performed admirably the lack of spectators did diminish the overall atmosphere, still if you took part and especially if you won a medal I don’t suppose you minded? 

Is there a day that goes by when somewhere in the world people are fleeing from and desperately fighting huge fires. Greece and Turkey are suffering unprecedented hot weather and the fires keep burning. I spoke to my good friend Kostas yesterday and one might imagine he is rightly horrified by the events happening in his country.  He told me that there have been days when the temperature in his house has reached 48 degrees centigrade and has been unbearable with the added discomfort of a hot wind which can take your breath away! As if Greece has not been through enough in the last 10 years they are now dealing with the devastation caused by climate change. If there are still those who deny climate change than I do not know which planet they are living on but it certainly is not Earth!

I read that Boris’s popularity rating is at an all time low (Not that he cares). One should point out that Keir Starmer’s is not much better! It would be a surprise to me that any MP (with the odd exception) has a decent popularity rating at the moment (if they ever do). As we seem to elect our main politicians based on celebrity like they are in some kind of reality show is a mystery in the first place? It is pointless to say “I told you so” as Boris daily says or does something ever more reprehensible. Had nobody looked at his track record of gaffs and outright prejudice prior to voting for him? Of course these actually were much of what attracted many to him in the first place? His “colourful” character made him seem interesting and fresh to many voters, they ignored his instability and reckless nature, which says as much about them as it does about him! As they say, be careful what you wish for!

I spoke with someone who has had resorted to therapy in order to control their anger issues over the state of the world. The increasing volatility and stupidity of those who supposedly lead us has caused uncontrollable anguish which at times had lead to an overwhelming feeling of helplessness. This is a young man in his thirties who sees the injustice in our world and despairs at the state of it! I know how he feels but have the experience and wisdom to put it into perspective and remain on an even keel. 

Stay well

I go on about out PM almost everyday for the same reason I spent all of Trumps tenure criticising him. I know looks should not be a criteria but you only have to see our wonderful Boris to know that he is a complete disaster. How can you take the gaff prone bumbling fool seriously? Surely one look at him and you would immediately understand that this is a man who cannot be trusted? Each day he says or does something that makes you cringe. Britain could be great again (doubtful) but only if we get rid of this terrible representative of our country (alongside all of his ministers) I’d rather some inexperienced backbencher with a modicum of common sense was made PM, than one more day of these incompetent, self satisfied, pocket lining pathetic excuses for a government! If you get the leaders we deserve, then we really have fallen to the bottom of the barrel!

Now up until now I have tried to play devils advocate regarding the vaccine. I am pro-vaccine as those who read this will know. It is not a cure, it won’t eradicate it, it won’t stop you getting it, you may still die, we will continue to have to be vaccinated periodically but for goodness sake if gives you some protection for goodness sake get it. It does not hurt and for the vast majority you may feel a little ill after but it is extremely unlikely the side effects will be any worse than that. How many stories do you have to read of those who were against it and subsequently contracted the virus and died! When we were children we had all sorts of jabs, no one questioned it, we had vaccines for conditions that are now almost non-existent like smallpox and polio. Parents did not doubt they just got their kids vaccinated. We did the same for our children. Admittedly they were for a bacterial condition and not a viral one but we just got on with it. Now with so much conspiracy and medium for every theory good and bad, those who would have had no doubt in the past are now sown the seeds of misunderstanding and falsehoods! Taking the vaccine is not just for your own protection it is for all of our protection. Frankly I do not understand the reluctance. Do not think for one second that Covid (whichever strain) gives a flying fuck how healthy you are, whether you follow a healthy diet, how good your gut is, whether you can complete a tough mudder in under 3 hours, it won’t stop you catching it! Yes all the healthy living stuff is absolutely right and we should encourage people to do so but this is now and the future does not count!

Stay well

Wednesday, you see nothing gets passed me! A greek friend of Wendy’s who is the personnel trainer of their male tennis player, has reported that unless you are in one of the “elite” teams the facilities at the Olympic village are horrific and they have been treated very poorly. Toilets that don’t work, terrible sleeping conditions, herded like cattle. Now I am only passing on what he has reported, obviously I have not seen what he has but Wendy says he is a rather laid back guy and not likely to complain unless things are really bad.

I have enjoyed the Olympics. There is something rather charming about human endeavour at this level, no matter if you could win a medal or not. Most come, just to say they took part int the games and the camaraderie is there for all to see, it matters not a jot where you come from, who you are or the nation you represent. It is a visible lesson for us all to take to heart, when so many bleat on about immigration, refugees, asylum seekers etc. They all have a shared experience as competitors, knowing how hard they have trained and the many injuries and other obstacles that could prevent their participation. 

The athleticism and sheer determination to compete is fascinating and it is amazing how humans can perform all these different disciplines. I am far too lazy to have worked as hard as they must do to reach the level they do, not that I ever had a scintilla of talent to have done so. What some of them put their minds and bodies through in the name of sport, reminds us of how adaptable and remarkable the human species is, if only we could be that dedicated in all other walks of life? 

Can you imagine Boris’s government being that dedicated to their chosen task, or actually have trained for it, instead of lining their own pockets and looking after all their chums? Well I had to get a dig in there, didn’t I!

Stay well

I read that there most public support systems are broken. The question I would ask is when were they ever functioning well? Underfunded, under resourced, no leadership, no support, most of the systems put in place to support the public are broken. Successive governments have trumpeted their intention to improve and mend but each time they have failed to live up to the promises they make. Whilst the responsibility is not entirely theirs, years of chronic under funding and neglect have left most unable to carry out the task they are there for. Those who work in these organisations are undervalued and under huge pressure to met targets that are frankly a nonsense and in the case of Health irrelevant in a free at the point of delivery system! The increase in our awareness of the daily problems the people face has increased the need to seek help. There will always be those who need professional help but I feel these days, bombarded as we are with every possible source of information, good and bad, we no longer have the capacity or the will, to help ourselves? Now before you shout at me I know there are many who don’t seek help and do there best to help themselves. It isn’t that I am advising not to seek help if needed quite the contrary, you should. The problem is that when you do it is so poorly provided the waiting time will be for to long! We need a peaceful revolution because things will only get worse. Lead by this government of discord and disharmony nothing will improve and they have demonstrated that Democracy as we understand it is dead! It is all of our responsibility to do something about the parlours state of our systems and country, we need to take personnel responsibility to help ourselves and others so as the pressure is relieved. The first and most important step to this is to be as healthy as you can. A simple statement but one which will have a powerful effect for everyone. Walk around your town and tell me if the population are looking after themselves? The evidence is there for all to see. Obesity is epidemic and at all ages. We all know why? Tell me why Kettering town centre needs three Subways, two MacDonalds and every variation of fast food outlet you can imagine. And for all their self proclaimed healthy offerings, they are not there to for any other reason than to make a profit! 

There are many injustices in our society far too many to write about here. the unbalance between the haves and have nots is widening and those without are finding it harder and harder to get any help.

Stay well 

I know it’s Sunday and I should rest from the bash Boris bandwagon but he has to be targeted everyday until he is a memory. We find that he and Carrie are expecting another child and that she had a miscarriage. Well that is sad but it happens to lots of women. I could care less how many children Boris has or is fathering, him sowing his seed so often is just another indication of his wastrel personality and further proof of his complete unfitness to be in any kind of position of power. Aside from the fact that you have to wonder why any woman would let him have sex with her, it shows his irresponsibility. The reports say he does not have enough money to fund all of his children. 

The Olympics are interesting and there have been some great performances. I find the Athletics in particular and indeed most of the sports sadly lacking in atmosphere because there are no spectators. The women’s 100 metre final seemed like a training run? Okay the competitors were no less motivated and take part and no less excited to win but the sight of them draped in their flag celebrating to an almost empty stadium had no significance. Their medals are just as significant as those from previous games, they are Olympic champions but looking back the lack of spectators will have slightly tarnished their achievements? Still strange times and I suppose they could not afford to put it off for another year? 

So how has your life been since the lifting of most restrictions? We still wear a mask in Supermarkets but I have noticed that as the days have passed the wearing of them is slowly lessening and of course no matter how much the Supermarket requests you still wear one, they are not inclined to enforce and many of their employees have stopped! 

Wendy made a good point his morning regarding vaccination. When we were children our parents would never have questioned us not having vaccinations for measles, smallpox, diphtheria, whooping cough and TB, whilst admittedly they are bacterial and not viral that is unimportant, if it protected us then we got it no question, no doubt, no argument. Of course they were very different times with less “information” circulating. We did they same for our boys, not a thought that it was risky or inadvisable. Now I maybe old fashioned, after all at my age I am entitled to be but if there is a vaccine that can, at the very best, lessen the effect of Covid and possibly protect you from it why would you not have it? The is always a minuscule chance that someone will have a bad reaction but that is true for hundreds of treatments and drugs. So why the resistance by some to this vaccine? Why are we giving our children a choice?  Nothing will really stop the virus but surely it is logical to have protection than none?

Stay well