Ukraine what now

Now, today it has been announced that Germany will allow its Leopard tanks owned by NATO countries to be exported to Ukraine and in addition will supply a dozen or so of its own. The UK has promised 14 tanks and possibly the USA will send some Abraham tanks. The stated assumption is that Ukraine will, with the assistance of these tanks, take back land that Russian forces have occupied and push them back to the border including retaking Crimea.

In order to consider the future we must also consider the past. When the Soviet Union broke up agreements to maintain peace were soon made between the ‘West’ (meaning the behest of the USA) and the emerging democracy of Russia. One agreement was that nuclear weapons based in the old Soviet of Ukraine would be removed and in exchange NATO would not advance through the new free nations of the Balkans and Ukraine. Over the years this agreement has been broken by the West as they steadily approved NATO membership of the old Soviet nations and advanced ever closer to the borders with Russia. Behind NATO followed the EU. This is all an obvious threat to Russia’s security. With new governments in Ukraine including a coup accompanied by overtures towards the West when previously it had very close ties with Russia, Putin could see the threat closing in on Russia as Ukraine had the great sea ports of the Black Sea including Crimea. He expressed his alarm eventually turning to threats that were ignored and was basically pushed into annexing Crimea and finally invading Ukraine. I suggest this was a deliberate plan of the West.

We must now throw in a few facts, most of which are not disputed when even a sliver of honesty is about. Ukraine is one of the world’s most corrupt countries not only government but also in business, it’s endemic and Zelenski is not immune making it fertile ground for capitalism. Next, the people of eastern Ukraine are largely of Russian origin and a happy mix of Russian/Ukrainian and have gone about their lives in a spirit of neighbourliness with those over the border. Indeed movement across the border for trading, family, friendships were the norm. Ukraine has never been one big nation but made up of several ethnic groups, the ones to the east being, as I said, Russian and a majority were opposed to the Ukrainian government moving closer to the West, NATO and the EU. They decided to secede and form their own regional state which was opposed by the government Kiev and eventually shelled by the army. Russia assisted secessionists which given their closeness in ethnicity is understandable but still held back from actually going over the border and absorbing Donbass and Donetsk into the Russian Federation as requested by the majority of the people.

The West seeing a perceived opportunity to weaken Russia (Capitalism requires weak subservient states) maybe as Russia had a bad pandemic, agitated the situation, building up Zelenski while goading Putin until he had virtually no choice but to move into the Eastern region and war soon followed as predictable as a sunrise.

So where are we now? We have over a quarter of a million people dead which probably means a million injured, countless cities and towns destroyed, 3 million Ukrainians living in exile, agriculture severely curtailed meaning hunger for many in the developing world and rising prices elsewhere. The West has supplied vast monetary sums to the corrupt government and a steadily increasing supply of weapons and ammunition. Not only this but the destructive fire power supplied has also been escalating with tanks just being the latest example. It can easily be argued that the West is also testing weapons with the lives of Ukrainians as neither Russia could ‘win’ and take over the entire Ukraine nor can Ukraine ‘win’ against the might of Russia. With every consignment sent the risk of open warfare between the West and Russia rises with all the imagined horrors that could mean. That we haven’t as yet arrived at that terrible confrontation is as much down to Putin’s self control as it is to luck.

General Election 2019 and Brexit

I wasn’t in practice as a psychoanalyst for many years without picking up a sense also of the collective public mind and so I believe that labour, in it’s campaign, is making a similar mistake to that of the remain campaign in the EU referendum.

When launching Labour’s manifesto Jeremy Corbyn gave it the right introduction in that it was a message of hope for the future, a plan for a better, safer, more caring and kinder times ahead. Apart from that though their campaign has been largely negative in that they have, at time of writing, concentrated on how terrible it would be if Boris Johnson’s Tory Party was re-elected for a further five years. The list of horrors awaiting us has been endlessly trotted out and of course this is largely correct. Now for the ‘but’ which is that human beings are programmed to be positive, it is what made our specie successful, to see dangers not necessarily to be avoided but to be overcome, a challenge. Additionally when the dangers are being continually thrust upon them by a serious faced old man, even though he is right, there is a natural tendency to avoid accepting them because that requires action of some kind not least the action of thought. Contrast that with a genial, laughing, bumbling twit who enjoys being mocked while stuck on a zip wire, who says don’t worry, everything will be alright, it’s all a load of scare mongering, follow me and we’ll ‘get it done’. He doesn’t even have to specify what he will ‘get done’ it’s easy for a lot of people to be content to leave it all with him and save themselves the necessity of thinking, even though they know that in reality he is lying to them.

The same error of negativity was made by the remain campaign in the EU referendum. The focus was almost entirely on the likely disasters that would arise if we gave up our membership of the biggest trading bloc on the planet and based on peaceful co-operation and whilst likely to be entirely true, was counteracted by a deceivingly positive campaign by the leavers led by Farage. His laughing face beaming out from behind a pint glass of beer and a cloud of fag smoke created a vision of anti establishment even though a part of it. The consummate salesman he wove a vision of the future based on a mental image of our ‘glorious’ past that we never had.

Is it too late? Probably but like the rest of humanity I am programmed by evolution to cling to hope.

My Letters to May & Corbyn

I recently sent the following letters to the Prime Minister May and leader of the opposition Corbyn.

Theresa May MP

10 Downing Street

Westminster

London

SW1A 2AA

Dear Theresa May

I do believe that you would like to do more to help our NHS and not to make a real time cut to our less fortunate citizen’s benefits but that you are constrained by the forthcoming financial disaster that is called Brexit.

You will know, better than me, that when Brexit happens you will go down in history as the Prime Minister who lead us into the abyss, you are between a rock and a hard place. Never mind the loss of the benefits of membership of the EU the sheer cost of leaving and the loss of jobs and investment will see us reduced to an insignificant little island.

It seems to me there is a way out but it requires bravery and leadership and yes, risk but history shows us the great Statesmen had the courage to take a risk after careful planning of course. So how about make a statement in the Commons and in a national broadcast that as negotiations have progressed and more information has come to light that you believe leaving the EU is a wrong act for the UK and as our Prime Minister you advise against continuation. Consequently you will instigate a referendum on the final deal with the option to remain members. If the opinion is still for leaving (unlikely as the tide is turning in favour of staying in) then we leave democratically but democracy requires the right for minds to change, or we’d never have need of a general election.

I believe you would save the nation from itself, assure a positive place in history for yourself and we can call it a win-win. Yes the party knives would be out for you but let’s be honest they will be out for you eventually anyway, they always are for any P.M.

                                       **************************************

Jeremy Corbyn

House of Commons

London

SW1A 0AA

Dear Jeremy

For the first time in my (long) life I joined a political party, the Labour Party, when you were campaigning to become leader and I can see nothing better than you in No 10.

I want to live long enough to see your policies put into action and our lovely country becoming what it should be, prosperous, peace making and caring for all. I’m sure you realise that this will be impossible if we leave the European Union into which we have invested so much and I don’t mean money. I mean the strong bonds, the mutually beneficial laws, many, if not most, that we helped to formulate. The rapidly escalating financial costs involved in leaving will leave us skint for decades to come and reduce us to an insignificant poverty stricken little island.

The first duty of government is to protect the people and I believe that includes protecting them from their own stupidity if necessary. We desperately need a leader to arise to say stop! I appreciate you need to choose the right time to be that leader but the tide is turning, realisation is slowly sinking in and the cry for a second referendum on the deal will get louder or at the very least for MP’s to have a free vote on it including the option to remain members.

When I leave this life I want to know that my children and grandchildren will enjoy the human and workers rights that I have had, be free to work, study and live in other EU countries and enjoy the peace that the EU has helped to keep along with concern for the environment. Like you I’ve campaigned for decades for CND, Oxfam, stop various wars etc. and the only real success has been gay rights. Stopping the disaster that is Brexit is my last campaign that I hope you’ll help to win.

Best regards

Osborne and The EU Bill

The trouble with posh boys from Eton is that they think the rest of us are stupid. Well, Osborne, if you think we believe you got the £1.7bn bill halved then you are the stupid one.

I know you haven’t any qualifications in finance so let me help you out. EU Bill = £1.7bn OK? Annual rebate from EU = £850 million, still with me George? Use the rebate to pay some of the bill and you’re left with a Bill for £850 million, keeping up George? So the Bill hasn’t been halved as you say, it’s just that you’ve actually paid half. No? Haven’t quite got it George? Let me go through it again a bit more slowly……………

Quick Dummies Guide to the UK Political Parties and How to Use Your Vote

Quick Dummies Guide to the UK Political Parties and How to Use Your Vote

Conservative. The party of and for big business and people of wealth. It’s objective is to channel as much wealth as possible from the nation as a whole to themselves which in turn means controlling the people and the systems as much as is possible. Traditionally their leaders have come from a few elite families and have bred into them the belief that they are the chosen few who know best and have closed minds to any alternatives that might detract from their prime objective which, as I said, is to increase their wealth.

Labour. Would like to be a Socialist Party and clings to the memory of what they once were. Over the last few decades they have been cleverly manipulated by the Conservatives and have now become a shadow of their former self whilst morphing into a well meaning, slightly more caring version of Conservatism. They yearn to be more socialist but fear the power of the conservative media to ridicule them and so water down their policies or even attempt to be more Tory than the Tories.

Lib/Dems. By and large made up of well meaning people with some sensible policies. Due to our voting system their chances of forming the government are virtually nil. This has lead to great and understandable frustration so when the chance came and the Tories offered them a coalition ‘partnership’ the chance of some power was too much and they supped with the Devil. The Conservatives are nothing if not clever and manipulative as the Lib/Dems found to their cost. For the time being at least, they are a spent force and will have regroup and rethink.

UKIP. Mainly a one man party, Nigel Farage. Son of a stockbroker, privately educated with wealthy Conservatives and became a City commodities trader. He makes his pitch getting out of the European Union and panders to readers of red tops in particular. A very good rabble rousing speaker of little substance. UKIP attracts idiots and buffoons as it’s candidates as well as a following from the uninformed and far right nationalists. If one looks at such other policies that they have formulated it is easy to see that they are in fact the very worst face of Conservatism and if they were ever enacted would bring this country to it’s knees.

Green Party. Used to have the reputation of being the home of lefty tree huggers and environmentalists. but over the years has grown steadily into a political party of substance with many councillors spread over the country, several MEPs and so far, one MP in Parliament, Caroline Lucas, who is arguably the most sensible member in that place of intrigue and regarded with much respect. Definitely to the left of the political spectrum but with a much more realistic understanding of how to make business work for the nation as a whole along with an understanding that policy should be made with an eye on the long term future, rather than the short termism that dogs the two main parties.

Your Vote and the General Election.

Unless you belong to the very wealthy elite or believe in paying higher taxes for less services then the Conservatives are not for you and so you must choose from the rest. To not vote at all is an abrogation of responsibility. Should your constituency be a very safe Conservative or Labour one then why not use your vote to give the Green Party a lift. Live in a marginal where it could go Tory or Labour? Well, unless you are in the small group above then Labour is the obvious choice. Or perhaps you live where it’s likely to be either Tory or Lib/Dem? Then remember the Lib/Dems supported the Tories right through this Parliament and so consider voting Green as your protest and who knows, if enough vote with you maybe some more Green MPs to back up Caroline Lucas. Whatever you do don’t vote UKIP!

UK Citizen Surveillance Goes European

I have written many times about the ever increasing amount of surveillance and I won’t labour the point now but secret information has been revealed showing that EU wide co-operation in anti terrorism surveillance is being used in the UK to target lawful protesters who are exercising their legal rights and are being dubbed ‘Domestic Terrorists’. See report.

European Islamic Community

I think it’s fair to say that we as a nation and indeed a large part of Europe have become all but paralysed by political correctness. Although our eyes see and our ears hear what is happening all around us most of us unconsciously self censor this information. Those that do recognise what is transforming our country and speak out run a great risk of being accused of racisism. The blight of pc is all pervading, preventing truth from seeping out beneath it’s repressive fog.

I believe in the equality of all human beings and appreciate and enjoy the rich diversity of the various traditions and I am certainly no apologist for the BNP  or any other racist group. I also enjoy and appreciate the traditions of my own country, England and of neighbouring Wales, Scotland and Ireland, linking to make the UK. The historic connection with the near countries of western Europe are also a cultural link that I appreciate.

Blowing away for a moment the mist of political correctness then we will see that all that I love of my country and it’s heritage are fast being lost and indeed will probably be lost forever. Huge and rapid immigration of muslims mainly from the Indian sub continent but also from Africa are swamping the British identity. Western white Europeans are breeding at a rate approximating to 1.8 children per couple, in other words they are not replacing themselves and so the indigenous population is falling. Not so with the immigrant families who replicate at a rate of between 4 and 8 children per couple, in other words, they more than double themselves and even quadruple themselves.

Again rub the pc dust from our eyes and do a little mathematics and we’ll find that in about 50 years time muslims will be the majority population of not only the UK but also of Europe. The Islamic European Community is far from unlikely it is almost a certainty.  What a legacy to leave to perhaps not our children but certainly to our  grandchildren.

The best that we can do now is to close our borders to all further immigration and slow up the inevitable. We can only do this if we force our way though the mist and murk of political correctness.

BNP Leader Pelted with Eggs

Nick Griffin was forced to abandon a press conference outside Parliament today and was pelted with eggs before being driven away by his henchmen.

The BNP in a free, fair and democratic election has won two seats in the European Parliament. Tens of thousands of people voted for them and the two new MEP’s are their chosen representatives. Most of us may be appalled by this result but it is democracy. Rather than offering the BNP violent protest, which will only give them the oxygen of publicity, let us address the reasons that so many voted for them.

I think it was Winston Churchill who said “I may not agree with what you say but I will defend to the death your right to say it.” If we value freedom, if we value democracy then even when it is difficult, perhaps even more so when it’s difficult, we must defend the right to free speech.

EU Chicken

It’s almost unbelievable I know but the Government (DEFRA) is actually proposing to allow an increase in the numbers of chickens in battery farms per square metre. They are already so tightly packed that their legs collapse, their lungs give out and their hearts fail. It is already a disgusting 17 birds per square metre and the proposal is to add two more.

The government excuse is that we will come inline with EU regulations. This is no excuse at all and DEFRA should obviously be demanding an improved EU standard. As a result of a previous campaign to improve the lot of chickens,, sales of free range birds have increased by 42% which shows that the British people have compassion and the Government should have the same.

If you are a outraged as me and want to protest to the Minister then just click the hens.

Fishing Quota Waste

A Cornish fishing and fish auction company has been found guilty of importing fish over and above the European Quota.

Now, it is true it would seem that the company has indeed broken the law and it looks like they will receive a hefty punishment but just think for a moment. Had they followed the law what would have happened to the tons of fish that were caught over the quota? Trawlers can’t help catching whatever gets into their nets but the law says they must throw back any excess. These perfectly edible fish are dead and will simply provide food for sea gulls or rot on the seabed! Throwing them over side will do nothing at all for preserving fish stocks. What a bloody waste!