September 11th

Twenty five years ago, I came home from work for lunch.  I switched on the television and saw images after the first World Trade Centre had been hit.  From what I remember at the time, it was thought to be an accident.  And then the world saw another plane fly into the second tower. We realised then that the United States was under attack. 

I had an educational session that day and I went to it and told the others that planes had flown into The World Trade Centres, but the others there did not seem to pay much attention to it. By the time I returned home, we knew more.

I remember having tears in my eyes at the bravery of the emergency workers who ran into the first tower as people fled it so that they could save lives and fight the inferno that later destroyed the tower.  The world was shocked.

I was disgusted with the way that healthcare for those emergency workers who attended this was cut.  I am saddened with the way Donald Trump is lying about where he was on the day.  We are used to him lying, but this one is so easily shown to be one. 

The UK takes further action against Israel

One of the many times that I am proud to be British has been when it comes to the actions of this government in imposing sanctions on the illegal occupation of The West Bank.  As discussed before, I disagree with the term Genocide when it comes to how the Palestinian people are being treated, but I do consider Israel to be engaging in Ethnic Cleansing.  

I was full of hope when The Oslo Accords were signed.  I still want them to be honoured, with settlements and their inhabitants being allowed to remain, but under the control of The Palestinian Authority with an end to segregation, allowing Muslims and Christians to live in them side by side with Jews.  

Parliament has spoken, mostly with one voice. More action can be taken, I have discussed this with my daughter, and I have been clear that I think that F35 fighter parts produced in the UK should still go to Israel.  But I do think that the military aid we give with flights out of Cyprus should end. 

Do all lives matter?

The term All Lives Matter is one that is controversial.  I think that it applies right now in the UK.  Plastic patriots have been taking to the streets to protest against Farage Boats crossing The Channel.  The RNLI has been something that they have not liked for a while, a service that many on the left have funded.  

Patriots need to remember that the numbers of Farage boats has increased since Brexit and if they wanted them to stop, the best way to do so would be to re-join the EU.

Political violence in the UK

I have been clear on many occasions that political violence in the UK is wrong.  Nigel Farage and Reform UK Ltd have shown appalling double standards when it comes to this.  Violence to any politician is wrong, that includes throwing a milk shake over Farage. But that also includes violence to a heckler.  I do not think that the Right to Protest should interfere with the Right to Free Speech, even when it is funny, but violence to solve it is wrong. Unless it is when John Prescott is punching someone who started it, that being because it was his right to retaliate when faced with a physical attack. 

Donations to Reform UK (Ltd) again

Reform UK Ltd are in the news again.  Over donations, again.  It was not too long ago that there was the issues about a five million pound gift.  That drowned out the other donations, including one from a donor who "earned" a pardon from Donald Trump.  

There is nothing patriotic with a political party being funded by millionaires from abroad. 

Return of the daughter

Our daughter is back from Albania. She had travelled there with a friend and was meant to return during the week, but when abroad her phone died.  We give our children hand-me-down phones and she pointed out that the phone she had was older than the dog. On occasion the phone will turn on, but will be green. I think it is communing with The Matrix. Needless to say I have been told not to tell her that! 

My wife and I drove to Heathrow with our dog in the back of the car to collect her and her friend. Having only one phone between them, the two wished to return from a nation, which while beautiful, was culturally quite different in their behaviour towards women.

Anyway, it is the twenty first birthday of our daughter next month, so I have bought her a brand new iPhone which will arrive tomorrow, which will be her early birthday present. She has promised to pay her friend back for the early flight home so will be returning to working for two days later this week.