Israel assassinated ambulance workers

For those who are unaware, Israel killed some emergency workers. They claimed that the ambulances were travelling without emergency lights and that some of them were Hamas members. However, one of the dead had recorded the drive, showing that they had their emergency lights on. As they pulled over when they saw the ambulance they had come to get, the Israeli troops waiting until they were out of the vehicles before opening fire in what appears to be a lethal ambush.

While the Israeli Defence Forces will claim to investigate this, we know their willingness to kill Palestinian civilians. Some may remember the hostages who were killed by the IDF trying to surrender, deaths which would not have been noted by the mainstream media in the west if they had been Palestinian.

As you may recall, I understood the desire of Israel to act after the horrors of October the 7th, a day where Hamas recorded the murders in a way reminiscent of the way the Nazi’s recorded The Holocaust. But there was a negotiated ceasefire which Israel decided to break when Hamas did not agree to new terms which were demanded by Israel. Sadly, this is going to continue without consequence for the next few years. Things may improve a bit if a Democrat takes Presidential office in four years, but Israel appears to have a free hand in the murder of Palestinians until then. 

Walking on Sunshine

Family first. My son is feeling unwell. He had been out on Friday and my wife is convinced that he picks up something every time he is out late. Apparently the band he went to see were not even worth it!  My daughter took part in vaccinations yesterday and was in a local care home and started to feel depressed afterwards. After watching the film with my wife, I took the dog out for a walk and bumped into her and a friend walking back from their night out on the town.  She sat down and cried about the residents there saying that she would never put us in a home. But she did not get to see the good things about this, something I will discuss with her later today.

Now, the film. It was definitely not the movie event of the year, but yes, it was similar to Mamma Mia. The odds are that if you like this film, which was made in 2014, that you will like Mamma Mia, which was made in 2008. However, the acting is not as good, and the singing it not up to the standards of Mamma Mia (if you erase Pierce Brosnan from the score). It has a very good selection of songs, the scenery is amazing and Leona Lewis’s voice is fantastic. But despite that, I do not think this film is worth watching. My wife enjoyed it and I got to spend time with her watching it. But I will never watch this again. 

Trump, Afghanistan and his deals

It is hard to follow what is happening with international politics when it comes to the USA.  But we can see how things are not going to be good for a while when we look at the deal Trump negotiated in Afghanistan.  

While Biden got the blame for the chaos that resulted, Biden had two poor choices.  Stick to the agreement made by Trump, or break it.  He took the long view in the best interests of America and stuck to the bad deal that his predecessor had negotiated.  

While we can mention how the Abraham Accords were negotiated by Trump, again a great deal for him, one which was terrible for the Palestinians, I think that it is important to remember the consequences of his deal in Afghanistan.

In the years before Trump, I would disagree with my mother about the issue of Afghanistan.  She argued that the west should leave it.  My view was that by staying, human rights in Afghanistan were better and we could help the nation move towards a more tolerant society.  But she got her way, the west pulled out of the nation and now the country is sliding backwards again.  Women's rights are being trampled on, but at least there is 'peace' in the country.  

So do I trust Trump to make a good deal?  For him yes, but his deals trample on the rights of those he considers beneath him. 

Trump and fixing his trade issues

People are trying to make sense of Trump and the tariffs he has imposed.  Basically, he has a government which is not known for intelligence.  Not just with the debacle with the Signal App, but other examples include who he has sent to negotiate with Russia.  

He has imposed a tariff on an island of penguins.  Some are talking about negotiating with him, but this is the man who renegotiated a deal with Mexico and Canada in 2020 and now has decided that they are taking advantage of the USA due to his deal!  

As you can see from the first video, there may be method in the madness that he has unleashed, but anyone who thinks that they can trust him to stick to his own deals is a fool.

In summary, I do not think that Trump realises the consequences of what he is imposing on the people of the USA.  After all, the USA is not able to produce its own coffee, tea or bananas. Even though many things are assembled in the USA, they still rely on components from abroad which means that the price of electrical goods such as mobile phones will increase.  

Free speech, the White House correspondents' dinner, Amber Ruffin and deportations

Free speech was going to be the topic of one of my posts, but today I found out that Amber Ruffin, a comedian, I like listening to (who I prefer to Seth Meyers) has been dropped from hosting White House correspondents' dinner.  She is hilarious and despite what those who support Trump may say, would have been a great choice to present it. This is an interesting (or alarming) development in a nation where people are being deported for having improper views.  

While free speech is being discouraged in the USA, we, in the UK are under increased scrutiny and it is rumoured that any free trade deal will be dependent on the UK implementing free speech in a manner deemed suitable to Trump and his supporters.  

At this rate, it will be interesting to see if late night shows which are critical of Trump will be allowed to continue to be so. 

One Day

This film is good, but not anywhere near as good as the series.  I both liked and disliked Anne Hathaway in it however.  At the beginning, she is able to hide her looks as she portrays Emma really well.  But, towards the end of the film, her looks are apparent.  While a similar transformation took place with Ambika Mod, I am sorry to say this, but the end result is different.  I have not read the book, but I think that both acted the part of Emma really well, but the character was best played by Ambika Mod.  I do not think that it is as bad as the reviews of the time, but it is not as good as the series.  But comparisons are unfair, as the series was produced and acted brilliantly, but also had more time than the film can offer.  

Bridget Jones's Baby

After watching the latest instalment in the film series, I realised that I could not remember much about the second and third films. So I have watched them.  You know my views on the second film and this is about the same.  An enjoyable film, which warms my heart as it features London.  But in essence, it is a feel good film.  If you are after intricate plots, beautiful cinematography and the like, this is not the film to watch.  Basically, if you like the other films, you will like this one.  I love the characters and am glad that I watched it again.  Would I watch it again?  I guess so, if it was on TV, but I doubt that I would go out of my way to watch it again, not unless they produce a fifth film!