Should people be able to change their minds about what they are?

Transitioning at a young age with the use of medications is right for many people, it is also the wrong thing for many, an example being Keira Bell. We can either accept that this is an area to discuss or refuse to do so.

Sadly, it appears to be deemed transphobic to raise such issues, especially as the use of drugs and surgery at a young age can be irreversible.  I have come across many people, who in adult life come out as being gay, bisexual or non-binary.  There is nothing wrong with that, but it would be wrong to say to someone that the sexuality or gender identity that they have as a child or teenager is something that they will have to carry for the rest of their lives.  Most children who consider themselves to be gay or bisexual are going to be so, and when I say most, I have encountered a lesbian who has realised that she is bisexual after meeting and falling in love with the 'right' man later in her life, but that tends to be the exception rather than the rule.

It is also just as sad to state that children should be banned from such treatments as it is felt by many that they cannot consent to such treatment being under the age of 18.  

If we are to be able to work out what is the least worst path to follow with this matter (for harm will come to some no matter what choice is made), we need to be able to have a debate on this looking at facts and also to be able to listen to concerns from all about this matter.

The screaming by those against this discussion, who reside on the extremes of both sides of this debate, is pathetic. 

 

Refugees should not be considered to be migrants

I am proud that our nation took in refugees fleeing the invasion of Ukraine from safe third party nations such as Poland. I am tempted to ask if there is a reason that non-white Asylum Seekers in France are not offered the same (as offered by France in 2021) because that would Stop The Boats.  But I know the answer.  

We have a political party in power who acts like Alan B'stard when it comes to refugees.  The sad thing is that the episode of the New Statesman, Heil and Farewell, is sadly accurate and in many ways reflects the position of our government on refugees.

So when Gary Lineker comments about the language used to describe asylum seekers, or others make similar comparisons, I can understand this.

    

I have mixed feelings about gate-crashing the speeches being made as I do not think that freedom of speech should be infringed by protest, but while this protest did cause disruption, it did not stop those on the right from speaking, so overall, I accept this form of protest.

As we know, too many people do not have a safe and legal route to claim asylum here that is worthy.  We have seen it with those trying to flee Afghanistan where they are subjected to abuse when they flee to a neighbouring nation, as well as the many that we have left to suffer there.

Who wants to win the league

I am starting to think that Ted Lasso is cursing Arsenal. Before the game against the team that rhymes with City, Pep Guardiola was discussed and we were beaten, and this week, Brighton featured, who again beat us.

I guess the Spurs fans at work will be laughing at me tomorrow but finishing second is more than we would have expected at the beginning of the season. 

Eurovision

We are at a friends house and we are watching Eurovision. Food, drink and good company are present. The only down side is the UK entry. We have entered a great song, but when broadcast, they got things wrong. The music was too loud and viewers at home could not appreciate her voice, which is a shame. You can compare and contrast with the video’s below.

The only people I can see that will be happy with the performance will be those who wanted her to fail due to comments made in the past.

Wine tasting

 Yesterday was a bit stressful, but very relaxing afterwards.  I had to cover some work due to staff sickness and I thought that I would not have enough time to do this properly as I had to go to an evening event.  My wife had booked some tickets at a wine tasting event which we went to with Nick and Lyndsay.

The weather in the last few days has forgotten that the term April showers should not apply to May, but the event was help in a marquee and it did not actually rain.  Food was paella which my wife felt was amazing, hotdogs and steak and chips.  

The selection of wines was amazing, we found a memorable Lebanese wine of which we bought a few bottles and after tasting the wine which is available at the New Hall Wine estate, we may visit there again later.  

France urged the UK to open a safe and legal asylum route in 2021. Our government refused.

The opportunity to #StopTheBoats by offering a safe and legal route for asylum seekers in France was turned down by our government in 2021. 

 

I have discussed the matter of refugees before and Suella Braverman was found lost for words when it came to discussing what safe and legal routes exist for asylum seekers from abroad. I am proud of how we welcomed Ukrainian refugees to our nation, many of whom were in safe nations outside Ukraine. I am ashamed how we are not doing this for others. 

Our government points out that there is a safe and legal route for asylum seekers from nations like Afghanistan. But thousands of Afghans who helped British forces remain stranded by by inaction by our government and many journalists who face persecution are also being left as well. In February it was reported that only 22 Afghans had been resettled in UK under a ‘pathway’ to help vulnerable refugees and many who have fled to Pakistan face injustice there.

I have brought this up (again) as this was discussed in the House of Lords and the current government stance was deemed morally unacceptable.  Unlike many on the left, I am in favour of deporting those who cross the channel to nations like Rwanda and I am in favour of stricter criteria of refugees which would mean many from Albania would be denied refugee status.  Unlike our government, I want the need to channel crossings to be dealt with by having a safe and legal route for refugees to have claims heard while in France.  This would have to be one that would have the capacity to process claims in a speedy and accurate manner as opposed to taking months.  It is insane that we have a situation where an Afghan pilot had to come here by taking a boat across the channel to seek asylum because they were not able to access the safe and legal route that the government has put in place to say that there is one.    

The right to protest

 

Last month, (30p) Les Anderson tried to tell a police chief that he was not doing his job properly when it came to stopping certain protests. Despite stating that the police had powers to stop protests, a law allowing the police more powers to do so came into effect just before the coronation. 

While I think that the police were right to act before the coronation, I do think the part of the law that allowed this should have had a sunset clause which would cause it to expire after the Coronation Bank Holiday weekend.

The right to protest is an important part of our society, it has brought about much needed change when inaction brought none. Too many on the right forget this, or call for protestors to leave. Both arguments are stupid as a patriot wants their nation to be better as opposed to leaving it. I doubt the suffragists would have brought about political change in the UK buy leaving it.