I was DESTORYED by my 17 year old daughter at dobble

 Maia de Silva is the smartest, most beautiful and lovely daughter I could ever have. ❤️❤️❤️❤️

The title and first line of this blog entry was by my daughter 

"Four legs good, two legs better" in relation to sewage and our water companies

Two days ago, I had a twitter discussion about utilities being privatised and if this is needed or not. The debate ended after I pointed out that none of us want water companies to pay out dividends while pumping sewage into our rivers. I also pointed out how I am happy for companies to pay dividends so long as they provide the service we would expect if they were nationalised.  

I did not realise that this was going to be in the news today as the same companies that have paid out huge dividends to shareholders now want to raised prices to stop dumping sewage into our rivers and on our beaches.  I had tweeted last year about how the law had been changed to allow sewage to be dumped by private companies.  Fortunately, this came to the public eye after our family had returned from Devon, but this was not the case for the manager where I work who went swimming in the sea in Devon at this time!

What I said still stands as I think that nationalisation for the sake of it will be too expensive to the tax-payer, at this time.  Nationalisation of a utility that is failing to provide the service we would expect of it if nationalised is a different matter, especially if that company is fined for not meeting its obligations and prevented from paying shareholders in that event.  I suspect that the water companies will have to be one of them at this rate.      

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.