I predict a riot

Well things have got worse. Disorder has spread, in Sunderland, a Citizens Advice Bureau was set alight. Which means that idiots, pretending to be patriotic, have harmed those people who the centre was going to help.  In my job, I direct people to the Citizens Advice Website as well as sending them to the local offices. I know that they will help those in needed.

There is no excuse for breaking the law. I understand that people have concerns, but rioting is not the answer. It just harmed communities when this happened in 2011, it is just going to harm communities now.  

British Patriots fought against the Nuremberg Laws that the Far Right love

Britain makes me proud.  We have democratic values, we have laws against sexism and racism.  Our multicultural team are completing in the Olympics in Paris, and at the time of typing this, we are 5th in the medal table. People across the globe listen to our music, listen to The World Service, watch our TV shows like Dr Who and while many do not like our country, many do.

Yes, we have aspects of our nation we need to be ashamed of, but there is so much more to look at with pride and while it is important to learn where our nation has fallen from the ideals we treasure now, it is also important to look at what our small nation has done.

One of the many things that also makes me proud is how the community of Southport came together to clean up the mess left by rioters from outside the community.

Hate has been part of our history.  Examples include the persecution of Jews and Catholics.  Sadly, I see that the hatred towards Islam has increased.

Riots across our nation are not justified, be that in Harehills or Southport.  I hope that we have seen the last of them.  I fear that we shall see more.

Deadpool & Wolverine

An awesome film. We watched it yesterday as a family in our local cinema. When I booked the tickets, others were being booked while I was doing so. When we got to watch the film, it was more full than usual and the audience laughed, proof that it was not just our family that enjoyed it. 

So many films could learn from this. Excellent dialogue, great acting and a well put together film. I was concerned that this sequel would not live up to the other two films. It did. Basically if you like the previous Deadpool films, you will like this. But if you are someone who did not like the other two, stay clear of it. 

Attack of the pigeon

My wife is recovering from being attacked by a pigeon. When I say attacked, the pigeon had flown in through our patio doors. She had turned round to see this as its feet went into her hair. I heard the scream and ran into the kitchen to see it flying around. I had two thoughts going through my head, one was if we were able to get it out, the other was of a family I came across at work who had a similar occurrence. But that pigeon died, while this one managed to fly back out. 

While I had these thoughts, my son decided to record the event as an audio file. He is not in the good books of my wife now. 

Kamala Harris and groups that do not vote

Kamala Harris has come under a lot of scrutiny since she became the Democratic candidate for US President. People are excited at how she is polling amongst the young and also amongst certain ethnic minorities. The issue is if they will vote, and will it make a difference in the swing states. Trumps demographic of older voters are more likely to vote. Also, he just has to win in a few states. He is aided by the fact that he is not a woman, he is not black and that many who are going to vote for him will keep it quiet until they are actually casting their votes.

I would love her to win, I just think that Trump will win anyway. 

Labour, the Conservatives and the General Election

I have been listening to some old episodes of The Rest Is Politics. I was struck with how well Rishi Sunak did taking the Conservative Party when it came to vote share.

When he took over from Liz Truss, the Lady Jane Grey of British politics, Labour had a massive lead over the Conservatives. At one time under Liz Truss, the lead was thirty three points, Labour polling at 54% with the Conservative Party getting 21%.

With the Conservative Leadership contest taking place, the lead Labour held when someone on the right of the party was in charge, should be remembered by them.

In fact, when you consider how bad the Conservatives were faring at one point, Rishi Sunak did well to close the gap when it came to national vote share.  

The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare

My wife and daughter watched this before me and recommended it to me. Based on a true story, it is best described as loosely based. While it requires some suspension of disbelief due to plot holes being present. Despite that, it is a very enjoyable film. As expected with a Guy Ritchie film, it is very violent. I would rate this about seven out of ten and would be happy to watch it again.