How a Trump presidency may show the failings of Reform UK

The USA, when presented with a competent woman decided to elect a man who tried to overthrow democracy. Over the last four years, we have not had to deal with headlines detailing insane ideas in The White House.  It looks like the Republicans are to have a clean slate in that they are to take The Senate and The House of Representatives.

This means that from January, for two years, there will be no obstacles to Trump doing what he promised when it comes to tariffs on goods produced abroad as well as deporting illegal immigrants.  He has made lots of other promises.  There should not really be any reasons why he is not going to deliver.

We have seen how Brexit has stopped political parties in the EU for arguing to leave the European Union, because they have seen what a nightmare it is for the UK.  We will get to see how Trump and his policies will affect the USA.  If they are the disaster that many predict, then parties which make similar promises like Reform UK may face electoral consequences.  

Child's Play

I thought that this was an enjoyable film.  Not too scary though, and if you want a frightening film, there are better ones out there.  It had an enjoyable plot, though I was left wondering how Chucky got back from some of the murder scenes.  I have not watched the original, so cannot compare it to what it was based on, but has a fun gore film, it is worth watching.  Just do not watch it if you want to be scared or are expecting a film with an astounding plot. 

Not being able to avoid inheritance tax by buying a farm

There has been a lot of controversy because of the changes in inheritance tax laws for farmers. Basically, some people have bought farms to avoid inheritance tax. An example of this is Jeremy Clarkson who has been quite vocal in speaking out the changes.  While he has made a TV series about farming and a successful one at that, he did buy his farm to avoid inheritance tax. I obtained quote below from this article, but it was originally in The Times. 

"Land is a better investment than any bank can offer. The Government doesn't get any of my money when I die. And the price of the food that I grow can only go up. "But there is another, much more important reason: I can now have a quad bike. "I have always loved the idea. They are like motorbikes but they don't fall over when you leave them alone, they look great and they bring a bit of civilisation to Britain's rather dreary green and brown bits."

Apparently other have bought farms as a way of avoiding this tax, something I never knew until I heard about it on BBC Any Questions. 

All I See Is You

I liked this film.  It can be best described as a psychodrama but what I liked the most about the film was the way it showed the vision of Gina, the main character, or lack of it, to the viewer.

Overall, I would say that this is an average film, but I have not seen one showing visual impairment so well, both from the perspective of the affected person, but also the helplessness that they can experience.  It had an engaging plot, one that focused on the needs of Gina and the insecurities of Jason.

Coming from a personal family background where abuse did take place, I thought that the issues of control were shown quite well.  I know that many have not liked it, but I think that they overlook the main message of the film, that being the effects of blindness on her person affected and the family along with how recovery can change things. 

Am I glad I watched it?  Yes.  I would have been happy to have paid to watch it in the cinema, and if someone is to watch it, I would recommend it to them if they want to empathise with someone with visual impairment, for when it came to that, it addressed this issue really well.  

The Lie

This is an average film which I will not be watching again. While marketed as a horror film, I would argue that it is a black psychological drama with an engaging plot, but a slow story at times.  While I did find it funny at times, I am not sure it was meant to be so.  Would I have been happy to pay for it? I would not have been unhappy.  But this is a film I doubt I would recommend, as there are so many other films out there which are better. 

Cruel intentions

I liked this film. Not as much as Dangerous Liaisons, but I can see the appeal of this to young adults and teenagers. If you do compare it to its more adult counterpart, only Sarah Michelle Gellar and Reese Witherspoon compare in acting ability. You truly appreciate the skill John Malkovich, Ryan Phillippe not coming close to his skill. Selma Blair again does not match Uma Thurman, but this may be down to the film itself as opposed to the ability of the actresses. 

In its own right, it is great, in places. But if you want to appreciate the story fully as a film, watch Dangerous Liaisons. 

Trump and Article 5 of the NATO rules

Article 5 provides that if a NATO Ally is the victim of an armed attack, each & every other member of the Alliance will consider this act of violence as an armed attack against all members & will take the actions it deems NECESSARY to assist the Ally attacked.

I have stated before that I have concerns that Trump would support nations of NATO if Russia attacked.  Many think that he would obey Article 5.  I think that he would and would take the actions that he felt was necessary to assist the ally which had been attacked. And I suspect that such actions would in essence, be nothing.