Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl

I rewatched this again.  For those who know me, and have read my earlier post on a similar issue, some may be aware I like fantasy Role Playing.  I run an online campaign on a play-by post basis on Discord.  Well, I run three.  One of them has a nautical part to it, hence me watching it.  

I still love the film.  I will be watching the sequels, but from what I remember, none match the original, though some will have ideas that I will copy.

I love the characters, some better than others.  It is a great kids film that adults love. And I am glad I watched it again. In the unlikely event that you have not seen this film, it is well worth watching it. 

Trump may outflank the left with NATO

There are many on the left who are against the UK being part of NATO. It may be a redundant argument soon. Having started the war (or special military operation) against Iran (in my view because of allegations about a thirteen year old girl), Trump has realised that things are not as simple as he thought. The UK is not alone in being reluctant to aid Trump and Israel in this illegal war. 

But Trump holds grudges.  I have posted about my concerns with Trump and NATO before. I had doubts that the USA, under Trump, would aid Europe if Russia attacks it. Those doubts are even stronger now.

The winners so far in this war are:

Israel as no other US president would allow them to attack Iran in this way. They will not get another chance again.

Russia, as oil sanctions have been suspended, and if the war continues, will remain so.

Trump, as no one is asking him about the allegations involving a (then) thirteen year old girl.

Mother’s Day 2026

Yesterday we took my wife to Suffolk. One of the places she wanted to go to was The Westleton Crown. We have been here a few times before and loved it. But it appears to have changed hands. The food there is good, but the reason we returned was because the food used to be exceptional.  It was a lovely day out for her, my son the dog and me, but it is one I doubt we will repeat. 

The Last Voyage of the Demeter

For my research into role playing, I watched this film.  I run three campaigns and this offered me the chance to learn for two of them, one being The Curse Of Strahd, featuring one of the most famous vampires in roleplaying, the other being a journey to the Isle of Dread.

Was it an enjoyable film?  Yes.  Would I watch it again?  No.  While the Guardian rated it below average, I would disagree, it is an average film.  It could have been better, but it could have been worse and it was not.  

An early Mothers Day and my views on Iran

First of all, family.

We went down to London to see my mother for Mother’s Day.  We were to meet my brother, but due to a mixup with times, that was not possible. We were almost late due to issues on the A12, but got there in good time. While my daughter was not there, my Mum was very happy to see my son.  My wife had bought her a selection of gifts which my Mum loved. The food was good, parking was available around the corner and the dog loved it as well. 

I don’t know if the traffic would have been worse if The Epstein War was not taking place. It was something my Mum did want to discuss, even mentioning that a group of young men, who came into it, might be sent to fight in it.

Which brings me to the next topic, The Epstein War. While prices go up, it will cause harm to our economy. Living in Colchester, we heard some helicopter activity from the nearby base and my wife and I hope that this does not mean we are to help. Trump is an unreliable ally. While the first casualty of war is the truth, Trump is notorious for being ignorant about facts, and lying about them if the facts are inconvenient. An example of this is Trump blaming Iran for the murder of schoolgirls and their rescuers early in this one sided war. 

In addition to this, Trump has stated that NATO allies would not come to defend the USA, even though the only nation that was invoked Article Five, is the USA, and allies heeded the call. 

Once made aware of this, he lied, stating that NATO forces did not engage on the front, a comment he has since been forced to backtrack on. 

Trump has since stated that the UK only joins wars once the US has won them.  After that, he has called for the UK (and other nations) to send warships to help get oil out of The Gulf. 

Ignoring the ethics of joining in a hugely illegal war, Iran may be able to overcome or bypass any naval escorts with huge waves which overwhelm the defenders.  I don’t like the regime in Iran, not just for the way it exports terror, but also for the way it murders its own people. But in this conflict, Israel and the USA are in the wrong, and if anything, I back Iran in its call for compensation as a condition to end the war. 

The oldest profession should have more safeguards

Yesterday, I watched this video.  It is about prostitution, a subject I have discussed many times before.  

My view remains the same, sex work, ideally, should be safe legal and rare.  I suspect it will never be rare, but it should be safe and legal.  It should not involve human trafficking, coercion should not be present, and support to help anyone involved in it leave it, if they wish to do so, should be available.  And that also includes brothels run by women for women. 

I am under no illusions about the darker side of the profession, but this video is worth watching.       

The right to protest vs intimidation

I have just seen atrocious behaviour by protestors intimidating an MP.  I have posted before about the right to protest, then about how freedom of expression should not be inhibited by protest.  But this is a different matter. 

As many of you know, I am considered a transphobe by many as I do not consider a transman to be a man, or a transwoman to be a woman. But I would never support the action in the video.  Such toxicity and intimidation should face punishment by the law just as it has in the past.