News: Putin named Russia's "Man of the Year" for 15th consecutive year. As usual, second place went to "Or else."

What is happening in Ukraine is interesting for the security of Europe, notably the Baltic states where there are many Russian speakers.

For those not in the know, once the USSR broke up, Ukraine had loads of nuclear weapons.  It got rid of was at the time, the third largest stockpile of nuclear weapons in the world.  Russia promised to respects its territory and the west promised to back it up.

Well, that has not happened.  The Crimea has been annexed by Russia and Russia, like with what happened in Georgia, has apparently been helping Russian speaking Ukrainian freedom fighters in the war for freedom (how you can call it freedom when you want a dictator is beyond me...) with many 'volunteers' entering the nation to help the battle for independence.  

The US understandably does not want to be dragged into a war there, just like it does not want to be drawn into a war in Syria (despite Syria crossing red lines set by Obama) or elsewhere.  Which means that nations like the UK have to realise that they can not rely on the US to defend them.  Which, to me, means that we have to renew Trident.

I do not like the idea of spending money on a nuclear weapons system that god willing, will never be used.  But I like the idea of speaking Russian less.  And you can not trust Putin.  I do not say that you can trust Obama, but lets face it, at least he was elected in free and fair elections.

So in short, that is why, I with a heavy heart, support spending money that can be used to help the poor or the NHS on a weapons system that I pray is never used.

I've been listening to my radio all night. It's definitely off

Good evening.  It had been a while since I posted about the family.  They are doing well, but I have to say that I am getting annoyed that they are growing.  They are of the view that I will be the shortest in the family.  Not counting the women and their grandfather that is.  They state that out of my siblings, I am the little one.  But I am the oldest and therefore my siblings are by definition, little.

My birthday has passed and we spent it at the Old Siege House.  I have always loved the setting, though this time, the food, while good, was not as good as I was hoping it would be.  I am spoilt in that I have a wife who is an amazing cook, but that means that I am more fussy when we do eat out.  And for many, I would say that the food is good.  It may have been an issue that we went midweek, but the great thing was that the staff were friendly, let us in early when it was freezing cold outside and while the waitress was not able to answer questions about the food when asked, she was more than happy to ask about it.  The downside was that the kids food was charged at full price (though that may have been due to use using a Tastecard there) and as I said, the food was not as nice as I would have liked.  We may go back there again, but I suspect if we do, it will not be for a long time.

More recently, we ate in a place in East London called the Taste of India.  Now there the food was great, the service not as good as it was at the Old Siege House, it never is, but the service is okay.  The food, vegetarian, has never disappointed us.  Now that is somewhere that we will keep going back to when we are in the area.

I am going to have to go, and that means that I will not be able to discuss the Arsenal game.  Needless to say those I meet at work who support the other team are happy...

Best thing about the recent outbreak of measles at Disneyland is that all the lines for the rides are now short.

Birthdays have been going on, well, there are always birthdays, but it has been a month for them at work. As you can see, there are at times more evil ways of looking at January birthdays...

Peace in the Holy Land, 2014, a missed opportunity

Almost the end of the year and so much has happened.  There could be many things that I post about today, but due to a discussion on Twitter, I have decided to post about this.

I support a just peace for all religions in the Holy Land.  I think that it should not be too much to ask for Muslims, Jews and Christians to live side by side in peace.  I understand the reasons that Israel has to fear its neighbours and I also understand why Palestinians feel that the world has left them to rot.  This is not to say who started what, or what violent actions are right on one side or another but rather this is a post about why I think that 2014 has been a missed opportunity for peace.

Netanyahu and Obama have not seen eye to eye and it is that which is the opportunity for peace.  There is huge pressure in the US for support for Israel, and while I am not against that, up to a point, it makes it harder for any leader in the White House to bring about change in the Middle East.  The bottom line is that Israel is a democracy, whereas Gaza and the West Bank are not really the same.  Mahmoud Abbas in the West Bank was meant to finish his term in 2009.  While Hamas were elected, they have not allowed free and fair elections.  The simple facts are that most people in the west are interested in a fair peace in the Middle East.  With Obama as President in the US, the people of Palestine have a chance to work for that.  And they should bring about fair elections as soon as possible in order to help allies in the west help them.

It may not seem like much, but it makes it easier for people like me to lobby my Member of Parliament to try and get the government to work towards peace, a peace for all.

Anyway, I have to go now.  Have a Happy New Year!

99% of the people in this world are stupid. Luckily, I'm part of the other 5%

Finally, it is the end of a long weekend.  My Daughter is loving her bow and crossbow that she got for Christmas while my son is loving the singing Olaf that my brother got him.  Git, Frozen was hard enough to love with before without the most irritating character from the film being in the house all the time.  But, the good thing about Olaf is that I can not be shot with it.  Guess who has been the target...

As an avid UKIP supporter, I blocked the chimney this Christmas to stop any Laps getting in. They come over here, take our mince pies and carrots...

Christmas was great, and I wish a Merry Christmas to anyone who is reading this. 

I was a bit evil as my daughter was awake after six in the morning and while my wife was asleep, I heard her go to the toilet, and then later, she came into the room to see if we were awake.  And then finally, when she did return, she decided to wake us up!

The kids got a letter as well as presents from Father Christmas (who was nice enough to give us a present as well) and then after watching Frozen, the sing along version, we got round to opening the other presents.  And to say that they loved them was probably an understatement.  My son, who has been prone to annoying his sister more than normal recently, ended up playing with his Transformer for most of the day.  They are asleep now, but hopefully they will treasure memories like this for a long time.

Well, good night all, and once again, have a Merry Christmas!

All these movie tie-ins are getting on my nerves. This morning in the supermarket they had "Frozen" peas...

Well, it has been ages since my last post.

A lot has happened since then.  Amongst the recent things have been the preparations for Christmas.  The kids are looking forwards to it and I have to admit that I it brings me joy.  They love the Christmas tree, are sending cards (note to self, write cards) and in the last few days, they have been at school Christmas services.  A Nativity Play for my son where he was singing (last year he was Joseph) and a Choir service for my daughter.

I do need to post what they are up to here as they do grow up so quick.  And when I look back on the things that they have done in the past, it does make me smile.