Well, enforced rest means I got to watch most of yesterday's Parliamentary debate on whether to bomb Syria/IS. It seemed to me to exemplify the best and the worst of Parliament.
The good thing was that, thanks to Corbyn's decision to allow a free vote on the Labour bench (forced on him, but still...), many MPs were expressing their honest opinions, instead of parroting a party line.
The bad thing - which I am RAAAAANTING about - is that the arguments of the winning side were so shockingly weak. They hardly even pretended that the bombing would have anything more than a symbolic effect.
They admitted that, without ground troops, the bombing would have little military effect, and admitted that there are no ground troops. They admitted that there will be civilian casualties - as they will be bombing cities. They admitted that there is no "exit plan" and proposed no new attempt to look at the deeper sources of support for IS in the financial, oil and arms markets. They made no attempt to draw lessons form Lbya, Iraq or Afghanistan. They admitted that their case was based on nothing more than the need to be seen to be getting very, very cross.
EDIT - after writing this, I read a piece in the London Review of Books saying the same thing but better. They conclude that the bombing strategy is "not realism, but surrealism...after Paris, [it seems]..civilisation requires futile acts of symbolic violence""
I feel I should apologise for posting such a political rant here, but I am very, very cross. And I don't have any bombers.
God, has it been June since someone had a good old rant? Politicians. Twats, to a man ( or woman). My Dad always said that expressing a desire to be a politician should immediately exclude you from the job. Wise words !
The Moving Finger writes; and, having writ. Moves on: nor all thy Piety nor Wit. Shall lure it back to cancal half a line, Nor all thy Tears wash out a Word of it.
It's an emotional rollercoaster here today. After this afternoon's exhilaration, I am now in tears of rage after watching a documentary on how children from Welsh schools are increasingly failing to get into top univeristies. The programme showed how some Welsh schools are taking their pupils on trips to English public schools so they can be exposed to "top quality" debates and seminars (because only the public schools can afford the speakers etc). Even more shocking, it appears that most Welsh school leavers offered places at the Russell Group (top ranking) universities don't take up the places because they are afraid of the cost of living away from home - so they stick with somewhere lower ranked nearer home.
Meanwhile, for the last 5 months, I've been off work sick. My GP made "urgent" referrals for specialist cardiology and rheumatology assessments. The waiting list - even for "urgent" cardiology - is 8 months. But if I pay to go private, I can see the SAME CONSULTANT ON THE SAME HOSPITAL WARD in less than a week.
@Whisperit, 2 months...only 60 days- try it! It's a quick way to get back heart health AND will improve joint pain. No sugar, bread or processed food. If you crave bread- I'll give you a little flax recipe. In a mug mix 1/4 ground flax meal, 1 tsp. oil or melted butter, 1 tsp. baking powder and one egg. Mix and microwave for 1 minute. It's a quick heart healthy muffin recipe. You can put stuff in too, like blueberries- or if you want savory..herbs and shredded cheese. If you're really, really craving sugar..a little honey goes a long way. You got nothin' to lose.. :-bd
U R I E L What is done in the dark will always come to light
The Moving Finger writes; and, having writ. Moves on: nor all thy Piety nor Wit. Shall lure it back to cancal half a line, Nor all thy Tears wash out a Word of it.
Never mind your smegging curry! My Silver Eye didn't come! Waaaaa!
Just go easy. It takes patience and just zoning in on the right spot.
The Moving Finger writes; and, having writ. Moves on: nor all thy Piety nor Wit. Shall lure it back to cancal half a line, Nor all thy Tears wash out a Word of it.
I hear they are already thinking about the next album, to be titled Rusty Bullet Hole.
The Moving Finger writes; and, having writ. Moves on: nor all thy Piety nor Wit. Shall lure it back to cancal half a line, Nor all thy Tears wash out a Word of it.
Is this true UT? You spoke with Will again didn't you? ( I reckon you're his stalker). I was fearing that this album, after such a long wait for it, might be the last, but now, having heard it it shimmers with so much possibility I think it heralds The Second Coming!!
Suggest you Google Rusty Bullet Hole to be sure. Get your finger out !
The Moving Finger writes; and, having writ. Moves on: nor all thy Piety nor Wit. Shall lure it back to cancal half a line, Nor all thy Tears wash out a Word of it.