Well Xmas is over and a new year is dawning, hopefully better world -wise than 2018.
I wish you all a New Year that gives everything you would choose for yourself!
2018 has been a year of totally inept politicians, a year when the wealthy have become dramatically weathier and the poor have become poorer that is the ones who are still alive. And a year when corrupt and non-democratic states have thrived.
Firstly in America I watched Obama giving out Xmas presents at a children’s hospital. ok, he did not achieve a great deal in his time in office (he struggled to get legislation through a Republican majority) But I do believe he was a man of humility and integrity. He got on with children and the ordinary people. So did his wife Michelle. Both came from working class families and showed what was possible in a democracy. Trump is the exact opposite. No way could you ever accuse him of humility or integrity. And his wife is just an acquired trophy. He is without a doubt the most deceitful leader of a western- world democracy.
Then in the UK. , we have a (I nearly said leader) PM who is devoid of reality. She has now overtaken David Cameron in being the worst PM in my life-time. She keeps saying the same things parrot -fashion, such as Brexit is Brexit and the deal she has negotiated is the best deal possible. Theresa May has been out-manoeuvered by Europe as was Cameron before her. It was not a negotiation , it was a ultimatum! She keeps talking about free trade, our own laws and freedom of movement. The thing that caused the problem is immigration. No matter how you dress it up the referendum was a response to the UKIP party winning more than 3 million votes in the previous general election. UKIP is a ultra right wing party (bordering on Fascist) whose campaign was solely based on restricting the number of immigrants into the country. And so a Yes or No referendum was offered on staying or leaving Europe. It was very close 52-48%. But at that stage no one knew what exactly they were voting for. Theresa May at that stage was a remainer. But cleverly she did not campaign and kept a very low profile during the vote. Cameron resigned and she became leader as neither Remainers or Leavers could decide who was best. she got the Pm’s job on the basis she was the least worst and was a safe pair of hands. WRONG. As she had only a small majority she arrogantly decided the Labour Party was weak and if she had a General Election she would easily win another 100 odd seats. WRONG AGAIN. She got even less seats. And so as New Year approaches we are in total limbo. If you want my opinion the way forward is that Europe offer us an extra package to actually stay in.
In the rest of the world Putin continues to do what he likes in Syria and the Ukraine, Saudi Arabia and Iran fight each other in the Yemen and millions starve or are killed in indiscriminate bombing.
Erdogan in Turkey continues to gag the press and runs an oppressive state. Myanmar’s army dictatorship displaced 700, 000 Rohingya people.
And most African countries appear to be corrupt and run by despots.
And where was the UN in all of this? Well they were talking about it as usual. But no major actions taken, as usual.
We dont appear to be making much progress in Climate change either. Some countries dont even accept it is happening.
And the plastic problem is getting worse too.
And the Japanese are going to start killing whales again soon.
And so we enter 2019. My personal life is pretty good health and happiness wise, I just worry about the world for the sake of my children and grand children. So as long as we keep our fingers crossed we should be OK. Good Luck everybody.
