Remembrance: Aged Statues

When I was a lad I occasionally walked across Edinburgh's North Bridge, a major thoroughfare that continues to bear thousands of passersby daily.  On occasion I woud note the statues placed upon the high walls on either side.  The walls were high to discourage desperate individuals from climbing over them and jumping into the Waverly Station below.  I noticed the individuals on this statue had what we call 'Pith helmets' on their heads, indicating service in hot countries.  It was some time before I realised this concerned th 'Boer War,' a war that occurred to much jingoist outburst during the years 1888-1902.  This means the war ended 49 years before I was born and yet I knew almost nothing about it when young.  In fact an occasional mention might have been made in the comics we read or some history book we came across, but no real information was found to my notice.  Our minds were full of the much more recent Second World War in which almost every person over 25 had served.  

Ask young folks today about the Boer War and some will have been educated concerning this during history lessons, ask them about the Great War and they may be more aquainted with that.  Ask the 'man in the street,' and I expect few would know much about the Boer War, indeed many may not even have heard of it.  

I mention this as I read that young people today, and most are young to me, are not wearing the 'Poppy' that remembers those who fell in two wars and the little wars since.   This is interesting yet not surprising.   Youth is looking for fun and joy, excitement and adventure, wars and killing are not seen as this these days.  There are of course major wars not far away and this may be a turn off for many.  On top of this we remember those who died in two wars, the last being 80 years ago, when I was young a far off war about which I knew nothing was only 50 or so years in the past, why should today's youth think differently?  

A great many adults no longer seek to wear a poppy,what their reasons are can only be guessed.  Possibly the war to them is far away now, and they have no connection to it which they wish to keep.  Those however, who were born just before, during or not long after the war still have a connection to the experience.  Many had a father who served, or even died, a great many had mothers who worked 12 hour shifts for the war effort, some remember the fighting men based near them, the aircraft above and the bombs crashing down on their homes.  

Such as these do remember well.

However, time is passing, soon these two massive conflicts whose effects are still with us will be forgotten like the Boer War.  The 'Boomers' are dying off, the memories are being crowded out with later wars, and society as a whole appears to have little interest in caring for servicemen who are disabled while serving their country.  Much of this is understandable, the third and fourth generation are far from the wars now, and it was ever thus.  

Those of us who can remember those who served, in our family or around us, will remember.  Many will join with those who now make displays for remembrance, though in fact this is all too often just another version of 'English Nationalism,' pandering to a desperate attempt at using ththese past wars to engender a patriotism for today, it is not remembrance of the dead from the past.  Since the first 11th November the date has been used and abused by many, let us remember it correctly.

 

Kemi & Tech

 

Another day of joy with tech.

I signed in to TNT the other day, I watched the football, and today I signed in again and was told 'NO GO!'  I requested a password prompt, the answer did not arrive at my email. 

I went onto the 'Contact Us' page.  Here I found AI at it's best.  

Eventually AI offered to transfer me to a human...nothing happened after long enough so I gave up.

Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrr again.

Possibly Saturday is not the best tome to contact this lot.

I will try again on Monday.

Grrrrrrrrrrrrrr etc...

Yet another failing individual has taken the role as Leader of the Conservative Party.  She received more votes than the somewhat unstable Jenrick however, at least a third of the Party did not vote.  That says something.  

She is black, female, and so far that is all the media have said about her.  The fact is we know enough and most of us are wondering why the Labour Party has not come out and thanked her for giving them another 5 years in office.  

Another one with little sense of care for others, looks to the far right for support, cares more about Farage than what is required, and on Wednesday will be put in her place by the clammy Keir Starmer.

Not much for us in this appointment, just the prospect of another Conservative Party leadership bid soon.

Football Standards in 1970 : Hampden Park

For some reason which I can now no longer recall, I began to talk to myself about being at Hampden Park in 1970 for the Scotland v England game.  What got me onto this I forget but the experience of Hampden in 1970 is not one to forget easily.

Today the football world is littered with glamorous football stadia, before the fires and tragedies that brought about a much needed reconstruction for safeties sake not all stadiums were glamorous.  Places like Muirton Park Perth, the home of St Johnstone, for instance contained the only full sixed pitch outside of Hampden Park.  The surrounding ground was very much an ancient, crumbling second division affair.  Brockville Park, where the Falkirk team displayed or not their talents was called by some 'The Black hole of Falkirk.'  A pleasant enough ground for lower division crowds but problematic for anything above 5000.  

Hampden Park itself was where the Scotland team had played since the beginning of football under the Queens Park side who still called it home.  A large bowl where the 'Hampden Roar' was unequalled anywhere else.  Not that the Scottish 'Blazers' would have considered anywhere else as worth noting at the time.  Both at the end of the second world war and shortly afterwards the ground recorded attendances of over 148,000.  No ground in Scotland, or indeed the rest of what is laughingly called a 'United Kingdom' could equal this.  

This vast expanse contained a football pitch with a running track around it, while the terraces were comprised of what can be called 'grit,' held together and edged by wooden short beams. which did not always remain in place.  Stairways, usually unoccupied, ran down from top to bottom ensuring some form of access.  Crash barriers, or should that be, 'Crush Barriers,' were installed aplenty around the terracing.   On one of Glasgow's rare rainy days the ground could easily turn into a quagmire.  The slopes that comprised exits were soon bringing back Somme memories to ex-servicemen of a certain generation.  The terraces themselves were damp, clean shoes were never an option in these circumstances.  

As an example of a game from that time I mention one I attended, the 1970 Scotland England game.  We left Waverley Station on a passenger train especially designated for football fans.  A train comprising old coaches, somewhat run down, and set aside for the drunken hooligan element British Rail expected.  I was not sure why an international crowd would resort to drunken hooliganism but there you go,  British Rail took no chances.  There was no trouble, little comfort, I vaguely remember standing but not if we stood all the way there.  It was mostly quiet in our coach, and I suspect the others, and we arrived at Queen St  Station, Glasgow and somehow made our way to the ground.  We must have travelled by what was then called the 'Blue Trains,' as that was how we returned to Queen St after the game. 

Phil Richards Class 303

We encountered one problem at Hampden, one of us four had no ticket.  Browsing around outside the ground looking for a tout we encountered a small huddle of lads surrounding one man.  He was attempting to divest himself of the crowd while nearby a gentleman with clearly no connection to this chap hung about.  Understanding that tickets were somewhere in the crowd our boy plunged in to barter.  The totally innocent man nearby nodded, and a ticket was produced for the exchange of £1/10/-.  30 bob for a ticket!  £1:50 in today's money!  However, please note that official tickets for this game only cost £1 at the time.  Add to this that the SFA indicated after the game that 137, 500 small cardboard tickets were handed in at the game, while only 135,000 official tickets were printed!  Not a bad days work for someone.

Our tickets invited us to clamber up the not quite dry slopes into our section of the ground.  There we awaited the appearance of our mate who's ticket bore a different colour and gate to ours.  In the distance to our left, we saw him appear and begin to make his way towards us.  The ground was quite empty at the time and he had no difficulty passing through, or over the separating fences.  

As at all games at the time we stood in between two barriers.  We remained far enough from the one behind in case it broke and fell on us, yet not to near the one in front, so if that gave way we fell on them.  Practical requirements at the game in those far off days.

As it was the crush was great.  Next to us stood a 'Rob Roy McGregor' type, beard and bunnet and all.  He was confused by our group one of who called on Scotland with an English accent, caused by being brought up there, while unknow to Rob Roy another supported England with an Edinburgh accent but not out loud.  We spent much time moving in the crowd as such crowds constantly move.  Our main aim was to keep between out English accented Scot and Rob Roy.  This broke down however, when Colin Stein, through on goal, was sent over the knee of the England centre half!  The entire crowd yelled 'PENALTY!' and reached forward.  Quite how the ribs did not break I will never understand.  The Dutch referee responded as such Dutch referees always did in those situations, he ran away!  No penalty was given, though it ought to have been, and we all stood attempting to breathe properly while breathing fire at the Dutchman.  With aching ribs and Rob Roy to contend with this was not easy.

The game finished as a no scoring draw, only the second in such meeting since 1872.  Of course I had to be there!  Tsk!  I mean I had to be at the 1970 game, not the 1872 one.  

At the end we joined the crowds heading down the slopes, these now in a much worse state after the crowds had marched over them.  We waited while most had moved before joining them and at the bottom fought our way through those heading towards awaiting buses.  We naturally had to go the other way for the 'Blue Trains.'  Outside the ground a heaving mass of men, nearly all men, pushed through one another, all knowing the unwritten laws of such crowd situations.  

Two years previously we had been heading in the other direction towards the bus, to our right a gentleman dressed in the usual uniform of overcoat of the time, was indicating to the entire crowd coming towards him that they had to get out of his way.  In his alcoholic stupor he could not work out that by moving to his left a few feet and the throng would carry him home, if that is he was facing the correct direction.  We let the throng carry us on that occasion, this time our throng headed the other way until we were stopped beside a police horse slavering at both ends.  Here police control was in force, one long line of stragglers moved, then another, having avoided both ends of the horse we soon progressed to the train and back into the city centre.

Now it was  simple thing to get on an Edinburgh bound train, however, the crowd was queuing up way outside the station so instead we decided to await a later train and refreshed ourselves in  Glasgow pub.  

Glasgow pubs have always had a reputation, not always deserved. Pubs everywhere produce bad behaviour, not just Glasgow ones.  The late 60s and 70s were not a good time for pubs however, the two main breweries 'Scottish Brewers' and 'Tennent Caledonian,' were intent on producing some of the most bland pubs known to man, and the beer to go with it.  This pub, the name escapes me but it has probably changed anyway with time, was close by and quite crowded.  It must have been after 5:30 or nearer 6 pm by the time we entered, obtained our lager and found a seat.  We sat there filling time amidst the hubbub of noise, suddenly, on a table two tables down from us, an empty beer glass fell over.  Silence!  All looked around, no-one spoke, a hand reached out and reset the glass, all turned away and suddenly the hubbub returned and life continued.  

Then we ventured out, walked through the dark, damp streets to the station, caught a train, another long compartment coach, and headed up the slope back to the Waverley.  

Today's wealthy, soft, well provided for fan would not be able to cope in such circumstances.  Digital tickets, online booking, seats that they ignore and stand up throughout a game, no pie from the stall, instead almost a Takeaway meal, and now they consider bringing beer back into the grounds.  Train travel, along with a large 'Carry oot,' on a luxury electric train or perhaps driving in your own car to fret about the cost of parking when arrived is the other option.  No more fearing those kids who offer to 'protect your car' for money.  A softened 'Nivea' smothered generation would not survive football in the days of yore.  I wonder sometimes how I managed it.

Did I Notice the Budget...?

There was a budget today.  I ignored it.  Cheering all around, not because I ignored the budget, cheering from all on her side, no cheering from those who oppose her.  Tomorrow we will know the actual truth of what she has proposed.  

Leaders

For no good reason Karl Marx came to mind this evening.  It concerned those who set out to lead the world.  Marx had his ideas how to do this, all came from within his own mind, all turned out to fail.  Like the majority I have not read 'Das Kapital,' nor any of his other attempts at changing the world.  One major reason for this is my dislike of middle class types, and Marx came from money, trying to tell the workers what to do.  I am not one who considers the lower orders so stupid that they cannot change the world for themselves. 

Marx, with little experience of work, attempted to build a world of equality for all but forgot about human nature, the reality of God, and how equality cannot happen, people get in the way.  One example of this was Dennis Healey arriving in Moscow and finding all the waiting Russians awaited him from the First Class cabin.  He had gone economy.  He felt this reflected on how communism works, equality indeed but some are better than others.  Marx never understood this I feel.

Of course we cannot always trust Dennis, he was after all a politician and had his own opinions.  He had been a communist even while an officer in the war but soon lost that because of what he saw in 'Uncle Joe's' world.  

I recall the educated voice from a 'Socialist Worker,' informing us how we ought to support the miners.  I regret not informing him of my families mining past and questioning what his daddy did for a living.  I presume daddy did not go down a mine.  That particular organisation, like so many other far left groups do tend to be organised and run by the middle classes.  Rarely do we see a Keir Hardie come to the fore these days.  

Anyway, it is years since I was up in Highgate, years since I saw Marx's original grave round the back, years since I could climb those hills again.  Marx is done.  The communist life failed, because human nature does not work in a fantasy.  Human nature has not changed since the beginning, successful politicians, especially liars, understand this and succeed because of it.  Truth, policies, promises are of no account, just tell them what they think is happening, lie about how you will fix it for them according to their desires, and you are in.  This has always been the way.

Truth is better, but lies are simpler and more comforting.  Ask any 'Daily Mail' reader...

Monday Mope

 

It is Poppy time again.  

Already those appearing on tv football are wearing poppies, though I notice they all wear metal badge type poppies.  Only Irishmen do not wear them, no doubt upsetting some.  Only a few are seen around the town at the moment, not that I am out and about looking for them, but by next week many more will be seen.

Already some complain they are wearing poppies on football shirts too soon, only wear them on one day they insist, for me I care not, wearing them for the two week period until November 11th is fine by me.  But others always know best.

I expect a contest will appear online to see who offers the best display.  In my mind these displays have less to do with 'Remembrance,' and much to do with 'English Nationalism.'  Sine Brexit this has been one of the mainstays of those who voted for Brexit and a return to the English Empire.  These people never talk about the economy now.

I might be involved with the Kirks remembrance service, if so I will mention the women this year, possibly next year I will go for the 'Empire forces,' which some do not know about.  All this to fit into about three minutes!

Tommy Robinson, better known to all as Yaxley-Lennon, returned to the land of his birth for another stay at His Majesties pleasure.  18 months this time, all this for contempt of court caused by repeating lies.  Lies which he knew were lies but which helped him to gather support from the 'Sun' reading part of the population.  He called a young lad a thug and knew he was lying, he was ordered to pay £100,000 damages, and as far as I can see has not yet done so while living in luxury abroad claiming bankruptcy.  He still has a further charge to bear later this month.  

This man makes his money by stirring race hatred, using the lowest of the low, caring nothing for them and making vast amounts of cash, possibly via that nice President Putin, and appears determined to continue in this useless waste of a life.  

I wonder about some people sometimes.

How England Stole Scotland

 

Not exactly a new programme, however, it gives a good lowdown on how the lowdown English stole Scotland and its resources.  The English Parliament at Westminster still today steals all Scotland's resources for England's benefit, using the term 'UK' when they mean 'England.  This is supported by English business who put English 'Union Flags' on all their produce, including the ridiculous 'Bells British Whisky' which appeared in recent days.  I imagine Bell's sales have dropped in Scotland.  

From a historical point of view this is a good programme, well worth watching. Nothing has changed.

Community

There has been a deliberate and possibly orchestrated campaign on Twitter today implying that the shooting of the gangster Chris Kaba was racially motivated.  Many of these individuals, who have not appeared in past times, do not allow replies to their somewhat far fetched attempts to blame racist police officers for shooting dead a black man, unknown to them, in a car used for a shooting the day before.  Clearly the criminal underworld in which they operate has been bullying others again.

A flood of desperate pleas for racism have appeared, all receiving appropriate replies.  Some indicate their colour when replying, others do not, but it is clear that the removal of a gunman from the streets, and proof of this has been made available, is a good thing in most eyes.

The Met Commissioner stated many in the 'Black Community' did not like the police.  But what is the 'Black Community,' and which Blacks does it refer to?  Does it indicate people from the West Indies?  And if so which part?  Does it refer to Jamaicans or Barbadians?  Does it cover those from St Lucia or Antigua?  Who do they mean?  Could it refer to Africans?  If so, which Africans?  Nigerians or South Africans, Kenyans or Gambians, which?  

Of course it means nothing.  

The term 'Black Community' is short term for anyone Black, and it is used mostly by those who are not willing to obey the law or settle down to a normal lifestyle.  Many Blacks live and work in a wide variety of occupations, storemen, bus drivers, doctors, nurses, pharmacists, footballers, civil servants, retail workers, factory workers, you name it they do it, just like everybody else.  None wish to be associated with the likes of Chris Kaba.  Indeed, many have been threatened and bullied into submission by such gangsters pushing their weight around and boasting of their 'strength.'  The 'strength' is just bullying the weak, not real strength.     

All societies have these, not just the 'Black Community.'  Such men exist in every town and region, usually pushing drugs these days and throwing their weight around in the local area.  Some Black, some Indian, some Albanian, most local Englishmen.  

And where are the fathers of these young men who get into trouble?  Where are the social services that have been lost these past 14 years to provide alternatives?  There is little likelihood that this government will change anything, but something is required throughout the UK to give young men some chance of a decent life before the temptations of crime offer easy riches.

     

Gunman Gunned

Chris Kaba was gunned down in the street by an armed Met policeman.  For over two years the police investigated, as they do automatically, the shooting.  Eventually, the case reached the 'Old Bailey' and the jury of 12 individuals from the London region declared him innocent.  And this after only 3 hours deliberation!

His family, and other racially motivated groups, are declaring justice has not been done.  The majority of people I suspect justice indeed has been done.

The Kamar chap was driving a car known to have been used in a previous days shooting in London.  When spotted the police gave chase and demanded the driver stop.  Instead he raced away, eventually driving with force into a police car.  On approaching the car, the driver not having got out, a police gunman suspected arms were about to be put to use, so he shot the driver.  

Today, a jury declared him innocent of murder.

The family cry 'unfair,' but now, after the trial is over, a video of Chris Kaba shooting another black man in a club the day before he was shot appears in public.  What we have here is not an innocent man shot by a callous racist officer, instead we see a criminal from a criminal family being shot dead for not obeying police suspicious a gun was ready to be used.

I'm with the police here.

The police commissioner claims some in the 'Black Community' do not trust the police, I think this is true.  Most however, do not carry guns, intimidate other young black men, and live worthwhile lives.

Only the criminal fraternity and the easily led will believe justice has not been done.  And that includes the many white middle class types on Twitter today attempting to encourage race hate.

I'm glad the officer has been cleared, I suspect some in the police will try to put him down never the less, I hope the Commissioner can stop this.

Banal Monday

It's been a slow day.

Having been out at Kirk yesterday, where I had to do the intercessions, and stand around chatting while the young folks stacked the chairs.  I was afraid if I sat there I may have been found piled on top and stacked in the corner somewhere!  Enthusiasm is their thing.

Anyway, the service followed the usual routine, no-one objected, jeered or slow handclapped, like last time, and I made it through.  Whether that prayer was Spirit filled is a question I could not answer, however, some praised the way I said it, clear and slow so they could understand.  At least they were awake.  

Sloth today.  

Much time on Twitter watching the USA prove it is not of any worth anymore.  People telling us how Trump understands the working class because he staged a fake McDonalds work experience, though how many times it had to be reshot is unclear.  A closed shop, supporters rehearsing their bit, and thousands now love him!  Really, the US requires a proper dictator, or with a heart and an efficient military machine, otherwise they are lost.  

I suspect however, most people in the UK were to busy being entranced by 'Sickly Come Dancing,' a programme designed for the 'Bread & Circuses' brigade.  Most TV is these days.  Anything that speaks of thinking is pushed to the side, especially if it may 'offend.'

So I have just returned to playing Solitaire or reading my book. 

I might have a life tomorrow...

The Sunday Post...

Saturday Evening Post...

 

Misty Return

A bright and misty morning greeted us today.  The unsmiling gathered at the supermarket ready to grumble and complain.  None noticed the brightness high in the sky above the trees, none gave thanks that they could walk to the shop, at least walk from their car to the shop.  

While the sun began to lessen the mist it remained happy enough to allow the mist to envelope parts of the town in an acceptable fashion.  The Victorian heights of the old school with the old Town Hall behind reflected the one time generosity of the wealthy who lived and ruled here in past times.

This pigeons forefathers passed down the story of how these roosting places once gave of heat and smoke.  Today, they stand stark and cold yet decent places for a fellow to clean his feathers and stare at the world going past beneath.

 

Jane Barlow/PA Wire

Alec Salmond returned home today from North Macedonia.  he was seen off by a military escort, provided by the government, and proper diplomatic respect was paid to the man.  On his arrival at Aberdeen no government official was on hand to welcome the one time First Minister, nor was a representative of the SNP available to attend.  

His wife ad family, his piper playing a lament, and I believe Tom Hunter, the man who provided the aircraft to return his body as the SNP government refused to do this, was in attendance.

The media spent much time reminding the world of Alec's faults, in an effort, guided by the British State, to erase his memory, his ability, and his worth to Scotland.  The English Prime Minister will continue to attempt to make Scotland once again, 'North Britain.'

This will not succeed.

The Coup Has Taken Place

It was clear, as if we did not know, that our Labour Prime Minister has been bought by big business. The recent conference of money men in London gave stark evidence of his selling out to corporates and equity, for the sake of national growth!  

This has been followed up by more demands in the media for cutting 'welfare' and implementing the cut of the Winter Heating Allowance ('WFA') from 'rich pensioners.'  Tat is those bringing in more than £13,000 a year!  The Tory Woman Chancellor claimed £5000 to heat her own large mansion recently.  Maybe she does not understand how other people live?  

Press outrage at the young not being able to buy a house while the aged live happily in a large one continues.  No mention of these young earning more in a year than the aged ever earned.  No mention of the aged taxes paying for those young 'uns education or the roads they drive their cars upon, the aged did not have cars back then, they did not earn enough!  The right wing press, owned by billionaires living abroad to avoid taxes, attacks the benefit scrounger while keeping the dim witted eyes from noticing their tax dodging.

As yet, nobody mentions those FreePorts, the ones the corporates and big business will own, avoid tax on for 10 years, and keep all profits to themselves.  No mention either of their new lawgiving status where they control that area, not the government close by.  Unions beware! 

The BBC have announced the end of another programme, 'Hardtalk,' on the BBC World Service.  This was a programme that asked deep and honest questions of many politicians and others.  Now it has been ended.  The entire BBC new output has been silenced now.  No interviewer who asks a question that does not fit with Tory and Labour policy is allowed.  Joseph Goebbels would be pleased.

Those rich people behind the scenes who now run the country have control over the government, the press, and now the BBC.  They already have ITV and SKY under control.  However, most people still trust the BBC in spite of this damage in the newsroom.  

Here we are, a coup has taken place, one that gave us Brexit, which killed the nation economically and lost all sovereignty, gave control to the wealthy, blinded the stupid by offering them 'boats,' while taking all their 'rights.'  The noose is tightening, most still do not perceive this.  

Our Kenny Vargas, he who cannot score against a goalkeeper in a 'one to one' situation, scored against a goalkeeper in a 'one to one' situation for Costa Rica last night.  The team beat Guatemala by 3 goals to 0 and our Kenneth did his job.  Now he had better remember how he did that for the next time while at Tynecastle!

Exercise...

 

This morning I drew back the curtains to let in the morning light and the room got darker.  Someone had left the clouds out over night and they were refusing to move.  It was a dismal beginning to a day.  Scrambling through Twitter, emails, and the English media I decided to scribble words onto a screen.  By that time light was offering mere grey clouds instead of glowering black ones and as a result I decided to exercise.

Yes, exercise, something my heart is keen on but does not meet often.  Five minutes here, a bit of stretching there, a wee walk down to the basement to read the meter, stretch again, lift a weight, ooyah, put it down again, and return happily to the chair.

That slim exercise does indeed make me feel better.  Breathing improves, the body benefits, and I even smile at the mirror, this does not smile back.  Having done myself no geed a few weeks ago I am able now to exercise a bit and hopefully benefit more often from this.  Usually however, exercise brings out the bugs that follow me, and as I am supposed to go for a 'flu' jab I am now in two minds.  I could have a jab but fear this may stimulate a cold type situation.  I have to seek a Covid jab, but that also might have a reaction.  Now I am nonplussed as to what to do.  However, I missed both last year, I had Covid at the time, so may not bother again this year.  As per usual, whatever I do will be wrong.

A squabble has arisen over the return of Alec Salmond's body.  A request for the RAF to collect the body has been rejected as this, 'Is only for Royalty.'  £600,000 is supposedly the cost of returning the body but England do not appear to be in a hurry about it.  The government claim talks are under way, but that means little, I can see a 'Crowd funder' required to pay for this soon.

A Great Loss

It was as we watched Scotland playing the Croatian side last night that most of us heard the news of the sudden death of Alex Salmond.  This was indeed a shock to me, as it must have been for Alex.  Here was the remaining towering figure in Scottish politics, now we are left with the SNPs devolution loving weasels.  

Having removed Alex from power, smeared him and attempted to jail him, an attempt that failed badly,  the British State can now relax regarding Scottish Independence.  None of the money loving wimps left in the SNP wish independence, they are content with being 'Mayors' of the Scotland region.

Alex Salmond was a great speaker, a diligent MP & MSP, he was excellent with PR, and he knew how to deal with Westminster controlled journalists, the ones who fill BBC Scotland today.  Alex had friends and contacts at the highest level, he remained the only powerful individual capable of leading the country to independence, yet the 'ALBA' party that he created has so far failed to produce any success at the polls.  

Side-lined though he was Alex Salmond remained the only individual powerful enough to lead Scotland to freedom from the English yoke. He had many faults, inevitable in a politician, yet his influence was enough to frighten Sturgeon and her Special Branch owned cronies.  His influence will remain, however, his passing leaves Scotland barren of real politicians for now.

Alex Salmond's last post on Twitter finished with the words, "Scotland is a Country, not a County!" 

My phone just rang, not that I was looking.  

By the time I realised it was ringing and answered it the caller had gone.  I pressed the wee button for calls and discovered this caller, with a strange long number, was based in Armenia.  Now, as you know, I have many friends in Armenia!  A nation with a long history, going back well before Roman times, and one who supply a football team that plays in European tournaments.  But calling me? 

Could it be they wish me to manage their football team?

Possibly their politicians require my leading?

Possibly it is a wrong number?

Most likely some chancer chancing.

Anyway, he is blocked now.

I also noted a London 020 number had called yesterday, again I missed it.  Now I know people therein but they do not know my phone number!  A local caller, possibly from Armenia, making a similar chancer call.

Nobody I know calls me...

  

Tech Pain

And another thing about tech merchandise, they are constantly telling you what to do, asking if you need help  when you don't, and just getting in the way!

I pick up the mobile and at the bottom of the screen it jumps up and says 'Try saying 'Cleopatra in Egypt.''

Why?

What do I want to day anything for to a machine?

Or it jumps up offering help.  

Why?

What help on here do I require?

On emails I receive a long list of answers is given for me to select.

Can I not think of an answer by myself?

Are the geeks who come up with this stuff so inept they cannot think of answers so need prepared ones?

These things are on the laptop also.

They are everywhere 'helping' by doing your thinking incorrectly for you.

As if I need help making mistakes?

On the trip on Sunday the driver commentated on how his car tells him his door is open, his seat belt not pushed in, or how close he is to the car behind.  

Can he not see these things for himself?

People have been driving for over a hundred years yet require a computer to tell them the obvious!

Granted some things can have their uses, no, I cannot think of any either.

I've taken to coffee in the mornings, sometimes this works and I wake up.  Sainsburys have taken to offering a variety of coffees at ludicrous high prices, even this type, their own brand stuff is overpriced, but I prefer the others on sale.  Last time I tried own brand coffee, Tesco I think, it was so strong it kept my eyes open for days.  Maybe I am getting used to this stuff but the result is very mild here? 

Ethiopian Coffee, Ethiopia being where coffee first arose, Columbian , and elsewhere can be bought.  However, the Costa Rica version has been removed and shows no sign of returning.  This is a shame as I think that was one of the best.  If I remember right the other bag in the cupboard is some form of Kenyan coffee, and I am not sure if I tried this before.     

I think I may require some of that Tesco coffee again if I fail to wake properly in the mornings.

Idiot!

Technical brilliance just cost me £20.

This wireless mouse, no it does not act like a wireless, this mouse ceased working.  It had fallen upon the floor for no good reason a day or so before and I worried it may be wonky.  However, I changed the battery, I had three lying on the mantlepiece doing nothing, put one in to discover this did not work.

The brute lit up and went off again.  Most annoying.  So I tried the other batteries, same result.  It is either broke or the battery is dead.  I had no more batteries, bar one.  This I took from elsewhere and inserted it into the mouse.  Same result.  Nothing for it but to obtain new batteries anyway and order a working mouse.

Several long days later it arrived, at 7 pm in the evening!  Royal Mail parcels are being delivered at all times, and on a 7 day rota at that.  No wonder smiling posties are hard to find these days.  Long hours, no extra pay, bad management, increased prices and appalling delivery ideas, all this to line the pockets of the few while the service deteriorates.  I support the postmen, not the owners.

Anyway, I got the new mouse, fixed it up with a new battery and put it to work, success! 

I had faith this would work!

However, I then tried one of my new, new batteries straight from the shop in the old, broken mouse.  This is an attempt that must be tried, and of course it worked first time!

So, tech marvel me spent £20 on a new mouse when all I required was a new working battery.  

I do not come from a family of engineers...

The Promised Land

There is much understandable fuss today concerning the anniversary of the Hamas attack on Israel last year.  Most of what we read and hear is of course nonsense.   Ignorant and deliberate propaganda from both sides, and a great many other sides with something to say or a benefit to gain from this conflict, shout loudly to all around.  Israel has many backers, the US and UK amongst many others, supplying weapons and diplomatic and other support.  The Palestinians have support, much from Arabs all around them but also these same Palestinians have grieved neighbouring states with their war.  Not all Arabs supported Palestinians in the past, most just wish to get on with their lives and end their own wars.  

For as long as man has trod these lands war has been the main employment during the Spring and summer.  Raiding and warring has enlarged and destroyed the states all around.  The Egyptians, Assyrians, Babylonians then the Persians alone conquered and lost this land.  Since then Greece and Rome and Ottoman Turks have ruled and passed on.  War is a constant, therefore war is to be expected when the Hebrews return to a land they believe was given to them by the only God way back in Abraham's day.  

Either this was true, or this was a lie.

If it was a lie and the Jews deceived we can forget about this and move on.  

If it was true, and the only God Yahweh, gave this land to the Hebrews while working out his plan for eternity in this world, then we must look again and choose carefully what we say and do.

Either way, it would be fair to say that politicians on all sides have little understanding of how the Living God works out his purposes, and Bibi Netanyahu is probably not one to acknowledge Yeshua Messiah as Lord.

Thousands have died in this last 12 months, some cruelly, some from bomb or bullet, some from hunger, others from lack of medicine and care.  Some soldiers have enjoyed killing, many have grown up with hate filling their hearts on both sides.  Few have been raised with peace in mind.

I have no answer to the present Israel/Gaza war.  The human cause is possibly Netanyahu attempting to avoid coming before the courts for charges of corruption.  Israel have jailed similar men for corruption before now.  His desire to kill those in Gaza being an excellent excuse to avoid the courts.  As I understand it, he cannot be tried while Premier.  Years of conflict, thousands untold dying along the way, have prepared Israel for this outbreak.  It may last a  while longer.  Many more will die.  

Politicians will talk of peace while providing arms and support all the while.  Israel must be supported, even though few of these men understand what the Lord God is doing here, and that one day they will stand before him in judgement!

I do not understand the workings here, but I know God is working his purposes out.  He is shaping the middle east for Jesus return.  Can we understand this clearly from scripture?  You may be able to, I struggle with the clarity bit.  

Is the Israel in Israel the nation to be surrounded by enemies?  Or does this mean the church of God, the people following Jesus until he returns is surrounded and opposed?  I know not.  

Does Yahweh rejoice in the death of the wicked?  

Certainly not, that is why judgement on us all has not fallen yet.  

He cries out as always that he gave his Son so that you could live with him for ever!  

Our corrupt nature cannot be saved, yet Jesus died for us so a way is open to meet and live with God.

He suffered for us.  

He took our sin.

Turning to Jesus, accepting his death on our behalf, and living for him brings life.

No riches or wealth in human terms, but life everlasting and worth having.

Somehow all this is involved in Gaza today.  

Many there have already met Jesus, they are not all Muslim.  

Many continue to suffer for their belief in Jesus, and not just in the Middle East.  

Let us learn from the conflict there that Jesus is till in control, he remains Lord of all, in spite of our own troubles and what we see in our biased media.  

Let us put our trust in him.

Saturday: A Wasted Life

I've just been watching Burnley v Preston, it was the best sleep I have had for some time!  What a waste of grass this was.   Preston falling down to waste time from the start, Burnley too keen to help them fall down.  A stramash here, a stramash there, little football.  Only one goal I noticed and that was declared wrongly as 'offside.'  You tend not to expect the linesman to know the offside law.

Now I am watching the results appear on the screen, every so often they change, 1-0becomes 2-0 or 1-1, and what we see on the screen does not match the emotions being expressed in countless football grounds around the world today.  Especially those grounds where wind and rain may be 'aiding' the flow of the game.  

Kicks and bumps abound, men rolling around on the ground holding their bits, some frantically running, other swaggering about, an occasional goalkeeper looking to the skies wondering how that happened, and the fans, how the fans enjoy the game!  Several thousand wondering why that dumb Hibernian player dived in the box when he was already on a yellow?  Off he goes as the ref waves a red card at him, swiftly followed by their opponents scoring a second goal!  The crowd roar, some in anguish.  Fingers are pointed at one end while arms are raised high at the other.  It was ever thus.

Soon there will be handshakes and a degree of professional forgiveness.  Players will warm down, fans will warm up in the local pubs, others head for home whether near or far.  

Others sit at home watching on the screen, like me.

I began the day slowly, not wishing to visit Tesco again I wandered through the not very busy marketplace.  Nothing much to report and then I accidentally fell into Tesco itself.  Thus I obtained the things I forgot or could not carry yesterday, and hobbled home for lunch.   

The sun shone, the air remained chilled, I was glad to be indoors until this afternoon when I realised it was warmer outside than in!  I opened the windows to warm up and found that chilly air waiting for me.  How come?  

Nothing for it but football and early bed, to watch more football or fall asleep again.  

My taxi is booked for tomorrow, this lift is becoming a habit and making me feel guilty.  Soon, but not yet, I will have to stop this, or pay the fares!

Blackfriars Bridge by Henry Cundell 1844