Now I happen to be one of those who – though a non-American myself – always believed in American leadership never questioned (effectively) the perception of strength of the American model of Democracy & Liberalism. This view however has been shattered to smithereens for a few simple reasons, and here’s the […]
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The BREXIT Nugget: A Question of Identity – Where Does that Fit In?
The BREXIT Nugget: Britain Leaving the EU Body in all but Tail
The BREXIT Nugget: Britain Leaving the EU Body in all but Tail
It turns out – as we learn from media reports NOT our British government – that the UK has agreed a deal where by the UK will remain in the Customs Union & Single Market during the transition period which means it will continue to accept all EU rules and […]
Read MoreThe Beethoven Project
I came across this video clip on YouTube published by Deutche Welle TV in 2013. Though a few years old I chose to post the first part of the program because it reflects my deep passion not only for classical music and great composers like Beethoven but also to the […]
Read MoreThe BREXIT Nugget: A Question of Identity – Where Does that Fit In?
This might be a self-serving post but it is an issue that does mean a great deal to me as a British citizen living in Europe. Having gone through the agreement signed today between the EU and the UK, particularly in relation to Citizen’s Rights I can see no provisions […]
Read MoreReflections from Jerusalem & A Hope for a Brighter Future
I came across this article; Where the Gods Live by the Austrian journalist Tessa Szyszkowitz which provides a very interesting insight – among the many out there – about life in Jerusalem, and decided to share it as a follow up to a recent post I made with the link […]
Read MoreThe Sad State of Liberal Britain & The Way Forward to Build a New Model for Liberal/Progressive Politics
Let’s first get things straight; I identify myself as a Liberal heart/soul and subscribe to Liberal values & traditions. I also happen to believe that Liberalism is about centrist/pragmatic policies rather leaning towards the alt-left or alt-right of political ideology. I was a member of the Liberal Democrats for 10 […]
Read MorePhoto Profile Update: Hey, Look Out! – Green Woodpecker
Johnny Hallyday dies Aged 74
Very sad to learn of the death of Johnny Hallyday today aged 74 a true icon of a singer. Influenced by Elvis Presley and the 1950s rock n’ roll revolution, Hallyday became famous in the 1960s for singing Rock ‘n’ Roll in French. He will be missed but never forgotten. May […]
Read MoreTrump to Recognise Jerusalem as the Capital of Israel
This is simple/brief commentary/predictions on Trump’s decision to recognise Jerusalem as the capital of Israel; This in my view is by far the biggest US foreign policy blunder ever even eclipsing the decision to invade Iraq of 2003. Political ramifications will be swift and will not be restricted to the […]
Read MoreThe BREXIT Nugget: A Case of Dereliction of Duty
Forget about the politics of it all; Border Controls, Customs Union, Single Market, Remainer, Brexiteer etc. Let’s all agree on a few basics; With the weak Prime Minister in 10 Downing Street leading (or to be more accurate by the look of things; is being led by) a shambolic government […]
Read MoreThe BREXIT "Mini" Nugget: To Deal or NOT To Deal, That is the Question
Plenty of signs coming out of Brussels suggesting that a deal is on the table and close to an agreement. Prime Minister May on the other hand is in a situation of; doomed if you will/doomed if you won’t – not only from Remainer’s but also hard Brexiteers. So now […]
Read MoreThe BREXIT Nugget: Weak Morals is the Problem NOT the Solution
Mike Pompeo Just Let One Off
Talk About Extreme Vetting of Immigrants – Would be More Useful to Start Applying Extreme Vetting to Politicians to Establish Their Qualifications, Experience & True Loyalties/Ideology if We Are to be Effective in Protecting Our Democracy
Read MoreThe BREXIT Nugget: Weak Morals is the Problem NOT the Solution
I came across this clip on twitter of the BREXIT debate on a recent episode of the BBC’s Question Time – detail below. I listened attentively to the views of MP Sam Gyimah about BREXIT as you can view from the link below. Here is my response which I already […]
Read MoreMike Pompeo Just Let One Off
While scrolling through the latest youtube video’s today I ran into this clip of Leon Panetta former Director of the CIA/White House Chief of Staff and Mike Pompeo the current Director of the CIA discussing the all infamous Trump tweets. Now before moving further in this post let me attempt […]
Read MoreA Message to the Prime Minister
Prime Minister Theresa May, let me just say that every time you open your mouth – on any subject – you seem to be putting yourself and by extension your country into a smaller and smaller box. Sure we can argue & debate things on matters of policy and that’s […]
Read MoreAnother “Heyday” for Theresa May When Racism/Bigotry come into Play (updated)
Another “Heyday” for Theresa May When Racism/Bigotry come into Play (updated)
This post is going to be short and sweet, for a change. Today came yet another glaring indication of where loyalties lie of Theresa May and I would say a big chunk of her team. When Trump made these silly retweets viewed as offensive to Muslims – related article below […]
Read MoreThe BREXIT Nugget: Forecasts & Priorities
We continue to see gloomy forecasts for the UK’s economic growth due to the BREXIT train wreck first the OBR and the OECD (links below). On the other hand we see gang in charge of the British government shutting their eyes, closing their ears as they stampede their way towards the […]
Read MoreThe BREXIT Nugget: Centre Grounds
The BREXIT Nugget: Centre Grounds
The real problem that we face today in this country post BREXIT is the lack of mature leadership able to unite the country by developing a pragmatic vision (please check link at the end of the post as an option) based on compromise/inclusiveness. Instead bigotry & partisanship seem to be […]
Read MoreHearts & Minds in Egypt
Another cowardly attack on a mosque in Egypt’s Sinai peninsula claiming over 200 lives. Prayers to the victims and deepest condolences to their families. The concern is that now that ISIS is loosing grip in Iraq & Syria terrorists are moving to other regions of the Middle East & Africa where they believe to have […]
Read MoreFlying with the Premier 1 Driver
If you’re into flying, aircrafts and all to do with aviation like me you may be interested in following Greg Mink’s channel on youtube. I came across Greg a little over a year ago and have been following his great flying video clips ever since. Greg is a pilot who […]
Read MoreThe BREXIT Nugget: Let the 'Cliff Edge' Commence
As we continue with the status quo on BREXIT both in terms of the governments approach and the unwillingness/inability of other pro-Remain supporters across parties to unite and put forth a new vision we see evidence on a daily basis of the downhill spiral the country is going through. So […]
Read MorePolicy Nugget: UK trade minister lobbied Brazil on behalf of oil giants – STOP Treating the Symptoms
We should STOP piecemealing solutions of symptoms and start curing the real issue of political overreach/corruption in all its forms whether it be in financing political parities or influence by lobbyist/special interest. These activities do nothing but chip away at our Democracy and liberal values; we should stop talking about […]
Read MoreA Foreign Policy Nugget; Robert Mugabe sacked as Zanu-PF leader in Zimbabwe
Democracy cannot be imposed but should be actively supported. Let’s learn some lessons from the failures of the Arab Spring and develop/apply an adaptable template to help emerging democracies find/apply a suitable/sustainable path towards democratic governance. The first steps are always the most difficult ones and many states choose the […]
Read MoreLebanon: The Sunni – Shia Rivalry and the Fate of a Country
Few would disagree that the Sunni – Shia rivalry is destructive to the entire Middle East region. Unfortunately Lebanon has been the battle ground of this rivalry among the many sectarian conflicts plaguing the region. This is truly a sad story of a beautiful country/wonderful people that could be a […]
Read MoreThe British Governments Response to the Petition to Investigate Foreign Interference in the EU referendum = Hogwash
The British Governments Response to the Petition to Investigate Foreign Interference in the EU referendum = Hogwash
The British – so called “government” – has just released its response to a petition with over 17,000 signatures to investigate foreign interference in the EU referendum, and here it is word for word; As the Prime Minister stated in her speech at Mansion House on 13th November 2017, the […]
Read MoreMy Takeaway from a recent Interview with President Emmanuel Macron
A very interesting interview – link below – with French President Emmanuel Macron and I only wish there was more of it to cover a more penetrating insight into his views on a variety of important topics six months into his Presidency. Now a couple of points right off the bat; […]
Read MoreBREXIT: Parliament to vote on final Deal – A New Approach or a Shiny Object (Updated)
BREXIT: Parliament to vote on final Deal – A New Approach or a Shiny Object (Updated)
Very interesting developments by the government, but one that makes you wonder if this is a new proposition or rather it’s more about timing of agreeing to a proposition that was already on the table for some time. Of course we all know it’s the latter that is true. OK […]
Read MoreBREXIT: A Pragmatic Vision Forward
BREXIT: A Pragmatic Vision Forward
Plenty has been proposed about the pros/cons of BREXIT, promises made during the Referendum campaign and propositions about the way forward to help unite the country. I have written plenty on the subject as some may be aware with my initial suggestion about the viability of a 2nd Referendum. What […]
Read MoreRacism: Old Clip with a Contemporary Overtone
I came across this clip on youtube and decided to post it on my site. Why? Well Jon Stewart is the one person who has the capacity/ability like no other person that I know to zero in and dissect important elements of very complex issues like racism and articulate his […]
Read MoreThe BREXIT Weekend Nugget
Yes, I know it’s the weekend and some of us have a life, so why in the world do we have to discuss BREXIT now – important as it is but yet still more of a week day issue. Well it is precisely because some of us don’t have a […]
Read MoreTheresa May is the Weakest Link in the Nation but NOT the Only One
Theresa May is the Weakest Link in the Nation but NOT the Only One
It is most certainly the case the Prime Minister is the Weakest link in the nation at the moment; plenty of evidence of complete/utter incompetence – but she is by no means the only weak link. Leadership of other political parties seem to follow the concept of leading from behind. There every move […]
Read MoreBREXIT: Petition Calling on Government to investigate Foreign Interference in UK Referendum (please sign)
Priti Patel & the Disgrace of Lobbyist Ability to Circumvent our Democracy
This is not going to be a long post as I have written quite a few posts previously about the effects of lobbyist/special interest groups on our democracy here. This latest episode of an ever ending story is just a tip of the iceberg and only demonstrates the level at […]
Read MoreThe BREXIT Papers
There are reports suggesting that the BREXIT impact assessment papers may NOT after all actually exist at least in the form one would expect from a government that takes its responsibility seriously in protecting the interest of the nation rather than being driven by a bunch of hacks/ideologues. If this […]
Read MoreBREXIT: David Davis Asks For More Time to Hand in the Brexit Report
As we continue to await for the government to release the BREXIT impact assessment papers there seems to a confusion as suggested by David Davis letter in the referenced article (link below) as to what these documents entail. As the letter suggests this is an evolving analysis that is being […]
Read MoreBREXIT: Petition Calling on Government to investigate Foreign Interference in UK Referendum (please sign)
It is becoming increasingly clear the level of Russian meddling into the US elections not just in terms of social media campaigns/ads but also through collusion by political actors that played key role in the process. It is therefore necessary for the British parliament to hold similar hearings as ones […]
Read MoreAntonín Dvořák; Slovanic Dance
The Slavonic Dances are a series of 16 orchestral pieces composed by Antonín Dvořák in 1878 and 1886 and published in two sets as Op. 46 and Op. 72 respectively. Originally written for piano four hands, the Slavonic Dances were inspired by Johannes Brahms’s own Hungarian Dances and were orchestrated […]
Read MoreBREXIT Comedy Hour: The Way a Nationalist Ideologue would fix your door bell
The nationalist/populist ideology has 1 and only 1 approach to fixing problems; smash everything around you to smithereens and start from scratch – on their terms of course. We’re seeing that clearly playing out in the US with this Trump Family Administration and in the UK with the alt-right approach […]
Read MoreBREXIT: A Flawed Referendum Leading to a Flawed Process (***updated***)
The government has been using the referendum as the ultimate mandate for continuing with BREXIT and triggering article 50. We’ve also also been complacent in arguing about what this mandate means. So let me make the following argument; the Referendum in of itself was flawed and has in return produced […]
Read MoreStories of the Violin: Sarasate Zigeunerweisen
Here is one of my all time favourite violin compositions and it comes with a short story. First time I ever heard this piece was when listening to my favourite pop/rock orchestra, James Last – bless his soul his music was the one that introduced me to classical music in […]
Read MoreBREXIT: A Petition for an Inclusive/Transparent Process to the Unite the Nation – Please sign
Please note that the following text represents the original full text of the petition. However the text had to be condensed/summarised due to the character limits on the petitions website. This is a petition urging the government to help unite the country by ensuring a transparent/fair and inclusive process in […]
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