"Gone full Tonto..." FFS... More like he's gone full Custer: a "successful" but overly expensive commanding officer (his casualty rates were astonishingly high) who, ultimately, got himself and all his men killed. This is the sort of belligerence expected of a champion bully, drunk in the pub, with his glory days well behind him all bluster and cruising for a bruising... That's where we are, no mistake.
Superb article. I believe it strikes truer than anything we get presented with. My only caveat is that Putin’s strategising (which I think is probably accurately described) is mirrored by the UK and US strategising (not that I’m convinced that UK strategy is as intelligent). The fall of the Soviet Union and the Eastern Bloc (1989+) was not internally driven, imho. The fighting is dirty, the presentation of facts to the minions is as full of naked propaganda as the WW2 Axis/Allies’ propaganda was.
Absolutely devastated to learn of the demise of Taylor Hawkins one of the best drummers in the history of rock. I've been a fan since their second album, The Color and the Shape, (joined for the tour, Dave Grohl being unhappy with the percussion on the album) seeing them several times. He has two teenage daughters and widow. Rumours are that it is drugs related, be that on the day or the sins of the past catching up with him. Tragic, either way. Gutted.
A truly disturbing thread about what life was like in the UK - back in a time that the current government appears determined to take us back to.
This is truly appalling, but the hardship that families went through in those days is something I never expected to see again. Within my own family there are documented reports of demands for payment from hospitals pre-NHS for final days care. My grandmother was in the Union Workhouse in Watford, right next to the football ground, and the records of how she attempted to help the family after her husband died of TB make for harrowing reading. Watford was quite enlightened by comparison with some places, but photos show it would be the last place you would want to live. One day I might set out the full story here, but until I do I will continue to say that social justness and fair treatment of all is what we should aim at.
Well it did seem to have had a little effect - judging by this, most people made a cup of tea after the ten minutes was up, then went to bed. The organisers are upping the ante this coming weekend - their plan is for a repeat on both Saturday and Sunday nights.
