Author: R J Adams

On his visit to the UK, US President Obama has stated his opinion that Britain is stronger within the EU than outside it.

Opponents of EU membership, notably Boris Johnson and Iain Duncan Smith, call him a hypocrite:

… Vote Leave’s Boris Johnson said President Obama’s view was “a breathtaking example of the principle do-as-I-say-but-not-as-I-do”…[and] described Mr Obama’s argument as “inconsistent” and “downright hypocritical”.
“The Americans would never contemplate anything like the EU for themselves or for their neighbours in their own hemisphere. Why should they think it right for us?”…

Tory MP Iain Duncan Smith, who is also part of the Vote Leave campaign, also accused Mr Obama of double standards.
“I can imagine no circumstances under which he would lobby for the US Supreme Court to be bound by the judgements of a foreign court,” he said.
“Nor can I imagine any circumstances in which he would accept that laws should be made for­- or taxes imposed on­ – the people of the United States without the approval of Congress.”^[1]

These people will say anything – and twist any situation – for their own gains. They totally ignore the fact that the United States has its own version of the EU. It’s called the UNITED States – a central (federal) government overseeing separate state governments under a single Constitution.

That is exactly how Europe should be run.

It’s time Britain, and the British, realised they are no longer a nation with an empire. It’s time they stopped regarding themselves as better than the Germans and French because they beat the former, and liberated the latter, in WW2 (with a little help from the Americans!). If the French can forgive the Nazi atrocities imposed on their countrymen eighty years ago and work together with the Germans to build a better and more united Europe, then it’s time the British gave up their arrogant swagger towards Europe and adopted a more cooperative attitude.

UK politicians talk blithely about Britain’s strength, and how it should be in the forefront (read: leading) Europe, but conveniently forget that both the French(5th) and German(4th) economies are ranked above Britain’s(6th).

One has only to note the supercilious smugness towards their hosts of many Brits living in France, to wonder how the French put up with it. They do because, in general, they’re more tolerant, more accepting, and frankly better mannered than the British.

Boris Johnson and Iain Duncan Smith have their own political agendas and would, no doubt, benefit in the short term from a UK exit from the EU. Johnson is favourite to become prime minister and leader of the Tory party should David Cameron be forced to resign after a UK pullout.

It’s easy to feel ashamed of one’s fellow countrymen.

^{[1] “Barack Obama visit: UK more effective at fighting terror inside EU” BBC, April 22nd 2016}

Every year, just prior to midnight on December 31st, the world gathers to welcome in a new beginning – a New Year. For most it’s just a grand excuse for a knees-up, the opportunity to drink the night away, and forget troubles.

December 31st 2015 was no exception. Unfortunately, reality has to return at some point – usually around January 2nd – and the long, dark, drawn-out, trawl through to spring can prove a depressive way to start any year, at least in the northern hemisphere.

There’s been one bright spark to light our way to spring 2016, though, in the form of Donald Trump.

Idiot, loudmouth, hairdressers’ nightmare, however one thinks of Donald Trump since his arrival on the political scene he has been, above all, an entertainer. Trump has proved a clown above clowns, a jester to rival Lancelot Gobbo, or King Henry’s irresponsible companion, Falstaff.

Throughout his run for the Republican presidential nomination, Trump has left us gasping with disbelief, shocked at his vociferous outpourings, but always tempered with a certain belief that he was never, ever, going to make it. Not in a thousand years. His own party hates him. The rest of the political world despises the man, together with his ever more despicable views.

How could we have been so wrong? With his huge win in New York this week, suddenly it seems that Trump cannot lose. It’s now looking more than just ‘likely’ that the US Presidential campaign will feature Republican nominee, Donald Trump, versus Democratic nominee, Hilary Clinton.

But, of course, Clinton is bound to win – isn’t she?

It seems we cannot underestimate the “Trump phenomena”. Sick of career politicians contaminated by Washington corruption, American citizens appear happy to vote for anyone not wearing the ‘Establishment’ shirt, and Hilary Clinton is, undoubtedly, Establishment.

On the US political scene, at least, 2016 looks forward to being an interesting year.

Sadly, although the year is only four months old, it’s already claimed three of the United Kingdom’s greatest personalities and entertainers, taken swiftly and without warning.

January saw the loss of Sir Terry Wogan. He brightened the morning for millions with his long running radio show. Cancer claimed him in a matter of months at the age of 77.

Ronnie Corbett passed away on the last day of March. He was 84. One of the UK’s most brilliant and long-running comedians, he will be sadly missed.

Most recently, just yesterday in fact, we were informed of the sad and premature death of comedian, writer, and entertainer, Victoria Wood, yet another victim of cancer. She was a mere 62 years old.

Let’s not forget Alan Rickman, David Bowie, Paul Daniels, and David Gest…..and, news just in, Prince!

Such talent is irreplaceable.

Not to be too sad, however, because there is a bright side –

– in February the world lost Antonin Scalia, too.^[1]

And to think it’s only April.

Happy New Year 2017…anyone?


^{[1] “What Antonin Scalia’s Death Means to the People I Love”}

It’s a regular occurrence that’s become way more regular in recent times. It’s dangerous, not just because of the perpetrators, but also by the reaction of those to whom it occurs.

Earlier this week Russian jets over the Baltic Sea flew close by US warships:

The US military would have been within its rights to shoot down Russian aircraft that flew close to one of its warships in the Baltic Sea, Secretary of State John Kerry says.”^[1]

Really! Has anyone mentioned to the world that Russia and America are at war? Perhaps we missed that news bulletin?

According to the BBC reports of the event, the Russian Sukhoi SU-24 fighters weren’t carrying weaponry. So why the fuss? Could not the crews of the US ships have just given them a friendly wave and carried on with their routine tasks? Both planes and ships were in international waters, so both had a right to be there, though quite why US warships should choose to parade themselves on Russia’s doorstep is open to question.

Righteous indignation flows forth from politicians whenever these events occur, with mild threats of retaliation and much blustering and posturing. Also this week the French and Russians quarreled over a warplane that buzzed an aircraft carrying a Russian politician to a meeting in Geneva. It turned out to be a Swiss aircraft, so the Russians had to apologise for accusing the French of being irresponsible.^[2]

These, oft-occurring, crazy, situations only serve to prove that we’ve never grown up. Adult people, supposedly of sufficient intelligence to run a country, shouldn’t behave in such a way. Squabbles between neighbours should be restricted to the, “you’re playing that music too loud,” or, “your dog keeps crapping on my lawn,” variety.

So why do our politicians continue to indulge in such infantile behaviour? It’s obvious to all thinking people that the way to resolve issues is by friendly consultation and mutually acceptable agreements, taking account of each others needs and fears. The United States, to President Obama’s credit, has proved this with Iran. Why can’t they do the same with Russia?

Ah, I hear you cry, but Russia invaded Ukraine and annexed Crimea! Yes, it did. But only because NATO was threatening it’s doorstep. Besides, the vast majority of Crimeans wanted to be part of Russia. NATO has been creeping ever closer towards the Russian borders since the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991.

We have be adult enough to recognise that we in the West aren’t the ‘good guys’ and Russia the ‘bad guy’. We’re both equally bad and it’s time we both grew up, respected each other’s views and cultures, and became ‘good guys’ together.

If we don’t, one of these days a childish incident such as occurred this week will escalate into something very nasty. And it won’t just be a fist fight over dog shit on our lawn.

^{[1] “Kerry: Shooting down Russia jets ‘would have been justified'”}

^{[2] “France-Russia row over fighter jet ‘near-miss'”}