Afternoon music
A very nice version of the symphony, “The Bell” (Khatchaturian).
On the blog 3 years ago
On the blog 2 years ago
On the blog 1 year ago
Saturday quiz
Well, 6/10 this week, thus trumping the 3/10 scored by political journalist John Rentoul. I did not know the answers to questions 3, 4, 5, and 6.
Thought out of season
Not so long ago, Britain had a great empire, at peak (after 1919) controlling a nearly a third of this world. Britain took on and won —albeit not alone— great (if unnecessary) wars against both the second German Reich and the later Third Reich (in 1914-1918 and then 1939-1945) and, still later (in the post-1945 Cold War) the Soviet Union.
Now look. Brought down, or being brought down, by a ragtag “army” of blacks and browns (etc) that are not even, most of them, under arms. Migration invasion, and the consequent societal parasitism, cultural collapse, and racemixing (ethnic collapse).
All co-ordinated —at a high level— by those who are the enemies of the future of Britain and the rest of European and European-origined humanity.
While that happens, the mass of the British population are amused by TV game shows, televised spectator sports, gossip about supposed “celebrities” etc.
Pathetic.
Tweets seen
Hopefully, the Ukraine war will have ended by 2030, but Russia needs a gamechanger; the present attritional advance is far too slow.
As previously and repeatedly blogged, Britain should leave NATO, not rejoin the oppressive EU, and should develop better relations with Russia. Cost-price gas, and a huge market for British products and services.
[“Several Middle Eastern media outlets have published maps of Iranian strike targets, covering eight countries.
It is stated that the “zero hour” strikes will occur within 24 hours of the start of a new attack by the United States and/or Israel.
The targets are located in Israel, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman, and Jordan, and include ports, airports, power plants, water treatment facilities, underwater cables, hotels, and shopping centers.“]
The Iranians are more than justifying the historical reputation of Persia for cunning and subtlety in diplomacy. Despite having only a tiny fraction of the military-destructive power available to the Americans, or even the Israelis, the Iranian leadership has been able to all but cripple the economies of the Gulf mini-states, and badly damage that of Israel.
Moreover, the whole security situation in the Gulf is affecting the economies of various parts of the world: parts of Asia, Europe, and the USA itself.
Meanwhile it is clear that Saudi Arabia is also in serious trouble via the attacks by the Yemeni Houthis.
Talk about “wipeout”! Good grief…
As a child of 10-12, I used to think that the waves at Manly Beach (Sydney) were big sometimes, but that clip is another level.
The police are not, or should not be posing as, a poundshop KGB or Stasi.
Our animal friends
https://www.dailymail.com/news/article-16254847/Heroic-puppy-cheated-death-bravery-award.html
Late tweets
Exactly so…
Is Paris burning? Apparently so.
Late music
OK, I feel confident today. If I get these four answers right, I will beat Mr Rentoul:
2 = The Pantheon
8 = Sombrero
9 = Lily Langtry
10 = couscous
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Claudius:
You got 3 out of those 4.
Not “couscous” but “tabouleh”
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tabbouleh
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Couscous
Couscous is similar in part, though more the basis for a dish, or a side-dish, rather than a completed dish in itself; also, often semolina, rather than bulgur wheat.
Couscous is from North Africa, whereas tabouleh is from the Levant.
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I know it must be tiresome dealing with a numbskull like me, but could you please, Ian, explain to me why the Saudis, who are awfully rich, need to borrow 10 billion dollars? Is a joke, isn´t it? I doesn´t make any sense.
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Claudius:
As I understand it, the Saudi government is stretched because of massive outgoings. One would be the comprehensive welfare state, far more generous than that of the UK (though limited to Saudis only, unlike the one here, open to aliens if “settled” here). Then there is that ridiculous glass-wall city project. The Saudi government owns over 80% of Aramco. THe Saudis also spend vast amounts on defence.
Of course, Aramco is a separate entity from the Saudi government, despite the ownership.
I too should have thought USD $10BN a fairly trifling amount for them, and the publicity around the loan has been quite negative for the image of the Saudi society as a whole, imo.
ps. you are not a numbskull. Your contributions are always welcome.
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I just found this nice little clip. I didn´t know that that unbearable, pretentious twerp called Jacob Rees-Mogg worked for the Rothschilds; that explains a lot of things and makes perfect sense.
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Claudius:
Rees-Mogg, a one-trick-pony act (playing, as “ham” actor, a faux-18thC “aristocrat” pastiche). Completely in the Jew-Zionist pocket, despite having chafed at the bit a few times. One of those who gives both finance-capitalism and Eton a bad name.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jacob_Rees-Mogg#Early_life_and_education
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