Hi Hong Kong and Singapore

I see many readers from Hong Kong and Singapore but are you real people and why do you find my pathetic little site so interesting all of a sudden?

Good luck

She almost got away with it (murder!)

Here is the story of a murderer; a young woman who killed both of her parents at the same time and for over 4 years no-one had a clue. In fact it took her immediate and voluntary confession, at the time her front door was smashed down by the police, before anyone could really comprehend what they had exposed. For four years she had lived alone in the house of her (dead) parents, with them secreted and entombed in upper-floor rooms. She almost got away with murder!

Being an aspiring painter without many acquaintances, she had formerly lived with her parents, but to free herself from a well of debts she took money from them whilst they were alive and then after their murders.

In one day she poisoned her father and battered her mother with a hammer until dead, then (rather craftily) did nothing. I suppose her thought was "no body, no crime", so she simply hung on to her parents and all evidence of their deaths. They went upstairs and the blooded hammer went under the stairs. Job done!

Covid-19 restrictions helped her explain their initial "disappearance" through to 2022, then up to September 2023 she explained to neighbours and former acquaintances that they had "retired to the Clacton area". She even had an unrelated visit by the police, who she invited into the house, but they didn't "smell" a thing wrong.

What she didn't foresee was a GP at her parent's medical practice referring them to a council "safeguarding" team, who eventually  called in the police; and her game was over.

Neighbours and the few people who interacted with Virginia McCullough described her as being "a quite pleasant fantasist", "funny and irreverent, with a dark sense of humour", though a 36 year sentence for double murder will no doubt knock that out of her. My irreverent sense of humour suggests the price of her paintings has just gone up!

Virginia McCullogh - Let me tell you officer, they are upstairs!

Read a press article here.

Netanyahu digs his hole

Benjamin Netanyahu (on/off prime minister of Israel since 1996) is being squeezed as never before, because of his apparent desire to erase Israel's "Palestinian problem" and fight off internal dissenters, whilst hoping the USA doesn't turn into a "frenemy", as it seems to be doing, for Israel's period of grace may now be coming to an end as USA President Biden steps aside having already officially censured Israel. Meanwhile, South Africa has cited Israel for Genocide in Gaza and the USA is fast losing diplomatic patience with their "errant child" as he steps out onto very thin ice. Biden decided strong words are not enough and refused to use its veto for a UN Security Council resolution that an immediate ceasefire in Gaza be agreed as Israeli forces continue to destroy humanitarian infrastructure, emphasised by vice president Kamala Harris (now effectively running the show until the next election), who met with and told Netanyahu, the Gaza war has to end.  The UK seems to be falling in with this sentiment now as they officially withdrew their opposition to the International Criminal Court's desire to issue an arrest warrant for Benjamin Netanyahu, and have suspended arms sales to Israel, an act that Netanyahu said was "shameful" (which seems a bit rich to me).

By rejecting strong signals from the USA (and others), to get his house in order and stabilise their seemingly never-ending Palestinian "problems", the hubris of Benjamin Netanyahu will be his downfall, for if these two fall-out Israel would indeed look like a little country; Iran would become bolder and Israel would "have to" execute an "overwhelming" response, as is their want. Netanyahu's 4th visit to the US senate neatly underscored the poor state of  their relationship, for whilst he said to the US, "our war is your war" (which it is not), dozens of influential people did not bother to attend. Is the USA beginning to step back from Israel?

The USA put a shot across his bow by reiterating that supplied arms must be used legally and within international law, yet the Israeli's have "gone over the top" against Palestinians and Hamas in Gaza, causing the Dutch to refuse F-35 parts and many other suppliers to question their role in this, including the UK. The USA has also started to sanction Israeli individuals as a cease and desist policy, though this is proving ineffective. 

He's had his warnings and the USA will no longer stomach his wanton destruction of Gazan citizens, for they are overflying Gaza for drops of aid and have constructed a huge floating pier, thereby defying what this apparent despot wants. Having said that the US still offered Israel a $1 billion carrot, no doubt to hold back a domestic stink by powerful and assertive supporters of Israel in the USA.

There is no doubting Netanyahu is a survivor, but his problems are really stacking up as Israel continues to sorely vex it's biggest ally, that has refused to help with retaliatory attacks on Iran because they want Israel to come to its main sponsor's heel; indeed a lever of funding received by Israel has been pulled for an ultra orthodox unit of the Israeli defence forces, ostensibly for human rights violations. Netanyahu is rejecting these cuts, which is ironic as they are not his by right and he must now keep control of ultra reactionary Zealots under his command, as many are being reported by whistle-blowers for treating detainees very badly.

The USA may wish to tie his hands in order to keep theirs clean and if Trump comes back into power Israel may be tossed to the "dogs"!

Benjamin Netanyahu

Netanyahu, for so long the strongman of Israeli politics, is now being pressured from within Israel as the Gaza war edges beyond conflict into a genocide. His prior attempts at fiddling with their constitution (courts) remains unresolved and very unpopular, with many seeing him as flawed by despotic tendencies, though he may just be espousing his fanatical Zionist political backers. (Do you believe this?)  He is maybe coming to the end of his reign of influence for rejecting the USA is not going to be good for him, regional stability, nor Israel. Internal dissent is being made public, with "his own people" willing to undermine his political standing; some now calling him a danger to Israel as seniors begin to disengage from this every more serious mess. Even those in the Israeli war cabinet are extraditing themselves from Netanyahu's legacy of rampant vengeance.

His enduring problem now is that he has put himself between a rock and a very hard place: his rock is his stated and expected commitment to eradicating Hamas (and its sponsorship), whilst his very hard place is that where much of his strategy in Gaza is deemed by many to be a genocide. His apparent "Kill 'em all" approach is the very thing that undermines his global standing, yet any deal with Hamas is not wanted by the influential hard right who are damaging his tenure at the top in Israel, for the survival of Hamas amounts to his own defeat, as would a total breakdown of support from the USA who are currently restricting themselves to words of advice and aid for Palestinians trapped in Gaza. The International Court Of Justice ordered Israel to cease yet there are no signs that Israel is listening, for Netanyahu says there will be no Gaza ceasefire, nor let-up of actions against Lebanon until Israel's uncertain war aims are achieved, even as the United Nations adds Israel and Hamas to the list countries committing violation of children.

Side Note: Ultra orthodox Jews living in Israel are now deemed eligible for conscription into the Israeli army and as the war in Gaza grinds on their indignation in obvious in their selfish collective protestations. Their religious exemption has been removed and funding for their seminaries suspended, but at last they will be able to "fight" those that their fellow right-wing political brethren seemingly want eradicating. I hope their sincere beliefs will protect them from PTSD and the carnage they are now expected to embark upon, and that battle-hardened troops will greet them into their world without any resentment toward their orthodoxy. If lucky enough to hold dual nationality many could possibly scuttle back to their productive studies in another country?

For readers who need a short recap of why Israel started stripping away its good-standing in the world, read this, or for a broader understanding try this.

Final Note: This is where the war is, but I no-longer feel a need to express further thoughts regarding Benjamin Netanyahu, as his policies and this war will rumble on and spread as such things do when all parties (Israel, Palestinians, Hamas and more recently Lebanon) and Hezbollah and Houthis are intransigent. (What is Hezbollah?) US President Biden wants (global) peace but he's got no chance whilst these parties merely want to kill each other (with the malevolent assistance of Iran);  Hamas infuriated Israel so much that Netanyahu has grossly over-reacted in order to sell his "saviour of Israel" mantra, when in fact many in Israel have wanted to see the back of him from before the war, with an enduring "peace" for Israel.  His actions must be manna from heaven for Iran's aspirations in the region and I genuinely believe Israel will allow his post-war trial for genocide in order to clean their political slate and keep the USA "onside". Finally I condemn not Jews, nor Jewish individuals anywhere for what is going on in Gaza, for that judgement is reserved for the Israeli state politicians and their principle "driver(s)". Thanks for reading.

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Axel Muganwa Rudakubana

Watch your back lad.

I know I am being irrational, but the the attempted murder of dozens of children and nearby adults means this nutter should be strung-up.

Axel Muganwa Rudakubana, 17, UK born of two Rwandan parents deliberately sought, attacked and maimed dozens of small children with a knife, killing 3 of them. He crossed the line even hardened criminals hold sacred and he should be put down. If he has an earlier history, those who allowed him to roam free are culpable.

From his antics sprang a series of widespread and seriously violent protests, about which I am not sure, but the weather was hot, the nights long and the whispering classes, (online organisers of trouble makers) induced mindless plebs, always sold in the media as the far right, to the streets to cause their trouble. Police were attacked and maimed, just because they are the police who have to stop "people" from running riot. The scenario seems to be, 1) Have a chat on (un)social media, 2) Try to congregate around a mosque or illegal immigrant "hotel", 3) Chuck stuff at these, then turn on the police who have to preserve them and 4) In the ensuing melee do whatever you fancy: loot, steal, burn, attack, maim; and try to be a "big" man (hiding behind your actual mask or crackpots theories or "programming"). Smashing a copper in the head, that you may have need of tomorrow is not too bright is it?

The root of this, I believe, is far-flung immigrants have reached a tipping point of tolerance for many in the UK (and Germany?) and the "nutcase Rwandan" is their fuse, fanned by online agitators. They believe he represents all that is wrong in their space, when what is wrong is the State never has balls when it came to visitors who do not go "home". In quality analysis there is a term, "lakes and streams", which means if you let enough polluting streams into a clean "lake", it will become polluted itself over time.

Immediately handing down punitive sentences to rioting miscreants may frighten many others off for now, as well as overpacking already packed prisons, but if the bubbling problems in the UK are not effectively addressed by the new Labour government during their term, much latent dsquiet may find another fuse. Axel Muganwa Rudakubana murdered kids and was an unexpected fuse, but I worry about what will be next?

Rant over.

Update Oct 11th 2024 - Though it will be months (possibly years) before this case comes to trial (to let the UK cool down a bit), a visit by Royalty to bereaved parents took place and was made public; a tacit signal that from the top down the UK acknowledges racial intolerance being driven by unbridled illegal immigration.

Word of the day - LASCIVIOUS

The word today is Lascivious

Lascivious is an adjective and from my research means the following:

- Expressing a strong desire for sexual activity

- To be lustful, possibly in a predatory sense

- To be insatiable with regard to lustful desire(s)

Not good to be Lascivious!

By acting lasciviously you are exhibiting lasciviousness

By acting lasciviously you are being lascivious

If someone says you are lascivious they think you sex-mad and creepy

Lasciviousness  is not what you want to be accused of!

Lasciviousness applies to any person, akin to predatory nymphomania

Lascivious and Libidinous of get mixed-up

If you need more start here or here.

There is an index of words of the day.

Word of the day - INSIDIOUS

The word today is Insidious

Insidious is an adjective and from my research means the following:

- Working or spreading harmfully in subtle and stealthy ways.

- Steadfastly working to entrap or introduce treachery to others.

- To be unremitting in a beguiling yet harmful enterprise.

- Secretly and gradually cause harm(s) .

Insidious means an ongoing corruption is in play!

To be insidious you or they are unrelenting and deviously malignant

Acting insidiously, your insidious aim will reveal its insidiousness

If someone says you are insidious they think you are a bad influence

Insidiousness is not what you want to be accused of!

If you need more start here or here.

There is an index of words of the day.

Kath Hignet - Newsweek News

Kath Hignet News

This journalist's article (or A.I. Code) contains poor grammar foisted upon readers via Internet "News". I may read false news but I want it well written.

"A galaxy spinning around a hungry supermassive black hole that's guzzling down matter and shooting out plasma jets has grabbed the attention of astronomers 13 billion light years away. This plasma-spewing quasar is spurting out brighter radio emissions than anything else ever observed in the early universe."

Q. Are the astronomers really 13 billion light years away?
Q. Are we in the "early universe", or another?

A galaxy spinning around a hungry supermassive black hole that's 13 billion light years away (from earth) and guzzling down matter whilst shooting out plasma jets has grabbed the attention of astronomers 13 billion light years away. This plasma-spewing quasar is spurting out brighter radio emissions than anything else ever observed in the early universe.

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Mon 5th Feb 2024  

I came across this in a BBC article and it doesn't seem right. Call me pedantic if you wish, but I like things right (quite often my "right").

"Jason Elordi has been accused of grabbing the reporter behind a radio prank gone wrong by the throat."

OR

Jason Elordi has been accused of grabbing by the throat, the reporter behind a radio prank gone wrong."

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Sun 30th Jun 2024  

Another a BBC article, this time by Lipica Pelham.

"French media reported that three armed, hooded men arrived at the reception venue in Thionville late on Saturday night before opening fire on guests."

OR

 (because they did not have three arms each)

"French media reported that three hooded and armed men arrived at the reception venue in Thionville late on Saturday night, before opening fire on guests."

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Wed 3rd Jul 2024  

Another a BBC article, this time by Jeremy Britton.

"The suitcase was found 10 days later by a member of the public washed up on the riverbank downstream, still containing the body of Ms Begum."

OR

 (because the finder wasn't washed up)

"Found by a member of the public, the suitcase was locate 10 days later, washed up on the downstream riverbank and still containing the body of Ms Begum."

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Fri 4th Oct 2024  

Another a BBC article, this time by Jack Burgess.

"A French judge reversed a ruling in the trial of a man who is accused of drugging his wife to sleep and recruiting dozens of men to abuse her for over a decade."

OR

 (because his wife was not actually asleep for a decade)

"A French judge reversed a ruling in the trial of a man who is accused of repeatedly drugging his wife to sleep for over a decade and recruiting dozens of men to abuse her."

N.B. This is a terrible French crime and the details get worse.

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Phil Shiner - what a shit you are

Crooked ex-lawyer Phil Shiner

Phil Shiner is the sort of person I despise, because of what he has been found guilty of.

Hiding behind a façade of supposed respectability as a British lawyer, heading up the firm Public Interest Lawyers (who were NOT found guilty), his greed and self-serving actions undermined the very forces who would actually fight to their death to protect his cushy life in the UK. 

By fishing for business in the WOKE world of total righteousness', he engaged local "agents" to cold-call in Iraq in order to drum-up false claims against UK forces and thereby secure him paid work. 

If you ever meet him, don't forget to remind him that he's a parasitic slime-ball.

He initially denied his dubious practice but the truth finally came out and here is his story.

Truism (about war)

It is harder to end a war than start one.

Putin has fucked himself and harmed Russia

And Black Sabbath have a song for him

And now the idiot is talking nuclear

Meaningful songs - INDEX OF SONGS

Ostensibly a list of songs that remain meaningful to me, because of memories or emotions that were expected to fade with age (when in fact they do not); this is my personal time machine, for I play these songs and I'm off to another time. I don't know why music does this, but I'm glad it does for me and perhaps you also. 

For those born into the golden age of vinyl (you know if you were), "vinyl" was readily available, relatively cheap and almost defined who you and friends where, providing sanctuary from the real world, emotional support and true happiness; who does not remember girlfriend/boyfriend tapes of selected vinyl tracks recorded and swapped to express all sorts of feelings way beyond our own expression?

Anyway, getting to my point, "vinyl" was destined for the bin of history but oldies, zealots, fashionistas, musicologists, old-tech geeks and newbies (to the joy of this music delivery format) have made its resurgence economically viable and thus readily available for collection and permanent ownership, as opposed to renting your download until it is no longer yours. 

In my formative years I would get back to my freezing bedroom, put on my latest vinyl and avidly pore over its sleeve art and notes as it played, so in a similar vein you may like to read through these articles as you listen.

These are the songs in the "Meaningful songs" series.

 Click on each to hear it.

#1 BLUE MINK - Melting Pot                                                     Read article

#2 NORMAN GREENBAUM - Spirit In The Sky                    Read article

#3 MUNGO JERRY - In The Summertime                              Read article

#4 THE KINKS - Lola                                                                   Read article

#5 LOU REED - Walk On The Wild Side                                  Read article

#6 RALPH McTELL - Streets Of London                                 Read article

#7 ELVIS COSTELLO - Alison                                                    Read article

#8 DORY PREVIN - Lemon Haired Ladies                              Read article

# 9 BILLY PAUL - Me And Mrs Jones                                       Read article

#10 CHARLES AZNAVOUR - She                                              Read article

#11 THE ROLLING STONES - Angie                                         Read article

#12 HELEN REDDY - Angie Baby                                              Read article

#13 INSTANT AUTOMATONS - Harriot's Nurse                    Read article

#14 SINEAD O'CONNOR - Nothing Compares To You          Read article

#15 CARLY SIMON - You're So Vain                                          Read article

#16 PETULA CLARK - Downtown                                              Read article

#17 CHARLES AZNAVOUR - Yesterday when I was young  Read article

#18 THE BEATLES - She's Leaving Home                                Read article

#19 DAVID BOWIE - Letter To Hermione                                Read article

#20 THE SPECIALS - Ghost Town                                             Read article

#21 THE STRANGLERS - Golden Brown                                 Read article

#22 GARBAGE - Stupid Girl                                                        Read article

       With Peter Sarstedt - Where Do You Go To My Lovely

#23 STAN RIDGEWAY - Camouflage                                        Read article

#24 BLACK SABBATH - War Pigs                                              Read article

#25 ARGENT - Hold Your Head Up                                           Read article

#26. TRACEY THORN - Too Happy.                                         Read article

#27 GEORGE MICHAEL - A Different Corner                        Read Article

#28 THE CHI-LITES - Have You Seen Her?                            Read Article

#29 THE ROLLING STONES - Sympathy For The Devil      Read article

#30 BADFINGER - Baby Blue                          Read Article and backstory

# GLEN CAMPBELL - Wichita Lineman

# THE ARCHIES - Sugar Sugar

# GLEN CAMPBELL - By The Time I Get To Phoenix

# THE CARPENTERS - Rainy Days And Mondays

# GARRY PUCKETT & THE UNION GAP

# FUN BOY THREE - Our Lips Sealed

# TOM TOM CLUB - Wordy Rappinghood

# GORDEN LIGHTFOOT - If You Could Read My Mind

Four-on-the-floor American rarities - Northern Soul hits

FRANK WILSON - Do I Love you (Indeed I Do)

THE TAMS - Be Young Be Foolish Be Happy

CURTIS MAYFIELD's - Move On Up (cover by The Northers Souls)

AL WILSON - The Snake

FRANKIE VALLI AND THE FOUR SEASONS -The Night-

GLORIA JONES - Tainted Love 1964 and 80s smash hit by SOFT CELL

CHARLIE RICH - Don't Tear Me Down

DUKE BROWNER - Crying Over You

OTIS CLAY - The Only Way Is Up  Joyous steps and later YAZZ version

JUDY STREET - What

THE VIBRATIONS - 'Cause You're Mine

THE 5 ROYALES - Catch That Teardrop

KELLY GARRETT - Love's The Only Answer

JASON KNIGHT - Our Love Is Getting Stronger

TURLEY RICHARDS - I Feel Alright

DEAN PARRISH - Tell Her and 1974 pop hit by Hello

GENE CHANDLER - There Was A Time

BRENDA HOLLOWAY - Look What You've Done What You

SANDI SHELDON - Your Gonna Make Me Love You

YOUNGHEARTS - A Little Togetherness

LAURA MICHELE - You Always Hurt The One You Love

SAM DEES - Lonely For You Baby

HERB JOHNSON AND THE IMPACTS - I'm So Glad

TERRIBLE TOM - We Were Made For Each Other

THE SHIRELLES - Last Minute Mira

THE VEL-VETS - I Got To Find Me Somebody

DON GARDNER - Cheatin' Kind

JAMES CARR - That's What I Want To Know

JIMMY RUFFIN - What Becomes Of The Broken-hearted

Dancing in the spirit if Norther Soul -  ROLY PLATT AND JUSTIN FORESLY - Shuffle The Deck (great video) and these girls also deserve a mention.

SKA from Jamaica, was multi-ethnic in the UK

PRINCE BUSTER - They Call It Madness

THE SPECIALS - Gangsters (cover of Al Capone?)

DANDY LIVINGSTONE - Rudy A Message To You (orig)

THE SPECIALS - Rudy A Message To You (copy)

BAD MANNERS - Wooly Bully

THE SELECTER - On My Radio

THE SPECIALS - Too Much Too Young

DESMOND DEKKER AND THE ACES - The Isrealites

THE SPECIALS - Nelson Mandela

PRINCE BUSTER - Enjoy Yourself

BAD MANNERS - My Girl Lollipop

THE SPECIALS - Ghost Town

THE BEAT - Hands Off She's Mine

BAD MANNERS -Lip Up Fatty

SYMARIP - Skinhead Moonstomp

SYMARIP -Teenage Girl

DAVE AND ANSELL COLLINS - Double Barrel

THE BEAT - Mirror In The Bathroom

THE SPECIALS - Do Nothing

BAD MANNERS - Inner London

DENNIS BROWN - Money In My Pocket

THE HARRY JAY ALL STARS - Liquidator (no vocal)

THE UPSETTERS - Return Of Django (no vocal)

UPTOWN TOP RANKING - Althea And Donna

THE BEAT - Rough Rider

DESMOND DEKKER - Baby Come Back

LORD CREATOR - Hurry Up

MUSICAL YOUTH - Pass The Dutchie

MADNESS - One Step Beyond

PRINCE BUSTER - Al Capone

THE PIONEERS - Long Shot Kick De Bucket

JUNIOR REID - Banana Boat Man

THE BEAT - Rankin Full Stop

Copy Cats (song covers)

Other music on this site

Meaningful songs #30 - BADFINGER

This  is the thirtieth in an occasional series of songs from my collection, with the intent of introducing music to younger readers that they may gain appreciation of music from the classic years, 1957-1990. 

I have lived long enough to hear the "popular" music industry become ever-more formulaic, lazy, uninspiring and cynical; delivering "units" and "artistes" as interesting and memorable as polished mud.

Meaningful songs that eloquently convey a story, sentiment, or social comment and make it to national consciousness are rare these days. If you agree this song is meaningful, please introduce it to someone young; they might enjoy becoming "musical archaeologists".

Todays song, titled "Baby Blue", released in 1972, is by a group called Badfinger.

Badfinger - a Welsh band literally killed by their industry

Hear the song here

Baby Blue is a sentimental and rueful reflection by a man feeling regret about a separation of his own making. It is his plea for understanding with hope of reconciliation. Separation happens, it's sometimes not nice and some chaps never get over it.

BABY BLUE

    

Guess I got

What I deserved

Kept you waiting there

Too long my love

All that time

Without a word

Didn't know you'd think

That I'd forget

Or I'd regret

The special love

I had for you

My Baby Blue

All the days

Became so long

Did you really think

I'd do you wrong

Dixie

When I let you go

Thought you'd realise

That I would know

I would show

The special love

I had for you

My Baby Blue

What can I do?

What can I say?

Accept I'd want you

By my side

How can I show you?

Show me the way

Don't you know

The time's I've tried?

Guess that's all

I have to say

Except the feeling

Just grows stronger

Every day

Just one thing

Before I go

Take good care baby

Let me know

Let it grow

The special love

You had for me

My Dixie dear

Return to the first article in this series or hear the first song in this series.

Read the next article in this series or hear the next song in the series.

For the index of all songs in this blog click here

Funny - Make me smile

These make me smile - perhaps you will too.

N.B. If you own any of these images drop me a line and I'll remove it.

HOWDY (by Gemma Beniston)

Are you still with him Tracie (of Hull)

This is my favourite

Expectation?

Anti-climax?

Always make use of your assets!

George used to love fishing!

ALEXA! - I ordered Baby cheeses

When he thinks you're "needy"

Are you looking at me? Are YOU lookin' at me?

Prediction - This may seem funny now but just you wait.

So True

Ooops - too lazy to drill 4 new holes

I'm smiling

Digital storage unit?

They know me so well

We all want good wood right?

Finally, I could not let this one go.