Truism (about war)

It is harder to end a war than start one.

Putin has fucked himself and harmed Russia but may have s Trump card.

And Black Sabbath have a song for him

And now the idiot is talking nuclear and trying to fine Google more money than in the world.

Syria? (As Assad now in exile in Russia)

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

Kill these Chinese invaders

Chinese invaders that need to be killed (note yellow legs)

These Chinese invaders were first detected in France in 2014, arriving as a nest in a consignment of pottery, but being aggressive critters they have spread widely (Belgium, Germany, Holland, Spain, Portugal) and finally got established in the UK, as far north as Hull, via trade with our Channel Islands.

They are not good news!    They need to be killed on sight!

As we know, nature isn't the fluffy world of cuteness often portrayed on TV, but an adversarial system that promotes dominance, and so it is with the "Yellow Legged Asian Hornet"; they are tough, invasive, aggressive and wiping out many of the UKs native pollinating bee species, especially docile honey bees which they eat. 

Without help from us they will wipe-out honey bees for they are able to kill a hive of Honey Bees in a single day. Their method is to simply sit at the entrance of a beehive, agitate the hive into attack mode, then bite their heads off and take the protein-rich bodies away to the nest to feed.

The life cycle of the Yellow Legged Asian Hornet is two-fold and it is at the first stage (Spring nest) that it is easy to eradicate (squash) them. The second stage (large nest) needs professional help to retrieve and kill them.

This link is more detailed

WORDS OF WARNING - Hornets bite hard!

Spring nest eradication is easy. Merely observe the nest, identify its occupants as Yellow Legged Asian Hornets (not native harmless wasps), then dislodge the nest into a bag with a gloved hand and then squash the bag.  A spring nest is typically no bigger than a tennis ball and best dealt with at dusk when they are at home and quiet. Don't poke the nest - just place a bag over it, knock it off and squish it. Spring nests are usually built in March/April, in sheds, lofts, garages or porches: places protected from the weather. Kill them at this stage and they can't breed in the second life cycle phase during the summer.

Knock Spring nest into a bag

Report  Larger Nests

The second life cycle nest, in the summer, will be a lot larger, usually up a tree, so after observing the occupants are actually the target (see identity marks in the picture), report it for official eradication. It will be dealt within days by trained people. Record the location and if possible take pictures, then contact the NNSS (Non Native Species Secretariat) on the email address alertnonnativ@ceh.ac.uk, or the National Bee Unit at York. Remember to look out for yellow legs.

If you happen to live in and around Hull, contact the Beverley Beekeepers Association if you suspect a sighting of a Yellow Legged Asian Hornet. You will be saving their industry, preserving parts of your food supply and eradicate what is an invasive and dangerous species. Please be vigilant and pass this information to as many people as you can.

Update Feb 9th 2024

Though their invasion continues there is a sign that evolutionary processes are at work, at least with the most common of European Bumble bee species.

Update May 20th 2024

Throughout 2023 a record number of reported sighting were recorded, with 72 nests in 56 locations (mostly in Kent), with 8 so far in 2024. Without continued vigilance and help from the general public their numbers will grow to a point of there being zero chance of their eradication. Go to it public!

Update Sep 5th 2024

The race is on, using ingenuity in the Asian Hornet race.

Pogrom Time and Palestinian protest

The end of Gaza and its people

South Africa has the temerity to speak the words many fear to say, that "Israel is committing a retribution genocide in Gaza"; it cites Israel and calls their Gaza cleansing a genocide, as does Nicaragua who have started a UN case against Germany for supplying weapons to Israel.

The international distain for Israel continues to rise in many forms and Israel became subject to scrutiny and comment by the USA who opened diplomatic channels to bring their unruly child to heel. Benjamin Netanyahu wants his way, so the US is beginning to put sanctions upon individual Israelis (as one would shoot a few crows to frighten the flock), specifically on the West Bank in order to dampen their love of baiting Palestinians there. All forms of restraint have failed however and a year on this is what we have.

My feelings about the current Gaza-Israel conflict, viewed through my lens of what I understand of history may be wrong and naive, as I do not understand global struggles for power and influence, but most often result in suppression and subjugation of many unwilling non-participants, including the taking of land or properties "abandoned" or bombed-out in a conflict. Jewish (un)settlers certainly seem to be eyeing such properties, and "land grabs" of former Palestinian land(s) continue apace, even in the comparatively peaceful West Bank Palestinian lands, where lawlessness and eviction are becoming the new norm. It's no wonder many people hate the Israeli state and what it endorses.

The wheel of history is turning in Gaza with vengeance uppermost in the mind of the Israeli state and this is political, religious and war-mongering "manna from heaven" for Iran, Lebanon and Yemen. Israel is doing what it has always railed against, by re-inventing sticks they've experienced in their past: Ghettos and genocides.

To tell 1.1 million inhabitants of Gaza to merely go "somewhere", so that Israel's government can start an new offensive (against who? - just buildings?) that will merely flatten the whole of Gaza, seems so wilful, so selfish, so vindictive, so jingoistic, so over-the-top, that the "non-nutcases" of Gaza must be truly thinking this is the end of what is their already over-prescribed/proscribed existence. To then repeatedly bomb the innocents who did as Israel asked, must surely be against any rules of war and is generating more open hatred of Jews than at any time in recent history, probably because accusers think "Jews" are or represent the Israeli state, which is not true.

Hamas will retreat with the general population and return to the rubble later, to fight on from their "bridgehead" presumably; alternatively, Israel will be judged to have walked into the pre-set trap of Gaza, becoming ripe for condemnation and challenged into a regional proxy war. After all, it's no secret that many neighbours would like to see the back of them.

We, the British, are pushing our nose (ships) in where it's not needed and prime minister Rishi Sunak's sick "good luck Israel" visit to what become a site of genocide, about which he is now appalled, was being provocative in a way the USA has mastered many times since their "honourable" retreat from Vietnam; how many countries have they destabilised in their ascendancy and what good does it do the UK to be in that club?

Here's what the BBC were reporting in the early times, and what subsequent reports revealed; hopefully with less bias than myself.

Pogrom?

Update 12/11/2023: The genocide going on in Gaza is deplorable and Israelis are certainly doing themselves no good for their "fair-minded" but continually whinging reputation; but then again who is squeaky clean these days? Protestors in London (all 300,000 if the press are to be believed) certainly weren't today. Do they really believe that protesting (to who?) in London (and America)will change the mind of Israel to annihilate the people of Gaza; what do they expect to achieve and why were they attacking the police (who can admittedly be a collective bunch of dickheads at times) in support of their ineffectual protest(s), as neither the UK or its police invaded Gaza.

If you Palestinian supporters want to protest about Gaza, why not get your comfortable UK arses over there to help your brethren instead of abusing the liberties you have in the UK. You may be "right-on" and have plenty of post-protest memories to live off for now, but don't attack innocent Police officers, just because you know they will not shoot you or beat your brains out (though many could and would if allowed, I'm sure). 

For anyone to protest on armistice day, for publicity only, was a most disrespectful and cynical affront to those gone before. Perhaps someone will protest at a remembrance service for your family one day. 

Update 25/11/2023: At last some common sense!

Update 25/11/2023: I think only the brave or the foolish attempt a critical discourse about the actions of the Israeli state.

Update 12/12/2023: I'm gonna say it now and I don't want to, but the remorseless clearance of Gaza, by the Israeli state is akin to a Nazi state mentality. The Israeli state, not individual Jewish people of the world, is behaving like a Nazi state because it can; and will do so for as long as it wishes, because "no-one" is allowed to call it out. Israel truly is losing its way!

Update 02/01/2024: South Africa Cites Israel in a similar way, as does Brazil.

Update 19/12/2023: Finally! International communities are warning Israel that its "killing rage" is unsustainable, that Israel has gone beyond self-defence and that far too many civilians are being killed, in what is looking like an unfolding genocide. Ease up Israel or you'll lose your moral high ground.

Update 23/12/2023: Listen Israel, this is mommy speaking. The errant offspring of the USA is being given guidance by it's seniors today, setting the scene for a familial tussle between the old man of USA and the upstart "son" of Israel. Whatever happens between them, Israel's righteousness will prevail.

Update 01/01/2024: Gaza is destined to be flattened with this announcement (and conflict will spread?)

Update 02/01/2024: South Africa Cites Israel and has the temerity to call-out Israel's Gaza cleansing a genocide.

Update 03/01/2024: Hostilities, tensions and a full-blown regional war will follow shortly if Israel (and it's allies) don't start controlling themselves soon. It's as if such a war is wanted by Israel, or at least Benjamin Netanyahu and his cohort.

Update 05/01/2024: At least someone is talking "after war", but Israel seem to be wanting the old status-quo still, and the (bitterness deepens).

Update 06/01/2024: At last, some are looking at a day after plan.

Update 16/01/2024: Israel carry on regardless and start to flatten South Gaza and the people there.

Update 18/01/2024: The whole of the middle east will tear itself apart in a regional war, with Iran looking to gain the most; this if my prediction and where I cease to comment further on this mess, orchestrated by Iran, but why? Everyone is getting sucked in: Jordan attacks Syria, Pakistan counter-attacks Iran, the USA go after Yemen to "protect trade routes", will it ever end and will the Israelis, the focus of so much hatred, ever stop being the catalyst of their own demise?

Update 19/01/2024: The stirring of Iran at this time must be worrisome to all in the region and Iran's sudden strikes shows just how volatile the whole region has become.

Update 27/01/2024: South Africa's case at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), that's cites Israel of a genocide in Gaza has concluded round 1 of the ongoing trial, in favour of South Africa (deservedly) and Israel may be rained in by this ruling if they obey it.

Update 30/01/2024: UK Prime minister Rishi Sunak's visit to what became a site of genocide, to wish Israel good luck at the start of this, looks a bit foolish now, for his "imported" foreign secretary Lord David Cameron (Former Prime Minister who precipitated Brexit) announced Britain is ready to recognise a Palestinian State. Talk about a U-turn?

Update 15/04/2024: So, who are the principal arms suppliers to Israel?

Update 30/04/2024: Pro-Palestinian protesters in the USA say they are not anti-Jewish (as they probably dare not), but wish to elevate knowledge of the plight of Palestinians in the middle-east, but I say rioting and campus take-overs there will be ineffective, destructive and detrimental to any "non-Jewish" perspective of Palestinians in general, for such people may turn their back on a problem not seen as theirs. Hamas enacts the will of Iran (who want Israel off the map so they can totally influence that area of the world) and most Palestinians are, more than likely, not Hamas.

Update 04/07/2024: Finally! It is being voiced, publicly and openly by many true Palestinians in Gaza, that Hamas are merely opportunistic interlopers' whose agenda may not be the betterment of life for Gazans, but to have a "base" from which to "have a go" at Israel, the arch-enemy of many in that region of the world. Members of Hamas should maybe return to the puppeteer called Iran.

Update 05/09/2024: I've said enough about this, though if you have read to here, thank you. We know how history will judge Israel (hopefully not Jews) for this and pray they do not precipitate war in the whole region, as seems likely with this report; but as my dad once said to me, "If you can neither control or influence a situation, keep your gob shut".  So I am.

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