cherokoffdotcom

With absolutely no intention to implicate, impune or otherwise downplay the seriousness of real mental and psychological problems ……

But, have the nutters totally taken over? There is insanity everywhere!

The Tory party leader, and Prime Minister, accuses the SNP party leader of ‘playing politics’. Now, I know that I am, occasionally naive in these matters, but aren’t they politicians? Isn’t politics what they do?

The Tory party leader, and Prime Minister, has stated that Scotland leaving the Union would be detaching themselves from their biggest market / trading partner / closest ally.

The SNP party leader, has stated that Scotland leaving the EU would be detaching the UK from their biggest market / trading partner / closest ally.

Now, they can’t both be right, surely? Or both wrong? Or does one not see the contradiction?

After a conflict with their manifesto, the change in NI contributions has been withdrawn, ‘because we listen to our colleagues, and the people’.

How about when cases are presented regarding cuts to disability benefits, social care shortfalls, NHS crises?

The Republican power brokers in the US are pushing through an alternative to Obamacare that will have a huge negative impact on those most in need, and benefit disproportionately the wealthy. And yet Trump’s core support are those most in need – and the religious  and political extreme right-wing.

The Tory party has been fined, and a number of regional police forces are investigating election finance irregularities. The Tory party has proudly stated that they have paid the fine, so all done – let’s move on.

Except that they had to be taken to court before they would provide the information to determine whether anything was wrong.

This all feels as if there is no longer any control, and no real conscience. Expediency still rules, especially under the control of the mad men.

The one light shining from the gloom? Elections in Holland rejected the far right, and the Green’s vote substantially increased.

Now, all we need is some more bright lights shining into the asylum!

It would seem that our esteemed Chancellor of The Exchequer has reneged on a manifesto promise, by raising National Insurance Contributions for the self-employed.

And what is all the fuss about?

That question is not aimed at whether the raise is fair, or justified, or merely a means to pay for the temporary plug-in the drain that is tugging mercilessly at the social care budget.

It is just an enquiry as to why we should be surprised. At all.

What else do you, me, the media, the chattering classes, and any other interested or disinterested party, expect.

A promise is only a promise for as long as it serves its purpose. A commitment is only there until the goalposts are moved / the world changes / the sun rises.

Will we ever learn that whatever comes out of a politician’s mouth is only seeing the light of day to achieve a short-term goal.

And at least now we have a term, of sorts, to describe it. A ‘post-truth’ world is a less confrontational phrase than ‘all politicians are lying bastards’, but, until there is a tectonic plate shift, we should expect nothing more – or less.

In all my years of listening to, and responding to, political debates and election verbiage, there has never been a time when the ‘promises’ made survived unscathed.

If a majority does, we can count ourselves lucky.

So, until we can find a different way of managing society, and one that is fairer, more just and more compassionate, salt will be flying in ever larger pinches.

Save the high dudgeon for moral imperatives – manifestos belong on the fiction shelves!

There is a debate running in Bristol at the moment regarding the Colston Hall. Or more particularly, it being named after Edward Colston, who was, amongst other things, a slave trader.

The arguments run that to retain his name on the building is both an insult to sections of the Bristol community, and an indication of acceptance of his trade.

I would suggest that neither of these arguments are true.

If a new concert venue was built and named after him then there would be a totally valid outcry. But this name is of extremely long-standing, from a very different time, with very different considerations to the fore.

To remove the Colston name would be to remove a piece of evidence of Bristol’s history, and a part of its history which shouldn’t be denied or hidden.

And the same applies to all the other statues and commemorations of past figures with less than savoury curriculum vitae.

To remove and hide doesn’t correct a historical wrong. What it does is reduce the indications of an unsavoury past, and slowly that history fades away.

If the intention is to learn from history, and to ensure that the wrongs of the past are not repeated – if only that were possible – then the evidence must remain.

Colston’s name should remain on the building. What should also be there is a large plaque explaining his history.

And shouldn’t the next target for renaming be the Wills Memorial Building, constructed with the proceeds of the tobacco industry?

The retention of historical monuments is not an indication of their acceptance, it should be an acknowledgement of a past that is universally regretted, and a reminder that it should not recur.

The clearest example is the retention of  Auschwitz-Birkenau. All of history’s worst offences should remain visible, as reminders to each generation.

Explained, exposed, exhibited. Not removed, renamed, cleansed.

 

Nothing like starting with cross references.

Firstly, although I am still waking during the grim grey of morning, it has now moved 26 minutes earlier, irrespective of whether – Sunday to Thursday – I go to bed at 10.00 p.m. for a read, or whether – Friday and Saturday – I stretch the evening till 11.30 p.m. or midnight.

This in itself is strange, and I am starting to suspect there is an alarm somewhere that I cannot hear but is waking me at the same time for the amusement of some sadist – or a Brexitier.

However, what is does mean is that, joy of blissfulness, I now get more time for my brain to go into overdrive, rehashing and re-mashing anything and everything that has passed through my consciousness previously.

This usually entails a rising wave of anger about Brexit / Trump / Tory bullshit / corporate insensitivity and greed / everything else.

However, last night there was a welcome respite from the anger – almost – because of an evening spent in the company of one awesome woman, and in the audience of another.

Last night I sat in the Colston Hall and was taken through the full gamut of emotions by one of the brightest, smartest and funniest women around, although in need of a new pair of jeans!

Sue Perkins turned everyday family reminiscences into hilarity and drama through the simple expediency of honesty. Warmth, love, razor-sharp wit and human tragedy skipped about on the stage.

And she drew real tears from us two softies, and a good many others. And she raised a tidal wave of cheering for her defense of the NHS and those who work tirelessly to hold it up against the odds.

So, on the day before International Women’s Day, my soul was lifted, tickled mercilessly and then hit in the tear ducts.

And today I am happier in the knowledge that there are women like her, and my companion, who are not quiet about what is wrong, but are loud, and clear, and funny and heartbreaking.

With these women there will, always be hope, there will always be a light.

Just one thing. Would it be okay if I think about them at a time other than 3.11 a.m.? Every day!

 

I really must stop listening to the news. All it does is depress. Although it took a little while this morning for me to realise quite how much!

A short remark regarding the stock market got the synapse firing. Almost a throw-away comment that Wall Street was prospering, at the moment, under what they termed ‘The Trump Effect’.

Vague promises of grand infrastructure improvements, potential protection of home-grown industries, all seem to have pushed the value of shares up. At least for the moment.

And while this may only be a temporary phenomenon, as with the less than disastrous figures to date post Brexit, the connectivity of international finance put a blight on my morning.

We are long used to international corporate money manipulation, and the negative impact it has on regions, and nations, across the world.

What doesn’t immediately occur is how this impacts for so many of us on a daily basis.

If the money market in the US is taking advantage of ‘The Trump Effect’, then so will those markets in other countries. And so will large national and international corporations.

So, profits will be made on an assumed future, certainly as far as actual expenditure and growth is concerned, but on the back of actual deterioration for large swathes of the US population.

And that deterioration will have a domino effect across countless countries around the world.

But also, on a micro level, it is difficult to disconnect ourselves from the advantage taken by the money brokers. because just about every pension fund and insurance policy will have a finger in the pie.

Which means we do as well.

Never mind the energy providers, banks, and countless corporations that own what we still see as individual brands.

No matter how you try, it is almost impossible to avoid an indirect involvement in ‘The Trump Effect’.

I suppose, however, the reverse will also be true. When the ‘Trump’ bubble bursts, it will be nigh impossible to avoid the ripples.

Whether that comes before or after the Brexit bubble burst or after is anybody’s guess, but if  there is anyone out there who knows how to build an ark – build two. One on either side of the Atlantic.

I like to torture myself on a regular basis, so I watch and listen to the news, the commentators, the party and national leaders. And each time a statement is made, a claim, a justification, a proposition, a decision, I ask the same question. Really?

Is that really what you feel? Is that what you believe to be true? Does that come from a careful consideration of all the potential ramifications?

I have, on occasions been accused of being both naive and a cynic. Fundamentally, I like to think that I am a human being. Which means that I should believe in humanity, in looking to do the least harm, the most good. And for all, because we are all members of humanity.

I am naive enough to think, and hope, that most of us place some priority on the world outside our front door. And I am cynical enough to not hold my breath when that doesn’t happen as often or as continually as I would hope.

But we all place our reliance, with similar levels of naivety and cynicism, in those chosen to represent, decide and lead our communities, parties and nations.

We make our choices for many reasons, with varying amounts of understanding, awareness and empathy. But what of those we choose?

They present a picture, a scenario, devoid of doubt. There is never uncertainty, no shading, no slide room. Even when the statements put forward totally lack any semblance of reality, it is done with total conviction.

And so I continue to wonder, does that certainty come from an assessment of the humanitarian costs, or a pragmatic dismissal of them for an objective determined by alternative criteria.

Some leaders appear to present the conflict inherent in any decision, and at least imply that the conclusion was only arrived at after the ramifications were assessed.

An acknowledgement of humanitarian consideration is the least we can expect. And yet, with so many public pronouncements of late, there is no such evidence.

This is reflex politics. Pragmatic party preservation. Or potential megalomania.

In far too many cases these days, the line has been drawn, and most of the decision makers are too far behind it for humanity’s comfort.

Many years ago, when my political and physical bodies were in their prime, I was an active, vociferous, demonstrating, demanding, determined Socialist.

A member of the Labour Party, an election pamphleteer and door knocker.

The commitment to the core beliefs remained, which meant that, when Tony Blair arrived I departed.

And none of the ‘professional’ politicians that filled the Labour seats really inspired me to return. There was nothing to be seen but Tory-Lite, Tory-Soft, and Tory-style back-biting and in-fighting.

So, when a real alternative seemed to emerge, although by accident rather than design, and an interest and enthusiasm for conscience-based socialist politics dragged itself from our very own swamp, I was interested once more.

And so were many thousands of others.

And the more the professionals baulked, and the more the media protested at the unwillingness to play the old games, the more I felt enthused.

A real alternative. Substance over gloss. Socialism rather than sound-bite.

And, in general, that has been where the battle ground has been. On those issues where the majority require the help against the machinations of the power and the élite.

And, notwithstanding the media’s continued inability to acknowledge that there is another way to protest, and oppose; and information and opinion cannot always be encapsulated in a single sentence; the right points have been raised.

But, and it is the but that is giving me the most concern, is that the sections of society that are its natural constituency are also the ones that will be hurt most by Brexit.

And, apart from some welcome revolts within the parliamentary party, there has been the worst type of acquiescence.

I am sorry Mr Corbyn, but you are wrong. The battle doesn’t start now. It was during the referendum, and at every point after. It is to defend those who the Labour Party was intended to defend, against the stupidity and self-interest of the Brexit leaders.

Europe protects everyone, and the lower down the power pyramid, the more it offers. It is very imperfect, but it is better than trusting our own power brokers to do the decent thing.

The fight was and always will be for the truth, and the right to fairness.

You still have time to prove that you are actually in parliament to defend those that need defending, and not just for an intellectual exercise.

But the time is fast running out. For you, for the UK, and for the millions who will lose out.

And then duck. Because the domino effect will not be pretty.

 

It still surprises me, even though by now I suppose it shouldn’t, that caring about someone, wanting the best for them, comes with the pain of not always being able to stop their own agonies.

From the moment my son was born, there has been a small, glorious pain deep inside. From the first touch it was ignited. And it has glowed, and flared, and blazed ever since.

For most of the time, whilst he was growing up, when he was in sight it was small and tight. When he was out of sight, a little fiercer, a little hotter, a waiting for confirmation of safety, security and contentment.

His emotional roller coasters saw flames, flares and explosions. His growth into the man he is has seen a warm blaze. But every day, the small glorious pain is there. And I am glad.

What is interesting is that there are other fires, other burning coals of the pain of caring. Beyond those of family, and even those for parents gone that do not disappear completely.

From time to time, and mainly in the last few years, I have acquired new nuggets of pain. And each one has made my life broader, deeper, more conscious, more aware.

It may be that it has accompanied my descent into an emotional mess, crying at anything and everything – do not show me ‘The Good Life’ in public – but each new and distinct pain that I gave gained has added so much to my life.

Don’t get the wrong idea. I am not a masochist. Neither am I a sadist who relishes seeing those I care about suffer. Each time I see them upset, unhappy, disoriented, I feel their pain with mine. Theirs for the situation, mine for the inability to resolve it for them.

But being a part of the pain means being a part of a life, and that will always be worth the collateral. And the good, and happy, and joyous also brings a pain. One that lifts and fills and overflows.

I am blessed with all the pain that I feel, for all the people I love. And I bless each day I can feel it.

Love hurts. Life Hurts. Love is good. Life is good. Pain is good.

Except watching Bristol Rugby. That is too much pain!

Alright, okay, I know, the people have spoken. Move on. That’s behind us. The future has yet to be determined. And so on.

No. Sorry. I am still here. Still back in the good old days when a fact was still, more or less, a fact. When truth wasn’t a moveable feast. When a lie wasn’t just dismissed because ‘that was then and this is now’.

And I know it’s boring, and I know I am repeating myself endlessly, but I am not able yet to accept the fact that there is no other option.

The people have not spoken. 37% of the electorate have, for a variety of reasons – and a good many not based on objective reality – voted to leave the EU. Or the Single Market. Or something. You certainly won’t get a single answer to that one.

If it was to bring sovereignty back to parliament, then how does parliament have the power to vote to trigger Article 50?

If it was to bring sovereignty back to parliament, then how does a vote by 37%  of the electorate supersede a parliamentary democracy?

I have a fairly clear idea why  the Remain campaign missed the real drive behind the Leave bandwagon, and why they lost the referendum vote.

What I am still struggling with is why our elected representatives are suddenly too frightened to accept the responsibility they were given as elected representatives, and vote in the country’s best interests.

Even if they voted on the basis of their constituency vote, it would still be a majority in favour of remaining. So are they really that scared of UKIP? Can that be the only reason so many have followed the herd?

When both the past and current leaders of UKIP have consistently been caught out in disseminating total fabrications, and I don’t mean Hillsborough, why are they still seen as a threat?

Or is the problem that large swathes of the population struggle to believe anything they are told, will accept anything if it appeals to a gut instinct that ‘something is wrong’, and therefore need to be pandered to.

So, if our parliament actually voted the way they would want to, and Brexit was cancelled, some may lose their seats in the next election. For those that did, a shame. For the country, a rescue worth a little sacrifice.

And, more importantly, all the effort being spent on endless negotiations could be put to better use – resolving the reality and apparent reality that let to the referendum result.

There are far too many problems that require solutions – Health and Social Care, Environment, Energy Provision, Housing, and on, and on – to continue the waste of 2 years of inertia.

So, how about a bit of old-fashioned truth. 37% of the electorate is not sovereign. Parliament IS sovereign. Parliament decides.

So decide.

Long assumed to be a creature of legend and myth, it can now be revealed that a unicorn has been sighted in the south-west of England.

Naturally, to ensure its safety, the exact location is being kept a closely guarded secret. However, some details have emerged which will excite and intrigue in equal measure.

Although only one, very obviously male, unicorn has been seen, there was clear evidence of others, including what would seem to be indications of younger specimens.

In other news, the main broadcasting channels have revealed a secret deal to stop any further production of reality entertainment competition shows such as X Factor, Britain’s Got Talent and The Voice.

The negotiations have been on-going for at least 3 years, and the basis for the decision is that, without this format as a platform, Simon Cowell will no longer be seen in public.

Spokesmen for the BBC and ITV have made clear that, although they accept this will shatter the dreams of many who have only had one goal in life – to appear in tortuous singing competitions in public – the removal of Simon Cowell from our TV screens is a positive outcome.

Internationally, the world will breathe a little easier with the announcement on Instagram that Donald Trump has realised his significant shortcomings, and will stand down as President at the end of March, 2017.

He has also accepted  that, as the winner of the popular vote, Hillary Clinton should assume the presidency, and hopes that the month and a half period will allow her time to assemble her support team.

As a follow-on from this, Boris Johnson, Michael Gove and Nigel Farage have all apologised for their blatant dishonesty during the Brexit campaign, and urge all those Leave voters to accept that they were misled.

You know, this post-Truth alternative facts thing is good fun. Even if it doesn’t earn me anything per click.

And now, back to reality. Oh Sheeite!