Category: First Thursday Archive

The world (or part of it, at least) waits to see what President Trump will do next.  Gerrymandering* Texas constituencies to ensure a Republican majority in the mid-term Congressional elections only the latest escapade (*from Elbridge Gerry, Governor of Massachusetts in 1812, and the new ward boundaries, described by the “Boston Gazette” as resembling a…

The Catholic Bishop of San Bernadino in California gave dispensation from Sunday Mass, because of fears of ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) picking up “undocumented” people who attend (see the link below).  “Immigration” is high on many people’s “agenda”, and rational discussion increasingly difficult against the flood of anger and resentment fuelled by politicians blaming…

The UK Government’s response to Israel in Gaza “hit peak feebleness” said “Responsible Statecraft” on May 21st (see link below)- because many Labour MPs fear being labelled “antisemitic” if they condemn Israel’s war crimes, remembering what was done to Corbyn?   For some other MPs bringing Hamas to “justice” takes priority over any ceasefire (so ignoring…

What motivates President Trump’s “Tariff War”?  Some powerful people “pulling the strings”, or a populist response to resentment against globalisation, to the loss of US manufacturing jobs caused by global capitalism’s search for cheap labour and greater profits?  Globalisation was promoted as an important contribution to solving global poverty, but it also increased domestic inequality. …

One danger of the constant flood of often contradictory media news and opinion can be that it induces a paralysis- of action, even of attention.  This is especially true of President’s Trump’s statements and actions- and that is perhaps his intention.  Jeffrey Sach’s analysis of US policy from the days of the Washington Consensus (last…

It is clear that not enough is being done to tackle Global Warming, and with President Trump in the White House less progress with come from the USA.  China is doing much, despite its still burning coal.  Global temperatures have reached 1.3 degrees above pre-Industrial levels, though the averages are less (1.2 to 1.3 degrees). …

What is very clear is that NHS staff maintain their exceptional quality of care in the midst of seriously underfunded and collapsing structures. Efficiencies have sometimes led to misunderstandings but more often to improvements, though social care and psychiatric services lag well behind, while (scandalously) hospices depend largely on charity. This from half a century…

The “Assisted Dying” (Terminally Ill Adults- End of Life) Bill passed its second reading in the House of Commons at the end of November, 330 votes in favour, 275 against.  But without adequate debate and amendment to provide safeguards it is unlikely to become law.  Fears of the later widening of the law (as happened…

Daniel chapter 3 tells how Jews in exile were required by the Babylonian king to worship a golden statue he set up, under threat, if they refused, of a “furnace of blazing fire” (verse 6).  They reply that “our God” could save them “out of your hand”- but even if not, “we will not serve…

Why has Keir Starmer acquired the epithet “Undertaker”?  Perhaps because he has deliberately “buried” elements of Corbynism in the Labour Party, to ensure Labour’s “electability” in our first-past-the-post system.  A more representative system could allow for a far more creative political debate, even given the inevitable complications and uncertainties of government by coalition.  And any…