Legal, settled American Hispanics don't like illegal Hispanic immigration

One reason, it is said, why Kamala Harris lost the presidential election to Donald Trump is because she lost the Hispanic vote and she lost the Hispanic vote because Donald Trump focused very heavily on curbing illegal immigration and sending back illegal immigrants to where they came from. He said that no expense will be spared to deport illegal immigrants.

Kamala Harris didn't really tackle the topic of illegal immigration. And so she lost a significant percentage of the Hispanic vote which contributed to her failing in her attempt to become the next president.

I think it is a point worth making that illegal immigrants who become legal and settled, sometimes and perhaps a lot of the time, don't like further illegal immigration because they are competition for settled immigrants.

And, I suspect, once illegal immigrants become settled in their new country they start of think like the native race of people in that country who historically don't like illegal immigration for obvious reasons such as cultural conflict.

That's the point I want to make: illegal and uncontrolled immigration is disliked by both native citizens and newly arrived illegal immigrants and those that have attained citizenship.

Headline in The Times: "Hispanics ditched Democrats in droves over illegal immigration."

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P.S. please forgive the occasional typo. These articles are written at breakneck speed using Dragon Dictate. I have to prepare them in around 20 mins. Also, sources for news articles are carefully selected but the news is often not independently verified. And, I rely on scientific studies but they are not 100% reliable. Finally, (!) I often express an OPINION on the news. Please share yours in a comment.

Girl loved the family dog who killed her. Lessons to be learned.

This as you might guess is an entirely fictional depiction of a child in a loving relationship with the family dog.

The newspapers today say that a 10 year old girl had a "close, loving relationship" with her family's dog before it killed her. That's according to the police report and it is in some ways shocking to read that because in millions of homes across the UK and other countries there are loved family dogs in good relationships with children who, it seems to me, can unknowingly present a hidden and potentially fatal danger to the family.

Update: From the BBC: "A pet dog which fatally injured a 10-year-old girl was an XL bully, police have confirmed. North Yorkshire Police said the animal had been euthanised after it killed Savannah Bentham at her family home near Malton in North Yorkshire on Friday."

We don't know the exact reasons why this particular dog killed this girl but below I have addressed some possibilities and also addressed the obvious conclusion which is that families need to be educated about dog behaviour to a high standard to minimise the possibility of this kind of tragedy happening.

And these tragedies do happen all too often. My research indicates that in 2023, fatal dog attacks in the UK reached an unusually high level, with a total of 10 fatalities reported across England and Wales. This was a sharp increase from previous years during which dog attacks averaged around three annually. The rise has been put down to an increase in the dog population and behavioural issues linked to insufficient training or socialisation of the dogs.

There is a point there. The dog to be a family dog must be fully and completely socialised i.e. domesticated. The same applies to cats of course. Dogs are predators. They have to totally accept the humans they live with and the humans, I believe, need to be adequate leaders i.e. alpha dogs in the eyes of the family dog.

It seems also to me that sometimes children are not properly educated about dog behaviour and how to handle dogs. They can inadvertently stimulate instinctive, defensive behaviour in dogs. The child can be transformed in the eyes of the dog from a friendly pack member to a hostile intruder and be attacked by the dog as a defensive measure.

In this instance, the girl was bitten at home and died at the scene, North Yorkshire police said. The police were called to Malton by ambulance crews at 4:15 PM on Friday last. The dog will be destroyed after it was seized.

They said: "Officers are conducting detailed enquiries covering all aspects of the incident. One of the lines of the enquiry relates to the behaviour of the dog to help explain, as far as possible, why it attacked the girl. All indications so far suggest it was out of character, with the girl and dog having a close, loving relationship."

After the attack a relative of the girl shut the dog inside a car before the emergency services arrived. The girl is not been identified publicly and a post-mortem examination was due to take place yesterday.

There is a lesson to be learned here. I hope it is learned. Young children particularly in family homes with dogs need to be protected and the parents need to take a very hard look at what they are doing to ensure that their protection is in place.

The tragic and confusing case of a beloved pet dog harming its owner, especially a child who loved it, often results from a complex mix of factors rather than the dog being inherently "bad." Here are a few possible explanations:

1. Unintentional Provocation or Startling

• Startling During Sleep or Rest: Dogs, especially older ones or those with vision or hearing impairments, can be startled more easily. If a child accidentally startled the dog by suddenly hugging, touching, or grabbing it while it was resting, the dog might have reacted instinctively in a way that it normally wouldn't when fully aware.
• Unintentional Rough Handling: Young children often don’t realize their own strength or may not recognize when a dog is uncomfortable. Grabbing fur, pulling on tails, or climbing on the dog—even with love—can be painful or overwhelming, triggering a defensive reaction.

2. Medical Issues or Pain

• Hidden Pain or Illness: Dogs in pain, even if mild, are more likely to react aggressively, especially if the pain is aggravated. Issues like arthritis, dental problems, or internal pain may not be obvious to owners. If a child inadvertently touched a sore area, the dog might have reacted with a "warning bite" that escalated.
• Neurological Conditions: Certain health issues, like brain tumors or neurological disorders, can impact a dog's behavior. These conditions can make the dog more irritable, unpredictable, or even aggressive, sometimes without any clear external provocation.

3. Protective or Territorial Instincts

• Guarding Behavior: Some dogs have a strong guarding instinct and might react aggressively if they feel their space, food, or toys are threatened. This is particularly common if the dog wasn’t well-socialized or trained to handle different situations. Even a loving dog might become defensive over its food or sleeping area.
• Redirected Aggression: Sometimes, if a dog is feeling agitated or frustrated, that energy can be "redirected" at whoever is nearby. For instance, if a dog saw something outside (like another animal) and became aroused or frustrated but couldn’t reach it, it might redirect that frustration onto the nearest person.

4. Resource Guarding

• Dogs may guard food, toys, or other resources instinctively, even from those they love. A child might not recognize signs of resource guarding (growling, stiffening, or lip curling), which could escalate if the dog felt the child was infringing on its possessions.

5. High-Prey Drive or Play Escalation

• Some dogs, especially certain breeds, have high-prey drives, where fast or jerky movements can trigger a chasing or biting response. This doesn’t mean they intend harm, but if play becomes too rough, the dog might unintentionally injure the child.
• Overstimulation: In a playful state, dogs can get overstimulated and bite harder than intended, especially if they haven’t been trained to control their bite force or if they are young and energetic.

6. Stress and Anxiety

• Environmental Stress: Dogs are sensitive to their environment. Loud noises, disruptions in routine, or even underlying tension in the home can increase stress. A dog under stress may react more aggressively than usual.
• Lack of Socialization: Dogs that weren’t well-socialized as puppies may struggle to feel comfortable or safe in situations involving close human interaction. Even a dog that seems friendly most of the time may not have been exposed to enough situations that involve children’s unpredictability.

7. Misinterpreted Signals and Boundaries

• Dogs have subtle ways of communicating discomfort, like turning their heads away, licking their lips, or yawning. These signals are often missed by children, who might not understand that the dog is stressed. If the dog feels it has no escape, it might escalate to biting to enforce its boundaries.

While incidents like this are heartbreaking, understanding the reasons behind such behavior can shed light on how to prevent similar tragedies. Training dogs, teaching children respectful pet interactions, and monitoring pet health closely can help reduce the likelihood of such situations.

Tragic incidents like these serve as powerful reminders of the importance of understanding dog behavior, particularly when children are involved. Many people assume that a dog’s loving nature guarantees it will always be safe around children, but the reality is that dogs are still animals with instincts and boundaries that can be misunderstood or inadvertently crossed. Here are some proactive steps that all dog owners with children should consider:

1. Education on Canine Body Language

• Recognize Subtle Warnings: Many dogs display warning signs like yawning, lip licking, looking away, or tensing up when they’re uncomfortable. Teaching children to recognize these signals can prevent a dog from feeling the need to escalate to a bite.
• Teach “No-Go Zones”: It’s helpful for children to know when and where it’s not safe to interact with a dog—such as when the dog is eating, sleeping, or in its bed or crate.

2. Training for the Dog

• Basic Obedience and Bite Inhibition: Training dogs in basic commands and bite inhibition from a young age is essential. Obedience commands like “leave it” or “stay” can help manage unexpected situations, and bite inhibition training teaches dogs to control their mouth pressure.
• Socialization: Socializing dogs from a young age to various environments, people (including children), and situations helps reduce anxiety and reactivity, making them more tolerant of different behaviors.

3. Supervised Interactions

• Direct Supervision: Interactions between dogs and young children should always be closely supervised. Children may unintentionally hurt or provoke a dog, and even the most tolerant dogs can react if they feel overwhelmed.
• Limit Rough Play: Games like tug-of-war or chase can overstimulate some dogs, especially high-energy breeds, leading to accidental bites. Encouraging calm interactions like petting or fetch can help avoid rough play that might escalate.

4. Teach Children Respectful Behavior

• Boundaries and Respect: Children should be taught to respect a dog’s space and boundaries. They need to understand that dogs, like people, sometimes need alone time and may not want to be hugged or crowded.
• Gentle Touch and Approach: Teaching kids how to pet and approach a dog calmly and gently can help prevent accidental discomfort for the dog. No grabbing, pulling, or startling.

5. Routine Veterinary Care

• Regular Check-Ups: Since dogs in pain are more likely to react defensively, routine veterinary check-ups can help catch health issues before they lead to discomfort or aggression.
• Address Behavioral Changes: If a dog’s behavior changes, especially if it becomes more irritable or withdrawn, this can be a sign of underlying health issues. Consulting a vet or behaviorist can help address the root cause before it escalates.

6. Understanding Individual Dog Temperaments

• Every Dog is Different: Some dogs are naturally more tolerant, while others have lower thresholds for certain behaviors. Understanding the unique personality and tolerances of your pet can guide you in managing interactions and setting appropriate boundaries.

7. Enlisting Professional Help When Needed

• Behaviorists and Trainers: If a dog has a history of resource guarding, reactivity, or anxiety, working with a professional trainer or behaviorist can make a significant difference. These professionals can teach specialized techniques to manage and reduce potential triggers.

8. Empowering Kids with “Safe” Behaviors Around Dogs

• Teach children to “be a tree” if a dog is too excited or seems uncomfortable. Standing still, looking away, and keeping their arms close can help prevent escalation.
• Empower kids to alert an adult if a dog displays concerning behavior or if they’re unsure about how to approach it.

While heart-breaking, cases like this do raise awareness and reinforce the need for educating both children and adults on safe, respectful dog interactions. It’s about respecting the needs and boundaries of both the dog and the child to create a safe, loving environment for everyone involved.

P.S. please forgive the occasional typo. These articles are written at breakneck speed using Dragon Dictate. I have to prepare them in around 20 mins. Also, sources for news articles are carefully selected but the news is often not independently verified. And, I rely on scientific studies but they are not 100% reliable. Finally, (!) I often express an OPINION on the news. Please share yours in a comment.

Boris Johnson compares slavery with Covid-19 in terms of reparations

BORIS JOHNSON: China gets away scot-free over Covid… but we face bizarre demands for slavery reparations because Starmer's foreign policy is about as robust as a tea-dunked hobnob. - DAILY MAIL.

There is a lot of talk at the moment in the UK about reparations for slavery. Slavery ended about 6-7 generations ago in the UK with the Slavery Abolition Act of 1833 ending slavery in most of the British Empire. So this is very historical. But the countries affected are suggesting that they should receive financial compensation which overall might approach $15 TRILLION!! Impossible to pay as it is 3 times the value of the UK.

But in stark contrast no one has asked China to pay trillions of dollars of compensation to nations deeply affected in so many ways including huge financial loses. It is a known fact that Covid started in China either through carelessness at a wet market in Wuhan or more carelessness in a biolab in the same city. See global loses below the video which has been embedded from the Daily Mail website. It may not play in due course.

Global GDP Losses

• The International Monetary Fund (IMF) estimated that COVID-19 cost the global economy around $22 trillion between 2020 and 2025 due to lost output, slower growth, and lower investments.
• The World Bank projected a 5.2% contraction in global GDP in 2020, which was the deepest recession since World War II. Advanced economies shrank by an average of 7%, while developing economies contracted by about 2.5%.

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P.S. please forgive the occasional typo. These articles are written at breakneck speed using Dragon Dictate. I have to prepare them in around 20 mins. Also, sources for news articles are carefully selected but the news is often not independently verified. And, I rely on scientific studies but they are not 100% reliable. Finally, (!) I often express an OPINION on the news. Please share yours in a comment.

Turkish family that walks on all fours affected by an inherited brain malfunction affecting balance

NEWS AND OPINION: The purpose of this article is to correct what I see as a very misleading headline on the Internet today on the Indy 100 website. The headline is: "Family that walk on all fours have 'undone the last three million years of evolution'". The article does discuss a medical issue but the headline is clickbait.

It's misleading as I said. I explain why below:

The family in Türkiye (Turkey) that walks on all fours suffers from a health issue known as non-progressive congenital cerebellar ataxia. This condition affects the cerebellum, the part of the brain responsible for balance and coordination. Due to this genetic mutation, the affected individuals have difficulty maintaining the balance required for bipedal walking, leading them to develop a quadrupedal gait.

Are they the only Turkish family affected? There have been reports primarily focused on a specific family in Turkey known for walking on all fours, but it's not common for multiple families to exhibit this behaviour. The most studied case involved a small group from a rural area who displayed this unique locomotion due to a neurological condition affecting balance and coordination. This phenomenon is quite rare, and while there may be isolated instances, the majority of individuals do not walk this way. 

P.S. please forgive the occasional typo. These articles are written at breakneck speed using Dragon Dictate. I have to prepare them in around 20 mins. Also, sources for news articles are carefully selected but the news is often not independently verified. And, I rely on scientific studies but they are not 100% reliable. Finally, (!) I often express an OPINION on the news. Please share yours in a comment.

Putting unwanted items outside your home for recycling could be fly-tipping!

I've just spotted a story in The Times newspaper about a woman who was given a £500 fly-tipping fine after leaving an item of furniture outside her home for someone else to reuse. Sidebar: this is an overzealous council trying to raise money illegally in my view. Many councils in the UK are broke because of poor financial management and reduced government funding.

Isabelle Pepin was issued with the fine by Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole council in the UK. She put an IKEA cabinet outside her home with a note telling passers-by that it was free if they wanted it. This is very common in the UK.

Where I live a lot of people do it and quite often the item is picked up by somebody because they have a use for it. It is a very effective way in fact of recycling unwanted items with little effort.

In this story, the IKEA cabinet was left on her road for a few hours and was untaken and moved back onto her property. Three weeks later an enforcement officer visited her and told her that she would have to pay a £500 fine for fly tipping. The officer said that it would be doubled to £1000 if it went unpaid.

She is adamant that it is not fly tipping. It's just recycling. Isabelle said: "It's not fly-tipping, that is not what is happening here. It's recycling things people no longer want or need. The guy from the council initially came when I was away and spoke with my housemate about the cabinet that was left outside for a few hours. My housemate just laughed because he thought it was nothing serious and brought it back onto the driveway."

Isabelle said that the official was quite intimidating. One councillor thought that the fine was excessive. And said that it was difficult to see that it was fly tipping. Another official from the council said that the council is committed to tackling fly tipping and has contracted with Waste Investigation Support and Enforcement to investigate offences and administer penalty notices as appropriate."

Well, this is a first for me. I think it's ridiculous. It clearly isn't fly tipping. It is a standard way to recycle unwanted goods in this council have behaved irresponsibly and I would argue stupidly. I wish Isabelle well and I hope that she can resolve the matter.

It seems the contractor is to blame. They should own up and the fine rescinded.

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P.S. please forgive the occasional typo. These articles are written at breakneck speed using Dragon Dictate. I have to prepare them in around 20 mins. Also: sources for news articles are carefully selected but the news is often not independently verified. Also, I rely on scientific studies but they are not 100% reliable.

JD Vance pours gasoline on the Haitian cat eating story and gets badly burned

Surprisingly, and in another poor decision by the Trump/Vance partnership, JD Vance has continued to pour gasoline on the discredited migrant cat eating story by posting on his Twitter/X feed (with 1.9 million followers) a video of poultry being cooked on an outdoor grill while claiming that domestic cats were being cooked in preparation for an outdoor meal in Ohio!

JD Vance. Image: Wikipedia.

The video accompanied the following words: "Kamala Harris and her media apparatchiks should be ashamed of themselves. Another debunked story that turned out to have merit."

Kamala Harris and her media apparatchiks should be ashamed of themselves.

Another "debunked" story that turned out to have merit. https://t.co/dOyh9oTXhb

— JD Vance (@JDVance) September 14, 2024

You may remember that JD Vance had claimed falsely that Haitians in Springfield, Ohio were stealing domestic cats and eating them. There are many Haitian immigrants (I believe that they are legal immigrants) in Springfield, Ohio a town of 58,000 citizens. And I believe that the indigenous citizens have become annoyed by this 20,000 influx and have created this false scenario on social media which went viral.

Trump and Vance grabbed hold of it is a useful story to emphasise their desire to stop illegal immigration and that they are the duo best suited for this task. But they dug a big hole for themselves. And in this instance JD Vance has apparently got burnt by throwing gasoline on an already simmering fire.

The Independent newspaper tells us that this video was originally posted by the right-wing Manhattan Institute's Christopher Rufo, who apparently offered a $5,000 bounty to anyone that could provide proof of cat eating migrants in Ohio.

The newspaper is able to tell us that the footage was filmed last year in Dayton according to Rufo who has spoken to the person who made the video. The person who shot the video said that "some Africans that stay right next door to my kid's mother". And Rufo insists that the claims were verified i.e. that cats were being eaten, by "multiple witnesses and visual cross-references." 

His article states that the video shows "a pair of flayed cats on a blue barbecue in Dayton Ohio".

Note: Haiti is not in Africa! It is in the Caribbean.

The reaction was rapid on social media. The general tenor of the criticisms is that chickens were being cooked and they were surprised that Rufo and JD Vance was unable to tell the difference between chickens and cats who reposted the video.

Here's an example: " “I find it strange that a self-professed ‘hillbilly’ doesn’t know what whole chickens look like."

And another example in capital letters to emphasise the point!: “HOW DO YOU NOT KNOW WHAT CHICKENS LOOK LIKE WITH THEIR LEGS ATTACHED YOU F****ING DIPSHIT.”

The Independent reached out to Rufo for a comment but he did not respond. Also, the JD Vance campaign declined to comment. And an expert at the National Chicken Council did not reply to requests to comment.

However, somebody close to JD Vance told the newspaper that they did not believe the carcasses to be grilled were chickens. The Independent newspaper journalist writes that "a visual comparison of skinned cats prepared for laboratory use and whole plucked chickens suggested the animals in the video are almost certainly not feline."

The story is both bizarre and sickening actually. We have to discuss, in this story, skinned cats being grilled in a backyard in Ohio. It makes me want to puke.

This is another escalation in this ridiculous story and it very strongly appears that JD Vance is digging a bigger hole for himself and the Tramp campaign. He's thrown gasoline on the embers of a fire that was fizzling out nicely and now it is back in flames in the headlines.

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P.S. please forgive the occasional typo. These articles are written at breakneck speed using Dragon Dictate. I have to prepare them in around 20 mins. Also: sources for news articles are carefully selected but the news is often not independently verified. Also, I rely on scientific studies but they are not 100% reliable.

Trump's POOR DECISION-MAKING evident in his rant about pet-eating migrants during presidential debate

Americans expect their next president to be able to make excellent decisions as and when necessary. It is the hallmark of a good president. It is their raison d'être. An American president must be able to make great decisions. The best possible decisions, balancing up all the various factors and influences and consequences. I would expect that an American president makes hundreds of decisions every day all of which have the potential to improve for worsen the lives of Americans.

Screenshot from the debate. An angry as usual Trump and a smiling Harris.

The recent much-publicised debate between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris emphasises, as far as I am concerned, the fact that Donald Trump makes poor decisions. He is a poor decision-maker.

During this debate he had all the opportunity to discuss issues that are central to the lives of Americans such as healthcare and the economy. Immigration might also be in that discussion. Uncontrolled immigration is important to many Americans as it is too many other citizens of other countries including the UK.

Both parties to this debate had plenty of time to prepare for it. Donald Trump had the choice whether he should rant and rave about Haitian migrants eating pets in Springfield Ohio, or is it Canton Ohio, we don't know exactly? He could have avoided the subject completely. He could have addressed immigration but in a professional and balanced way.

But he went on - in his usual way - about a viral social media story which Springfield officials and police say is untrue. They say that there are no credible reports of pet-eating migrants. However, Ohio's Republican Attorney General has launched an investigation into the claims. Link to a further discussion on this.

And there's a video on social media of a Haitian woman, Allexis Telia Ferrell, being arrested and reportedly charged by the local police.

The police officer - as they approach the woman - receives a witness account from people standing by saying that she ate a cat. Were these witnesses truthful or did they have an agenda to further? And I'm told that she was charged - I guess on the basis of that witness evidence - but we are getting very mixed reports on this topic.

The point I'm making is this: at the moment there is no hard evidence that Haitian immigrants are killing and eating pet dogs and pet cats in Springfield or Canton, Ohio, USA. There appears to be some witness evidence but it's been hyped up on social media. It might be unreliable and biased.

And it appears to be hyped up on social media in order to further Donald Trump's political campaign about uncontrolled immigration into the country. He is very strong on that and it appears to be one of his major platforms for history election.

But you cannot, as a potential president of this great country, rant and rave about something on mainstream television in a very major debate that is not based on hard fact at the time you talk about it. 

In the heated exchange, Harris turned to Trump and declared that as vice president she had spoken to foreign leaders who "say you (Trump) are a disgrace."

He has egg on his face. He looks stupid. I am embarrassed for him. A really good person with a good mind would not do this. It's incredibly careless and stupid. It makes him look stupid. And it makes him look like a poor decision-maker. And unfit to be the next president.

I'm pleased because I am very much a supporter of Kamala Harris and I don't think that Donald Trump was a good president. I've said before that if you combine Putin with Xi Jinping you will get a kind of semi-chaos.

Trump's sidekick also fell into the same trap:

“Months ago, I raised the issue of Haitian illegal immigrants draining social services and generally causing chaos all over Springfield, Ohio,” JD Vance wrote on X/Twitter. “Reports now show that people have had their pets abducted and eaten by people who shouldn’t be in this country.”

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P.S. please forgive the occasional typo. These articles are written at breakneck speed using Dragon Dictate. I have to prepare them in around 20 mins. Also: sources for news articles are carefully selected but the news is often not independently verified. Also, I rely on scientific studies but they are not 100% reliable.

Late Queen Elizabeth II considered Donald Trump "very rude". Embarrassment for Trump.

On many occasions, Donald Trump has said that he admired the late Queen Elizabeth II. He considered her a great lady. I think at one time he said that she was the greatest lady on the planet or something as effusive as that. And Trump likes to have a connection with the UK. He likes Great Britain which is why he operates some golf courses in the country (charging £1000 for a round of golf). I think this goes back to his historical origins.

Trump walks in front of the late Queen. Embarrassing. Media frenzy. Image: Richard Pohle of The Times. Problem with publishing photo here? Please tell me in a comment and I will respond promptly.

But the point of this article is this: in the news today there is a report that the late Queen "found Trump very rude". Donald Trump will be reading this in mainstream press and it will upset him. And I'm pleased. I am anti-Trump. I am pro-Kamala. For the simple reason that the former is insensitive to animal welfare as far as I'm concerned whereas the latter is sensitive towards it. And I, personally, need someone in the White House who is sensitive towards animal welfare. This is my great mission.

We need someone in the White House who sensitive towards equality. Equality between men and women. Trump is a misogynistic alpha male with an  ego as big as the White House itself. I don't think he believes in equality. He doesn't believe in climate change. He doesn't believe in the sentience of animals it seems to me. His sons shoot animals for fun. It's all horrible.

That's why I am pleased The Times has reported that the late Queen found Donald Trump very rude. The information comes from a new biography of Queen Elizabeth which claims that she found Donald Trump to be very rude.

Great Britain's late sovereign hosted the former president twice during her longest of all British reigns. She is said to have "particularly disliked" the way that he looked over her shoulder as if "in search of others more interesting".

It would seem that Donald Trump was bored when he spoke to the late Queen. Perhaps this reflects his very short attention span. Or he was just plain rude towards her. And others?

The biography also suggests that she believed his relationship with his wife Melania must've been "some sort of arrangement". The Queen was a smart woman. She had lots of experience in government and in life generally and she is correct in this instance. It has to be an arrangement between Donald Trump and his wife. Trump praises his wife but it seems to me and perhaps the rest of the world that he doesn't treat her with the greatest of respect.

The claims are made by Craig Brown in a new book, A Voyage Around The Queen, which is being serialised in the Daily Mail.

He writes: "Over the course of her reign, Her Majesty entertained many controversial foreign leaders, including Bashar Al Assad (a murdering dictator from Syria) Robert Mugabe (the man who destroyed Zimbabwe through corrupt and rotten government) Idi Amin (we all know about him), Donald Trump, Emperor Hirohito and Vladimir Putin (and we all know about him being the modern Stalin and a mass murderer)." I have added my comments in brackets to the quote. 😎😃

The writer adds that:

 "A few weeks after President Trump's visit, for instance, she confided in one lunch guest that she found him very rude: she particularly disliked the way he couldn't stop looking over her shoulder, as though in search of others more interesting. She also believed President Trump must have some sort of arrangement with his wife Melania, or else why would she have remained married?"

The author adds, "For his part, Donald Trump was confident he had been her favourite guest ever. 'There are those that say they have never seen the Queen have a better time, a more animated time'". He later told Fox News. His ego speaking again.

As mentioned, the claims will probably come as a big blow to Donald Trump both personally and in terms of his campaign to be the next president. He is seeking to win a second term in the White House. He first met the Queen in 2018.

There were protests in London about the meeting. A giant balloon portraying Trump as a baby was hoisted aloft. It was controversial but permission had been given.

The meeting took place over tea at Windsor Castle. No other senior Royals were present. It is said that Trump kept the 92-year-old monarch waiting for 10 minutes in 27°C heat and walked in front of her as they inspected the guard of honour. She was left trailing behind him. Disrespectful?

When the late Queen died on September 8, 2022, Donald Trump issued a statement saying that he and Melania would "always cherish our time together with the Queen, and never forget Her Majesty's generous friendship, great wisdom and wonderful sense of humour."

I'm pleased that Donald Trump is going to be embarrassed by this. His ego needs to be chipped away but that of course won't happen.

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P.S. please forgive the occasional typo. These articles are written at breakneck speed using Dragon Dictate. I have to prepare them in around 20 mins. Also: sources for news articles are carefully selected but the news is often not independently verified. Also, I rely on scientific studies but they are not 100% reliable.

Houston animal shelter closes because of a lack of funds and wider issues

A Houston-area animal shelter called "Adopt-a-Cat has had to shut down after 30 years of operation because of a combination of unfortunate circumstances, the most important of which is that the Covid-19 pandemic changed the world and it appears to have changed the amount of disposable income people have and therefore can give to charity.

Dr Harper is closing Adopt-a-Cat in Houston due to a lack of funds by Michael Broad

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I think this is due to the fact that after Covid there was high inflation which resulted in financial hardship and also countries had built up debt. Businesses were disrupted and lifestyles were also disrupted. People had to tighten their belts and therefore some charities lost out.

And sadly, this has happened to Adopt-a-Cat. The founder is Dr. Beverly Harper. She says it costs about $7000 to care for the cats and pay for the shelter's three employees per month I believe. It's an expensive business. But they've  been successfully operating since 1994 but they no longer have the money to keep going.

Dr. Harper said that the donations started to dry up during the Covid-19 pandemic and after the pandemic there are few people willing to donate which has been compounded by recent storms apparently in the area.

Dr. Harper said that "People don't have the money that they had [and] they're doing things like getting rid of the trees in their yard". I take that to mean the trees that have uprooted by the storms.

It became clear to Dr. Harper that she would have to close. She says that she is a realist and she knows that everything ends. The shelter has stopped taking in new cats and are hoping to adopt out the remaining cats at the shelter (80).

Sadly, some people still dump cats at the shelter in boxes outside despite being told that they are not taking in any new cats.

My research indicates that many animal shelters in the Houston area have been experiencing financial struggles. The factors contributing to this unfortunate situation include:

Increased demand: There are high intake rates animals due to overpopulation and abandonment according to my research. This might also be linked to the post-Covid situation causing financial stresses and other disruptions to normal lifestyles.

Limited resources: many shelters operate on tight budgets and rely on donations and volunteer support. It's quite troublesome to keep things going sometimes.

Rising costs: there have been increase costs as we know due to inflation and these include increase costs in veterinary care and pet food. And also maintenance expenses have increased making it harder for shelters to sustain operations.

Economic impact: there is a broader economic aspects to this as mentioned which can reduce donations from the public and impact fundraising efforts.

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P.S. please forgive the occasional typo. These articles are written at breakneck speed using Dragon Dictate. I have to prepare them in around 20 mins. Also: sources for news articles are carefully selected but the news is often not independently verified. Also, I rely on scientific studies but they are not 100% reliable.

Deluded, Christian Americans emigrate to Russia for a better family life

NEWS AND OPINION: This is an extraordinary story. But perhaps it isn't extraordinary when you consider that a lot of people don't really know what is going on in Russia. And it is reported that some middle-aged, Christian Americans with a family, have decided that Russia will be a better place to live than in America which is suffering 'moral decline'.

Deluded, Christian Americans emigrate to Russia for a better family life.

And Putin has campaigned against the West's moral decline for years. He is portrayed Russia as a country which supports family life. And clearly some Americans have picked up this information and envisage Russia as a utopian paradise where Christian values are adhered to and where families are supported. I'm talking about the conventional family. But the problem is these Americans are in my view completely deluded. They don't understand what is happening in Russia.

And they don't even mention the fact that Russia has invaded Ukraine and killed thousands of innocent civilians and hundreds of thousands of animals in an attempt to annex Ukraine because Putin thinks that Ukraine is Russian. Putin is a mass murderer. And psychopathic arguably. He shows all the signs of being a psychopath in killing dissidents and people who voice their concerns about him. Freedom of speech is entirely suppressed in Russia.

I can remember a young Russian man holding up a blank piece of white paper in Moscow and being arrested for protesting against Putin. He is probably in jail at this moment and he was arrested years ago.

A good example of a family emigrating from America to seek a better life in Russia of all places is the family of Leo Heyer. He is seen on a video published by the Russian Interior Ministry. He is praising Russia to the nines.

He says that "I feel like I've been put on an arc of safety for my family. The person I want to thank is President Vladimir Putin for allowing Russia to become a good place for families in this world climate."

He doesn't realise that Putin's government has cracked down, often violently, on its own citizens who adhere to Christian faiths other than Russian Orthodoxy. And Putin's depiction of Russia as a stronghold of traditional Christian family lifestyles is not backed up by the facts. According to The Times about one third of Russian families have been abandoned by their father. And half of all marriages end in divorce. Hardly a recommendation of family life in Russia.

The pictures we see of Russian apartment blocks looking decrepit and disgusting is hardly enticing. Is this a good place for an American family used to the 'good life'? Russia has become a war machine. I read in the news that about 8% of GDP is given over to building musicians at factories. The norm is around 2 percent. A very high percentage of the earned wealth in Russia is given over to building armaments in order to crush Ukraine. Nice country to live in. And it's bloody cold a lot of the time! 😎

A lot of welfare has accordingly diminished rapidly in Russia. Leo Heyer's family which includes three schoolchildren were granted asylum in Russia this week after fleeing "moral decline" in the US according to state media.

The Russian Interior Ministry spokeswoman said that the Christian family had made the move over fears about the "abolition of traditional moral and family value" in American society. She said that the family was concerned about the future and what awaited their children. It's safer in Russia and the education is better.

All this against the backdrop of the White House accusing Moscow of seizing Americans to use as "bargaining chips" and repeatedly warning Americans against travelling to Russia!

But there is a steady trickle of Americans and I believe Canadians relocating to Russia because they've been drawn by depictions of the country as a bastion of Christian values. Putin has said that he is engaged in an existential battle with the West for the future of humanity's soul.

He believes that LGBT values are the work of Satan and they undermine the traditional family unit.

The Kremlin has outlawed the international LGBT movement.

You will find on social media some Americans and Europeans actively seeking advice on how to emigrate to Russia. They all appear to be totally ignoring the invasion of Ukraine and the moral turpitude behind this action. If a country has decided to commence an illegal and devastating war against a neighbouring country you cannot say that country is worth emigrating to. I don't understand these people.

One woman in Texas, declared on Facebook (on a group called Expats in Russia), that she was planning to escape to Russia to distance herself from "fake people, politics interjected into everything and a lack of family values". She claims that there is no such thing in Russia as racial discrimination. Misinformed and deluded I would argue.

Medvedev says that racial discrimination has been non-existent in Russia for a hundred years. And Putin has said that there is no racial or gender discrimination in Russia. No doubt these Americans are listening to these people. Putin is a known liar as is Medvedev. Medvedev wants to send in A-bomb over Britain and blow the country up.

The BBC has an article about racism in Russia. And they mention that people of colour living in Russia have told the BBC about casual discrimination that they experience on a daily basis. There are apparently tens of thousands of people of colour living in Russia including Russian-born people with mixed heritage.

They mention the story of a young man of colour, an economics student age 21. There is a video of this man being refused a taxi ride. He is left standing on the curb. In the video, published on social media, the driver can be heard saying "If I don't like a person, I won't give them a ride. It's my car."

And when this young black man asked the driver if he is racist he replies casually and confidently "Yes, of course."

You don't really expect Russia to be non-racist do you? Many people in Russia are against homosexuals and as mentioned the LGBT community and the woke movement. It's very far right in their culture. Obviously one can't generalise but the distinct impression I get from reading the news about Russia is that it is not a very tolerant society. It is not the kind of society that these Americans are going to find acceptable. Anywhere near it.

And The Times reports that "Some who hope to begin new lives in Russia appear to have little knowledge of the country."

They are not doing their research. They seem to have an ideological view of Russia because of what Putin is saying but it simply isn't the way they believe it is.

A couple who made a move from Canada this year with their eight children to get away from "LGBT ideology" found that their bank account was frozen when they got to Russia and they were disappointed in Russia and ready to "jump on a plane and get out of here". She deleted her video and apologised later. She probably did that to avoid being arrested because if anybody says anything publicly e.g. on social media against Russia when living in Russia they are likely to be arrested. And the prison sentences dished out by the courts are horrendous. The courts are not independent in Russia. They do the Kremlin's bidding. They are a political machine. Justice is not administered in Russia.

Prediction: all the families will return to the US and realise what a relatively great country it is.

Some more on anti-LGBT actions and anti-Christian actions in Russia from an AI bot:

Read this and believe that these Americans are deluded as I have stated.

Here are some examples of anti-LGBT activity in Russia:

"Gay Propaganda" Law (2013): This law prohibits the promotion of "non-traditional sexual relationships" to minors, effectively silencing LGBT advocacy and expression.

Violence and Hate Crimes: There have been numerous reports of violence against LGBT individuals, including physical assaults and killings, often motivated by hate.

Arrests and Detentions: LGBT activists and individuals have faced arbitrary arrests and detentions, particularly during pride events and other demonstrations advocating for LGBT rights.

Censorship: Media and online content related to LGBT rights or issues often face censorship, restricting visibility and discussion of LGBT topics.

Support for Conversion Therapy: Some government officials and organizations promote harmful practices like "conversion therapy," which aims to change an individual's sexual orientation.

Discrimination in Employment and Housing: LGBT people often face discrimination in various areas, including employment and housing, leading to social and economic marginalization.

These activities contribute to a hostile environment for LGBT individuals in Russia, limiting their rights and freedoms significantly.

Christians can face persecution in Russia, particularly certain groups. Here are some key points:

Religious Freedom Restrictions: While the Russian Constitution guarantees freedom of religion, there are significant restrictions, especially for non-Orthodox Christian groups.

State Support for the Orthodox Church: The Russian Orthodox Church receives preferential treatment, which can lead to discrimination against other Christian denominations.

Raids and Harassment: Religious minorities, such as Baptists and Jehovah's Witnesses, have experienced raids, harassment, and even criminal charges.

Extremism Laws: Laws against extremism are often used to target religious groups, leading to accusations against those who express beliefs outside the state-sanctioned norms.

Social Stigma: Non-Orthodox Christians may face social discrimination and hostility from the public, further complicating religious practice.

These factors contribute to a challenging environment for Christians, particularly those who do not align with the Russian Orthodox Church.

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P.S. please forgive the occasional typo. These articles are written at breakneck speed using Dragon Dictate. I have to prepare them in around 20 mins. Also: sources for news articles are carefully selected but the news is often not independently verified. Also, I rely on scientific studies but they are not 100% reliable.

Zoo worker locks another in a lion enclosure

A worker on a job training scheme was locked in a lion enclosure by a fellow worker. The two workers entered the enclosure at Belfast Zoo last week while the lions were in their den.

One worker believed to be the more experienced one left the enclosure and locked it. This left the other worker inside the enclosure in which lions were free to move around. We don't know for how long this precarious state of affairs existed but with great good fortune the worker who was locked in was unharmed. We don't know if it was accidental.

Belfast Zoo is owned by the city council. They said that they were aware of the incident and were investigating.

Belfast Zoo lions. Image: the zoo.

The worker who was trapped is believed to be part of a Northern Ireland training scheme for young people and unemployed people between the ages of 50 and 64 according to the Belfast Telegraph.

The source for the story said that they were shocked at the incident. They said that "They are very lucky they weren't killed or severely mauled and left with horrendous injuries. It's just another thing that raises serious questions for Belfast Zoo. I can only imagine what was going through this poor person's mind. I mean how on earth did this happen?"

Interestingly, the zoo claims that their lions are Barbary lions, a subspecies that was made extinct many years ago in the wild and which lived along the North African coast adjacent to the Mediterranean. Comment: I would doubt whether they are purebred Barbary lions. I make this assessment on the basis that many tigers are not the subspecies as claimed by the zoo where they live. There are often generic tigers and I suspect that these lions are generic i.e. hybrid or crossbred lions. But I am speculating so it's an allegation that I make rather than a firm statement.

There is one male and two females living at Belfast Zoo.

They are a large subspecies measuring about a metre in height at the shoulder and up to 3.5 m in length. Their average weight is up to 230 kg.

A spokesperson for the city council said: "[The] council is aware of an incident at the lion enclosure at Belfast Zoo earlier this month. We take the safety of all our staff, visitors and animals very seriously, and an investigation is underway into the circumstances of this incident. We cannot comment further while this is ongoing."

The incident was reported to the Health and Safety Executive of Northern Ireland.

A spokesperson for this organisation said that they could not comment on individual companies or organisations. There are calls for the zoo to look again at its policies and procedures.

Robbie Butler, vice chairman of Stormont's all party-group one animal welfare said that, "Whilst the primary concern must be with the individual involved, it also raises concerns about animal welfare."

The zoo didn't want to comment about the incident. Allegedly there have been three breaches against three different species at Belfast zoo under the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria animal welfare standards.

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P.S. please forgive the occasional typo. These articles are written at breakneck speed using Dragon Dictate. I have to prepare them in around 20 mins. Also: sources for news articles are carefully selected but the news is often not independently verified. Also, I rely on scientific studies but they are not 100% reliable.

Similar deaths of Mathew Perry and Michael Jackson

See base of page for credit. This is Mathew Perry in case you were unsure 😃

Mathew Perry was the famous star on the Friends American sitcom. He was an admitted drug and alcohol addict who fought his demons for a long time sought help. His cause of death was ketamine (high as the amount given during general anaesthesia, according to the medical examiner) and drowning. Other contributing factors were coronary artery disease and the effects of buprenorphine, which is used to treat opioid use disorder.

Michael Jackson died at his Los Angeles mansion at age 50 of acute propofol intoxication. His physician, Dr. Conrad Murray, was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter in 2011 for providing the drug.

A doctor has been arrested over Mathew Perry's death. Speculation: his doctor prescribed ketamine on Perry's request (mirroring Jackson who asked his doctor for more 'milk') but at a dose that was the same as if he was being put under a general anaesthetic.

"The levels of ketamine in his body were as high as the amount given during general anaesthesia, according to the medical examiner." - BBC

He died in his bath as a consequence. There are distinct similarities between the deaths of Mathew Perry and Michael Jackson and the thread that runs through them is their personal physician who prescribed powerful anaesthetic drugs I believe on their direct request. The problem is that the doctors overdid it (I am speculating about Perry' doctor).

"Matthew Perry 'froze up' after predatory doctor injected him with huge ketamine dose just two weeks before his death, prosecutors say" - Newspapers today 16th Aug. 2024.

And:

"Dr Salvador Plascencia had a license to prescribe and administer the powerful tranquilizer but needed help from another medic to keep pace with the vast amounts the Friends star was consuming in the weeks before he died in October last year."

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Below are some details about the similarities and differences of these similar drugs from ChatGPT. I can't vouch for the accuracy of this section but it looks good.

Propofol and ketamine are both used as anaesthetics, but they have distinct characteristics and mechanisms of action.

Similarities:

• Anesthetic Agents: Both propofol and ketamine are used to induce and maintain anaesthesia.
• Sedative Properties: Both drugs can cause sedation and are used in various medical procedures to achieve this effect.

Differences:

1. Mechanism of Action:

• Propofol: Acts primarily by enhancing the activity of the neurotransmitter GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) at the GABA_A receptor, leading to increased inhibitory neurotransmission and sedation.
• Ketamine: Works by blocking the NMDA (N-methyl-D-aspartate) receptor, which is involved in excitatory neurotransmission. This results in dissociative anesthesia, where the patient may feel detached from their surroundings or experience altered perceptions.

1. Anesthetic Depth and Effects:

• Propofol: Provides a smooth induction and maintenance of anesthesia with rapid onset and recovery. It does not usually produce significant analgesia (pain relief) on its own.
• Ketamine: Induces a state of dissociative anesthesia, which includes pain relief, sedation, and amnesia, often with vivid dreams or hallucinations during emergence. It can cause a trance-like state where the patient may remain conscious but unaware of their surroundings.

1. Cardiovascular and Respiratory Effects:

• Propofol: Can cause significant cardiovascular depression, leading to lower blood pressure and respiratory depression, especially in higher doses.
• Ketamine: Typically preserves cardiovascular stability and can even increase heart rate and blood pressure, making it useful in patients who are at risk of hypotension. It also has a lower risk of respiratory depression compared to propofol.

1. Use Cases:

• Propofol: Commonly used for induction of anesthesia in surgeries, sedation for procedures like endoscopy, and maintenance of anesthesia in combination with other agents.
• Ketamine: Often used in emergency situations, for short procedures, and in patients with certain types of chronic pain or in those at risk for hypotension. It's also used in sub-anesthetic doses for its analgesic and antidepressant effects.

In summary, while both propofol and ketamine are used in anaesthetic practice, they have different mechanisms, effects, and clinical applications. Propofol is favoured for its smooth and predictable sedative effects, while ketamine is valued for its dissociative properties and cardiovascular stability.

Image credit: By Office of National Drug Control Policy - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Matthew_Perry_Office_of_National_Drug_Control_Policy_The_White_House.theora.ogv, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=139762070

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P.S. please forgive the occasional typo. These articles are written at breakneck speed using Dragon Dictate. I have to prepare them in around 20 mins. Also: sources for news articles are carefully selected but the news is often not independently verified. Also, I rely on scientific studies but they are not 100% reliable.

Banksy's artwork of large cat (lion?) removed by contractors (video). Public boo!

I recently discussed this Banksy artwork on another site. It is of a large cat and as you can see there's a pom-pom end to the tail which indicates to me that is meant to be a lion. We know that Banksy is an activist, left-wing, concerned, and sensitive about wildlife and equality et cetera. He's quite a campaigner in a way through his artwork. This stencilled artwork was in Cricklewood which is North London, UK.

The black cat was stencilled onto an old advertising hoarding that hadn't been used for a long time by the look of it. The owners of the hoarding apparently employ contractors to remove the artwork because they feared that it would be stolen by an individual (as they often are) and that would result in the hoarding collapsing and harming somebody. That is their reason but I suspect the reason is to steal the artwork!! 😱😃 

The video shows it being removed. And the public are booing as it happened because they like the artwork. It elevates the mood of the place where they live. It makes them feel good. Unfortunately, as mentioned, his artwork almost always gets stolen because it is highly valuable. And I'm talking in the hundreds of thousands of pounds sometimes or at least £10,000, something like that.

To complete the story, I created an Infographic which explains, as I understand it, how he creates is very special artwork. I am speculating in the Infographic but is quite interesting because he's been doing this for a very long time and nobody knows what he looks like. 😎 

But the biggest point to make here is that he works as a team. He needs a team of individuals to use a cherry picker or scaffolding to get to high places. He does like to paint his artwork at high places, well off the ground. Perhaps he does this to protect the artwork and perhaps to make it more visible. It's quite unusual as we see in the video for his artwork to be at ground level. 

He works at night and in the early days apparently he worked with a kind of hoarding around the artwork so people - I guess - thought he was a local government contractor doing some maintenance work or something like that. That helped to disguise him. 

And on another occasion he was seen wearing a mask on a cherry picker so he does take remaining anonymous very seriously because it's part of his art. And I believe that the stealing of his artwork is also part of his art because it allows the common man, to participate in generating some income. It is an act of equality, a gift to Londoners if you like.

Speculating on how Banksy works by Michael Broad

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P.S. please forgive the occasional typo. These articles are written at breakneck speed using Dragon Dictate. I have to prepare them in around 20 mins. Also: sources for news articles are carefully selected but the news is often not independently verified. Also, I rely on scientific studies but they are not 100% reliable.

Why are two girls going to prison for putting some soup on a picture frame?

Personally, I thoroughly admire the couple of young ladies, Phoebe Plummer and Anna Holland who threw tomato soup over Vincent van Gogh's painting "Sunflowers". They are brave. They going to go to prison for putting a bit of tomato soup over the frame to this painting. Yes, the frame might be quite valuable but £10,000? That's what we have heard it's going to cost to repair it. I think that's highly inflated.

We're not criminals by Michael Broad

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And the reason why this particular painting is so valuable - worth hundreds of millions of pounds probably - is because billionaire investors invest in paintings. The day it was painted it was pretty well valueless. The only reason why iconic paintings have very high value is because they are effective investments and the only people who can invest in them are billionaires. Not great, is it?

They don't have an inherent value other than there are nice pictures to entertain us. This couple of young ladies don't think that they are criminals. I agree with them. What they've done is to highlight climate change which people like to shove under the carpet and forget about. They want to shock people into thinking about climate change and be shocked by it.

Why are we fretting about the frame to a painting? What's the big deal? Even if the painting was damaged which it hasn't been it still wouldn't be a big issue because we are talking about an existential threat to the planet about which the politicians are still arguing 30 years after the COP meetings began. It's all talk and no walk.

It's no wonder you get intelligent ladies like these who want to actually kickstart politicians into doing something. I can add a further quotes from Phoebe Plummer.

"That painting was protected by glass. But the fact is millions of people in the global south aren't protected. As young people our own futures aren't protected. That shocked reaction is because it is something beautiful, and you have that feeling of wanting to protect something beautiful, something valuable, of not wanting to see it be destroyed. Where is that sentiment when it's our planet? When it's our environment? When it's people whose lives are being destroyed?"

They chose this particular painting for the shock value. They needed to get into people's heads; to create some anger and to engage people.

The judge said that they "came within the width of a pane of glass of destroying one of the most valuable artworks in the world". That statement is pointless. It's stating the obvious. We know the painting was protected by glass. These girls knew that. The painting wasn't damaged. I don't see the issue. I just think the whole thing's been overhyped and it's been reactionary by the establishment.

And the establishment is failing people. The establishment is failing young people particularly because they have to live with climate change. Most of the establishment is older people who probably won't suffer from climate change that much. Certainly far less than young people and the children of young people today. It's about the future. It's about protecting the future.

The problem is that the establishment like short-term fixes. They cannot get their heads around long-term policies and long-term problem solving. Perhaps it's because it's not politically expedient. It's not politically effective to think long term. And therefore they brush the problem under the carpet. And there's far too much self interest between countries. The whole thing is bogged down in human deficiencies and stupidity. That's why I support these ladies. They have got people talking and that's their objective. Don't punish them for that. Praise them.

And what about cats? Well, what about us? What about cat caregivers? If climate change is an existential threat to the planet it is an existential threat to nature and the wildlife that lives within nature. It's a threat to all of us including our companion animals. It's the single most important topic to discuss on the planet today but it is not happening enough.

"The world’s climate, particularly in Africa, has changed substantially during the past few decades, contributed by several human activities. Africa is one of the continents that is most vulnerable to climate change globally. Since the beginning of 2022, extreme weather events in Africa have affected about 19 million people and killed at least 4,000 individuals. Cyclones, floods, heatwaves, wildfires, droughts, and famine were among the severe weather occurrences. Natural disasters and extreme weather events brought on by climate change may compromise access to clean water, sanitation systems, and healthcare facilities, making people more vulnerable to a number of illnesses. Floods and drought can lead to both communicable and non-communicable diseases. The African population is more likely to experience more mental health disorders than before because of natural disasters, which result in the loss of property and sometimes loss of lives more frequently. We, therefore, call for an improved implementation of strategies to prevent the health effects of climate change so that the health of the people in Africa can be maintained." - Health effects of climate change in Africa: A call for an improved implementation of prevention measures.

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P.S. please forgive the occasional typo. These articles are written at breakneck speed using Dragon Dictate. I have to prepare them in around 20 mins.

Child rapist allowed to compete at Olympics while an equestrian who gently whipped a horse is banned?

Dujardin banned from Olympics while van de Velde is allowed to compete by Michael Broad

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This is a short note on something which troubled Nick Ferrari on LBC this morning. LBC is a popular British radio station and Nick Ferrari is a very popular, long-standing presenter on that station. He saw a disconnect or a lack of equality in the way two Olympians have been treated by the authorities.

Charlotte Dujardin is all over the news because she was secretly videoed using a lunging whip on a horse being trained for dressage, ridden by a young rider. This is a very long whip which might at worst sting a horse but it's a fairly benign training instrument which is an extension of the arms. That said she made a terrible mistake in whipping this trainee horse. She admitted it. But her illustrious career as a former gold medallist is in tatters because of the revelation.

She's been banned from going for another gold medal which would have made her Britain’s most decorated female Olympian in her own right. And she has lost funding from the UK authorities. Her reputation is in tatters as mentioned.

She's not been been charged with any animal welfare offence. And therefore she not been found guilty of a crime. Although we don't know whether she regularly used that kind of whipping treatment in her training programs. There is no suggestion that she did but the fact that she was filmed doing it might arguably indicate that she has used the method before.

What did Charlotte Dujardin do to force her to withdraw from the Olympics? - click this for her full story.

But set against that bleak picture for Charlotte Dujardin, we have the story of Steven van de Veld, a convicted child rapist who was convicted of raping a British 12-year-old girl in 2016. He was subsequently tried and convicted and has been punished according to the law. And he's allowed to compete at the Paris Olympics. The IOC is facing calls for an investigation into how a convicted child rapist has been allowed to compete at these games.

There is growing outrage at the presence of Steven van de Velde in the volleyball competition. Some senior people believe that it is irresponsible of the authorities to allow him there. It sends the wrong signal to the world at large. And there's an argument that even though he has served his sentence and been punished he should not be allowed to compete because the Olympic Games is about creating a harmonious environment. It's about promoting high standards. It's about excellence in sport and in general behaviour. These are top athletes who are influencers.

Many of them who are awarded gold medals will be strong influencers in the future of young people in particular and this underscores the need for them to be of good character.

There is an argument for banning Van de Velde from the Olympics and if that had happened it would put him in line with the ban of Charlotte Dujardin. It would make more sense. At the moment there seems to be a high degree of inequality between these two athletes and the application of different standards.

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P.S. please forgive the occasional typo. These articles are written at breakneck speed using Dragon Dictate. I have to prepare them in around 20 mins.

Ghostly Evan Gershkovich at Russian trial

The espionage trial of US journalist Evan Gershkovich is concluding. He looks like a ghost. He was smiling before at earlier hearings but I am pessimistic about his prospects. I am sure that he hopes that the US will do a deal and swap some Russian spies for him. That is why the Kremlin detained him on spurious charges. But he could end up in some crappy Russian hell-hole of a jail for years and see his health wane to the point where his life is in jeopardy.

Update: He was released in a prisoner exchange with the US and a number of Russians. Evan was entirely blameless I believe and the Russians imprisoned him on false charges in planning for an exchange some day. It is all crap.

The ghostly figure of Evan Gershkovich at his trial. He is fading away before our eyes. Image: ABC News.

Russian prosecutors are seeking a prison sentence of 18 years for Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich.

"Gershkovich, 32, was arrested March 29, 2023, while on a reporting trip to the Ural Mountains city of Yekaterinburg. Authorities claimed, without offering any evidence, that he was gathering secret information for the U.S. He pleaded not guilty, according to the court, and The Wall Street Journal and the U.S. government have called the trial a sham." - ABC News.

Russian court has sentenced US journalist Evan Gershkovich to 16 years in prison, Russian news agencies report from the court in Yekaterinburg. As mentioned he could well die in a Russian prison. A lot do. He is going to start his sentence in a "high security correctional facility" which is where the judge sent him. His employer says that he was simply doing his work as a journalist. He did not admit guilt during the trial. The prosecutor asked for 18 years. It is claimed to be a sham trial for political purposes.

This is how he looks normally:

Image: DPA

Why the F did he go to Russia in the first place? His work I guess demanded it BUT change your job if you are a journalist who has to go to Russia and do some reporting. Just don't do it because you will be jeopardising your life and your death will be slow and grisly. The Russian administrators are b**t***ds.

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P.S. please forgive the occasional typo. These articles are written at breakneck speed using Dragon Dictate. I have to prepare them in around 20 mins.

Destruction of democracy in the UK in silencing climate change campaigners

A shocking threat to rights of free speech in the UK has just occurred. This is not just about the right of free speech, it also about climate change in how governments deal with it. 

The UK is edging towards a fascist state as far as I'm concerned. This latest criminal court judgement supports my thinking.  Please read Hallam's enormous tweet which is at the end of this article. You get first hand reporting. The judge was arrogant and wrong. Very wrong.

I can't find the judge's reasoning. I think he referred to the campaigners as 'fanatics'. I also think he was very biased against them and it would not surprise me if he did not believe that climate change exists and drives an enormous SUV. Yes, I am pissed off with this judge. It is not just me.

The former lord chancellor, Lord Falconer of Thoroton said that he was 'uncomfortable' with the sentences although Sir Robert Buckland said they were justified.

This judge handed down a 5 year jail sentence to a peaceful protestor in the UK who campaigns for action against global warming by Michael Broad

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A record five-year jail term has been handed out to Roger Hallam, 58, for coordinating the climate change protests under the Just Stop Oil banner which disrupted the M25 in London over four days in 2022. 

45 protesters climbed gantries on the motorway, forcing police to stop the traffic. Four others, campaigners in the Just Stop Oil organisation, were each jailed for four years. They were found guilty of conspiring to cause a public nuisance under a new draconian law which curbs free-speech and peaceful protest.

This is controversial legislation introduced by the previous government to get tough on disruptive tactics used by environmental protesters. They were charged under the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022.

There is shock over this sentence which is a record for a person engaged in peaceful protest. Yes, I will capitalise that: PEACEFUL PROTEST.

What do the public think about the record jail sentences for Just Stop Oil activists?

Our nationally representative poll found 61% of people in Britain think the sentences were too harsh. Only 12% felt they were too lenient. Read more here: https://t.co/InHH5BAAjf https://t.co/CNkpeXtAEY pic.twitter.com/4fiIucxfQG

— Social Change Lab (@SocChangeLab) July 19, 2024

The previous Conservative government got their knickers in a twist over these Just Stop Oil protests because they were very disruptive. That made them effective. These campaigners felt that they had to be disruptive in order to make their statement clear to everybody. That's the nature of a peaceful protest. But the right wing government now ousted by Labour, decided to clampdown on them and at the same time clampdown on free speech. And also at the same time to ignore climate change.

It's utterly shocking to people like me. And to Chris Packham, the naturalist and broadcaster. He said that the sentence of five years handed down to Roger Hallam, was a threat to free speech and he has called for a meeting with Richard Hermer KC, the attorney general, "as rapidly as possible so that we could address this grotesque miscarriage of justice".

He also said that we need to be "clear, be very very clear this is not just about climate activism. The laws that have been drafted, the injustices that are being wrought, threaten all rights of free speech. We stand here today because our future security may be compromised by the reckless and irresponsible erosion of human rights, of our fundamental freedoms. I stand here because I believe this represents the direct theft of our freedom, the destruction of our democracy, the deliberate and calculated intimidation of our protesters, and that, unless we resist this, the very real danger is our species will destroy life on earth will stop"

He's of course referring to climate change which really concerns him as it should concern all of us. He is a conservationist. He was to protect wildlife which is increasingly under dire threat across the globe because of global warming.

The sentencing is particularly grotesque as this government has decided to release criminals after 40% of their sentence. The country is releasing genuine criminals early in order to make room in overcrowded prisons while at the same time clearly, over-punishing genuine people who are concerned about the future of humankind on this planet. It is BONKERS.

There have been calls to repeal the above-mentioned act. The sentence was also criticised by Tom Southerden, Amnesty International UK's law and human rights adviser. He wants the act repealed. He said that "These lengthy jail sentences for people seeking climate justice should increase the alarm over the ongoing crackdown against peaceful protest in this country, which violates all our human rights. With our overcrowded prison system already described as a ticking timebomb by the new Lord Chancellor these jail terms are all the more indefensible."

The judge who handed down this grotesque sentence is Judge Christopher Hehir. Shame on him. He is not worthy to be a judge.

Update:

Hallam said this (and a lot more - see his tweet below):

The crime? 

Giving a talk on civil disobedience as an effective, evidence-based method for stopping the elite from putting enough carbon in the atmosphere to send us to extinction. I have given hundreds of similar speeches encouraging nonviolent action and have never been arrested for it. This time I was an advisor to the M25 motorway disruption, recommending the action to go ahead to wake up the British public to societal collapse.

His tweet:

I've just been sentenced to 5 years in prison.

The longest ever for nonviolent action.

The 'crime'?

Giving a talk on civil disobedience as an effective, evidence-based method for stopping the elite from putting enough carbon in the atmosphere to send us to extinction.

I have… pic.twitter.com/U2dHaDQkGf

— Roger Hallam (@RogerHallamCS21) July 18, 2024

From Just Stop Oil:

Professor McGuire, Emeritus Professor of Geophysical & Climate Hazards at University College London, said:

“The trial and verdict were a farce. They mark a low point in British justice and they were an assault on free speech. The judge’s characterisation of climate breakdown as a matter of opinion and belief is completely nonsensical and demonstrates extraordinary ignorance. Similarly to suggest that the climate emergency is irrelevant in relation to whether the defendants had a reasonable case for action is crass stupidity.” 

Sir David King, the government’s former Chief Scientific Adviser, said:

“This is so disgraceful. We are all hoping that the change in UK Govt will also change the situation in our courts.”

As mentioned, this legislation is controversial. It provides for stiffer sentences for protesters who block roads. It was backed by the current Prime Minister. But it has been condemned by the United Nations human rights Commissioner as "deeply troubling" and "disproportionate".

In sentencing, Judge Christopher Hehir, told the activists: 

"The plain fact is that each of you some time ago has crossed the line from concerned campaigner to fanatic. You have appointed yourselves as sole arbiters of what should be done about climate change."

Comment: it appears to me that he is introducing his personal opinion about these campaigners. It seems to me to be biased to describe the most fanatics.

Hallam described the criminal court that he attended as a "kangaroo court".

The trial was criticised by the UN's Special Rapporteur for Environmental Defenders, Michel Forst, who described the threat of a long sentence against Daniel Shaw [one of the defendants sentenced to 4 years] as potentially unlawful. Speaking on the eve of the first day of the trial, he warned: "The imposition of such a sanction is not only appalling but may also violate the United Kingdom's obligations under international law."

The danger is that the harsh sentences will fire up the campaigners to do more. It will be a catalyst for more extreme action against climate change inertia.

The next day

The next day, in The Times, there's a long list of celebrities and well-known people who have written about the injustice of these prison sentences. In fact, more than 1100 lawyers, academics, artists and celebrities have called for an urgent meeting with the attorney general to address the injustice of the sentences given to 5 environmental activists according to a report by the Times.

It is notable that the jail terms exceed those given to Just Stop Oil activists who scaled the Queen Elizabeth II Bridge Dartford Crossing in October 2022. It is also longer than many far more serious crimes such as a police officer attempting rape as I understand it. I think you'll find that rapist in the UK get prison terms of around five years sometimes.

The Prime Minister has faced calls to intervene in this case. In addition, the UN Human Rights Commissioner described the sentences as deeply troubling and disproportionate.

The millionaire Labour donor, Dale Vince, has called for a meeting with the attorney general, Richard Hermer KC.

In their letter of 1100 signatories, they echoed the call by Dale Vince and Chris Packham. Those who signed it include Lord Williams of Oystermouth, the former Archbishop of Canterbury, Sir Geoffrey Bindman KC, one of the country's most distinguished human rights lawyers and the artist Dame Tracey Emin. Sir David King, the former chief scientific adviser to the government also signed the letter. There are many others including Toby Jones, the star of Mr Bates vs The Post Office and Danny Boyle, the director of the film Trainspotting.

The general consensus is that "With prisons a breaking point how can these sentences be seen as anything other than insanity".

Further update The Times Wednesday, August 14, 2024: the protesters who were jailed for four years and Hallam the leader, who was jailed for five years are appealing against their record sentences claiming that the terms breached international law and are longer than those handed to rioters. It has transpired that the judge refused the opportunity of the protesters to explain their motivations for taking such action. And they were barred from producing evidence of the immediate threat posed by climate change. That would seem to be a serious omission and a bias by the judge.

A petition has been started in America by an American-based campaign group which has condemned the "gagging and jailing of peaceful climate protesters in UK courts." The petition argues that the laws are repressive and they have called on PM Starmer to repeal them. It has garnered 20,000 signatures to date.

The activists are arguing that the sentences were manifestly excessive and that the judge "appears to have punished the defendants for disobeying his orders not to explain their motivations for taking such actions."

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P.S. please forgive the occasional typo. These articles are written at breakneck speed using Dragon Dictate. I have to prepare them in around 20 mins.