Author: telboy2

Brexit and current state of affairs

Invoking ‘democracy’ to avoid another referendum is the refuge of charlatans

Britain’s worst politicians, which is to say the leaders of the Conservative and Labour parties, pretend that the democracy of a second referendum is a danger to democracy. Outsiders may believe that the true danger lies in a Brexit that threatens the hard-won peace in Ireland, the union with Scotland, the living standards of the poorest people and regions and Britain’s influence in the world, for the sake of a fantasy that was invented by charlatans and is being implemented by incompetents, so unqualified in statecraft they can neither agree among themselves nor be honest with the public about the dismal choices ahead.

British politicians believe that they can play the innocent because the referendum has freed them from responsibility. All they must do is execute the “people’s will” and “the people” will thank them.

from Nick Cohen

The state of real football

An interesting article on the (previously) proposed sale of Wembley stadium by the FA.

It comes across as a useful metaphor for broader society:

In a football nation with 20 mostly overseas-owned Premier League clubs sharing £8.4bn in TV deals from 2016-19, two out of three grass pitches were found to be inadequate. More than 147,000 grassroots matches were postponed last year because of pitches being unplayable. Over decades since the establishment of major public playing fields, particularly in cities, severe underfunding during the last Conservative government from 1979 to 1997, followed by relentless budget cuts since 2010, has also left many with no or pathetically inadequate changing rooms.

Off to University

Another day of note as Isaac moves on to a new place and the numbers in the apartment reduce to three.

So Isaac went to Groningen on Sunday to study at Hanze University  to study Fine Art. Then plan way back when in New Zealand was to study in the Netherlands though plan A was The Hague when there was no plan B. After a few tos and fros with the option of foundation courses in England Isaac settled on the offer of Hanze after his ‘challenging’ interview. The benefits are the same as originally desired: not studying in NZ, cheaper fees as a EU citizen(1030 Euros for year 1), learning in English and a very different experience.

So on Sunday we accompanied him to Southend International Airport-a long trip.

So an adjustment required on both sides. Isaac is already in the midst of international intro week and it is quieter and different at home. However, Joseph can get a word in now.