Dreams Into Fears

So many Americans and migrants dreams have been replaced by fear and concern for their futures. A single, Washington female Bishop’s sermon during a christian inauguration service attended by Trump, Vance and their families, pleaded to the president to reconsider his actions against migrants and minority groups. As she gave this brave christian and humanitarian sermon Trump and his family looked on with looks of loathing and anger. Trump later confirmed his distaste for the bishop and the sermon. If only other influential Americans could replicate the bishop’s bravery and honesty. I am not hopeful. In America “money doesn’t talk, it swears…”

La La Land

Now I realise that the UK Labour government needs desperately to encourage and create increased economic growth in order to generate significantly more revenue. With the desperate state of the country’s public services and local legislature, and the promise not to increase taxes, adhere to tight fiscal rules (i.e. to borrow only to invest) and not to rejoin the EU Single Market and Customs Union, more trade is essential. The UK has made the serious mistake of, for many years, following USA policies rather than those of its European neighbours. It has become obvious that the British government is now terrified of upsetting the new USA president despite his extreme right decrees and threats. There is a reluctance to criticise and in sharp contrast the desire to personally meet him - despite previous serious criticisms by senior Labour MPs. For someone like Trump going cap-in-hand; to show weakness; is a major error, and nothing will be gained, especially respect. The UK currently enjoys a healthy trade with the USA, without threatening the viability of its own agricultural community. The price of cosying up to Trump will be far too high…

Dreaming of Home

At last, Northern Gaza access has been opened by Israel during the most complex and fragile ceasefires. But what exactly are Northern Gazans returning to? Up to 80% of homes have been totally destroyed while infrastructure has been decimated. Gazans have an impossible challenge ahead of them in establishing a home and finding relatives and friends under thousands of tons of rubble. How can the buildings and services be rebuilt? How can lives be rebuilt? If it happens at all, it will take decades, if at all. And those responsible for the destruction - Israel and the USA - will never pay for the damage they have done.