On the edge of Western India, a lunar landscape glistens under the midday sun. There are no signs of life, only the muffled sound of crushed salt crystals under the feet of gobsmacked tourists. The Rann of Kutch is a seasonal salt marsh, and is the land of the Agariya people, who have lived here for […]
- France
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Is France Facing An Anti-Semitic Insurrection?
The escalating violence associated with the yellow vest demonstrations, coupled with the ever-increasing incoherence of their political and social demands raises the question of whether France is facing insurrection. What is more worrying however, is that this popular rebellion is being used as a pretext for violence and, more dangerously, for antisemitism. Both have nothing […]
- Climate Change
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“I Accuse…” – Questioning Our Parliaments On Climate Change
In September 2018, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) produced a concise document explaining to all governments the necessary measures to combat climate change – assuming, of course, that the governments do believe in climate change. I don’t know whether I was more impressed by the sheer brilliance of Montagne’s rant than […]
A Nous La Petite Anglaise: La Djihadiste De L’Hotel ISIS
L’encrier de Charlie Hebdo à peine vidé à ce sujet, voici que la Cours pénale internationale de La Haye (CPI) (rien à voir avec Brigitte!) tient sa première candidate pour passer devant les tribunaux. Dans son coup-de-gueule intitulé, “les djihadistes, dans quel bac?” Gérard Biard a fait référence au rôle que pourrait jouer la CPI […]
Returning Jihadists Should Be Tried For Crimes Against Humanity
Shamima Begum deserves, like all Jihadists, not a criminal court hidden somewhere in the centre of London, but one that reflects the universality of the crimes she supports. Europe faces a problem not only with migrants from worn-torn Islamic countries, but with returning Jihadists who, technically at least, are still European citizens. It’s an […]
Love Island – Why It Could Have Saved Us From Brexit, But Didn’t
In August last year, I wrote a post about the TV masterpiece, Love Island, and how it could save us all from Brexit. For those of you who don’t know what I’m talking about, here’s a re-run. The final episode unfolded thus, He stole a kiss on a rock, overlooking the still ocean. A […]
Manchester City 6-0 Chelsea: How I Vanquished An Old Ghost
It’s been a recurring nightmare for nearly 50 years, but since yesterday I can really say that I’ve vanquished an old ghost, banished a demon for ever and ever. A 13-year-old boy is so vulnerable, so impressionable – especially at school. My recurring nightmare featured my old French school, in South Kensington, and how I […]
The Importance Of Reasoned Criticism
The freedom to express reasoned criticism that is shocking for some, and disturbing for others, is a prerequisite for a free life. The point of a personal blog is to give the chance for little people like me to air their views and comment on matters or events they find important. I do […]
Nous Devons Tous Faire Comme Charlie Hebdo
Pourquoi j’ai quitté plusieurs groupes Facebook J’ai écrit beaucoup de choses à propos du Brexit. Pas étonnant, je suis un “Franglais” né à Londres, ayant vécu en France, et vivant depuis 20 ans aux Pays-Bas. Pas étonnant, non plus, que j’ai pleuré comme une madeleine le lendemain de ce scrutin malheureux du mois de […]
Why I Left Two Anti-Brexit Facebook Groups
I’ve written a lot of stuff about Brexit since the earth moved under my feet, in June 2016. Judging by the reactions, some of it was good, and some of it not so good. I admit that maybe, here and there, I wrote something that was not 100% factually correct or that I had incorrectly […]