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 […]
UK
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 […]
Brexit Musings (41) – Hell’s Bells
I’ve been wondering what the special place in hell looks like for those who promoted Brexit without even a sketch of a plan. – Donald Tusk, European Council The Guardian was as quick to latch on to Donald Tusk’s rather unfortunate comment as you and I would be, in trying to escape being […]
Spot And Stop That Lorry: “Irish Border 2.0” (PS4 and XBox)
Although Theresa May has scarpered and Boris Johnson is ready to take over, Brexit is still with us. Brexit and the Irish border. Time to update my juvenile solution to the Irish question. There seems to be two basic problems with the thorny question of the Irish border. In the same way that […]
Have You Heard The Joke About An English PM, A French Negotiator, And An Irish Border?
No, before you ask, this is not the joke about the Englishman, Scotsman, and Irishman in a pub, where the Englishman wanted to leave, so they all had to leave. This is a joke about an English prime minister, a French negotiator, and an Irish border. All three waited nearly two years to come up […]
Hard-Line British Conservatives Must Not Hold Europe Hostage
If we accept that the will of the British electorate, as expressed in the 2016 referendum on Europe, be respected, we must accept that the UK will no longer be part of the EU, from March 29th onwards. Only a second referendum, with the option to stay, could reverse the decision of the 2016 referendum. […]
Brexit Musings (40) – Meet The Wallies From Westminster
I did something that I shouldn’t have. Knowing that there were a series of amendments to be voted on the Brexit deal, I watched a live stream from the House of Commons. It was only a few minutes, but time enough to not only be astonished by the anachronism of what goes on at Westminster […]