21st April 2019
A new group in town, Extinction Rebellion, is protesting against climate breakdown. The world was in tears about ancient Notre Dame in flames, the coverage generating donations of billions. Certainly a political lifeline for embattled Macron, seizing the opportunity to divert attention away from the Gilets Jaunes protesters. However, the power of social media soon converted those previously crying over the building to saying that the billions should now be spent on the starving. Oh how the media manipulates us, highlighting some issues whilst ignoring global suffering that doesn’t fit already-entrenched ‘good guy’ v ‘bad guy’ views on the world. And, Extinction Rebellion? No point protesting in the UK. Go to a global organisation and focus more on dealing with the EFFECTS of climate change e.g. moving people away from low-lying coastal/river areas and earthquake/tsunami zones and strengthening homes. 21 degrees here yesterday. The heat is on.
14th April 2019
Home to a sunny England after observing America at first hand. How does it differ from Britain? Don’t be fooled by the apparent same language. US culture is foreign. Attempted discussions about Brexit fell at the first hurdle. Whilst the average Englishman is quite happy to rubbish his own government, this runs entirely contrary to many Americans, who are raised to love and respect their country. If you’re born to swear allegiance to your flag and display it proudly from your own home, you’re never going to run your country down, especially not to foreigners - no matter who’s president. So, although the PM is on the right lines in organising a special Festival of Britain in 2022 - a way at last to foster pride in our country - even that’s gone wrong as it clashes with the centenary of Irish partition. Come on Britain. We can do better than this.
8th April 2019
It’s nearly two weeks since arriving in the US and I’m pausing for a moment of reflection. Yesterday we were out walking. It was still cold but the sky was azure blue and the air here in Maine tinglingly fresh. Suddenly a passing car stops, the horn toots and a friendly hand waves out of the window. I was momentarily puzzled. Who could possibly know me here, a million miles from home? The driver shouted a cheery greeting. It was the waitress who’d served us breakfast that morning! Yes, American customer service is still alive and well here. I see it everywhere. But don’t even think of discussing politics. Whereas the English are quite happy to run their own country down, Americans are very different. My observations on the differences between us continue. As yet more snow starts to fall, I pull my collar up against the chill...
31st March 2019
It’s mothers’ day in the UK, but I’m in Maine! A frenetic week. A wonderful, emotional wedding and family get-togethers. Below is an exclusive snippet from my soon-to-be released book ‘Only in America’, remembering my late father’s time in NY in 1929:
“..Always immaculate, every day he would ensure his one suit was vigorously brushed, the waist-coat neat and his shirt freshly laundered. As a forerunner to his army days, every day he would make a point of getting his shoes expertly cleaned by the ubiquitous shoeshine boys on the street, and always ensured his fedora was positioned at just the right angle. At six foot four inches tall, he cut an imposing figure as he walked the several blocks to where he worked, near Wall Street. Although it sounded as if it was just one small street, it actually extended along eight blocks, running roughly northwest to southeast from Broadway to South Street at the East River in the financial district of lower Manhattan.
As he entered the brownstone building where he worked, he made a point of clapping his new work colleagues on the back, as he’d seen everyone else do. It was important to him to listen keenly to the prevailing points of discussion. Despite the dangers of speculation, it was widely believed that the stock market would continue to rise forever. However, as my father quickly understood, if customers desperately began to withdraw their deposits from a bank, it could quickly turn into a self-fulfilling prophecy. He learned that if you think that others will become afraid that the bank will run out of cash, it might be rational to empty your own savings account first....”
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Every day cherish the life of your family.
“..Always immaculate, every day he would ensure his one suit was vigorously brushed, the waist-coat neat and his shirt freshly laundered. As a forerunner to his army days, every day he would make a point of getting his shoes expertly cleaned by the ubiquitous shoeshine boys on the street, and always ensured his fedora was positioned at just the right angle. At six foot four inches tall, he cut an imposing figure as he walked the several blocks to where he worked, near Wall Street. Although it sounded as if it was just one small street, it actually extended along eight blocks, running roughly northwest to southeast from Broadway to South Street at the East River in the financial district of lower Manhattan.
As he entered the brownstone building where he worked, he made a point of clapping his new work colleagues on the back, as he’d seen everyone else do. It was important to him to listen keenly to the prevailing points of discussion. Despite the dangers of speculation, it was widely believed that the stock market would continue to rise forever. However, as my father quickly understood, if customers desperately began to withdraw their deposits from a bank, it could quickly turn into a self-fulfilling prophecy. He learned that if you think that others will become afraid that the bank will run out of cash, it might be rational to empty your own savings account first....”
—-
Every day cherish the life of your family.
24th March 2019
Extraordinary scenes in London, not seen since the Iraq war. One million peaceful marchers plus a petition to the PM of 4.5 million. That’s what happens when the result of a people’s referendum is effectively 50:50 and the government only recognises half the argument. You can’t talk about the ‘will of the people’ when just as many oppose it. And yet I understand the original Leavers’ argument. There’s a clothes firm, just formed from a government start-up scheme, where everything is British: the looms to make the cloth, the manufacture and the factory all in Yorkshire. That’s what used to happen here and which made this great nation famous and proud. But, would this kind of thing be enough today if a no-deal Brexit happens? The risk is too great. The only way is to revoke Article 50.
17th March 2019
I’d wanted to watch top-rated film Darkest Hour for a long time as Churchill features strongly in both Lamplight and Vichyssoise. The film didn’t disappoint. Bizarrely, at exactly the same time, on live TV, scenes of the same House of Commons almost 80 years later were mesmerising the nation. But what a contrast. Whilst Oldman, with a forceful Churchill speech, was holding spellbound a rapt House of Commons, today’s live TV version was very different. ‘The ayes have it; the ayes have it’ was comical and depressing at the same time. Where was the “..blood, toil, tears and sweat..”? Where “..we shall never surrender..”? The bit in the film I loved was where the PM takes a ride on London’s Tube and asks the public whether the nation should appease Germany. Never! they shouted. Today’s PM should also listen to the public. Oh, how we need Churchill today!
10th March 2019
As I’m now well over the biblical three score years and ten, what have I learned about the world? People are different but why? Think of it like a cheeseburger: layers and layers of lifetime influences. There’s the nature/nurture argument, topped with cultural, tribal and social media effects, making us square up to each other in ridiculous ways. Today, for example, in the world of football Aston Villa face up to local rivals Birmingham City. The terraces will be aflame with hatred and almost murderous antagonism, yet the fans live in the same neighbourhood, sometimes within the same family. All of this is why I’m delighted that Crooked Cat Books are publishing in the summer my new non-fiction, humorous book ‘ONLY IN AMERICA’. That’s how to deal with all the illogical rivalries in the world. Eat that lifetime cheeseburger, but learn about how it’s made up, our different cultures and then laugh together.
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