Category Archives: History

Yabba, Dabba, Doo

Posted in History, Humour, TV sitcom | Tagged , | Leave a comment

A definition of Fascism: Donald Trump fits the bill

At the core of fascism as a movement was a contempt for limits, especially those imposed by reason-based arguments; a belief that reality could be altered by the will; and an exaltation of the violent assertion of that will as … Continue reading

Posted in History, Literature, Politics | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

The Trump-Lincoln Memorial

Posted in History, Humour, Politics | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Rachel Reeves and Competence

Rachel Reeves is incompetent because she misunderstands her role. She thinks being an economist is an advantage as Chancellor of the Exchequer.Her MSc in economics is irrelevant to being Chancellor.1 She’s been appointed as Chancellor to implement Labour’s economic policy … Continue reading

Posted in Economics, Finance, History, Politics, statistics | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

War Studies: American Exceptionalism and war by other means: 2011 and 2025

On May 2nd 2011,1 Obama watched Osama bin Laden being assassinated. Fourteen people watched the snuff movie with him, President Obama said, “Bin Laden was not a Muslim leader; he was a mass murderer of Muslims. Indeed, al Qaeda has slaughtered scores of … Continue reading

Posted in History, Politics, War | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Latch Key Kid, Leeds, 1950s

During the war my father worked brutal hours building bombers. He worked for 20 days and then had a day off. His shifts were 12 hours on, 12 off, which alternated every 20 days between days and nights. He made … Continue reading

Posted in Autobiography, History, War | Tagged , | Leave a comment

War Studies: Britain’s ‘White Feather’ Campaign 1914-16

The declaration of war in August 1914 was popular because everyone knew Britain was unbeatable. They’d been fed a century of triumphs in colonial wars. Even the disastrous Charge of the Light Brigade, 1854,was seen as a success….(a bit like … Continue reading

Posted in History, War | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

The sublime Oscar Wilde

Posted in History, Humour, quips | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Britain’s Old Age Pension: From altruism to bribery

The Old Age Pension Act (OAP), 1908, was an altruistic reward for good paupers. It was intended to give dignity to their final years but it wasn’t an entitlement. There were eligibility rules to be met before receiving the OAP. … Continue reading

Posted in Economics, History, Politics | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Nigel’s Triumph

Posted in Economics, History, Humour | Tagged , | Leave a comment