Category Archives: Politics

Working at the White House

“If I’m going to be trivial, inconsequential, and deceitful…I might as well be in government.” Joseph Heller Closing Time (1994) p159

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

Trump, Musk and Tesla

“Tesla has lost more than one-third of its market value since mid-December as Musk deepens his association with Trump.”1 Reputational damage is lethal. Gerald Ratner called his jewellery ‘crap’2 and within two years had lost his chain of companies. Tesla … Continue reading

Posted in Finance, Politics, Technology | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

The Israeli-Gaza Campaign: An early assessment

“Never hate your enemies. It affects your judgment.” Don Corleone, The Godfather by Mario Puzo Israel’s strategic objectives are crystal clear. First, get the hostages back from Hamas. Second, obliterate Hamas as a military and political force. This assessment analyses … Continue reading

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

Oscar Wilde’s wise words on Parliament

Now that the House of Commons is trying to become useful, it does a great deal of harm.

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

The Execution of Archbishop Cranmer, 1556

The Apostles’ Creed I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen1 The Church guides believers to Heaven.2 This satisfied everyone … Continue reading

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

War Studies: The Annexation of Crimea, 2014

The annexation of Crimea was a masterclass in strategic warfare. The transition from Ukraine to Russia was accomplished by subterfuge. Despite Ukrainian protests, the West metaphorically shrugged its shoulders. Putin had learned the lesson of 1939. Poland was partitioned by … Continue reading

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

Letter from the Occupied West Bank

Dear all Not ‘waiting for Christmas’ kind of waiting though it will soon be advent but the desperate, frightened, overwhelmingly emotional  kind of waiting. I  managed to wait till I was walking down the hotel corridor to my bedroom before … Continue reading

Posted in Autobiography, Politics, Religion, War | Tagged , | Leave a comment

War Studies: Bombing Gaza, 2023-24

The Israeli bombing campaign is a strategic failure. Their air force generals recognise this. Yet the campaign is now in its second year. What’s going on? Claiming a bombing campaign is a strategic failure is bold. Why is their campaign … Continue reading

Posted in Politics, Technology, War | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

Black Lives Matter: Dick Gregory

“Last time I was down South, I walked into this restaurant. This white waitress came up to me and said, ‘We don’t serve colored people here.’ I said, ‘That’s all right, I don’t eat colored people. Bring me a whole … Continue reading

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

Podcast Review: Gary’s Economics https://fb.watch/vfeoM839M_/

Gary Stevenson was a city of London trader who made a fortune and retired in his 20s. He came from a working-class family in east London, went to LSE and then to CitiBank. He was a currency trader turning over … Continue reading

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