Category Archives: Politics

War Studies: The Annexation of Crimea, 2014

Posted on November 27, 2024 by odeboyz

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 →

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Letter from the Occupied West Bank

Posted on November 24, 2024 by odeboyz

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 →

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War Studies: Bombing Gaza, 2023-24

Posted on November 20, 2024 by odeboyz

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 →

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Black Lives Matter: Dick Gregory

Posted on November 13, 2024 by odeboyz

“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 →

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

Posted on October 30, 2024 by odeboyz

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 →

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Book Review: Wes Streeting ~ One Boy, Two Bills and a Fry up: A memoir of growing up and getting on (2023)

Posted on October 9, 2024 by odeboyz

To be honest I was repelled by this book before reading a page. I assumed he was presumptuous.1 I believed he was careerist student politician who’d got lucky. Wrong! Streeting is fascinating. He comes from a working-class background. (Most Labour … Continue reading →

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Kier Starmer’s Cabinet ~ Shirkers and Strivers, October 2024

Posted on October 2, 2024 by odeboyz

George Osborne divided Britain into ‘Shirkers and Strivers’.1 Keir Starmer is a Super-Striver, who has had two stellar careers. Firstly, as a senior lawyer and latterly as Prime Minister. He’s a Super Striver but what is his cabinet like? The test: … Continue reading →

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Book Review: Rory Stewart ~ Politics on the edge: A memoir from within (2023)

Posted on September 21, 2024 by odeboyz

Political memoirs are exercises in self-glorification. This makes them tedious unless well-written with colourful ‘assassinations’ that are stiletto sharp. Stewart’s book is successful. His critique of David Cameron and Boris Johnson is masterful. His pen portraits of fellow MPs doesn’t … Continue reading →

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Selected Quotes: Winter Fuel Debate, 10th September 2024

Posted on September 14, 2024 by odeboyz

Mel Stride (Con) The decision to remove winter fuel payments has come as a complete shock to millions of pensioners—pensioners on as little as £11,500 a year. We have had no adequate explanation as to why this measure is so … Continue reading →

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P J O’Rourke on government

Posted on September 11, 2024 by odeboyz

“Giving money and power to government is like giving whiskey and car keys to teenage boys.”

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