Category Archives: Politics

The Israeli-Gaza Campaign: An early assessment

Posted on February 26, 2025 by odeboyz

“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 →

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Oscar Wilde’s wise words on Parliament

Posted on February 5, 2025 by odeboyz

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

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The Execution of Archbishop Cranmer, 1556

Posted on January 15, 2025 by odeboyz

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 →

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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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