I think we’re witnessing the inevitable decay of mature Western democracies. Like all living organisms, nations are born, they flourish and they wither and die.
Consider this, attributed to Alexander Tytler (1747-1813) “ The average age of the world's greatest civilizations from the beginning of history has been about 200 years. During those 200 years, these nations always progressed through the following sequence: From bondage to spiritual faith; From spiritual faith to great courage; From courage to liberty; From liberty to abundance; From abundance to selfishness; From selfishness to complacency; From complacency to apathy; From apathy to dependence; From dependence back into bondage.”
I always try to avoid the ‘we are the end of civilisation’ thing because I’m wary of the narcissism of ‘we are special people living in special times’. But nope. I think you’re right Richard. This is the end times. I just need to hang on for the next twenty years, max!
Sad to say I'm with Richard too on this. How does Western civilisation recover from its current age of self-absorption and hyperbolic 'liberalism'? It doesn't. Liberal individualism was great for most of its three-century-long trajectory. But it always carried the seeds of its own demise .....and now its day is done. All civilisations eventually fail; this is how ours does. [Or maybe it just my old age talking....I honestly hope so.]
Fortunately the United States is not a Western democracy, being a constitutional republic.
Alexander Tytler was a Scottish advocate, judge, writer and historian, not a colonial era American, although he would have been more familiar with European democracy.
Yes a lot of people have been making that point recently. I think the electoral college system has a lot to recommend it. I’m no expert. But it seems to prevent the cities from dominating the rest. As I believe it was designed to do. (?) No wonder the city based elites are disdainful.
Vonu said: "Fortunately the United States is not a Western democracy, being a constitutional republic."
Unfortunately, the US Constitution is only a piece of paper, in the relevant sense that a piece of paper can't enforce the sentiments inscribed on it, however noble they may be.
Only people can enforce the Constitution, and Clarence Thomas can't do that single handed. Many of the people who are supposed to uphold the Constitution consider it a noxious relic of a white-supremacist patriarchy, and the rest who don't actually believe that are at least content to go along with it to keep their jobs. When they occasionally have to pretend to observe the Constitution, they can always find what they want in the penumbras and emanations.
As Lysander Spooner said (paraphrasing slightly): "Whatever the Constitution may be, this much is certain: that it has either authorized the government we have, or else it has been powerless to prevent it. In either case it is not fit for purpose."
Very interesting Rocío. But at least the Constitution is a ‘something’. At least it’s a battleground. You can fight over the concept of ‘free speech’ and what it exactly means, but at least you can compel those who would remove peoples rights to it, to define their terms. We don’t have that in the UK. And that makes it easier to remove our rights I think.
Here there is no argument over abstract values whatsoever. And we see that in the way that words such as ‘hate’ and ‘racism’ but also ‘justice’ and ‘woman’ have been redefined without discussion. Of course when anyone brings this up they are referred to the ‘ongoing x debate’ ie ‘the trans debate’ or the ‘free speech debate’, but there is no actual debate.
The existence of the Constitution helps define the battleground maybe. And that has value.
Thanks, LSO, for your latest piece - amusing and instructive as ever. I was waiting to see what you'd do with Sun Tzu, and I wasn't disappointed.
I agree with you on the enduring (if limited) value of the Constitution. I only trundle out Lysander Spooner when someone (like Vonu) speaks as if the Constitution can, of itself, save us.
Outside of that misapprehension, I can see (as you do) that the Constitution still serves as an obstacle for the leftist establishment, which would like to scrap it, but doesn't yet feel sufficiently confident to do so. Even the ridiculous "penumbras and emanations" arguments are a kind of grudging admission that the Constitution (and Bill of Rights) still has to be acknowledged - not because it exerts any magical powers in its own defense, but because the left isn't ready to give the game away at such a fundamental level.
In the current phase of its perpetual "progress" to oblivion, the establishment prefers to ignore the Constitution on a piecemeal basis rather than scrap it. Even after the blatant election fraud of 2020, the regime headed by Biden still enjoys the acquiescence of US citizens who believe that, beyond all the problems, they are still living in the US, and not in some other political entity.
But if the regime were to scrap the Constitution, then DC would have no claim to authority over the 50 states, and would then need to have great confidence in its ability to rule by force. States like Texas or Florida wouldn't even have to fret about "secession" in that case, since they would no longer belong to the old federal polity. Nor could DC wield the threat of "nationalizing" state militias to act against dissenting state governments, since those armed bodies would no longer be under DC's ultimate command.
I'm not sure what your point is, Vonu. Enforcement clauses can't enforce laws - only people can enforce laws.
When a society is shaped mainly by devious corrupt people leading stupid brutal people, there will be no enforcing of laws, no matter how well the laws are framed, and no matter how many enforcement clauses are added.
As our civilisation degenerates, the corrupt leaders use laws as a political weapon against peaceful dissenters, and fabricate crimes for which they can be charged. At the same time, they refuse to arrest or incarcerate violent criminals for real and serious crimes (because such people are useful for the purposes of the corrupt leaders). "For my enemies - the law! For my friends - everything!"
Honest and hard-working people need to realize that nothing in the Constitution, Bill of Rights or in the federal and state statute books will save them from the acts of evil men and women. We should not be saying "the law is the law", "you have nothing to fear if you have done nothing wrong" or "back the blue", since these institutions are now highly (but not yet thoroughly) corrupt, and bent to the destructive purposes of the left.
So agree with you! I always respond to those who take the "law is the safety net of democracy" line, that it's no good waving the rule book at the referee, if the referee has been bunged.
Despite that difference, the US and European nations share many of the same problems, including huge and ever-increasing debts, and deep economic and social polarisation. I was encouraged when Biden, in his inaugural address called for 'Unity, Unity, Unity'. But, regrettably he hasn't managed to achieve that.
Thanks Bettina. I’m not sure about what to do at the GE. My vote doesn’t count anyway, Im in Starmer’s constituency. But maybe some type of protest vote. To be honest, even writing that feels pathetic.
I used to think that if I voted for an Independent or the Monster Raving Loony or spoiled my ballot or something, that I was registering a protest. P.......ing in the wind, I'm afraid. I've lately come to the conclusion that, legally, voting is the way we consent to the nonsense. Hence the requirement to register to vote - that is your consent to being governed.
I think there is a chance, in the next election, to hurt the Tories so bad that they split and fade away like the Liberals did 100 years ago. If the Tories split, then Labour will split soon after and we can re-align our politics to match our beliefs.
Hi Ragged. I agree the Tories will split. But why do you think Labour will? Genuinely think there is a healing and uniting aspect to holding power. Wouldn’t the potential to ‘change to party from within’ make them hold together? Keen to hear your thoughts.
I think the left wing of the Labour Party are just holding their noses to give Starmer space to kick the Tories out. There's absolutely no chance that they will stay loyal to him if the Tories are gone.
My prediction: the One-Nation-Tory-types will make common cause with the right of the Labour Party and the Social Justice Warriors and socialists will go off and do their own thing.
I can see the logic. But I’d think it more likely that the SJW types will just impose their will on the rest of the party. They’ve done it before. The Tories though, yup, they’re finished. I’d expect the one nations might make common cause with the Lib Dems maybe, before they cross to Labour.
Just to be clear though, I don't think the One Nation Tories will join Labour. I think they'll do their own thing and the centrist Labour politicians will join them.
If it were just the Tory Party that were the problem, you'd have a point. However the rot runs way deeper than that. Our whole system of governance is a corrupt and self-serving monster. The power of the Executive, which generally boils down to the Prime Minister, is like the absolute monarchs of old - they still exercise the old monarchical powers known as 'the Royal Prerogative' (ie nothing to do with Parliament) according to an agenda which has nothing to do with what the citizens of this country actually want or even in the interests of the nation as a whole. As for the Blob that is the civil service.....Hobbes's 'Leviathan' come to life and squashing all opposition. Definitely a swamp that needs draining for there to be any real democracy in this country. Labour will simply increase the size of the Blob, as they always do.
I agree very much with your last point Bettina but aren’t your other observations in opposition to each other? Either the PM is all powerful, or the blob is. It can’t be both can it?
Well they certainly will after the GE. I can’t imagine how excited the Civil Service is to finally be officially in charge, as well as actually in charge!
My narrative is that our political system condemns us to two parties. Our political priorities change every 100 years or so but it takes a while for the parties to catch up. For 100 years, the top story was capital vs labour (before that headline story was town vs country or crown vs parliament or industrial plutocrats vs aristocrats).
The capital vs labour story ended about 30 years ago but we never got around to replacing the parties that came along with it. We haven't found our new story yet but, if we can get rid of these lumbering dinosaur parties, we can start on a new story and find new parties to represent them.
You need to vote to show your displeasure. If you don't vote, it looks like you just don't care.
They don't care that I'm displeased, Ragged. All I've done by registering to vote is consent to being told what to do by a bunch of (my new favourite word!) midwits - because I've signed up to the system. I'm like LSO - my vote doesn't count - I'm in a totally safe, last place to fall, humungous majority Tory seat. Now, if we had some form of direct democracy, like in Switzerland, I might start to get interested.
Sorry, late to the discussion. Not sure registering to vote is consent to the outcome, but voting, even in protest/spoiling the paper I think is - it enables a claim that x% of the population voted and <insert useless, bovine party name here> was duly elected. We need to drive that % of the population down to levels where it’s embarrassing to claim a victory. But I think, Bettina, you’ve identified the real power in the land, the Civil Service and their associated quangos. It’s almost amusing seeing Labour rolling back promise after promise as they get nearer to power and start discussing their programme with the civil service. On the other side, the Tories have successfully implemented every policy the Civil Service agrees with and none they don’t. Given people are looking for change, I think a lot of people banking on Labour are about to join with the rest of us disgruntled and homeless voters. Perhaps the time is coming when it’s the political class who will Live in Interesting Times.
Well yes, I think we are all holding our breath these days-what will happen. . .
Farmers cannot do it on their own. They need the rest of us to support their protests. They produce, unlike like government employees.
Food our basic necessity, something we all need. I am guessing no one is looking forward to eating bugs. A truly noble and necessary occupation. I am sure they will try but I think it will be a difficult task to totally vilify them as extreme right wing racist homophobs although they are villainous land owners.
Forgive my naive American ideals but I must remind your readers that it was indeed farmers who fired the shot heard round the world to protect the munitions from the British, that began the American revolution and created this mess of a nation we have now become.
Perhaps one day the farmer spewing his manure on parliaments will be famous posters like the soul man in front of the tank in Tianimen Square.
Just hoping.
I also say vote even if it seems it doesn’t make a difference. It just might and make them have to work to adjust the outcome.
I'm British military and I always say don't join. Why fight for people who start wars for profit and would throw you under the bus if you said something like "women are women and men are men."
You’ll be surprised to find that amongst the lads and ladies (who most likely haven’t been to university) they hate all the woke stuff like pronouns being pushed.
It’s the officers (who HAVE been to university) that are pushing it.
I got asked at least once a week why I don’t have pronouns in my signature block and did get told off when I copied Gina Carano’s beep/boop/bop thing 😂.
Amazing Vulkan. Genuinely fascinating stuff. I’ve just seen your Substack. Apologies I’ve missed it before. I’m about to read your Victory piece. Be great to read about your experiences in the RN with the woke stuff. Maybe you have. I’ll look through your archive. If not. Please do.
I actually haven’t written about it. I’ve wanted to too but I thought better not just incase someone found this. I’ve got my face hidden but I didn’t want someone to recognise me and report me 😂.
It is astounding what globalist/western leaders have been able to accomplish. With all the supposed enemies, who would have thought that we would be destroyed by the rainbow mafia?
The US military has routed their recruits and already active soldiers by their compromised leaders. The military purposefully diminished volunteers out by accusing white males of being racist and then emasculated the remaining with drag queens, trans and queers. They lower standards of fitness and intelligence leaving our military with incompetence. What better way to destroy us?
There is no other conclusion but that is their purpose. Patriotism is being redefined as bigotry. As the globalist mentality is to destroy all nations as sovereign.
Some want to rule the world in their own image. The Dr No cult.
Yeah lowering fitness test standards wasn't a very good move.
Even in my branch they've lowered test scores from 85% to 70%. You get some right dunces coming through at the moment. It's not their fault and would be better suited to other branches like engineering which is more hands on.
...and to help the cause (Putin, the antisemities and Saudi) Biden is blocking new Oil&Gas export terminals from the US. Really??? US boom in production and exports in recent years are what allowed Europe to stop (reduce) buying Russian fuels, has lowered world prices and kept the Saudi on their toes (ever wondered why Saudi Arabia suddenly wishes to diversify its economy, opening to tourism etc.). Biden just handed a huge favour to Russia, Iran, Algeria etc.etc. to the detriment of Europe. What about India and China? I'd like to hear their answer the next time we try to ask them not to buy from Russia...
A great one LSO, good research and I love 'more people in our prisons than our army'. I don't have it to hand but the HUGE disparity between actual fighting personnel and pen pushers/diversity officers in the MoD must make Hezbollah chortle. But beware the endless MSM demonising Putin, listen carefully to the Tucker interview when Elon Musk posts it on Twitter, this will be dynamite. Ukraine and the American open southern border only makes sense when - wait for it - you understand how CHINA is steering everything we see but can't explain. China wants Israel out of the picture, far too feisty for it's NWO.
Thanks Mrs Bucket. Yes, I’ve written before about the way the MSM has turned Vladimir Putin into ‘Putin’. But at the same time, I don’t think that on any level he’s a good guy. I’ll definitely watch the Tucker interview, if just to spite the bosses.
Putin is 100% focused on his country's future and security, wouldn't it be a dream if we had leaders like that? Ukraine started shelling Russians way back, stole an election with underhand US help. US slimeballs offered Ukrainian thugs 'all the weapons and support they needed' back in 2014, there's clear video evidence of the highest level meeting, very obvious what the neocons were up to, and the Russians knew it also. When the Berlin Wall fell and communism ended, the deal was 'no further eastern advance by NATO'; the west reneged on that agreement and as the Russians lost 25 million people in WW2 to broken promises from the west, they're understandably a bit touchy about their borders. By contrast, our 'leaders' cannot see the very obvious dangers of mass, uncontrolled, unvetted immigration into Britain, it's a blatant Trojan horse for future domination, and we're putting them up in hotels! How they must laugh themselves to sleep. And you think Putin is bad?? What does that make every member of the LibLabCon in Britain then? Either complete fools or disgusting traitors. Do some research on the Barcelona Agreement; the blueprint for our destruction, 'the 'Great Replacement' is no conspiracy theory, it's happening right before our eyes. Note: Putin and Xi laugh at the idea of 'mass immigration' and 'diversity is our strength'; what utter mugs we are.
Some of this I agree with wholeheartedly Mrs Bucket. Other bits I’m not so sure. I would say that personally, I don’t think V Putin has my best interests at heart. In that regard he is like our own government.
What happens when Vladimir Putin decides that his best interest include reclaiming the Baltic States or big chunks of Poland?
After God knows how many false alarms about appeasement since the original production we have the first actual invasion of Europe since the last time we appeased a brutal dictator.
Yes. We certainly need to encourage Europe to defend itself. But I agree with Trump (*clutches pearls*) America has been underwriting European defence for too long. It’s time we took responsibility. Im not too well versed in the details, but Poland is making the right moves it seems.
Ragged just doesn’t agree with you maybe Mrs B. I for one am always interested in what he has to say. And there is much we aren’t aligned on. It’s always great to hear your views. But we’re not Twitter. Please keep it respectful.
You’re spot on. I hate the deep cynicism that I have developed of late, but sadly it would appear to be justified. Whenever we are told ‘look over here’ I can’t help but look the other way. I do wonder if a crisis of competence is the cause for much of this. Many want to believe in a conspiracy but it looks more like we (the west) are just a bit shit. I think it’s no coincidence that the Marxcissists seem to despise competence. I tried to write about that here: https://open.substack.com/pub/dixont/p/the-cabin-in-the-woods-problem?r=1ecai1&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true
Hi Tom. I enjoyed your piece. I think Joes mistake was to give a monkeys what his neighbours thought. You just have to do the best you can, and make your choices based on your principles, even though that is sometimes hard.
Whatever he did his neighbours would have resented him, not because of his cabin really, but because he worked hard and achieved something. That’s why the left can only hate. ( I mean ‘hate’ as a shorthand for a culture of grievance/envy really) They see what other people have and demand it for themselves, they use a corrupt sense of ‘justice’ to justify getting it without doing the work the original person did to get it. I don’t agree that they despise competence though, deep down I think they just despise people. Thanks for posting your link. A great read.
You’re right of course, I think the issue is that in the current climate we have made it too easy for the Left to get away with so much. As an employer myself I can see all too easily the damage that an employee with an agenda could cause. The temptation to cower before these people must be strong. It’s not just the employers either, its middle management and co-workers who will also bite their lips. Thankfully most of my staff are hairy arsed wood cutters and have not been tempted by the Marxcissists, yet. I have another piece on this issue on the way, it’s based on a personal experience and my own prejudice is getting in the way of the narrative, I’ll get it finished soon it just needs a bit of work. Check back in or subscribe and you’ll see it.
So what to do? That's presuming there is any use even trying. I'm with the Buddha -- no use trying to change The System directly, but one can improve oneself. Democracy and civilization are dying because the people are no longer worthy of them. America deserves Donald Trump. Britain deserves its future as an Islamic Republic or perhaps just a 3d world shit-hole. The Equatorial Guinea of the north.
We all have a long way to go. But I think back to one of those pivotal life-lessons we've all had. Nothing one would have noticed at the time, but I was discussing some horror or other with some customers. One of them commented to the effect that the government should pass a law. But then the secretary spoke up -- an English lady -- and it's not what she said ... this is hard to put into words ... but for her the horror was simply inconceivable -- she would not be capable of behaving that way, law or no law. She was the sort of person with with which one might build a civilization. A nation of people like her would be a wonderful place, irrespective of government or law. But flood a nation with barbarians, and nothing will be able to save it.
Sure, but completely 'ordinary' -- for her time and place. Just a normal English person. Point being that whereas we tend to look at the collapse of our civilization as being systemic -- and it's true that the fish rots from the head down -- again I'm with the Buddha -- if the people in their little individual lives are decent, then nothing bad can happen from within, it simply won't have enough poisoned soil to grow in. JC had much the same view.
Agreed. Politeness. Courtesy. ‘How are you today?’ All these things can make a huge difference. I live in very central London. People respond to and reciprocate politeness in a way that cynics would claim no longer exist. It does. You just sometimes need to be the one to start it. Which yes, can be a big ask.
Having just laboured my way through the 2025 SDR, this made for a refreshing antidote! I think that your analysis will, sadly, remain current and cogent for quite some time to come.
Fair point. Perhaps the nukes, targeting major urban centers, might in fact be beneficial? Sun Tzu was a Taoist and I rather preferred the early Taoist text Tao Te Ching, especially this one: https://www.wussu.com/laotzu/laotzu57.html
The recent decision to go ahead with prosecuting soldiers for something that may have happened in 1972 or thereabouts was the final nail in the recruitment campaign:
"Join the Army and get your balls shot off in some faraway desert, and when you come out of hospital, get tried in court for killing the bastard that did it."
Absolutely Jeremy. I am reminded of how American police officers are increasingly coming under attack for making split second life and death decisions under extreme circumstances. And of course armed police in this country recently refused to take up their weapons in a similar case. The authorities do not seem to have the backs of those at the sharp end of the spear. Who knew?
Ha ha Sathanas don’t just remain subbed because you agree! Tell me what you see differently and we’ll talk about it. Maybe we’ll still disagree. But so what?
Another great post LSO. Lots to agree with and just a few small quibbles that I'll mention below!
I'm confused that you highlight the USA's appeasement of Iran but think we should not oppose the bigger threat from Russia. How come?
If Putin has read his Sun Tzu, he will see an opportunity to hassle the UK. Maybe he doesn't covet the London Eye but he might see some value in sailing a warship or two through the Channel or parking a spy ship outside the Clyde. Now that we have cut ourselves off from our friends on the continent, he might speculate that we are more isolated than we used to be and easier to mess with.
On this point,
> Our elected representatives have handed our sovereignty to hostile international bodies like the EU, the UN, the ECHR and the WHO.
I think it's a bit rich to blame this on "a liberal, progressive, segregationist ideology" when the folks responsible for these organisations were Thatcher, Heath, Major, Churchill and Attlee. These organisations have made us safe and prosperous for the longest period in European history. They need reform, yes, but leaving them or shutting them down are not the right choices. And blaming it all on the liberal progressives is misleading at best!
You've inspired me to write a political post of my own. My first in over ten years! It's slow going though. I don't know how you write so much!
I think Churchill’s version of the ECHR and Thatcher's pre Maastricht version of the EU were very different beasts from what they are today. I would be happy for us to remain in either of those organisations. Likewise I believe that the WHO is no longer the
same as what it was. Covid showed us that it was very much in thrall to the CCP. And the UN, well the problem with Hamas infiltration is not news, i sort of heard about it years ago, and if I had heard about it, I don’t know how they can pretend ‘oh shock horror bad apples’ etc. Yes, these institutions were undoubtedly created in good faith, but like any unaccountable, supra national bureaucracy, I think they have been essentially captured (and I don’t mean in a conspiracy, just because that’s how the machine works) and yes that capture has been by broadly the forces of liberal progressivism.
I’m not saying we shouldn’t oppose the threat from Russia. In fact I see it as the ‘same’ threat posed to the US by Iran. As I say in my other reply to you I think Europe should take that responsibility on itself. My point isn’t that Russia poses no threat, just that we are not facing an ‘all out’ conventional war with Russia. I know it’s not explicit, but I think we are being sold a ‘ Russia wants to invade the Uk’ fantasy. And I think that is nonsense. It’s not to say there is no threat, I think I acknowledge that in the piece, if not maybe loudly enough. I believe on a day to day level the threat to our way of life and prosperity comes from the decisions made by our poor governments. And not so much by V Putin.
I was just about to write exactly this. Russia is a threat but announcements of an all out war on NATO border smell a bit of propaganda. We shouldn't forget demography and the economy. Russia scores poorly on both. Oil and resources are financing Russia, sure, but in economic terms its very small vs the EU, or the US, heck, its gdp is smaller than Italy. While demographically it's not in better shape. Comparisons with Hitlers Germany (in the 30s, economically and demographically the strongest country on the European continent) are misleading.
There was quite a good article saying exactly this in the Telegraph(?) yesterday Mario. Then it got roundly criticised by all those saying no no it is a massive threat. Russia clearly is a threat to its neighbours -obvs!!. And we should encourage Europe to defend itself. But short of nuclear war, it doesn’t pose an existential threat to the uk right now. Again. Thats not to say we can continue to neglect our armed forces. But their neglect is a symptom of our general decline, and our ruling class’s prioritisation of nonsense I think.
I've laughed at all the countless appeasement stories of recent decades but it does feel like this one is a bit more real. It bit of rearmament might not be a bad thing. We are out of practice at building ships and planes and — most important — submarines.
Looking forward to reading it. I genuinely don’t think I write very much at all. I need to go back to every fortnight. I’ve just got the time at the moment. But I genuinely think I’m slow like a snail. Best to you Ragged.
I think we’re witnessing the inevitable decay of mature Western democracies. Like all living organisms, nations are born, they flourish and they wither and die.
Consider this, attributed to Alexander Tytler (1747-1813) “ The average age of the world's greatest civilizations from the beginning of history has been about 200 years. During those 200 years, these nations always progressed through the following sequence: From bondage to spiritual faith; From spiritual faith to great courage; From courage to liberty; From liberty to abundance; From abundance to selfishness; From selfishness to complacency; From complacency to apathy; From apathy to dependence; From dependence back into bondage.”
I always try to avoid the ‘we are the end of civilisation’ thing because I’m wary of the narcissism of ‘we are special people living in special times’. But nope. I think you’re right Richard. This is the end times. I just need to hang on for the next twenty years, max!
Sad to say I'm with Richard too on this. How does Western civilisation recover from its current age of self-absorption and hyperbolic 'liberalism'? It doesn't. Liberal individualism was great for most of its three-century-long trajectory. But it always carried the seeds of its own demise .....and now its day is done. All civilisations eventually fail; this is how ours does. [Or maybe it just my old age talking....I honestly hope so.]
Hi Graham. Nope. It’s not you who’s run out of time. It’s this clapped out civilisation.
Fortunately the United States is not a Western democracy, being a constitutional republic.
Alexander Tytler was a Scottish advocate, judge, writer and historian, not a colonial era American, although he would have been more familiar with European democracy.
Yes a lot of people have been making that point recently. I think the electoral college system has a lot to recommend it. I’m no expert. But it seems to prevent the cities from dominating the rest. As I believe it was designed to do. (?) No wonder the city based elites are disdainful.
At the time that the republic was created, the majority of the population was rural and agricultural. The reverse is the case now.
Yes but spread more thinly than the power bases in cities. It’s about concentration of power I think.
The caucuses were held in grange halls and such rural buildings and well attended by locals instead of politicos.
Vonu said: "Fortunately the United States is not a Western democracy, being a constitutional republic."
Unfortunately, the US Constitution is only a piece of paper, in the relevant sense that a piece of paper can't enforce the sentiments inscribed on it, however noble they may be.
Only people can enforce the Constitution, and Clarence Thomas can't do that single handed. Many of the people who are supposed to uphold the Constitution consider it a noxious relic of a white-supremacist patriarchy, and the rest who don't actually believe that are at least content to go along with it to keep their jobs. When they occasionally have to pretend to observe the Constitution, they can always find what they want in the penumbras and emanations.
As Lysander Spooner said (paraphrasing slightly): "Whatever the Constitution may be, this much is certain: that it has either authorized the government we have, or else it has been powerless to prevent it. In either case it is not fit for purpose."
Very interesting Rocío. But at least the Constitution is a ‘something’. At least it’s a battleground. You can fight over the concept of ‘free speech’ and what it exactly means, but at least you can compel those who would remove peoples rights to it, to define their terms. We don’t have that in the UK. And that makes it easier to remove our rights I think.
Here there is no argument over abstract values whatsoever. And we see that in the way that words such as ‘hate’ and ‘racism’ but also ‘justice’ and ‘woman’ have been redefined without discussion. Of course when anyone brings this up they are referred to the ‘ongoing x debate’ ie ‘the trans debate’ or the ‘free speech debate’, but there is no actual debate.
The existence of the Constitution helps define the battleground maybe. And that has value.
Thanks, LSO, for your latest piece - amusing and instructive as ever. I was waiting to see what you'd do with Sun Tzu, and I wasn't disappointed.
I agree with you on the enduring (if limited) value of the Constitution. I only trundle out Lysander Spooner when someone (like Vonu) speaks as if the Constitution can, of itself, save us.
Outside of that misapprehension, I can see (as you do) that the Constitution still serves as an obstacle for the leftist establishment, which would like to scrap it, but doesn't yet feel sufficiently confident to do so. Even the ridiculous "penumbras and emanations" arguments are a kind of grudging admission that the Constitution (and Bill of Rights) still has to be acknowledged - not because it exerts any magical powers in its own defense, but because the left isn't ready to give the game away at such a fundamental level.
In the current phase of its perpetual "progress" to oblivion, the establishment prefers to ignore the Constitution on a piecemeal basis rather than scrap it. Even after the blatant election fraud of 2020, the regime headed by Biden still enjoys the acquiescence of US citizens who believe that, beyond all the problems, they are still living in the US, and not in some other political entity.
But if the regime were to scrap the Constitution, then DC would have no claim to authority over the 50 states, and would then need to have great confidence in its ability to rule by force. States like Texas or Florida wouldn't even have to fret about "secession" in that case, since they would no longer belong to the old federal polity. Nor could DC wield the threat of "nationalizing" state militias to act against dissenting state governments, since those armed bodies would no longer be under DC's ultimate command.
A law without enforcement clauses cannot be enforced in any way.
I'm not sure what your point is, Vonu. Enforcement clauses can't enforce laws - only people can enforce laws.
When a society is shaped mainly by devious corrupt people leading stupid brutal people, there will be no enforcing of laws, no matter how well the laws are framed, and no matter how many enforcement clauses are added.
As our civilisation degenerates, the corrupt leaders use laws as a political weapon against peaceful dissenters, and fabricate crimes for which they can be charged. At the same time, they refuse to arrest or incarcerate violent criminals for real and serious crimes (because such people are useful for the purposes of the corrupt leaders). "For my enemies - the law! For my friends - everything!"
Honest and hard-working people need to realize that nothing in the Constitution, Bill of Rights or in the federal and state statute books will save them from the acts of evil men and women. We should not be saying "the law is the law", "you have nothing to fear if you have done nothing wrong" or "back the blue", since these institutions are now highly (but not yet thoroughly) corrupt, and bent to the destructive purposes of the left.
So agree with you! I always respond to those who take the "law is the safety net of democracy" line, that it's no good waving the rule book at the referee, if the referee has been bunged.
My point is that you don't know what an enforcement clause is.
Despite that difference, the US and European nations share many of the same problems, including huge and ever-increasing debts, and deep economic and social polarisation. I was encouraged when Biden, in his inaugural address called for 'Unity, Unity, Unity'. But, regrettably he hasn't managed to achieve that.
Not sure he tried very hard Richard. A real missed opportunity.
.....aaaannnnddd come the GE, everyone will go out and vote for more of the same. Stay home people!
(Fabulous, as ever, LSO)
Thanks Bettina. I’m not sure about what to do at the GE. My vote doesn’t count anyway, Im in Starmer’s constituency. But maybe some type of protest vote. To be honest, even writing that feels pathetic.
I used to think that if I voted for an Independent or the Monster Raving Loony or spoiled my ballot or something, that I was registering a protest. P.......ing in the wind, I'm afraid. I've lately come to the conclusion that, legally, voting is the way we consent to the nonsense. Hence the requirement to register to vote - that is your consent to being governed.
Beautifully put Bettina. Exactly this.
I think there is a chance, in the next election, to hurt the Tories so bad that they split and fade away like the Liberals did 100 years ago. If the Tories split, then Labour will split soon after and we can re-align our politics to match our beliefs.
That's gotta be worth a vote!
Hi Ragged. I agree the Tories will split. But why do you think Labour will? Genuinely think there is a healing and uniting aspect to holding power. Wouldn’t the potential to ‘change to party from within’ make them hold together? Keen to hear your thoughts.
I think the left wing of the Labour Party are just holding their noses to give Starmer space to kick the Tories out. There's absolutely no chance that they will stay loyal to him if the Tories are gone.
My prediction: the One-Nation-Tory-types will make common cause with the right of the Labour Party and the Social Justice Warriors and socialists will go off and do their own thing.
I can see the logic. But I’d think it more likely that the SJW types will just impose their will on the rest of the party. They’ve done it before. The Tories though, yup, they’re finished. I’d expect the one nations might make common cause with the Lib Dems maybe, before they cross to Labour.
I'd take that deal!
Just to be clear though, I don't think the One Nation Tories will join Labour. I think they'll do their own thing and the centrist Labour politicians will join them.
Did you not see this? Apparently a month ago -
"Jeremy Corbyn tipped to launch 'new political party' ahead of General Election | MP for Islington North is reportedly planning something 'seismic' "
https://www.reddit.com/r/ukpolitics/comments/190zl52/jeremy_corbyn_tipped_to_launch_new_political/?rdt=39841
or is it fake?
If it were just the Tory Party that were the problem, you'd have a point. However the rot runs way deeper than that. Our whole system of governance is a corrupt and self-serving monster. The power of the Executive, which generally boils down to the Prime Minister, is like the absolute monarchs of old - they still exercise the old monarchical powers known as 'the Royal Prerogative' (ie nothing to do with Parliament) according to an agenda which has nothing to do with what the citizens of this country actually want or even in the interests of the nation as a whole. As for the Blob that is the civil service.....Hobbes's 'Leviathan' come to life and squashing all opposition. Definitely a swamp that needs draining for there to be any real democracy in this country. Labour will simply increase the size of the Blob, as they always do.
I agree very much with your last point Bettina but aren’t your other observations in opposition to each other? Either the PM is all powerful, or the blob is. It can’t be both can it?
They work together! The Blob is the heavy mob that the Godfather gets to do his dirty work.
Well they certainly will after the GE. I can’t imagine how excited the Civil Service is to finally be officially in charge, as well as actually in charge!
Haha! Yes, the power will go to their heads. Wait.....
My narrative is that our political system condemns us to two parties. Our political priorities change every 100 years or so but it takes a while for the parties to catch up. For 100 years, the top story was capital vs labour (before that headline story was town vs country or crown vs parliament or industrial plutocrats vs aristocrats).
The capital vs labour story ended about 30 years ago but we never got around to replacing the parties that came along with it. We haven't found our new story yet but, if we can get rid of these lumbering dinosaur parties, we can start on a new story and find new parties to represent them.
You need to vote to show your displeasure. If you don't vote, it looks like you just don't care.
They don't care that I'm displeased, Ragged. All I've done by registering to vote is consent to being told what to do by a bunch of (my new favourite word!) midwits - because I've signed up to the system. I'm like LSO - my vote doesn't count - I'm in a totally safe, last place to fall, humungous majority Tory seat. Now, if we had some form of direct democracy, like in Switzerland, I might start to get interested.
I'm in a safe Labour seat but I will vote to them them know I am displeased.
Sorry, late to the discussion. Not sure registering to vote is consent to the outcome, but voting, even in protest/spoiling the paper I think is - it enables a claim that x% of the population voted and <insert useless, bovine party name here> was duly elected. We need to drive that % of the population down to levels where it’s embarrassing to claim a victory. But I think, Bettina, you’ve identified the real power in the land, the Civil Service and their associated quangos. It’s almost amusing seeing Labour rolling back promise after promise as they get nearer to power and start discussing their programme with the civil service. On the other side, the Tories have successfully implemented every policy the Civil Service agrees with and none they don’t. Given people are looking for change, I think a lot of people banking on Labour are about to join with the rest of us disgruntled and homeless voters. Perhaps the time is coming when it’s the political class who will Live in Interesting Times.
Maybe the farmers will save us. Maybe they will show the west some common sense.
I mean our spewing manure on government buildings is exactly the perfect message to send to those who are so full of shite.!
Maybe Deidre. But don't hold your breath. Actually, do hold your breath. That stuff stinks.
Well yes, I think we are all holding our breath these days-what will happen. . .
Farmers cannot do it on their own. They need the rest of us to support their protests. They produce, unlike like government employees.
Food our basic necessity, something we all need. I am guessing no one is looking forward to eating bugs. A truly noble and necessary occupation. I am sure they will try but I think it will be a difficult task to totally vilify them as extreme right wing racist homophobs although they are villainous land owners.
Forgive my naive American ideals but I must remind your readers that it was indeed farmers who fired the shot heard round the world to protect the munitions from the British, that began the American revolution and created this mess of a nation we have now become.
Perhaps one day the farmer spewing his manure on parliaments will be famous posters like the soul man in front of the tank in Tianimen Square.
Just hoping.
I also say vote even if it seems it doesn’t make a difference. It just might and make them have to work to adjust the outcome.
I think you'll find American farmers produce far more of its food than the UK which I believe imports nearly half its needs, much of it from the EU.
Hey I just saw something on Twitter that the EU folded for farmers. What are you hearing across the pond?
Nothing in my paper this morning. But tbh I haven’t really engaged with the world yet. It’s still early here. Only just 1pm!
I'm British military and I always say don't join. Why fight for people who start wars for profit and would throw you under the bus if you said something like "women are women and men are men."
I assume you are no longer in Vulkan. Had it changed before you left?
Oh I’m still in. Not for much longer though.
You’ll be surprised to find that amongst the lads and ladies (who most likely haven’t been to university) they hate all the woke stuff like pronouns being pushed.
It’s the officers (who HAVE been to university) that are pushing it.
I got asked at least once a week why I don’t have pronouns in my signature block and did get told off when I copied Gina Carano’s beep/boop/bop thing 😂.
Amazing Vulkan. Genuinely fascinating stuff. I’ve just seen your Substack. Apologies I’ve missed it before. I’m about to read your Victory piece. Be great to read about your experiences in the RN with the woke stuff. Maybe you have. I’ll look through your archive. If not. Please do.
I actually haven’t written about it. I’ve wanted to too but I thought better not just incase someone found this. I’ve got my face hidden but I didn’t want someone to recognise me and report me 😂.
Ha ha. Yes. We’re all worried about getting reported for wrongthink. Well maybe some time. I’d be very interested.
It is astounding what globalist/western leaders have been able to accomplish. With all the supposed enemies, who would have thought that we would be destroyed by the rainbow mafia?
The US military has routed their recruits and already active soldiers by their compromised leaders. The military purposefully diminished volunteers out by accusing white males of being racist and then emasculated the remaining with drag queens, trans and queers. They lower standards of fitness and intelligence leaving our military with incompetence. What better way to destroy us?
There is no other conclusion but that is their purpose. Patriotism is being redefined as bigotry. As the globalist mentality is to destroy all nations as sovereign.
Some want to rule the world in their own image. The Dr No cult.
Stay strong Vulcan.
Yeah lowering fitness test standards wasn't a very good move.
Even in my branch they've lowered test scores from 85% to 70%. You get some right dunces coming through at the moment. It's not their fault and would be better suited to other branches like engineering which is more hands on.
...and to help the cause (Putin, the antisemities and Saudi) Biden is blocking new Oil&Gas export terminals from the US. Really??? US boom in production and exports in recent years are what allowed Europe to stop (reduce) buying Russian fuels, has lowered world prices and kept the Saudi on their toes (ever wondered why Saudi Arabia suddenly wishes to diversify its economy, opening to tourism etc.). Biden just handed a huge favour to Russia, Iran, Algeria etc.etc. to the detriment of Europe. What about India and China? I'd like to hear their answer the next time we try to ask them not to buy from Russia...
Good point Mario.
A great one LSO, good research and I love 'more people in our prisons than our army'. I don't have it to hand but the HUGE disparity between actual fighting personnel and pen pushers/diversity officers in the MoD must make Hezbollah chortle. But beware the endless MSM demonising Putin, listen carefully to the Tucker interview when Elon Musk posts it on Twitter, this will be dynamite. Ukraine and the American open southern border only makes sense when - wait for it - you understand how CHINA is steering everything we see but can't explain. China wants Israel out of the picture, far too feisty for it's NWO.
Thanks Mrs Bucket. Yes, I’ve written before about the way the MSM has turned Vladimir Putin into ‘Putin’. But at the same time, I don’t think that on any level he’s a good guy. I’ll definitely watch the Tucker interview, if just to spite the bosses.
Putin is 100% focused on his country's future and security, wouldn't it be a dream if we had leaders like that? Ukraine started shelling Russians way back, stole an election with underhand US help. US slimeballs offered Ukrainian thugs 'all the weapons and support they needed' back in 2014, there's clear video evidence of the highest level meeting, very obvious what the neocons were up to, and the Russians knew it also. When the Berlin Wall fell and communism ended, the deal was 'no further eastern advance by NATO'; the west reneged on that agreement and as the Russians lost 25 million people in WW2 to broken promises from the west, they're understandably a bit touchy about their borders. By contrast, our 'leaders' cannot see the very obvious dangers of mass, uncontrolled, unvetted immigration into Britain, it's a blatant Trojan horse for future domination, and we're putting them up in hotels! How they must laugh themselves to sleep. And you think Putin is bad?? What does that make every member of the LibLabCon in Britain then? Either complete fools or disgusting traitors. Do some research on the Barcelona Agreement; the blueprint for our destruction, 'the 'Great Replacement' is no conspiracy theory, it's happening right before our eyes. Note: Putin and Xi laugh at the idea of 'mass immigration' and 'diversity is our strength'; what utter mugs we are.
Some of this I agree with wholeheartedly Mrs Bucket. Other bits I’m not so sure. I would say that personally, I don’t think V Putin has my best interests at heart. In that regard he is like our own government.
Do I have your email? Two videos to send you which might change your mind.
You can
Post them here Mrs B. Then everyone can join in if they wish.
What happens when Vladimir Putin decides that his best interest include reclaiming the Baltic States or big chunks of Poland?
After God knows how many false alarms about appeasement since the original production we have the first actual invasion of Europe since the last time we appeased a brutal dictator.
I think it's appropriate to be concerned.
Yes. We certainly need to encourage Europe to defend itself. But I agree with Trump (*clutches pearls*) America has been underwriting European defence for too long. It’s time we took responsibility. Im not too well versed in the details, but Poland is making the right moves it seems.
Oh dear, you're a customer of BBC & SkyNews aren't you? This weak line of 'thinking' has been laughed off long ago.
Ragged just doesn’t agree with you maybe Mrs B. I for one am always interested in what he has to say. And there is much we aren’t aligned on. It’s always great to hear your views. But we’re not Twitter. Please keep it respectful.
Here's a polite response to this sort of thing: https://www.eugyppius.com/p/fascism-expert-warns-that-2024-might
You’re spot on. I hate the deep cynicism that I have developed of late, but sadly it would appear to be justified. Whenever we are told ‘look over here’ I can’t help but look the other way. I do wonder if a crisis of competence is the cause for much of this. Many want to believe in a conspiracy but it looks more like we (the west) are just a bit shit. I think it’s no coincidence that the Marxcissists seem to despise competence. I tried to write about that here: https://open.substack.com/pub/dixont/p/the-cabin-in-the-woods-problem?r=1ecai1&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true
Hi Tom. I enjoyed your piece. I think Joes mistake was to give a monkeys what his neighbours thought. You just have to do the best you can, and make your choices based on your principles, even though that is sometimes hard.
Whatever he did his neighbours would have resented him, not because of his cabin really, but because he worked hard and achieved something. That’s why the left can only hate. ( I mean ‘hate’ as a shorthand for a culture of grievance/envy really) They see what other people have and demand it for themselves, they use a corrupt sense of ‘justice’ to justify getting it without doing the work the original person did to get it. I don’t agree that they despise competence though, deep down I think they just despise people. Thanks for posting your link. A great read.
You’re right of course, I think the issue is that in the current climate we have made it too easy for the Left to get away with so much. As an employer myself I can see all too easily the damage that an employee with an agenda could cause. The temptation to cower before these people must be strong. It’s not just the employers either, its middle management and co-workers who will also bite their lips. Thankfully most of my staff are hairy arsed wood cutters and have not been tempted by the Marxcissists, yet. I have another piece on this issue on the way, it’s based on a personal experience and my own prejudice is getting in the way of the narrative, I’ll get it finished soon it just needs a bit of work. Check back in or subscribe and you’ll see it.
So what to do? That's presuming there is any use even trying. I'm with the Buddha -- no use trying to change The System directly, but one can improve oneself. Democracy and civilization are dying because the people are no longer worthy of them. America deserves Donald Trump. Britain deserves its future as an Islamic Republic or perhaps just a 3d world shit-hole. The Equatorial Guinea of the north.
Hi Ray. Lovely to hear from you. Let me just read your upbeat message of hope… *reads* … oh dear. OK. As you were. 😂.
Yes. Self improvement is the key. Don’t know about you, but I’ve got a long way to go. Best get started.
We all have a long way to go. But I think back to one of those pivotal life-lessons we've all had. Nothing one would have noticed at the time, but I was discussing some horror or other with some customers. One of them commented to the effect that the government should pass a law. But then the secretary spoke up -- an English lady -- and it's not what she said ... this is hard to put into words ... but for her the horror was simply inconceivable -- she would not be capable of behaving that way, law or no law. She was the sort of person with with which one might build a civilization. A nation of people like her would be a wonderful place, irrespective of government or law. But flood a nation with barbarians, and nothing will be able to save it.
Sounds like a wonderful lady.
Sure, but completely 'ordinary' -- for her time and place. Just a normal English person. Point being that whereas we tend to look at the collapse of our civilization as being systemic -- and it's true that the fish rots from the head down -- again I'm with the Buddha -- if the people in their little individual lives are decent, then nothing bad can happen from within, it simply won't have enough poisoned soil to grow in. JC had much the same view.
Agreed. Politeness. Courtesy. ‘How are you today?’ All these things can make a huge difference. I live in very central London. People respond to and reciprocate politeness in a way that cynics would claim no longer exist. It does. You just sometimes need to be the one to start it. Which yes, can be a big ask.
Big task, cleaning up the planet, one person at a time, eh?
PRICELESS !
I wept tears of laughter and rage !
Thanks Richard!
Having just laboured my way through the 2025 SDR, this made for a refreshing antidote! I think that your analysis will, sadly, remain current and cogent for quite some time to come.
Thank you!
Fair point. Perhaps the nukes, targeting major urban centers, might in fact be beneficial? Sun Tzu was a Taoist and I rather preferred the early Taoist text Tao Te Ching, especially this one: https://www.wussu.com/laotzu/laotzu57.html
Not sure I even know what a Taoist text is Sinbad. But I followed the link and thought it was great. So thanks very much!
The recent decision to go ahead with prosecuting soldiers for something that may have happened in 1972 or thereabouts was the final nail in the recruitment campaign:
"Join the Army and get your balls shot off in some faraway desert, and when you come out of hospital, get tried in court for killing the bastard that did it."
Obviously not a great sales pitch.
Absolutely Jeremy. I am reminded of how American police officers are increasingly coming under attack for making split second life and death decisions under extreme circumstances. And of course armed police in this country recently refused to take up their weapons in a similar case. The authorities do not seem to have the backs of those at the sharp end of the spear. Who knew?
"Whiter than a weekend at Centre Parcs.." 😆
That made me guffaw loudly. At work...
Waterstones might be unfamiliar to an American, being a British bookstore chain.
I think they understand the concept. Just like if Ray wrote Barnes and Noble. I think I’d get it.
Barnes and Noble is more international.
I was all set to do the reply guy thing of "Well actually..." but at the end you pulled the switch from the bait and posted something I agree with.
So I shall remain subscribed.
Ha ha Sathanas don’t just remain subbed because you agree! Tell me what you see differently and we’ll talk about it. Maybe we’ll still disagree. But so what?
Another great post LSO. Lots to agree with and just a few small quibbles that I'll mention below!
I'm confused that you highlight the USA's appeasement of Iran but think we should not oppose the bigger threat from Russia. How come?
If Putin has read his Sun Tzu, he will see an opportunity to hassle the UK. Maybe he doesn't covet the London Eye but he might see some value in sailing a warship or two through the Channel or parking a spy ship outside the Clyde. Now that we have cut ourselves off from our friends on the continent, he might speculate that we are more isolated than we used to be and easier to mess with.
On this point,
> Our elected representatives have handed our sovereignty to hostile international bodies like the EU, the UN, the ECHR and the WHO.
I think it's a bit rich to blame this on "a liberal, progressive, segregationist ideology" when the folks responsible for these organisations were Thatcher, Heath, Major, Churchill and Attlee. These organisations have made us safe and prosperous for the longest period in European history. They need reform, yes, but leaving them or shutting them down are not the right choices. And blaming it all on the liberal progressives is misleading at best!
You've inspired me to write a political post of my own. My first in over ten years! It's slow going though. I don't know how you write so much!
I think Churchill’s version of the ECHR and Thatcher's pre Maastricht version of the EU were very different beasts from what they are today. I would be happy for us to remain in either of those organisations. Likewise I believe that the WHO is no longer the
same as what it was. Covid showed us that it was very much in thrall to the CCP. And the UN, well the problem with Hamas infiltration is not news, i sort of heard about it years ago, and if I had heard about it, I don’t know how they can pretend ‘oh shock horror bad apples’ etc. Yes, these institutions were undoubtedly created in good faith, but like any unaccountable, supra national bureaucracy, I think they have been essentially captured (and I don’t mean in a conspiracy, just because that’s how the machine works) and yes that capture has been by broadly the forces of liberal progressivism.
Thanks Ragged.
I’m not saying we shouldn’t oppose the threat from Russia. In fact I see it as the ‘same’ threat posed to the US by Iran. As I say in my other reply to you I think Europe should take that responsibility on itself. My point isn’t that Russia poses no threat, just that we are not facing an ‘all out’ conventional war with Russia. I know it’s not explicit, but I think we are being sold a ‘ Russia wants to invade the Uk’ fantasy. And I think that is nonsense. It’s not to say there is no threat, I think I acknowledge that in the piece, if not maybe loudly enough. I believe on a day to day level the threat to our way of life and prosperity comes from the decisions made by our poor governments. And not so much by V Putin.
I was just about to write exactly this. Russia is a threat but announcements of an all out war on NATO border smell a bit of propaganda. We shouldn't forget demography and the economy. Russia scores poorly on both. Oil and resources are financing Russia, sure, but in economic terms its very small vs the EU, or the US, heck, its gdp is smaller than Italy. While demographically it's not in better shape. Comparisons with Hitlers Germany (in the 30s, economically and demographically the strongest country on the European continent) are misleading.
There was quite a good article saying exactly this in the Telegraph(?) yesterday Mario. Then it got roundly criticised by all those saying no no it is a massive threat. Russia clearly is a threat to its neighbours -obvs!!. And we should encourage Europe to defend itself. But short of nuclear war, it doesn’t pose an existential threat to the uk right now. Again. Thats not to say we can continue to neglect our armed forces. But their neglect is a symptom of our general decline, and our ruling class’s prioritisation of nonsense I think.
Maybe.
I've laughed at all the countless appeasement stories of recent decades but it does feel like this one is a bit more real. It bit of rearmament might not be a bad thing. We are out of practice at building ships and planes and — most important — submarines.
Yes. 100% in agreement on this. Weird you’d prioritise the RN right? 🤔
I think they need a bit of help. They are in a bad way at the moment. They can't even get two aircraft carriers sailing at the same time 😞
Absolutely. A lot of poor decisions around those carriers.
Looking forward to reading it. I genuinely don’t think I write very much at all. I need to go back to every fortnight. I’ve just got the time at the moment. But I genuinely think I’m slow like a snail. Best to you Ragged.