trump - no one could have predicted this....plus zac goldsmith

I don't know how to put this clip from Alastair Campbell's twitter feed up directly, but just watch it. As usual, Trump is being a lying, arrogant arse, and Obama is being the kind of leader America (and the UK) could do with right now. 
Boris and Trump currently overseeing a pandemic response - fuck me we're doomed.

LOOK HERE

And while we're Alastair Campbell's twitter, here's a retweet he put up from Nick Hilton ages ago that l never got round to sharing.
It's still true though.

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seriously thick bleach

Now this seems a bit harsh. I blame the class system and probably a poor education.
Looks like it's a hard worker though, according to the statistics.

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kirsty major's independent article on the voting

A pretty good article in The Independent newspaper by Kirsty Major about the leave vote, and what she thinks it means.
I particularly agree with the following statement, although l think they are already attacking the working class and disadvantaged in our society.

Don’t mistake Johnson and Gove’s political rhetoric for the idea that they care about the people in Hartlepool, Blackpool and North East Lincolnshire. They came for the EU migrants, and once they are out of the way, they’ll come for working class

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the bullshitting nigel farage is backtracking already

And the backtracking from all the propaganda and bullshit has started already.
Here's Nigel Farage on 'Good Morning Britain' this morning, saying promising money to the NHS in the Brexit campaign was 'A mistake'.
No wonder l am such a cynical pessimist when it comes to politics and the views of the populace.
Ah well, Boris Johnson will no doubt soon be Prime Minister. I'm sure that won't end in tears for the underprivileged in our (now little englander) society.
Bastards!

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king george v and a poor person

King George V in his carriage being chased by a poor person ("Spare a shekel guv"?) in a photograph that l never get bored of.  It's like it was taken yesterday.  Soon to be re-enacted.

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the casual vacancy - jk rowling

I have never read any of the Harry Potter books, and am not that interested in the films (I've only seen two), but l thought l would crack on with 'The Casual Vacancy' as it is J.K Rowling's first 'adult' book, and l knew it to be about class, bigotry, politics, and responsibility for others (four of my favourite subjects).  It didn't let me down in  the slightest, as there is plenty of swearing, a bit of sex and violence, and as far as the political angle goes, if Jan Moir of The Daily Mail considers it to be "More than 500 pages of relentless socialist manifesto masquerading as literature, "Then that also ticks my boxes.
A local Parish Councillor (Barry Fairweather) dies, leaving a vacancy.  As he was arguing for the amalgamation of  a local housing estate (The Fields) and drug rehabilitation centre (Bellchaple) with the West Country town of Pagford, and the votes were more or less split, some take this as an opportunity to put themselves (or family) up for Council so they can sway the vote.  'Ghostly' revelations about the nominees are then posted on the Council website'e online forum, with varying consequences.  Along the way, there is the tale of the misunderstood Krystal Weedon, her young brother Robbie, and her ex prostitute, drug addled mother.  Also heavily featured are two school friends, 'Fats' and Andrew (and their families), a cyber bullied Sukhvinder Jawanda (and her family), plus Howard Mollison, the overweight leader of the Parish Council (and his immediate and related family). If you are looking for pomposity, self righteousness, class war, bigoted attitudes, narrow mindedness, overestimated self worth, rape, drugs, and a bit of humour, this novel has them all.  I don't consider it a masterpiece, as it is (even to me) a bit preachy, but parts of it were really well written, and l can't overstate how pleased l am that it is out there in the first place, selling by the bucketload, and (hopefull) changing some peoples perceptions and attitudes towards the working class scumbags (like me) that they so readily despise.

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dodgy people in the arc

'The Arc'  Sports and Social Club in Colburn, Catterick Garrison, is a pub/club actually called 'The Hanson', (but everyone calls it 'The Arc').  It  is a place l sometimes descend upon to watch the football and have a crack on with some of the locals.  To describe most of them as working class scumbags (like myself) would be an understatement.  Here are three of them, demonstrating the effects that frequenting The Arc on a regular basis has on you. They are Ian, Jacket and Dogface.  I have only called Ian by his proper name as l can't remember his nickname (Gimmy? Dummy? it's something.. mmy) and l can't be bothered phoning anybody to find out, but pretty much everyone has a nickname, including me. All are (as you can imagine) pretty crazy, but also sound lads as well. Rachel (Jacket's missus, known as Mrs Jacket) now even runs the place as Cav/Kav/Mr K/Irish Jimmy (all the same person) has retired. This (sad to say) is one of the environments l thrive in, as, living across the road for years, putting the hours in with the nuttiness, drinking and drugs, (plus being devilishly handsome, good at football and pool, bright and funny), l have earnt my spurs. There is a large residential development just about to start behind the club, and lots more families will be moving in and living near it.  Some of them are in for a shock when they head out to their new local for the first time.   Before you wonder, no doctors or lawyers drink in the place, and l can't see that changing in the near future.  Recommended on a Sunday morning when the football team are playing at home, and the drinks are cheap.

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the bastard government cuts

I get sick of going on about how the current coalition government are screwing over the poor to benefit the rich, while also demonising them along the way, trying to make it appear as though they are all on the scrounge or the fiddle, as there are plenty of jobs out there, and the unemployed and disabled just don't want to work. There are presently talks about stopping Housing Benefit for those under 25.  Along with all the other cuts and red tape being inflicted upon the disadvantaged of the society, what do they really think the outcome will be?  Are they even thinking long term?, or just trying to show how tough they are, to try and gain the right wing votes at the next election, and damn the consequences.  I will predict now, that the more cuts there are, the more homelessness, substance abuse and crime figures will rise, and the children of those affected will also suffer and repeat the cycle, costing the county  more, not just in the wasted lives, but in the real financial cost of cleaning up the mess. Don't start complaining when your car is broken into, your house is burgled, or you are mugged in the street, because there are not enough jobs or low cost housing, people still need food, shelter and warmth (or an escape through substances), and they will find the money for that one way or another. That is without taking into consideration any demonstrations or riots.  All this while the tax for the rich is cut.  Bunch of bastards, all of them.
The cartoon is from The Observer, Sunday 6th October.

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the admirable critchen (1957) - lewis gilbert

The Admirable Crichton (known as 'Paradise Lagoon' in the States) stars Kenneth More playing his usual easy going and charming role as the eponymous butler, who, when the family he serves gets shipwrecked on a deserted island for two years, becomes the 'Guv' of the island, with his former betters and masters following his instructions.  He is also about to be married on the island to one of the ladies, until a ship is spotted and they return to England, where the social order is once again established.  It's about equality, class, romance, and the notion that some men are meant to rule (or lead), and it is an old school family film with charm and some humour.  It is based on the J.M Barrie 1902 play, and also on the real life 'Admirable Crichton' (James Crichton - a right clever git and sportsman who l would have hated).  The FPO also pointed out that he is the bases for the butler in Red Dwarf called Kryten, which never occured to me.  Damn!  I hate it if she spots something l hadn't noticed or been aware of!  Divorce!!!!

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gina rinehart tells the poor how to get rich

This sort of story is priceless for an old Socialist like myself.  Gina Rinehart, an Australian mining tycoon (of Hancock Prospecting), who is the worlds richest woman, has told the poor that they should stop smoking, drinking and socialising so much, stop being jealous of the rich, and spend more time working. "There is no monopoly on becoming a millionaire"  according to her, and the poor should stop complaining.   This is from a woman who is for lower minimum wages and less tax.  How did she become rich?  She might have worked hard and invested well, but it helps if daddy leaves you $75 million, which coincidentally, is what happened to her (and she has definitely been sitting around eating and drinking a lot).

Perhaps if the poor in Australia got together, went on strike, and refused to work for crappy wages (including in her mines) they would improve their status and monetary gain immediately (as long as they stuck together).  How about them taking over the mines and getting rid of her, and then running them as collectives, so everybody gets a share in the profits?  That would certainly help the poor and redistribute the wealth.  I would not advocate killing her or violence of any sort to remove her from her no doubt enormous homes and leadership job, but l wouldn't lose any sleep if that happened.  In fact l would rejoice - like Nazareth themselves (Loud and Proud).

Time for an uprising - once again the rich are taking the piss.

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prince harry being an idiot (again)

So, Prince Harry has been getting into trouble again, this time it's for playing strip billiards at the Wynn hotel in Las Vegas,  then having naked photographs taken of him with other guests.   My opinion is, If he wants to be a normal 27 year old soldier and get pissed and naked, then he should be allowed to do so.  After all, the press are always trying to stress what a normal lad he is nowadays.  On the other hand, he should do it with his own money, not the taxpayers, and he should relinquish his claims to be King.  If he is going to take money because he is in the Royal family and has power and responsibilities, then he should get his act together and behave in a manner befitting of someone in that position, as he then has a duty to the country and his subjects.  I'm sick of tales of him and his buddies getting pissed around the world (when he is not out partying in London), drinking expensive booze and staying in flash hotels.  Where did the money come from for this little jaunt?  It's between £4,000 and £5,000 a night to stay in the rooms he occupied at the Wyatt.  Who funded that?  Even if he got it for free, it's because of who is is, which brings me back to the responsibilities he has.  He is no longer the young tearaway who dressed as a Nazi, he is a grown man who should have more sense. Plus, where the hell was the security or advisers to prevent this sort of thing happening?  I wish all the sponging royal bastards would bugger off and stop taking the piss, but l have a feeling that won't be happening in the near future.  They know where their bread is buttered, but us poor idiotic peasants paying for it?  They're having a right old laugh at our expense, and no wonder the toffs look down their noses at us.  Time for a revolution brothers and sisters.  As you can see, the pictures of Harry naked are from TMZ.

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terry gilliam and his junk

Holly, Terry Gilliam's daughter, has started posting bits and pieces of her fathers junk on her blog.  I say junk, but these are old sketches, animation cells, film scripts etc to do with Monty Python's Flying Circus, Brazil, The Fisher King, and so much more.  She will certainly have plenty to be delving through and exhibiting, so this could go on for quite a while (unless she gets bored of doing it).  If l was to do a blog featuring my fathers stuff, it wouldn't last a day.  An empty bottle of gin, a couple of books and some clothes would just about cover it.  It's a bugger being from the poor, working class side of town (he moans yet again).  Don't get me started on the advantages she has and will have in her life, even if it is through no fault of her own, and she may well be a lovely person.  Jealous?  Too right l am.

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jeremy clarkson is upset about his dog

Jeremy Clarkson has declared Britain to be a nation of 62 million bastards, after he received twitter messages mocking him over the death of his dog.  I don't condone such actions on twitter, but if Clarkson is happy to take the piss and mock other peoples (and countries) weaknesses, disadvantages or basically just be an all round pompous opinionated arse (as if l can talk), he should expect people to have a go and mock him whenever they get the chance, as it will be one of the few chances they get to piss him off, annoy him, or upset him.  Clarkson goes on to complain about the British hating anyone who has a supercar (or is basically successful).  He is missing the point.  If someone has become successful through talent or expertise in some field, and do not behave or pontificate like a  gay hating, same sex marriage, anti abortion southern preacher, they are generally liked, no matter what car they drive.  It's the rich prats who think they are above everyone else and have a superior, pompous attitude (hello Mr Clarkson!), especially to the working class,  that the majority of the public despise.  If you can't take abuse, don't dish it out, and if you don't want people taking the piss about your dogs death on twitter, don't go on twitter to announce it.  I wish he'd piss off out of the country and take his Chipping Norton set with him (or change it into some kind of Peoples Temple set instead) . Some say he is just controversial for the sake of it, to have a laugh and promote the show.  I say he's an absolute twat of the worst kind, and l agree wholeheartedly with Stewart Lee and what he has to say about Top Gear and it's presenters.



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the queen at the olympic opening ceremony

It was good of the Queen to appear with James Bond as part of the Olympic opening ceremony last night (God bless her etc), but it was terrible the way she responded to the actual event.  Looking pretty bored and disinterested throughout, with an opening speech that was thankfully short but also short on any kind of joy or emotion, the nadir was when the Great Britain team went past, full of the joys of spring, happy and celebratory.  Let's hope they didn't look up at her majesty, as she was busy examining her nails and looking pissed off that she was being kept up.  The commentator afterwards sprouting on about how proud she must be was a load of old sycophantic nonsense as well.  He should have had the guts to state what everyone had just witnessed, an old lady who was bored and just fulfilling her duties.  Don't give me any crap about her being 86 either.  Her (stupidly well paid) job is to attend functions and represent the country.  If she is not up to it, she should step down.  Saying that, as l always say, just get rid of the sponging bastards.  They couldn't look down their high falutin noses at the people with any more contempt if they tried.
By the way, the ceremony itself was great (and highlighted left wing causes).  Even Boris Johnson today said he enjoyed it, and if he isn't a blue blooded Tory toff, then l'll kiss our piss stained old cat full on the lips.

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driver's paltry road rage fine

This motorist (Scott Lomas) tried to knock a cyclist (Martin Porter) off his bike, and admitted he was trying to kill him when confronted.  Luckily Porter caught it all on his helmet camera, and the driver has been taken to court and fined. But only fined £250, which to me, as a sometimes cyclist, is a load of crap. If he had actually hit Porter and sent him flying, there is a possibility he could have killed or seriously injured him. He would also be the sort of person who would drive like this on a regular basis, but because there is no evidence, gets away with it. Don't get me wrong, l have broken the law many times when l have been driving, and if caught, l expect to be harshly punished. £250 is bugger all, and acts as no deterrent to anybody. Bloody horses in the road get on my nerves, and it drives me mad having to slow down and be careful to pass them, but l haven't started beeping my car horn and driving into them (yet). If it will only cost me £250, l might re-consider my options. Saying that, the judge (or magistrate) probably does not like cyclists himself (I assume it's a man), but would punish me more for upsetting the horse riding community of (mainly) posh bastards that will be part of his social set. Purely a speculation you understand, and we may indeed find out more in the near future.
The video and more information is here.

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the non apology letter to a crime victim

There has been a bit of a fuss in the last couple of weeks because a burglar was asked to write to the victim of his crime as part of his rehabilitation. He (the burglar) was obviously not sorry for what he had done, and, rather than playing the game and writing something false, decided to write an honest letter which (in his mind) blamed the victim for being stupid and leaving his property open to burglary. The letter was never actually sent, but people have been commenting that 'Society is going to the dogs' and 'The state of Britain today' etc, but whose fault is it? Now l have no idea who the writer of the letter is, but l would bet my life savings (luckily for me, that is bugger all) that it is a young 'working class' male, probably from a broken home, with his father either having left home, died, or being alcoholic or abusive (in whatever way). The young lad has obviously had a very poor education, and will live in a violent and poor environment (with the accompanying peer pressure). Now l accept he may be a little git and may have done nothing to help himself (apart from the burglaries obviously), but if he had decent parents and a nice middle class upbringing, l bet he would not be in the situation that he is currently in. I thought l was an inarticulate drunken fool (still am actually), but just take a look at the handwriting and mistakes on the letter. That person probably only had a very slim chance of avoiding the courts as soon as he was conceived. Improve poor peoples social environments, aspirations and education, and a lot of these crimes would disappear. I bet there are no convicted burglars amongst the Chipping Norton elite or any of the Eton crowd. Saying that, l would still want to twat the little git if he robbed my house.

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the scheme (tv series)

This is just the sort of programme l love and hate. A documentary following six families on a council estate (scheme) in Kilmarnock.

It highlights what little chance the kids have got from an early age, as all they want to do is get drunk and take drugs (and reproduce at an early age).

I've only seen the first episode so far, so l don't know how the series will pan out, but l imagine a lot more jail sentences, fights and drug taking, with most of the youngsters acting tough and not being interested in anything else apart from TV.

"There's nothing to do except get wasted" says one of them. What about reading a book, walking by the sea, or listening to music for a starter?

Sadly, the (lack of) education and backing they have had will see to the fact most of them will have no aspirations or hope, and they will probably stay one the dole for quite some time, if not forever.

I know the kids are lucky to be born in an area where they will still have a roof over their head and be fed, albeit at the taxpayers expense, but they are still deprived of so many opportunities.

If they had been born to a middle class family down south somewhere, most of them would be going to college or university instead of jail.

Not all of them would do of course, and the estate will have some examples of residents who have done well legally, either through the education route or with their jobs, but the majority are doomed at birth.

Sadly, this is also the kind of show that will have David Cameron and The Daily Mail fuming about scroungers on benefits who can afford to drink and have clothes and TVs.

It's on BBC 1 on Tuesday nights (or the i player).

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charles and harry (plus one)

My thoughts on this are well known around these parts. If the poshos had been working class it would all have been about 'the breakdown of society' and people 'like them' shouldn't be 'breeding' in the first place. Eat the rich.

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the royal wedding video

And if they did this, l would probably hate them that little bit more (if that was possible)

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never had it so good

I am one of the first people to whinge that life is hard. l haven't got enough money, work is a pain and there are not enough hours in the day to do things, but this woman is from 1936 in the USA. That is when life was hard (for the poor) and she is really having to wear rags. Still doesn't stop me complaining. Bring on this weeks Euro lottery - l'm feeling lucky!

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