Monthly Archives: August 2026
August 18, 2026 · 8:04 am
Modern Political Leaders are selected not elected.
Increasingly, I am forced to think that Countries with Power can no longer afford the unpredictability of their Leaders actually being able to think independently or act on their own beliefs and moral compass. Perhaps AI has already entered the fray and it will only get worse not better.
In the UK we have just had “Keir Starmer” replaced by ” Andy Burnham”. No election Andy ousted Keir in a drawn out process involving an election at a “safe” seat, resigning as Mayor of Manchester and then being appointed without contest , simply because he was Andy Burnham ( The man from the North). Democracy in action. No election just appointments.
Now Keir was born and bred to be the Labour Leader. Tony Blair was his progenitor, Blair was not perfectly formed although he talked like a robot and he certainly blazed a trail and showed those in control what could be achieved. Unfortunately his ego took over and it’s quite possible he began to believe he was in power because he was “Tony”. This did not suit the powers that be and he needed to be replaced.
Working as a Lawyer seems to be the chosen profession for “Leaders”, no need for a moral compass with that particular career. Enter baby Keir, whose father ran a toolmaking business and who chose to name his child after “Keir ” after Keir Hardie , the founder of the Labour Party.
I never thought Starmer was the brightest tool in the Political Toolbox, and always felt he was a fair weather politician who would agree to anything , partly because he didn’t understand the argument and also because he knew he was a puppet.
He protected Peter Mandleson ( The Black Knight of the Labour Party) and it led to his downfall. Starmer appointed Mandleson to be US Ambassador, despite many questions about his suitability and then argued the case that he was not given a full briefing on Mandleson’s status.
“Sorry my Lawd, I didn’t read the brief” ( an excerpt from one of Starmer’s early Court appearances).
“That’s alright , young Starmer, you’ll do better next time!” says Judge who is part of the Establishment.
Andy Burnham is no better, he likes to portray himself as a man for the northern people, but he has been chosen by those who decided on Blair and Starmer and Bandenoch. They are all middle class achievers with big mortgages and big aspirations.
America is no better, why Trump a lot of people hold their hands up and cry? Two words “The Apprentice” if he hadn’t been on that television programme then all of this would not have happened. He was chosen to be President and given the position to lead the Republicans even though he had never been a Republican and there were far better candidates. Thank heavens Alan Sugar ( the UK Apprentice ) retired to Monaco and didn’t want the hassle of becoming Prime Minister.
In other words it’s almost like The US and The UK have a cartoon strip of Political Leaders who were appointed by others and the electorate were given no choice. Selection not Election.
Namaste and Thank You for Reading.🙏
August 17, 2026 · 2:57 pm
#HeadlineTherapy Africa’s strongest military force hits back after a South American nation recognizes Israeli sovereignty over Golan Heights.
Thanks to Awogbemila Temitope and Business Insider Africa for the Headline.
South American Columbia has embroiled itself in Middle East Politics by recognising Israel’s sovereignty over the Golan Heights.
The United Nations consensus is that the Golan Heights are Syrian territory and as such are under occupation.
Columbia’s decision under President President Abelardo de la Espriella means that consensus is under threat.
Egypt (presumably according to the Headline) Africa’s strongest military force has warned that Colombia’s stance threatens regional stability and undermines peace and the UN Charter.
Colombia has also supported Morocco’s claim for sovereignty over the Western Sahara.
It seems that Colombia is trying to gain an economic advantage in the middle East and African Continent by supporting these claims. Given the inherent instability of the Colombian Economy and their reputation for Drug Cartels, I would hope that the business they wish to promote are beneficial to all parties and doesn’t do harm, even if it helps their balance of payments.
AI Generated Image
Namaste and Thank You for Reading.🙏
August 17, 2026 · 2:25 pm
#HeadlineTherapy Czech PM Babiš apologizes for picking flowers in national park
Thanks to Milena Wălde and Politico for the Headline
The Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babiš went for a hike in the beautiful National Park in eastern Czechia which encompasses a mountain called the Lysá Hora. He picked a few flowers on his way up and tucked them into his rucksack and laid them at the monument at the summit to remember a colleague who had sadly died. They both had previously completed the mountain hike together, so it was a mark of respect for his deceased colleague.
Sad to say, this reached the press and PM Andrj Babiš explained his reasoning , however, he did offer to pay any fine attached to the misdemeanor.
Interestingly enough the National Park Officials said that no harm had been done as the species of flower that was picked was common.
This is fair enough , but as a general rule it’s probably best not to pick any wildflowers in National Parks, though I appreciate PM Babiš offer to pay the fine, perhaps to discourage others from picking wildflowers willy nilly.
Namaste and Thank You for Reading.🙏
August 17, 2026 · 7:10 am
If everything was certain.
If everything was certain and we always knew the end,
I think that’s something that would really drive me around the bend,
Variety is the spice of life and who knows what it will taste like?
Or if the next catastrophe will be a burst tyre on my totally trustworthy bike,
Our digital life would like to control us and know our every move,
But you can always turn it off and enjoy your crazy groove.
The mighty Physicists and Mathematics quest for the” big bang” beginning,
The prize for predicting the end doesn’t seem worth winning.
So there we are most of us get by,
My advice dear friends is give unpredictability a try.
August 16, 2026 · 9:47 am
There are pressures upon us.
Daily writing prompt
What’s a moment when you realized you were officially an adult?
There are pressures upon us that seek to define our achievements based on parameters set by others. Even toddlers have milestones. They are up and walking very early or” my aren’t they walking yet?” ” Little Johnny isn’t sitting very well, he doesn’t seem to lift himself when he crawls”.
We worry sometimes with good reason and in the vast majority of cases we just have to accept for most will do everything in their own good time with the right guidance.
I don’t believe in adult-hood; being an adult is a badge but we can all still behave like children, sometimes it’s funny , sometimes it’s incredibly annoying.
Some want their children to grow up too fast, some don’t want their children to grow up at all.
There is nothing glamorous about getting a job, paying rent, paying bills , paying , paying, paying. Some do it with aplomb, some every day is a crisis and some well they just don’t think it’s a good way to live and step off the ladder when they can.
Whatever, we all know childhood is precious and no I don’t think we need to admire adulthood or particularly aim to gain that particular badge. Take responsibility , well children can do that, count, design, work with others, play with others. Perhaps we should just throw away the badge.
Namaste and Thank You for Reading.🙏
August 15, 2026 · 11:51 pm
#HeadlineTherapy Rail guard who won ‘whites only’ job gets plaque
Thanks to BBC Online News for the Headline
Asquith Xavier will be forever remembered for standing up for his right to apply and get a job as a Railway Guard at Euston Station. He was first told on applying that there was a colour ban and he could not be appointed to work at Euston Station. This was in 1966.
Thankfully along with his Union he was successful in getting the decision overturned and he was appointed as the first Black Railway Guard to work at Euston Railway Station in London.
He was a modest man and despite the media turning up on his doorstep and wanting interviews, he maintained his goal was to look after his family the best he could by progressing in his chosen work.
The house where he lived at the time , now has a blue plaque commemorating him and reminding people that he stood up for his rights and the rights of others. This is truly inspirational.

Namaste and Thank You for Reading.🙏
Filed under Short Stories
August 15, 2026 · 11:21 pm
#HeadlineTherapy Thirty-two Alpinists Ignore Mont Blanc Warnings, Are Denied Free Helicopter Rescue
Thanks to Kris Annapurna and Explorers Web Online for the Headline.
What an interesting situation, we’re not talking about snow in the Alps , we’re talking about the severe heatwave we’ve been having and the drought which has increased the likelihood of rock falls particularly on the most popular route up to Mont Blanc.
The Mayor of St Gervais , ordered the closure of the two refuges on Mont Blanc in order to discourage people from making the attempt. However, despite guides requesting climbers to return without summiting some persisted with their climb. To do this they had to cross an area called the Couloir du Gouter which is the area most prone to Rockfalls and therefore dangerous to cross.
Thirty two climbers decided to climb up to the refuge and stay overnight, they then asked for a free helicopter rescue in order to get back down the mountain. This was refused and the climbers were told that conditions had changed and that now they could make the descent and cross the Couloir du Gouter or alternatively they could pay for a private helicopter to rescue them.
I’m afraid these mountains are just getting too busy and it is very much the elite who can pay for Private Helicopters, not to mention the expense to the Public of financing a Mountain Rescue Helicopter which some think can be ordered like a taxi.
Apparently, the closing of the two refuges and the existing ban on camping and bivouacking has effectively closed the most popular approach to Mont Blanc , which hopefully will give Nature a break from the tred of human walking boots.
Namaste and Thank You for Reading.🙏
And here is my short on You Tube(unfortunately it cut off the end)Technology Fail.
https://youtube.com/shorts/O?is=l40_AFOyQIS84L_9
August 15, 2026 · 9:24 am
Gol!
This is a purely fictitious story and a product of my imagination.
I am the twice removed cousin through marriage of Leo Messi who is the unknown half brother of the iconic Lionel Messi, also known as “Leo” but who rarely talks about the English side of the Messi family. Somewhere in my families murky past we upped sticks from Argentina to London , England and established ourselves in that cold and distinctly non-Latin Country.
However, the football pedigree cannot be doubted, for I am a sixteen year old wonder girl of football. I have clubs all over the UK and Europe wanting to sign me up for a contract.

And what is the reason for my success? I plan Goals
I plan goals for myself, and for my team, we are after all. So when I’m on the field I have considered all the options , I know who the best defenders are , I know the strengths of my team. Indeed I know what the referees blind spots are. I know when the opposition’s goalkeeper is cack-handed and is easily put off by my cannon ball shot at goal.
Knowing your opposition and your team strengths is everything. That is why I am so successful at planning for Goals.
Gol!
Filed under Short Stories
August 15, 2026 · 7:43 am
I don’t live in a city……
And I can’t afford to eat in restaurant’s regularly; even if I had the additional disposable income, most restaurants make me feel uncomfortable. Even the most helpful staff seem intrusive, it’s such a shame you shouldn’t feel as if you are asking the World for an extra fork or stupid because you don’t understand the menu. Not to mention the inevitable question that is de rigeur.
” Do you have any allergies?”
Moan over for today, silly question anyway AI.
Namaste and Thank You for Reading.🙏






