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.
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.
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.🙏
A plated salmon dinner highlights four common allergens in a warm restaurant setting.
