“The truth is, until you know any different, the island is enough. Actually, I know different. And it’s still enough.” Maggie Stiefvater, The Scorpio Races
Getting ready to go out on a Monday teatime would suggest to some it was time to take a hard look in the mirror; but this was different. It was an emotional time, six long months of separation…it was time.
To be back in the company of the locals was an experience that turned out far more powerful than I had imagined; the simple things in life count the most.
How long it lasts depends on a crazy cocktail of a Government placing all its chips on the vaccine ball whilst a section of the population remains more trusting of anything but.
It beggars belief that there are still people too stupid to actually refuse to take the vaccine; they put us all at risk. And now we have our own variant; you could not make it up, devolution for Covid!
Them or They?
I had never heard of Demi Levato before this article proclaiming Demi Lovato is non-binary and is changing pronouns to they/them, singer announces.
Why this was deemed newsworthy by the BBC is beyond my understanding but just another brick in the mounting wall of belief that the BBC does not recognise you and me; just the likes of Demi who I still have no idea is.
In the week when the BBC’s reputation was further questioned, one would have thought that intelligent journalism was the order of the day not publishing the whinings of some nonentity.
“Today is a day I’m so happy to share more of my life with you all” he/she/it blabbed. Why?
Predictably the ill-educated, middle-aged loons that mostly comprise of myself and other state-educated pals had very little sympathy. Perhaps if she made a record or two that I could hum too I might be more accepting?
So far as the editor that considered this newsworthy he/she/it wants stringing up by whatever they/them have down there probably alongside Mr Bashir.
When The Chips Are Down
Turning up the other day to rouse my Mother into her exercise routine, I found her lying contentedly in bed, licking her fingers, the last of a chicken leg devoured, a few more chips still to savour.
“You’d better go back home!” she said with a triumphant look in her eye as she twirled a chip around a salty plate “No workout for me today now I’ve just been fed!” As mothers do, she had instinctively seized the moment and the child, aged 58, was powerless.
I play a little game to keep her feisty by turning the cap backwards on her favourite bedside companion, Horace. I can only imagine the cussing that results from her subsequent discovery of foul play.
As she cleared the plate there was a defiant that’s sorted you out look in her eyes. I didn’t even get a chip.
On a serious note, as Boris The Blusterer tries to wave away a tide of public opinion to finally fix the social care issue, please take a minute to sign the Alzheimer Society petition – click here.
What we have in place for our elderly is scandalously underfunded and shames us all.
Another Way
David Behrens column in the Yorkshire Post (15/5) offered some hope for those of us living in Bradford without any hope of representation either locally or nationally, largely a result of electoral demographics. Plus a postal voting system more suited to a third world village.
The recent It’s Our City referendum in Sheffield resulted in a more co-operative led city council. That a small hand-picked number of councillors, in Bradfords case six, should have so much authority is ridiculous.
I have watched many recent Bradford Council meetings of the grandly termed Executive which are toe-curling for the absence of quality in personnel and debate. Having suffered decades of amateur sport committee meetings, there is little to choose between them.
Committees will still allow the ruling party a majority but the key issue is that decisions will be held up to far greater scrutiny.
As Behrens pointed out these “puffed up local politicians” are afforded grand titles such as Portfolio Holder which basically means clueless but will vote as I say.
A dig into their Linked In profiles – if they have one – confirms a complete lack of business experience. Many are full-time because they would not fare well in the competitive wider jobs market.
As much of the country voted for change recently, Bradford opted depressingly for status quo. It is no surprise that our outlying MPs both continue to champion a breakaway from City Hall.
Bradford would do well to follow the Sheffield model if its leaders are truly seeking to be representative.
{For a fuller understanding of what has changed in Sheffield see this article.}
Lord Frazer Irwin says
Your quote of – there are still people too stupid – really annoys me. There are some out here but for on going medical conditions would willingly have a vaccine. However the result of having the vaccine could put them in greater danger by doing so. The stupid ones are those who regularly refer to all when in actual fact it is nothing like. A little thought goes a long way to helping those less fortunate than you and have to live what may or may not take them.
Steve says
Lord Irwin we all have differing views on the events of the last year and a bit. However, perhaps we should be grateful we live in a country where we can offer those views whilst also considering the alternative. I sympathise with those who live in daily danger, the result of other conditions, but still maintain the bulk of those refusing to be vaccinated put all of us in danger. If not in terms of serious ongoing health issues, at the very least in ever returning to some form of normality.
Have a good weekend and thank you for taking the time to comment.
Simon says
Looks like you have been drinking the kool aid when it comes to vaccines.
The first question would be how can someone not taking a vaccine be a danger to you who has been vaccinated?
The second would be are people right to be sceptical of a medical intervention that only has temporary use authorisation, doesn’t finish clinical trials until 2023, has never been used in humans before, has no long term safety data and so far based on adverse reactions does not meet the highest medial standards we are used to?
“But I’ve had both doses and I’m fine” will likely be your answer. This is anecdotal.
You won’t be aware, but more than 10 years on, there are millions being paid out to victims of the swine flu vaccine, something that caused narcolepsy in thousands of children. Yet it was concealed at the time for over a year.
So it perhaps beggars belief more so that people are queuing up to take, and championing something they know very little about.
You are instantly highly sceptical when Bradford council decides to chop down a tree or grants some planning permission, so it is strange how that doesn’t extend to big government and big pharma telling you this vaccine is safe and you must take it to return to normality.
Steve says
Dear Simon
I’m not sure I’ve ever tasted “kool aid” but it has been good to get a creamy pint at my local again. Regarding your first question my article did not define these people as a direct threat to me but I do believe that their actions mean that we will continue to yo-yo in and out of restrictions which are no good for anybody.
So far as putting my trust in “big government” and “big pharma” goes I would like to begin by pointing out that if Boris claimed the sun was shining I would take a look first. The fact that he is on the crest of a wave at the moment says more about the woeful state of the opposition which is bad for all of us.
Each day we awake we put trust in many things otherwise we simply would not function. Will the kettle blow me up? Is my cereal contaminated by a GCHQ chip? Does the Government know I say the odd disrespectful thing about Boris? You can live as if we really do exist in 1984 or just make a choice each day to weigh up the risks of pulling your socks on and getting out there.
So far as the reliability of the vaccine, my personal choice is that if I start growing a second head in ten years time then I’d better make sure the next ten years are as good as they can be. As I sit here typing this in my garden shed what possibility of a bolt of lightning striking me? By the way I await my second dose.
I’ll end it there as any mention of Bradford Council will only spoil my day. I hope you enjoy your weekend and thank you for taking the time to share your views.
Regards
Steve
PS – you might want to read Jayne Dowle (20/5) and/or David Behrens (today) in The Yorkshire Post. Two writers far more intelligent than me but bang on the same track.
Simon says
Well you’re moving the goalposts a bit here.
Your post said those who don’t take the vaccine, post a danger to others.
Now it’s those who don’t take the vaccine will cause lockdown to last longer or to happen again.
Which is it?
If we take the idea in the original post that those who don’t get the vaccine are a risk others, this suggests that we all “owe” society some level of protection. This is absurdist moral pretext.
The choice to take it or not, has no meaningful effect on anyone else.
Now if we take your revised point that people refusing the vaccine will lead to more lockdowns, this assumes that lockdowns won’t happen again if we all get vaccinated.
Remember “2 weeks to flatten the curve.” “15 million jabs for freedom” “No chance of vaccine passports.”?
“A third jab to avoid lockdown” will be next. Once you let this start, it will not stop.
You see the problem isn’t those choosing not to take the vaccine.
It’s the fact that too many people are willing to be whipped into a frenzy by demagogues who have been feeding them overstated fear and controlling their lives while justifying it with made up data to suit policy demands for the last 14 months.
Thinking that taking a vaccine will stop these jumped up authoritarians continuing joyriding over your life is rather naive.
Every once free now totalitarian state has one thing in common, they all thought “this could not happen here.”
Steve says
Your last four paragraphs suggest I should not leave the house today. Get a grip.
Lord Frazer Irwin says
I wish I could. Get a grip that is. None of our local sports shops stock decent grips these days. Any ideas?
I note The Flying Duck are pricing themselves out of town, food wise, well they’ve lost my custom. Time to wash the homebrew kit out.
Steve says
Lord Irwin
Not sure what kind of grip you need but I would not hesitate to recommend PC Sports at Yeadon – Ben or Chris – as one of the last remaining “proper” sports shops.
Re the Duck I’ve only ever sampled the ales. As lacking in custom as the trade have been it will be a delicate balance between recovery and rip-off. Sadly some may not make it through.