Steve Monaghan musings

Whether you agree or not that the planet is heading towards the sixth extinction or more commonly known as climate crisis/change.  The theory is that humans are accelerating the demise of Earth and its inhabitants. The Polar ice caps are melting faster than they were, the oceans are heating up quicker than they were, etc.  This disruption of ecosystems has knock on effects. Some say this is natural and would happen anyway. In response to this awareness some humans have linked their interest(s) with a practical application to save the planet or at least contribute. Trees not Tees is such a company. A simple idea to reduce the amount of T-shirts given out at races and plant trees instead. How it works is a race organiser agrees to put a tick box on the entry form. This box gives the runner the option to plant a tree instead of having a t-shirt. Trees not Tees have land in Scotland where they plant trees.  The benefit of trees is that they capture carbon from our atmosphere....

The simplicity of us and them, an accent, Queens English, Oxbridge, a suit and so on.  I am reminded of this listening to James O',Brien podcast Unfiltered and his interview with Hashi Mohammed. Hashi, a Somalian child refugee, clocks that adopting the right accent gains him access to certain authorities. He uses this method and becomes a barrister - no mean feat. However, it illustrates that the simplicity is alive and well in modern Britain. Some will say it's some left wing fake depiction. They will say Hashi has just used good old fashioned hard work. His individual aptitude has shone through and got him where he is and shows anyone can do it. I mean a child refugee, does not speak English, does not live with parents, etc. Britain is a great equal opportunity place to live.  But what of Hashi's contemporaries. The other Somalian Child refugees. Surely they have succeeded against the odds in this great country of ours. I did not adopt a posh accent maybe if I had I would...

If my mental illness, difficulty, stress is borne out of my perception of my, or others, suffering can it be alleviated?  Positive Mental Attitude, Reframing, Cognitive Behaviour Therapy. Exercise - daily, regularly. Mediation.  I cannot help thinking that these Elastoplasts cover the real problem. Class Struggle. Inequality. Lack of Freedom/Liberty. The real source of many people's mental problem. Although it may be they have an addiction, a habit, have been treated badly - abused and these require a different approach.  However, much mental anguish is the result of poverty, basic needs not met. We choose what/whom we blame and solutions accordingly.  At this time of year Christmas. We celebrate a Christian occasion. The birth of a child. Not any child the child of God - Jesus. We celebrate, as the story goes, by giving presents to the child. By spending time with family and having a feast.  This over indulgence, gluttony would once only be afforded to the Rich...

Stop posting pictures or rants about Tories. Just ignore them there just seeking attention. Meanwhile Civil Servants implement their desires (Big) Business does their dirty work  The Police prioritise their 'law'. Local Government reduces services only to be contracted out Etc Etc. YES people you know.😲 I was one of them, I went on Strike (many colleagues did not), I argued with managers, I refused to implement policy or practice. What happened?  I left the service to a desk job due to Mental Health issues.  Now I am retired I am still saying the same things only not in a workplace.  It's still falling on 'deaf ears'.  Enough is Enough  It was enough in the 80's, 90's, 00's, 10's and I suspect before. But what have YOU actually done. I have voted, signed a petition, spoke to Councillors/MP's, written to Ministers, challenged all of them, protested on many occasions (and not just peacefully), etc ONLY to realise Nothing is changing really. A twea...

Good People of Britain Time to make a stand No more pussy footing Take it to them Petitions meh Voting meh Marching meh RIOT !!! Take their homes Their businesses Their livelihoods Then they may listen Do unto them what they do to us Until this happens we are not free RIOT!!! Justice is a word It never does us favours Leaders protect their interests So they have to be taken Non-violence is a choice But they will fight RIOT!!! The system has a bias Twas created that way Wealth has the upper hand History repeating itself Break from The Matrix Or tweak it RIOT!!!