They are reduced to playing a game of politics which lacks any substance, with their only reward (apart from those that might come when they have left office) being the dopamine hits that they get as a consequence of the appearance of their being in power.

Sounds like someone I know.

Via Richard Murphy.

A shame we only get to choose one.

A community voting announcement invites Southall residents to choose a priority from various options, including clean environment, safety, job opportunities, facilities, development, pedestrian areas, community life, and cost of living.

This morning’s trees.

Auto-generated description: A park scene with leafless trees and a large fallen branch on the ground. Auto-generated description: A weathered, leafless tree stands prominently in a grassy field, with one of its large branches detached on the ground. Auto-generated description: A barren tree stump stands in an open field with a pathway, surrounded by leafless trees under a cloudy sky. Auto-generated description: A pathway lined with large, leafless trees runs through a grassy park with a bench alongside it. Auto-generated description: A large, leafless tree stands by a pathway with houses and a fence nearby under a cloudy sky.

My lucky day (NSFW).

Transcript

“…Netanyahu said the move was necessary because a “new front” had opened up on Israel’s border with Syria after the fall of the Assad regime to an Islamist-led rebel alliance.”

How (in)convenient.

Israel plans to expand Golan settlements after fall of Assad bbc.com

Cricket match well underway in my local park at 9:30 this morning.

A vast open field with scattered trees under a clear blue sky.A group of people are playing cricket in a grassy park surrounded by leafless trees under a blue sky.

Don’t most start-ups fail?

Maybe a pop-up government would work better?

Government wants state to be more 'like a start-up' bbc.com

The Queen had the IRA over for tea, so I can’t see what the problem is?

UK will review Syrian group's terror ban, cabinet minister says bbc.com

No one could have foreseen this.

Man Utd sporting director Ashworth leaves after five months bbc.com

My friend Tim has been busy…

Dull Men's Club - the 'mundane' Facebook group that became an unlikely hit bbc.com