The invasion destroyed their hopes that Russia might become a normal, non-violent country.

A normal, non-violent country like the USA, the UK, Israel, France, Germany…?

Podcast art of Next Year in Moscow by The Economist

The Economist’s Next Year in Moscow is an incredible podcast series. (So is Scam Inc).

Well, what do you know?

A news article headline claims that Liz Kendall stated young people may be encouraged to join the army to reduce youth unemployment.

the UK will give £3 billion a year of military support until 2030/31 and “for as long as needed to support Ukraine”.

Britain’s Labour government announced plans on Tuesday to cut more than five billion pounds ($6.48 billion) from its welfare budget by 2029/30

No plans for conscription…

“Labour today is both a threat to peace and a force for poverty.”

Editorial: ‘Schrodinger’s Russian threat’ fails to convince MPs to back Starmer's militarism | Morning Star
morningstaronline.co.uk/articl

Israel broke the terms of the ceasefire agreement and have now resumed their genocide of Palestinians in Gaza.

Pure fucking evil, which the US is paying for and arming, and for which the UK is providing intelligence.

📺 Secret State (2012) - ★★★★☆

Inspired by the book, this is a very different take on A Very British Coup. I enjoyed the gritty reality of 80s’ Harry Perkins, but the New Labour version with “Tom Dawkins” was so well done it made me want to throw up (in the scene-setting first episode, at any rate). Second and third episodes were much better and looking forward to the finale tonight. Featuring Gina McKee from Our Friends Up North in a strong cast.

Secret State poster

You’d never know from this headline, of course, that it’s Israel who broke the ceasefire agreement.

US rejects 'impractical' Hamas demands as Gaza truce hangs in balance: bbc.com

Well, well, well.

Ealing Council’s cost-cutting budget includes “improving” the borough’s children’s centre services by cutting them in half.

The “consultation” ends on 27 April…

Think of the children: davidmarsden.info

A Very British Coup.

Watched the first two (of three) episodes of A Very British Coup (also available on YouTube) last night.

First broadcast in the summer of 1988, when socialist Tony Benn came close to being elected as deputy leader of the Labour party, then in opposition to Margaret Thatcher’s Tory government.

Radical socialist and Sheffield Wednesday fan Harry Perkins becomes the UK prime minister, with financial backing for his government’s economic policies from the state bank of Russia after the US, CIA, Labour “moderates” and the British establishment conspire to subvert the democratic will of the people.

Plenty of echoes in today’s political environment, and great acting from Ray McAnally, Keith Allen and others. Doesn’t seem dated at all.

Some things never change.

My boy got his picture taken for the local council propaganda rag when they opened the school street this week.