Imperial measurements

When I read that the government is going to review the use of imperial measurements, I thought they meant to phase them out. It would appear, however, that the government wants to bring back pounds, ounces, yards, miles etc. The UK went decimal more than 50 years ago, although miles remain standard measurements for road and other long distances. This is being touted as a benefit from Brexit. If adopted, I think it is one of the more stupid results from that decision. Even if the UK is no longer politically integrated with Europe, having one system of units of measurements still makes sense. It is called the SI system. However if we're so bent on returning to the past, why not turn the clock back even further and bring back hanging, public flogging, child labour and slavery.

Shootings

A list was recently published of shootings at American schools. I have come to call it a List of Anguish. Each mass shooting is followed by an outpouring of anguish, grief and anger, a call to disarm (sic) - and then everybody goes back to the way things were.

Through my social media contacts, I discern a sharp division of opinion regarding the issue of guns in American society. Some feel more controls are necessary. Others hold the opposing view. It's not the guns, or their availability, that's at fault. There should be MORE guns, so you can all defend yourselves against the nutcases.

As long as that dichotomy, that delusional paranoia, exists in American society, this List of Anguish will only continue to grow. I cannot think of a way to resolve this. It's something that American society as a whole will have to address.

However, with institutions like the NRA in existence and people like Trump and Cruz taking its endorsements, I see no hope for the future.

The Minister for Bikesheds

Scathing headline in the Gazette today. The Minister for bikesheds has visited Lewis. Now, bikesheds, and particularly perambulations to the rear of such, have this strange connotation. Also, bikesheds tend to be rather open and draughty affairs, which has a particular relevance in the policies of improving home insulation, which has ground to a halt. Current Scottish Government policies do not take into account the particular circumstances in this "àite gaoithach" (windy place) with its many stonebuilt houses. C'mon Pat, post us a more constructive message.

Uvalde TX

Another shooting. Nineteen children are killed, as well as two teachers. An outpouring of grief and outrage in the US and around the world. Which will peter out in due course and nothing will change. What is required to make a change? Not another shooting. Not another election. Hearts and minds need changing in America. Move from the 18th into the 21st century. It is the people using guns that kill. The fact is that guns are too readily available to everybody, including those that are unfit to hold a firearm. Speak to us in Europe, where the ownership and sales of guns &c is heavily regulated. Use us as a template for legislation, and ditch the gun lobby. But I've written this all before, and nothing will change.

Ferries galore

There has been a lot of discussion, including in the Scottish Parliament, about the crisis surrounding our ferry service. Calmac, our local operator, own a fleet of vessels which are up to 35 years old. The Scottish Government, made up by the SNP, have done very little to replace these old girls over the 15 years they've been in power. Two vessels were ordered, but are now a breathtaking FIVE years overdue in delivery. The contract was botched by the Scottish Government, meaning that the shipyard which building the craft, does not have to stump up for the overrun. It has now taken up a lot of First Minister's Questions - and here are senior SNP politicians complaining that FMQ is all about ferries. 'Scuse me, government is about the whole country, including far-flung places like Lochboisdale, Stornoway and Port Ellen. Take your responsibility seriously, forget about the blessed independence referendum for a change, or quit.

Our local Member of the Scottish Parliament does not feel it is necessary to raise a public inquiry into the overrun ferry fiasco. It's taxpayers' money we're talking about, and those responsible should be held to account. It is like drawing blood out of a stone to get the Scottish Government to release all the requisite documents, and our MSP is not convinced that such is required. Methinks Dr Allan is more concerned about keeping in with her nibs, the First Minister and leader of his party, than doing his job as representing the people of Na h-Eileanan Siar. Their interests are actively harmed by not having an adequate ferry service - because the boats are old and continually breaking down. And their interests matter more than the position of the MSP within the SNP. If it requires him to lose favour with the FM in order to achieve a good, lifeline ferry service, then he should stand up and demand a public inquiry. Does someone have something to hide?

April 30

Today is April 30th, the end of the Celtic winter. Tomorrow, May 1st, is Bealltain Bhuidhe, the Yellow Beltane, after the colour of some of the flowers that are out at this time of year. In certain parts of Europe, this day is referred to as St Walpurgis Night, the night that the ghosts and spectres of winter are exorcised and banished. It marks the start, particularly in the north, of the long evenings when darkness never really falls.

Back in 1945, this was the day that Adolf Hitler took his own life. An evil spirit banished from this earth. We must never forget, and never forget that although Hitler was evil, his reign was enabled by political decisions made in preceding decades.

The same applies to Vladimir Putin today, as lessons from the 1930s and 40s were patently forgotten. What he can get away with, he will get away with. And that is something that was not properly recognised, something that we will be paying a price for.

For the children

для детей. For the children.

Remember Mariupol, Ukraine, where the word дітей (children) was painted outside the theatre? The Russians put a bomb into it. Precisely for that reason. Remember the remains of the rocket in Kramatorsk, which had the words для детей painted on it? An expression of extreme cynicism, lost on most observers, who seem to live by the day.

Look at the bigger picture, folks. Sorry to be callous, but all those atrocities show that Russia is indeed intent to not only wipe Ukraine off the map, but to subjugate the entire European continent under its double eagle. In Putin's doctrine, the Americans can go back to their own continent. If Ukraine falls, so will we, in Europe. We can see how ruthless Putin's forces are. This war is existential. As I wrote on February 24th,

War For Our Time.