SOME RANDOM THOUGHTS ON MR CORBYN

As a Scot I tend to dislike the British national anthem because it represents the UK. If I hear it on radio, I turn it off. 

Additionally, as a republican I'm unlikely to be enamoured of a song in praise of a system of government that I think is outmoded, undemocratic and ridiculous, especially as it is a creeping and obsequious as it is.

So I think you can be fairly sure that you will NEVER hear me sing "God save the queen". In most circumstances I wouldn't even stand while it was played. (I would if I were at a Scotland England match and the English were using it as their anthem.)

Whether Mr Corbyn does or does not is a matter for him to decide.

But in the great scheme of things, what he does during the anthem isn't terribly important. 

By that I mean that we have a government absolutely set on getting rid of the Human Rights Act.  We have a government which is working to get rid of most of the freedoms that trades unions fought hard for. We have an incompetent liar as the minister for Work and Pensions causing deaths by the hundreds and lying about the figures. These are important.

The UK government is also hell bent on going to yet another war in the Middle East, seemingly oblivious of the chaos that the last three have left in their wake. At the same time it is reducing the armed forces, relying on volunteer territorials, and spending more than £100 billion on a weapons that will never be used. That is important.

Of course that list in not exhaustive, but it will do for starters...

In comparison with this, whether or not Jeremy sang the queen's song is a matter of such piddling unimportance, it really barely registers and only small and empty minds would find it in the least worth a mention.

Yet all day today, I'm told, this story was the BBC lead on all their newscasts and it was headlined in numerous papers, some of which are not renowned for showing respect for the queen themselves.

Some journalists too, were whining that it was a mark of disrespect for the armed forces.

In what parallel universe does that make any sort of logical sense?

None. It's complete nonsense. It may have shown a lack of regard for their commander in chief, but it indicated nothing more than that. 

Personally I can't help thinking that sending troops into an illegal war, with poor equipment, second rate kit and clothing, and a lack of support helicopters shows a bloody sight more disrespect that not singing GSTQ.

I think that allowing physically and sometimes mentally damaged troops to return after wars and give them as little as possible support, allowing them to become homeless or sanctioned by the Department of Death and Pensions leading to their death from starvation, is decided less respectful than not singing any bloody song at any time ever.

(Incidentally, now might be a good time to remind anyone who hasn't already bought it that Mark Frankland's 'Great Food Bank Siege' is still on sale and all the profits are still going to his food bank. Relevant here becasue the story covers the plight of two ex-soldiers fallen through the system, ignored by the government and left to deteriorate in a life of isolation, nightmares, drugs and drink... It's a cracking read!)

And when they weren't quibbling about this perceived insult to our brave boys, they were outraged that Mr Corbyn's top button wasn't done up and his tie had slipped down exposing some of his throat!!!!!! 

Listen to yourselves, you idiots. What in the name of heavens does that matter to any sane person? You sound like 19th century maiden aunts.

This, is what we should be concerning ourselves with. Austerity that makes money for the super rich, leaves many of us with simply less, and completely abandons the least favoured.

I don't agree with everything Mr Corbyn stands for, not by a long way, but I'd rather have him and his followers in 10 Downing Street, if that accursed place has to have a say in our governance, than any of the other people who have been there all through my life. 

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Warlike person, Ruth Davidson somewhat rashly tweeted this (below) today. Presumably in respect of Mr Corbyn's meeting with, or being praised by these names.

Gerry Adams Martin McGuinness Cristina de Kirchner Hamas Did I miss anyone?

Is this a help Ruth?

Augusto Pinochet, who was fond of torturing women
by introducing rats to their undergarments, and who dropped his enemies
into the Pacific Ocean from aeroplanes, but who allowed Maggie
to fly from his airports in order to thwart his deadly enemies
in Argentina.

The late King of Saudi Arabia, the regime which chops of hands and
heads with abandon, but does buy a lot of arms from England.

The King of Bahrain, who put down the Arab Spring uprising in his country and imprisoned doctors who treated the wounded, but also spends billion in England
on more arms so that he can do it again if need be.

The lovely PW Botha, PM and President of Aparthied South Africa.

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And one last gripe on the subject of Mr Corbyn.

Could the BBC stop referring to him as "the left wing leader", or if they feel that can't manage that, then could they start referring to Cameron as the "right wing prime minister"?

You know, just for a wee bit of balance...

Oh wait. It's the BBC...silly me!