Friday 25 February:  Stern action is needed to redress the shame of the West in letting Russia invade Ukraine

Posted on by Geoff Graham

An unofficial place to discuss the Telegraph letters, established when the DT website turned off its comments facility (now reinstated, but we prefer ours),
Intelligent, polite, good-humoured debate is welcome, whether on or off topic. Differing opinions are encouraged, but rudeness or personal attacks on other posters will not be tolerated. Posts which – in the opinion of the moderators – make this a less than cordial environment, are likely to be removed, without prior warning.  Persistent offenders will be banned.

Today’s letters (visible only to DT subscribers) are here.

717 thoughts on “Friday 25 February:  Stern action is needed to redress the shame of the West in letting Russia invade Ukraine”

    1. We are powerless to stop Vladimir Putin’s aggression

      The West has foolishly deprived itself of the option of unleashing an all-our economic war on Putin’s regime

      ROSS CLARK

      So, we’ll be sending our economic tanks over the border to try to liberate Ukraine. Our metaphorical precision bombs will shortly be landing in the bank accounts of Putin’s cronies. A house or two in a posh area of London might be struck by an incoming repossession order. And if we get really motivated we’ll deploy our real shock and awe: an English football club will refuse to play the Champions League final in St Petersburg (if any club gets that far).

      It is not quite D-Day. But then let’s be honest: there isn’t a lot that Britain nor the rest of Western Europe can do in response to Putin’s aggression for the simple reason we have disarmed ourselves by making ourselves dependent on Russian gas. If we get too heavy with our sanctions Putin can easily reach for the red button on his desk: the one which switches off gas supplies to Europe.

      We have had years of warning that we might end up in a position of having to wage economic war against Putin. He has, after all, already annexed part of Ukraine. How did Germany respond to that, after the initial sanctions? By approving the Nord Stream 2 pipeline, increasing its reliance on Russian gas. At the turn of the year, when Russian tanks were already amassing on the Ukraine Border, what did Germany do? Close down three of its remaining six nuclear power stations.

      Our own government tries to assure us that only a tiny proportion of Britain’s gas comes from Russia. But that hugely distorts the situation. Until 2003 Britain was self-sufficient in gas. Now we import just under 60 percent of what we use. Of what we import, five percent comes from Russia by ship in liquified form and 55 percent arrives in pipelines from the near continent. While little in the way of Russian gas might actually make it through those pipelines as far as Britain, that doesn’t mean we could go on drawing off gas regardless in the event of Putin cutting off supplies – the whole of Europe would be competing for what gas was still available. At present, 37 percent of Europe’s gas is derived from Russia.

      We, and the rest of Western Europe, have ended up in this position because we have pursued a policy of slashing carbon emissions to the exclusion of all other concerns. We have acted as if climate change is the only great threat facing Europe and the world, without stopping to consider that we had a hostile power on our doorstep. By phasing out coal and trying to replace it with wind and solar power we have made ourselves ever more reliant on natural gas to fill in for the times when the wind isn’t blowing and the sun isn’t shining.

      That would have been fine had we upped our gas production, but we didn’t. Gas production from the North Sea has withered by a third since 2010. In the meantime we failed to exploit shale gas reserves – which even at the more pessimistic estimates considered by the British Geological Survey could supply Britain for 47 years at current rates of consumption. After offering the fracking industry only lukewarm support for years, in 2019 the government placed an indefinite moratorium on the industry, on the grounds it didn’t feel the technology was up to predicting the risk of minor Earth tremors. Did geopolitical concerns come into the equation? It would seem not.

      The result of Europe’s myopia on energy supply was, as Putin correctly surmised, that Russia could safely risk an invasion of Ukraine without being too worried about the economic consequences. There will be a lot of sound and fury from European governments, and there will be a few symbolic gestures. But can the West unleash all-our economic war on Putin’s regime? No. We have foolishly deprived ourselves of that option.

      It is as if we had tried to arm ourselves for D-Day by placing a mass order for machine guns from Berlin.

      https://www.telegraph.co.uk/opinion/2022/02/24/powerless-stop-putins-aggression/

      1. Perhaps Putin is aware that threatening to cut off Europe’s gas will destroy the Net Zero nonsense?
        He has been vocal in warning the west about its self-destruction in the past.

    2. We are powerless to stop Vladimir Putin’s aggression

      The West has foolishly deprived itself of the option of unleashing an all-our economic war on Putin’s regime

      ROSS CLARK

      So, we’ll be sending our economic tanks over the border to try to liberate Ukraine. Our metaphorical precision bombs will shortly be landing in the bank accounts of Putin’s cronies. A house or two in a posh area of London might be struck by an incoming repossession order. And if we get really motivated we’ll deploy our real shock and awe: an English football club will refuse to play the Champions League final in St Petersburg (if any club gets that far).

      It is not quite D-Day. But then let’s be honest: there isn’t a lot that Britain nor the rest of Western Europe can do in response to Putin’s aggression for the simple reason we have disarmed ourselves by making ourselves dependent on Russian gas. If we get too heavy with our sanctions Putin can easily reach for the red button on his desk: the one which switches off gas supplies to Europe.

      We have had years of warning that we might end up in a position of having to wage economic war against Putin. He has, after all, already annexed part of Ukraine. How did Germany respond to that, after the initial sanctions? By approving the Nord Stream 2 pipeline, increasing its reliance on Russian gas. At the turn of the year, when Russian tanks were already amassing on the Ukraine Border, what did Germany do? Close down three of its remaining six nuclear power stations.

      Our own government tries to assure us that only a tiny proportion of Britain’s gas comes from Russia. But that hugely distorts the situation. Until 2003 Britain was self-sufficient in gas. Now we import just under 60 percent of what we use. Of what we import, five percent comes from Russia by ship in liquified form and 55 percent arrives in pipelines from the near continent. While little in the way of Russian gas might actually make it through those pipelines as far as Britain, that doesn’t mean we could go on drawing off gas regardless in the event of Putin cutting off supplies – the whole of Europe would be competing for what gas was still available. At present, 37 percent of Europe’s gas is derived from Russia.

      We, and the rest of Western Europe, have ended up in this position because we have pursued a policy of slashing carbon emissions to the exclusion of all other concerns. We have acted as if climate change is the only great threat facing Europe and the world, without stopping to consider that we had a hostile power on our doorstep. By phasing out coal and trying to replace it with wind and solar power we have made ourselves ever more reliant on natural gas to fill in for the times when the wind isn’t blowing and the sun isn’t shining.

      That would have been fine had we upped our gas production, but we didn’t. Gas production from the North Sea has withered by a third since 2010. In the meantime we failed to exploit shale gas reserves – which even at the more pessimistic estimates considered by the British Geological Survey could supply Britain for 47 years at current rates of consumption. After offering the fracking industry only lukewarm support for years, in 2019 the government placed an indefinite moratorium on the industry, on the grounds it didn’t feel the technology was up to predicting the risk of minor Earth tremors. Did geopolitical concerns come into the equation? It would seem not.

      The result of Europe’s myopia on energy supply was, as Putin correctly surmised, that Russia could safely risk an invasion of Ukraine without being too worried about the economic consequences. There will be a lot of sound and fury from European governments, and there will be a few symbolic gestures. But can the West unleash all-our economic war on Putin’s regime? No. We have foolishly deprived ourselves of that option.

      It is as if we had tried to arm ourselves for D-Day by placing a mass order for machine guns from Berlin.

      https://www.telegraph.co.uk/opinion/2022/02/24/powerless-stop-putins-aggression/

    1. Interesting that messrs Lenin, Stalin and Putin fit into the category of ‘vertically challenged’.

    3. Pathetic cartoon and typical of the West that has no understanding of Russia. Putin is not in any way sympathetic or interested in the USSR. That people interpret what is going on it that way is simply a symbol of why this mess exists. The West is not fighting a real country or its leader. It is fighting a fantasy of its own making. And until the West starts dealing with reality confusion and stupid policies with regard to Russia will prevail.

  6. If blackface trudeaus emergency actnis not enough, along comes a rehashed anti hate bill. No need to have committed an offence, there just needs to be a fear that someone will commit an offence.

    The wording would let the government and their stooges attack just about anyone:

    A person may, with the Attorney General’s consent, lay an information before a provincial court judge if the person fears on reasonable grounds that another person will commit (a) an offence under section 318 [advocating genocide] or subsection 319” [inciting or promoting hate, promoting hatred]. It also covers “an offence motivated by bias, prejudice or hate based on race, national or ethnic origin, language, colour, religion, sex, age, mental or physical disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other similar factor.

  7. My mostest fave famous four DT letters this morning. All totally pathetic and only the bonkers DT Letters Editor would contemplate publishing them

    SIR – All flights in and out of Russia should be stopped, and Britain should prohibit any airline that goes against this ban from using its airports.

    John Williams
    Nuneaton, Warwickshire

    And

    SIR – It is time we directed our propaganda to the people of Russia, pointing out how we love and admire them, but not the direction in which their “leaders” are taking them.

    Brian Foster
    Shrivenham, Oxfordshire

    And

    SIR – The sporting community quite rightly turned its back on South Africa in a form of sanctions against civil-rights violations.

    It is time for sports bodies to do their bit again. All Russian individuals and teams should be banned from tournaments and competitions. This might not cripple the awful regime running the country, but it would help the Russian people to understand what the rest of the world thinks.

    Mark Rayner
    Eastbourne, East Sussex

    And

    SIR – While watching football this week, I noted that the European cup tournament is sponsored by Gazprom. In light of Russia’s action against Ukraine, the FA should propose that, along with removing the cup final from St Petersburg, Uefa should cancel this sponsorship.

    Pete Matchett
    Shipley, West Yorkshire

    1. Is Climate Warrior the boyfriend of Titania McGrath? He’s certainly nailed it with that tweet!

      The first drawing brings home what we now have come to take for granted – that the legacy media is there to obfuscate and give the government view, rather than report what’s actually going on. Sir William Russel must be turning in his grave!

  11. Are You Willing to Die for Ukraine? SST. 25 February 2022.

    This simple and profound question is the fundamental issue when it comes to deciding how to respond to Putin’s declaration of war in Ukraine. All of the usual suspects in terms of bloviating politicians and frenzied pundits are filling the airways with the modern version of “Remember the Maine.” They are desperate to rally the American people for a new military venture overseas. Our military industrial complex has no qualms about feeding gullible Americans into a war meat grinder. The usual approach is to sucker patriotic folks into believing they are defending freedom, protecting democracy or destroying tyranny.

    And they do this without any self-awareness or irony. Hundreds of thousands of illegal immigrants flood across our southern border and the cast of despicable characters hollering about the sanctity of Ukraine’s border with Russia do not say a damn thing about protecting our border. Just count up the number of Republican Senators and Representatives who are saying we must act strongly against Russia and have remained mute on our own border security.

    The Washington political class–both Democrat and Republican–think you are a fool. Apart from ignoring the threat of illegal immigration and the accompanying flood of lethal narcotics, the political class tolerates the descent into hell of our major cities wracked by violent crime. No, they want you to fight the Russians.

    The political class, enabled by the toady pundits that masquerade as media, screams that we must protect freedom and liberty in Ukraine from Russian tyranny. These same cretins say nothing of the hundreds of political prisoners in the United States who are rotting in jail for the alleged crime of “insurrection.” But they had no weapons and killed no one. The only ones who died that day were murdered by Capitol Hill police. Chew on this fact, our so-called democratic Republic is holding more political prisoners in the United States than Vladimir Putin is holding in Russia.

    Mr Johnson asks this about the United States but the question is even more applicable to the UK. While our own borders are wide open and being crossed daily do we really need to send anyone to be killed in Eastern Europe? This will of course just be a preliminary. Johnson has publicly stated that his eventual aim is a military confrontation with a State that possesses four thousand Nuclear Weapons. Clearly such a situation is not going to end well!

    I watched our own Political Class in Westminster yesterday. How brave they have all suddenly become! You would never think that not one of them, out of six hundred, spoke up for Batley Man when he ran into trouble; that they ignored, indeed facilitated the Mass Rape of young English girls; that no killings by the Diverse can be forgotten quickly enough! Perhaps courage rises in direct proportion to the threat? Particularly if it be far away and to others!

    Their plans for Freedom in Ukraine are not to be extended to those here where they plan ever more restrictions on Free Speech and that children should be taught to despise their own natures and history! Our involvement in a conflict that has nothing to do with us will also serve to cloak the dire situation with the cost of energy, living and inflation, since all may be safely laid at the door of Vladimir Putin.

    I of course am too old to go to war so I shall make no grandiose announcement. This said I’m not too old to be killed. If this is to be I would prefer that it should be done in the cause of some Ideal not a squalid disguise for a Greater Tyranny!

    https://turcopolier.com/are-you-willing-to-die-for-ukraine/

  12. Are You Willing to Die for Ukraine? SST. 25 February 2022.

    This simple and profound question is the fundamental issue when it comes to deciding how to respond to Putin’s declaration of war in Ukraine. All of the usual suspects in terms of bloviating politicians and frenzied pundits are filling the airways with the modern version of “Remember the Maine.” They are desperate to rally the American people for a new military venture overseas. Our military industrial complex has no qualms about feeding gullible Americans into a war meat grinder. The usual approach is to sucker patriotic folks into believing they are defending freedom, protecting democracy or destroying tyranny.

    And they do this without any self-awareness or irony. Hundreds of thousands of illegal immigrants flood across our southern border and the cast of despicable characters hollering about the sanctity of Ukraine’s border with Russia do not say a damn thing about protecting our border. Just count up the number of Republican Senators and Representatives who are saying we must act strongly against Russia and have remained mute on our own border security.

    The Washington political class–both Democrat and Republican–think you are a fool. Apart from ignoring the threat of illegal immigration and the accompanying flood of lethal narcotics, the political class tolerates the descent into hell of our major cities wracked by violent crime. No, they want you to fight the Russians.

    The political class, enabled by the toady pundits that masquerade as media, screams that we must protect freedom and liberty in Ukraine from Russian tyranny. These same cretins say nothing of the hundreds of political prisoners in the United States who are rotting in jail for the alleged crime of “insurrection.” But they had no weapons and killed no one. The only ones who died that day were murdered by Capitol Hill police. Chew on this fact, our so-called democratic Republic is holding more political prisoners in the United States than Vladimir Putin is holding in Russia.

    Mr Johnson asks this about the United States but the question is even more applicable to the UK. While our own borders are wide open and being crossed daily do we really need to send anyone to be killed in Eastern Europe? This will of course just be a preliminary. Johnson has publicly stated that his eventual aim is a military confrontation with a State that possesses four thousand Nuclear Weapons. Clearly such a situation is not going to end well!

    I watched our own Political Class in Westminster yesterday. How brave they have all suddenly become. You would never think that not one of them, out of six hundred, spoke up for Batley Man when he ran into trouble; that they ignored, indeed facilitated the Mass Rape of young English girls; that no killings by the Diverse can be forgotten quickly enough! Perhaps courage rises in direct proportion to the threat? Particularly if it be far away and to others!

    Their plans for Freedom in Ukraine are not to be extended to those here where they plan ever more restrictions on Free Speech and that children should be taught to despise their own natures and history! Our involvement in a conflict that has nothing to do with us will also serve to cloak the dire situation with the cost of energy, living and inflation, since all may be safely laid at the door of Vladimir Putin.

    I of course am too old to go to war so I shall make no grandiose announcement. This said I’m not too old to be killed. If this is to be I would prefer that it should be done in the cause of some Ideal not a squalid disguise for a Greater Tyranny!

    https://turcopolier.com/are-you-willing-to-die-for-ukraine/

    1. I asked a German business contact yesterday if he had read about the BKK’s results. He had not.

        1. Good morning Rik
          It is incredible to me how well most people are able to ignore what’s happening.
          I bet there will now be pressure on doctors not to put vaxx damage on diagnoses!

  16. Britain will lead by example in standing up to Vladimir Putin. Liz Truss. 25 February 2022.

    Yesterday, I summoned the Russian ambassador to the Foreign Office, where I made clear that he should be ashamed and Russia had lost its last shred of credibility within the international community. Shortly, I will embark on a round of shuttle diplomacy across Europe and the United States to galvanise a united, decisive and determined response to this aggression.

    Whuppy Freakin Do! Amazons Away! I wonder if he asked her what we were doing in Iraq, Syria and Libya?

    https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2022/02/24/britain-will-lead-example-standing-vladimir-putin/

    1. We seem to have a surfeit of politicians who haven’t realised that the UK is no longer a world power and has neither the resources nor the manpower to strut about telling people what to do!

      1. Morning Bleau.

        It is a tale
        Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury,
        Signifying nothing.

        Macbeth.

    2. Must have been a close run thing. The Russian Ambassador might have summoned Liz Truss to his Embassy.

    3. BTL Comment:-

      Nom Nom de Nom
      2 MIN AGO
      Because Europe depends on Russian gas and oil, these are but empty words.
      Putin sorted his house out, Russia has ample foreign reserves, minimal external debt and Putin knows that the West is a hollow shell with woke BLM worshiping f#ckwits or the senile in charge.
      Plus, China’s on his side – Taiwan is next.

  18. Morning all.
    Nick Robinson and Lyse Doucet, in flack jackets, reporting for BBC Radio 4 from a rooftop in Kyiv expecting the arrival of Russian tanks in the city this morning. 😓

  19. It’s all Putin today but I thought you might like to see them…..

    Share

    Stern action is needed to redress the shame of the West in allowing Russia’s invasion of Ukraine

    SIR – I was ashamed to be a Western European yesterday morning, having witnessed for weeks the timid and pitiful efforts of Nato countries to deter Vladimir Putin.

    The sanctions announced before the invasion were laughable in their inadequacy and did nothing to stop this maniac. When is the West going to take meaningful and dreadful action?

    Christopher Gleave

    Poulton-le-Fylde, Lancashire

    SIR – I am bewildered by the naivety of politicians and commentators who were surprised yesterday morning at Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine. Clearly, this has been coming for some months and the preparations have taken place in slow motion.

    Mr Putin has shown up Nato and the EU as weak, fractured political alliances that are keener on talking, posturing and sanctions than on real military capability. He will long ago have weighed up our likely responses to his actions, is prepared to absorb the threat of any economic sanctions, and believes that he will prevail.

    How could we have avoided this? Over the past 20 years, all member nations (particularly Germany) should have taken their commitment to Nato seriously by spending the minimum of 2 per cent of GDP on defence and supporting our American ally, which, from thousands of miles away, has propped up the alliance. If we had done this, Mr Putin might have recognised Nato’s will and deterrence, and might have thought twice before invading.

    Instead we believed that there were greater priorities than defence. I fear we have ourselves to blame.

    Col Robert Wilsey RM (retd)

    Knighton, Radnorshire

    Ivan the Terrible’s remorse at fatally wounding his son depicted by Ilya Repin (1885)

    Ivan the Terrible’s remorse at fatally wounding his son depicted by Ilya Repin (1885)

    SIR – Juliet Samuel writes that “Mr Putin isn’t nostalgic for the heyday of the USSR. He’s reaching for the tsars”. She is right to say so – even if it suits Mr Putin to cite more recent history.

    Russia’s rulers have for centuries pursued an ambitious and consistent policy of acquisition by virtue of their state power. Predatory in Europe, predatory in Asia, Muscovite Russia engulfed vast territories and entire peoples in one gigantic tyranny – a Eurasian empire that sought not to elevate its colonial subjects but to depress them; not to guide them to self-government but to imprison them forever in a racist autocracy.

    It is a mindset which, as we see all too clearly, defines Russian ambitions to this day. On one level, Mr Putin is simply the latest ruler imbued with such ambitions; unfortunately for Europe and, as Ms Samuel points out, very possibly for the former Soviet republics of Asia as well, he has decided to set about fulfilling them.

    He doubtless sees it as restoring to Russia lands he considers lost property – not the least of the reasons why the recent diplomatic scramble to engage with him in talks proved nugatory.

    As with all his predecessors since Ivan the Terrible, force is the only language he understands. The West must ensure it employs the same language; if it doesn’t draw a red line now, the geopolitical consequences will be catastrophic.

    Philip J Ashe

    Garforth, West Yorkshire

    SIR – The recent BBC series Rise of the Nazis: Dictators at War made the point that the likes of Hitler and Stalin, with one aim in view, were oblivious to the bloodshed, mayhem and distress they caused to achieve their objective.

    Mr Putin is showing the same mindset in his aim of recreating a Russian empire as of years gone by. If this is so, there is no hope of altering his course by expecting him to act logically.

    James Reeves

    Bradfield, Berkshire

    SIR – Surely the real reason Vladimir Putin wants to take over Ukraine is that Russia is a dying nation.

    Its population is about 145 million, smaller than when Mr Putin came to power more than 20 years ago. In 2019 he stated that the prospect of a declining Russian population “haunted” him and he undertook to reverse this trend by the end of his term in office. Russia’s population is now expected to drop by a further 12 million by 2035.

    Ukraine has had a long and close relationship with Russia and, with its 40 million people, is an obvious target for a country intent on reversing its population decline.

    Paul McClory

    Oxford

    SIR – Are we in a dream, witnessing a repeat of 1938? For the Rhineland read Crimea, and for Czechoslovakia read Ukraine.

    In the 1930s our mistakes and failures to deter a self-focused dictator cost the democracies dear. I think we could be doing it again, giving other, similar states a motive to take advantage of our obvious weaknesses.

    David Jackson

    Buckingham

    SIR – In the grim parallels of the Ukrainian crisis today and the Sudeten crisis of 1938, not only has Mr Putin taken his approach from Hitler’s playbook, but he has also timed his moves in the same way.

    As in 1938, the militarily weak West is divided by vacillating leaders, paralysed by narrow national or political self-interest. After years of convincing ourselves that conventional armed forces are anachronistic – to justify disarmament and underinvestment – the West once again finds itself toothless while an authoritarian regime, with technologically advanced armoured divisions, is left to invade a democratic European country.

    A deterrent is only a deterrent if it stops an invasion, not reacts to it.

    We must also find the political will to remind ourselves that for longer-term peace, we (Nato) must reinvest in our conventional armed forces.

    Charlie MacDermot-Roe

    Chilthorne Domer, Somerset

    SIR – Despite its actions, Russia remains not only a member of the UN but also a permanent member of the Security Council.

    Given that neither the UN nor its Security Council appears to have any influence or purpose, is it not time to rethink our whole approach to the post-war world order and the safeguards it supposedly provided?

    Martin Hill

    Liverpool

    SIR – Events in Ukraine should be a wake-up call to Nato, most of whose European member states have starved defence of funds. Even Britain, which by sleight of hand achieved the target 2 per cent of GDP, has not spent wisely.

    Our Army could not even fill Wembley Stadium, while the RAF, despite having a respectable number of aircraft, uses almost half the total for training and lacks vital transport and maritime patrol aircraft. The Navy has wasted billions on vanity projects, such as the two new supercarriers. Yes, they can project power worldwide, but Britain is no longer a world power.

    As we are now seeing, our enemy is close at hand and our defence, and that of our Nato allies, needs to address this with some urgency before Mr Putin starts to rebuild the Soviet Union.

    Gp Capt Michael Clegg (retd)

    Buntingsdale, Shropshire

    SIR – Following Ukraine’s invasion, the Baltic states should be flooded with Nato forces before the horse bolts.

    Michael West

    Poole, Dorset

    SIR – It is Mr Putin who has fallen into a trap, not the Western allies. He is obsessed by restoring the territory of the Soviet Union in its old borders, against the advice of his generals.

    Stalin sidelined General Zhukov only to reinstate him as it became apparent that Stalin was not a military strategist. Mr Putin follows in Stalin’s footsteps and will, in time, realise his mistake. But it will be too late.

    John Johnstone

    Ponteland, Northumberland

    SIR – Mr Putin carries on regardless, laughing at British sanctions. At least Germany, by delaying Nord Stream 2, had the courage to do something which would hurt him.

    Ian Stewart

    Crowborough, East Sussex

    SIR – All flights in and out of Russia should be stopped, and Britain should prohibit any airline that goes against this ban from using its airports.

    John Williams

    Nuneaton, Warwickshire

    SIR – The Government has ordered a brigade to move with 24 hours’ notice. Threatening to deploy one of our (only) six operational brigades is not a real deterrent. The world knows Britain cannot afford to commit the manpower. Mr Putin, by contrast, has spent the last 15 years modernising Russia’s military.

    The only meaningful way to respond to Russia’s behaviour is to begin to reverse the damage wreaked on our Armed Forces by defence cuts. We are too late to help Ukraine, but must prepare for further aggression.

    Alex Gerald

    London SW4

    SIR – Russia’s invasion of Ukraine provides a smokescreen behind which China can annex Taiwan.

    Such an opportunity may not readily recur, and China will not be slow off the mark, given the inadequate and fragmented military capabilities and political will of the Western powers.

    Neale Edwards

    Chard, Somerset

    SIR – If Boris Johnson cannot stop dinghies crossing the Channel, how can he be expected to stop Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine?

    Richard Heritage

    Dorking, Surrey

    SIR – It is time we directed our propaganda to the people of Russia, pointing out how we love and admire them, but not the direction in which their “leaders” are taking them.

    Brian Foster

    Shrivenham, Oxfordshire

    SIR – The sporting community quite rightly turned its back on South Africa in a form of sanctions against civil-rights violations.

    It is time for sports bodies to do their bit again. All Russian individuals and teams should be banned from tournaments and competitions. This might not cripple the awful regime running the country, but it would help the Russian people to understand what the rest of the world thinks.

    Mark Rayner

    Eastbourne, East Sussex

    SIR – While watching football this week, I noted that the European cup tournament is sponsored by Gazprom. In light of Russia’s action against Ukraine, the FA should propose that, along with removing the cup final from St Petersburg, Uefa should cancel this sponsorship.

    Pete Matchett

    Shipley, West Yorkshire

    SIR – When I was a child in the 1960s my mother would take me to a white cross, with an inscription on the base, next to a small chapel near Mylor, Cornwall.

    This cross was erected in 1948 by a group of Christian Orthodox Ukrainians in gratitude for having escaped the violent persecution of the communist regime at the end of the Second World War and in thanksgiving for the welcome and refuge given to them by the Cornish community.

    The cross is still there and the descendants of those families are still living in Cornwall.

    Are we about to see history repeating itself?

    Claire Thomson

    Coverack, Cornwall

    SIR – With the growing possibility of hostile Russian targeting of all things to do with the internet here, the loss of telephone landlines (Letters, February 24) should not be allowed, on security grounds alone.

    The Government should immediately forbid BT from proceeding any further with its programme of decommissioning this secure and robust communications network.

    Clive Boyd

    Bishop’s Cleeve, Gloucestershire

    1. ‘Morning, Epi.

      James Reeves mentions the series The Rise of the Nazis. It is in my view and excellent series. Although it contains quite a lot of ‘reconstruction’ scenes they are well done and there is also much newsreel footage, much of it I haven’t seen before. And most of the talking heads are well qualified and know their subject well – Gen Sir Mike Jackson being but one. I’m not normally one to endorse background music, but much of this is classical, which lends a certain gravity and poignancy. (The series is available on iPlayer.)

    2. I do wonder exactly how John Johnstone is privy to the advice being offered to Putin by his generals??

  20. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle say they ‘stand with’ the people of Ukraine and urge world leaders to join them opposing Putin’s ‘breach of international and humanitarian law’. 25 February 2022.

    Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have announced they ‘stand with the people of Ukraine’ as they condemned Vladimir Putin’s invasion of the country.

    The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, who live in Montecito, California, issued a message on the website of their Archewell charity.

    The statement read: ‘Prince Harry and Meghan, The Duke and Duchess of Sussex and all of us at Archewell stand with the people of Ukraine against this breach of international and humanitarian law and encourage the global community and its leaders to do the same.’

    Well that’s it then! Who can stand against this awesome endorsement from the World Center of Freedom and Democracy?

    https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10549453/Prince-Harry-Meghan-Markle-say-stand-people-Ukraine.html

      1. Like wot? No is the answer to your question. Oh no. They do do something other than mouth off. They annoy us all!

    5. Would Putin be more worried if Ginge and Cringe sat for him instead?

      If Harry really wants to regain respect he should volunteer for the Ukrainian army and put his military training to some practical use.

    6. I wonder if they lit up their multi-million-dollar mansion with yellow and blue lights, just like all the other pointless displays around the world.

  22. ‘Morning, Peeps.

    The Letters BTL’s Ann Arnold is sounding a little frustrated this morning:

    ann arnold
    2 HRS AGO
    What a lot of hysterical shock. If no one (all of whom are spewing their outrage and sounding a lot like those going on about “plucky Belgium in 1914) thinks about the history, they will not understand why this is happening (which any nimwit could see coming)
    (1) Ukraine has only been a separate country for 30+ years in all its history. THe way you all carrying on, one would think that Russia has invaded Italy or another place that had no connection to it and which had been a sovereign country for centuries
    In 879, it was Kievan Rus – the foundation of what became Russia as the Eastern Slavic tribes spread west from there. During the time of the Mongols it was controlled by Poland. Once the Mongols were expelled from Russia, the Ukraine area rebelled against Poland and reconnected with the rest of Russia in 1654.
    Ukraine was one of the 4 regions that signed the agreement creating the USSR in 1922
    Kruschchev was Ukrainian
    (2) LOOK AT A MAP!!! Of course Russia wants control over the Crimean and Ukraine. It has to do with access to the Black Sea
    Being cut off from the Black Sea has been a longstanding fear of Russia. That is its only year-round access to the oceans,
    Ukraine starts cozying up the to EU and NATO…… groups that could be a threat to Russian power and position (and they excel at being suspicious of the west since 1472) That is not going to be acceptable
    IT IS THE BLACK SEA ACCESS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    AA

    ann arnold
    23 MIN AGO
    Sigh…more of that stupid armchair screeching and prattling about the “modern world”.
    This would have happened at anytime if Russia feels threatened on its borders over its access to the sea
    THis has been coming on for DECADES since the 1991 breakup
    Actually it is all quite logical and rational – from the viewpoint of Russia. It is their national security at stake
    Do try to grasp that your limited experience in the world does not represent all that much of history or the experience of any society.
    In fact, the more coastline Russia controls, the better its chances of not having its access affected. And in the “modern world”, control IS safety.

    2. Good morning all.
      Killing people to ensure national security is extremely logical. Where does the Ann Arnold family live?

      1. I think she’s somewhere in the US of A.
        She makes some valid points, but ruins her argument by being so gratuitously unpleasant.

        1. Anne, could you do me a favour, please?
          Put a BTL post up wishing the regulars all the best from me and advising them that my subscription has expired?

        1. Wonderful humour, and this reminds me to dust off the boxed set, for a private showing for consenting adults…

  25. Vladimir Putin may just have made the error that ends his bloody rule. Con Coughlin. 25 February 2022.

    If Vladimir Putin believes that he can achieve a lasting victory in Ukraine, he need only look at the Kremlin’s disastrous involvement in Afghanistan in the 1980s to see how even the best-laid plans can go horribly wrong.

    Mr Putin has been absolutely meticulous in drawing up his invasion plans – so much so that Western intelligence agencies were not only able to warn that an attack was imminent, but were even able to predict how the invasion would unfold. But having the upper hand on the battlefield does not necessarily guarantee the desired result, as the Soviet Union discovered when it launched its ill-considered invasion of Afghanistan in December 1979.

    Oh God! I’ll bet his foot hurts!

    https://www.telegraph.co.uk/opinion/2022/02/24/vladimir-putin-may-just-have-made-error-ends-bloody-rule/

  26. Good morning all. A chilly but bright & sunny start up here. Overnight rain has stopped and it’s 1°C outside.

    1. Is this the same white privileged that our ancestors spent thousands of years developing and thousands of others want a share of because they can’t be bothered to put their ‘own houses’ in order. And then come here to take advantage of and spend each given hour constantly complaining about.
      They wouldn’t last a week if they were to return to the ‘roots’ they so often refer to.
      When will they ever get these important facts into prospective.

      1. I’m waiting for all the BLMers to make the permanent return journey to their ancestral lands.
        Waiting ….. still waiting …… still wa ………..

  28. Beautiful sunny morning here .. and the skylarks are singing .

    Putin is using his narcissistic sado masochistic streak to full effect …who will stop him?

    1. Morning all 😊
      We even have 🌸 blossom on a cherry 🍒 tree in our garden. Out and about yesterday I saw many more in similar condition. A cold snap will make sure we don’t have any fruit on the tree.
      The birds and squirrels eat them all anyway.

  30. 351113+ up ticks,

    Morning Each,

    Friday 25 February: Stern action is needed to redress the shame of the West in letting Russia invade Ukraine

    That lets out the United Kingdom then, we have serial invaders on a daily basis, assorted felons enough to bring a Nation to it’s knees.

    The way the fat turk & Co,are handling the DOVER invasion maybe they are the political boyo’s to send to the kremlin with a book of harsh words,
    that’ll make them tremble in the kremble.

    The other two options are rejoin the eu or threaten nuclear, reset & build,build,build with a clear field to play with ( scorched earth)

  31. This poor woman is a victim of Putin’s ‘peacemakers.’ He ordered that she and many others should be maimed or killed. I said some time back that, if he ordered the invasion of Ukraine, Putin will have become ‘a pariah leader subject to justifiable assassination or trial at an international criminal court, and Russia will become a pariah nation.’ It has come to pass and there is active talk about Putin’s war crimes. I now say that Putin’s assassination would be justifiable.

    https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/4f617fb24425253790f0c399a7ac50dbd995c8a3cc2e9101e8d0f3d77c53a3fc.png

    1. Beaten up as a result of the EU’s empire building.
      Look at a map of Europe and NATO membership in 1989 and look at the same things now.
      This has been caused by the EU and NATO, Putin is trying to prevent the EU and NATO destabilising his country.

      1. I expect GW will have conveniently forgotten the single-handed efforts of “Baroness” Ashton the EUSSR’S “High Representative” to start WW3…..

        1. Oh gawd! She was spouting her ignorance on Sky news? last night! I actually had to leave the room before my head exploded! An absolute horror!

        2. Barrenness Ashton was – and still is – a completely abominable woman. Her sheer physical unattractiveness may not be her own fault as it was the consequence of her parents’ genes, but it is exceptionally rare to come across such an extraordinarily plain woman.

    2. We did this. We are as culpable as Putin. We are the playground bully. We taunted, prodded, and ignored Russia. We moved our military cartel, the NATO alliance, to the border of Russia, having lied. We said that we would not do that. We did it. Sometimes the bully gets punched on the nose.

      1. Talking of punched on the nose, I wouldn’t put it past the #scummedia to have transposed this image from Ottawa.

    4. Good morning Geoffrey

      A lot of people seem to think that this aggression of Putin’s would not have come to fruition if Trump were still in the White House.

      What do you think?

    6. After the media lies and omissions over the last few years, I’m afraid I don’t believe the article and piccture, Geoffrey. It’s too easy to get a dramatic photo and make up a story to go with it – witness that unfortunate little girl who kept onn needing rescued in Syria as an example.

  32. Good morning, All. Beautiful day in prospect in N Essex. I’ll continue to saw up my neighbour’s plum tree that succumbed to Monday’s storm and fell into my garden taking half of my Bramley apple tree with it. The dear lady is approaching 90 yo so I’ll not ask her to help.😇

    Radio ad for jabbing the 12 – 15 year old cohort continues and now joined by the more recent ad informing the populace about the prevalence of heart attacks. The government and its agents are beyond shameless.

    https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/2780704ead026df2dc6ad27e70dda3ad6bb0c893d7ba528f2871c15a9bb114c7.png

  34. Coal, we’re using less of it but look where it comes from.

    “In Quarter 3 2021, coal imports rose to 1.3 million tonnes, 18 per cent up on Q3 2020. Net imports
    accounted for 66 per cent of supply in Q1 2021 (Chart 2.2). Russia (48 per cent), the USA (25 per cent) and
    Venezuela (10 per cent) accounted for 83 per cent of total coal imports.
    https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1043311/Energy_Trends_December_2021.pdf

    “ In 2001 imports exceeded the level of UK
    production for the first time. As annual levels of UK coal production continued to fall,
    imports continued to grow and in 2006 reached a new record of 50.5 million tonnes.
    Demand from electricity generators declined over the next five years and imports fell
    accordingly. However, in the three years from 2011, higher gas prices led to greater
    demand for coal from electricity generators and imports rose again up to 2013 when they
    stood at 50.6 million tonnes, just above the 2006 record. From 2014 to 2017 imports fell
    once more, rose in 2018 before falling again in 2019 and 2020. In 2020 imports were 4.5
    million tonnes, a 37-year low in 2020.
    https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1032260/UK_Energy_in_Brief_2021.pdf

          1. The scenes with the ropeway were at Seaham in County Durham.
            Dad worked at Newbiggin by the Sea and when that shut, the Bewick Drift at Lynemouth.

    2. Madness. It still generates CO2 whether it’s imported or mined domestically. Still, that’s what happens where you’re ruled by STEM-illiterate politicians.

    1. Merkel was AND IS an old fashioned Soviet sleeper. She is now reaping the reward of those years of service to the communist cause.

      1. 🤭 her life donee must have made a deal with the Russians during his submarine journey to Argentina back in the 40s. 🤗

    1. My car tax is due, think I’ll wait until Monday. Mind you, a decent nuclear blast might smooth out some of the potholes.

      1. I’ve got to renew my driving licence in March. Perhaps I’ll wait a few days because I may not need one.

          2. Had an early doors Guinness with three guys at the local. The ex-landlord managed again to avoid his round. Drives me up the wall.

          6. It’s his publican nature. Plus, he’s an Irish/Aussie (passports) born in England with an ABE attitude. We argue nonstop.

    2. Same old same old, British journo’s always have all the answers in hindsight as do our more than useless politicians.
      How could any sane level headed person make a comparison to that which is happening between Russia and Ukraine with our Brexit vote.
      An not that I can be bothered with his inherent ignorance WTF was Lammey on about ……again ?

    3. To quote Neil:
      In a fiery put down, Mr Neil said: “Your insufferable arrogance in assuming to know how I voted in the Brexit referendum — or even if I voted — should not detract from your excellent point: without Brexit, Putin’s tanks would not be rolling to Ukraine. Obvs.”
      Unless he was being sarcastic (possible) I interpret that to mean that he agrees.

    1. Vacuuming the house , feeding the birds, inspecting bulbs in the plant pots .. My Crown Imperials are showing through now , bringng the dusbin back from the end of the driveway, throwing an old slipper for the dogs to retrieve , they love a game in the garden .

      Waiting for the second load of washing to finish the cycle , just put the kettle on , then will mention WALKIES to the dogs .. visit the loo , then off out into the sunshine and chilly breeze.

      Moh was up early for golf.

      1. As well as cherry blossom. We also have mini daffs out and snow drops.
        I’ve been left alone m by our wonderful grandchildren’s grandmother (‘Erin) she’s on her way to tidy the house and take our lovely grand daughters to the park. And later collect the little GD’s 6 year old brother from school.
        Yesterday we were at Addenbrookes children’s hospital where our other grandson age 2 is being treated for leukemia, discovered two weeks ago when he seemed to have an extended delay in recovering from Chicken pox. His father drove us there and back. Our Lovely DiL has been staying with littleun since he went in over 2 weeks ago. We all sat together in the cafeteria and he seemed a bit better but sleepy. Hopefully he might n be home at the weekend and the rest of his treatment that might take 12 months will be weekly.
        It’s been a devastating period of our life and although the tunnel could be very long there is some light drifting in.

        Does your OH ever play Purbeck TB I have played it a couple of times, i loved it. One hole, a short but dog-leg par 4, iron off the Tee for position and iron into the green. I stood over the ball and it was so windy the flag blew out of the hole on the green ….lovely view over the Solent though.

        1. My sympathy to you, your family but especially your 2 year old grandson. The world can be a wicked place. Why don’t these diseases hit all the vile people in this world?

          1. Agreed and If people thought praying helped to inflict the nasty with illnesses the churches would be packed.

        2. Your poor little grandson is having a terrible time , unbelievable bad luck for your family.

          You must all be suffering from shock and stress, but fingers crossed his condition has been caught early enough for a quick successful outcome .

          Things happen in childhood, but many many bounce back eventually, just stay positive .

          Re Purbeck golf , my R has played there in away matches , and it is very very windy and challenging but his course is nearer to us and quite magnificent https://www.dorsetgolfresort.com/golf-course/ and families can stay in cabins and enjoy the area.

          1. Thanks TB for the support.
            That golf course looks superb. Shame I can’t play any more with my arthritic knee. Our eldest has taken up member ship at my old Club, Mid Herts. Terry Wogan use to play there during the Children in Need week. Paul Walters his Program producer was a member and also captain. They entertained a chap who bid enormous amounts of money each year to play a round with Wogan.
            The family are hopefully spending a week in Rock in August this year. St. Enodoc Golf Club is within walking distance but it’s 135.00 per round in the summer months. 😕😏

        6. Cherry blossom? That’s early. I have tête-à-têtes out, together with normal sized daffs, crocuses and snowdrops. The bergenia are out, too and I noticed the vinca had a flower on it as well when I was tidying up. The hellebores are making a fine show.

          Apologies if I’ve posted one photo twice; it’s only showing four images.

          https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/5c7e785a2e39e3409d9c6ea68a45c3de104e1d53a2b1970436ad66154feab715.jpg https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/5c7e785a2e39e3409d9c6ea68a45c3de104e1d53a2b1970436ad66154feab715.jpg https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/07940a501869516256149635fc35a504627b25db1a0727014df4ddd77106bf70.jpg https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/a0c4d930a6a7145fdebc4bba2eeee43e14cc54b938529bc5004544cb8e12a762.jpg https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/1ac40388ccbb61d05c7e8fc93a3144e48eb772545b73cec628f0cab6dc0ecc51.jpg https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/07940a501869516256149635fc35a504627b25db1a0727014df4ddd77106bf70.jpg

          1. I’ve not been able to walk in the local countryside for ages, sometimes the sloe bushes are in blossom this early. But we had a really frosty night last night.
            I expect the cherry blossom will have suffered.

      2. My Oscar is sulking and skulking in the garden after having undergone a cold shower and anti-fox shampoo with the hose.

          2. I could chain my Oscar up (not that I would) and he’d still make it virtually impossible to get near him!

  39. Morning all. Sun and 55f. But I’m in a foul mood. Caticus had an epileptic seizure this morning, which is always distressing because you can do so little other than stand back and let it happen. And I had a rotten night which ended up in a shouting match with the hospital. Urology was supposed to see me to do ‘turps procedure’, they have no record of anything, evidently they have lost them. It has now been since November and I’m sick of it as well as worn out. I have not had a solid nights sleep for 4 months as of the 3rd March, up 12 times last night. Radiology was superb and, if you recall, I was praising them to the skies. Since then I have been greeted by nothing but incompetence by Urology, my inner wrathful deity is starting to come out. Told the hospital today that I expect a phone call from someone in authority today or I will go in and create a stink in person. Grrrrrr. So please excuse me if I get a bit snippy today. I will really take care not to be.

      1. Probably is Bill. Thanks for that idea because if no one phones me back today. I will do precisely that tomorrow.

      1. Sometimes easier said that done. If the medics are the same people doing both NHS and private and they’re hiding, offering to pay doesn’t always bring them forth, or fifth.

    5. Someone’s got to say it johnathan, looks like they’re taking the piss in the Urology dept.

      1. I’m discovering that the colorectal dept can’t be arsed either. Fortunately mother nature seems to be dong good, albeit slowly.

    6. Someone’s got to say it johnathan, looks like they’re taking the piss in the Urology dept.

        1. In my experience if you write to the CEO thing start happening immediately. Don’t wait too long. Do it now.

          2. Actually Alf. My threat this morning on the phone seems to have paid dividends. I have an appointment with a Consultant on Tuesday at the hospital.

            One of the most unpleasant things I learnt in the USA and a common adage there, is the reality that: “The squeaky wheel gets the oil.” It is something it took me a long while to become accustomed to in t order to use it. It is a violation of typical English diffidence and politeness and I hate doing it but it does seem to get results. It is not the English thing to do which is, perhaps, why it seems to be so effective in the UK. Frankly I can only do it because I had to learn to be as upfront or as aggressive as the Americans in order to communicate properly. It was actually quite difficult to start with and I would always feel, at the beginning, a definite sensation of anxiety or embarrassment for being so forward. American lack the subtlety of British English in communication. But now a days I can be as brash or blunt as any American.

          3. I’m always extremely polite and say I’ve exhausted all other avenues but I have been forced to write to you etc……

      1. No tea or coffee, Radiology told me to stop that so I haven’t drunk either in many months apart from the occasional cup of tea. I drink thrilling things like two litres of water per day, as per instructed by radiology. My diet is mostly fruit, vegetables, chicken and fish. In other words it is enough to make a dietician swoon!

    11. You have every right to be … um …. pissed off.
      After that amount of delay and inconvenience (sorry) I would be in a straitjacket.

    12. I sympathise. I was catheterised for seven months waiting for a turp. The operation is a life changer. Hope ypu get yours soon.

    13. Sorry to hear that, Johnathan. I had a phone call yesterday from the pain management clinic. I politely told the woman that I’d tried all she’d suggested, it didn’t work and I’d like to be referred back to my GP and actually get some help that worked.

    1. What emboldens your adversaries is moving your missiles ever closer to his doorstep, and of course the moral degradation of those we have allowed to call themselves leaders. They are nothing of the sort – they are self-serving criminals.

    2. I made the point to a neighbour this morning when I was hacking away at some shrubs that had gone wild that our armed forces had more diversity and equality officers than boots on the ground.

  41. 15ºC in greenhouse – about 2ºC outside in the strong wind. Not conducive to gardening…grrr.

  42. The shame of the West that the warmongers at the Telegraph refer to comes from them and the other liars like them, who have brought our democracies to a very low place in ethics and morals. It is typical that the Telegraph does not publish Putin’s statements and his remarks yesterday are essential reading even if they give one species embarrassment for the creatures to whom we have allowed access to the levers of power.

    The war we truly face is within the castle walls, and we should resist the lies of those who have killed and injured so many of us before trying to distract.

    https://www.tarableu.com/putins-remarks-of-24th-february/

    1. Thank you for that Jonathan. It is the first time I have seen it whole and I read it in its entirety. It must make uncomfortable reading for Western leaders because what he says is all true.

  43. Curious. How many of you have read the Minsk Agreements and how many are aware that Ukraine has violated it constantly since they signed it in 2014? Also, how many are aware that the Ukrainians have been periodically shelling Donbass since than up to the present day. And last but not least. How many, and I’m sure this is deliberate provocation on the part of the Ukrainians, that in order to do the shelling etc, they have used the Azov Battalion, the Nazi battalion and the Right Sector, to do this. And how many know that today, the Ukrainians are holding Donbass citizens as hostages? Even though Russia has said that they will not interfere in anyone wanting to leave and, in that they include military that wish to go home.

    Right Sector
    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Right_Sector

    Azov Battalion
    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Azov_Battalion

    1. I’ve learned most of that in the last few days, having reverted to watching RT after despairing of GBNews which, Mark Steyn excepted, is pushing the propaganda line,

      1. Interesting that one of the BBC employees said ” we must fight”

        Was this her own opinion, or had she been told to say this by PTB?

      1. http://www.lauros.co.uk/

        Just this minute got back. Larry’s homemade chicken parfait and a plate of scallops. And about half a bottle of Manzanilla sherry.

        Making the most of it as they retire at the end of April. Blast them !

  45. I remember, a long time ago now, getting on the school bus in the morning, to go from St Ives to Penzance, in the real expectation that the world as we knew it might have been vapourised by the end of the day. Fortunately Kruschev decided that JFK was a man of resolution and told his missile ships to reverse course.
    What has been happening over the last extended period is a close parallel to those events but in reverse. Our own pitiful Kruschev has found that his opponent is also a man of resolution.

    The egregious behaviour of the EU and the US over the Ukraine, and their efforts to humiliate and dominate since the break-up of the Soviet Union was malign stupidity that cared nothing for the people of either Ukraine or of `Russia, still less for us. We should understand that and feel shame that our great civilisation has been so undermined by those we have allowed to usurp power, who have nothing to recommend them to the right-thinking citizen. The many dead from the Virus outrage and those suffering from the new conflict are their direct responsibility.

    1. Pity you didn’t finish the Kennedy/Kruschev story.
      The bit where Kennedy removed his nuclear weapons from Turkey.

      1. I thought that was viewed as good diplomacy: get your adversary to back down, but avoid them loss of face.

      2. That’s a good point – I wonder if we will get a repeat of that wisely pragmatic gesture from Putin – let’s hope the opportunity arises in the near future. With that Biden creature telling Ukraine they can’t negotiate for themselves we seem to be a little distance from that….

      1. Don’t they look young!
        And white. And male. And heterosexual.
        That would never get on the BBC these days.

  49. Like 9/11, Putin’s attack on Ukraine has shattered the West’s certainties
    America’s president is weak, but it’s Europe’s failures that have been so clearly exposed

    Fraser Nelson : https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2022/02/24/like-911-putins-attack-ukraine-has-shattered-wests-certainties/

    9/11 was an attack by Muslim terrorists.

    Did we do anything to stand up to the threats posed by Muslim terrorists? No, we don’t even do anything when, in the name of their God, they rape white British girls; no, we extend more and more welcomes to them by not repelling them and expelling them when they enter illegally our ‘infidel’ land which they term deserving of any harm they can inflict; no, because they are deeply in-bedded both in Parliament, in the government, in local government and even in the mayoralty of our capital city.

    So if we can’t and won’t stand up to Islam and term those who say we should stand up to them as ‘xenophobic Islamophobes‘ who should be punished for ‘hate crime’ then what chance have we of standing up to either Russia or China?

    1. I received my British Horse magazine (from the British Horse Society, of which I’m a life member) this morning. There was an interview with a muslim talking about her trainer. The muzzie said, I asked about my clothing and was pleased (or relieved, can’t remember exactly) to receive “such an inclusive answer”. She’d have got short shrift from me. I’d have reminded her it isn’t obligatory, it’s a political statement and she should take it off so her hat fits properly or I wouldn’t be instructing her.

      1. Was she going full Burqa?
        The Burqua is not the traditional dress of many now Islamic nations, but an imposition forced upon women by Islamic zealots to subdue those women.
        By wearing it in the UK, Muslim women are shewing their hatred for western civilisation.
        Wearing it is a Hate Crime.

        1. Hijab and presumably long sleeves and probably a long, maybe divided, skirt (I could only see a head shot with the rag wrapped around). She was a single mother (and claimed how difficult it was managing child care). Victim, victim, victim …

    2. It is astounding that an MP is suggesting all out war in Europe over a country that has no strategic interest to us. There could have been a few word sent to support the Canadian truckers campaining for their rights, with no risks whatsoever. But not a whisper. We are truely stuffed.

      1. Thank goodness I’m not the only person who sees this. Everyone around me is throwing up their hands in horror at what a terrible tyrant Putin is, and all the horrible things he said in his speech the other day.
        Didn’t they listen to ANYTHING that has been coming out of Canada?
        No, of course they didn’t, and they’re not interested in it either.
        We should stop kidding ourselves that anyone is going to wake up any time soon.

  55. WORLD AT WARUkraine President Says He’s Been “Left Alone” by West as He Considers Signing ‘Neutrality Deal’ With Russia
    https://summit.news/2022/02/25/ukraine-president-says-hes-been-left-alone-by-west-as-he-considers-signing-neutrality-deal-with-russia/
    Serves the bstrd right for provoking Russia and miscalculating the spineless West. I’m sure he has stashed away a few billion. Look forward to him setting up shop in London or New York.

    2. Ukraine should surrender immediately. Putin should send in crack squads and kill all the Nazi’s. He could take Geoffrey Woolard out at the same time seeing as dear old Geoffrey was calling for his assassination.

        1. You sort of overlook that the Ukrainians have killed 14,000 Russians in the ceded part in the east of the country.

          2. Alright – seized by Putin. But the area he seized is 90% Russian. There was no need for the Ukrainians to keep on shelling fr 6 years – and KILL 14,000 people. No reason at all.

          3. And you seem to ignore that Donbass and Luhansk were constantly under bombardment by the Azov Battalion. Bone fide Nazis. But I suppose you think that is quite alright. Sup with the devil and think you are clean!

      1. When you see who all these countries encircle. Can anyone honestly pretend that belligerence against Russia is not the intent?
        But you have to ask what was the motivation on the part of NATO in the first place.

  58. Mrs Thatcher. in 1994

    Ten years ago we would have given almost anything for the Cold War to end. When it did, we were too absorbed in our own problems to give sufficient help.

    The Russian people–and the Ukrainians–are good people who have suffered mightily–they deserved better than they have received from those who claim to be the guardians of liberty.

    Perhaps the main difference between the Russian and the Chinese people, both of whom have suffered under Communism, is that the Chinese are born traders. Moreover, Deng Xiaoping since 1978 although denying political liberty has steadily encouraged a market or enterprise economy. “I wish we had started that way“, the Russian leaders used to say to me–but historically, the Russians had little taste for enterprise and their brief experience of it was snuffed out by Lenin in 1917. In addition, there is no Russian diaspora similar to Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore to pour investment into Russia as has happened with China.

    The mention of China reminds us of the dangers of nuclear proliferation in North Korea. The sobering facts of missile proliferation add to our concerns. Their spread has the potential to upset regional power balances and to create fears of surprise attack. Fifteen or more Third World countries currently possess ballistic missiles and several more may have them by the year 2,000, a chilling prospect. Eight of these could have nuclear systems or advanced programmes to acquire them by the turn of the century.

    Thus, on present trends a number of Third World states, including terrorist states, could upset all our old defence assumptions and calculations. The problem is magnified because those who obtain nuclear weapons in the future may have fewer scruples about their use than the current nuclear powers.

    It is not just a question of more advanced weapons in the world. What matters is who has them and what for. In several instances those nations who have the most serious ambitions in this regard are led by despotic, aggressive and unstable leaders. Under those circumstances, although the number of nuclear weapons in the possession of the United States and Russia is being reduced drastically, we cannot invest great faith in the arms control and monitoring process with other nations.

    What then? We need to have a more effective ballistic missile defence such as the SDI can provide. Nothing could give us more freedom of action in the 21st Century. If we have the means to prevent an aggressor from hitting his target we may well deter him; we may even diminish his desire to build up his missile stocks in the first place.

    In all this, the role of an active, confident and outward-looking United States is vital. It is vital by virtue of America’s technological base, her formidable military power, her economic strength and her tradition of being prepared to transcend considerations of national interest in support of those struggling to maintain or obtain freedom. But we must all bare our share.

    A strong US may prove as vital to the resolution of problems within Europe as well as those which may emerge elsewhere. Some Western European leaders may have grown complacent about the US military presence. But ask a democratic leader in what we formerly referred to as Eastern Europe, Poland, Hungary, the Czech Republic or the Baltic States, and you will get the same answer. They will say that America’s presence in Europe is a vital factor in ensuring stability and that the former Eastern European countries should become full members of NATO.

    _____

    1994 May 18 We, Margaret Thatcher.

    Speech at Buckingham University (“Challenges of the 21st Century”). in 1994

        1. Indeed, but apart from Russia what real point was there to NATO?
          Russia could have been welcomed into an EFTA and the EU as it now is might not have been created.

      2. Those that are now in NATO will probably survive.Ukraine should have been left as a buffer state and not have neen asked to join the EU/Nato.

        1. Indeed.
          However, I wouldn’t trust the idiots in charge not to start putting weapons into them and conducting exercises on Russia’s borders, in which case all bets would be off.

  59. I’ve just posted this on Going Postal:-

    I wonder how many of the Russian émigrés in the West, especially London, are former Soviet Nomenklatura (possibly ex-KGB?) who used their positions to asset strip the newly emergent Russia and, with the assistance of London based Carpetbagging money launderers, syphon it to The West?
    I can’t imagine many of them would be Putin supporters or that keen on going back to Moscow.

    1. At the Russian Orthodox Church in Berkeley. Here it is:
      http://www.stjohnthebaptistberkeley.org/images/welcome/11951_335534479927661_3152652387432410809_n.jpg

      There were three distinct groups. Those who were White Russians or descends thereof.
      Those who fled Russia when the Nazi’s were defeated
      And those who escaped Communist Russia after the war.
      Each group would have no truck with the other.
      If you were White Russian you hated the Nazi Russians, because they were under suspicion due to what they might have done in WWII.
      If you were White Russian you were suspicious of those who escaped Communist Russia because they might have been KGB. So the White Russians only associated with themselves.

      This pattern went for the other two groups. I used to feel heartily sorry for them all due to the paranoia they lived under. The groups never talked to each other.

      One of my Russian/American aunts worked at a place called the Swallow Restaurant. One afternoon it hosted a bunch of Russian actors and actresses. One of the women remarked that she had a headache. So my aunt went into the kitchen and brought two or three Aspirin to the lady in question and addressed her in Russian. The woman promptly dropped her wine class on the floor and had a panic attack. The actress assumed my aunt must be KGB to speak fluent Russian without any accent, and to pop out of nowhere. Can you imagine living with that sort of mind set?

      So the idea that the Russians want to go back to that or that Putin would wish to do so is preposterous. If he actually tried it, I think he would be poisoned in double quick time.

      1. It’s incidents like that which really bring home to you the downright evil of those regimes.

    2. At the Russian Orthodox Church in Berkeley. Here it is:
      http://www.stjohnthebaptistberkeley.org/images/welcome/11951_335534479927661_3152652387432410809_n.jpg

      There were three distinct groups. Those who were White Russians or descends thereof.
      Those who fled Russia when the Nazi’s were defeated
      And those who escaped Communist Russia after the war.
      Each group would have no truck with the other.
      If you were White Russian you hated the Nazi Russians, because they were under suspicion due to what they might have done in WWII.
      If you were White Russian you were suspicious of those who escaped Communist Russia because they might have been KGB. So the White Russians only associated with themselves.

      This pattern went for the other two groups. I used to feel heartily sorry for them all due to the paranoia they lived under. The groups never talked to each other.

      One of my Russian/American aunts worked at a place called the Swallow Restaurant. One afternoon it hosted a bunch of Russian actors and actresses. One of the women remarked that she had a headache. So my aunt went into the kitchen and brought two or three Aspirin to the lady in question and addressed her in Russian. The woman promptly dropped her wine class on the floor and had a panic attack. The actress assumed my aunt must be KGB to speak fluent Russian without any accent, and to pop out of nowhere. Can you imagine living with that sort of mind set?

      So the idea that the Russians want to go back to that or that Putin would wish to do so is preposterous. If he actually tried it, I think he would be poisoned in double quick time.

    1. Now that vaccine damage numbers are coming out, they’ve had instructions to stop talking about covid.
      The New Scientist, which has been shamelessly scaremongering for the last 2 years, has nothing at all on its front page this week.
      You’d think that a magazine that pretends to be interested in science would at least be asking a few questions about the vaccine damage figures coming out of Germany and the US.

    1. Of course ! It helps having eyes in the back of your head! 👀
      As a mother and gran I’m quite good at that!

      1. Tell me a mother who doesn’t !

        My mum and my gran both wore those winged glasses. A bit like wing mirrors. They really could see behind them. Not kidding. :@(

          8. My son when a toddler decorated our main bathroom in talcum powder and toothpaste. What a mess!! Yes, when kids are quiet go and see what they’re up to!

          12. None taken, pet! I miss her every day. I’ve been out walking today with my dear friend. We were at college in Manchester together (think student flats!) She married another friend of ours when his wife left him. We knew her husband a lot of years before she did, when he was married to our bridesmaid. Life is a bitch and Bert died far too young leaving a lot of us grieving.

          13. That is sad. And you don’t need me to tell you that it’s all part of lifes rich tapestry. The bitter and the sweet.

            We take our pleasures where we find them.

            Mine is spending time with friends over good food, good wine and laughter.
            Not much else interests me these days.

          14. Laughter! Now you’ve nailed it, pet! Our family have always laughed – a lot! Nothing was too serious or too ghastly to avoid the laughter! Poor old Dorothy doesn’t seem to be able to laugh any more! But she is an SNP loon!

    2. There was an old, frail-looking, grey-haired spinster at my prep school who taught us Arithmetic, Geometry and Algebra called Miss Moore. All she had to do was to look at you and you were put completely in your place. It was down to the raw force of her personality.

      Of course all of us, even the thickies, managed to get over 90% in the Common Entrance Maths Exams.

      1. The only maths exam I ever passed was in 2nd year of grammar school. I was so scared of the teacher, Miss Conrady, and what she would do to me if I failed. I got 60%!

      2. Next door but one to us, when we lived in Wales, lived Mrs Rolls, ‘The Teacher”, from my wife’s Junior school day

        We were haveing a UPVC door installed, when the fitter Froze: he hears a voice, cowered and said is that Mrs Rolls

        This was about 25 years after he had left school

  62. My humble opinion of what has happened:

    The power seeking, land grabbing EU, has beeen trying to get the ex USSR countries to join their Club

    Rumours abound that the West agreed that NATO would not move further East

    Despite this the West (via EU) has tried to move East

    Mr Puitin is not happy, hence The Problems

    NATO should not be going to war over an EU Landgrab

    Let the EU army sort it out with the Russians, whilst we watch from the wings

    1. Mr Putin should have been asked to join the ‘gang’! Unfortunately nobody bothered to talk to the man.

  63. My humble opinion of what has happened:

    The power seeking, land grabbing EU, has beeen trying to get the ex USSR countirs to join their Club

    Rumours abound that thw West agreed that NATO would not move fourther East

    Despite this the West (via EU) has tried to move East

    Mr Puitin is not happy, hence The Problems

    NATO should not be going to war over an EU Landgrab

    Let the EU army sort it out with the Russians, whilst we watch from the wings

      1. You watch it…!!

        How different things were. I didn’t go anywhere near a university; had I done so, the state would have given me a grant…

        1. Yep. I had a grant. I put my son through university in CT- we got a reduced rate as we were state residents and he had been awarded a scholarship for all 4 years which was a big help.
          He had to take out a loan for his MBA but that’s only 2 years worth.

          1. Oh God – ruin my day, why don’t you. Of the many unspeakables posing as a government, Shitts is one of the very worst.

          6. Most of my mates at college gave up smoking because we couldn’t afford beer and ciggies. Beer at the weekend came first.

        4. In my day there was a means test and the grant you got depended on your father’s income. I received the minimum maintenance grant of £50 pa but had to pay my tuition fees which were £83 pa. Fortunately I had a very generous father who paid for the costs of my time at university. Caroline studied at university in Bath in UK and did her Maitrise-ès-Lettres in Linguistics at the University of Rouen in France. Her father, who worked in Madrid for a multi-national company at the time, paid for her living expenses and fees throughout her time at university.

          We did not want our two boys to receive less than we had done and so we made sure that we funded their university studies so that they both left university free of all debt.

          A couple of years after leaving UEA with a B.A. (2.1) in Politics and Philosophy Henry, our younger son, decided to study for a M.Sc in Computer Science at York University. He did this as an external student and as he was holding down a job and earning rather more than his parents, he financed his post-graduate studies and paid the exorbitant fees himself. As I am feeling a bit hubristic I shall not fail to mention that he was awarded a Distinction.

        6. That’s because the only people who went to university were the ones who could benefit from the education they provided. Now, thanks to Blair [spit!], 50% of people are shoe-horned into yoonie courses in things like Indian head massage and mindfulness. They end up with a lot of debt and no benefit from it.

      2. Hi LotL. I finally saw your message from Monday but too late to reply.

        Not bad, thx, but MiL fell and broke her thigh about 10 days ago and will be in hospital for the next 6 weeks. Care organised for FiL as a result.

        Other than that, still buggering on.

        How are things with you?

        1. I suppose one could always bury ones face in them and go lalalalalala while shaking ones head from side to side.. Try it on the MR and let us know how it goes. :@)

      1. A lusty young lady called Pat
        Had triplet boys Mat, Nat and Tat
        When feeding each day
        To her utmost dismay
        She found she had no tit for Tat.

  66. Welcome to the Free Speech Union’s weekly newsletter, our round-up of the free speech news of the week. As with all our work, this newsletter depends on the support of our members and donors, so if you’re not already a paying member please sign up today or encourage a friend to join, and help us turn the tide against cancel culture.

    Cardiff academics hounded for eight months by trans activists with kneecapping threat

    We’ve written to Jeremy Miles MS, Welsh Minister for Education, urging him to intervene in the situation at Cardiff University, where several of our members and their colleagues (all academic staff) have been targeted by trans activists in a long-running campaign of intimidation.

    It began in June 2021, when the academics urged Cardiff to reconsider its continuing participation in the Stonewall Diversity Champions scheme. Following this, a leaflet was distributed on campus picturing a woman holding a gun, the names and photos of the signatories, and the caption “ACT NOW”. A student whistleblower then revealed violent threats being made on the Facebook page of the Cardiff LGBT+ Society. This evidence was all presented to the University and the police, but neither responded robustly to protect the academics. The University misplaced evidence, and failed to conduct a thorough investigation in a timely manner. It defended messages referring to an academic as an “ignorant fuckface” and a call to kneecap them as legitimate expressions of free speech, even after one of the signatories had his car window smashed. You can read our letter here. Ella Whelan wrote in Spiked that the case demonstrated—yet again—trans ideology’s complete capture of the universities.

    According to a new study, two thirds of academics believe academic freedom is threatened in the UK, and 40% don’t feel free to select teaching material. Our founder Toby Young told the Mail:

    The people who deny there’s a free speech crisis in British universities often point to the fact that only a handful of academics are no-platformed each year. But that’s the tip of the iceberg. As George Orwell pointed out in the introduction to Animal Farm, the most ubiquitous form of censorship is self-censorship, and we know from surveys and polls that a huge number of academics are self-censoring.

    Student blocked from setting up free speech society after criticising SU’s intolerance of other views

    We’ve been supporting student Sam Cowie, whose bid to launch a free speech society at The Open University has been blocked by its Students’ Association after he criticised its intolerance of dissenting views in the trans debate. We spoke to GB News about the case.

    Meanwhile, Manchester University has been criticised for forcing out its museum director after UK Lawyers for Israel alleged his exhibition was “designed to provoke racial discord”.

    Tell the Government to protect free speech

    The Government is currently holding a consultation on proposals to reform the Human Rights Act 1998. This is an opportunity to push for the maintenance and strengthening of the right to freedom of expression within the UK – and if you’d like to help we’ve created these FAQs suggesting how you might respond.

    Trans speech policing

    Hadley Freeman wrote for UnHerd about the vilification of women who express concerns about trans ideology. The Times reported her comments about how left-wing media outlets silence women. Jo Bartosch wrote about the media’s uniform approach to respecting the “preferred pronouns” of male sex offenders who “identify as women”.

    Maya Forstater, whose landmark case was a crucial victory for free speech, wrote for UnHerd about the three-year battle that ensued after she was sacked for “tweeting about the difference between sex and gender identity”.

    JK Rowling was too big to cancel, so now the trans lobby are trying to pretend she never existed, wrote Suzanne Moore in the Telegraph, after pictures surfaced of a New York Times advertising campaign showing someone “Imagining Harry Potter without its creator”. Simon Evans said it would be “demented” to pretend Harry Potter could exist without JK Rowling.

    Grace Lavery, a prominent trans activist, withdrew from a debate with Helen Joyce after pressure from the “trans community” not to take part in the event.

    Former Green Party spokesman Shahrar Ali is bringing legal action against the party after he was sacked for his views about trans issues. A Green candidate stood down after he was perceived to be insufficiently hostile to Kathleen Stock, who was hounded out of her job at Sussex University.

    Calls to ban Russia Today

    Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries has urged Ofcom to take action against Russia Today. James Forsyth argued in the Spectator that this would be a mistake.

    Culture war

    Our Deputy Research Director Emma Webb spoke on GB News about the Government’s new guidance on political impartiality in schools, arguing that it doesn’t go far enough. Frank Furedi wrote about American parents’ ongoing rebellion against school indoctrination.

    Our director Douglas Murray wrote in the Telegraph that UK conservatives have abandoned the battlefield in the culture wars. Thomas Prosser argued that the future of free speech increasingly rests with conservatives. Jacob Rees-Mogg said civil servants must be “completely apolitical” and not use hashtags such as #BLM. Frank Furedi said the British state is “institutionally woke”.

    Professor Eric Kaufmann of our Advisory Council spoke to GB News about the meaning of “woke” and its implications for free speech, as well as about our work.

    Karen Dunbar has backed the BBC’s practice of cutting “offensive” sketches from comedy repeats. Jack Dee has defended Jimmy Carr’s right to make offensive jokes. Russell Kane said speech restrictions on comedians were worse in the 1970s.

    Michael Mosbacher wrote in the Spectator about the Tate’s “grubby” cancellation of Rex Whistler.

    Legal updates

    Ministers have rejected plans to make misogyny a hate crime. The Government has also reportedly decided against an outright ban on anonymous online accounts. Instead, social media users are to be given the ability “to prevent anonymous accounts from engaging with them online”, while social media companies will have the ability to track which accounts are unverified and anonymous, the Sun reported.

    The Times warned that the Online Safety Bill threatens free expression. Fraser Nelson said the legislation would give censors more power than ever. Lord Frost wrote in the Telegraph:

    So we must return to our long-established tradition of protecting free speech. When I was young, I often heard people say, of some doubtful opinion: “Well, it’s a free country.” I don’t hear that so much now. Indeed, during the pandemic, social media companies have prevented far too much perfectly legitimate debate; unfortunately, our Government has not always pushed back on this; and the Scottish Government seems to positively revel in it. Let’s recast the Online Safety Bill; let’s put more protection for free speech into law, and let’s make this a free country again.

    Chris Mullin, who exposed the wrongful conviction of the Birmingham Six, is resisting a police attempt to gain access to his notebooks.

    World news

    Why is the Left silent on Justin Trudeau’s use of the Emergency Act to quell protests, asked Heydon Prowse. It is inconceivable that the response would have been the same if it happened in America under Trump, said Joanna Williams.

    Ophélie Meunier, the French journalist who is living under police protection, has urged her country’s media to refrain from self-censorship when discussing Islamism.

    Book now! Free speech from Socrates to social media

    Join us in London for a live public lecture, discussion, and book launch on Thursday, March 17, as Jacob Mchangama introduces his new book, Free Speech: A History from Socrates to Social Media. Jacob is an author and lawyer, and the founder and director of Justitia, a Copenhagen-based think tank focusing on human rights, freedom of speech, and the rule of law.

    Following a short lecture, Jacob will be joined in conversation by Dr Joanna Williams, writer and director of the think tank Cieo, and our general secretary Toby Young. The discussion will be chaired by Claire Fox, director of the Academy of Ideas. There will then be a wine reception, hosted by Basic Books. Tickets are £10/£5, with special rates for FSU members using this link or enter the promo code FSUmember.

    Founder Members should email events@freespeechunion.org if they would like a complimentary ticket.

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    Best wishes,

    1. Threats of kneecapping considered to be protected by freedom of speech?

      I bet they would change their tune if it were directed at them. Woke hypocrites.

    2. And its this sort of pathetic degeneracy that allows someone with both feet in reality to run rings around us and the rest of NATO. And I shouldn’t omit the degenerates of Brussels either. When Putin’s tanks entered Kiev they should have played the ‘Great Gates of Kiev’, to rub it in, ala the Americans playing the ride of the Valkyrie in Vietnam.

    3. And its this sort of pathetic degeneracy that allows someone with both feet in reality to run rings around us and the rest of NATO. And I shouldn’t omit the degenerates of Brussels either. When Putin’s tanks entered Kiev they should have played the ‘Great Gates of Kiev’, to rub it in, ala the Americans playing the ride of the Valkyrie in Vietnam.

    4. And its this sort of pathetic degeneracy that allows someone with both feet in reality to run rings around us and the rest of NATO. And I shouldn’t omit the degenerates of Brussels either. When Putin’s tanks entered Kiev they should have played the ‘Great Gates of Kiev’, to rub it in, ala the Americans playing the ride of the Valkyrie in Vietnam.

    3. Read his address to the Russians at the beginning of this military action and you realize that he is the only sane one out of all of them. Both feet firmly planted on the ground while the rest take flights of fantasy.

    4. Went over to the Daily Mail a little while ago. It has gone absolutely rabid about Putin and Russia. It’s an insult to intelligent people everywhere. Still, I suppose it helps sell their rag.

  69. I’ve been upsetting friends on Facebook. People are adding the Ukrainian flag to their profiles in the same spirit that they put on cloth masks and parroted the mantra that the jabs are safe and effective. I sounded off at some length (not that I think most of them read beyond the first line) and in return got all the typical guff about how they’re the caring ones.

      1. Oh what a good suggestion! I didn’t actually express support for the Russian government, I just pointed out that the mob in power in Kiev are not good guys and anyway, maybe take a look at Canada and if they’re concerned about the integrity of borders, Dover too.

        2. Agree Sue. It really bothers me that “the mother of Parliaments” has nothing at all to say about the murder of democracy in Canada. Such hypocrites have no room to lecture the Russians, or anyone else for that matter.

    3. Perhaps you would like to tell them they are consorting with Nazi’s. Or isn’t that allowed on Farcebook?

      1. They have the answer to that – Putin made up stories about Nazis in Ukraine as part of his evil propaganda.

        1. Direct them to Wikipedia and the entries for ‘Azov Battalion’ and ‘Right Sector’. Surely they don’t think that Silicone Valley is working for the Russians? They have their own totalitarianism to be righteous about.

          1. In normal conversation it’s hard to be as nerdy as one is on the internet, but I must memorise the name “Azov Battalion”. I did not make much headway against the legacy media propaganda today!
            In 2022, after all the corruption over the last few years, how CAN people still believe in the plucky little innocent government standing up to the big bully?

    4. Oh dear. This is horrible! I’m being criticised for caring about Canada and vaccine side effects instead of joining in the most ridiculous personal condemnation of Vladimir Putin. I am not especially pro-Russian, but I really don’t think he’s the anti-Christ, far from it.

    5. Get them to look at a map of the EU in 1989 together with the list of NATO members and then ask them to look at the same information today and ask them who is threatening who.

  70. I see we’ve finally deployed the ultimate deterrent in our spat with Russia.

    They are to be denied entry to the European Song Contest!

  72. HAPPY HOUR – Wot War….?

    In welcome warm sunshine I spent the afternoon pruning the shrub roses.
    The climbers had taken over the wild border so a severe haircut was required.
    Cematis ‘Blue Angel’ mingles with the vigorous climbing rose Albertine and never fails to
    produce a glorious show in early summer.
    Nearby the white winter Jasmine Polyanthum filled the air with it’s strong perfume and welcome pink buds. Bliss!
    Someone once said ‘One is closer to God in a garden’…

    https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/115405fb441a9fb0b921b36f4eba72e4602f3d2d3b1e06bf63936ac39146d6a9.jpg

    3. I’m led to believe there are ‘No atheists in foxholes’ either

      Evening Plum and everyone….

    5. You have a beautiful garden Plum .

      My clematis Montana Elisabeth is looking very ragged underneath the fresh growth from last year.
      We will have to prune our shrub roses soon , probably tomorrow if it is fine and sunny.

      I think squirrels have interferred with some of my spring bulbs .

      Just being out in the garden observing little changes is very relaxing .

      1. Hi Belle, It’s easy to manage with plenty of ground cover to keep out weeds. The squirrels bury their nuts in the flower pots so the miniature daffs are thrown into disarray….such is life….

    6. Snap! It’s been lovely gardening weather. Although I no longer have an Eglantine (I left it in my previous house) and, despite having lots of varieties of clematis, I don’t have a Blue Angel. I’ll look out for that next time I see clematis for sale.

      1. Lovely gardening weather…for some reason I now have the Eton Boating song in my head;-)

  73. That’s me for today. Must go and clean my rifle ready for the Russian paratroops landing tomorrow. Hope they delay until after the Farmers’ Market….

    Have a jolly evening. Play nicely.

    A demain.

  76. I’ve been pondering a question I set myself all day.
    Why is the West backing Ukraine and not Russia?
    When one looks at its history; the Ukraine, doesn’t seem to be an innocent country that is being subsumed by a belligerent Russia. If one asks the Polish, Jewish or even Russian people what they think of Ukraine, I’m sure their feelings (especially those who lived through WWII) would be negative.
    It seems to me that they are unstable, corrupt and belligerent: that is not to say all of the common people are, the recent governing class certainly seems to be.
    I maybe wrong in my understanding and am open to correction.

    1. Perhaps they are corrupt, given the alleged links to the Bidens. Then again, most countries are to some extent

      1. I think just about every country is corrupt and all the so called leaders. I loathe all of them.

      2. That is an observation (Biden) that seems to have been forgotten (conveniently) by most of the MSM).

    2. “Why is the West backing Ukraine and not Russia? … It seems to me that they are unstable, corrupt and belligerent:” Like calls to like? Birds of a feather? Or as the Russians would say, izbuk izbuka videt iz daleko (a fisherman sees a fisherman from afar).

      1. I think Putin genuinely wants to eradicate corruption in his area of influence, a bit like Trump, but there is powerful opposition unfortunately.

        1. “Putin genuinely wants to eradicate corruption in his area of influence,”

          Given the exposé of Hunter Biden’s laptop, I think the Ukraine has a huge amount of kompromat on the Fake POTUS, hence the USA’s support for them.

    3. And it fought with the Nazi’s in WWII and right now it has Nazi’s in its government.

      2. Good evening Geoffrey. I am not getting to this discussion as I have enough to deal with, to be honest. Just to ask if you, Mrs. Woollard and the family are well- I do hope so.

          2. Glad to hear it Geoffrey! I think you might be amused to know that I have been doing a very small amount of research on Oliver Cromwell! Never too late for an old dog to learn new tricks;-)

        1. Could it possibly be to do with the fact that Russia is supporting Syria? Syria is in dispute with Israel over the adverse possession of the Golan Heights and there’s Iran in the mix as well…..

          1. Possibly, but this is GW here.
            Words of one syllable and the EU is ALWAYS right.
            Even when it’s in the wrong.

          2. I doubt it.
            Russia, for all its faults, recognises that ISIS is a far worse proposition for the middle east than ever Assad is.

    5. This extract from Wiki:

      Revolution of Dignity, 2014 may cast some light …

      Successive Ukrainian governments in the 2000s sought a closer relationship with the European Union (EU). The government of president Viktor Yanukovych had been negotiating an association agreement with the European Union since 2012. Such comprehensive trade agreement with the EU would have impacted Ukraine’s trade agreements with Russia, the latter being Ukraine’s biggest trade partner at the time. Yanukovych believed that the complications could be addressed, and he said that he intended to enter the agreement, but continued to postpone. This was interpreted as an attempt to back out of signing this agreement, and led to a wave of protests which came to be known as the “Euromaidan” movement.

      Pro-European Union Euromaidan protesters in Kyiv, December 2013.
      Protests originally erupted in November 2013 after President Viktor Yanukovych refused to sign a political association and free trade agreement with the European Union at a meeting of the Eastern Partnership in Vilnius, Lithuania, choosing closer ties with Russia instead. Prime Minister Mykola Azarov had asked for €20 billion (US$27 billion) in loans and aid. The EU was willing to offer €610 million ($838 million) in loans, but Russia was willing to offer $15 billion, as well as cheaper gas prices. In addition, the EU demanded major changes to Ukraine’s regulations and laws, but Russia did not. Russia also applied economic pressure on Ukraine and launched a propaganda campaign against the EU deal.

      Yanukovych was widely disliked in Ukraine’s west but had some support in the east, where his native Russian is much more spoken, and in the south. The rallies were initially peaceful but became violent in January 2014 after Parliament, dominated by Yanukovych’s supporters, passed laws intended to repress the protests. The European Union and the United States urged Yanukovych to negotiate a peaceful end to the conflict and said they would impose sanctions on government officials if they were found responsible for violence.

      In the lead-up to the February revolution an amnesty agreement was made with protesters wherein they would be spared criminal charges in exchange for leaving occupied buildings. The demonstrators vacated all occupied Regional State Administration buildings, and activists in Kyiv left the Hrushevskoho Street standoff; Kyiv’s City Hall was also released back to government control on 16 February. All those previously jailed for taking part in protests were scheduled to be released after 17 February.

      On 14 February, Yanukovych had said: “I want to say that I was incited, and I’m incited to use various methods and ways how to settle the situation, but I want to say I don’t want to be at war. I don’t want any decisions made using such a radical way.” He called on all politicians to refrain from radicalism and to understand that “there is a line that shouldn’t be crossed, and this line is law”.

  78. Evening, all. Been a lovely day here; calm, sunny and mild. I spent most of the day in the garden, finishing the pruning, tidying up and even managed to enjoy my morning coffee sitting out and doing the crossword. Global warming? Bring it on! I felt so much better and more energised with the sun on my back. Oscar had to suffer more trimming. He really doesn’t like having his hair cut, so I could only do a little bit and he’s still straggly, but better than he was. Hopefully, lots of cuddles, T-touch, Pet Therapy spray and, above all, treats will eventually convince him it’s all okay.

    1. Just a thought Conway, but we had a plug in diffuser for the cats. Have just checked with our vet daughter and there is a canine version. It’s a pheromone/calming thing and it certainly worked when we got a new cat!

      2. I have a Pet Therapy spray which does the same thing. I am thinking of getting the diffuser version, but I haven’t got around to it yet. The spray seems to work.

    3. “Russia was kicked out of the 2022 Eurovision Song Contest on Friday with organisers saying its inclusion could “bring the competition into disrepute.”
      Satire. R.I.P.

  80. Well I’m a bit miffed really, Putin if he was a gentleman could have waited until next year to invade Ukraine rather than spoil the Queens Jubilee year

    2. Perhaps he and Meghan could go there and operate the Ukrainian equivalent of a WVS van, handing out tea and buns to bombed-out people.

      1. I expect the Ukrainian people are absolutely delighted! Well, you would be, wouldn’t you? No?

    4. What a ghastly pair of grifters they are! Right up there with Lineker, Thomson and Mirren! 🤬

  82. For those who ask: “Why does Ukraine matter? “
    This is why Ukraine matters.
    It is the second largest country by area in Europe by area and has a population
    of over 40 million – more than Poland.
    Ukraine ranks:
    1st in Europe in proven recoverable reserves of uranium ores;
    2nd place in Europe and 10th place in the world in terms of titanium ore reserves;
    2nd place in the world in terms of explored reserves of manganese ores (2.3 billion tons, or 12% of the world’s reserves);
    2nd largest iron ore reserves in the world (30 billion tons);
    2nd place in Europe in terms of mercury ore reserves;
    3rd place in Europe (13th place in the world) in shale gas reserves (22 trillion cubic meters)
    4th in the world by the total value of natural resources;
    7th place in the world in coal reserves (33.9 billion tons)
    Ukraine is an important agricultural country:
    1st in Europe in terms of arable land area;
    3rd place in the world by the area of black soil (25% of world’s volume);
    1st place in the world in exports of sunflower and sunflower oil;
    2nd place in the world in barley production and 4th place in barley exports;
    3rd largest producer and 4th largest exporter of corn in the world;
    4th largest producer of potatoes in the world;
    5th largest rye producer in the world;
    5th place in the world in bee production (75,000 tons);
    8th place in the world in wheat exports;
    9th place in the world in the production of chicken eggs;
    16th place in the world in cheese exports.
    Ukraine can meet the food needs of 600 million people.
    Ukraine is an important industrialised country:
    1st in Europe in ammonia production;
    Europe’s 2nd’s and the world’s 4th largest natural gas pipeline system;
    3rd largest in Europe and 8th largest in the world in terms of installed capacity of nuclear power plants;
    3rd place in Europe and 11th in the world in terms of rail network length (21,700 km);
    3rd place in the world (after the U.S. and France) in production of locators and locating equipment;
    3rd largest iron exporter in the world
    4th largest exporter of turbines for nuclear power plants in the world;
    4th world’s largest manufacturer of rocket launchers;
    4th place in the world in clay exports
    4th place in the world in titanium exports
    8th place in the world in exports of ores and concentrates;
    9th place in the world in exports of defence industry products;
    10th largest steel producer in the world (32.4 million tons).
    Ukraine matters. That is why its independence is important to the rest of the world

    1. I fail to see how that makes its independence important to the rest of the world. They haven’t done much with it, have they?

      1. In the same manner, why are they asking canada (of all places) for military aid when they are one of the top exporters of military arms. Hell, we cannot supply soldiers with hand guns and we buy scrap fighter planes from Australia.

      2. Free money old chap.
        Give me some, and I don’t mind if you give me even more.
        By the way, no receipts needed.

    5. Second point re minerals etc reerves: Nobody yet cares that China has bought pretty well all the others. They will soon.

    6. Small wonder that the EU wanted Ukraine as as sub-subservient state within the aegis of the totalitarian federal EU.

  83. Trudeau must be really annoyed, he only managed the worlds most hated dictator for a couple of weeks at the top of the charts

    2. Don’t worry (that’s my problem), he doesn’t give up too easily.

      A big carbon tax increase coming soon. On top of other pressures on world oil prices, that extra ten cents a litre will not improve his lovability.

      Not that we will complain about it, the proposed hate laws would allow us to be charged if someone believes that we might do something hateful.

      Still the liberals love his socks.

  84. If I may- I will remind some of the posters here that Geoff’s preamble states that different opinions are welcome as long as politely phrased. Personally I don’t give a tuppenny shit whether any of you agree with Geoffrey W or me or others with a slightly different opinion. I agree with quite a lot said here but I do not agree with a lot of it either. I do try not to insult or abuse people if their views differ from mine. Not always the case as I have been insulted etc here in the past.
    What is the quote? I do not agree with a word you say but I will defend until death your right to say it.

        1. Indeed, but that didn’t answer my question.
          Rather like GW, who when challenged, either refuses to answer at all, or produces a different argument, generally irrelevant.

          I’ve asked him numerous questions over the last few days and he’s avoided answering them, often by invoking Godwin’s law on the wrong side.

    3. In The Friends of Voltaire, Hall wrote the phrase: “I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it” as an illustration of Voltaire’s beliefs. This quotation – which is sometimes misattributed to Voltaire himself – is often cited to describe the principle of freedom of speech.

    4. I actually preferred Geoff’s preamble of some months/years(?) ago of;
      “ A capitalist white supremacist cis heteropatriarchal site that transforms a potential exchange of knowledge into a tool of exclusion & oppression – to discuss the Telegraph letters, established when the DT website turned off its comments facility.”
      Edit; Spoof preamble is it safer to say?

    5. I actually preferred Geoff’s preamble of some months/years(?) ago of;
      “ A capitalist white supremacist cis heteropatriarchal site that transforms a potential exchange of knowledge into a tool of exclusion & oppression – to discuss the Telegraph letters, established when the DT website turned off its comments facility.”
      Edit; Spoof preamble is it safer to say?

    6. I agree with your concerns. Just about every post he has made recently is met by unpleasantness. It is just like when Jennifer was allowed to post here, certain favorites would simply attack and put down any comment she made, no matter how sensible.
      Disagree with Geoffrey if you want, there is a block user feature you can use.

      2. Geoffrey only appears to bait and stir now.
        He is a EUrophile of the first water.
        He doesn’t answer the questions posed to him, and never actually produces real cases to support his views.

        1. Maybe he is on the wrong forum, though I doubt that the Guardian would work for him.

          He posts something to stir you up, you ignore it and he will go away.

    7. Geoffrey is unfailingly polite and good humoured. That he holds different views is to be celebrated, and not denigrated. A coherent argument might sway him, insults will not. Play the ball, not the man.

    1. We are told Putin’s Russia is totally under his control and yet a protest such as this can go ahead.

      In Canada, Trudeau would would have sent in the skull-crackers.
      In NZ or Australia pepper spray would have been prevalent.
      Macron would have sent in the CRS.

  89. UKRAINE
    1 Putin’s invasion is very bad news and he’s certainly wrong to risk WW3
    2 The EU and NATO brought it on themselves and the Ukrainians were stupid to think that the EU or NATO really care…
    3 China is delighted.
    4 I very much doubt that the “West” could have a worse selection of leaders to try to deal with this crisis.
    Gawd help us all.

    1. Yeah, I’d go along with that.
      #1: Putin is well prepared and well briefed. Although it’s not easy to tell how it’ll all end, I’m not too concerned about a WW3 – unless one of the crazy paedos running the West really fcuks up.

      1. Or China looks at the Eurovision song contest, decides they can do without entering, and invades Taiwan

    2. i agree, srb:

      “The EU and NATO brought it on themselves and the Ukrainians were stupid to think that the EU or NATO really care…”

      1. That’s my great fear too.
        And to think that had the West treated Russia properly and with respect and assistance in the late 1980’s onwards we might have had a formidable ally instead of a formidable enemy.

  90. Sos asked me what brought on my comment about posting. I said I would post an update….
    MH had cancer in 2017 and was doing well. Now- not so good plus he also has a large umbilical hernia which is adding to his pain.
    I have, what seems to be a melanoma on the right side of my face. Which is extremely painful.
    MH called the doc today on his behalf and, all credit, the doc called at 4.30 and then again 5 mins later because he’d forgotten to ask a couple of questions.
    MH has been referred over the phone to the hospital and has to go for blood work.
    I have a face to face with the doc on Thursday and then, I am sure, I will be straight off to the hospital.
    As I said last night- please forgive any rude or nasty comments because, to be honest, I am not myself and I am so worried about MH and also about me.
    It just doesn’t seem fair that we have had so little time together but ces’t la vie.

    1. Sending you good wishes and healing vibes, Ann, for you and YOH. Will put in a word for you both with ‘Im Upstairs.

    2. 100 years isn’t long enough with someone you love. Will pray for you as well.
      Your previous post wasn’t OTT – someone has to maintain standards….!

      1. Anne, please call me Ann. We gals must stick together.
        No, it’s bloody horrible as we both in so much pain that sleep is almost impossible. Thank gawd the neighbours are deaf;-)

    5. What tough times for you and your OH, will keep positive thoughts winging across the pond to you both, take care.

      1. Do you know the Helen Reddy song I am Woman I am Strong….
        And also Gloria Gaynor- I Will Survive.
        Am going to do my effing best to be and do both!!

    6. My heartfelt best wishes for you both, may the gods smile on you.
      You will be in my thoughts.

        1. I am enjoying the books you recommended, even if it means I need to make lists of names so that I can keep track.
          I notice you’re having a look at Oliver Cromwell? a much maligned persom.

          1. Only a slight look- I am a Monarchist but Geoffrey and I always used to skirmish about Cromwell and ” Good old Dixie”.

    7. Oh and I forgot to add this- when MH was on the phone with the doc he had the records up and we have written records also. The last time MH was seen in the hospital was early 2019. Guess what the doc said when MH mentioned that…Oh I expect you were sidelined because of covid.

    8. How dreadful – I’m so sorry to hear your rotten bad luck.

      Whereabouts are you based – is there anything I or anyone can do? I’m near Watford in Hertfordshire.

      Lots of prayers and good wishes winging their way to you.

    9. Oh, Ann, prayers for you both. Hoping the NHS gets its collective finger out. I have a neighbour who’s a fellow unjabbed Covid-sceptic and presently has a dressing on her face, having had a cancerous growth removed. The stress we’ve all been put through must have some bearing. Stay strong.

      1. We are twice jabbed but refused the booster because of the red spots that kept appearing on my arms. I am totally covid sceptic but the NHS should be there for US.

        1. No booster here either. The second AZ jab played havoc with the ulnar nerve in the right arrn. Lost all feeling and much of the motor function in half of the ring finger and all of the little finger. Not helpful if you’re trying to play the organ. It’s almost back to normal now. Not quite, but good enough. I’m assuming it’s now as good as it gets.

        2. Despite the bad press it is the hospitals that perform in these circumstances. The GPs have let us all down with their insistence on telephone triage and avoidance of face to face consultations under cover of non-sensical Covid precautions.

          Addenbrookes have sorted several
          longstanding problems for me after five nights in hospital. My breathing difficulties were in part a result of late onset asthma. They have followed up with an appointment with cardiology in a fortnight as a heart artery might require the insertion of a stent to perform satisfactorily.

          There are few things worse than respiratory problems.

          My late father in law had multiple skin lesions and melanomas and he was successfully treated living to 92 years.

          I am a Christian and will pray for your recovery and that of your husband.

        3. Despite the bad press it is the hospitals that perform in these circumstances. The GPs have let us all down with their insistence on telephone triage and avoidance of face to face consultations under cover of non-sensical Covid precautions.

          Addenbrookes have sorted several
          longstanding problems for me after five nights in hospital. My breathing difficulties were in part a result of late onset asthma. They have followed up with an appointment with cardiology in a fortnight as a heart artery might require the insertion of a stent to perform satisfactorily.

          There are few things worse than respiratory problems.

          My late father in law had multiple skin lesions and melanomas and he was successfully treated living to 92 years.

          I am a Christian and will pray for your recovery and that of your husband.

        4. Despite the bad press it is the hospitals that perform in these circumstances. The GPs have let us all down with their insistence on telephone triage and avoidance of face to face consultations under cover of non-sensical Covid precautions.

          Addenbrookes have sorted several
          longstanding problems for me after five nights in hospital. My breathing difficulties were in part a result of late onset asthma. They have followed up with an appointment with cardiology in a fortnight as a heart artery might require the insertion of a stent to perform satisfactorily.

          There are few things worse than respiratory problems.

          My late father in law had multiple skin lesions and melanomas and he was successfully treated living to 92 years.

          I am a Christian and will pray for your recovery and that of your husband.

    10. So sorry to hear if your woes Lottie.
      Life is so unfair but you will constantly be in our thoughts.
      I know it’s difficult but try to stay positive because positive things happen to positive people.

    11. Oh goodness Lottie so sorry to hear you and your OH are both suffering. All my and Alf’s thoughts and prayers are with you. Though it’s not the same, when our son was critically ill recently, people’s prayers and good wishes were so comforting. Just to comment on here helps we found. There is a lot of kindness in this world thank goodness

    12. You are both in my thoughts, M’Lady. You have many folk on here wishing you both well.

    13. Sorry to hear this, Ann. I’m sure all will be well in time, but it’s obviously difficult for you two at the moment. Thinking of – and praying for – you both. x

    14. Very sorry to hear your news. You have been so positive (well excluding politics) and happy since you returned from the US and now life deals another blow.

      Carry on and grump!.

        1. Do you want the role of Hattie Jacques or Barbara Windsor?

          The school had Hattie Jacques open the school fair one year, to a impressionable fifteen year old she was huge!

          1. Not sure… I always think I am more of Joyce Grenfell type. Certainly not as “chubby” as Hattie, although a lovely woman and certainly not anything like Barbara Windsor.

    16. Oh, Lord. That’s no fun, Ann. But nothing is decided yet, so try not to worry – leave that to us here on nottl.

    17. Dear Lotl
      I suspected something was radically amiss with you and your dearly beloved .
      The Nhs can be swift and caring when they are called upon to react.

      We trundle along doing our daily stuff , bearing such heavy responsibilities .

      Take each day gently, and grab some some quality time x

  91. “Eurovision: Russia banned from competing at 2022 Song Contest.”
    Finally, something positive. If only they would ban England too.

        1. But the other countries just love rubbing the salt in the wound every year – you wouldn’t want to deprive them, would you?

      2. They let us through to the final because we help fund the whole event. Then, in the final, they all gang up and vote for each other and not for us. In any case, since the mid-Sixties it ceased to be a Song contest and became a Production Number contest.

  92. Volodymyr Zelenskyy, a proper professional comedian. Why oh why can’t we have one as a leader, instead of the amateurs we have?

  93. This afternoon I acted as MC at a Wrinklies Quiz Afternoon. It turned out to be like herding cats!. But fun, all in all. Now I am off to bed so Good Night, everyone.

  94. A self-indulgent West has allowed Putin to start re-erecting the Iron Curtain

    Over the past 15 years, the the Russian president has closely watched the free world, tested its will, and found it wanting

    CHARLES MOORE • 25 February 2022 • 9:30pm

    I have a curiously vivid memory from late August 1968, when I was 11 years old. I had got up earlier than the rest of the family. In the kitchen, I turned on BBC Radio 4. A reporter was speaking. Lines of tanks, he said, were rumbling through the streets of the capital, watched by sullen citizens. He gave no immediate clue about where this was happening. Paris, I wondered. London? Eventually he mentioned Prague. The Red Army had just invaded Czechoslovakia.

    The news was a great shock. The pain of most Czechs, who had been enjoying the “Prague spring” of liberalisation, was palpable. The boot of Russian Communism was stamping once again on the face of freedom.

    To my young mind’s surprise, however, the West condemned, but did not actively oppose. It was explained to me that Czechoslovakia was unequivocally within the Soviet “sphere of influence”. That had been settled after the Second World War. What was happening, though horrible, was also permissible.

    The Russian invasion of Ukraine, though more foreseen (discussed, for instance, in this column five weeks ago) is a greater shock, and not just because it is much more violent. It overthrows the post-Cold War settlement which allows sovereign states to choose their own security. It reimposes, by force, the sphere-of-influence doctrine. Vladimir Putin says Ukraine is not a country, but a space that belongs to him, so he is grabbing it. He is winning fast. His victory will be a defeat, not just for poor Ukraine, but for the free world.

    It would be comforting to regard his action as a doomed piece of bygone primitivism, akin to the Argentine invasion of the Falkland Islands 40 years ago. Unfortunately, this is not the case, although Putin is just as puffed up with nationalist braggadocio. He has prepared for this over at least 15 years, constantly testing the will of the West and finding it wanting; and he has backers.

    He has got a good thing going with China. Earlier this month, President Xi Jinping entertained the normally reclusive Vlad in Beijing during its Winter Olympics. Burying longstanding differences, Russia and China are now united against the West’s pretensions to run the world. Each has an interest (Ukraine; Taiwan) in being free to capture places they lay claim to, and China, much richer and less crude than Russia, has systematically infiltrated the international system, its institutions and the poorer member states.

    At the UN Security Council, the Chinese have not condemned Russia, and are sweetly calling for a “peaceful solution”. They are buying more of Russia’s wheat and buying off its critics. Expect them to use Putin’s planned re-creation of Ukraine as a neutral and “demilitarised” state as their way of enhancing the global “harmony” which they constantly invoke in their own propaganda.

    Without downplaying any of Putin’s guilt, one has to admit that, without the West’s negligence, he could never have achieved this week’s result. Early this century, the then German Chancellor, Gerhard Schröder, put his country in thrall to Russian gas, subsequently making huge personal gain from this connection. His successor, Angela Merkel, ended Germany’s nuclear power programme, increasing her country’s dependence on Russian gas. Barack Obama sought to “reset” relations with Russia without exacting any price. Donald Trump almost hero-worshipped Putin. Joe Biden agreed to meet Putin without preconditions. Putin was emboldened by seeing, in Biden’s scuttle from Afghanistan, much the same humiliation that the Russians had endured when they fled Kabul at the end of the Cold War. In recent weeks, Emmanuel Macron tried to cut a dash as peace-broker and persuaded Biden to say he would meet Putin in person – a result hailed by the BBC news, only last Monday, as a “breakthrough”. Now the French president looks like a vainglorious poseur.

    In Britain, we were so excited to be the launderette for Russians’ money that they felt free to enter the country and start chucking Novichok around. Boris Johnson this week said, of Ukraine: “We and the world cannot allow that freedom just to be snuffed out.” Admirable sentiments, but I am afraid they reminded me of the tiny Irish newspaper, the Skibbereen Eagle, which legendarily warned, in 1898, “We will still keep our eye on the Emperor of Russia and on all such despotic enemies … of human progression and man’s natural rights.” We almost certainly shall allow Ukraine’s freedom to be snuffed out: we have little power to do otherwise.

    For 30 years now, and particularly since the New Labour, New Everything era that began in 1997, we have pursued a politics which is almost proud of its self-indulgence. The big issues have concerned ethnicity, sexuality, gender, personal identity and a green lifestyle – a luxurious world where we can all become picky about dietary preferences, micro-aggressions, well-being, pronouns and carbon neutrality. At great universities such as Cambridge, fierce anathemas have been hurled at long-dead donors who may have benefitted from the slave trade, but large sums of money have been accepted from offshoots of the Chinese Communist Party.

    It is somehow fitting that in the week Putin begins to re-erect the Iron Curtain across Europe, our Air Force Board has been meeting not to discuss denying air space to Russian planes over Ukraine but to debate whether or not Andrew Turner, one of two deputies of the Air Chief Marshal, offensively bared his buttocks in his own garden. While under this cloud, Air Marshal Turner has been temporarily replaced in his oversight of our air “capability” by Air Vice-Marshal Maria Byford, whose RAF career has chiefly been in dentistry and medical services.

    In the 21st century, we have been obsessed by the joys of “soft power”. It can, indeed, be an important tool in international relations – think of American films, French food and wine, the English language. But it can never be a substitute for hard power if that is the game your opponent wants to play. For most of his 20 plus years in office, Putin has been wooed by the soft power of the West, with total lack of success. He has watched and waited, his eyes gradually narrowing. Now he has struck, and finds our power so soft he can hardly feel it.

    Should we therefore despair? No. We in the democracies are often over-impressed by tyrannical “strongmen”: they seem so much purposeful and far-sighted than our bickering leaders. This view was strong in the 1930s. But it often turns out – as it did by 1945 in the West – that democracies are ultimately better at mobilising the popular will in self-defence. Although dictators may make decisions that seem rational for their own purposes, they are ultimately irrational – destructive, solipsistic, often mad. Putin seems to answer that description.

    The only good thing about the terrible events of this week is that they bring us back to reality. Like September 11 2001, or China’s behaviour over Covid, Putin’s invasion of Ukraine dispels cherished illusions.

    We at last realise that this is a man whom we cannot trust, with whom we should not trade and whom we must resist. He is a man who is threatening, almost in so many words, to use his tactical nuclear weapons if we try to stop him. NATO, whose purpose has been neglected in recent years, can revive – and add friendly countries such as Finland and Sweden to its number. It is now the only way of defending what we thought we had gained when we won the Cold War – Europe, whole and free.

    https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2022/02/25/self-indulgent-west-has-allowed-putin-start-re-erecting-iron/

  96. The NHS still refuses to treat us like humans

    Bureaucrats and health leaders will not relinquish the powers they still have over us without a fight

    ALLISON PEARSON

    Yesterday, I fully intended to raise a glass to the lifting of all Covid restrictions, but any joy in our restored freedom drained away at the thought of so many Ukrainians about to lose theirs.

    Even here, in the Soviet-style behemoth that is “our NHS”, choice can no longer be taken for granted. There is a defiant reluctance among GPs to go back to seeing patients in person. Many hospital appointments are still online. Hopes that patients could start to enjoy the comforting old normal are dashed by an arrogant, unfeeling bureaucracy which puts its own health first.

    “There are no immediate changes to IPC (infection, prevention and control) requirements,” says an ominous letter to clinical staff from NHS England. I am told that masks are so embedded in NHS behaviour that we will probably never again see a nurse’s smile.

    As the rest of society follows Government guidance, the health service remains a law unto itself. Annette James emailed me in desperation. Her father, Owen, was admitted to the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital after suffering a stroke on February 3. “I’m not allowed to visit my lovely dad, who is partially sighted and quite deaf, until he has either (a) been an in-patient for 10 days or (b) is on an end of life pathway. He is 96 – surely, by any standards, he is end of life!”

    Triple-jabbed Annette offered to take a test just so she could put in Owen’s hearing aids and “he could hear my voice when he must be feeling scared and alone”. No, sorry, against the rules.

    I advised Annette to contact PALS (the Patient Advice and Liaison Service) and not to take no for an answer. Eventually, after a fretful week, the hospital let her in. “Dad smiled when he heard my voice. I cried.” Annette was able to do small things for her father like putting Vaseline on his chapped lips and combing his hair.

    Born in 1925, Owen James seldom left his beloved South Norfolk. He worked as a shepherd, the village postman and gravedigger. He was chairman of the governors of Bunwell primary school and of the parish Council. He grew the most astounding chrysanthemums.

    With Annette’s help, Owen started a wonderful blog, “Tales From a Norfolk Potting Shed; 96 Years on this Planet Many Memories to Share.” Wry, modest, rooted in a profound sense of place, the blog is one charming square in the patchwork of special, ordinary, men and women who make our country good.

    On Valentine’s Day morning, Annette let me know her father had passed away. “I was with him, it was peaceful, and he knew he was loved. Had I rolled over and let the hospital dictate their ‘no visit for the first 10 days’ policy, I would not have been able to see him until this afternoon. When it would have been too late.”

    Owen James was clearly a splendid human being. He was not some old man to be “kept safe” in a hospital bed, unable to hear or to hold his child’s hand during his last days on Earth, just so they could tick the NHS Infection, Prevention and Control box.

    The war on Covid is almost won, but the dictators to whom Covid gave absolute power will not relinquish it easily. We are going to have to fight for public service to mean serving the public. Fight, just like Annette James fought for her lovely dad.

    https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2022/02/24/nhs-still-refuses-treat-us-like-humans/

    1. Only because Twatter couldn’t bear the truth as proposed by the Trump – so they barred him. What does that say about ‘Twitter’ ?

  98. To all who have posted supportive comments for MH and I. It is so much appreciated- so great thanks to you all. Bear with me for short temper & etc. I will do my best- all I can do right now.

    1. Sorry to hear about your worries, LotL. I’m not surprised you’re a bit short in the temper department! Thinking of you both and sending my love!💕

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