THEY DON"T JUST THINK IT"S ALL OVER - IT REALLY IS!

 

                   THEY DON"T  JUST THINK IT"S ALL OVER - IT REALLY IS!

That's that then,  England lost on penalties - again!  I didn't watch the match, preferring to become immersed in a 1994 episode of 'Taggart'.  Two hours plus of drama matching that being played at Wembley but without the excruciating spectacle of an English team going down on one knee in embarrassing subjugation to black rights.  That white players should belittle themselves so publicly is shameful and does not bode well for racial harmony despite such fanfare of optimism displayed by the 'media of the left' and the BABC.

If the Italian team had not, out of respect for the opposition so I understand, followed suit and similarly caved in to the race lobby, I would have hoped they had won the match.  There are, as is often the case, several aspects that require a good mulling over.  For instance, the make-up of each team and the behaviour of the supporters. I read that half of England's squad was comprised of players with either a parent or grandparent not born in England, or even within the UK.  Indeed, out of the eleven players who started the match against Denmark last week, only four were actually 'English'.  Seven had either a parent or grandparent from overseas. These figures come from a 'spoke' on behalf of the Migration Museum.  I can't imagine such a museum being so politically incorrect to have a spokesman or a spokeswoman - though I have always preferred the notion of a 'spokeslady'. The form runs parallel to a 'chairlady' as opposed to the cold and impersonal 'chair'!  Regarding behaviour, thugs masquerading as fans caused havoc and mayhem at both Wembley and Leicester Square, with many policemen sustaining injuries.  Their mums will be so proud...

It was interesting to note that France had 17 members of its squad with overseas - or non-French connections.  Switzerland was second highest with 16, they must be desperate, trawling the world for wannabe flag bearers.  England was third (one place below last night's final position in fact) with 15, while Wales, with 14 appears to be following Switzerland in the race to dissolve their... well, race...  At the other end of the list, the low end in numbers, but the high end in heritage and national dignity, Italy only had 4, while Poland can stand proud with 0! Nil!  None!  Bugger all!  How good that must feel as a nation, but then, while we were conquering all and sundry over a number of centuries, Poland was consumed from both the left and right of its borders.  As England drowns in a sea of diversity, Poland produces home-grown talent giving vent to national pride.  How joyous that must feel in comparison to the  timid acceptance of an England moulded and populated to please the sandal-wearing dons of Oxbridge and all those students who follow their doctrines.

Dissolving my enthusiasm even further was the understanding that during one match, Harry Kane, England's great white hope wore a rainbow armband in support of LGBTQXI... or whatever, rights.  This was due apparently to the Hungarian prime minister bringing in legislation banning the subject of transgender rights, and all that goes with it, being taught in schools to under 18's.  It is Hungary's policy, not ours.  The European Union is up in arms, a situation that always warms the cockles of my genuinely English heart.  I have to ask, why get involved in another country's policies?  Why not just leave politics out of it, especially the more tawdry side of politics?  Going down on one knee is not going to bring harmony between races, more likely the complete opposite judging by the number of like-minded people who have had the guts to express their views though the media - the section of the media still believing in freedom of speech and opinion that is! 

There was an interesting comment from a lady called Lauren Tavriger who regales under the heading of 'executive assistant at Best of Britain', whoever they are.  Anyway this slightly thought-skewed lady stated that: 'The squad is a wonderful example of the benefits of immigration and is a celebration of diversity.'  She goes on, 'Cheering on football this summer will not just be about celebrating when the ball hits the back of the net.  It will also be to celebrate diversity, immigration and freedom of movement.'  I wonder how many football fans felt the same way as this sad, deluded, out-of-touch-with-the-common-man executive assistant?

What I do know is that when all was said and done, when push had come to shove and the 90 minutes plus extra-time and penalty shoot-out was concluded, Italy were the victors.  It appears that they were generally considered the better team on the night.  As far as I could tell they all had good old Italian names. Names you would identify with the players being Italian.  Maybe that helped their camaraderie?  Thirty-four matches unbeaten tells you something, the match going to penalties tells you that England's chances had dipped considerably by the end of extra-time.  Five England penalties, two taken and scored by white players, three taken and missed by black players.  Missing a penalty is one thing, the manner in which it is missed is another!  I watched a repeat of Mr. Rashford's woeful attempt. What on earth was he thinking?  All that posturing, playing mind games with the Italian goalkeeper, moving position, dance-like movements - and all before he struck the ball.  It must have been music to the goalkeeper's ears.  Every Rashford pre-kick move gave advantage to Italy.  The goalkeeper must have thought 'What a twat!' - or whatever the equivalent phrase is over there, probably Il Twatto?  I note that Dover's female Tory MP suggested that Sir Marcus of Manchester (my description) might consider practising penalties rather than getting involved in poverty politics. The lady's not wrong.

All three players have been subjected to on-line abuse for their penalty failings.  I do not condone that action for one minute, but it is not surprising when you step back and look at the role played by the authorities and the sycophantic cries on behalf of lives mattering for one colour but another not even getting a mention.  The hoot of all this kneeling malarkey is that the man whose death spawned the movement, an American, wasn't exactly someone you'd want as a neighbour, let alone a family member.  In short, he wasn't an overly-nice person, but the manner of his death gave those with spare time to conjure up yet another racial cause the inspiration for world division and derision.  Thanks for that!

If England had won, we could have looked on it as an example of the country's newly-found confidence having left the EU.  A sort of  'This is what independence from the stifling club means to us' moment.  It wasn't to be our greatest two hours, but who minds, we still have our never-fading memories of 1966 when we fielded a 'proper' England team that included eleven English men!  We won that afternoon as I recall...

THE 19th OF JULY AND ALL THE PRESSURE THAT COMES WITH IT!

 

                    THE 19th OF JULY AND ALL THE PRESSURE THAT COMES WITH IT!

So, after seventeen months we are (hopefully) going to see restrictions lifted and a sense of normality return.  Many false dawns along with many false starts have seen society accept, adapt and carry on regardless.  It is what the majority of us do because we have an innate desire to survive.  Sadly, it is the minority who for a wide number of reasons, make life awkward at best and dangerous in the extreme for those who have toed the line, followed guidance and been vaccinated twice.  

I understand there are those who, due to a medical condition cannot be given the jab, but in similar vein to disabled badges, 'vaccination exemptions' appear to be handed out willy-nilly.  I suspect that in many cases, the exemption holder feels, in the same way as a parent of a child with so-called 'special needs'... well, special!  It appears to be an achievement all of its own.  Something to be talked about, someone to be talked about.  We live in times when the needy are at their neediest. In a way - a very small way - I can cope with stories, or hearing word of these people, because they are basically sad under-achievers with little self-esteem and you're rather glad you don't know them personally.  I do not possess the greatest patience or time for those who do not help themselves, they generally blame everyone else for their situation and wallow in self-pity and helplessness.

Apart from the genuinely exempt and the needy exempt are those with agendas - the naysayers, disbelievers, conspiracy theorists, those who use their religion as a shield instead of a vaccination, the arrogant, the sheer bloody-minded and worst of all, the 'professional' protester, those incomplete wastes of space who drain our welfare system and contribute the square root of bugger-all to the country that houses, feeds and clothes them... (Feeling better now!)

However, cometh the 19th, cometh the implementation of our potentially new-found freedom, the finer detailed points of which are, at the time of writing, still to be announced.  It is expected that face-masks will still be necessary on transport and possibly when shopping.  I fully expect people to be keeping their distance for many a month yet regardless of any relaxation we may be afforded.  There are many who still do not wish to venture out, for the fear is palpable in many instances, especially in the older age bracket.

What I would like is a breakdown of statistics in relation to who exactly is defying advice and continuing to remain unprotected.  They obviously consider themselves above infection, or are convinced that Covid doesn't exist.  Either way they have complete disregard for others.  Ninety-nine per cent of all new cases are of the Indian... sorry, sorry... Delta variety, averaging 25,000 new cases daily, though with many fewer hospitalisations.  We've previously discussed the most infectious geographical areas and the make-up of those who live there, but is it race, religion or arrogance that deters due to information from mainly 'white professionals' advising you of both risk and protection.  A lot of professional, informed Asians work within the medical profession and encourage those within their fellow religion or race to protect themselves and others. The 19th should/will see greater numbers meeting in closer proximity.  Is it fair on those who have been responsible to have to sit next to, shop next to, have a meal next to someone who has flouted advice and therefore the opportunity of a jab? 

I still feel that a vaccination passport is the answer.  No playing the game, no freedom of movement. Arrogance fronting any perceived reason would mean being housebound.  Home deliveries only, no travel, no friends or family other than those living within that household.  Those within that household who enjoyed a modicum of intelligence and had been vaccinated would be forced to forego their freedom due to the stubborn or misguided soul(s) within their family who had made things bad for everyone.  How do we know who is a danger and who is not.  Pressure from the airline and travel industries isn't helping with more pressure heaped upon the government for one reason and one reason only - money!

I realise there would be hell to pay by the libertarians but you either play your part in society or you face the consequences.  It would of course give the rest of us a fighting chance but we sadly live in a world where rights are everything and responsibility comes a very poor second...

WHAT PRICE SUCCESS... AND FALSE PRIDE?

 

                                          WHAT PRICE SUCCESS... AND FALSE PRIDE?

Winning is everything, the taking part is essential, but the ultimate glory goes to the winner and all who sail in their moneyed fame and triumphal wake.  Agents take their cut, media invitations offering a myriad of celebrity opportunities arrive with remarkable ease and Britain's latest sensation has hit the headlines. Fame lasting from fifteen minutes to a lifetime beckons.

Not that I watch, for I have little interest in perpetual grunting, but one cannot be unaware that Wimbledon is back and taking up a lot of screen time.  Mr Murray has just been knocked out of the Men's Singles and our remaining hopes lie with... no, I do believe they have all gone, knocked out, defeated in the early stages.   So, no surprise there, but at least they took part, which is nice if you're not overly bothered about winning, but a complete bummer if you're of an extremely competitive disposition!

With the ladies 'our' collective hopes commenced this time round apparently with Johanna Konta, Heather Watson and Emma Raducanu... oh... and there is also Naiktha Bains and Eden Silva to add to the list of flag-flying hopefuls over the next few years... maybe.

The problem is, just how 'British' are they? Heather Watson was at least born here to parents carrying British passports.  That her British family history and lineage does not go back the five hundred years I would make a prerequisite for being 'British', I have to accept that this principle could be subject to discussion in certain left-wing circles.  Johanna Konta's claim to represent Britain is laughable.  She was born in Australia to Hungarian parents.  How on earth can she so readily trade nationalities and sides?  Could it be because she might, just might, win a few matches for her adopted country of choice?  And whose choice was it?   Did she make the move to become British and thus represent our mongrel land, or did the tennis authorities spot her and think 'We'll take a chance on this one 'ere!'   Who knows, but it does make you think... No it does, really!

With regard to Emma Raducanu, this seemingly talented young lady was born in Toronto to a Hungarian father and a Chinese mother.  The family moved to the UK when Emma was two years of age.   Other than living here for the majority of her still young life, what qualifies her to racket for Britain?   Hungary, China or failing that her country of origin, in her case, Canada all seem to be fair game, so surely her links to Blighty, other than residency are tenuous?  But... she might be a winner, and that's what counts!

In the case of Leeds born Naiktha Bains, her father is Indian.  She moved with him to Brisbane when she was eight years old.  Now, with the previously-mentioned thoughts in mind, she could play for GB due to her being born here, however,  there is a whopping great fly in a rather syrupy ointment.  From 2014 to 2019 she represented Australia.  She then changed allegiance and from that same year is now strutting her stuff for Britain, though she continues to be a resident of Brisbane and commutes between the two continents whilst contributing greatly to the worlds carbon footprint.  I have to ask, 'Is this right?'   Eden Silva, born in London is the offspring of a Russian father and a Sri Lankan mother.  Why is she not representing one of the two countries she is linked to by parentage as opposed to a city her parents have adopted for either work or personal reasons?  It appears to be a case of 'bugger the ethics, we need a  winner! '  Game, Set and Match to misguided and unwarranted national pride...