Captain Sir Tom Moore. What can I say? Kleenex! Synonymous with tears. Whether watching him on television or listening to him on the radio, it happens every time. Exactly why, though? Well, firstly, he reminds me so much of Pop – latterly. There’s the twinkle, the humour, the pride and the obvious appreciation at being centre stage. Pop loved nothing more than to recount his anecdotes; to entertain with one of his jokes, hilarious not in content but, rather, because he laughed so much, himself. This centenarian, meanwhile, is positively thriving on all the media attention – deservedly so – and the reason he engenders so much emotion is one of overwhelming nostalgia for what this country once was; what we once were. His spirit is contagious and his optimism infectious. This man is one of the few remaining, now, of a generation who made Britain Great. Courage was innate. Devoid of ego, together, they extinguished the Nazi threat and ensured our freedom. Proud to fight for their country, the comradeship was paramount; unity was the key. When asked by Piers Morgan whether he saw himself as a hero, Captain Sir Tom replied: ‘No, not really. I was just a soldier, with other people, fighting for the same cause.’ Simple words belying so much more …
The spirit, embodied in this man, is lost to this country now. A country broken in every way, really. Where, once, there was unspoken unity, now there is agenda. Where, once, there was comradeship, now there is ego and isolation. Courage? I look around me and question whether that unselfish bravery still exists? To put one’s life on the line and fight for one’s country? Manny would, I know that and, of that, I am proud but he is increasingly unique. Moreover, he, too, lacks the positivity which once abound; a necessity in times of war. In its place, self-doubt and anxiety fuelled by a disconnect powered by technology. Ambition and greed, the promotion of self above all others, has seen the demise of our very foundation – the family – upon which individual strength depends. Without it, most are nothing more than lost sheep content to, mindlessly, follow but there are others who, embittered and unhappy with their lot, seek release for their anger. Ironically, Captain Tom represents everything that once was good about this country and our tears are borne of its recognition …
As the credits rolled and I wiped my eyes, suddenly, this voice interrupted – and enraged! Why? One of my absolute bugbears, the cutting in, shrinking of and totally destroying of the mood for what? To announce the next programme? What is the rush? Totally unnecessary and absolutely infuriating! I may wish to see the names of the cast or those involved and, at the very least, they, too, are deserving of their moment. However, in the absence of x-ray vision, that is made impossible. Worse! This was STV and the latest continuity guy is hand-picked! He is the reason I used to watch BBC London – or BBC anywhere but Scotland – when I had Sky. The antithesis of Captain Sir Tom, this guy delights in dropping his ‘t’s and being as ‘Sco..ish’ as he possibly can be. No Queen’s English for him, he’s, obviously, been given the job to represent the ‘Sco..ish’ people and he is at no pains to better himself. Why should he? The thing is, though, he doesn’t represent the Scottish people! I am Scottish, my family and many of my friends are Scottish and we do not speak like that. He is not representative of us and, in fact, contrary to belief, there are many well-spoken Scots who, regularly, have to defend their origins because of just such misrepresentation. Once again, in Captain Sir Tom’s day, striving to be the best one could be was innate. No more. No longer a case of raising the bar, instead, it must be, pointedly, dropped to the lowest level.
There is so much to write and, increasingly, nothing good. Each day brings more of the ridiculous and the country becomes further divided as the mood of dissent and unrest – borne of those of us with a mind and intellect unwilling to, unquestioningly, acquiesce – gathers momentum. Enough. Wake up! No gatherings of more than six people, inside, outside, including children, not including children, depending on the country. Seriously?! Then, there are the COVID Marshalls empowered to police while we are, each, encouraged to report those who disobey. Disobey?
The relentless media coverage is unpalatable and the manipulation of statistics – negative in the extreme – continues the scaremongering required to control the masses. Those who have come to depend on instruction as a coping mechanism are up in arms as the BBC pulls Nicola’s daily Party Political Broadcast – sorry, my mistake, daily COVID update! Malfunction! Malfunction!
Perhaps, most alarming of all, is the fact that the UK Government is seeking to make changes to the Human Medicine Regulations 2012. Any the wiser? Don’t worry, they are inviting the views of the public (well, any of whom may be aware!) on the proposed changes, to be submitted before 11.59pm on 18th September. (Distributing vaccines and treatments for COVID-19 and flu).
New to these hyperlinks (thank you, Dylan) I hope it works. In view of the recent reported pause in the COVID-19 vaccine trial by a Cambridge drug company, following the side-effects suffered by one patient, it is interesting that the Government is seeking changes, primarily, to allow the temporary supply of an unlicenced product while, also, seeking exemption from any liability. God help us!
Meanwhile, amidst this programme to control, which is all-consuming – both for those who seek to administer and those who seek to avoid – there is the re-emergence of Brexit! Complete and utter chaos making an embarrassment of our country and everything so much more difficult come 31st December! Why? Who ever thought it was a good idea?
Then, yesterday, I learn that Edinburgh University has taken it upon itself to re-name the David Hume Tower citing the 18th Century philosopher’s links to slavery! It will, now, be known as 40, George Square following pressure from activists, despite a petition amassing less than 2,000 signatures. I am exhausted! All this under the guise of Black Lives Matter energised by the killing of George Floyd in July. George Floyd. Yes, his death was abhorrent and unforgivable; a reflection of so much more but I question whether it was racist or just another instance of police brutality? What’s more, George Floyd has been all but sanctified; a man who was in and out of prison, took drugs and held a knife to a pregnant woman, in her own home, during an armed robbery …
John Cleese believes that the great attraction of extremism is that it gives you enemies, thus providing an outlet for ‘bilious hatred’. (John Cleese vs Extremism, YouTube). He is so right and he wrote that sketch over thirty years ago! The Tyranny of Tolerance to the tune of those fuelled by anger and self-loathing – and the power of social media enabling anonymity and cowardice. While the world is distracted by a pandemic and scaremongering is engaged in a bid to control, the angry left-wing extremists are seizing the opportunity for power – unbridled! Yaay! I hate my life, tell you what, let’s demand that history is re-written …
Enough! History cannot be re-written. The David Hume Tower is part of my history and I, for one, demand that it remains as such, name unchanged. Silly me! The voice of reason carries no weight. Rather, one must issue threats and deface statues and buildings of historic significance at a whim. Racism? Gender? There must be a tenuous link somewhere! Meantime, pass me the spray paint …
‘You must be the change you wish to see in the world.’
Mahatma Gandhi
This is Trish, signing off.
(Unchecked – exhausted!)
