Wiseowlerblog

Starting with latest first, please have a look at some of my attempts at a progressive response to everyday news and debates

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Same old Paul, same old British liberal nonsense about France. Its always the same the equalitarian model which gives workers and the poor a better quality of life than those in the UK or most of the EU must be about to break, because neo liberalism and brutal free markets are the only way forward- despite being a failed model which has brought the hard right into a major political force.
In reality there is a potential for a united left to triumph with popular policies ( as they did in last year’s Parliamentary elections) but that is being undermined by the egos of the leaders of the left wing parties. When ever the left united it did so much better than when it went it’s own differing ways.
The idea of popular primaries to agree a common candidate put forward by the Greens has unfortunately been lost as first the ageing and unpopular Melanchon refuses to pass the baton to someone younger, more in touch with the ethnic minority and feminist movements and more adept at social media. Glucksman and other Socialist party leaders vying for president when their party can’t even make 10% and who broke up the New Left alliance to let in Macon’s economic attacks on the welfare state and working people.
Just as here it seems the lessons of history are ignored, forgetting how division let Hitler take power with less than 35% of the vote.
The centre has been losing votes as Macron’s support for hedge funders like himself and allowing right wing billionaires to take over much of France’s media while Macon’s government seeks to cut public services, not pursue a green new deal and attack workers rights.
However while Le Pen hovers around 30- 35% in the polls she is still likely to face a candidate who will attract the anti Le Pen / fascism majority – IF a candidate emerges that has solutions to current environmental and living standards problems.
However don’t forget that France is still at the same economic level as the UK,has control over its energy, water and education and has a health service second to none.
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China’s demise was gleefully predicted by the west – meanwhile, it built an AI revolution
3 Sep 2026 09:15

China now holds the key to free AI as well as receommeending a global regulation if AI before its too late.
The US is allowing a freeforall of te h billionaires fighting for domibance with no hunan orofections or oversight. I dont support the Chinese authoritarian model but neither do I support the brutal free market of the US model.
In an imperfect world the EU and Uk need to get their act together, but until they do we will have to hope the Chinese AI wins over Musk and the other tech lords so we can access free AI and regulate its growth.
Sorry but I am less worried by Xi and the CCP spying on me than Trump and Musk.
But most of all we need to be regulating data centres which will pollute their locations, take water and electricity from the people and lead to mass unemployment.
The Luddites have much to offer.
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Free cholesterol tests on the NHS are great – but here’s the five-point health MOT I’d really like to see
2 Sep 2026 08:45

In France I am able to get a bi-abnual blood test. When I see my doctor he always checks my blood pressure, at 79 I see specialists for an annual monitoring of lungs, skin, and organs. If you are on minimum wage or below all check ups are free. With minor ailments like arthritis or sciatica you get an apointment for sessions with a specialist physio therapist.
This is maybe why the French have longer average lifespans than in Uk
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The Nepal floods seem a world away – but make no mistake, climate breakdown will affect us all
31 Aug 2026 07:42
In response to djsunset

Tax them now and take the cirporations to court fir what they are doing to us and our planet
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The Nepal floods seem a world away – but make no mistake, climate breakdown will affect us all
31 Aug 2026 07:40

As ever, well written. We must ubderstand that our only hope of survival is world wide net zero enabled by a green new deal.
But fossil fuel money has corrupted governments and most of the media.
In years to come our grandchildren will hold these responsible as craven corrupted destroyers of human life and possibility, while those who protest and act not as eco terrorists but heros.
Majorities across the globe know what is happening, why and support action but the right wing, led by Trump and controlling government and the media refuse to listen to anything other than the tune of fossil fueled ‘Highway to hell’
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Trump’s ‘economic D-day’ against Iran risks driving the stakes even higher
30 Aug 2026 11:46

‘Trump thinking several moves ahead’. He finds it hard to think one move ahead! He is a wannabe mafiosa of limited brain but unlimited cunning and brutality.
He now poses an existential threat both through nuclear weapons, through burning the planet on behalf of his fossil fuel backers and through the possible cancellation of the mid term election s and results.
Carney has the only answer even if we dont have China’s economic weaponry the UK and EU can take the urgent and necessary steps to isolate Trump and build strategic autonomy as an emergency
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Tim Dowling: my TV contract has run out – and so has my patience
29 Aug 2026 08:12

The bit in Tim’s latest offering that got me was going from chatbot to human to human supervisor when trying to cancel a contract.
That is why in our family we talk of ‘Legal Criminality’ when referring to big business.
Where ever you look, there they are greedy for your money but refusing the setvice you want and naking it neigh in impossible to cancel. From insurance companies that wont pay up to o line contraccts you cant cancel without going through so many hoops and car ibsurers who refuse to cancel a Direct Debit for, years the list goes on.
I just hope Burnham’s promise to takebon corporate malfeasance doesn’t hit a lobby fuelled U turn re
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Burnham electrified the Labour party by talking about electoral reform – now he needs to act on it
28 Aug 2026 12:35

Quite agree, PR Commision to agree best system to allow local constuencues plus democratic inclusion. Better before next election but if not then clear confirmation in manifestos of all progressive partie. This will also better enable progressive alliances at the G. E.
Pleas absolute ban on foreign donations, max £50k on individual / corporate uk donations and regulation and fines on social media trying to influence elections from malign agents (Musk etc
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From maligned second city to Insta magnet: Marseille is France’s new capital of overtourism
28 Aug 2026 09:43
In response to Handcart

Hope you enjoy your stay ation with polluted rivers and beaches and over priced hotels and restaurants
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From maligned second city to Insta magnet: Marseille is France’s new capital of overtourism
28 Aug 2026 09:42

As someone living in the cevennes, an hour and a half from Montpellier I am very wary of any online promotion of the pleasures of our region in xase it brings more tourists.
At the moment there is a good balance between tourists bringing needed income to campsites, rentals and hotel and thus restaurants and markets. But any more and life will become too crowded and too polluted by cars.
We have a good balance which needs protecting and I sympathise with Marseilles residents but cannot ubderstand why a Green influenced council does not ban mega boats which bring little economic benefit and a lot of problems. A tourist tax and limiting the numbers going each day to najor attractions seems a minimum requirement