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Showing posts from February, 2018

It's a gun post

I knew I would find myself talking about guns at some point.  Brexit  may be the most pressing issue in the UK right now, but the topic of gun control laws in the USA certainly casts an imposing shadow over the negotiations currently ongoing between the wantaway Brits and the stubborn Europeans. However much I wanted to stay away from this toxic topic, it is too relevant to brush under the carpet. A post on curling sure is tempting, but I think a more serious post is in order. The harrowing scenes in Florida last week was a horrific reminder of the policy of gun possession for our neighbours across the Atlantic. The United States are vigilant when it comes to dealing with threats that originate from outside of its borders, as seen, for example, by the American response to the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbour in 1941. President Franklin D. Roosevelt declared that not only would the United States defend itself, but fighting and defeating Japan would 'make it very certain that this

The ball buster that is Brexit

It's come to my attention that the recent posts have been very sports orientated. With the excitement of the  Super Bowl  and some reminiscing about the great  underdog  stories, I think it's fair to say that we can leave the sporting world for now, even though the temptation to go on about the Winter Olympics and the thrill of curling is a strong one. Besides, something real bad happened at Wembley on Saturday sooooooooooooo sport sucks. But now what? What could I possibly drone on about that peaks the interest of both the audience and I? Hmmmm... do you think I could go on about the latest political climate in Britain? Seems like the easy way out, to be honest, but there's been so much going on that I think it would be the right thing to do. We haven't done a political rant in ages- think the last one solely devoted to the crazy world of politics was Donald and his decision to recognise Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, which I called a  'ballsy'  move. Sh

All hail the underdogs

So Philadelphia won... I'm lost for words, to be totally honest. When Brady's last ditch throw was fumbled around, and finally dropped to the floor, I collapsed to my knees in disbelief as to what had transpired on my TV screen. Over the course of four hours (including a decent but muted performance by Justin Timberlake), my emotions were all over the place, with the spectre of a Patriots victory nagging at me constantly. But through sheer willpower and just a touch of magic, the Philadelphia secured their first ever Super Bowl. If you want some more Eagles magic, check out the  speech  by Jason Kelce at the victory parade on Thursday- now that's passion. Holy crap, what a game This historic night in Minneapolis is just another chapter in the book of 'Greatest Underdog Stories', which grows ever larger year after year. As I mentioned  last week , we all love an underdog story, as the odds are flipped like a pancake and the sweet sizzle of 'what the hell ju

A ramble about Super Bowl LII

A great battle is upon us. In a far off land called Minnesota, two armies prepare to fight for a prize that, for them, is worth dying over. One represents the National Football Conference, the other the American Football Conference. The Vince Lombardi Trophy is there for the taking, and holds a power over these men as if it were the Ring of Power forged from the fires of Mount Doom. Tactics have been drawn up, armour is in great supply and countless caskets of Gatorade are full to the brim. It's Sunday, February 4th 2018, and Super Bowl LII (52) is here. The perfect example of American cultural imperialism is about to return to our screens. One legion hails from Philadelphia, who have never got their hands on that coveted title. For years, they have been mocked for their failures, and are determined to break this curse of defeat. Their eagle sigil flutters in the breeze, majestic and defiant. Standing in their way are the current holders of the mythical Vince Lombardi Trophy, the