By Bernie Bell
So, moves are afoot to impeach The Trump. And, I’m thinking – considering the state of the Western World. The Eastern world, is another story – part of the pattern of social breakdown in the world, but its own part of the pattern.
In the West, we have Democracy – and look where it got us! The Trump & The Eton Mess. But, still about the best of a bad lot when it comes to choosing a system of government. I would favour a benign dictatorship, but “Power tends to corrupt and absolute power corrupts absolutely” – John Dalberg-Acton. I do see that a benign dictatorship wouldn’t stay benign for long. For that matter – would a person who wanted to be a Dictator, be suitable to be in that position?
The sound folk, such as Mr Bercow, stand down, step away, and who can blame them? Who would want to be in that position? Repeatedly faced with a room full of rabid, baying hounds and truculent toddlers? But, it does mean one less reasonable person in the House of Commons.
And we still have the un-holy partnership of Trump & The Mess.
I was thinking back to the 1960’s, when it looked like the world might be ‘ on the eve of destruction’…….
Eve of Destruction
The eastern world, it is explodin’,
Violence flarin’, bullets loadin’,
You’re old enough to kill but not for votin’,
You don’t believe in war, but what’s that gun you’re totin’,
And even the Jordan river has bodies floatin’,
But you tell me over and over and over again my friend,
Ah, you don’t believe we’re on the eve of destruction.
*****
Don’t you understand, what I’m trying to say?
And can’t you feel the fears I’m feeling today?
If the button is pushed, there’s no running away,
There’ll be no one to save with the world in a grave,
Take a look around you, boy, it’s bound to scare you, boy,
And you tell me over and over and over again my friend,
Ah, you don’t believe we’re on the eve of destruction.
*****
I’m sittin’ here, just contemplatin’,
I can’t twist the truth, it knows no regulation,
Handful of Senators don’t pass legislation,
And marches alone can’t bring integration,
When human respect is disintegratin’,
This whole crazy world is just too frustratin’,
And you tell me over and over and over again my friend,
Ah, you don’t believe we’re on the eve of destruction.
*****
Think of all the hate there is in Red China!
Then take a look around to Selma, Alabama!
Ah, you may leave here, for four days in space,
But when your return, it’s the same old place,
The poundin’ of the drums, the pride and disgrace,
You can bury your dead, but don’t leave a trace,
Hate your next door neighbour, but don’t forget to say grace,
And you tell me over and over and over and over again my friend,
You don’t believe we’re on the eve of destruction.
No, no, you don’t believe we’re on the eve of destruction.
Eve of Destruction lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
And we came through, that time. It looks to me, that a difference is, people were more aware then – songs were written, and sung, demonstrations took place. Demonstrations take place now, and folk are still arrested for peacefully demonstrating, even when they were just tying to save some trees from being cut down.
Still, I can’t help having the impression that people care less, now – pay less attention to the big things which are happening around them.
Maybe the songs have been written and sung, and it’s harder to write new ones on the same subject? The impression I have, though, is that it’s more to do with people not caring. As long as they can fill their trolly at Tesco, watch their enormous telly, and jibber-jabber on their Smartphone ( latest model, of course), they don’t pay attention, or care much about – the world! I may be mistaken – but that’s the impression I get,
To quote The Orkney Magpie, in a recent comment to an ‘Orkney News’ article – “Something has gone wrong at our core. Some nastiness that is polarising us.
I’m not giving up.”
There are major, major changes taking place. Chaos, madness and mis-rule appear to be taking control – and appear to be being allowed to do so.
Then I thought back to the 1930’s, to Moseley’s Blackshirts and their arrogant presence in the cities of Britain. Possibly, older people in the 1960’s, thought back to that time, much as I remember the concerns of the 1960’s, from my own position, in the madness of the present time.
Maybe that’s how it goes, up and down – the wheel turns. Some leaders bring in sound laws and make positive changes in the world. Then, the unsound leaders come to power, and can, if we don’t pay attention, dismantle years of work which has helped our societies to be better places to live.
Snakes and ladders – tic-tac-toe – Power Games.
These are just thoughts, just me – musing.
What a time we are living through – how are these people in charge? How do they get away with what they get away with?
And Trump might be impeached, for what might seem quite a minor misdemeanor, compared to some of the things he’s done – allegedly! I remind myself that Al Capone ended up going to prison for tax evasion. An odd business, when you think of all the things he’d done, and got away with, but, eventualy, they got him – for tax evasion. It can happen. Something comes in, a curve-ball from the side, and, wallop – they’re out of the game. I hope so.
And now, my problem is – who to vote for?
I, very simply, want to vote for whoever will get the present government OUT. I usually vote for Alistair Carmichael, not as a Lib. Dem – at one time, I would never have thought I’d vote Lib. Dem. I damned the SDP (remember the SDP? https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Social_Democratic_Party_(UK) ), for, as I saw it, weakening the Labour Party at a time when they needed all the support they could get. And I thought Shirley Williams should have been ashamed of herself, and her the daughter of Vera Brittain, too. I quote Vera Brittain “Politics are usually the executive expression of human immaturity.”
I always voted Labour, was a member of the Labour Party until they became New Tory. And now? And now? I’m stuck, as I bet a lot of people are. At the same time, I don’t want to be told who to vote for – we get enough of that – I most definitely don’t want to be told who to vote for.
I still want Alistair Carmichael as my MP, as I beleive that he does a good job. I can almost hear the gaskets blowing, of those who think otherwise!
But, I desperately, decidedly, want to get The Eton Mess and his government – OUT!!!
I’m in a pickle, and have until the 12 December to decide what to do, whilst having an allergy to anything which smacks of being a party political broadcast, whether on the telly – or not. Main thing is – we must all vote – all who can – this is an occasion when it’s a dereliction of civic duty, not to do so. It matters, it really matters.
And, meanwhile – Trump might be out of the White House.
NIL DESPERANDUM!!!
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Re-reading this – I’m re-thinking – in the 1930’s, some people were gadding about, being ‘Bright Young Things’ , while others, did what they could to point out what was happening, as the storm clouds gathered. In the 1960’s, many were caught up in the trivialities of the ‘pop’ culture, while others – did what they could. Some are now doing what they can, too, but are faced with this terrible inertia. So many people whose focus is their trollies and their tellies. Inertia. That could be what stops people voting, too.
That’s why I’m beating my drum.