Thankyou for your thoughts, Patricia and Stefan Wilde and MC. And for the Like, Pete,

Comment is about IN THE BLEAK MID-WINTER (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

John
That actually made me cry
Arthur and a million others

Comment is about Collateral damage (blog)

Original item by John E Marks

Holst's musical setting of this Christmas carol has remained
a favourite. JC's ascerbic adaptation underlines its worth.
The "good will" exists in most on an individual basis and it's facile to portray the people of this island nation as "uncaring".
But, on the other hand, good governance is another matter
that has been sadly lacking in recent decades. Putting one's own house in order has always been the logical resort and
that simple aphorism has been signally ignored by those
who seem to think they owe the world and its dog a
home and a living. We are being cruel to our own in the
desperate desire to be kind to the rest. Reality seems an
unattractive proposition for such as they and the most
vulnerable fo our own people suffer from their virtue-signalling vanity.

Comment is about IN THE BLEAK MID-WINTER (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

Since, for some reason not explained, I find myself prevented
from further comment on the blog "Muslim Terrorist"", I'm
responding to your latest comment thereon.
If there is a government position on the "Far Right", it might
justifiably be connected with their own inadequacy and the
alarm caused thereby in respect of the position society
finds itself in. The emergence of today's "Far Right" chimes
with the changes affecting - and the attacks from within UK society by those with beliefs and attitudes previously alien
to a historically largely homogenous society. The government
via the actions of its current police management has managed
to give the impression that the danger is actually the visceral
response...a convenient cop-out for their own shortcomings
and ongoing failures to put the protection and well-being of
UK people first in recent times - and currently - with the
destabilising influence of excessive unregulated immigration
grossly underestimated and infamously ignored across the
board. NB. The communists who attacked the Mosley marches
are regarded as heroes although they were violent responders
to little more than an unwelcome presence that was ridiculed
by the majority UK population of the time.

Comment is about Uilleam Ó Ceallaigh (poet profile)

Original item by Uilleam Ó Ceallaigh

nice one Keith

Comment is about Could you (blog)

Original item by Keith Byrne

shame on us and our blind eyes and minds

Comment is about IN THE BLEAK MID-WINTER (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

Do we need Nana back, Stephen? A few of my relatives might want to debate that point. Thanks for your like and comment!😊

Comment is about What Nana would have said. (blog)

Original item by John Botterill

My thanks to Stephen A, and Holden for reading and for your very welcome likes.
Stephan and Bethany - Thank you for your comments.
Comments encourage and reassure at the same time - so they are very welcome.

Comment is about VOICE FROM THE PAST (blog)

Original item by Flyntland

Many thanks for your thoughts, Keith, Uilleam, Flyntland, Leon and Stephen. And for the Like, Bethany.
As seems to frequently happen this post has experienced creep with the issue of immigration raising its divisive head.
My own view is that the country needs a joined-up immigration policy which it doesn’t currently have, pinning its hopes on the Rwanda option, which, I suspect, will never get off the ground despite the recent legal finding.
But that policy ought to recognise the need we currently have for immigration. “Recruiting now” signs are all over the place. Hardly objective evidence I know but this is. The ONS identified that there are 1.3m job vacancies in the UK at the minute. Now call me simple minded if you will but isn’t the problem and the solution one and the same?
And you are quite right, Stephen. In another hand God might have dealt we could just as easily by that guy in the doorway or that brown guy in the boat.

Comment is about IN THE BLEAK MID-WINTER (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

It isn't an odd poem in my opinion Flyntland I think that it is a great and very entertaining poem. Thank you.

Comment is about VOICE FROM THE PAST (blog)

Original item by Flyntland

Killer last verse Ray! I remember Donald where's ya trooooosers! always a favourite.

Have a healthy and peaceful Christmas Ray. Best for 2023!

G

Comment is about LOST AND GONE FOREVER (blog)

Original item by ray pool

How often have I seen a similar picture!

The cafe in my local bookshop. Where a family, a mum and dad with three or four children frequently sat down; each with their noses to a mobile phone, not speaking.

Each alone (not a family) on their mobile phones.
So sad.💗

Comment is about She sat alone (blog)

Original item by JD Russell

A thoroughly decent viewpoint, Mike. I feel slightly ashamed that I watched the final, as so many of us did.

Comment is about What Mattered Most (blog)

Original item by Mike Bartram

When you look at it that way, she had a lot of wisdom, John. We certainly need her back.

Comment is about What Nana would have said. (blog)

Original item by John Botterill

There's a great physicality to this, Brenda. I really enjoyed it.

Comment is about Trees in Winter (blog)

Original item by Brenda Wells

It's as you say, Ray. Mind you, Jools Holland's Hootenanny isn't bad, as well as, er, that's it. Didn't Kenneth McKellar do the rugby commentaries ('They'll be dancing in the streets of Dumfries tonight')? No, perhaps not.

Comment is about LOST AND GONE FOREVER (blog)

Original item by ray pool

Thank you, John. I never cease to say 'there but for the grace of God go I' every Christmas.

Comment is about IN THE BLEAK MID-WINTER (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

Julie, Stephen, Rudyard, Brenda, K Lynn, John, Hélène and Holden

Thank you Keith, Flyntland and Uilleam. Sometimes we can shrug off slights and insults as not being worth a response, but it can be a different matter when a friend (especially a vulnerable one) comes in for this treatment.

And thanks to Julie, Stephen, Rudyard, Brenda, K Lynn, John, Hélène and Holden for your support.

Comment is about Breaking Point (blog)

Original item by Stephen Gospage

Thank you John, for your part in expressing an unpalatable truth about our society.

Those whose bodies and minds are broken through conflict are now, as ever, thrown on the scrap heap.

I remember the scandalous news from a few years ago, about the sub-standard, unhealthy accommodation which forces families had to endure, (and still endure?)

I understand the anger about" immigrants and the workshy".
But I beg everyone: don't distract from the government's failings by taking it out on others, many of whom are in genuine need.
💓

Comment is about IN THE BLEAK MID-WINTER (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

Ever so sadly missed. RIP Terry and thank you!

LS

Comment is about Terry Hall (blog)

Original item by David R Mellor

John I will never ever believe that we can't treat our service personnel any better than this! Makes me so fucking livid!
surely to god we don't need to be told what these guys have been and are still going through.

And in the meantime millions of the workshy continue taking the fucking piss! The sooner they get these lazies of their doped or drunken arses and use THAT money for people who MORE than deserve it-the better! FUCKING LIVID!

LS

Comment is about IN THE BLEAK MID-WINTER (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

A bleak poem covering a bleak subject

Keith are you sure that the immigrants are illegal? crossing the Channel to seek asylam is not illegal. and the fact that they are in hotels means that they have not yet been processd so neither you nor I know if they have a right to stay or not, In the latest tradgedy most of the assylam seekers came from Afghanistan and were fleeing from terror. What would we do in their shoes?
The problem is one of processing - if it were speeded up those without good reason to be here could be sent back ASAP- and those who stay could work as they clearly want to.
The family who gave themselves up in our village (I live near one of the main entry points for small boats) were people just like us - polite and well behaved. Spite if you like -I will weep.

Comment is about IN THE BLEAK MID-WINTER (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

Hits home perfectly. Good one Zach

LS

Comment is about Skinner box III (12/20/2022) (blog)

Original item by Zach Dafoe

A Christmas poem which highlights what we would rather not see or hear. 2,500 ex servicemen sleeping rough, the elderly and unemployed going to Food Banks and Warm Banks in a country which is a member of the G7. Then we see 419 hotels requisitioned by the Government to accommodate illegal immigrants in the warmth and comfort with three meals a day and free access to all medical services. And all in the Bleak Mid Winter. I could spit blood.
Keith

Comment is about IN THE BLEAK MID-WINTER (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

Thanks Uilleam and MC for your comments. I enjoyed getting Nana's vocabulary out and having a play with it, if you will! 😀
Yes we are paying for incompetence, MC-and how!
Thanks too for the likes Helene, Julie and Flyntland 😁

Comment is about What Nana would have said. (blog)

Original item by John Botterill

How well I remember them - we took ourselves very seriously in those days. I also remember the 'Corries' with their 'authentic' highland sets and real wooly sweaters. Then, more recently, came 'Runrig' two of whom became present day M.P.s
As for 'Strictly' loud - bright - demanding and turned off.

Comment is about LOST AND GONE FOREVER (blog)

Original item by ray pool

Thank you Rose, Doug, Leon, Clare Patricia and Stefan. It was the music of my youth, in London.

Comment is about Front man (blog)

Original item by John E Marks

M.C.
We are speaking of a real threat, about which the UK government has concerns: that threat is currently the one from the UK Far Right.

You present two logical fallacies i.e. "Whatabouteries"-commonly known as "Red Herrings".

1. "even back in the days of Moseley and his Black Shirts, the movement had little support within the greater population ".
2. What is perhaps more of an insidious threat is the existence of
the "Far Left".

Comment is about Muslim terrorist (blog)

Original item by Ghazala lari

Well I hope your wishlist wants get granted kamryn
all the best!






Rose 💋

Comment is about new year, new me. (blog)

Original item by kamryn

😅 lovably lewd!






Rose 💋

Comment is about song for my martian cock (blog)

Original item by nicola van straaten

Thank you all for your opinion.

M.C. Newberry...... Every crime committed by a muslim isn't jihad. The moment it's labelled as jihad, the criminal becomes a hero and his crime becomes jihad. We should refrain from creating criminals as heroes who are worshipped blindly for their crimes.

Extremists and practicing muslims never commit crimes. It's the non practicing muslim criminals who do so. Most of them don't wear the religion Islam on their sleeves.

@J. Coopey...... Precisely. Thanks.

Comment is about Muslim terrorist (blog)

Original item by Ghazala lari

An informative piece, Ghazala. It is telling that the media all too frequently refer to “Muslim terrorism” but unaccountably never referred to crimes committed by the IRA or UDF as “Christian terrorism”.

Comment is about Muslim terrorist (blog)

Original item by Ghazala lari

Thanks, MC. I find a fun diversion is to guess the number of times Derek will say “It’s lovely”. But Clarkson!!!?? I wish the gauchos had caught him.
And thanks for the Like, Julie.

Comment is about BANGERS AND CASH (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

Thank you Helene.
Also - thanks are due for the "likes". You know who you are.

Comment is about SNOW WHITE POPPIES (blog)

Original item by M.C. Newberry

Good governance is essentially linked with the handling of the
nation's economy. And good housekeeping is intrinsically tied
to the same thing - cash connected! We have had incompetence
in control and the rest of us are paying the price.

Comment is about What Nana would have said. (blog)

Original item by John Botterill

UK government's position:
The UK Home Office's position:

Not mine!

https://homeofficemedia.blog.gov.uk/2019/09/20/fact-sheet-right-wing-terrorism/

Comment is about Muslim terrorist (blog)

Original item by Ghazala lari

Unfortunately for their religion, it has been "hi-jacked" readily
by extremists within its ranks under the name of "Jihad" - and
vile things done in that cause for the world to see and wonder.
As for the "Far Right" mentioned by UOC...even back in the
days of Moseley and his Black Shirts, the movement had little
support within the greater population and that is likely now.
Those that are known as such now are more of a threat to
the complacency of the left-leaning liberal mindset than any
national security.
What is perhaps more of an insidious threat is the existence of
the "Far Left" - an entity that exists quietly and unobtrusively
in rarely mentioned or referred to sections of social influence.
The Atom Bomb traitors from Cambridge and the Burgess
crowd fell within that range of fifth column existence. .Doubtless, their kind exists now but that is rarely referred to in
any MSM.

Comment is about Muslim terrorist (blog)

Original item by Ghazala lari

I have been following "B&C" for some time - now watching the
latest "Restoring classics" versions of the concept. The range of
vehicles found and offered for sale has been asource of constant.
interest - so pleasing to know so many have survived. I confess
to enjoying occasional episodes of the original "Top Gear" when
irreverence was much in evidence and opinions were offered
without apparent fear or favour during tests and extended
travels beyond these shores - not least when Jeremy Clarkson
upset the locals in South America one time and made his
exit ASAP. What fun!.

Comment is about BANGERS AND CASH (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

A parable for the age perhaps. We seem to have encouraged
a world, which, unlike that which our immediate forebears knew
and dealt with so stoically, is hardly comparable in terms of
risk, loss and grief on a daily basis. Indeed, it appears that there
is some strange need to invent a state of ongoing alarm and
despondency for whatever reason, actively encouraged by those
career controllers - politicians and their various hangers-on in
search of funding and influence. Save us from those who vex
our very existence.

Comment is about Look at the Skies (blog)

Original item by Hélène

I'd write my deepest sentiments in cursive across faded paper 
And send it to you by earth's breath 

That's so poetic!

Comment is about Third Wheel. (blog)

Original item by Jordyn Elizabeth

Someone close once advised me:
"What matters is, not so much the problems you have to deal with, but the way you deal with them."

I can to some extent, control my own problems, but I must give my friend the benefit of the doubt?

Comment is about Breaking Point (blog)

Original item by Stephen Gospage

Thankyou, Graham. And quite right, Uilleam. Top Gear is for tho mindless.

Comment is about BANGERS AND CASH (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

Ghazela
I describe myself in my profile as "Just a simple poet" and that is true, I live 'close to the ground' and have always tried to shy away from the wider world, so I read what you had to say with great interest.
You give a very balanced explanation of a situation that I have found hard to grasp.
You have given me a lot to think about and that is good. I also read'and agree with, Uilleams response.
For me this is the great value of WOL.

Comment is about Muslim terrorist (blog)

Original item by Ghazala lari

Oh, the hypocrisy in high places!
And the hypocrisy in low places-
in the lowest of the low, in the muck-raking, click-baiting, gutter-sniping press / media.

Over recent years, concerning a variety of matters, I have increasingly come to use the expression:
"Follow the money".😡

Comment is about What Mattered Most (blog)

Original item by Mike Bartram

"leaning more into accountability. Thinking about what I contribute, "
Admirable thinking.

"new year, new me."
The number of times I've told myself that-and disappointed myself!

Slow, and incremental change works for me.
😉

Comment is about new year, new me. (blog)

Original item by kamryn

I think you have touched a very raw note here.

"those we love
those we don't even know -
fear for the planet
fear for the future
fear rises in our bellies,
fear dances in our brains"

I wish I could be more like Uilleam - I try - but fear for my loved ones still "dances in my brain"

- so I will breathe

Well done Helene for a sensitive and relevent poem

Comment is about Look at the Skies (blog)

Original item by Hélène

fallen off a flitting?
Not heard that for a long while! Love it.😊

Comment is about What Nana would have said. (blog)

Original item by John Botterill

Can't stick Top Gear, never could. Such overgrown over-excited schoolboys.

I'll give Bangers and Cash a try.👍

Comment is about BANGERS AND CASH (blog)

Original item by John Coopey

Such a shame I don't believe in Martians!
😕

Comment is about song for my martian cock (blog)

Original item by nicola van straaten

ditto

Comment is about new year, new me. (blog)

Original item by kamryn