crossroads

SE1 - The Flyover

2019 ticks over to 2020. At a bit of a crossroads, locally and nationally and, probably, internationally. Should we believe in the optimism, allow a type of Stockholm-Syndrome to wash over us and take the easy route, or remember the many lies we've been told? To get back some sort of balance, we need to sort out an effective opposition to this thing (I don't think they really know) we have on the government benches at the moment. In an early post I said it was a conspiracy mindset, and whatever else that that entails, that allowed Brexit to take hold. I also said it was an act of self-harm, and so a cry for help. This may still be true - people saying they voted Brexit/Conservative (more specifically Johnson) to 'shake things up' - but the xenophobia behind much of the rhetoric is clearly much more of a driving factor than I thought. There are reports of seeing more people feeling emboldened in these sorts of views now, thinking (rightly or wrongly) the government is on their side. It is this hate - and fear and whatever else that brings with it - that has allowed Brexit to really flourish as an ideology, a cult. The 'national desire to be heard' reasoning was maybe too generous. People voted, perhaps, not so much against Corbyn (though obviouly they did) but for Johnson. I think honesty will allow us to see that it simply comes down to wanting to follow, to be told what to think and not have to think and be told that you're exceptional, one of the gang, trusting in a leader. It may be why so many religious believers support this type of politician too. There is scary talk of us being in an age of the 'strong-man', and even in a post-democracy - terrifying, hopefully an over-reaction. But Johnson succeeded where supply teacher for the public schoolboys May who was - you can easily imagine Francois and Rees-Mogg sniggering - never could. And so, depressing as it may be, let Labour not be too lofty in their ideals - for the moment at least - in appointing their leader. Johnson and the rest are likely to be most cowed by Starmer, and for them - and apparently much of the the electorate - the posturing does count for something. Don't waste any more time allowing Johnson to think he really is king, dictator, just freely in charge of everything. That's not good for any leader of a democracy. Labour should give the job to Starmer and just get on with it. Get it done, as some might say. Perhaps Philips could be a challenge to him, but I dont think any of the others still in the running could. Not that Starmer is a bad person for the role anyway; surely he'd surround himself with a diverse group of ministers to challenge the untrustworthiness and apparent paucity (though some more is being spoken about now than just Brexit) of this government's current pledges, and seemingly he's already prioritised leaving no doubt about eradicating all anti-Semitism. What has been reported - that people said they would have voted Labour if Starmer was leader - is something I heard too. Labour are just going to have to fight dirty, else the tactics used by the Conservatives will probably continue to trump any idealism. As when Labour members in clips from the time apparently wanted Blair as leader (ahead of Prescott and Beckett) because he 'looked good', if Labour want to avoid irrelevance and to be an opposition the government won't just dismiss, the thinking probably has to be similarly cynical. 

There is room for optimism of course, a few reasons at the moment actually and not just the ones our PM wants us to trust him with (I'd like to but can't; Johnson lies...). One reason is this: someone I know who's proven to be very perceptive about things over many years, says the first 'big shock' will be in 6 months. People will realise it's maybe not what they were promised, that there are too many lies, and that is a bad thing but unsustainable. 

So much feels like 'we shall see'. 

The photo is of the flyover at the Bricklayers' Arms, SEI, London, pretty much joining the Old and New Kent Roads. A double exposure on Kodak colourplus 200 with my old Canon EOS 3000N. 

Belief

You often hear it said that that in any endeavour, particularly a creative one, it's important to have courage, conviction, belief and a vision you stick to. There are plenty of motivational soundbites about only never failing if you never try etc.. All good and helpful, maybe even important, as motivation. Probably most of us need to think it's worth doing something, and to remind ourselves every now and then. But this is perhaps because most of us are not completely convinced, entitles, self-obsessed. It's no bad thing to have that bit of doubt - not the crippling stuff that leads to -abandonment of any and all enthusiasm - a bit of doubt that sharpens the critical faculties. The moment when you think something like 'people are actually going to see this' and you notice what you suddenly really don't like. But you do need to then take a step, and that's when you need the courage of your convictions. There is a certain pride, for better or worse, in finally saying I believe in this, even if others don't. I'm not the type of person who thinks everyone else must be wrong, and that if I like something I must be objectively correct, and maybe this has caused a problem of not enough confidence. With the above photo however, I feel there's something I've done I would argue is...not bad. I'd even say I like it, even if others don't. It's not perfect, but I like it. This is saying a lot for a photo I took. Of course there's usually a lot less at stake when you're dealing with a photo, even one submitted for sale or display, to a customer or into a competition, than when lives and countries are the subject of debate. A little bit of doubt, concern for others, listening and looking and feeling and less self obsession seemingly might be a good thing at the moment. Yes, it's Brexit. A fundamentalist belief in known and unknown obvious lies because they confirm what you want to believe. I'd rather have doubts than find out too late my belief wasn't enough. 

I do like the above photo though.

The Meaning of Research

Peckham. Heritage.

In an earlier post I wrote - rather messily, now tidied up, this was a real rambling blog and if I do it I must do better and I was even more stressed and...sorry... must do better... - that anger leads to conspiracies and comes from dishonest, self-serving authorities treating people dismissively and with contempt. If that wasn't clear, that was what  was trying to say. It's been a pretty consistent theme unfortunately throughout this blog, is one of the reasons it was started and why the posts were so erratic. It was a place to vent a little.

It also of course played into the 'B' word. Everyone now knows the win for Brexit (capital 'B') was at least partly a protest vote. Many of the people who voted this way now feel they were wrong, that the EU has nothing to do with the problems they face, and their frustrations were played on by people who had no good argument otherwise to convince enough people to vote for Brexit. Demagogues with money faking concern and for their own ends playing the frustrated, oppressed working masses that they have such contempt for.

But of course some people still do believe the arguments, still want to believe them. Brexit has taken up time that could have been spent on issues such as housing, health, education and employment (another thing the  politicians are starting to realise) and people have been left to stew. The anger is often accompanied by hatred of outsiders, spite towards those who disagree - there are enough videos of MPs and others being harangued to prove this - and suspicion of anyone contesting the conspiracies. Fake news can take hold. On ITV London news reporting the People's March this weekend said 'onlookers' booed the march as it passed Number 10. No - the protesters booed as they passed Number 10. I think. Yes, definitely...

And so we can understand the true meaning of 'research'. As in The European Research Group. Why that name, ERG? Does anyone really believe they, or their staff, are studiously delving into the detail of the true workings and nature of the EU, any more than anyone believes Rees-Mogg can suddenly be the voice of the working class? (Incidentally, as some have asked when, this must have happened the same time the EU became the choice of the wannabe liberal Left).

So ERG is playing again of what those they are...well, playing, will respond to. These guys are on our side (at least some of the way, eh, Farage?) and the good guys (eh, Francois?). They are not part of fake news media metropolitan elite. They understand. They have seen through. They have looked deeply and seen the truth. They are not mouthpieces or journalists. They are researchers. What do conspiracy theorists call themselves? Researchers. What do conspiracy theorists have to do, have to do because of the fake news? Research.

And so, with news more about personality and opinion rather than facts, and a choice available of who to believe based on who you want to be, the ERG can drop in that middle word for those who want to hear it. And because of propaganda and spin and lies and oppression and contempt and cover-ups, is it any surprise people believe - want to believe - the more comforting lies? At least some one is on their side.

The only thing is, if you really want to get at the truth, you cannot believe lies, however much you want to. Thankfully enough people now realise they've been lied to, by the self-appointed truth-seekers (that's another trigger term) and researchers.

The photo is part of a building on Peckham High Street covered by the Peckham Heritage Project. One of the fine old buildings that can, with care, serve people and last many, many years, with character that is worth preserving. This is the aim, all the while alongside plans for 48 stories agreed by councillors without, many would argue, proper consideration. Doesn't take much research to see this is happening.

The truth is out there, somewhere.

Brexit - a human perspective.

May really seems to believe she is a Boudicca figure. Those playing her know this. Obsessed with her place in history. Wanting to be the PM who delivered Brexit, no doubt imagining a statue on Westminster Bridge. Deluded and clinging on desperately at any cost (please let me stay, she apparently pleaded when her leadership was challenged, I'll go soon, honest) all for her own gratification. She's lost perspective completely. We can't be ruled by people like this - May, Farage, certain local councillors... You're servants, remember, so make decisions for the good of the country - not your own egos and careers. What's worse - someone who's always had money, or someone who got it and now never has enough? Someone on the Right who thinks they're better than everyone else because of a superiority complex, or the person on the Left who thinks the same because of a Messiah complex? There isn't much difference any more, Left or Right. The way to get people to do something is to pander to their vanity. Especially in politics.

La Befana

9 from 2018

What to expect from 2019?
Brexit, of course, so the rise - whatever the final deal - of Rees-Mogg, Johnson (with all the other little Johnsons) and Farage. Possibly Tommy Robinson too. In Italy, looking like a bleeding-heart, level-headed liberal in comparison, Salvini shows no signs of waning popularity. Why should he, when some of the talk that got him branded an extremist previously - that gangs worse even than the Mafia, 'scafisti', do financially very well putting people in boats with promises of a new life on Italy, with these illegal immigrants lost to the system if they survive the dangerous crossing - is now being echoed by Javid, enlisting the Navy to stop people crossing from Europe. This is a quite sudden change in language, similar to currently successful Right-Wing rhetoric with no pretence of concern, that makes you understand why 'Fake News' can take off, and the conspiracy mindset, mentioned in an earlier post. Speaking of which...Trump throwing his toys out of the pram. Gilet Jaunes showing  - please excuse the lazy stereotype - they still know about revolution in France. Bolsonaro in Brazil, a result of people reacting when the Left or moderates let them down - he promised to fight corruption, and drugs. That's right, people (many celebrities especially) who like to say they're Left and helping the poor people before going back to their middle-class life and patting themselves on the back - drugs are not something that we need to deal with by liberating them, because drugs ruin lives, directly and indirectly. Closer to home we didn't really have a Left - the likes of Labour Southwark council celebrating the overturned victory for their human rights by people on the Aylesbury estate after a decision taken by Tories to back the council's plans. So in comes Corbyn, definitely Left but seemingly doing all he can to avoid becoming PM, to the point you wonder if he naturally prefers some sort of opposition. 'Stupid woman' he seemed to mutter, like someone unaware cameras are everywhere and in the Commons for a few years now. An inability - unwillingness? - to despatch a flailing May at PMQs. And another misreading, perhaps deliberate, of the mood among people - even many who voted Leave, the 'regretters', or something - for a say on what Brexit actually means (no, it's not just 'Brexit'). So, apparently a topsy-turvy, double-speak, short-sighted, meaningless, through the looking glass, narcissistic world of self-harm, leading - as has happened previously - to total self-destruction. Happy New Year. And yet...

Apparently, there's this thing called generous tit-for-tat? You've probably have heard of it, maybe like me on that BBC documentary 'The Joy of Winning'. It's mathematically provable. And yes, that's generous tit-for-tat. Every time there's a fight, you get to the point where you have to stick up for yourself. Then you eventually realise the point has been made and you have better things to get on with, so leave the idiot to find some other mug to fight, if they really have nothing better to do. So every time some hawks rise up and, blinded by greed, trying to turn the well worn, sticky pages of their copy of Atlas Shrugged into reality, the rest realize this might not be the best way to go and make their point, before we then can all hopefully get on with better things. This may be a terrible explanation but hopefully you get the idea. And of course in the rush to grab, the greedy go too far and often trip themselves up. Southwark councillors must surely get the point now that they can't ride roughshod over rights and use what they should serve for personal gain, that they've been found out, and maybe some decisions made suggest this. People have hopefully made their point. Pelosi has taken position. Macron listened. Corbyn might learn. Salvini is in counterbalanced - somewhat - by Di Maio. Bolsonaro might concentrate on crime rather than targeting minorities. May unfortunately seems completely obsessed with the idea she is going to lead the country to some green and pleasant future, solely for her place in history, desperate to be the most beloved leader ever. Her place in history, as a PM, is already assured, of course. But exactly what the future holds, for her and all of us, we'll have to see. Maybe, though, January 2019 we can be hopeful.
Other news today - apparently the Large Magellanic Cloud will collide with the Milky Way, in about 2.5 billion years.

Cancel Brexit

In the right-side window, the sign says 'Cancel Brexit'. A flat in Peckham, Asylum Road, SE15. As Brexit's moving onwards and Flickr changing means more photos here - which might work, as a kind of photo blog diary - here is a post from June 6th. Cancelling seemed unlikely, still probably does, but not as impossible as it did, listening now to the lack of support for the PM's draft bill, and as nobody really wants No Deal, do they?