London has fallen!!

Or at least that is what I keep reading. Statistic sucking, doom mongering arseholes, the lot of them.
There is so much negativity coming from all angles, it is hard to keep up with who is the biggest problem.

First we have the good people of the UK. Lately there have been quite a few who no longer live in London (there is your first clue), who want to let everyone know that when they were growing up in recently post-war London, it was so much better. Errm, yes, the war had just finished you muppet. London was a thriving, and rapidly growing city.
Your decision to leave London in your later years indicates you had a preference to live elsewhere, so quite obviously your love of London was waning. It's not for everyone of course, and as it has exploded into the 24/7 city that it now is, I can totally understand peoples desire to move away.

If you have never lived in London, it is quite an overwhelming place to be. Many visit from afar in the UK, vowing never to return. So many people, so rude, too busy, so many police etc. I get it, I really do.

But then just because it is not for you, is no reason to condemn the place. Let's be honest, if you are not au fait with a place, or it is just not your cup of tea, your opinion is never going to be a good one, let alone very balanced. It's like getting a vegan to do a review of a new meat market!

I of course fully respect the opinions of those living in London currently, especially those in the slightly more "challenged" areas, shall we say.  South East London for example, where I live, and grew up too. Has it changed, sure it has, in ways which are almost impossible to explain. As I found out telling my niece the other day about how we used to play in the streets.

Has it "fallen"? Is it beyond repair? Un-salvageable as I saw it described the other day. No, of course not, don't be so dramatic and stupid about it.
The crime figures are up, the violence is getting a bit out of hand, and its crazy busy.
Statistically there is more chance of being a victim of a crime than there used to be. But that is probably the case for a hell of a lot of people.

But we hear about a new stabbing or shooting every day in London! Yes, that is probably the case. But just for one second, consider this, it is a media driven agenda. You will hear about whatever they choose, and it will be drummed into your head 24/7. Apparently amongst all this crime, a certain couple are getting married soon too. Just one couple of course, no one else, or at least that is the impression you get from the media.
There is an infinite amount of information out there to absorb daily, but most of us "trust" just a few sources. The more they report something, the more it must happen, and the more important it is, right? NO !!

I am not saying there is not a serious issue with stabbings, shootings, and other "epidemics" in London, I am simply saying that they are really not as wide spread, common, and expected as the media would have you believe. Most violent crimes (attacks not involving a secondary crime such as robbery) have a back story, although the character witnesses would have you believe otherwise.

The shortage of police is causing this!! Errm, no, no it didn't. While more could be invested in getting the numbers of police on the street up, the lack there of does not inspire someone to stab someone else. They behaviours and involvement in other circles are one of the biggest causes of that.

What I am getting at here is, London is far from a danger zone, a no go zone or any other negative term. It is a thriving City, with plenty to offer, and pretty damn safe on the grand scheme of things.
Amazing how our focus is diverted from one thing and onto another. London is dangerous, there are stabbings. Well yes, there are. But lets not forget it being the focus of terrorism too. However that is quickly forgotten after a week or two of media bombardment, telling us to believe something else.

Having grown up in London while the IRA was still very active. Seen areas like Bishopsgate, and Isle of Dogs overhauled with explosives and hatred, I would say the threat has changed, but the city and its streets remain as they always were. The streets of a capital, any capital are tainted with an air of danger, all from their own unique threats. There is no such thing as complete safety, believing it, or suggesting  / promising it is utter bullshit.

Now there is the other side to all this. While the media drive the agenda, and make sure the world sees its current portrayal of the city, the politicians also play their games too.

If your car broke down, and an onlooker suggested they could fix it, you would welcome them, work together and fix it.
So in politics you would hope it would work the same way. After all, politicians get into politics to serve the people, and for their love of their towns and cities, right?
Well, no, actually, when it comes to politics the analogy is slightly different. Going back to the car, the onlooker will stand there and mock you, berate you, and carry on until you give up on the car, then walk away. Then they will run over and take the car. It still won't run right, but they will botch the fix to drive off in it, only to break down a bit further down the road.

What really pisses me off, in times when the reputation and future of London is in question, is seeing these politicians standing around mocking each other. Saying how they would have done things differently, and when they get back into power, they will make everything better again.
If you cared, if you really wanted to make a difference, you would act NOW, offer the solutions, sit around the table and have the discussions which would lead to a better London. At the end of all that, I would not only respect the opposition a lot more, but I would also be better informed as to who some of these people really are, and be able to see who the genuine politicians are.

Instead, bad crime figures are seem as a posturing opportunity. Rather than trying to be constructive and help improve things, they are used to try and secure their future term in power. If we are totally honest about this, investment in the police will not STOP the issue, but will instead allow more manpower to gather intelligence and act on it. Having a stable economy didn't stop the IRA, having good exam pass marks hasn't changed the threat from ISIS, and having a strong housing market and good job prospects will not change the attitudes of the scummy little fuckers who are causing all the issues with gang violence and moped enabled crimes.

Watching politicians attacking each other on TV just shows how disorganised things are at the top, and chips away at the belief and trust we have in the politicians. Seeing them squabble and shout over each other at PMQ's and other debates in the house, just set a bad example to society. Politicians have no respect for each other, and bad mouth each other both privately and publicly at every opportunity, so why should anyone else behave differently?

Then finally we have the public. Large swathes of them with no respect for the police, but as usual, calling upon them to put a stop to everything. Stop and search is bad, but why are people being left to walk about with weapons. Tactical stops on mopeds involved in crimes need to happen, but if someones child is injured while involved in such a crime, lynch the copper from the nearest tree.

I will finish up with saying this.
Instead of blaming the schools, police, politicians, labour market, housing market etc, take a look a little closer to home.
For every one of these trouble making scrotes, there is someone who knows them simply as a human being. Sure other member of a gang are not going to pacify them, but somewhere in their social circles there is a friend or family member who knows the real person. These are the people who come out in mourning when a loved one is killed. They are the people who can see something isn't right, but do nothing.
I am not saying it is their fault, however they are the first to see there is an issue, the first to have the opportunity to say something to someone, and the first link in the chain which eventually leads the person to an early death or prison.

While it is easy, just like the politicians, to point your finger and blame others, society also needs to take some responsibility, and do their bit. Stitches for snitches, no one likes a grass etc, all the wise words of wisdom which over the years have pushed the decline in family and friends interventions.  Sadly, sometimes, it is the best way.

London isn't broken, it is just running a bit rough at the moment. It is not un-salvageable, it is simply undesirable to certain groups of people.
We, Londoners, just need to pull our bloody fingers out and each play our part. No more turning a blind eye, no more "someone else will report it", take some bloody responsibility.
Likelihood of that happening of course is about as high as the chances of everyone clearing the snow from outside their house, which in turn would clear the whole street. Rather than whining at the local authority to hurry up and do it.

Entitled, lazy, uninvolved, just a few words which describe the modern day Londoner. And maybe that is the problem. Not immigration, the influx of people from other countries wanting a better life for them and their families. Willing to work long hours, doing manual jobs for little financial reward.  But the influx of selfish, entitled, and disengaged people from elsewhere, demanding gentrification, the removal of the poorer members of society, who are too self obsessed to play the important role which is required of them.

The referendum... The loose ends!

Just thought I would type out some of the things about the whole event I really don't understand. Obviously this is partly due to me having my own views on things, which are clearly not on par with others. After all, that IS what makes us individuals, so I am kinda glad that we don't all feel the same way.

So first up, the count / majority.
Those voting remain - 16,141,241
Those voting leave - 17,410,742

Majority of 1,269,501 (One and a quarter million)

Now, I know that things were close (51.9% / 48.1%) Pretty darn close for 33 million votes, but it is also fair to say that 1.25 million people is quite a chunk of people too. I have seen calls to say that at least a 60% majority would have been considered "democratic" and that this majority is not substantial enough to consider it a win. I disagree. Where was the call for this sized majority before the vote. When there was greater confidence in the remain camp, these things were not raised, when the result went the other way, suddenly the rules and regulations were touted about and the vote called invalid.

Now from where I stand, this was a chance for me to have my say on something. However the vote went, I would be happy to carry on living the way I do. I have no interest in protesting, calling foul play, or getting into a name calling battle with anyone who voted the other way to me. So to me, it is very sad to see the utterly childish behaviour of people from both camps. Trying to discredit the other and damage the reputations of the people who stood on both sides. But more seriously for me, is the fighting between the public and groups who believe this is the beginning of the end.

The amount of stupidity I have seen posted on social media has resulted in me doing some unfollowing, as I am sick and tired of seeing the campaigns against others. Calling people stupid, racist, uneducated, blind, careless and so many other names... For having an opinion on something?! That is truly pathetic, and if you are one of the people pressing share share share on every piece of social media hatred against "the others" that you see, I will be unfollowing you very soon too.

In short, the people of the country were asked to make a decision. Lots of information was provided, most of which was hype and bullshit of course. Emphasis on promises which were badly worded and untrue, scaremongering about collapsing economies, bans on trade, eviction of immigrants etc. Both sides should be thoroughly ashamed of themselves, as should anyone who propagated this BS. Most of it was written in such a way that it was nothing more than click-bait but filled with hatred.
How many people were actually in any way impressed upon by this, or voted according to what they heard and believed is a mystery, and I really do hope that the number is small. There are plenty of things out there to read up on that can help the average Joe make a mildly informed decision.

Sadly of course, the media were VERY quick to highlight some people they had interviewed who said had they known the Brexit vote would win, they would have voted the other way, and are now wishing they had voted remain. Well, all I can say to that is, maybe we need to have an intelligence test before allowing people to vote. People making statements like that just goes to show the number of people who vote without thinking, and have an effect either way on the outcome of something important.... Then whinge and whine about it for years to come.

This reaction of course has been seized by the media, and thrown out there as wide spread discontent throughout the UK. As have speeches from Remain MP's , saying they will fight for fairness, and wont let this change happen.

First thing worth noting. The vote is a notice of intention at best, and not a full blown exit movement. No one has won or lost a thing yet. The plan for the road ahead is vastly under reported, and is very much unclear. But somehow, some fortune tellers seem to have the whole thing written out in a mystical book, and can tell you without any doubt that Britain is done for! Amazingly, the guaranteed vision for the future is pretty word for word what the Remain propaganda was. Such visionaries, these people are amazing.

Sadly, as these visionaries share their dread for the future, another group of people think they too have seen the future, a future they have dreamed of for many years now, and one they believe is about to begin. The mass eviction of immigrants, the closing of the borders, and the reclamation of the "English way" even though it was BRITAIN that voted, and that includes 3 other countries within it.
Yes of course the extreme right were always going to get their knickers in a twist. Remain would have triggered immediate protest and hatred, and it seems that Leave has done the exact same reaction.
Complete lunatics running around, showing their true racist colours (ironic term maybe) and openly abusing people who appear to be from a different background to the classic demographic of "white British"
Just to clarify at this point, anyone displaying this kind of attitude or behaviour can quite simply fuck off somewhere else themselves. The EU Referendum was NEVER about throwing people out of the country, hatred towards other races and religions, nor a way to get across the message of the tiny minded, racist bigots out there who believe they stand for the masses, but really just irritate the hell out of people with their thug like "Ugg, me man" like caveman behaviour.
If anyone needs deporting, or putting away somewhere, it is you lot, not "them lot" as you would say.

Now the big problem.... YOU!
OK not all of you, but I bet someone will read this blog, and be the same sort of person who reads a shock headline like "Facebook will make your profile and all your posts public at midnight tonight" , then not only believe it, but share it wildly, panicking at its implications, and wanting to warn other small minded people to do the same.
That said, to be reading this part of the blog entry, they would have had to go through quite a few paragraphs, which is not the way of the thicko. They just read the headline and make all their decisions based on that. Much like the winning whiners who regret their vote being the majority.

The future.
There are many opinions on the vision of the future, from the more grounded people out there, not the doomsday bunch. Anything ranging from the UK becoming a completely independent nation, and the EU dying a slow and painful death, to the UK invoking Article 50, and spending the next two years working out a way to remain, but under an entirely new agreement, with more freedom and control for the areas which the masses in the UK object to the EU having a hold over. The opinions range wildly.
It seems at the moment though that the future is trying to be decided by one man on his own, Jean Claude Juncker.
This man seems to speak with pure hatred in his mind. Demanding that the UK immediately start the exit process. To be honest, the way I have seen the man speak, with his sulky behaviour and fits of rage about the UK daring to decide they don't like the EU, it reminded me of this video clip.

Unhappy with what was being said to him, he spat his dummy and had a childish rant about the outcome. Even other EU members are saying he needs to calm down, and talk about this sensibly. I am sure that deep within his mind, the thought that other EU member states are now considering their own referendum, and the fear is growing that the EU will start to crumble faster and faster. The slightest sniff of Germany wishing to hold a similar referendum would provisionally mark the end of the EU as we know it.

What I take from all this, even with the other states only talking of referendums, is that the EU is finally being held to account, and feels vulnerable. Maybe time to have more open and diplomatic talks about restructuring are upon us. Maybe the results of the UK referendum do NOT mark the end of our membership of the after all. But instead give the government more clout and leverage to work with. Maybe this is the point where individual countries can fully negotiate their own terms of being a part of the EU, rather than the all in or all out approach which seems to be preferred.

Seeing the mass of support for the UK MEP's in the European Parliament is hardly surprising. A room filled with highly paid MEP's, most of which still believe in a unified Europe. Strange that most seem to clap loudly at those UK MEP's promising to fight for the UK to remain. But it makes a great story, and fantastic viewing on TV, so let us let the media once again propagate their own beliefs as facts, and put fear into the minds of those who have chosen to take a chance on the future of the UK.

Don't get me wrong. I am not calling the masses on either side right or wrong. We all had a say, and the majority of the 33 million who voted, did so with a clear enough mind of their own, to decide which way they wished to see the vote go. In my eyes, that is a democracy. In fact, letting the racist and moronic individuals have a say too, is also a clear sign of an unbiased democracy. To then try and redefine the word to best suit your cause is just sad really. Finding a translation or definition which suits the message you want to spread amongst others.... Well that to me is comparable to something else we see a lot of. Those radicals who retranslate any religious writings to those of hatred, to justify their beliefs and causes. Sad really, but true.

Right now we have a few issues. Mass hysteria being spread by the genuinely concerned expressing their educated guesses, and then the media who just want to see protests, riots and widespread unrest. Of course, the media are supported by a whole bunch of mindless thugs who think they have just been given a free pass to be an arsehole.
Dear thugs, the majority of 17 million did not vote Leave because you are a racist idiot. In fact, the majority voted with non of that in mind whatsoever. Please don't take the UK's vote as a sign that you are supported in being a small minded, ignorant, racist twat. It really wasn't

Then there is the EU itself. Clearly wriggling and writhing from the blow of the UK's vote. But instead of acting like the mature voices of the nations they serve, they are acting like spoiled brats. Throwing stones because the UK took its ball home. It might come back out to play later, but for now there is anger and frustration, and a whole load of feet stomping. Sadly the loudest and most outspoken of them is Juncker. Protesting, demanding, and waiving his hands furiously, ushering the UK  away, demanding Article 50 is invoked ASAP, and promising that the split will NOT be a happy one. Is this really the right man to head a union of nations. Representing so many different cultures with a voice of such childish hatred? I wonder how many other nations are cringing at the message that is being sent to the UK on their behalf.

Anyway, that is me for now.
I really do sincerely hope that all this "justified" racism, and petty squabbling amongst people ends soon. I know I have managed to have civilised conversations with many people about this subject, even with opposing views, and the outcome has been one of a respectful disagreement on the matter. Now if only the people who are paid and in a position to do this could do the same. Oh and if the racist twats could just go away somewhere, like a quarry!