Eurovision Song Contest - some thoughts

 Last night, the European Broadcasting Corporation had its annual bun-fight, this year it was in Basel, in Switzerland.  It featured the usual mix of European Pop Songs and associated novelty acts.  For some reason, there were a few countries that were determined to "take the mickey" out of Italy.  I would like to know what has Italy done to deserve that!

One of the contestants came from Israel.  I think it slightly hypocritical that Israel were allowed to compete given that their leader has more or less behaved the same way that Vladimir Putin has, and Russia have been banned from every international competition that I can think of.  What made it worse for me was that Israel did so well from the Judges vote and the popular vote and very nearly won.  I did not like that eventual winner either but that is another story.

The United Kingdom got it's usual thumping but did not finish last nor were they ignored by some of the judging panels and even got 12 points from one panel, but got absolutely nothing from the popular vote.  It seems that we have a great deal of difficulty writing a song that appeals to Europe at large.  Also, we seem to have a great deal of difficulty persuading an established act to take part.  The good thing for the U.K. entrants were that they were offered a healthy contract from Andrew Lloyd Webber, which is nice!

My wife, a committed Europhile, has made it clear that this is the last time that she will watch the programme.  She said that last year as well, but made sure we watched it this year.  Next year, I think, the contest will fall on her birthday, which means that in the evening, we will not be at home to watch it.  So for at least one year her determination to not watch the European Song-fest will be satisfied.

Ukraine and all that

 Well, what a surprise!  Donald Trump has totally missed the point in his latest outburst.  He said, and I paraphrase, that "Ukraine could have stopped the war at any time."  REALLY?  However, Donald did not give any hint how Ukraine could stop the war.  My fear when I heard that Donald Trump would be talking to Putin is that together they will "stitch up" Ukraine and Putin will get what he wants.

Putin is suggesting that Ukraine should have an election before the Peace Treaty is signed.  Ooh? I wonder why he said that?  Is it because he has never interfered with an election ever?  And he will see this as a chance for the Ukrainians to vote for someone that supports Putin? 

The one thing that Donald Trump has done is to bring the Russians from out of the cold.  The Russians are now seen as equal partners to the U.S.  This is not a good thing.

Many people in the media have been saying that there will be a change in the world order and that imperialists will divide the world up into parts and each will be run by a strong leader.  That scenario is sure to bring about a series of wars from time to time as one imperialist will want to take over and imperialists area because there are minerals present, there is copious water supplies or whatever.

There is a Chinese curse which is, "May you live in interesting times."  It looks like we are entering the most interesting times of the world.  I am quite grateful that I am nearer the end of my life rather than the beginning 

Grenfel

There has been a lot on the newspapers about the fact that the tower that burned and 72 people lost their lives is to be demolished.   The big question now is, what to put there instead?  I think it would be the most stupid idea to put another block of flats there, unless they were the safest block of flats in the country.  In my humble opinion, and I am entitled to hold this opinion, it is my blog after all,  there should be a sort of remembrance garden rather like the one that is on the site of the Twin Towers in New York.  A place where people can stop and think and a memorial plaque to those who died.  It does not have to be as dreary as I make it sound but try and inject some thing that will give the message of hope for the future.

I think I have said enough.