I've not been in Blogland much for a few days. The garden has needed my time again and it's been a welcome escape from the fact that I've been strangely unsettled. What has unsettled me? Something that I would never have thought would have even made me give it more than a disgusted or disdainful thought. After all I worked with politicians all my working life. I've learned to take their sincerity and their insincerity and treat those two qualities with an equal degree of detachment.
Despite the effect that President Trump is having on the world and it's economy it's not something I can influence so I've ignored it. Living in Scotland we've been fortunate in having a First Minister who has a very high acceptance rating in her dealing with the present Covid-19 pandemic. However our British Prime Minister now has a negative rating. Why? Largely because of his support for and total reliance on his chief special adviser (Dominic Cummings - a political appointee not a civil servant) who has been the architect of Brexit and the Government's response to the pandemic. In this government he is arguably more powerful than the Prime Minister and certainly than any member of the Cabinet.
Despite the Stay at Home slogan and edict, of which he was the author, DC ignored it and drove, with symptoms of Covid-19, with his wife, who also had symptoms, and their 4 year old son 260 miles to stay in a family home on the family farm "to be near child care if needed". There is a great deal more to it than that, of course. However what is absolutely clear is that he disobeyed the spirit and the letter of the instructions in many ways. He has refused to resign and the PM has refused to sack him and told the public to 'move on'. The furore rumbles on. The whole point that no one at the top seems to grasp is that the author (or approver) of the rules has broken them. It does not matter how small the break. It does not matter that you and I would have been hauled over the coals for doing what he did. It's a matter of trust and credibility.
Regardless of his ability, the ability of the PM and their political colour the sheer arrogance, the sheer treatment of the populace with total contempt is on a scale that I cannot recall in my lifetime. And, let's face it, we've had some pretty significant scandals in that time.
It's unsettled me and made me feel sad for the future.
However this really was what the sunset from my conservatory looked like at 10.30 pm last Sunday:
So life's pretty good really.
Oh Dear. He is one of many I'm afraid. Stephen Kinnock, Dr Calderwood, The muslim bloke who went to a funeral. I have pretty well ignored it as well but I'm not famous and didn't supervise Brexit. I forgot the Ferguson bloke but he got his mistress to come to him. It's all very sad, folk wandering about willy nilly.
ReplyDeleteAdrian, Dr Calderwood fell on her sword. Many people have broken the rules I dare say. Not many of them were the architect of (DC) and the head of the Government that imposed the restrictions. I have always disliked hypocrisy but this is hypocrisy of a different order. This is arrogance in the extreme.
DeleteI'll agree to disagree. Most folk I know disregard the lockdown. Cummins drove up to Durham to his in-laws, unless you know different, for child care. I call that reasonable. You know folk that flew to Australia and back.
DeleteI can understand you disliking Dominic. (A) It is a poofy name. (B) He is a weird fish most likely with vegan leanings. (C) he can sort folk out if they need sorting. I don't think he is malicious. He seems to get the job he is paid for done a rare trait in government at any level.
As a token of my remorse I'll give you this gratis.
"Sir Humphry Tyrrell Wakefield who owns Chillingham Castle in Northumberland has a horse called Barack, named because the horse is half black and half white"
He is Dominic's father-in-law. It's awfully racist I think you will agree. Much worse than the Momentum lassie saying that white girls raped by Pakistanis should shut up for the sake of diversity. Poor Naz, one can take the girl out of Pakistan but it is difficult to take Pakistan out of the girl. Only if the girl is involved in politics. Our local shop is run by Jaz. His daughter wanders about in skirts that struggle to cover her bottom. She is helpful and kind and willing to retrieve goods from the bottom shelf for an old men. A lovely sight it is I think the family have assimilated. Were I fifty years younger I would love to help their assimilation.
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
DeleteI am appalled at the sheer hypocrisy of the baying crowd. I am reminded of the scribes and Pharisees in the Temple.
ReplyDeleteRachel, I'm not interested in the baying crowd who, according to the PM have in the vast majority obeyed the rules. Nor were the Scribes and Pharisees the baying crowd. They were the elite who were being hypocritical. The Scribes and the Pharisees were reviled by Jesus for hypocrisy. You may recall that Jesus was on the side of the majority in condemning the Scribes and the Pharisees. I cannot imagine that he would have condoned the present situation.
DeleteWould Jesus have called Cummings a liar as you are? No.
DeleteRachel - I really don't know whether Jesus would have said this or not. I don't think anyone knows. What I do know is that Graham is one of the most tolerant people I have ever come across in blogland. He is obviously deeply upset by these events, as am I and thousands of others. You view things very differently. It is your absolute right to do so. Please respect our right to disagree.
DeleteThank you Fran. I don't think we have met before but you obviously know me quite well. I do abhor intolerance (my brother and I used to joke that the one thing we could not tolerate was intolerance) but this has really upset me as you said.
DeleteIndeed I do and it is Graham's blog. No need to infer anything different FranfromGove. He can have his view and I can have mine and Graham can look after himself.
DeleteI would add that my view is based on listening to Cummings live statement and he did not come across as arrogant at any point. I do not listen to any media coverage or inquests.
DeleteWe read it described as 'corrosive' (Sophie's French Adventure) and could not agree more. Despite being a blue-veined as a Stilton I have not thought that the current PM has displayed any respect or commitment to the social contract by which he is elected to lead the entire population, not just the ones that voted for him. Like the man in charge in US, he is not a leader but a populist with a personal agenda and apparently unwilling to hear any voice that doesn't support that agenda. So we share your disquiet and hope that time in your garden un-knotted any anxiety. Beautiful sunset by the way. Somethings surpass (and somethings will outlive) even the worst of political nightmares.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Tigger. I agree with your assessment Of the situation and the sunset!).
DeleteYes look at that magnificent sunset and take in the beauty.
ReplyDeleteSerenata, I think I've got it out of my system.
DeleteI am filled with sadness that this just highlights what is so wrong with our modern society, on both sides of the coin. I don't think anyone comes out of this with any honour, whether for or against BJ & DC.
ReplyDeleteHopefully we shall have many more of those beautiful sunsets to soothe our spirits.
JayCee I'm not against either BJ or DC as people in their roles. I'm very much upset by the way they have arrogantly treated us.
DeleteI agree with you Graham, although I may not have expressed myself very well.
DeleteI've heard about it on our news here as well, but more just reported than analyzed. I think you pinpoint very well here why it's extra upsetting (and unsettling) when rules are broken by the people responsible for making up the rules in the first place. I don't have your view of the sea and big skies, but I go out and look at big old trees and little flowers every now and then to calm myself!
ReplyDeleteMonica, I've had a day in the garden. I'll get over it. I'm just not used to such things getting to me.
DeletePeople show you their inner personality by what they do, not what they say.
ReplyDeleteBreaching the rules will always draw condemnation - putting people's lives at risk with such arrogance and indifference and with no consequences will reflect badly going forward on all associated with it. Trust, once broken, is rarely regained.. but true remorse is unlikely from anyone with sociopathic personalities. and it is well reported that these types rise to the top of leadership because they are able to sleep at night after making tough decisions. However, this looks like betrayal of the highest order....
I am grateful to be watching from way down here......for many reasons, and we still have ongoing issues with politics! Meanwhile, the current scenes in America are the most distressing I have seen for years.
Fi, we could all easily be overwhelmed by what is happening around us. I think your first sentence sums up the whole situation. As always your words are measured and wise and I'm grateful for them. Thank you. All politics and politicians have flaws and one can live with or forgive most but, after a life working with politicians, I cannot, off hand, recall it getting to me like this before. Jacinda appears to be one of the ones showing true leadership qualities at this time. Fortunately Nicola here is too in Scotland.
DeleteWhile disaster surrounds us all, God created this sunset just for you.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Susan. I'll take that and smile.
DeleteIt's worth pointing out that his wife - while displaying the symptoms - took their son into a hospital so far from home. We will never know how many (if any) people are affected as a result. But isn't it funny that simultaneously the "Let's protect the NHS' slogan has changed to "We must protect our children".
ReplyDeleteI can sum up my views by saying 'Aaaargh!'
Well, CJ, that lapse hasn't, to my knowledge, come out before. I hadn't noticed the change in that particular slogan either. Thank you for your comment.
DeleteBeautiful sunset. Nature can fill us with awe (or fear!) but it can also soothe us. I sometimes feel it is the best antidote available when "life" happens :)
ReplyDeleteMargaret, nature can certainly fill us with both those emotions that's for sure, and it frequently does!
DeleteYes I read that story a few days ago. I personally think those in power need to be setting an example for everyone else, the rules are there for everyone not just a few right? One of ours tried that and he was instantly demoted. Kia kaha Graham
ReplyDeleteYes, Amy, I read that Jacinda had acted very quickly and decisively in that case. Good for her.
DeleteI hope you feel better, Graham. Beautiful sunset.
ReplyDeleteFrom this side of the pond...Cummings, I feel, could have relied on local help for his son in the even the and his wife became unable to care for him. If I felt strongly to make another choice, then I would make sure others are told to do the same...Find your nest, and stay there. I'm a forgiving person...even before I'm done swearing.
Maywyn, I'm usually a forgiving person too. Cummings and Johnson don't need my forgiveness but they do need the country's respect to govern effectively.
DeleteThat sunset is amazing.
ReplyDeleteSusan, it really was utterly amazing.
DeleteMore of us should be very upset about how politicians bend the rules to suit themselves.
ReplyDeleteRed, in many ways it's the contempt that has got to me. I'm used to them flouting rules.
DeleteOne of our NSW pollies was forced to resign after a similar incident, initially the premier supported him but that's just not an option if government is to have any thread of integrity.
ReplyDeleteIt does seem unusual for you to be so bothered but it was a large indiscretion and we do hope for better from our "leaders" in these high pressured times.
The sunset is stunning. You have a beautiful location
Kylie, I am fortunate to live where I do with magnificent sunrises and sunsets. You're right. It was unusual for me to be so bothered.
DeleteArrogance, like pride, hopefully comes before the fall (and I don't mean the season of autumm). So much arrogance is on display...everywhere...by too many...in all walks of life.
ReplyDeleteI prefer looking at the stunning sunset photo...thanks for brightening and lightening the load. :)
Lee, the arrogance shown has been unbelievable even by political standards. It has also displayed the weakness of our Prime Minister who would not be likely to survive without his chief political adviser.
DeleteDC is not liked by people of either political colour, and it was on the cards that knives would eventually come out; he has upset too many important people. Whether he was acting irresponsibly or not, I don't know; probably yes, but having read the exact wording of the rules he was just about within legality. He won't last much longer, his reputation is far too controversial. Personally I think that Boris would be better off making his own decisions.
ReplyDeleteCro, the trip alone was certainly made possible by the later published regulations if you stretched them 260 miles. He seems to have been along in using that 'loophole' though and getting away with it. I notice that the police are not reviewing two prosecutions for similar alleged transgressions'. I had no feelings either way for DC until this. I still don't care about him. I do care about honour and integrity.
DeleteGraham. Thank you for your kind response. I have been reading blogs for many years, but have never 'followed' anyone and only commented perhaps 7 or 8 times in total. Many blogs have fallen by the way, but I have always looked forward to reading your next post and hope to do so for a very long time to come. With sincere good wishes.
ReplyDeleteRachel. I totally agree that Graham can take care of himself. I assume that the Gove rather than Hove was a typo. Rather funny I think. My original comment stands. Good wishes to you too.
Thank you Fran. I read my response to your comment this morning and was aware that I didn't make it clear how much I had appreciated your words. They really did lift me up. I don't think, despite what I wrote, I realised just how much this had upset me. You also made me realise that that was the time for me to be silent.
DeleteThank you Fran. I have known Graham for quite a long time and he knows me and my blog well. I was also upset and went to bed with a headache 2 nights ago at the opposite end of the spectrum. It affects us all. The Gove was a typo, I was responding in bed on my phone, and I also thought it rather funny when I noticed it and hoped you would too, which you did. Thank you.
DeleteI note you make a point of saying your original comment stands. I wouldn't have thought anything else. My original comment also stands.
DeleteWould The Goddess say something like that? How about Buddha? Or Odin?
DeleteThat sunset is beautiful. Words fail me on the other matter.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Jules. I am fortunate to have big skies.
DeleteIt is indeed unfortunate when world leaders and others in higher positions seem to act in different ways than they expect the public to do. I refrain from commenting on US politicians on my blog, not because I condone their actions or agree with them, but because these are such Hot topics. I would much prefer to look at a beautiful sunset, sunrise or anything in nature. That said, Graham, I have enjoyed reading your reactions and the ensuing comments on this post.
ReplyDeleteBeatrice, I very rarely mention politics or political issues but this one really upset me not for any party political reason but because those who made the rules and told us to do one thing clearly ignored them.
DeleteIntuitively, this is what I think happened Graham and it did not involve coronavirus or coronavirus symptoms. Like many families, Cummings and his family were suffering a degree of cabin fever. His wife's forty fifth birthday was coming up and upon a whim Cummings said something to the effect of "Let's get away for a bit Mary. We are cracking up here. Get Alexander Cedd (their son) ready and we will be in Durham by midnight. We'll see mum and dad and my sister and nieces. We can stay in the cottage again. I'll tell Boris we have COVID symptoms. We can have a nice day out by the River Tees in Barnard Castle. We deserve a break. Come on Mary! Pack the cases. We don't need towels or bedding."
ReplyDeleteAnd then they were off - foolishly believing that they would get away with it. The worst thing of all is the lies that followed.
Neil, this doesn't really warrant a reply but just to make you feel relevant I will respond. You are quite happy supporting challenged folk if and only if they agree with you. Dominic has run rings round you and your Momentum clique. Go forth and multiply.
DeleteNeil, given the different versions that Cummings and his wife (in The Spectator) have given or versions given on their behalf, your scenario is probably more believable than theirs.
DeleteAdrian, reading some of his biography Cummings has made it his career to run rings around just about everyone from every political persuasion and all with the same utter contempt.
Just for information may I say that I have never been a Momentum supporter and have never pretended that I was and have never belonged to a "Momentum clique" whatever that might be. I have no idea why Mr Ward has developed such an antipathy towards me. The nastiness in his remarks is totally unwarranted and the way he enjoys painting me bears no resemblance whatsoever to who I am.
DeleteGB, what a great sunset! Thanks for sharing it.
ReplyDeleteLiving in the US, I've had such a long, long time to become inured to the stupidity of an inept government that I barely blink an eye any more. I am sorry it's gotten to you (I know, you're over it now - and good!) but so long as you expect politicians to only do what benefits them, while moving their mouths telling you they're doing what benefits you, you will never be disappointed.
Marcheline, having worked all my professional career with politicians I am as cynical as anyone. However, this was a now low in arrogant irresponsibility.
DeleteYep. The hits just keep on coming...
DeleteI am disgusted by the behaviour of our prime Minister and his advisor and have written to my MP to make sure he knows exactly what I think. I told him that while I have always been happy to be British I am no longer proud to be so. I think this lying, dodging behaviour is despicable and we, the general public are treated as though we are fools.
ReplyDeleteToday people were out in droves, picnicking and paddling in the local river - no social distancing. A spike will surely follow.
Yes, your sunset is beautiful. We must take solace where we can.
Thank you, Rosemary. It would seem from press pictures that there has been almost a free for all in certain places. Frankly I'm perfectly happy where I am. Friends called today for a socially distanced coffee and chat in the sun overlooking The Minch. Your garden looks wonderful. Good luck with the vegetable. I eat a lot of asparagus but I regret that most of it these days in not carbon acceptable and nowhere near as good as home grown. I've not been in a shop for about 73 days. Friends do my shopping. I eat fairly simply but very well. I'm one of the lucky ones.
DeleteThis comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDelete