As the “perfect storm” swept across the UK, disrupting flights and road travel, it’s no good for those with planned Christmas get-away holidays. With climate change perhaps habitats seem like the best bet!
You can always cuddle up at home and wait for Santa while watching the ever-stormy politics about diplomatic representation in the UK and US. What happened to the legendary friendship between the two countries? And now with Elon Musk poised to meddle further in British politics – the political upheaval could only get worse in the New Year.
In fact, things are not very cordial between the Labor government in the UK and Donald Trump’s yet-to-be-installed government in the US because (if you remember) Labor volunteers were trying to persuade voters not to support Trump. Nothing wrong, of course, with trying to ensure that someone-but-Trump comes to power—except when it doesn’t work! And former Labor spin doctor Peter Mandelson was among those expressing his disdain for Donald Trump. Lord Mandelson – known during the Labor years as the “Prince of Darkness” – has recently been appointed Britain’s ambassador to the US by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starr.
It’s an interesting choice because Lord Mandelson has already declared that Trump was close to being a “white nationalist and racist” – and that he was “reckless and a danger to the world”. Not exactly a compliment, one might say, though it might not be as bad as others say about Trump. Not to be outdone, the Trump administration politely called Mandelson an “absolute moron.”
Diplomacy at its best, one might say! Because if things can’t get worse, they can only get better.
Interestingly – Trump recently appointed an ambassador to the UK – who is the producer of a program that Trump directed at one stage: Apprentice. Mark Burnett comes with no diplomatic experience — or work in the field — but that doesn’t seem to bother Trump. So, we will have to wait and see what happens in the next part of this series that will last at least four years until the next presidential election! Someone at Netflix must have already bought the rights.
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Meanwhile Elon Musk’s political intervention may become the order of the day. Britain’s Reform Party’s Nigel Farage says a meeting at Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate was promised a donation from the tech billionaire. This should send shivers down the spine of UK politicians, especially since far right Farage is not doing badly in the opinion polls. While Sir Keir is close to the top of the unpopularity charts – Farage is near the bottom…
Thus, while Elon Musk might not be able to donate directly to the Reform Party (as a foreigner), he could do so through his UK-based subsidiaries.
His support for the right wing in Germany is an issue. In a recent incident that left five dead and nearly 200 injured (not directly linked to him, of course), many would like to see the billionaire curb his enthusiasm for world politics. And stick to technology.
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In fact, high-tech soft power was on full display during the highly successful concert by Paul McCartney that just ended. One of the highlights was a virtual duet with his fellow Beatle partner – John Lennon – who was killed in New York in 1980. McCartney played ‘I’ve Got A Feeling’ live on stage – while Lennon “sang” from a previous concert also recorded in London. Footage of all the Beatles together filled the screens through the concert which was the last of McCartney’s ‘Get Back’ tour.
As past and present blur — McCartney rolled out the numbers for two and a half hours at the O2 Arena — and that’s not bad for an 82-year-old! In fact, he was also joined on stage by the other living Beatle – Ringo Starr.
Does music keep you young? It certainly looks that way to those listening to two octogenarians playing their hearts out on stage! And not just in London – McCartney’s tour has included shows in Paris, Madrid and Sao Paulo.
Other bands also have some amazing “young” men like Rolling Stone’s Mick Jagger who have risen to “superstardom” and survived many challenges. Perhaps Mick Jagger and Paul McCartney should get together and write a book — or write a song — about how they’ve gotten ahead — when so many musicians have taken the risks of success, including drugs, sex, and rock ‘n’ roll!
On that note and hoping you stay young forever – Happy Season!