Chiffchaff

Sunday, January 25, 2026

 New UK defence medal,

Ed Davey is talking of the possibility of war bonds which as I understand it are glorified loans to government increasing National debt. Why not a defence lottery with prizes and the residue invested in the arms industry’s to secure our defence. Instead of cash prizes individuals or groups could be awarded medals in line with their accumulated contributions?

The New UK defence medals could be displayed in bars, clubs, industrial and business premises and worn legitimately by individuals. It would be a way of bringing the nation together at a time of security uncertainty and a practical way of demonstrating faith in our armed services?

Saturday, January 24, 2026

Finger in the hole.

Finger in the hole

Trump has indeed done the world a favour - he has clearly defined the attributes of an infantile playground bully with no moral compass and unlimited greed for increased personal wealth. How other governments react will indeed impact on the USA - nothing will be the same again. Trump has emboldened Russia and traded European territory and lives for whatever secrets Russia has about him. He has delayed/stopped the publication of the Epstein files and their secrets that may prove him innocent of all the accusations swirling around him and world personalities. It will be an interesting sight when the emperors clothes are finally removed and we will see if the little boy was right to keep his finger in the hole in the dam.

Friday, January 23, 2026

How much more

 How much more.

The President of the USA has bullied and insulted Britain and bought UK USA relations to its knees. We are perhaps guilty of thinking that because of his election win all Americans share his views. There is no doubt that Europeans have free wheeled in many aspects of arms expenditure  to the detriment of our own manufacturing industries. There are plans to redress this balance - too late - not enough. Perhaps a penny increase in taxes would over time redress to balance and motivate private industry to take up the challenge in research and development?

Our nuclear weapons are dependant on American maintained rockets! Imagine if at Agincourt the English archers arrowheads were dependant on French manufactured shafts, feathers and longbows. Time to get real and taste the coffee - sorry tea! 

Thursday, January 22, 2026

Board of peace
So the mafia king wants participating countries to pay one billion dollars into a middle east account to join his peace board along with Russia and him as chairman and with the right to choose his successor. Where does the UN fit into this plan?

Also do you know of any African generals who want you to help deposit a large sum of money for him.


Sounds like a similar sort of business plan to me?


Wednesday, January 21, 2026

Abandon hope all ye who enter here.


A Trumpian Tragedy?

Perhaps the King needs to encourage increasing the ties with our Commonwealth and finally slip the ties of the American colonies after a protracted delay of 250 years.Let's help the USA celebrate our Independence Day on the 4th July. They are the only NATO member to have benefited from article 5. They were late to the 1st and 2nd World wars perhaps seeing an opportunity to feast of the droppings from our declining Empires table?

Perhaps my motto sums up the current situation?

May be an image of text that says 'つや油 わ PARATUS ESSE CUM BONIS NEXITBUS'


Thursday, January 15, 2026

Sound familiar?
The Path to US Annexation of Hawaii
1. Economic and Political Influence
Throughout the 19th century, American missionaries and business interests—especially in sugar—became increasingly influential in Hawaii. By the 1870s, American planters dominated the sugar industry, and Hawaii’s economy became deeply tied to the United States. [billofrigh...titute.org]
The 1875 Reciprocity Treaty allowed Hawaiian sugar duty-free access to US markets, further binding the two economies. In return, the US gained rights to a naval base at Pearl Harbor. [teachingam...istory.org]
2. The Bayonet Constitution (1887)
In 1887, under pressure from American and European businessmen (the Hawaiian League), King Kalākaua was forced to sign the "Bayonet Constitution," which stripped the monarchy of much of its power and disenfranchised many native Hawaiians. Political control shifted to the planter elite. [archives.gov]
3. Overthrow of the Monarchy (1893)
When Queen Liliʻuokalani attempted to restore royal authority in 1893, American and European residents, with support from the US Minister and US Marines, staged a coup. The Queen was forced to abdicate, and a provisional government was established, later becoming the Republic of Hawaii. [en.wikipedia.org]
4. US Government Response
President Grover Cleveland, an anti-imperialist, opposed annexation and tried to restore the Queen, but the provisional government refused. The issue stalled until President William McKinley, who favoured expansion, took office. [ushistory.org]
5. Annexation by Joint Resolution (1898)
The outbreak of the Spanish-American War in 1898 made Hawaii strategically important for US military operations in the Pacific.
President McKinley pushed for annexation, and Congress passed the Newlands Resolution—a joint resolution rather than a treaty—formally annexing Hawaii on 7 July 1898. [archives.gov]
6. Aftermath
Hawaii became a US territory, and eventually the 50th state in 1959. The annexation ended the sovereignty of the Hawaiian Kingdom and was opposed by many native Hawaiians, including Queen Liliʻuokalani herself. [archives.gov]
Key Points
Annexation was driven by economic interests, strategic military needs, and political manoeuvring by American residents in Hawaii.
The process involved the overthrow of the native monarchy, establishment of a US-backed government, and eventual annexation by Congressional resolution.
Native Hawaiian opposition was strong, but ultimately unsuccessful.


Thursday, January 08, 2026

Venezuela's dilemma


Certainly an impressive demonstration of Americas military power at a time when the levers of this power are in the hands of a President who seems hell bent in creating an American empire.


Whether Donald can operate effectively as a puppet master at a distance dependant on air power alone remains to be seen?


To me it seems as if the world could now be divided into three dominant regions of the Americas of the Western hemisphere, Europe and the Russian states, and India/China.

Now that Empire building once again becomes acceptable power politics, in these three areas,  the resolve of current treaties and accepted diplomatic norms will be tested to breaking point.

In the mean time however divorced and potentially isolated from an American cloak of a defunct NATO  the UK is now under threat suffering from the peace dividend cuts of previous governments of all colours.

In my opinion rather than just hope for the best the UK now needs to move rapidly to a war footing with firm contracts being finalised with arms manufactures and the general public made aware of our true situation by ministerial broadcast. Unemployed single men and women claiming benefit should be contacted and advised of new conditions relating to work versus drafting into the military on 2 year contracts.

Visible plans of the expectation of the civilian population should be published so all the population is fully aware of the sacrifices that will be expected of them now and into the future unless defence spending is increased. Some of these measures could stimulate economic growth, training opportunities and rebuild the failing moral fibre of the civilian population?

Time is short - act now and KBO