Britain's impending depression: Mass media focus on witch-hunt instead

Britain impending depression: Mass media focus on witch-hunt instead

Emily Maitlis heading a witch-hunt

At the time when mass media and politicians should be focusing on what is going to happen when the Lockdown is finally lifted, the emphasis is on a witch-hunt.

When unemployment is bound to reach more than 10 million in the United Kingdom alone, time is awfully wasted in point scoring, the kind of exercise in which the whole country loses.

If Parliament is incapble of dealing with the real issues, why do we need a Parliament at all? The amount of borrowing continues to escalate and when the furlough scheme is finally over, Britain will be facing a crisis that will be an absolute catastrophe. But the so called Free Press that is neither Free nor real Press doesn't give a damn about millions of British families that will be literally left without a roof and without money to put food on the dining tables.

When you have no savings and no monies coming your way, you cannot afford to pay your mortage, your loans and credit cards and this means a default of gigantic proportions, much bigger than any financial crisis we have ever faced before. Neither of the financial insitutions will be able to survive such a crisis. We risk being swallowed by mountain of debt and defaulted loans and mortages.

Unfortunaly, we have got party political operators like Emily Maitlis using and abusing the BBC as a platform to promote her own agenda, whatever credibility the BBC has left after years of partiality and political meddling.

If because of a financial crisis without precedent in the United Kingdom the political scene becomes extremely polarized, the Weimar Republic will be seen as Paradise on Earth. The truth no longer matters. All that matters is innuendo, distortion, lies, deceit, demonization and gossip. I suggest that we rename so call Mass Media. From now on, they should be known as SGI (Scandals Gossiping Industry).  

Britain is facing the dangers of a prolongued General Strike combined with financial meltdown

Britain is facing the dangers of a prolongued General Strike combined with financial meltdown

The end of the Lockdown will unleash the law of unintended consequences. For example, for education to go back to normal timetables, two conditions must be met. You need to have enough teachers willing to return to the classrooms and enough parents must be willing to send back their children to full-time education.

At the moment, none of the said conditions seem to be about to be met. Trade Unions have stated that they are reluctant to tell their members to go back to work in conditions deemed to be unsafe. Surveyed parents have indicated that they don't want their children back in school for fear of infection.

As long as the Lockdown goes, teachers' salaries continue to be paid. How long will teachers' salaries continue to be paid if the authorities decide that all schools must return to normal timetables and teachers don't show up? Will parents be forced to send their children to school? Will those who don't be penalised?

Normality in terms of school attendance has a direct impact on working families. Parents could not go back to work as normal if their children are not in full time education. In principle, the furlogh scheme will only last until October 31st 2020 when many - perhaps millions - will find out if they still have got a job. 

People without income cannot pay for mortages and loans. We could witness a massive Northern Rock effect. To the number of companies that have already gone under will be added the number of those who have gone under that we still don't know about.

This will happen at a time when the state is already involved in unpredented levels of borrowing to finance the furlogh scheme and other emergency funding. If as a direct result of the present predicament, the financial sector falters, there is no money in the kitty to rescue the financial sector and at the same time pay for mass unemployment.

Corona Virus: A Tale of Two Cities

Dave Furness

Coronavirus: A Tale of Two Cities

by Dave Furness

New York City (NYC) and Tokyo are both densely populated cities.

NYC's population is approximately 8.5 million, and Tokyo's population is about 13.2 million.

Both cities have been affected by Coronavirus (Covid19). The reported number of Covid19 deaths in New York City is 19,736 (according to nymag.com on 13th May 2020).

NYC is now the Coronavirus capital of the world. However, the number of Covid19 deaths in Tokyo is 196.

So, the number of deaths from Coronavirus is just over one hundred times greater in NYC than Tokyo. 

NYC has an area of 305 square miles, and Tokyo has 845 square miles. Comparing the number of Coronavirus deaths per square mile in each city shows that the death rate per square mile in NYC is 281 times that of Tokyo.

The mainstream media have not attempted to explore the reasons for this vast discrepancy.

NYC's population density is 1.77 times greater than Tokyo's, but this would not explain the enormous difference in the number of deaths.

We know that the Coronavirus has a disproportionate effect on the elderly. We also know that Japan has the world's highest density of the elderly. Remarkably, Japan's capital city, Tokyo, has only suffered 196 deaths.

Even more remarkable is Tokyo's proximity to Wuhan, China, which is 1,509 miles. Wuhan to NYC is 7,477 miles.

NYC has a 'hard lockdown', but Tokyo has a 'soft lockdown'. Tokyo has no restrictions on travel, and there are no orders to comply with emergency measures, only requests. Consequently, there are no penalties for those residents who don't obey.

The first reported case of Coronavirus in NYC was that of a woman who had travelled from Iran. NYC now has more confirmed cases of Coronavirus than China and Iran.

Over 37% of NYC residents were born in another country, which is the highest percentage in more than one hundred years. Furthermore, over three million foreign-born immigrants live in NYC. 

The Chinese population in NYC is the biggest outside of China. Over 40% of the USA's Bengali population lives in NYC.

Additionally, NYC has over half a million illegal immigrants.

Under 4% of Tokyo residents were born in a foreign country. 

Manhattan, Queens, and Brooklyn

Manhattan is the least affected borough from Coronavirus in NYC. However, Washington Heights (80,200 immigrants) in northern Manhattan is the most affected neighbourhood.  

Queens and Brooklyn are the two worst affected boroughs in NYC. 

Bensonhurst in Brooklyn and Elmhurst in Queens are two neighbourhoods that are severely affected by the Coronavirus.

Elmhurst

Elmhurst Hospital is the most overused hospital in NYC, and it's at the epicentre of Coronavirus in the USA.

71% of Elmhurst residents are foreign-born, and most of them have low-paying jobs. Many of them are in ill-health.

NYC's population density is approximately 27,800 per square mile, but Elmhurst has a population of over 88,000 packed into 1.172 square miles, which gives a population density of 75,000 per square mile.

Owning or renting a decent place to live in NYC is very expensive. So, many foreign-born residents (legal and illegal) in NYC who have a low-paying job are living in very overcrowded conditions. 

These low-paying jobs will remain low paid as long as there is a seemingly endless supply of immigrants (legal and illegal) who are willing to take these jobs. Studies show that immigration leads to a lowering of wages among the lowest-paid workers.

New York City has an exceptionally 'diverse' population, and its Coronavirus death toll is now at least 19,700.

Tokyo does not have a 'diverse' population, and its Coronavirus death toll is now 196.

Ultimately, diversity could be the primary reason why New York City is now the Coronavirus capital of the world. 

Schedule 7 and SO15: Anti-Terror or Political Persecution

Schedule 7 and SO15: Anti-Terror or Political Persecution?

Next week on May 20th 2020, at the Westminster Magistrates Court, Paul Golding will be standing against charges of terrorism because when detained at Heather Airport on his way back from a visit to Moscow where he met political party representatives he didn't agree to reveal pin codes and passwords giving access to his phone and computers. Officers at the scene indicated that what they were doing had nothing to do with terrorism, but proceeded to interrogate Paul Golding and took away his electronic devices that were returned to Paul Golding after Paul Golding told the authorities that he would seek a Judicial review of the case.

Oddly enough, after almost six months, Paul Golding received a letter indicated that he had to go to court to face terrorism charges. It was self-evident that the case has nothing to do with terrorism and that it is a blatant case of political persecution during Lockdown measures aimed at preventing the spread of Corona Virus.

Also oddly enough, when Paul Golding asked for information about the organisation of a rally and a march to protest against the use of Anti-Terror Legislation for political persecution, the said rally and march will be allowed. So apparently, we live in two different dimensions. On the one hand, we are talking about limiting peoples' movement to prevent the spread of Corona Virus and on the other rallies and marches that will lead to mass gatherings in Central London will be taking place during the Lockdown. This reinforces suspicions about the real motives behind the implementation of Lockdown.

At a time when the Chancellor of the Exchequer will attend Parliament to talk about a possible reduction of furlough monies paid to keep peoples' jobs, we see Police organisations and the Judiciary wasting vast amounts of monies in political persecution. For quite a long time, people have been complaining that Police forces and the Judiciary have been used for spurious purposes that have nothing to do with the administration of Justice in the United Kingdom.

Of course, Paul Golding is being penalised for his friendly relations with the Russian Federation that he had visited in several occasions being officially invited to speak at the Duma, the Russian Parliament. Anybody who doesn't follow the trend of unfair demonisation and attacks against the Russian Federation and of its authorities and among them President Vladimir Putin is bound to be attacked by the British Establishment, the Police, the British mass media and the Judiciary that has become a tool for political persecution. 

Corona Virus: Realities and Consequences

Corona Virus: Realities and Consequences

Covid-19: good example as weapon

Covid-19: good example as weapon

Covid-19 shows the destructive potential of biological weapons. Biological weapons can cause mayhem socially, economically and politically. While a conventional weapon has relative effect, a biological weapon can completely destabilize an entire country. In just a few weeks, Covid-19 has become practically the one subject of conversation.

Since World War Two, nuclear weapons have been seen as the ultimate deterrent that could prevent major conflicts between countries. Who needs to use nuclear weapons when biological weapons can do a much better job. Even warships loaded with the most advanced technologies cannot operate if crews are infected with biological weapons. Wars can be fought if there is a viable economy to support the war effort. 

Major countries have been affected by Corona Virus and they happen to be members of the NATO alliance.

This is the progressions of numbers of deaths in the UK from the start until today.

Do you honestly believe that it is going to end up soon? Mortality as of today stands at 13.97%. This means that approximately 14 people out of a 100 who get infected are going to die.

But this is not the whole picture. This is long term. WHO itself has stated that there is no guaranteed immunity. Dramatic changes in terms of lifestyle are going to produce dramatic changes in terms of economics and dramatic changes in terms of economics produce political changes. The geopolitical map of the world will not be the same.

Lockdown: Blamed if you impose it and blamed if you lift it

Lockdown: Blamed if you impose it and blamed if you lift it

Imposed a lockdown was both about health and about politics because it had both health and political repercussions on top of having enormous financial consequences. Politicians are blamed for not imposing a lockdown and politicians are blamed for having imposed a lockdown. At the end of the day, we know that no economy in the world can survive almost total paralysis. If major economies collapse, other economies around the world will collapse because we are interdependent of one another.

This is worse than 1929 and we know what happened as a direct consequence of 1929. World War Two was one of the direct consequences of what happened in Wall Street, New York in 1929.   

According to the League of Nations, the world's population in 1929 was about 1,833 million. In 2020, the world's population is estimated to be 7,800 million. The pressure in terms of having to meet the needs of a population that is more than 3 times bigger than the population of 1929 is gigantic.

The challenge is clearly visible. Economic demobilization at this point time can have dramatic repercussions. We are talking about mass starvation and conflicts of unbelievable proportions.

Corona Virus: Context and repercussions

Corona Virus: Context and Repercussions

Corona Virus: What comes after it?

Corona Virus: What comes after it?

We cannot listen to the news without the customary report about the economic consequences of the present Corona Virus crisis. 

Day in, day out, those who know about economics and those who play by ear, they all have something to say about impending doom.

What about if the present crisis changes the way we do things for the better? What if numbers and percentages are seen no more as rulers? What if we start looking at life and human beings as what they are: life and human beings.

There is no point in talking about the number of dead people including those who are dying in care homes if we are not willing to implement necessary changes to ensure that should a similar situation arise in the future we are better prepared to keep people alive.

What if we can work better and more efficiently without being crowded in cars and public transport? What if we save the time we spend travelling around having a more balanced lifestyle? We could produce more, have better lives, and have much a much better economy.

Comments made about how Beijing looked before the Corona Virus crisis and how Beijing looks now during the Corona Virus crisis, about how animals were returning to places taken over by humans beings, made me think. What about making the improvements generated by a tragedy a permanent feature of a new way of life?

Where there is danger, there is opportunity. The opportunity to do things much better.

Patriotic Alternative responds to Anne Marie Waters

This blog has been falsely/misguidedly linked to a political organisation called British National Party. We are not in any way, shape or form linked to such organisation.

Patriotic Alternative responds to Anne Marie Waters

The tragedy of so called British Nationalism is that some of those portraying themselves as British Nationalists are driven by arguments that have little to do with promoting British interests. Confusing arguments born out of desperation in an attempt to be politically meaningful.

In a conversation I had with Anne Marie Waters, the key issue was that meetings organised by Anne Marie Waters and those linked to Anne Marie Waters kept being cancelled or rejected indicating that those who own venues or manage venues don't wish to be associated with Anne Marie Waters.

In politics, perception is critically important. For Britan, has incorporated elements of the British National Party that were associated with the very same ideas that Anne Marie Waters says that she rejects. None other than Julian Leppert was elected Councillor representing the British National Party and now he represents For Britain as Councillor - their only Councillor.

It appears that Anne Marie Waters hasn't done her research properly. In a desperate attempt to build a power base, she has incorporated members of the Far Right that were and are directly linked to the very same things that she talks against. 

Here, Anne Marie Waters appears surrounded by prominent figures of the British National Party, including Eddy Butler, the mastermind of the British National Party electoral success in Barking and Dagenham that got 12 Councillor elected and one of the British National Party stalwarts that got Richard Barnbrook elected as Member of the London Assembly. She might persuade those who are not aware of the political background of her core supporters. I don't think that Anne Marie Waters is a naive individual. I think that she is being disingenous.

The comment made by a well-known political activist was 'I think that she was very badly advised to make a video attacking Mark Collett and Patriotic Alternative'. Mark Collett was also a prominent British National Party member.

Jeffrey Marshall, also a prominent British Party member, posed as a friend of Jewish Communities. Here he was at a Synagogue, wearing a yamaka and taking part in a religious ceremony.   

Most of the core members of For Britain, including the only elected representative (Julian Leppert), have one thing is common. They are all former members of the British National Party. What led Anne Marie Waters to publish a video directly attacking Patriotic Alternative? 

The British National Party is everywhere. It is in For Britain, in Patriotic Alternative and in Britain First as Paul Golding was also a prominent member of the British National Party. Many of those supporting Tommy Robinson - including Tommy Robinson himself - can be traced back to the British National party. In fact, For Britain and several other groups are the direct consequence of the fragmentation of the British National Party that went though a similar process as the National Front from which it derived.

Here you see Tommy Robinson at a British National Party meeting listening to Richard Edmonds. Was Tommy Robinson unaware of the ideas of Richard Edmonds who was a vital link with National Front? I have met Tommy Robinson quite a few times. I don't think that Tommy Robinson was or is a naive individual. He left the BNP and went on to join the English Defense League that is fervently anti-Islam. In 2013, he left the English Defense League, criticized EDL, but took over its anti-Islam platform that he shares with Anne Marie Waters.

In fact, all groups that came out of the British National Party and the British National Party itself share the anti-Islam platform. Fragmentation was not the consequence of ideological differences. Fragmentation was very much the consequence of personalities and internal feuds.

At practically all rallies in support of Tommy Robinson or Anne Marie Waters, you see Israeli flags. This would lead some operators to think that Tommy Robinson and Anne Marie Waters are supporters of Zionists and of the State of Israel. Are they? How much do Jewish Communities actually support Tommy Robinson and Anne Marie Waters?

In the muddy world of British politics, it is difficult to know who stands for what. This is why, regardless of any statements of Anne Marie Waters - as long as much of her power base is directly traceable to the British National Party - her attempts to disassociate herself from certain political platforms will not change public perception. 

Today, Britain is very much focused on the tragedy generated by Corona Virus. Most people don't have the time nor the inclination to engage in profound political analysis and the days in which so many are losing their lives do not seem to be the proper time to discuss certain political issues. When the present health crisis is hopefully over, I believe that Britain will be in many ways a different country.

To rebuild Britain, we will need real politicians working together for the common good. Those existing on the fringes of British politics, driven by personality feuds and empty slogans will be as irrelevant as ever before.

London under Corona Virus

London under Corona Virus

The lonely bagpiper standing on Westminster Bridge, pretty close to the Houses of Parliament and some of the most visited London attractions.

London is in lockdown. Most shops are closed. Amenities like restaurants, theatres, museums, galleries, and casinos are closed. Big companies are suffering the strain of having to close doors to the public and some have already gone into administration.

People are still dying in big numbers and there is even different versions of events indicating that there could be more than one strain of Corona virus going around. The education system is working at minimal levels and only to meet special needs. Only companies providing essential services are still working.

Another angle of the crisis is the fact that things are dire for those most vulnerable and especially those who have little or financial resources to get by. There are huge issues to deal with. How much social and financial damage would the country have suffered when and if the Corona Virus crisis comes to an end.With borrowing and unemployment going up, it is difficult to assess the repercussionms of the lockdown. Will it be a matter of weeks? Months? Years? The consequences will be long term.

Corona Virus: Unprepared to face a different kind of enemy

Corona Virus: Unprepared to face a different kind of enemy

In the Twentieth Century, there were all kinds of wars that had one thing in common - they were all fought with some kind of mechanical devices.

This is why Armies are now about tanks, artillery, airplanes, naval ships, rockets, bombs, nuclear devices. We are even preparing for war outside the Earth atmosphere.

With all the arsenal that could wipe out Humanity, we are at the mercy of microbes against which we have very little to protect ourselves. The invisible enemies have stealth capacity and can attack with short notice, unpredictably, across national borders.

We heard about chemical weapons and biological weapons. People have fantasized about using biological weapons. If anything, Corona Virus should show all those who have ever considered using biological weapons that biological weapons with turn against not just against potential victims but also against those who use biological weapons. Viruses have no national allegiances. Viruses will kind anybody regardless of which side of the divide he or she is on.

Some politicians talk about a new Cold War against China. A whole bunch of idiots driven to use old failed recipes. This is not about China. This is not about USA or the Western World. This is about Humanity as a whole for everybody is being affected by a biological enemy. This is the alien invader of Independence Day and we are all in this together to defeat a merciless enemy called Corona Virus. 

Excel Exhibition Centre is being transformed into a hospital

Excel Exhibition Centre is being transformed into a hospital

The British Armed Forces are working hard to transform the Excel Exhibition Centre in London into a hospital to deal with the casualties of the Corona Virus crisis.

At the same time, Northern Ireland is seing the preparation of a vast morgue to deal with the bodies of those who succumb to the Corona Virus.

Tonight, people across the United Kingdom clapped hands to thank those working for the National Health Service for their efforts to save lives as the battle rages in Continental Europe with Spain and Italy being the two countries most affected by the crisis.

In the USA, trillions of Dollars will be invested to fight an enemy that is decimating families with New York being the worst affected by the infectious disease.

Borders have been closed to prevent the spread of a disease that has jumped across national borders and across the oceans to affect entire continents.

For those accustomed to watch catastrophe movies, this is not fiction. This is the real thing and the consequences of having to fight the disease will be long lasting. We are borrowing and borrowing to fight the disease because if we don't borrow to fight the disease there might be no tomorrow for the many.For those who study and do research about what wipe out the dinosaurs, there is the issue of a disease that could wipe out vast numbers of human beings across the world.

How could this possibly happen? Is this the consequence of unhealthy practices?

UK: Prime Minister Boris Johnson announces measures to save tens of thousands of lives

UK: Prime Minister Boris Johnson announces measures to save tens of thousands of lives

Corona Virus: Health Concerns and Financial Stability

Corona Virus: Health Concerns and Financial Stability

Undoubtedly, we need to ensure that there are resources in place to assist both individuals and companies during times of crisis. As people opt for self-isolation or are forced into self-isolation because of health concerns, the economy as a whole will be under enormous pressure.

During previous financial crisis, the State was able to intervene and acting as lender or guarantor could maintain the integrity of financial systems that underpin the economy as a whole. 

In the present crisis generated by having to deal with Corona Virus, once again, the State is coming out and investing public monies to support both individuals, public services and companies that are affected by a sudden slowdown. Such intervention by the State can only be temporary. The package of extraordinary measures is not something that be kept going forever. We must be aware of the potential for extremely negative consequences that will involve social and political repercussions.

We are talking about two worlds: the world before Corona Virus and the world after Corona Virus in the same manner that we had a world before 9/11 and a completely different world after 9/11. The way in which we approach the provision of healthcare will have to change. The way in which we approach immigration will have to change.

Most importantly, what we do about healthcare is not a national issue. It is an international issue. Countries will have to accept the fact that illnesses don't respect national borders, that what happens in one country will inevitably affect the rest of the world. Each country with international support will have to improve the provision of healthcare. Healthcare is a priority for all regardless of race, gender, religion, nationality or any other consideration. What happened in Wuhan has now affected more than 150 countries and is spreading in the same manner that AIDs that started in Africa has killed millions across the world.

 

Corona Virus is a test for the European Union as a whole

Corona Virus is a test for the European Union as a whole

National reactions to the Corona Virus crisis show the true state of the European Union. Border fences up. Freedom of Movement and the Schengen agreement go out through the window. National priorities kick in.

Germany is on a slippery slope downwards. The 2017 Federal Elections proved extremely difficult for Angela Merkel's CDU. After losing ground, SPD - their coalition partner - walked away not wanting to be in a coalition. In a desperate effort, Angela Merkel tried to reach an agreement with FDP and Grünen, attempt that proved to be unsuccessful. Why would the Grünen want an agreement with a losing political party when their numbers are going up? They went up in the Federal Election and they went up in state elections after the Federal Election. In fact, Grünen and Alternative für Deutschland are the net winners. In Brandenburg, in Bavaria, in Saxony, in Hesse and in Thüringen, the trend is very similar. Moreover, in Thüringen, CDU joined forces with Alternative für Deutschland to get rid of the Die Linke head of government and soonafter that the heir apparent of Angela Merkel (Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer) resigned soonafter.

The context for the new European Union budget includes the fact that Germany and others will have to fill up the financial gap generated by the British withdrawal. Tens of billions of Pounds will have to be found and the remaining 27 countries don't seem to be able to reach an agreement. France is facing an internal struggle with internal political problemas of her own. Spain just had elections in which no political party got an overall majority and a compromise had to be found to appoint a new government. Italy is still on the grip of an ongoing political struggle and shaken by migration. We could go on analyzing what other EU countries are going through. On top of all the troubles comes the Corona Virus with a whole new set of challenges. European Union economies are bound to suffer a great deal and the response to the crisis has been fragmentary. Unless the European Union manages to find common ground, a response based on closure of national borders will do very little to reassure members of the public about the integrity of the European Union. 

Having said that, there are other concerns. If the European Union cannot show unity and integrity when faced with a health emergency, what will happen if the European Union is faced with external aggression. Will it withstand external aggression or will it collapse along the cracks of national borders?  Whoever has a potential interest in testing the European Union's capatity to react as a block is carefully tracking European Union countries responses? Will they come together as one or will they fail to achieve a common response?

Corona Virus is not just about health

Corona Virus is not just about health

From the very beginning, it has become self-evident that the crisis generated by Corona Virus affects every aspect of our daily existence. It is about social cohesion, financial stability and beliefs linked to political developments and geopolitical realities.

AIDs started in Africa. Corona Virus started in a Chinese province -although some say that the real sources of AIDs and Corona Virus did not come to be by mere accident. The fact remains that the entire world has been shaken by Corona Virus and will continue to be affected in years to come. 

Because we are in Europe, let's look at events from an European perspective. Some of the main countries of the European Union have affected. France, Spain and Italy are now almost in a lockdown state. Others are moving in the same direction. 

For a brief moment, all the talk about Brexit and European deals, the immigration crisis, even terrorism have been left behind by Corona Virus. But let's make no mistake. The said issues are still very much the order of the day. They are not going away.

I always wondered about the fact that many regulations and mechanisms were in place to deal with animals and plants, but very little was in place to deal with health risks generated by the transit of human beings from one country to another. There was quarantine for dogs and cast, but little or nothing was there regarding human beings.

I could say that almost for the first time health measures have been put in place to deal with health risks associated with human beings. We need to start taking health issues related to migration very seriously. Whatever happens after the present crisis, we need to rethink the ways in which we deal with people coming in. Are they healthy? Do they carry deadly diseases that we don't now about?

Prime Minister Boris Johnson was very candid, extremely honest, about what Corona Virus will cause and stated that some families will lose loved ones. This is the grim reality of dealing with a viral infection. Yes. People will die and people have already died. But as Josef Stalin himself said it: one person's death is a tragedy, a million deaths is a statistic. We don't know how many are going to die and we cannot foresee the number of those who are going to die. No one has a crystal ball. What we do know is that the present crisis should be a lesson, an incentive, to take the necessary measures to deal with migration as a way to minimize risks. 

When we take in people coming from all over the world, we need to ensure that they are healthy and this is a matter of national security.  

   

Corona Virus could be a blessing in disguise

Corona Virus could be a blessing in disguise

In a Twenty-First Century of selfishness, Corona Virus could be a blessing in disguise, forcing Humanity to rethink its ways. 

We don't know how far the Corona Virus pandemia will go. But we know that it is forcing countries and people as individuals to think about the way we live.

This is a time in which if we don't look after our neighbours we would end up being victims. The virus doesn't care about national borders. The virus doesn't care about gender, race, sexual inclinations, ideologies or social background. If you are meant to get it, you are going to get it. Privileges amount to nothing. This a very democratic infection. At the last count, more than 150 countries have been infected, both rich and poor, regardless of backgrounds.

Corona Virus is making people think about our approach to healthcare and welfare in general. The views of an empty Mecca in Saudi Arabia send a very clear message to all those willing to hear. Whether you are Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Hindu or of whatever other religious persuasion or don't believe at all, you can be a target. This is the kind of terror that can target Humanity as a whole.

Corona Virus could be given a religious meaning. Let's put it this way: you can be rich. You can be powerful. I am going to get you anyway. Maybe Corona Virus is what is needed to make Humanity think, ponder, and change for the better. For months on end, we have been talking about wars, about trade wars, about terrorism, about political polarization and conflicts of all kinds.Suddenly, the world is focused on one issue. This is about survival of the individual and the said individual could be you. For you to survive, you need the actions of many others. We come to the point when every nation will be made to understand that we all need a National Health Service. If your neighbour is ill because he or she cannot afford to be treated then you and your family and everybody else you care for is in danger.

Faced with a catastrophe we need to think and to act. Corona Virus might be teaching us a valuable lesson that all of us need to learn. 

https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/biologic-war-former-iranian-president-says-coronavirus-was-produced-in-laboratories?fbclid=IwAR3X_sGcHXXKOgQpsB7BdWqz2DZ2tf9tAeoi13cfcL96RQKLDQmVHbg_bU8

  

Huawei and fears about economic warfare

Huawei and fear of economic warfare

Real fears about Huawei have nothing to do with National Security or espionage. Fears about Huawei are about economics and the fact that now Chinese companies like Huawei can outbid any Western company at international level when bidding for contracts.

Nokia and Ericsson could hardly compete with Huawei in terms of getting things better at a lower price and at a time when even countries like UK are having to look very carefully at the monies they spend, Huawei will undoubtedly have the upper hand. While the EU and others have to deal with regulations regarding competition and subsidies, Chinese companies don't have to worry about lack of subsidies. The biggest foreign debt is the US Foreign Debt and China is one of its main creditors - if not the biggest creditor of the USA. If China were to mobilize the monies the USA owes to China, there would enough capital to over-run and outpace any Western company. Therefore, the issue is not about espionage. The issue is about economic warfare. China can buy whatever it wants to buy, but the West cannot afford to sell strategic assets to China. This is why the USA and other Western countries are claiming that there are issues of National Security. They cannot openly say that this is merely about economic warfare. They try and implement higher tariffs against Chinese exports, but if China buys into the USA and into the said countries the said investments would not be exports but national and local investments that will not be affected by tariffs on exports.

Today, it is about who controls the telecommunications industries. Tomorrow, it will be about heavy industries or food production. Why using any other means when you can buy countries directly? In a world of services, communications have crucial importance. Whoever controls the communications market has the upper hand when it comes to the rest of the economy. 

For the USA, repatriating jobs is not the same as allowing foreign companies to buy the USA. Awarding contracts to Ericsson looks like a safer bet than awarding the same conttracts to Huawei. This is not about National Security. This is about - once again - about economic warfare. Using the words of President Clinton, 'it's the economy, stupid.' 

The Conservative Party promised in its manifesto that it would develop communications networks in the UK to provide services to even the most remote community in the United Kingdom. It will be a costly exercise. They know that the prices demanded by Western companies will be much higher that the prices asked for by Huawei. Money makes the world go around. If you can pay less for better services, you can then have more monies for others projects including Trident and HS2. You can have more monies to provide advantages to Labour voters that chose to vote Conservative in the 2019 General Election. Behind the decision made by Prime Minister Boris Johnson there is a lot of strategic thinking. If he can get Huawei to deliver faster and cheaper what he promised in the 2019 Manifesto, those who can access new and faster services at a fraction of the cost will think more about having affordable and reliable services. 

Corona Virus and Immigration: Yet another reason to restrict immigration

Corona Virus and Immigration: Yet another reason to restrict immigration

The headline "Turkey allows 100,000 immigrants to cross into Greece" is not just about sheer politics. It is a health threat. Vulnerable people entering Europe could well be a bomb about to explode. Immigraiton has always been a health risk. Much of the native aborigine people of the American Continent were wipe out by illnesses brought in by Europeans.

People carry diseases wherever they go and the local populations might not be immune to viruses and bacteria brought in by newcomers. International Treaties and Convention on Assylym and Immigration fail to address health issues. What started in China is now spreading to the rest of the world.

Each country has to take measures to protect itself and if necessary treaties and conventions should be amended or rescinded on health grounds. Protecting local populations is top priority. This is about health and also about National Security.