Month: August 2019

Full marks if you recognise the quote…

Did you know that the UK is now grouped with Albania, Czech Republic, and Greece?

Do you know why?

Because we’re no longer measles free.

Why’s that? Because people believe the comments posted about vaccinations being a cause of various issues, including autism, and then not vaccinating their kids.

That’s both selfish and reckless.

It’s not the only way that social media, in particular, affects the UK in a negative manner.

Learn science. Learn history. Learn technology. Whatever you do – learn!

Or else history will come back to haunt.

Check out the status aspect here: https://edition.cnn.com/2019/08/29/health/europe-measles-outbreaks-scli-intl/index.html

Sometimes science comes up with something new and amazing, like understanding the atom, but its use becomes something where moral doubts are then a part and parcel of its use.

This BBC article outlines another such instance, and equally links back to those most affected by discussions with rabbis and other doctors to determine the ethics involved in its use.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-49294861

It’s important to understand context, but also to sometimes be pragmatic, whilst recognising the cost to those who went before.

To me it is clear, the book is a tool. How it is used is the moral outcome indicator and I like that those doctors who use it are aware or share its history so others don’t forget. Like the atom, it is a fascinating subject, but use it in the wrong way, like a bomb, or to maim, then it is inherently and morally wrong.

Used in the right way, science is a fantastically positive force for the human race.

It’s heartening to see that the government is planning ahead. It’s a shame they only seem to be planning for No Deal.

Worse that if the Sunday Times Report is to be believed that it will lead to a further weakening of the UK.

For all those who voted for Brexit, I trust they understand that not only is no deal bad for us like this report. It is highly likely that Northern Ireland will have issues leading to a possible leaving of the Union. That will almost certainly lead to Scotland doing the same.

All because of a 4% difference on a referendum.

Good stuff eh?

https://www.cnn.com/2019/08/18/europe/brexit-no-deal-operation-yellowhammer-leaked-gbr-intl/index.html

The Commons Transport committee is focused on banning all phone usage in cars.

I think first we need to address the many who continue to use phones without using any form of hands free mechanism.

I was at a local petrol station recently picking up a parcel from the Amazon locker when a Range Rover went past with the driver holding his phone in his left hand and steering with his right.

If I’d not been on the phone myself, I was standing and away from my car, before any questions arise, I would have taken a photo and tried to report. But without that evidence, it would have been my word against his…

Let’s focus on the right priorities – and fund the police to address them – before taking extra steps that given where we are going with autonomous vehicles will have a limited window of opportunity.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-49320473

I think Boris really thought he could bluff the EU and get them to renegotiate.

I think they’ve called him on it.

https://news.sky.com/story/eu-leaders-have-accepted-uk-is-leaving-without-a-deal-11778386

Problem is, he’ll net his place in history for sure now as the PM who crashed us out of the EU. What he and countless others have not realised fully, or worse, don’t care about, is the impact this will have to the average Brit. I say average as there are many who are well off and could weather the financial storm we are about to enter. The people who are truly already worse off won’t be any worse off afterwards.

No, the people who will be affected the most are the ones in the middle.

We also have the issue of what happens to Ireland – both Eire and Northern Ireland. Many feel that the failure to address that will lead to Northern Ireland potentially splitting from the UK and reuniting with Eire.

That split may not affect Scotland’s decision to push for another Independence vote – which given where we are now could well end up with them confirming that they will leave the Union.

We’re safe, I think, that Wales will remain part of the remaining Union, but that’s not a whole heap of positive.

The additional worry, low compared to the others I’ve listed, is that the US is hovering to pick the bones off the carcass that will be the UK.

All this means that Boris, as CNN reports, could become the last PM of the United Kingdom. Well done Boris. Well done.

https://edition.cnn.com/2019/08/03/uk/boris-johnson-end-of-the-union-analysis-intl-gbr/index.html