itsonlyrocknroll comments

I thought that, Jimizo, Harry Kane stayed on the ground.

My Father, in contortions insisted its a penalty, I just view an equal play for the ball, a block

Harry Kane's controversial penalty v Netherlands! Was that penalty fairly given? England Netherlands

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o45a2PsbtLk

However, its a funny old game, and England did play a superior match

Indeed GuruMick, naïve as my opinion may appear, USA is a genuine superpower, an innovator in business, a democracy like no other. its tech is unrivalled, Apple, Amazon, Google, Microsoft, Facebook the list is growing.

Ok not without its flaws.

However this coming 2024 US election is concerning to say the least.

All hail Ollie Watkins 90 minute stunner

Forgive me, was Harry Kane penalty, VAR decision justifiable?

Obviously why question?

It was fortuitous, England put on superb match winning display, I think the best team won.

There is a propensity, necessity, a demand that to stand for leadership the candidates is chosen not on merit, on hard work, ambition, track record,

But on an agenda that demands racial, cultural, gender identity politics take centre stage, overriding a candidate genuine ability to be able to perform under pressure under the harshest of environments.

As President of the United State, there must be no short cuts, no toxic brand of Identify politics.

Only the most worthy candidate must sit in that big chair

“In this moment, once again,” Harris said, “our nation is counting on the leaders of this room to guide us forward to energize, organize and mobilize.”

Utter iggily biggily gobbledegook

Look if there is a simple choice between Kamala Harris or Joe Biden.

GO, Joe Biden even if you have to plug the fellow in, or work him with your foot

Michelle Obama is Democrat only candidate that can rattle Donald Trump.

For these reasons alone.

Vice President Kamala Harris defends President Biden’s debate performance

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CMBmrW6LzV0

Kamala Harris ‘unburdened’ by overuse of certain phrase

https://www.Kamala Harris ‘unburdened’ by overuse of certain phraseyoutube.com/watch?v=ipeaczmRACA

Nobody put those words in Kamala Harris mouth.

Well done England, Ollie Watkin sublime 90 minute winner

Now Spain in the final, a bridge to far?

We will see

I buy all my seafood from a local fishmongers, more to support our community traders/shops.

Absolutely, GuruMick never to young for that first taste of Deliveroo/Uber takeaway/grocery gig economy zero hours, that first back pack.

It beats being sent up cleaning chimneys. .

Ukraine will not be joining NATO or EU, at least in my lifetime.

There will be offers of a faint hope, a hint a whisper, all will come to nothing.

Toddlers should learn to ride before they can walk, they stand then placed on a bike, and led around the living room.

Ok that deranged.

I think it is wise kids learn that road and pavements/sidewalks are shared spaces, those four wheeled metal objects could be in the hands of seniors in there 80's with eye sight to match.

There are no victors in war only cenotaphs to remember the fallen.

Certainly, Russia has no shortage of foreign companies willing to provide the investment to assist with third parties to mine and drill.

Turkey, India, China amongst other, Germany spent billons on Nord Stream pipe lines.

Hungary and old soviet block countries are dependent on Russian energy

The EU’s continued dependency on Russian gas could jeopardize its foreign policy goals

https://www.chathamhouse.org/2024/06/eus-continued-dependency-russian-gas-could-jeopardize-its-foreign-policy-goals

NATO was and still is ill equipped in Europe to fully support Ukraine.

Need to rinsed/washed thoroughly, cooking razor clams timing is imperative, or you will be chewing on rubber bands.

Great clam recipe from a master .....

The Perfect Stir Fry Clams by Masterchef • Taste Show

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=biTTTt93qp0

Problem he make it all look so easy.

Oh come on footballs coming home, ho hum.

TaiwanIsNotChina,

No argument or debate on the valid points you raise. Putin is a ruthless dictator.

However there is no escape from EU/UK future economic costs of a carbon neutral/net zero/zero emissions ideology, although all should viewed independent of each other.

Russian government is not remotely politically beholden to such policies, neither is China or Indian. .

Putin Russia is at a crossroads, its huge natural resources could ultimately force EU/UK into capitulation forcing Ukraine into a form of compromise for the very reasons you outline.

As of 2021, Russia held natural resources amounting to an estimated total value of 75 trillion U.S. dollars. This figure includes the value of Russia's many valuable natural resources, which includes coal, oil, natural gas, gold, timber, and rare earth metals, among others. ..

Leading countries worldwide based on natural resource value as of 2021

https://www.statista.com/statistics/748223/leading-countries-based-on-natural-resource-value/#:~:text=As%20of%202021%2C%20Russia%20held,rare%20earth%20metals%2C%20among%20others.

Biden and the US people have been a saviour for Ukraine.

Biden was transfixed to his teleprompter. He managed to at least sound stateman like.

Europe is totally reliant on the belief that treaty based laws, the threats of sanctions, on the dependence of rules based structures will prevent the use of force.

That hissing and booing from a toothless EU parliament will deter Putin.

The Government of China, countries such as India/Iran will hug despot dictators for fear that arms/the gas and oil will stop.

EU will accept terms surrender.

No European army will ever in the foreseeable future match NATO, simply no collective spine/backbone, the political unity/will to stand up to President Putin, a force that would overrun western Europe/ EU within weeks when tactical battlefield nuclear weapons are deployed.

All will appease such aggression.

Only the US sheer arsenal/depth of strike capability could repel such an onslaught. And the willingness to use such force.

Germany would not even contemplate supplying long range missiles, let alone accepting the risk of all out war

Sooner or later Ukraine will runout of young fighting men, this war is being fought on Ukraine soil.

Putin is biding his time, slowly but surely dismantling the Ukraine essential infrastructure. Schools, Hospitals, its rail network, it energy supply, its economy.

EU member states will be left with the huge bill/cost to rebuild Ukraine for decades to come.

Hamstrung by its members states self interests, its energy insecurities.

Certainly a pay rise, lower taxes , social justice, Bob

However politicians crave much more, a platform to cynically take advantage of disunity, of political chaos from a noticeable imbalance of an inequitable division of resources, of opportunities,

The tendency for the most privileged in society to continue to have the entitlement such  franchise/monopoly demands.

This "election" has highlighted such harsh inequalities.

Yes a maybe the match of the tournament so far, 16-year-old. Lamine Yamal, nuff said.....

I hope so too Bob, its the timing, the media that could ultimately provide a stage, an opportunity to bring about protest, pay demands can be just a means to and end. a start, a prelude to bring about years of angst, of perceived inequality.

These Paris Olympic Games are a sore thumb, that could ignite a fuse of angry indignation, ticket that only the most elite in society can afford, a point not lost on NPF so quick to unite around a common platform that contains deep political rifts.

Such drama and vitriol could fester to produce violent protest as the NPF stokes belligerence.

The French economy is in a state of flux as deficits rose to 5.5% of GDP in 2023, dues to tax revenues on the decline growth sluggish, although inflation is decreasing.

However, this election has brought political instability as never before, a hung parliament of extreme disaffection without any recourse to a "parliament", national assembly willing to compromise. .

I used to forage with my Father and Mother for razor/clams cockles etc, weekends English coasts as a child

Fond memories, life was so simple,

I wish I could relive such wonderful memories.

Bob Fosse

Withdrawal of labour in France has always been a genuine means of demonstration/protest.

I sense there is genuine anger, a fission in French society, my friends in Lyon, although I don’t believe they would for a moment disrupt the Paris Olympic games, are furious.

I suggest with a Macron government that took the French people for granted.

This “Election” could have sparked much more than just “influencing the need for strike action”.

But a sea change to/of how the French people view the political establishment, could render the country political system unmanageable.

These Olympic Game could become a focal point to bring national political anger to a point.

It would be foolish to believe otherwise. These Paris Olympics, in front of a Global audience, is the once in a lifetime platform to harshly humiliate bring down Macron and his Government.

Biden delivers remarks on the 75th anniversary of NATO

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rHI_dD8OWsg

Make of this as you will.

Ukraine will not stop President Putin, without Europe risking boots on the ground with comprehensive land sea and intelligence support.

A possible third world war.

This was always a risk with Presidents taking unnecessary political risks, calling parliamentary elections so close to such a sporting global event.

A media TV global platforms for political activism, to stage any number of strikes/demonstrations

This could be just the tip of the iceberg to what awaits the Paris organizers worst nightmare.

Russia destroys a Ukrainian children's hospital. Evidence of a Russian cruise missile, and the two are embracing. Probably a Putin double.

The russian president might as well paint on every cruise missile, "paid for by my dear friend  Shri Narendra Modi".

The people of Ukraine will never forget this betrayal. never

The arrogant disrespect for the people of Japan, for the electorate is breathtakingly appalling.

A total sham, every step of the way,

Political corruption, from a ruling government that has placed itself above the law without recrimination, without any judicial process, from any executive, legislative, or administrative actions to hold this ruling LDP government subject to review.

Slush funds that to this day are still a total mystery as to their use, without any judge lead open court judicial review published investigation.

If the J people wish to have government duplicitous, deceitful, then society will decay sooner or later.

Gender?

Tokyo Gov. Yuriko Koike is a carbon copy of every senior LDP ruling government politician.

Without any policy that will change the course of continuing depopulation, economic reform or restructuring programme.

Mediocrity, the lack of innovation in government, is matched by an ageing population, a lack of affordable childcare, family assistance to kick start family planning, it like watching slow tragic decline.

Right here is the latest down turn through a failure of government, of leadership, stagnation.

Japan real wages down 1.4% in May, 26th monthly fall despite hikes

https://japantoday.com/category/business/update2-japan-real-wages-down-1.4-in-may-26th-monthly-fall-despite-hikes

German Minister of State for Europe, Anna Luehrmann, told Reuters it was positive that pro-European forces had a majority in the French parliament.

Such gibberish nonsense from German Minister of State for Europe, Anna Luehrmann.

Surprise leftist victory: Who is France's New Popular Front?

https://www.dw.com/en/surprise-leftist-victory-who-is-frances-new-popular-front/a-69599248

But the Socialist Party is only the second-strongest party in the NFP alliance, with Hollande's dismal approval ratings having paved the way for the rise of Melenchon's LFI. The firebrand, himself a former Socialist, now leads a party that is much more left-leaning and eurosceptic.

Jean-Luc Melenchon is intent on an unprecedented 150 billion euro tax and spend, borrowing spree,

Completely at odds with the EU wide debt, spending, also limiting what all member state governments can borrow, by a wide margin.

This was passed by the EU parliament on 23rd of April.

The crucial responsibility of government, of leadership in not political ideology, (left right)

But representing the nation, its people as a whole.

I understand there have been riots in Lyon, Paris etc.

Yesterday my friends in Lyon and I had a debate, I suggested that Macron, for his personality flaws, his political peacock posturing, his arrogance is not to blame for Frances economic woes.

Implementation, Macron could have certainly phased in, with a more pronounced safely net for the lower income bracket.

My Japan French voip connection was close to melting with indignation, how dare you very much from 12000 miles away in Japan suggesting Macron its not a total moron.

Politics and religion a sure-fire way to lose friends.

Now Macron has had to refuse his current Prime Minster resignations, essentially having to beg Prime minister Gabriel Attal to remain in office.

Subjecting the people of France to years of political paralysis, the most toxic hung parliament in political memory, to block the hard-right RN only to gift hand victory to the extreme left-wing New Popular Front, led by France Unbowed, the politically grotesque Jean-Luc Melenchon.     

I honest wonder what measure of relief “Germany's Scholz” is referring to, in total denial, delusion

In many respects J economy has been running on empty since 2023, Japan’s GDP was surpassed by that of Germany. dropping to the world’s fourth-largest economy.

Many economists’ point to GDP being an after effect, influenced by exchange rates.

Japanese yen has depreciated against the U.S. dollar by close to 30% since 2014, it would follow GDP calculation would shrink accordingly

However, the underlying data and numbers are far worst, for some time now J GDP only rose around 10 percent, while German GDP has doubled.

This points to labour productivity, Japan is now 30th in the 38 OECD countries from numbers, beginning 2023, lowest of G-7 countries.

Japan’s productivity is 60 percent of Germany’s, number two United States.

A reason why Germany’s GDP caught up and pasted Japan whilst having a population only two-thirds of Japan’s.

Tokyo Gov Koike re-election is a taste of what’s to come, a political economic ground hod day.

Tokyo Gov Koike time and again promises and pledges have amounted to nothing zero, and there is no reason to believe this 3nd term will amount to anything different.

The appalling waste taxpayers money on an Olympic games, the continuing lack of childcare provision, Koike promises for enhancing woman role within her government.

The continuing depopulation.

On the policy front, Koike has touted assistance measures for raising children, such as cash handout programs, as one of her achievements during her eight years in office. Critics, however, argue that she has not fulfilled most of her pledges from previous races.

In the latest election, Koike promised to concentrate primarily on supporting families and child-rearing, while Renho committed to enhancing policies to benefit those in the younger generation who wish to have children.

Tokyo Gov Koike has had eight years plus to implement polices for supporting families , and achieved nothing