The Pope’s in Tokyo. Catch a flight now and you can see him. Though he’s very popular there and you might not get in. Because there’s 600,000 Catholics in Japan. Which is quite a few. But out of a population of 125 million that’s less than half a percent of the people. But because Japan was never part of any European ‘empire’ or invaded by the Spanish, French or Portuguese, it was never Catholicised. So the other 99.5% of the population follow Shinto and Buddhism. The ‘less demanding’ of religious pursuits. ‘Home grown’ religion. Where there are no ‘holy days’, they don’t demand your presence every week, there’s no flagellation and guilt and the priests aren’t all child molesting weirdos. I like that. There are just shrines. And if you’re going to an interview, an important meeting, anything special, you just stop off, drop a few coins in (charity’s good) and offer a prayer. To whom exactly, I don’t know. But a massive proportion of Japanese follow these simple and quick little rituals very regularly. It’s a cross between religion and superstition. As are most religions.

My religion is much more demanding. It makes me eat chopped liver every week. And challah (literally the bread of God, because it tastes like He bakes it Himself using only ingredients available in heaven, Daniels and Rinkoffs). And my religion also makes me hate Jeremy Corbyn. Though to be honest I think I’d still hate him if I was a Hindu, Muslim or Zoroastrian. Though I think its easier to hate him as a Jew. Especially now the Chief Rabbi himself has made it open season on Corbyns and all other anti-semites.

It’s unheard of for a Chief Rabbi to make political statements. Particularly of a precise and specific nature rather than something wishy-washy and general. And this Chief Rabbi, unlike his predecessor and some others, is not a ‘player’. He’s a lovely, calm, quiet and witty man, full of spirituality and love. He doesn’t have ‘an agenda’. He’s not looking for a seat in the Lords, or at Lords even, that’s not what he’s about. So should he speak out as he did? As a spiritual and religious leader, is political comment and, basically, voting advice, beyond his remit? Crossing a line??

No. It’s not. The only thing it is really is preaching to the converted. Because 85% of Jews would apparently not vote for Labour because of Corbyn. I’m seriously curious about the other 15%. I’d like to meet them and talk to them, possibly hit them with large objects.

Andrew Neil last night asked Jezza if he’d like to apologise for the anti-semitism, whether down to him or his party, which has caused such distress, has been hateful, hurtful and nasty, and which has made his party an unsafe place for Jews, particularly Jewish women. In fact Andrew Neil asked him four times if he’d like to say sorry. And four times The Dipstick instead uttered his worthless and stupid mantra about how ‘the Labour Party is no place for racists and anti-semites!!!’ Which remain meaningless and unsubstantiated sound-bytes. It’s like Prince Andrew saying he’s opposed to underaged sex and people who can’t remember things.

The Battle continues.

Spurs came back from being 2-nil down against Olympiakos to win 4-2. That’s amazing. That’s incredible. That’s… Jose? Are we feeling the love yet? Hmmm, jury’s out.

Happy Wednesday

A xxxx