There was an old gun in the ‘wild west’ that was called a ‘Peacemaker’. In America that’s not an ironic name. That’s how they see peace coming about. By shooting all the un-peaceful people. You want peace; buy a gun. They still think like that.

And I think that’s Trump’s model for his role as ‘international peacemaker in chief’. He makes threats, then he cosies up for a little ‘tete-a-tete’, praises how successful the meeting was, then either does nothing (North Korea) or changes his tune and resumes the accusation-hurling (Russia). He never quite made the trip to Iran, where I’m sure his popularity would almost exceed that of the British public, but its a similar pattern. Act nasty, then act pally, then impose international sanctions that puts the (peacemaker’s) bullet into economic head of that nation. The coup de gras for a country almost on its knees.

And I have great sympathy for the Iranian people. Yet virtually none for the ‘state of Iran’ who are horrible, hostile, warlike and the nation I would least like to see armed with nukes.

The British have identified 2 ‘interesting parties’ regarding the Novichok poisonings. Surprisingly, both are Russians. Who’d’a guessed that? CCTV footage has been analysed (presumably at GREAT length as Salisbury was about 4 months ago) and two suspects identified. Extradition requests have begun.

What a total waste of fucking money and effort.

Russia don’t extradite. Particularly killers who are on the government payroll. That wouldn’t be very loyal. Could even be construed as ‘unfair dismissal’ and Poot’n would have to face an employment tribunal. We’re still waiting for Andrei Lugavoy to be extradited for the murder of Alexander Litvinenko in 2007. He never arrived to face charges. Instead he was a national hero back home in Russia and became an MP.

The world’s in a total mess. Only football can save us. And, as luck would have it, football has finally arrived home. Or will do on Saturday. Well, I suppose that the ‘season’ officially started last weekend when the Championship was played. But as no-one (other than Ali) watches that the rest of us have had to endure yet another footy-less week. 2 days to go in the new, shortened transfer window and Spurs have bought… and sold…

Not been a busy time for transfers. Hope we don’t regret that. Though there’s still 2 days to go and that is certainly ‘Levy-time’.

Happy Tuesday

A xxxx