Than goodness I don’t live in America.

 Dear old Blighty, stands alone in a - mad political world. The EU is imploding, a war in Ukraine and the Middle East and now to top it all - Trump, on his way again to the White House in 2025. Over recent days there had been much optimism in the Harris, camp that she might just - pull it off as - the first woman of race to get the keys to Pennsylvania Avenue. Its was a - false dawn. There must be heartbreak for all those who - went up and down knocking on doors to get the vote out. What went wrong? 

Firstly, she didn’t make her economic policy sufficiently explicit and moreover the issue of ‘affordability’. As Clinton said years ago “it’s the economy stupid”. There was also the illegal immigration problem. The Hispanic and black uneducated males appear to have gone for the - dystopian Trump message. The white working class vote also appears to have gone for him.What will young women think of this - gender segregation of the sexes? Reproductive rights across the country - will once more be the scapegoat of this myopic policy. What about the tariffs he plans to introduce on imports? There is the other toxic social issue of illegal migration especially from Mexico. He said in the election that he would - round them up and send them back. That could be several million poor people being deported. What an Eton mess -than goodness - I don’t live in America. 

Going to university - is it worth it?

 The education secretary Bridget Phillipson, announced in the House of Commons yesterday that students fees from September 2025 - would increase to £9,535. They would be reviewed in the spring - whether to increase thereafter? The intention is to have them index linked to inflation. So in theory they could be as much as £10,500 in September 2029. The university community has welcomed the increase as the finances of universities are on a knife edge. However the National Union of Students (NUS) has decried the proposal - as this would place an extra burden on them post university. The devolved governments are responsible for their own policies.

 From my own experience going to the London School of Economics(LSE) had a very beneficial result and I did a further post-graduate course in - Psychiatric Social Work again at the LSE and at The Tavistock Clinic, in Hampstead, London, in child and adolescent psychiatry. I then worked in adult psychiatry for 4 years and then in specialist - Family Day Unit - working with very dysfunctional families for 6 years. This allowed me to work in adult, child and family psychiatry. Moreover it enabled me to train as a psychoanalyst and work in private practice for many years from 1985 to 2002. I became the chairman and council member of the London Centre for Psychotherapy and also taught there. I did additional training in family therapy and group therapy and became a teacher and council member of The Institute of Family Therapy, London and teacher and co-conductor of a weekly large group at the Institute of Group Analysis. 

 Neither of my two siblings went and I know my brother in particular resents the fact that he didn’t go and is envious that I did. Both of my children went onto university and are pleased they did so. 

Nordic noir.

 On BBC iPlayer, there is an excellent series under the title: Those Who Kill. I’ve been watching the Justice one and it’s rather good. A gangland number of gruesome murders has taken place in Copenhagen, over recent weeks. Who is responsible? A number of suspects are in the frame, including Kim and Robin. They have a complex and difficult history together. They were members of a gang known as Legion 5. Since those days they have gone their separate ways. Nevertheless Copenhagen is a city where - everyone knows each other, especially in - gang land. Two detectives are on the case. Louise and Frederick, but they are in a clandestine relationship. Can they solve the mystery? I recommend the programme. . 

In the name of the Fuhrer.

 In the field of sociology and psychology there is an interesting term - which refers to the relationship between the individual and the leader. This concept is referred to as - in the name of the Fuhrer, or leader. In other words, people do things - assuming the Fuhrer, would approve either implicitly or explicitly. They arrogant to themselves the authority to act with this in mind. Therefore terrible heinous acts might be committed as a motivation. This in part accounts for why - relatively normal German people - would behave in bestial ways. Why German citizens collectively - in the name of the Fuhrer - allowed for the holocaust and concentration camps? This is an unconscious wish and desire to please - the father figure. So this need is acted out by this behaviour. We can see this today in America - with the presidential race. Ordinary citizens behaving as if the leader - Trump, would endorse. This is how countries quickly degenerate into a dystopian and dysfunctional world. Orwell was right in his diagnosis in 1984 - Big Brother is alive and well. 

Anthony Scaramucci.

 Anthony Scaramucci, had a job in the White House with Trump, that lasted only a matter of a few days. He and the president had a rather acrimonious public falling out. He then jumped ship and joined the Kamala Harris, team. His political podcast is very astute and done with the highly intelligent BBC Katty Kay - The Rest is Politics, US. I’ve enjoyed listening to it for many months now. The dynamic between the two of them is both - flirtatious but also serious and thoughtful. He is generally referred to as - the Mooch. Of all the many political podcasts available, I would put this up there with: The Newsgents, The Nesagents USA, Americast, The Coming Storm, and The Daily Tea. His estimate of Trump, is that he is a facist. On November 26 Trump will be sentenced for the 34 felony counts, so he could spend the rest of his life in prison. However should he win the race to become president, he will pardon himself as soon as he is president in January 2025. The first convicted criminal as president of the United States. What an indictment of the country. 

Does Labour have a blind spot.?

 So we have a black female leader of the Conservative Party. Labour on the other hand have had no female leader and no black one. Does Keir Starmer, have a blind spot? There is considerable unrest in the party according to The Guardian today - about the lack of ethnic minorities represented in senior positions in the party. The Conservative Party have a number of senior front bench politicians - doing very well. They also have in the organisation a - unit dealing with multi- ethnic representation. The Leader Party do not.Why? Unless this issue is addressed urgently - there will be trouble at the ballot box. 

Saturday Night Live.

 The satirical show on CNN Saturday Night Live, this week had Kamala Harris, drop by and its was a - hoot. There was a brief sketch where the comedian is chatting in a fake mirror and opposite her in is Kamala. It was very funny and the audience loved it. A very respected poll has suggested there is - increasing evidence of support for Harris. It’s not over as they say - until the fat lady sings. But let’s hope it’s true and Trump - is kicked out.