'For those of us who know war, this new "Cold" one is already running too hot'
Talk of a new Cold War is suddenly fashionable, and it’s easy to see why.
Vladimir Putin tore up Russia’s fragile nuclear arms treaty with the US, and America promised a forever war in Ukraine.
This threat-trading is music to the ears of armchair warriors like Field Marshal Boris Johnson and his bellicose sidekick, lance corporal Liz Truss.
They demand that the UK hands over our combat aircraft to ensure Kyiv’s victory over the deluded despot in the Kremlin. Gung-ho, or what?
But for those of us who remember the real thing, 60 and more years ago, this cold warfare is getting seriously hot. Even more so for war babies like me, born in the Second World War.
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Memories of the 1962 Cuban missile crisis, when the world stood on the brink of catastrophe, are imprinted on the minds of my generation.
God help us, we don’t want to go there again, but it’s the same nuclear powers squaring up this time.
And it always starts with words: threats, excuses, lies and false accusations, the stock-in-trade of conflict.
The politicians bluster, and the military brass-hats rattle their sabres.
It’s enough to make you want to turn on, tune in and drop out, as they said in the 60s. I suppose daytime TV is today’s equivalent.
Unfortunately, it’s not possible. As has been memorably observed: “You may not be interested in war, but war is interested in you.”
The Ukraine conflict put £50billion on our fuel bills, plus several billions more in arms and economic assistance to Kyiv.
Few begrudge the expenditure – I certainly don’t – but this is a long war. The sacrifices are certain, the outcomes unknown.
It needs more than Boris bullsh** to sustain public support.
Listen to your body
I saw the headline: “Beat winter blues by going to bed earlier” about research from German neuroscientists.
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I could have told them that without lengthy studies in polysomnography – sleeping naturally without an alarm.
I’m usually in bed by nine, up by seven. Not because I follow the old adage: “Early to bed, early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise.”
It’s a bit late for that, but it’s because I’ve learned to listen to my body, and obey. It’s smarter than you think.
Breaking Tory protocol
Brexit bother has seen off Tory leaders, and history looks set to repeat itself.
Rishi Sunak’s proposed deal with Brussels over the Irish Protocol would revive trade with Europe.
But he’s hostage to hard-line backbencher MPs, who sniff a prize opportunity to oust him and bring back Jingo Johnson. And the beleaguered premier must sell his agreement to Democratic Unionist Party headbangers, for whom compromise is the dirtiest word in the English language.
They can be bought, of course. Theresa May gave them a billion pound bung for their support. So what’s their price today? This is the biggest test of Sunak’s shaky premiership. He either faces down his subversive troops and the dead-eyed DUP, or he goes down.
Ironically, Sir Keir Starmer may have to save him in a Commons vote – in the national interest.
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“Oh dear, what can the matter be? Shoppers can’t buy lettuce on Saturday!”
Salads are in short supply because of snow in Spain and Morocco. But who eats iceberg at the end of February?
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