What just happened in the English Channel is a throwback to an earlier age
by Rashmee
Posted on May 10, 2021
/ BLIMEY BLIGHTY I’m currently reading Laurent Binet’s ‘Civilisations’, an alternate history that has Christopher Columbus captured by the Caribbean Tainos and the sun-worshipping Incas becoming the dominant cultural and political force in Europe. The scene that recently played out in the English Channel would not have been out of place in that novel about … Continue reading “What just happened in the English Channel is a throwback to an earlier age”
Read MoreThe ‘computer never lies’ view of the world is not limited to Britain
by Rashmee
Posted on May 3, 2021
/ BLIMEY BLIGHTY Britain’s Post Office scandal has nothing to do with Brexit. It speaks to a mentality that existed before and will persist after. And that mindset – a ‘computer never lies’ view of the world – is not limited to Britain. The case is simply astounding in its human toll. Just days ago, … Continue reading “The ‘computer never lies’ view of the world is not limited to Britain”
Read MoreThe four ‘tribes’ of Britain, circa 2021
by Rashmee
Posted on April 26, 2021
/ BLIMEY BLIGHTY Once upon a time there were Tories and Labour supporters. Then, there were Leavers and Remainers. Now, it turns out Britain has no less than four distinct tribes and they coalesce around a distinct view of the world. Ladies and Gentlemen, let’s recognise The Humanitarians, The Globalists, The Patriots and The Isolationists. … Continue reading “The four ‘tribes’ of Britain, circa 2021”
Read MoreBrexit or not, Northern Ireland new troubles are criminal not political for now
by Rashmee
Posted on April 19, 2021
/ BLIMEY BLIGHTY Days of recent unrest in Northern Ireland have caused everyone to have horrible flashbacks. It’s been 23 years after the Good Friday agreement ended decades of violence. Even though the recent incidents aren’t the old “Troubles”, as they used to be called, this new streak is profoundly troubling. A bus hijacked … Continue reading “Brexit or not, Northern Ireland new troubles are criminal not political for now”
Read MoreReflections after a year as a volunteer in pandemic-hit Britain…
by Rashmee
Posted on April 12, 2021
/ BLIMEY BLIGHTY Sunday, April 11 marked one year of constant volunteering on my part. First, with the Council’s community hub, then with the Council and NHS’s Project Hope for medical staff, and finally, now, with vaccination clinics all around the area. April 11 also marked an apparent change of mood among many of the … Continue reading “Reflections after a year as a volunteer in pandemic-hit Britain…”
Read MoreWould diversity and the British royal family mean more Plantagenets?
by Rashmee
Posted on April 5, 2021
/ BLIMEY BLIGHTY I’m not a royalist but I generally try not to be rude about the British Queen. She will be 95 this month for God’s sakes and it’s not particularly kind to go round metaphorically kicking an old lady. That said, news that the British royal family may appoint a diversity champion had … Continue reading “Would diversity and the British royal family mean more Plantagenets?”
Read MoreA glorious week for Britain? Depends on who you ask
by Rashmee
Posted on March 29, 2021
/ BLIMEY BLIGHTY This week, parts of Britain could be hotter than Saint Tropez or Ibiza. The southeast of England could be sweating in temperatures as high as 24 degrees centigrade. And lockdown rules are easing. In Wales, “stay local” measures have been lifted. In England, outdoor sports facilities open today (Monday, March 29), with … Continue reading “A glorious week for Britain? Depends on who you ask”
Read MoreBritain as a force for uber good?
by Rashmee
Posted on March 22, 2021
/ BLIMEY BLIGHTY I seem to remember Tony Blair popularising the use of the phrase “Britain as a force for good”. As prime minister, Mr Blair repeated it so often, the phrase became almost meaningless, just the usual twaddle of politicians and other snake oil salesmen. It was hard to believe at the time, anyway. … Continue reading “Britain as a force for uber good?”
Read MoreSharing the parents. William and Harry face the same issues as all siblings
by Rashmee
Posted on March 15, 2021
/ BLIMEY BLIGHTY It was interesting – but rather sad – to read a story about Prince William’s alleged unhappiness with a photo of used by Harry and Megan on their Archewell Foundation website on New Year’s Day. The photo, according to the story, was of William and Harry’s mother, Princess Diana. She was carrying … Continue reading “Sharing the parents. William and Harry face the same issues as all siblings”
Read MoreLike Brexit, Meghan and Harry have warring tribes enlisting for and against
by Rashmee
Posted on March 8, 2021
/ BLIMEY BLIGHTY Sometimes it takes an outsider to see the deepest truths within a family. Or a country. The Washington Post’s London bureau seems to be playing that role for Britain in its diagnosis of the divisions sparked by the Harry and Meghan interview with Oprah Winfrey. The Post noted, for instance, that “Where … Continue reading “Like Brexit, Meghan and Harry have warring tribes enlisting for and against”
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Rashmee has lived and worked in several countries in the past decade, including Afghanistan, India, Haiti, Tunisia, the UAE, US and UK