3 minute read
CULTURE CLASH OUR VIEW
opinions that consider the power structure of white predominately ablebodied male gender heterosexuals is intent on destroying the earth and drag queens in full regalia voicing their opinions in the house.
You can also be ready for the likes of Eddie Izzard, Diane Abbott, Angela Rayner and grinning Union leaders traipsing out of number 10; benefit scroungers retitled ‘Needy Members of Society,’ legalised drugs, plus a whole glut of put down Royalty scandals and a country going completely bankrupt.
As a final word this week, I also noticed that Keir Starmer recently actually had some trouble declaring that ‘only men were able to grow penises!’ Good luck everyone.
Keep the faith, Love Leapy leapylee2002@gmail.com expatradioscotland.com Mon. and Fri. 1pm till 4.
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THE claim that one convicted rapist transitioned to become a woman in a bid to avoid male prison in the UK has reignited the currently ever burning topic of trans rights.
Let’s be clear; the level of respect any one human being is entitled to can never have anything to do with their race, gender, sexuality, or other inherent characteristic. However, the issue of whether trans people can compete in their new gender’s sports’ categories, change in their dressing rooms in shops and serve time in their prisons is one that sees an almighty clash of rights, most often between women and trans people.
While it wouldn’t be right to dismiss the needs of a trans person to be treated with respect in their new gender, it can never be right to make other women fear for their safety. Especially not in surroundings in which control over your own space and safety are at a minimum, like prison.
Whenever issues surrounding equality are brought up for the first time, there is often a period where the courts (and often the general public) take time to work out how this should be balanced. When gay marriage was first introduced, there were multiple Christian businesses who asserted their own rights not to recognise this as a Christian concept.
In short, there’s always a clash when one set of rights ends up conflicting with another.
With tensions getting higher and higher over the trans issue though, and with the safety of both women and trans people being put at risk in the fallout, let’s hope there is a resolution to this one sooner rather than later.
LET THEM EAT CAKE? NOT IN THE OFFICE!
Norajohnson Breakingviews
THERE are always zillions of press articles trying to debunk commonly held views about which foods are bad for us. Salt in your diet causes high blood pressure. Carbohydrates and red meat are bad. Dairy products fattening. Brown bread better than white. And everyone needs tons of protein.
Each “report” producing more waffle than a Belgian baker. Dark chocolate, coffee, red wine: good for you because they have antioxidants which neutralise the free radicals in your body. Next week, that earlier study was flawed, they’re actually bad for you: too much sugar (like cakes). Next month, they’re good for you again. Then, those findings were over hasty; it's still bad for you. Frankly, practically everything that feels/tastes good is probably finally going to somehow make you ill anyway.
Trouble is, this “research” can mean different things to different people. We’re all individuals and what works for some doesn’t work for others. Anyone who says otherwise is a bit like men claiming they only used to read Playboy “for the articles”...
Meanwhile I’m off to the gym for my regular 90 minute session. And that’s no myth! 15 minutes of cardio,15 minutes of weights. And 60 minutes of talking myself into it.
Nora Johnson’s 11 critically acclaimed psychological crime thrillers (www.norajohnson.net) all available online including eBooks (€0.99;£0.99), Apple Books, audiobooks, paperbacks at Amazon etc. Profits to cancer charity.
THE British Benevolent Fund is one of the oldest charities in Spain for the British community. It was set up under the auspices of the embassy and with whom it still maintains a close relationship through the consular network.
Many people assume that the consulate have the financial resources to fund Britons in need and distress, which they do not. Instead the consulates look to partners, including the British Benevolent Fund across the country to step in when there are no other alternatives.
After Brexit there are many Britons who had been living in Spain who found themselves as not officially resident with no right to Spanish state support or healthcare.
For those who have health issues and no resources for private health care this increasingly means a return to the UK.
Many times, those returnees are alone with no family, elderly with health issues and no or limited resources.
Imagine the feeling.
It’s not a happy ending to a life lived in Spain.
The consulates do the heavy lifting of finding accommoda
