Happy 2026 everyone!!!

And that was when we were about 14, 15, 16, sometimes even younger, depending on where you went and what system they were using

If people bail on that, they’re doing the science like puddings, to say nothing worse

It’s basic, simple science ethics, I can’t speak for subsequent generations, but when I was in secondary school, they taught that in its most basic form, but it was there

But once there’s a question of IF you can do it, your first thought should always be “Ah, but SHOULD I do it? Should I even *try*?”

Jesus Christ, I mean it’s like something off of one of those ridiculous Italian low-budget “macaroni combat” films

Or like they recognised—what was that breakaway southern African country they recognised that also (IIRC) got backed by Apartheid South Africa, what was it called? (Or was it central Africa, am I getting mixed up? Gods only know, I$r**l’s backed enough of them!!!)

Oh, NOW they start saying something?!

For the reason that they properly reflect the whole spirit of the thing, as well as the nature of our current times, with opportunistic and predatory politicians and business tycoons and religious zealots of varying kinds preying on humanity for their own ends

Personally, between Stop the Cavalry and John Lennon’s Happy Xmas (War Is Over), those are the sort of Xmas songs we should be singing from here on out

Rather than actually trying to solve the problem by not treating it as our personal chessboard for our silly power and money games

(Even if that were true, it wouldn’t need bloody saving if the West didn’t keep sticking their ugly noses and money into African’s business, in the long run it’s like we never really left!!!)

Which while it started out as a good idea has since devolved into white saviourism and the neo-colonial/armchair colonial promotion of Africa as a run-down continent in need of saving

And on the other extreme much better than that Band Aid song

Which started as a Pro-Confederate, Anti-Abolitionist (i.e., Pro-Slavery) song during the American Civil War that later historians tried to gloss over to preserve the song’s integrity against critics who were, frankly, well within their rights to object to the song

Much better than Jingle Bells, I must say

(Which was actually to reflect the old but nearly always inaccurate adage “it’ll be over before Christmas”) and it’s promoting of peace and goodwill over war (somebody clearly missed that part)

Basically the song is a generic anti-war song, which has been adopted into Xmas lore for its mention of “wish I was at home for Christmas”