UK Plastics as US Wall Opportunity? Pride in Higher UK Rail Fares. Record 2000 Trumpitudes Imminent

Throwaway plastics

China has given the UK a new opportunity by banning the import of our dirty plastic waste. With the billion dollar US wall to Mexico offering rich rewards for those who can build it, what better way to show true British innovation than offering to build it in recycled plastic.

It is also with a hidden sense of pride that a great cry has arisen about the 3% plus increase in commuter rail fares. At last something to grumble about aloud whilst secretively rejoicing and celebrating our role as plucky underdog suffering the obvious difference between the UK (high fares) and the rest of Europe (lower fares). The Guardian and Telegraph united on this issue. The Guardian showed the dramatic difference in rail costs on either side of the Channel by giving fares as a proportion of commuter income, whilst the Telegraph gave actual ticket fares for comparable journeys. The exception was the report by Seat 61, which pointed out that on long distance journeys, booked well in advance, for journeys outside of the rush hour, rail travel in the UK was actually cheaper.

Meanwhile across the pond, excitement is growing on the subject of when President Trump will achieve the unrivaled number of 2000 false and misleading claims within the first year of his presidency. The Washington Post database, which records, categorizes and tracks every suspect statement uttered by the president", sets the total up to yesterday at 1,950 claims in 347 days, or an average of 5.6 claims a day. The Washington  Post fact checker page allows this veritable mountain of trumpitudes to be displayed in a multitude of options - see https://www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/politics/trump-claims-database/.  It's not what you say, it's the way you say it.