A Daily Dose of Wisdom: How One Man's Texts Transformed My Mornings and Evenings
GB News is woke plus Shwarzenegger movies reviewed and rated, Tainted love
Happy Bank Holiday Monday,
In the cacophony of our digital lives—filled with emails, notifications, and endless scrolls through social media—one might think that yet another text message could easily get lost in the mix. However, for nearly a decade, two daily messages have carved out their own special niche in my routine.
Mr Singh Bhogal, a constituent during my tenure as the MP for West Bromwich East, has been sending me uplifting morning and reflective evening texts. When I pour my first coffee of the day, a simple yet profound message often greets me, much like today's: "Good morning. New day, new blessings. Don't let yesterday's failures ruin the beauty of today, because each day has its own promise of love, joy, and forgiveness. Have a wonderful day."
The Prophetic Particle of Joy
It's astonishing how a few words can transform your outlook. On those days when the weight of yesterday's challenges casts a long shadow, Mr Bhogal's texts serve as a soft but effective reset button. They plant a "tiny particle of joy" that permeates my mind, subtly steering my day towards positivity. It's a marvel how these messages often seem almost prophetic, aligning uncannily well with the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.
A One-Way Street, Paved with Kindness
While you might assume this to be a dialogue, it's more of a monologue, albeit a cherished one. My interactions with Mr Bhogal are sporadic—occasional texts expressing gratitude—but his messages never waver. That they have continued long after my role as his MP ended is a testament to a deeply ingrained sense of community and kindness.
The Science of Kindness
Research from both sides of the Atlantic confirms the mental health benefits of positive messaging. Numerous studies suggest that positive messages can improve one's mental well-being and resilience. These messages, it seems, offer more than mere sentiment—they're a catalyst for human flourishing.
An Age-Old Wisdom
While the Sikh scriptures teach the importance of "Sewa" or selfless service, Mr Bhogal's messages are not about doctrine but about a universal kindness, a wisdom that transcends cultural and religious lines.
So, the next time your phone buzzes with a message, consider the profound impact a few well-chosen words can have. For me, they serve as bookends to each day—pillars of optimism in the morning and reflection in the evening.
In the spirit of Mr Bhogal, I wish you a day filled with love, joy, and forgiveness.
Navigating the Minefield of Media: How Should Labour and the BBC Respond to GB News?
A Subversive Threat or a Gift to Labour?
I can't help but admire the audacity of GB News - a platform thriving on an eclectic mix of right-wing populism and, curiously, woke sensibilities. With tacit nods from right-leaning ministers and an astonishingly lenient regulatory body, they've successfully carved out a space in Britain's bustling media ecosystem.
One particular act of subversive genius stands out: offering Lee Anderson, Deputy Chair of the Conservative Party, a tidy sum of £100,000 a year. A man best described as a bar-room barrister, Anderson's on-screen appearances have shifted from hosting the odd Tory confab to regular tête-à-têtes with Vince Cable.
One can't help but think that if Labour secure a general election victory, GB News CEO Angelos Frangopoulos would certainly merit an OBE for "Services to the Labour Party." Every hour Anderson is in the GB News studio is time away from doing his job mobilising the Tory troops for the general election.
The Irony of Inclusivity
And let's not overlook the pièce de résistance of my visit to their station - the splendidly woke, gender-neutral toilets. Oddly enough, for someone with an opinion on almost everything, Mr Anderson has remained conspicuously silent on this frontier of inclusivity.
To Engage or Not to Engage
The question remains: should Labour dignify GB News with its presence? While some of their presenters appear to have meandered a bit too far down the rabbit hole of personal opinion, Labour mustn't ignore the channel's growing viewership. We should absolutely engage with them - just perhaps not with the Tory MPs who moonlight as hosts.
The BBC's Existential Dilemma
The rise of platforms like GB News has created a ripple effect, shaking the very foundations of media giants like the BBC. Accusations of left-leaning bias persist, often peaking during politically charged periods, causing regulatory heartburn and public debate.
Calls to scrap the licence fee have also grown louder, and they echo in the hallowed halls of Westminster. This dual threat jeopardises not just the BBC's revenue streams but its standing as a beacon of impartial, high-quality journalism.
The path ahead for the BBC is fraught with peril. It must innovate without alienating, engage without bias, and navigate an ever-shifting regulatory landscape. The challenges are not merely academic but existential, and the jury is still out on whether the current Director General is up to the task.
Summer Binge-Watching: The Arnold Schwarzenegger Edition
The "Austrian Oak," the "Governator," or simply, “Arnie”. I love this guy. This summer, I’ve embarked on an epic binge-watching quest—a Schwarzenegger film festival right in my living room. I’ve watched every one of his movies. Forget Cannes or Sundance. Whether you're a fan of Arnie's bulging biceps or his killer one-liners, let me take you on this rip-roaring journey through time, muscles, and absolute machismo.
Hercules in New York (1969)
Tom's Rating: 🌟🌟 In the words of critic Roger Ebert, "Arnold Schwarzenegger makes Hercules look like a bull in a china shop." Truly, this awkward romp around the Big Apple serves as the springboard for Arnold's cinematic escapades. It's like the alpha test for a video game that eventually becomes legendary. Don't skip it; it's a lesson in humble beginnings. 2/10
Conan the Barbarian (1982)
Tom's Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 The film that declared, in the words of Pauline Kael, "Schwarzenegger has a presence." Here, our muscle-bound hero swings a sword with the same zeal as he would later wield machine guns. A brawny 6/10 because it set the stage for what was to come.
The Terminator (1984)
Tom's Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 "I'll be back," he said, and cinema would never be the same. As The Guardian once noted, this film transformed Schwarzenegger "from muscleman to movie star." It's not just a film; it's a cultural milestone. An irresistible 9/10.
Commando (1985)
Tom's Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 Pure, unadulterated action. You almost expect Schwarzenegger to jump out of the telly and and rescue your cat. A hearty 7/10 for keeping the '80s action flame alive in the world.
Predator (1987)
Tom's Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 "Get to the choppa!" shouts Arnold, summing up the sheer intensity of this jungle nightmare. The suspense here is thicker than Schwarzenegger's Austrian accent. A well-earned 8/10.
Twins (1988)
Tom's Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 Oh, what's this? Arnold flexing his comedic muscles alongside Danny DeVito? It's a feel-good romp that proves Arnie isn't just a one-genre wonder. A delightful 6/10.
Total Recall (1990)
Tom's Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 Schwarzenegger at his mind-bending best. As the New York Times once said, "Total Recall" is the apotheosis of the Schwarzenegger action ethos." This is my ultimate Arnie indulgence—a solid 10/10.
...and so on for the rest of your cinematic summer adventure with Arnold. After Terminator: Dark Fate, you might consider putting on your boots, hopping onto your Harley, and declaring, "Hasta la vista, baby," to this summer's stress.
Whether you're a die-hard Arnie aficionado or a casual consumer of '80s action nostalgia, there's something in this list for everyone. If you want me to, I’ll write up his later works in a future email. Let me know in the comments and hit the subscribe button below. 🎬🍿
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Reading
"Tainted Love”
The Twisted Romantic Ballads that Capture Our Complex Emotions
Lights dimmed, room hushed, and the vinyl record starts spinning. What follows is not your typical ballad of romance. Enter Soft Cell’s "Tainted Love," the evocative melody etched in the annals of music history by Marc Almond's soulful voice. But have you ever paused to dissect the complexity buried in those three minutes? Alex Coles has, and his new book is the definitive treatise on songs that diverge from the traditional narratives of love.
Huddersfield University’s Professor Alex Coles dives headlong into the world of twisted romantic ballads with "Tainted Love: From Nina Simone to Kendrick Lamar." According to Coles, while conventional love songs murmur, "I love you," and torch songs beseech, "I love you, don't leave me," tainted love songs venture into unchartered territories and boldly declare, "I love you, but in an unusual way."*
Frank Sinatra, the crooner who helped define the 20th century in "Off Key," a collaboration with Antonio Carlos Jobim, reveals a lamenting Sinatra, rueing a love that dismisses him as out of tune.
Paul McCartney's "Here Today" is an arresting pause in time. Written six months after John Lennon's murder, it is a poignant "love song to John." Coles observes that the emotional weight in McCartney's lyrics gains prominence precisely because it was Lennon who often engaged with complex emotions in songs.
Then there’s Joni Mitchell's "All I Want," a track that encapsulates her struggle to have a normal life whist being the musical centre of the universe. Drawing from her own words to David Yaffe—"Free love, now we know there's no such thing. Pay later, always"—Joni presents a labyrinth of love not wanting to conform to the expectations of the Free love sixties, her frustrations elegantly manifesting through her lyrics and vocals.
Another song Coles delves into is Little Simz's "I Love You, I Hate You," where she tackles complicated feelings towards her absent father. The contrast in her lyrics, instrumentalisation, and vocals makes for an emotionally potent piece.
What each chapter of "Tainted Love" achieves is a deep examination of how these seemingly dissonant emotions harmonise into compositions that mesmerise us.
The book is not just a must read, it will compel you to re-evaluate your music playlists. Unlike Mr. Bhogal's daily gems of positivity, these ballads won't always lift your spirit, but they will resonate.
* Remember that article I wrote about my day with Burt Bacharach? He told me that there were only four types of love song: I love you. I hate you. Don’t leave me and Fuck Off! What a guy.
Listening
Open Book examines George Orwell, revealing an unsettling aspect of his personal life through Anna Funder's 'Wifedom: Mrs Orwell’s Invisible Life.' Funder portrays Orwell as a less-than-ideal husband to his remarkably brilliant wife, Eileen. I suppose it demonstrates that in the realm of socialist ideals, all relationships may profess to be equal, yet some relationships prove to be more equal than others.
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I always laugh when I hear the BBC being accused of being left- leaning, when it's run by Tories. A Labour government needs to clear out the Tory appointees and ensure that Auntie Beeb is truly independent of any political party. That's difficult, but not impossible.
I love your Arnie binge-watch. I really like Arnie. Are you signed up to his 'Pump Club' fitness emails? They're really good! They're written for everybody, not just the serious weightlifter types (even for sloths like me!).
The first thing Labour needs to do with the BBC is get rid of all the Tory appointees, and ensure that they are replaced by genuinely non-partisan leaders with the right industry knowledge via a clearly impartial process into which Labour has no input. However even-handed one wants to be, we just can't overlook the Tory influence on the BBC leadership and how it causes bias to seep into its political coverage. It would be nice to get rid of political presenters with clear bias too, lookin' at you Fiona Bruce. And the licence fee needs to be protected in the long term, not just in ten year chunks. Rather like the EU, we would miss the BBC terribly if we lost it, and it would be impossible to recreate.
Labour must commit to restoring and protecting our institutions, including the BBC, NHS, justice and legal Institutions, etc. We cannot, through inaction, allow the Tories to finish their plan to destroy our institutions, and our trust in those institutions, the way the Republicans have in the US. And that means facing up to the truth of the damage they've already done and taking steps to rectify it.