The symbolic power of the flag has undergone a renaissance over the last decade or so, particularly in the UK and America and, currently, your response to your national flag, more often than not, reflects your political outlook and societal values. In both the UK and America the national flag has become synonymous with patriotism and aggressive right wing politics. The above quotation refers to false patriotism camouflaging self interests and hidden motives. The accusation of a lack of patriotism and glorification of a country’s national flag is used to to undermine the loyalty of left leaning people and, in effect, is a stick to beat them with.

This is a typical tactic of the right to simplify the attack on thinking people and reduce essential issues to emotional jingoism. Populist, rabble rousing politicians and associated activists do not want the populace to think: they want them to feel. To consider issues objectively, with reference to agreed facts is anathema and to be absolutely avoided. Study the public addresses of megalomaniacs or autocrats in history and it will clearly demonstrate their power to arouse emotions and direct hostility towards particular target groups. Trump is the latest iteration, Nigel Farage, a minor UK example.

An associated tactic is the spreading of conspiracy and deep state theories. These work on many levels. The susceptible person or group is subject to information on the internet which, on the face it, purports to be scandalous, sexually outrageous, harmful to victims and decent law abiding society at large, unfairly financially rewarding or undermines trust in institutions. It doesn’t matter if the details are bizarre because the secret elites act in concert and have no respect for normal societal rules. They are powerful and capable of anything and need to be rooted out. State control should shrink drastically and personal freedom restored if the ordinary, hard working, decent person is to flourish. Out with woke nonsense and the nanny state. People’s precarious financial positions, inability to pay for their health needs, unemployment, lack of education, poor housing, lack of employment rights and failure to advance themselves gain little traction or objective analysis, at least amongst American Republicans and assorted right wingers. The stoking of fear, anxiety and hostile emotions, often towards demonised groups like immigrants or minorities, successfully deflects attention elsewhere. BUT Trump is the deep state. The obscenely rich fascist tech bros are the deep state. Who, but the comprehensively deceived, would trust highly dubious multi millionaires and billionaires and those with a vested interest in promoting paranoia?

In the UK we tend to put our trust in Conservative posh boys. The showman and charlatan Boris Johnson being the best example. Usually educated at the most prestigious fee paying publc schools, politicians like Johnson ooze confidence and self assurance. Their education provides the highest degree of articulacy and persuasiveness. We are mesmorised by their charm and easily manipulated. Boris Johnson’s comedic talents ensured style over substance won hands down.

In the UK we are far less into conspiracy theories but we do excel in demonising immigrants, welfare benefits claimants and taxing the poorest people in our society. Oh yes, and pretending we have influence on the international stage, another boys’ game for appearing to care about principles and creating a lavish spectacle. We have a Labour government at last, but there are formidable dark forces lined up against it. It doesn’t help that the government are perceived to be stumbling from one crisis to another. It all feels a bit like The Lord of the Rings.

Still running around 25-30k weekly. No further injuries. I’ll be rejoining a gym soon to get some upper body strength back. I ran the Epping Forest 10k trail run in October which I found challenging and I also fell over. Interestingly other runners usually ask if you are okay but run on before they receive a reply. This time several runners actually stopped. Fortunately I wasn’t injured and carried on with greater care. I think the course was chosen for the greatest density of trees with the maximum of exposed roots. It was a very enjoyable run and I’ll do it next year.