How many meals does a Coronation cost? Or, there’s lots of good Germans…

I’m currently reading this one. Recommended. Food, murder, politics, printers and Levellers. Oh, and a king called Charles who loses his head…

You might not be aware from previous writings that I’m a republican, an anarchist leaning, socialist, so find the current mewling, frankly vomit inducing, national frenzy over the death of an incredibly pampered and privileged old rich woman, one who ran a multi-million pound holding company, a company whose start-up — like so many — was funded on colonialist theft and slavery, more than a little trying (did you note that was an heroic piece of hyperbolic understatement there?).

You know the most number of national public holidays around the world are based on independence from Britain? Close to every 6 days, somewhere in the world, a country celebrates getting out from under the boots of the English army.

This is why you don’t mourn imperialists and colonialists…

I’ve no idea how many people her and her ancestors have been responsible for murdering, torturing, raping and pillaging, but without hyperbole I’d imagine it’s in the millions. Ask the Irish. They’ll have a pretty good idea I’m sure.

She and her cousins and forebears started WWI and WWII. This picture is of nine of the various royals from around Europe in 1910, who then went to war but, of course, remained in charge.

A few countries sensibly elected not to carry on with the idea of Royalty after those two titanic convulsions but not Britain, no, The Firm dug in and just kept expanding and adding new executives. They’re of German origin, by the way. Not that being German is bad Not that there aren’t (and weren’t) good Germans. I’m one of them for example. The Germans are however, undeniably efficient. But this lot of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha descendants are as ruthless as fuck and remain so. This reality cloaked behind excellent PR teams and a compliant press and TV and populace, all of who seem happy to carry on licking their boots, with the pablum lie that the royals give a flying fuck about anyone apart from their own kind and their interests.

The BBC News coverage over the last couple of days has been the perfect example of what state propaganda looks like in countries that this so called ‘liberal democracy’ calls out totalitarian countries, such as North Korea or, a favourite one they’ll use, East Germany under The Stasi, for doing.

My son, Ben, asked this question of his friends. I’m proud of him and his words

I wonder how much the 10-days of ‘mourning’ and all the pointless paraphernalia that’s been invoked is costing us, her “loyal subjects”? Subjects, for fucks’ sake? In this year of her Lord, 2022, why are will even thinking of being called “subjects”?

The millions spent on this funeral should have been spent on food for those unable to afford anything, on funding food banks and, whilst I’m loath to play into their cost of living narrative, (largely as I believe the scum bags in charge need to rectify the systemic failings and the abuses of power that have led us here), saving lives now rather than waiting for a few pounds to drop into your account at some distant future point when people will have died from lack of power or food or care. I mean, “it’s what she would have wanted”, no? Thats is, if she and her magic vagina spawn were really as kind and loving and caring as their puff-pieces are meant to suggest.

So, if not now, then when for the revolution?

To sign-off, a couple more books I’m really looking forward to, from two of my favourite writers on food, politics, architecture & social spaces

whilst Big Has seems to be spreading his (not insubstantial) wings? He’s suggesting how to eat in Paris; ignore the bistros and the 5th arrondissement and choose food made by and for their immigrant communities, themselves a product of their colonial past sans royalty now of course. It has a very Vittles London feel to it; the best food coming, not from the Michelin guide favourites or the hipster “what’s hot this week” sites, but on the streets.