Book Promotion

For the next 24-hours you can download a free Kindle copy of my science fiction novel, Dana Point. It's funny and thoughtful, give it a try.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07FP5DLJ1

Dana Point by Ken Horlor

Makerfield By-Election

The UK Labour Party has a new member of parliament, Andy Burnham, the so-called 'King of the North'. Some pundits are saying Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, may step down almost immediately, effectively anointing Burnham as his successor.

Labour has to do something as, right now, Reform UK are eating their lunch. Reform consistently poll as the most popular, leaving Labour fighting over second place with the Conservatives, and both are distant second.

Reform didn't do too badly in the by-election that saw Burnham elected. The Makerfield seat is a Labour stronghold and yet Reform grew their vote from the last time in 2024. They went for the same candidate and he was relentlessly attacked, as you may expect. But, he proved to be quite popular and Burnham's victory was only possible due to the tactical voting carried out. Voters hate Starmer and so many voters of varying stripes simply voted for the candidate they knew could replace him. Consequently, the LibDem and Green vote collapsed. 

I note 'helpful' criticism of Reform coming from right-of-centre sources. They amount to nothing more than those wishing Reform join them in the swamp. Reform must stay the course and keep doing what they're doing, keep standing non-politicians as candidates and stay on message. With the thousands of local authority councillors they now have, they're well positioned to launch into a campaign for a General Election if one is called soon.

Clever Renewable Energy Idea

The movement of the seas provides a useful source of energy that is fairly consistent. It wouldn't be everything to all men, but this thinking is a start. An obvious problem is that when swells are too large, the energy flow would shut down, much the same way wind farms do. 

Iran Has the US in a Doom Loop

The 'deal' between the US and Iran hands Iran a huge win. Key in all this is the next 60 days. Over that time, while the final deal is being drafted, global oil reserves will be run down more and yet only a trickle of oil will leave the Persian Gulf. Moreover, oil that does get out will take time to process when it arrives at refineries. Iran can simply shut down the Strait of Hormuz again and completely crush its enemies.

Car Mechanics Speak Out

Car mechanics are leaving the industry. Cars are now too complicated, they're also junk, and the manufacturers don't want to pay a fair rate for repairs. 

Some Calling for NBA Finals Officiating to Be Examined

The claim being made is that the NBA Finals refereeing was heavily biased toward the San Antonio Spurs. Presumably, this was to ensure there was a game 6 and 7. If the series went to game 7, a lot of money would be generated. But, the New York Knicks won despite this bias, that's how superior they were (allegedly). What do you think?

France vs England

Was this the moment the San Antonio Spurs sealed their own demise? Victora Wembanyama was born in France, while OG Anunoby was born in England. Many are warning, do not celebrate too early, stay humble. But most seem to have overlooked that when a Frenchman goads an Englishman, things don't usually end well for the Frenchman. Students of history will know this very well.

US Lost the War - Confirmed

Iran did not get everything they were after, but they've clearly won the war that the US started. Before the war, the Strait of Hormuz was open, operating as an international waterway. Now, fees will be paid by commercial vessels transiting, and Israeli vessels can be excluded.

Iran do not get sanctions relief, but half of the money held overseas will be freed up. The Gulf States have guaranteed to pay, thus, if the US do not release the funds, then the Gulf States will pay regardless. Basically, Iran is going to be rolling in cash. That'll make Pakistan, China and Russia very happy as Iran will buy more from them.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/jun/14/iranian-hardliners-in-vociferous-push-to-reject-proposed-peace-deal-with-us

Back to Back Mandated - Who Can Beat the Knicks?

Spike Lee and John Turturro reminisce; 53 years is a long wait.

Knicks Win NBA Title 4-1

Well, they did it, after a long drought. Well done the New York Knickerbockers, 2026 NBA Champions.

Elon Musk First Trillionaire?

I just don't accept that Elon Musk is a trillionaire ($1,000 billion). I figure that's because most of his wealth is derived from the US taxpayer, he's better described as the world's biggest welfare recipient.

Studying Musk, he's only associated with one venture that amounts to anything - Starlink. Starlink has been a game changer for people in remote locations and at sea. But, everything else of his simply doesn't add up.

Take his Tesla cars, they're rubbish and his truck is the worst vehicle ever produced. SpaceX always blows up, his rockets are no good. The Russians are still the only people manufacturing a reliable space vehicle carrying people to the space station. 

Comparing Musk to the likes of Jeff Bezos; the latter actually provides value, a real business. Musk, I predict, will go down in history as the biggest bullshit artist of all time. 

Knicks One Win Away

It looks like the Trump jinx has been lifted with the New York Knickerbockers winning game 4 of the NBA Finals, to go 3-1 up. Many alive today have never seen the Knicks win an NBA title. Now, they're one win away. In the final seconds, OG Anunoby, for the Knicks, pulled off a crucial block to prevent the Spurs from scoring, then at the other end, he made a spectacular tip-in to seal the win.

Kirsten Dodgen

Kirsten Dodgen has gone from being that young woman wearing the green top while dancing in Justin Bieber's video 'Sorry', to travelling the world teaching others how to dance. Many K-Pop groups now use her style.

Ms Dodgen is based in Auckland, New Zealand.

Gulf Stream Weakening

If the Gulf Stream shuts down, or even if it is seriously disrupted, then we are all in a lot of trouble. 

Belfast Attack

The UK has no idea who they've let in the country. Open borders have never worked; close the border now.

Did Trump Cause Knicks Loss?

Stephen A. Smith seems to think the New York Knickerbockers lost game 3 of the NBA finals because of Trump. 

https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/critics-hammer-trump-jinxing-knicks-045430894.html

ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith seemed to forecast the reaction to Trump’s attendance at the game if the Knicks didn’t bring home the win.

“If they lose tonight, I’m looking right at him,” Smith said. “I’m saying it, it’s just me. I’m blaming him. I’m blaming the president of the United States of America if the New York Knicks lose this tonight.”

Womack & Womack - Teardrops

Who thinks we need to rekindle a cheerful songs era? If I recall correctly, Womack & Womack had a global hit with Teardrops, but it failed to do much in the US. 

New Zealand Cricket Needs Investigating

New Zealand currently sits second on cricket's World Test Championship table, and overall fifth in the world. As I write this they are playing at Lord's Cricket Ground, the home of cricket. They're playing England who are ranked fourth in the world and currently sit seventh on the World Test Championship table. So, both teams are the creme de la creme of world cricket. You'd expect this to be a contest for the ages.

Except it isn't. What we are being fed is slop. The NZ team is playing so badly, one has to wonder about the players will to be in the team. They are atrociously bad, disgraceful. A school team could bat better. 

NZ has been given an easy target to win the match as England are playing equally badly. But, in all likelihood, NZ will lose as the batsmen simply refuse to score runs. They appear to be more willing to get out as soon as possible. The match is now only in its third day, and they've been like this the whole way through.

The pitch itself seems to be very substandard, but it is the same for both teams, so they should adjust. But in NZ's case that hasn't happened. Extras are proving one of NZ's best players. Yes, the runs scored not off the bat are doing better than these actual elite players.

Searching questions need to be asked, and players who haven't performed need to be dropped. And don't just look at athletic performance but everything else, including off-field behaviours and relationships.

Is JD Vance Completely Wrong?

The issue appears to be with two-tier policing, not one of migration per se, but JD Vance is right to at least ask the question.

EV's Are a Bad Idea

You'll never run out of reasons not to buy an EV. The most compelling reason being they're vulnerable to spontaneous combustion, and when that happens, the fire cannot be put out. Don't park one in your house.