Thoughts On - Trump Month Three

Hello Everyone,

 This is a bit off topic, although it does pertain to the fight against climate change and its causes and it may possibly lead to an American civil war, so that would count.

They say the Internet will live forever, I have my doubts, but just in case...

"To our Climate Change researchers and people in general in the future, who may wonder what those of our generation were thinking to vote in Donald J. Trump for a second term. (I hear that he is talking of a third term, which I predicted, which at the moment would be illegal, but that will not stop him from trying to do it.)"

         "May I pen an apology on behalf of the American people who voted for Donald Trump in the 2024 USA election. (That was not me, I live in the UK. My sin is that I voted for Mrs. Thatcher in the UK 1982 election, so we all make mistakes.) They heard the promises, they wanted things to change, but they just did not see the implications of what those actions would have to themselves or the people around them, or in some cases, did not care."

Why did they do it? 

Why is a question I have pondered? Big money swaying big advertising? Biased "News Channels" spouting promotional rubbish. The courts were rigged in his favour, Republicans had voted in flunkies (Not all of them). Most Republicans are too afraid to speak the truth for whatever reason, following his orders meekly like sheep. Regular Trump voters have admitted that they are now in deep trouble through Trump's actions. Considering that each business venture Trump has gone into, every one has gone bankrupt. He has been sued in the courts and is a felon. The "Tariff" spin had a lot to do with it, the thought of getting others to pay for their own improvements and debt relief.

Being Honest

To be honest, most governments are not set up to tackle the big picture like climate change. People in power mainly just want to keep the power they have and get more. The same for big companies. The profit margin is what counts to the shareholders, nothing else. It does not seem to matter that their families will have to pay the price of what they are allowing to be done today.

Consequences

I hope that the consequences of their actions are not too reaching and can eventually be clawed back. The Universities are fighting back against his immigration policies and funding rip-offs. They are going to court. 

       I am not a financial expert, but the stock market nosedive will have ripples in other economies too. That will affect my pension (UK) too. Since it is being orchestrated, the rich buddies know when to buy shares and when to sell to make the most profit. I heard $ Billions were made by Elon Musk and his pals. 

Change

Change is coming, so prepare the best you can. I fear that for the next few years, they will be downhill in our fortunes and standards again. I do not play any post-apocalypse wargames anymore, fearing that they are a glimpse of our future. I hope not, for my family's sake. I do not want to believe that we have seen the best of the world and just threw it away. Time will tell.

Live life the best that you can, and see the beauty around you. Hope is not all gone; it is just a bit dimmer at the moment.

Unbiased

Just in case you think I am talking complete rubbish, try a completely unbiased view for a change. There is an Artificial Intelligence  - "ChatGBT" that has analysed Donald Trump's performance in office in a totally unbiased way. Take a look at the blogs. Then see if your conclusions have changed or not.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ml_XrFvVSnM Month one.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GU4PhXQRWH0  Month two.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gpordab_GT0  Month three.

Regards all,

Ivor Cogdell

Birmingham

England

P.S. I tried to add it to my Facebook page, but it would only allow a certain amount of text. Typical. I suggest adding the link, perhaps.

Thoughts On - The Imagine Magazine And Pelinore

 Hi Everyone,

                        This was a magazine that I did not know existed until yesterday, when Alan G showed me a real-life paper copy at our wargaming club, Circle Battle Group.  I thought I would add information on here for my readers too young to have seen a copy either. For those who do know of it, just check the links for old times' sake. When I have a free moment, I intend to have a look at the online PDF version of Imagine Magazine. It is for the Dungeons and Dragons game. The first issue was published by TSR Hobbies in April 1983. They completed 30 issues in total.

                         On my first flick through the online PDF, (Yes, I have found Issue 1 online and readable in PDF format, at least). It looks like it could be of use to DM's looking for ideas for campaigns, locations and maps, etc., to slot into their setting if they are having a blank moment. A new source for ideas is always welcome, I would imagine.  (:-) . If all else fails to spark your interest, there are cartoons.

You can find it by searching on the Internet Archive.

Pelinore - This is the rather loose campaign setting within the magazine. Links are below.

ndd-an-adventurers-guide-to-pelinore.html

(That's odd, the link to this worked yesterday. I don't like to have broken links on here, so apologies. Possibly try a cut and paste rather than redirect, or a look on the Internet Archive.)

THE RPG Site articles.

https://www.therpgsite.com/pen-paper-roleplaying-games-rpgs-discussion/the-collected-pelinore/?PHPSESSID=307052317316e6545494dfa3c333889e

Which do not appear to be working. I will see if I can find a better link.

I hope you have found these links to the articles useful, if you got them to work. I certainly did. Any links for giving DM's more ideas on throwing their PC's to the wolves would be appreciated by commenting below. Any litigation that results from this should be sent to TSR and not me. 

Regards all,

Ivor Cogdell

Flag - New Battle Report Published

 Hi Everyone,

                  Just a quick note to let you know that I have published a battle report that has been in the works for a while in draft mode. I thought it would put it here at the top, but it has just changed the published date. If you would like to take a look, it is called "Nations Battle Report 1 part 2." I hope part three does not take as long to do.

             One of my wargaming mates is in a bit of a jam at the moment, so things are on hold on here, while we swap his stuff from his old place to where some mates are going to store stuff for him until he gets himself together, or rather when social services get their act together. Good luck on that one.

Regards,

Ivor Cogdell

Red Alert Board 4 - January - February 2025

Red Alert Board 4 - 2025

 Hello Everybody,

                                This is where I will be putting my wild weather reports and general climate change wierdness information for 2025, plus what I have seen of us trying to make corrections.

1 January 5 am - UK, A huge breach in the Bridgewater Canal near Little Bollington, SW Manchester. Major flooding occurred in the nearby fields. Heavy rains caused part of the canal embankment to give way in the early hours of New Year's Day. Boat owners noticed an increased flow of water and the canal level dropping. One boat broke its mooring on one side and blocked the canal from side to side. "Stop Planks" have been deployed, which has slowed the leakage. The barges were soon aground and stuck in position, listing to one side,
         A sewage treatment plant has been flooded out. Both towpaths have given way. Narrowboats have been trapped in place. The canal has been totally washed away over hundreds of metres. Years of work will be needed to complete repairs.
        SOURCE - YOUTUBE CHANNEL - "TAYLORS ABOARD A NARROWBOAT"  For the full eyewitness account of what happened next over many days and their travels along the canal network.
04 January - Flooding at Defford, near Eckington, Worcestershire, Pulborough, West Sussex, Yalding, Kent, River Tone, Somerset.

5 January - I saw a fox in my garden, two days in a row.

6 January - Los Angeles, USA. A pallisades fire of 2,900 square acres. Evacuation plans were put into operation.10,000 houses and buildings were destroyed.

21 January - Louisiana, USA, the first recorded blizzard in that part of the country.

07 February - Hokaido, Japan. An intense snowstorm hit the area. 129 cm fell in just 12 hours. Snow drifts up to 5 feet deep. 60 flights into the area had to be cancelled.

More to be added,

Regards,

Ivor Cogdell

Thoughts On - Alumwell 30.03.2025

 Hi Everyone, 

                       The eve of the Alumwell show was cold and miserable as I walked home from my shopping expedition. I was in two minds whether to go at all, but I packed my bag ready and I would decide in the morning. The morning arrived, bright and sunny. I felt much better and decided to attend the show. I soon found the Circle Battle Group under their alias of "The Knights of St. George". I said "Hi" to all of the gang there, dumped my coat and bag with them, and then looked at the stalls and banners lining the walls.

                      

This was our Pirate Game, organised by Alan G.

Alan G put on a great pirate game, complete with galleons that were afloat in good condition, sinking and had actually sunk, (that would be me, LOL). Natives on the islands to be "bumped off" by cannon fire, sharks and dolphins in the sea, treasure chests to grab and Rum to drink. 

My Bosun did a last man standing against a gallant merchant vessel crew, after his mates had been horribly slain by the other members of the other attacking pirate ship. My brave captain was waiting in the longboat to rescue him, that is, if he survived the attack of the other pirate Captain who was trying to seize the vessel at the same time. Which was where we had to pack up.

 My photos are being uncooperative at the moment, so I cannot show you many battles taking place on the tables, but I will keep trying to display them here. 

More pictures to come.

I was very frugal in my spending this year, as I still have a lot of plastic to process at home. I bought three African circular huts that will see service as Celtic roundhouses for my Roman  stuff that is in the works, a laser cut slot together "Pig Pen" to go with it (but no animals) and an "Antenna setup" and some enemy figures to go with my sci-fy games. I did see some nice 3d planted fields and a wooden fort that would have done as a Roman marching Fort, but I can make do with a printed version for the time being. Unusual for me, nothing from the bring and buy table. Richard did sell all of his scenery that he brought along, so he was happy.

               I saw some of the regulars from previous years, the American re-enactment jeep, assorted chaps in uniforms of various types and the model display table, showing assorted dioramas, spaceships, The Eagle Moon Lander from Space 1999 and WWII scenes. One section had marvel figures displayed. I don't remember any space battle tables.

Thanks to all our club members who attended, April and Alan who gave Richard and I a lift home, and Nat who kindly offered too. Thanks too all of the  organisers, vendors and clubs that came and displayed great battles. We hope to see you back again next year.

hard did sell some of

Regards all,

Ivor Cogdell