Dominic Wightman

On Trolls

I remember reading somewhere about Al Qaeda cadres captured and imprisoned in Guantanamo. The young men in question heralded from Indonesia and were asked why they hated the West so much. Some remarked that when they were children they used to watch television through TV shop windows in the streets of Jakarta. They could notContinue reading “On Trolls”

On Truth

What is Truth? The objective residue of reality. That which, hidden or seen, is in accord with fact or fidelity to an original or standard. The criterion of truth depends on authenticity and mirroring exactitude of certainty. Perceiving truth and exposing moral relativism should be human duties. Alas, the fallible nature of mankind inevitably leadsContinue reading “On Truth”

Great Escape

Nothing like a cow escape to get everyone overexcited. The farmer involved was most apologetic. Personally, I do not see the drama in these beautiful creatures stomping occasionally all over one’s lawn. Makes up for the steaks and beef burgers they will turn into. The way I see things, cattle have always been good toContinue reading “Great Escape”

Lockdowns

When History judges whether lockdowns were the solution or a harmful way of dealing with Covid, History will have sight of the facts and will have had time to chew through the data. The cold light of day is far from the chaos of the offices of Prime Ministers and Presidents when their citizens startedContinue reading “Lockdowns”

Economic Imperialism

One of my top sources for economic insight is a blog written by an avowed Marxist. Why would a Marxian weblog appeal to anyone with conservative and capitalist leanings? In short, the blog in question’s number-crunching and power index calculations are opinions that should not be dismissed. If there is anything to be dismissed aboutContinue reading “Economic Imperialism”

Covid & Aliens

A taxidermist in Inverness-shire makes sporrans from roadkill. Such examples of extreme entrepreneurship shall see Britain through Covid-19 and our Brexit departure. I see even the French are already piling their money into UK property in anticipation of Britain becoming a safe haven in an increasingly turbulent world. Expect there to follow capital flows fromContinue reading “Covid & Aliens”

Venezuela’s Calm Before the Storm

Down the track to our remote home in Venezuela we see a dust cloud rising and the distant form of a moving vehicle. I ready the dogs while El Colombiano – our old stalwart finca hand – dutifully fetches his rifle. My mother in law orders the kids inside the house and my wife grabsContinue reading “Venezuela’s Calm Before the Storm”

Sporter

At the touch of a button, the lockwork pivots out to sit in the hand, like a delicate work of art. Hammers, trigger, sears, springs and inertia changeover are all there in a compact package. Details such as the clean, polished finish on all the component parts, the curved backs to the hammers and theContinue reading “Sporter”

Rural Homelessness

According to the homeless charity Crisis, last year 57, 740 households were accepted as homeless in England. In Scotland, 28,226 applications were assessed as homeless and in Wales 7,128 households were threatened with homelessness. Homeless people are over nine times more likely to take their own life than the general population. On average, homeless peopleContinue reading “Rural Homelessness”

Thoughts on Empire

I get called an imperialist quite a lot. This has a lot to do with being a white Englishman with links to the mining sector who regularly travels on business to West Africa and South East Asia. Also, I get mistaken for a gringo when we are in my wife’s homeland of Venezuela, where AmericansContinue reading “Thoughts on Empire”