The Benefits of Fratricide and the Problem with Tribal Loyalties

 

One of the funniest institutions in the British Commonwealth is the monarchy. The British monarchy has been around for the longest of times and its somehow survived revolutions, greatness and the loss of greatness. Whilst monarchies in Europe fell, the British kept theirs. The former Egyptian King Farouk is reported to have said, “The whole world is in revolt. Soon there will be only five Kings left—the King of England, the King of Spades, the King of Clubs, the King of Hearts, and the King of Diamonds".

The survival of the British Monarchy is amazing. How does an institution based on superiority by birth and ancient tradition survive in a world where technology is changing the way we do things in a matter of decades and meritocracy is becoming something that we understand as the natural order of things?

Part of the answer was best said in the Crown. The role of the monarchy is not to govern and to stay away from political squabbles. Prime Ministers could come and go but the monarch would endure. The line Crown attributes to the late Queen is to “Shut up and do nothing.” At her death countless Prime Ministers recounted how their meetings with the Queen would be the one meeting they knew would never get leaked.

The other is that the royal family understands that their survival depends on public good will and they act to ensure they keep it. The late Queen for example, made it down to Grenfell Tower to sympathise with the victims whilst her Prime Minister hid in Downing Street. King Charles, back when he was a Prince, said that he felt he needed to justify his existence. The most recent example of how the royals rushed to save themselves was when they ditched Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor over his role in the Epstein Scandal. Despite his pleas, the former Prince has been arrested and is now out on bail. A man who grew up in the very definition of privilege was seen slinking away, hopping and failing to avoid a very public humiliation:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JHZZBjpoOlE

 

 

 The ability to turn on one of its own, isn’t limited to the Royal Family. British political parties have shown a remarkable ability to turn on successful leaders the moment they become toxic. Both Thatcher and Blair were brought down by their own party rather than the electorate. In the case of the Epstein scandal, its former Ambassador to the USA and former European Commissioner, Lord Peter Mandelson, who not only had to leave his posts but has also been arrested and now out on bail:

https://www.reutersconnect.com/item/former-british-ambassador-to-the-us-peter-mandelson-leaves-his-residence-in-london/dGFnOnJldXRlcnMuY29tLDIwMjY6bmV3c21sX1JDMlBUSkFLVEpGTQ

 

 Let’s me clear, neither the former Prince or former Ambassador have been charged with anything sexual. The grounds for arrest in both cases is suspicions of “misconduct in public office.” Whilst neither has been formally charged, the facts are clear. Instead of serving the public, they served the interest of a very rich person who was, it turns out a master of creating corruption.

Yet, the point is two powerful men have been publicly called to account. Andrew Mountbatten Windsor will never enjoy the life he once had a Prince Andrew. Peter Mandelson will never get the chance to play shadow manipulator the way he did under Blair.

While the situation in the UK is not great, it compares very well with what’s going on in the USA, which is where most of the saga has taken place. Here, you see a case of tribal loyalties running everything. You have the current president being close to Epstein and being mentioned many times over in the files. You also have the former president pictured with him and mentioned a number of times.

Both men don’t have a history of marital fidelity. Their elections and presidencies have been plagued with scandals off inappropriate behavior. Yet its virtually impossible to say anything about them without their supporters jumping all over you and social media is filled with commentators on both sides trying to out do each other in the dirt swinging contest.

Whilst everyone makes noise over Epstein, the ground facts remain – crimes were committed. Nobody has been held to account. If anything, there have been public declarations that doing something would make the system collapse.

The world’s autocrats are loving every moment of the squabbles in America. Every time US politicians lecture about “rule of law” and “open and honest” societies, the autocrats just shrug and say “yeah, pot calling the kettle black,” with each passing moment of the Epstein scandal. That would not happen if the American institutions had some fratricidal instincts and allowed a few of the rich and powerful to be dragged out in public.  

It’s OK to Rape Kids as Long as The Rapist is Rich

 

I discovered I was meant to be Kiddo’s father around 13-years ago, when she moved here. The incident that made our bond came curtesy of one of her cousin’s boyfriends, who was an older dude in his 50s. He had shown himself to be a generous chap and I had a good impression. However, on that day, something changed. He had come to the house and seen Kiddo in her school uniform. He started chatting to her and then said “Give me your number, you can call me when you want to buy things.” I was pretty pissed off and when Kiddo said “It’s OK, he’s not a stranger,” I replied “That’s not the point – he’s over 50 and you’re a 13-year-old girl.” Translation, if he tries anything funny, I will do horrible things to him and yes, I am well aware that the penalty in Singapore is the gallows.

That particular moment has stayed with me, especially now that I am single and “free to mingle” as they say. Yes, I am a 51-year-old man, which is an age where being horny is a sign of good health. Like most heterosexual men, I do get turned on by nice bodies, which inevitably belong to younger women. So, yes, if a sexy thing in a short skirt and tight tank top comes by, I’m going to notice.

However, as much as I have my needs, I’m also a dad and that actually makes me look at things in a different way. Sure, there are lots of 26-year-old girls who I find very attractive. However, I’m brought back to the point that this could be my kid. Would I like my kid being with someone my age? Answer is – ew…..For the record, my current girlfriend is 13-years younger – young but not kiddy young.

I also assess young men through the eyes of being a dad to a young lady. The basic question is, would I like this guy anywhere near my kid? If the answer is yes, I become chill. My Godson actually asked “can I marry your daughter and then I can really call you dad?” I choaked and nearly vomited. He’s nice guy but my kid would run rings around him it wouldn’t be funny.

So, when I look at the Jeffrey Epstein case unfurl, I ask myself the question – how could you do this to someone who could be your kid? Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor comes to mind. You look at the guy and want to say “Ya, I know you have your needs – but really, are you really – how would you like it if someone did that with your girls.” I mean, I get that blue-blood doesn’t make you immune to being horny. I get that the monarchy can be seen as an archaic institution – but as a dad, how is that you never stopped to imagine what it would be like if someone did what you did to your girls?

To be fair to the British system, there’s been some form of accountability. The King has rightfully stripped him of the “Prince” title and has effectively told the cops to do the necessary. The British monarchy for all its faults, is actually doing something.

Britain’s unelected King is doing a way lot better than say, the elected politicians across the pond. Yes, America has had “sleazy” politicians before. I’m old enough to remember when Bad Boy Bill got his dick sucked in the White House and got impeached.

The point being Bad Boy Bill got impeached and whilst Monica got allot of unwanted attention, she was legally a consenting adult. Everyone said Bad Boy Bill was “Immoral” but what he did wasn’t not illegal.

Unfortunately, this isn’t a case of a silly young woman wanting to keep the most powerful man on the planet happy. Epstein is about selling children to the rich and powerful. The current occupant of the White House is enjoying his moment of being the “sleaziest politician alive” and as questionable as he is, the defense that that his attorney general, Pam Bondi gave was a master class in showing of your worth as a crappy human being.

Ms. Bondi, who is the nation’s highest legal officer, proceeded to go on the attacked when questioned by Congress. Her line of attack being “The stock market is up.” You’re being asked about kids being raped and you’re only reply is “the stock market us up,” or “rich people are making money – what are you worried about.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a7yv4fpfDbs

 

 I get that the trade of young ladies selling them selves is as old as human history itself. However, the operational word is young ladies with the capacity to consent and exchange not young kids. I get it that men have needs but I also get that men have responsibilities.  

I’m sorry if you think its OK for kids to get rapped as long as the rich rapist are making money, I’m not sure if I can see you as a human being.

The Director of Por Lampa Services

 Many years ago, my mentor, “PN Balji,” once alerted me to the fact that he had written an article. The company I was with at the time, had told me, “He wants to be buttered up, so call him.” So, I read the article and then called him to say “I really liked your article.” The reply was “What did you like about my article.”

I remember this story because its one of the greatest lessons that anyone who moves up in life needs to learn – “Praise is often meaningless, unless the one giving the praise is giving it for a specific reason.”

Here’s the thing, many of us are worried about being “talked about.” We’re especially worried that people will be “talking bad” about us and having a good bitch. I remember someone once threatened me with “I’ll talk bad about you,” and I just thought, “sure, who haven’t you talked bad about?” If you’ve moved anywhere in life beyond snail, chances are people will have something to say about you and more often than not it’s going to be negative. Sure, there’s a chance that what they’re saying has truth to it but then there’s a chance that you’ve become an important person in their life.

Being talked about in a negative way is part and parcel of life. Sure, most of us don’t like the negative stuff about us but sometimes it can actually be helpful. I used to remember the comments about me on TRE – where I was accused of giving head around the ruling party and had huge condominiums in Sentosa Cove. Unfortunately, I’m still looking for a broom space in an HDB flat, so I’m not sure where those Sentosa Cove properties are.

While nobody likes hearing the “negative” news, the good stuff can be more dangerous. Let’s start with the obvious – we all like the good things said about us because, well, who doesn’t like hearing the good stuff? It’s like food – the modern problem is no longer starvation but obesity and diabetes. Why? There is no longer an absence of food (let alone tasty food), but an abundance of it. Who actually wants to count calories of that chocolate chip cookie and cream flavoured cake?

So, just as we tend to give into temptation to take that slice of cookie and cream cake, we tend to place ourselves in echo chambers where people will tell us the things that we want to hear. While praise is addictive as chocolate cake, it comes with its own costs, only its not calories affecting your mid-section but distorting your brain where you think you’re God’s gift to the world. The problem that most of us have is that we’re not actually god’s gift to anything in particular and our judgement gets skewered towards what we want rather than what we need.

One of the funniest ones I’ve had was talking to an ex-colleague about how the boss never hired a “hunky” looking guy. Suddenly I heard a soft little voice saying “except you.” My reaction was “what the hell – what would you know – you’re taste in men is fat.” My sister had to remind me that “hunky” was not a word associated with men over 40, I should just be grateful that someone gave an indication that I matched the word.

Here's the reality, whilst I don’t look that “unpresentable” I mean, I am by no means as “interesting” looking as this guy:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I-CaC_43cZI

 

 However, I am not exactly anyone’s great definition of a male model. I definitely would get rejected if I tried to applied to join this particular team:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BjUDRetIuRA

 

 The truth is, I am just a simple 51-year-old with a diabetic dad-bod trying to ensure that I am as functional for as long as the body allows. Physical training is non-negotiable not because it makes me better looking but because it stops the metabolic condition from affecting my ability to earn a living and minimizes my need to take pills.

Everything is relative and whilst praise is nice to listen to, I tend to look at who is doing the praising. The Neurotic Angel once dubbed me her “Macho-Man,” and had praised my ability to jump. I felt chuffed when she called me “Macho” and “Hunky.” Then, since she was supposed to meet my mother, I thought, “Oh dear, if she announces that, my mum will think she’s got a weakness for effeminate ones if I’m the standard of high testosterone.” Had a similar experience recently when someone I do find attractive, let slip that she finds me attractive.” Sure, it’s nice to know but let’s put things into perspective, most of the guys she hangs out with are grandfather age.  

Sure, I like being told I am physically attractive. However, I can’t let that get to me and become lazy about training. That’s the surest way to become the old, broke and sick. The same is true in an organization when the guy on top only promotes those who tell him what he wants to hear. Jobs no longer become about who can actually do the job but who can “suck up.” The worst case is when you punish people who tell you ground realities. If you create a culture where you cannot listen to critics within your team, how the hell do you expect to produce stuff that dazzles customers all the time? Sure, sugar plum cakes taste wonderful and sure, exercise can be painful but you believe that sugar plum cake gives you everything you need and exercise is evil, should you be surprised when you lose the ability to get out of bed?