Do you agree with our readers? Have your say on these MetroTalk topics and more in the comments.
Trump’s Ukraine policy? Minerals first, security second
‘But, I bet if his minerals are threatened…’
Donald Trump says he cannot guarantee security in Ukraine but I bet if his minerals are threatened he’ll be singing, ‘Annie get your gun and get off my land.’ Harry John, Linton
Will Starmer take a stand against Trump’s far-right agenda?
‘Sir Keir Starmer has a simple choice…’
Sir Keir Starmer has a simple choice when dealing with Trump. He can kiss the ring, appease the Maga empire, acquiesce to Trump’s far-right new world order, accept the war on ethnic, religious and sexual minorities and endorse the dereliction of America’s duty on the international stage.
Or he can do what no other leader has had the courage or decency to do – he can stand up for what is right and condemn Trump and his takeover of the US.
The American Declaration of Independence states that ‘A Prince whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a Tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people.’
Across the US, the people understand the grave importance of those words and the revolt against King Donald is already beginning, led by real American patriots who see that the freedoms won by their forefathers must be fought for again and that the very existence of their nation is under threat.
Having a global leader speak out would send a powerful message to the world, affirming and galvanising the struggle for our future against the inexorable march of Trumpism.
And how will we be able to justify remaining silent? When all this is over, everyone will remember whose side we were on,and that could make all the difference. For so many reasons, being on the right side of history is a risk worth taking. Ryan Cooper, London
Will the West abandon Ukraine if there’s no profit in it?
‘Watch how support for Ukraine wanes when they realise they’re not getting a piece of the pie’
Andrew McLuskey (MetroTalk, Wed) naively suggests that Starmer, along with France and Germany, should stick with supporting Ukraine.
Now that Donald has more or less made a deal to plunder Ukraine’s resources (and certainly won’t share them with anyone else) watch how quickly other countries’ support for Ukraine wanes when they realise that they’re not getting a piece of the profitable pie.
The UK certainly won’t be getting any – Trump hasn’t forgotten how some British politicians previously disparaged him. Owen, London
Shops are letting thieves walk out – is this the new normal?
‘The store would rather lose stock than pay injury claims’
Having just read Jay’s comment about a shop security guard standing idly by as a thief stole doughnuts from under his nose (MetroTalk, Thu), I was reminded of an incident in a local pub.
A guy walks in with a bag of meat – joints of beef, steaks, legs of lamb etc.
He had purloined them from the large supermarket facing the pub and was attempting to sell them at cheap prices.
I asked how he had got past security and how come the alarms hadn’t gone off.
He replied that the alarms did go off but the security staff turned away as they had been instructed to do.
He said a policy of non-involvement had been implemented for insurance purposes – the store would rather lose stock than pay claims from injury caused to untrained security staff.
Is this the way of the world? Susan, Oldham
The perils of train travel and the milk, coffee (and tissues) of human kindness
‘The other day I knocked over my coffee on the train…’
Richard got himself covered in a milky drink after someone left their bottle on a train seat (MetroTalk, Thu).
I feel for him. The other day, I knocked over my coffee on the train.
I had stupidly put it on the floor and spent the next few minutes trying to clear it up and apologising to everyone whose shoes got a shot of my flat white.
People were brilliant, offering wipes and tissues to help me. The milk of human kindness, eh? Mark, Staines
Laughter music and… Touhou Project?
‘I myself have recently become a fan.’
Like many, I agree good mental health and a positive outlook are vital in life and a positive environment is very important in achieving these.
No wonder, therefore, we are told that the wise try keeping a sense of humour in their repertoire.
Dec’s comment (MetroTalk, Mon) about comedy and music keeping him sane is a wonderfully succinct answer to a question I’ve been pondering lately – why do people love Touhou Project? I myself have recently become a fan.
It’s too big a rabbit hole for MetroTalk but anyone interested can start exploring and, should you do so, have fun. Gus, London
Empire Windrush: The full docking history you might not know
‘The ship docked many times before Tilbury’
The Transport for London quiz (Metro, Wed) said the Empire Windrush – after which one of the London Overground branches is named in celebration of those who migrated here from the Caribbean – first docked in the UK in 1948.
The ship docked many times in London before the war and after the war docked first in South Shields and then as a troop ship some 13 times in Southampton before docking in Tilbury in 1948. MJC Brown, London
Spring is almost here – so are the wasps
Spring is surely on the way – I’ve just been stung by the first wasp of summer. Nick, North London
