What I want for Christmas - for people, especially the media, to tell the truth a bit more often.
I was 7 when I discovered that Father Christmas was not real. Yes, a bit slow indeed. I felt so betrayed that my parents had lied to me. At least it solved the mystery of why I (badly behaved) got beaut presents, and my best friend (well behaved) got little ones. Twas all about the money available in each household, not about being naughty or nice.
The world, especially my world - the "Western world" continues to perpetrate comfortable weasel words and downright lies. And it all goes a bit crazy at this time of year - the addiction to rampant consumerism taking precedence over spending lovely times with family and friends.
Some of my favourite current lies. Top lie is 'THE CLOUD', and "CLOUD COMPUTING". The only genuine cloud here is the veil of lies that covers the truth about the digital system - uncontrolled spread of steel and concrete datafarm monstrosities, guzzling water and electricity.
Then there are all the military lies and euphemisms "collateral damage" "special military operation" . In the case of the Israeli obliteration of Palestinians - there are the "targeting Hamas, not Palestinions" , "right to self-defence" , "saving civilian lives" "lowering the intensity" - when what is really meant is genocide.
Climate change action - is full of dubiously worded stuff, vaguely worded COP 28 statements with no effective target or date to "transition away from fossil fuels"- and "transitional fuels can play a role"
Then there are the obfuscations, weasel words, and downright lies of the nuclear lobby - "clean" "green" "sustainable" "low carbon" "low cost" .............
So, for Christmas and the New Year, it would be nice to read and hear some straight words that actually match the facts.