Matthew Steeples shares predictions for 2017
2016 has been a year when sense was turned on its head. Donald Trump being elected President of the United States of America and Brexit in Britain were not expected and the only beneficiaries thus far have been those who bet on both.
In the coming year, one can only hope that rationality intervenes. Theresa May’s “Brexit means Brexit” will hopefully get another dose of Gina Miller at the end of January and by the 20th, maybe, just maybe, Mr Trump might have had a lobotomy.
Elections in France and Germany in May and September provide some cause for concern but most commentators expect Marine Le Pen to be trounced and Angela Merkel to win. That, at least, provides a ray of hope.
A close relationship between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin is what, though, poses a true threat to world peace. It certainly feels as if we’re headed into an era akin to the 1930s and with the madman pledging to govern by Twitter and rallies, this is a time to sit tight and pray for a miracle.
Someone should tell you to ROD OFF Steeples!!!!!!!!!!!! You need locking up for insulting Donald Trump!!!!!!!! Accept that he’s going to be great and embrace the warmth or you’ll find yourself having your head chopped off!!!!!!!!!!!
Rod: What on earth is wrong with you? You claim to work in marketing and you behave like this. You obviously have a screw loose and you should check into a mental health clinic.
You are right about the future being scary but Brexit will happen and it’ll all be fine in the end. Brits are surviors and we’ll prosper.
In 2020 Albania plans to join the EU. What is Albania famous for apart for a 50% Islamic population? Some of the most violent and dangerous of criminals.
Thank God we have finally left the unbalanced and illogical EU.
I am puzzled. I asked before: “is this ‘Rod’ a real person?” It is difficult to believe that he is.
You pride yourself on “Wit & Wisdom”, Mr Steeples. In what category do you believe he fits?
Gulliver re RJS Rod: More of a Twit, than Wit, and Wisdom.
What I suggest we all do is ignore the content of the unhinged ramblings of our Rodders and just keep a running total of the exclamation marks he uses throughout the year. This one alone is 31.
Yes, it is not just his near incoherent views (if indeed he is a real person – I still have to be convinced) But I fail to understand the rationale behind all those exclamation marks.
‘Rod’, if you actually do exist, could please explain?
Rod, like Trump, you are an embarrassment. Trump may not last long and for sure, Putin regards him as a joke to run rings round. The latest threats off the US to impose sanctions against Russia will be ineffective as are the EU actions currently running. Only today I was in Red Square and car sales people who sponsor the annual skating rink are advertising Land Rover and Jaguar. All that’s missing are top of the range BMW which are two a penny round Moscow. At GUM most of the worlds designers are freely selling their gear in their shops. The Xmas lights are amazing and worth visiting. Putin is running rings around everybody at the moment so Trump is small fry.
You appear to be an apologist for Vladimir Putin.
Your statement “The latest threats off the US to impose sanctions against Russia will be ineffective as are the EU actions currently running. “ flies in the face of reality.
The combined effect of US and EU sanctions and of the fall in oil prices has caused significant downward pressure on the value of the Rouble and increased capital flight.
At the same time, the sanctions on access to financing has obliged the Russian state to use part of its foreign exchange reserves to shore up the sanctioned entities. This has forced the hand of the Central Bank of Russia, which abruptly ceased to defend the value of the Rouble and hike interest rates in December 2014.
Recent data confirm Russia’s entry into recession, with GDP growth of -2.2% for the first quarter of 2015, as compared to the first quarter of 2014. Recent forecasts suggest a fall in real GDP in the order of 3%-3.5% for 2015, and growth of around zero for 2016.
Hardly “ineffective”, Sir.
I suggest a ‘reality check’ is called for. And stop being rude to Mr. Trump.