Yes I know it is usually referred to as political correctness, but by golly it is becoming madder by the day.

In sunny California where general insanity often seems to be looked on as normal, Berkeley City Council has banned local government workers from using the terms ‘he’ or ‘she’ and have instead adopted a ruling that employees must use ‘they’ or ‘them’ as an alternative. The legislation was passed unanimously among council members on its first reading and as a result will also see thousands of the Californian city’s manhole covers instead referred to as ‘maintenance holes’. The term ‘craftsmen’ will also be banned and changed to ‘craftspeople’ as an instruction to workers in the US city.

The motion read: “In recent years, broadening societal awareness of transgender and gender-nonconforming identities has brought to light the importance of non-binary gender inclusivity.

‘Therefore, it is both timely and necessary to make the environment of City Hall and the language of city legislation consistent with the principles of inclusion.”

What on earth does that garbled verbiage mean I wonder. I am a student of English and have always loved the language but that tangle of meaningless gobbledegook takes some understanding – even for Californians.

As a result of the ruling though, more than two dozen terms will be changed in the city’s code as soon as the measure is fully implemented. That means more expense as numerous forms and notices will also have to be amended in order to appease a tiny handful of nutcases. I wonder what word they are going to dream up that will replace ‘blackmail.’

Now there is a thought to ponder!

A couple of days ago I ranted about the London Mayor Sadiq Khan and I see President Trump rather agrees with my assessment.

It all came about when the Metropolitan Police twitter account was hacked and a series of obscene and peculiar tweets allegedly emanating from that august crime-fighting (sometimes) body assailed the tender ears of subscribers.

Trumpy’ bless him immediately laid the blame squarely at Sadiq Khan’s door and claimed that the capital just is not safe under the governance of this Mayor. Quoting a tweet from Katie Hopkins – she has been very quiet of late – who said that officers ‘have lost control of London streets,’ and ‘lost control of their twitter account too.,’ the President wrote, ‘with the incompetent Mayor of London you will never have safe streets.’

That does seem a little harsh Mr Trump, but I would agree with the man’s incompetence. He really is a wee bit out of his depth but Londoners voted him in I’m afraid. They have only themselves to blame for the anarchy and violence that prevails at the moment.