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The French election looking even more likely to be a 2017 re-run – politicalbetting.com

SystemSystem Posts: 12,128
edited March 2022 in General
imageThe French election looking even more likely to be a 2017 re-run – politicalbetting.com

The latest polling for the first round of the French presidential election on April 10th shows Macron edging down a touch with Le Pen moving upwards.

Read the full story here

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Comments

  • MikeSmithsonMikeSmithson Posts: 7,382
    Test
  • tlg86tlg86 Posts: 26,123
    FPT:
    CorrectHorseBattery said:

    tlg86 said:

    CorrectHorseBattery said:

    The current Tory approach is that levelling up isn't relevant to poor people in London, who get shat on at every single turn.

    Honestly the anti-London attitude of the current Tory Party and some people here makes me sick.

    Do you consider yourself to be poor?
    No I do not. And yet I still can't afford a house.
    But you want the government to "level up" for "poor people in London"...which isn't you. So what would levelling up in London look like?
  • mwadamsmwadams Posts: 3,570
    Did the test pass?
  • Andy_JSAndy_JS Posts: 32,172
    edited March 2022
    Russia accidentally admits they've lost almost 10,000 soldiers, plus another 16,000 injured.

    https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10637425/Russia-loses-10-000-men-just-four-weeks-toll-Ukraine-invasion-revealed.html
  • TheWhiteRabbitTheWhiteRabbit Posts: 12,450
    edited March 2022
    Andy_JS said:

    Russia accidentally admits they've lost almost 10,000 soldiers, plus another 16,000 injured.

    https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10637425/Russia-loses-10-000-men-just-four-weeks-toll-Ukraine-invasion-revealed.html

    I know the article quotes a " pro-Ukrainian employee" but the number is straight out of Ukrainian propaganda. Either copied from or a hack, in which case, it doesn't tell us very much,
  • Scott_xPScott_xP Posts: 35,895
    The details in this @PaulLewis scoop are just incredible.

    The ex-lover of the King of Spain was secretly recorded trying to enlist a notorious moonlighting police officer to help "resolve" questions for Zac Goldsmith over a tax evasion scheme

    https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2022/mar/22/secret-recording-sheds-light-on-zac-goldsmith-tax-evasion-case https://twitter.com/jessicaelgot/status/1506215544642547715/photo/1
  • HYUFDHYUFD Posts: 122,279
    The runoff looks like being Macron v Le Pen again.

    Will be closer, with Le Pen still getting 40%+ but Macron will still likely win
  • HYUFDHYUFD Posts: 122,279
    Scott_xP said:

    The details in this @PaulLewis scoop are just incredible.

    The ex-lover of the King of Spain was secretly recorded trying to enlist a notorious moonlighting police officer to help "resolve" questions for Zac Goldsmith over a tax evasion scheme

    https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2022/mar/22/secret-recording-sheds-light-on-zac-goldsmith-tax-evasion-case https://twitter.com/jessicaelgot/status/1506215544642547715/photo/1

    Former King of Spain, his son is now King
  • Scott_xPScott_xP Posts: 35,895
    🚨The daughter of a Russian banker allegedly linked to the FSB security service is working with the Conservatives https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2022/03/21/daughter-russian-banker-linked-russias-fsb-working-conservatives/
  • Scott_xPScott_xP Posts: 35,895
    Boris Johnson “cut short” last week’s Middle East-Saudi trip to return for his wife’s birthday party reports the Spectator and Sunday Times

    👀

    https://www.spectator.co.uk/article/boris-attends-another-party https://twitter.com/SamCoatesSky/status/1506209989173686273/photo/1
  • BlancheLivermoreBlancheLivermore Posts: 5,830
    Renault was appropriated by CDG's French government on 1 Jan 1945 because they had collaborated with the Nazis.

    Why is the French government allowing them to collaborate with Putin today?
  • DecrepiterJohnLDecrepiterJohnL Posts: 27,576
    Scott_xP said:

    Boris Johnson “cut short” last week’s Middle East-Saudi trip to return for his wife’s birthday party reports the Spectator and Sunday Times

    👀

    https://www.spectator.co.uk/article/boris-attends-another-party https://twitter.com/SamCoatesSky/status/1506209989173686273/photo/1

    Husband of the year.
  • FairlieredFairliered Posts: 4,874
    Scott_xP said:

    Boris Johnson “cut short” last week’s Middle East-Saudi trip to return for his wife’s birthday party reports the Spectator and Sunday Times

    👀

    https://www.spectator.co.uk/article/boris-attends-another-party https://twitter.com/SamCoatesSky/status/1506209989173686273/photo/1

    If anyone invades us, they need to do it on a Friday night. The Government will all be pissed.
  • ApplicantApplicant Posts: 3,379
    DecrepiterJohnL said:

    Scott_xP said:

    Boris Johnson “cut short” last week’s Middle East-Saudi trip to return for his wife’s birthday party reports the Spectator and Sunday Times

    👀

    https://www.spectator.co.uk/article/boris-attends-another-party https://twitter.com/SamCoatesSky/status/1506209989173686273/photo/1

    Husband of the year.
    This whinge definitely fails the "what if he'd done the opposite" test.
  • FrancisUrquhartFrancisUrquhart Posts: 81,460
    BBC News - Russia Navalny: Jailed opposition leader found guilty in trial branded 'sham'
    https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-60832310
  • WhisperingOracleWhisperingOracle Posts: 9,050
    edited March 2022
    A couple of signs of hope today over Ukraine, despite the absolutely horrible scenes in Mariupol. Zelenskiy talking about the importance of a referendum to ratify "compromises", which another source says are over Dombass and Donetsk, as well as often mentioning the importance of a meeting with Putin, with another Ukrainian official talking about the ability to bring it all to an end within a couple of weeks.

    We can but hope.
  • dixiedeandixiedean Posts: 29,342
    edited March 2022
    How many more elections before the French right twig that Le Pen is the incorrect answer?
  • CookieCookie Posts: 13,585
    tlg86 said:

    FPT:

    CorrectHorseBattery said:

    tlg86 said:

    CorrectHorseBattery said:

    The current Tory approach is that levelling up isn't relevant to poor people in London, who get shat on at every single turn.

    Honestly the anti-London attitude of the current Tory Party and some people here makes me sick.

    Do you consider yourself to be poor?
    No I do not. And yet I still can't afford a house.
    But you want the government to "level up" for "poor people in London"...which isn't you. So what would levelling up in London look like?
    There are certainly poor people in London. But nowhere in London are there deserts of opportunity. No lack of access to education, no lack of access to jobs. Contrast with, say, Skelmersdale, or Workington, or Rhosllanerchrugog. (Does the Levelling up policy apply to Wales? I don't know. Just some slightly local example off the top of my head where access to education and jobs seems a bit thin compare to even the most deprived areas of London.)
  • Dura_AceDura_Ace Posts: 13,677
    edited March 2022
    Applicant said:

    DecrepiterJohnL said:

    Scott_xP said:

    Boris Johnson “cut short” last week’s Middle East-Saudi trip to return for his wife’s birthday party reports the Spectator and Sunday Times

    👀

    https://www.spectator.co.uk/article/boris-attends-another-party https://twitter.com/SamCoatesSky/status/1506209989173686273/photo/1

    Husband of the year.
    This whinge definitely fails the "what if he'd done the opposite" test.
    The interesting question is why he had to change the schedule of his tyrant arse-kissing trip at the last minute. The date of his wife's birthday can't have been a surprise.
  • Scott_xPScott_xP Posts: 35,895
    Interesting, Italy acknowledging Ukraine’s main argument that country has served as a confort buffer to Western security.
    https://twitter.com/mariatad/status/1506218787418386442
    https://twitter.com/palazzo_chigi/status/1506218122646278151
  • Scott_xPScott_xP Posts: 35,895
    Seriously, people should be concerned about this 👇

    I've read a lot of criticism of the UK in the European press over decades, but there was always a basic respect, even fondness - nothing like the quasi unanimous contempt with which this man is now viewed all over the continent
    https://twitter.com/AlexTaylorNews/status/1505964667608391683
    https://twitter.com/AlexTaylorNews/status/1505958746673102848
  • rottenboroughrottenborough Posts: 62,401
    WhisperingOracle said:

    A couple of signs of hope today over Ukraine, despite the absolutely horrible scenes in Mariupol. Zelenskiy talking about the importance of a referendum to ratify "compromises", which another source says are over Dombass and Donetsk, as well as often mentioning the importance of a meeting with Putin, with another Ukrainian official talking about the ability to bring it all to an end within a couple of weeks.

    We can but hope.

    That would be brilliant. We can but hope as you say.
  • dixiedeandixiedean Posts: 29,342
    Dura_Ace said:

    Applicant said:

    DecrepiterJohnL said:

    Scott_xP said:

    Boris Johnson “cut short” last week’s Middle East-Saudi trip to return for his wife’s birthday party reports the Spectator and Sunday Times

    👀

    https://www.spectator.co.uk/article/boris-attends-another-party https://twitter.com/SamCoatesSky/status/1506209989173686273/photo/1

    Husband of the year.
    This whinge definitely fails the "what if he'd done the opposite" test.
    The interesting question is why had to change the schedule of his tyrant arse-kissing trip at the last minute. The date of his wife's birthday can't have been a surprise.
    Do you know?
    To Boris I'm prepared to believe it probably could.
  • kjhkjh Posts: 11,695
    rottenborough said:

    WhisperingOracle said:

    A couple of signs of hope today over Ukraine, despite the absolutely horrible scenes in Mariupol. Zelenskiy talking about the importance of a referendum to ratify "compromises", which another source says are over Dombass and Donetsk, as well as often mentioning the importance of a meeting with Putin, with another Ukrainian official talking about the ability to bring it all to an end within a couple of weeks.

    We can but hope.

    That would be brilliant. We can but hope as you say.
    The big problem for Europe is Putin can't be seen to have made any gains. And that is easy for me to say sitting on my sofa while Ukrainians die.
  • kjhkjh Posts: 11,695
    Dura_Ace said:

    Applicant said:

    DecrepiterJohnL said:

    Scott_xP said:

    Boris Johnson “cut short” last week’s Middle East-Saudi trip to return for his wife’s birthday party reports the Spectator and Sunday Times

    👀

    https://www.spectator.co.uk/article/boris-attends-another-party https://twitter.com/SamCoatesSky/status/1506209989173686273/photo/1

    Husband of the year.
    This whinge definitely fails the "what if he'd done the opposite" test.
    The interesting question is why he had to change the schedule of his tyrant arse-kissing trip at the last minute. The date of his wife's birthday can't have been a surprise.
    Boris isn't known for his mastery of details.
  • BlancheLivermoreBlancheLivermore Posts: 5,830
    Noticed some comments on the proper ingredients for paella yesterday.. Well now you know.

    "Researchers in Valencia pinpoint unwritten rules of paella
    No fish or shellfish in Spain’s famous national dish says survey of 400 amateur chefs

    Many crimes have been committed in the name of paella but now researchers in Valencia have laid down 10 commandments of what thou shall and shall not put in their national dish.

    The ten permitted ingredients are: rice, water, olive oil, salt, saffron (or food colouring), tomato, flat green beans, lima beans, chicken and rabbit. No fish or shellfish. Ever."
    https://www.theguardian.com/food/2022/mar/22/researchers-in-valencia-pinpoint-unwritten-rules-of-paella
  • tlg86tlg86 Posts: 26,123
    kjh said:

    rottenborough said:

    WhisperingOracle said:

    A couple of signs of hope today over Ukraine, despite the absolutely horrible scenes in Mariupol. Zelenskiy talking about the importance of a referendum to ratify "compromises", which another source says are over Dombass and Donetsk, as well as often mentioning the importance of a meeting with Putin, with another Ukrainian official talking about the ability to bring it all to an end within a couple of weeks.

    We can but hope.

    That would be brilliant. We can but hope as you say.
    The big problem for Europe is Putin can't be seen to have made any gains. And that is easy for me to say sitting on my sofa while Ukrainians die.
    I think it's a bigger problem for Russia and, sadly, Ukraine. Sanctions aren't going away and even if they were abolished, who the **** is going to touch Russia?
  • turbotubbsturbotubbs Posts: 17,177
    Scott_xP said:

    Seriously, people should be concerned about this 👇

    I've read a lot of criticism of the UK in the European press over decades, but there was always a basic respect, even fondness - nothing like the quasi unanimous contempt with which this man is now viewed all over the continent
    https://twitter.com/AlexTaylorNews/status/1505964667608391683
    https://twitter.com/AlexTaylorNews/status/1505958746673102848

    I've not clicked the link, but was it about Johnson? Really? From @Scott_xP a man so stuck on one topic, there is literally no need to read his posts.

    Damn - I fell in to the trolls trap.
  • WhisperingOracleWhisperingOracle Posts: 9,050
    kjh said:

    rottenborough said:

    WhisperingOracle said:

    A couple of signs of hope today over Ukraine, despite the absolutely horrible scenes in Mariupol. Zelenskiy talking about the importance of a referendum to ratify "compromises", which another source says are over Dombass and Donetsk, as well as often mentioning the importance of a meeting with Putin, with another Ukrainian official talking about the ability to bring it all to an end within a couple of weeks.

    We can but hope.

    That would be brilliant. We can but hope as you say.
    The big problem for Europe is Putin can't be seen to have made any gains. And that is easy for me to say sitting on my sofa while Ukrainians die.
    The losses for Putin are very clear, though - huge loss of life, massive economic and reputational damage.
  • mwadamsmwadams Posts: 3,570
    BlancheLivermore said:

    Noticed some comments on the proper ingredients for paella yesterday.. Well now you know.

    "Researchers in Valencia pinpoint unwritten rules of paella
    No fish or shellfish in Spain’s famous national dish says survey of 400 amateur chefs

    Many crimes have been committed in the name of paella but now researchers in Valencia have laid down 10 commandments of what thou shall and shall not put in their national dish.

    The ten permitted ingredients are: rice, water, olive oil, salt, saffron (or food colouring), tomato, flat green beans, lima beans, chicken and rabbit. No fish or shellfish. Ever."
    https://www.theguardian.com/food/2022/mar/22/researchers-in-valencia-pinpoint-unwritten-rules-of-paella

    I particularly like "The typical seafood paella encountered elsewhere in Spain is generally dismissed by valencianos as arroz con cosas (rice with things)."
  • NickPalmerNickPalmer Posts: 21,503
    Yes, the French election defies the best efforts of punters to make it interesting. It's seemingly as sewn up as a North Korean plebiscite.

    Totally off-topic, my bank (First Direct) is introducing new security in online transactions, and will ask me to enter my email address, not because they want to know but so they judge whether it's genuine based on how I type it in. How does this work? Dependent on speed, or tendency to make typos, or what?

    The only similar behavioural typing thing I've heard of is payday lenders, who apparently judge how much interest to charge you partly on how you move the bar on the online chart when you're exploring what you might get. If you go straight for the maximum amount, they interpret that as being higher risk and charge you more than if you experiment with different levels before trying the maximum. I don't actually like the idea but I can see the logic.
  • dixiedeandixiedean Posts: 29,342
    JosiasJessop said:

    Interesting if true:

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CbZuJV-MTZO/

    The first Russian soldier to hand over a fully-working T-80 tank to the Ukrainians. He will get $10k after the war, and can apply for Ukrainian citizenship.

    If he lives.
  • JosiasJessopJosiasJessop Posts: 42,205
    dixiedean said:

    JosiasJessop said:

    Interesting if true:

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CbZuJV-MTZO/

    The first Russian soldier to hand over a fully-working T-80 tank to the Ukrainians. He will get $10k after the war, and can apply for Ukrainian citizenship.

    If he lives.
    It'd be in Ukraine's interest for him to live. If I were them, I'd squirrel him out somewhere abroad. One of Europe's intelligence services should be able to help with that.
  • mwadamsmwadams Posts: 3,570
    JosiasJessop said:

    Interesting if true:

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CbZuJV-MTZO/

    The first Russian soldier to hand over a fully-working T-80 tank to the Ukrainians. He will get $10k after the war, and can apply for Ukrainian citizenship.

    That's a very big empty field he's driven it across. I wonder how he stopped himself just getting NLAWed?
  • LeonLeon Posts: 54,679
    Anti-Woke Culture Wars are working in the USA

    Ramp them up over here, Boris

    “Democrats working to save their slim majority in the House in November’s elections have been sounding alarm bells lately over research showing that Republican attacks on culture-war issues are working, particularly with center-left, Hispanic and independent voters.”

    NYT ($$)
  • Dura_AceDura_Ace Posts: 13,677
    JosiasJessop said:

    Interesting if true:

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CbZuJV-MTZO/

    The first Russian soldier to hand over a fully-working T-80 tank to the Ukrainians. He will get $10k after the war, and can apply for Ukrainian citizenship.

    I wonder if he killed the other two crew.
  • NigelbNigelb Posts: 70,513
    Pointed comment on that Brexit/Ukraine comparison.

    https://twitter.com/ProfTimBale/status/1506214760718680070
    As Putin’s invasion loomed, President Zelensky didn’t write two statements – one announcing surrender, the other declaring that Ukraine would fight – to see which would be best for his career...
  • NigelbNigelb Posts: 70,513
    “The Russian military rape women, the dead are just being dumped,” evacuee from Russian-occupied city says
    https://euromaidanpress.com/2022/03/21/the-russian-military-rape-women-the-dead-are-just-being-dumped-evacuee-from-russian-occupied-city-says/
  • Scott_xPScott_xP Posts: 35,895
    Nigelb said:

    Pointed comment on that Brexit/Ukraine comparison.

    https://twitter.com/ProfTimBale/status/1506214760718680070
    As Putin’s invasion loomed, President Zelensky didn’t write two statements – one announcing surrender, the other declaring that Ukraine would fight – to see which would be best for his career...

    Hugo Rifkind in The Times is also on topic

    “It sounded better written down than it did when spoken,” an insider told The Times. So obviously the matter is closed.

    Yeah, come on. Are you kidding? You don’t just shake this one off, Taylor Swift. I simply don’t believe it sounded any different written down at all, not least because we seem to be in the territory of people who can’t read without moving their lips. What was he thinking? Most Johnson gaffes — letterboxes, tank-topped bum-boys, pangas hacking human flesh etc — were at least meant as jokes. This one was cold sincerity, and as mad as a horse in a duvet cover.

    https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/brexit-has-a-russia-problem-and-opportunity-9nktmt66g
  • JosiasJessopJosiasJessop Posts: 42,205
    mwadams said:

    JosiasJessop said:

    Interesting if true:

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CbZuJV-MTZO/

    The first Russian soldier to hand over a fully-working T-80 tank to the Ukrainians. He will get $10k after the war, and can apply for Ukrainian citizenship.

    That's a very big empty field he's driven it across. I wonder how he stopped himself just getting NLAWed?
    I got the impression from elsewhere that he made contact with the Ukrainians before he took the tank. So they probably chose it as a good open place not to get ambushed by the Russians?
  • NigelbNigelb Posts: 70,513
    BlancheLivermore said:

    Noticed some comments on the proper ingredients for paella yesterday.. Well now you know.

    "Researchers in Valencia pinpoint unwritten rules of paella
    No fish or shellfish in Spain’s famous national dish says survey of 400 amateur chefs

    Many crimes have been committed in the name of paella but now researchers in Valencia have laid down 10 commandments of what thou shall and shall not put in their national dish.

    The ten permitted ingredients are: rice, water, olive oil, salt, saffron (or food colouring), tomato, flat green beans, lima beans, chicken and rabbit. No fish or shellfish. Ever."
    https://www.theguardian.com/food/2022/mar/22/researchers-in-valencia-pinpoint-unwritten-rules-of-paella

    If they're unwritten, how are we reading them ?
  • PhilPhil Posts: 2,239
    NickPalmer said:

    Yes, the French election defies the best efforts of punters to make it interesting. It's seemingly as sewn up as a North Korean plebiscite.

    Totally off-topic, my bank (First Direct) is introducing new security in online transactions, and will ask me to enter my email address, not because they want to know but so they judge whether it's genuine based on how I type it in. How does this work? Dependent on speed, or tendency to make typos, or what?

    The timing of keypresses can be used to identify people IIRC. They’re certainly unique enough to be indicative.

    Ultimately it’s just another another barrier to put up against bots. Now the bot has to type like a human does & that’s non trivial. Eventually the bad guys will work out a way round this one, but by then we’ll have moved on to something else...
  • mwadamsmwadams Posts: 3,570
    edited March 2022
    Dura_Ace said:

    JosiasJessop said:

    Interesting if true:

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CbZuJV-MTZO/

    The first Russian soldier to hand over a fully-working T-80 tank to the Ukrainians. He will get $10k after the war, and can apply for Ukrainian citizenship.

    I wonder if he killed the other two crew.
    Or waited 'til they went for a wee and just drove the thing off.
  • Scott_xPScott_xP Posts: 35,895
    Phil said:

    The timing of keypresses can be used to identify people IIRC. They’re certainly unique enough to be indicative.

    Radio intercepts during the war were apparently able to recognise wireless operators by how they keyed morse code
  • Scott_xPScott_xP Posts: 35,895
    Richard_Tyndall said:

    If anything the last few weeks have shown that it really doesn't matter how contemptible your politicians are when the country they are leading still holds such political and military power. Sad but true.

    Maybe

    The PM would have been invited to the EU summit on Thursday if BoZo wasn't such a dick.

    Maybe that matters. Maybe not.
  • ApplicantApplicant Posts: 3,379
    Richard_Tyndall said:

    Scott_xP said:

    Seriously, people should be concerned about this 👇

    I've read a lot of criticism of the UK in the European press over decades, but there was always a basic respect, even fondness - nothing like the quasi unanimous contempt with which this man is now viewed all over the continent
    https://twitter.com/AlexTaylorNews/status/1505964667608391683
    https://twitter.com/AlexTaylorNews/status/1505958746673102848

    Seriously they shouldn't.

    If anything the last few weeks have shown that it really doesn't matter how contemptible your politicians are when the country they are leading still holds such political and military power. Sad but true. And I say that as someone who detests Johnson.
    Whatever happened to "actions speak louder than words"?
  • MattWMattW Posts: 22,703
    Scott_xP said:

    The details in this @PaulLewis scoop are just incredible.

    The ex-lover of the King of Spain was secretly recorded trying to enlist a notorious moonlighting police officer to help "resolve" questions for Zac Goldsmith over a tax evasion scheme

    https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2022/mar/22/secret-recording-sheds-light-on-zac-goldsmith-tax-evasion-case https://twitter.com/jessicaelgot/status/1506215544642547715/photo/1

    Have they actually got *anything* of substance?
  • TazTaz Posts: 14,162
    Leon said:

    Anti-Woke Culture Wars are working in the USA

    Ramp them up over here, Boris

    “Democrats working to save their slim majority in the House in November’s elections have been sounding alarm bells lately over research showing that Republican attacks on culture-war issues are working, particularly with center-left, Hispanic and independent voters.”

    NYT ($$)

    How about concentrating on the real issues, rather than a phony war.

    Inflation, cost of living crisis, energy security, levelling up, growing the economy and not weaponising division ?
  • bigglesbiggles Posts: 5,912
    Fairliered said:

    Scott_xP said:

    Boris Johnson “cut short” last week’s Middle East-Saudi trip to return for his wife’s birthday party reports the Spectator and Sunday Times

    👀

    https://www.spectator.co.uk/article/boris-attends-another-party https://twitter.com/SamCoatesSky/status/1506209989173686273/photo/1

    If anyone invades us, they need to do it on a Friday night. The Government will all be pissed.
    That’s always been true. See also during the Cold War, when the BAOR used to collectively piss off out of Germany for the weekend to make money on a tax dodge around cars and fags.
  • LeonLeon Posts: 54,679
    Taz said:

    Leon said:

    Anti-Woke Culture Wars are working in the USA

    Ramp them up over here, Boris

    “Democrats working to save their slim majority in the House in November’s elections have been sounding alarm bells lately over research showing that Republican attacks on culture-war issues are working, particularly with center-left, Hispanic and independent voters.”

    NYT ($$)

    How about concentrating on the real issues, rather than a phony war.

    Inflation, cost of living crisis, energy security, levelling up, growing the economy and not weaponising division ?
    “Not weaponising division”? Are you mad??
  • bigglesbiggles Posts: 5,912
    Scott_xP said:

    Richard_Tyndall said:

    If anything the last few weeks have shown that it really doesn't matter how contemptible your politicians are when the country they are leading still holds such political and military power. Sad but true.

    Maybe

    The PM would have been invited to the EU summit on Thursday if BoZo wasn't such a dick.

    Maybe that matters. Maybe not.
    I don’t get the concern over this one. We’re not in the EU so why would we want to bother with their summit? Nothing of military consequence in Europe can be discussed without us in the room, so this just makes the NATO meeting more important, which is surely what we want?
  • MarqueeMarkMarqueeMark Posts: 52,361
    JosiasJessop said:

    Interesting if true:

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CbZuJV-MTZO/

    The first Russian soldier to hand over a fully-working T-80 tank to the Ukrainians. He will get $10k after the war, and can apply for Ukrainian citizenship.

    Give it a week and the price will be down to a bottle of vodka and a pot noodle....
  • bigglesbiggles Posts: 5,912
    MarqueeMark said:

    JosiasJessop said:

    Interesting if true:

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CbZuJV-MTZO/

    The first Russian soldier to hand over a fully-working T-80 tank to the Ukrainians. He will get $10k after the war, and can apply for Ukrainian citizenship.

    Give it a week and the price will be down to a bottle of vodka and a pot noodle....
    Pot noodle? That’s biological warfare.
  • MarqueeMarkMarqueeMark Posts: 52,361
    Leon said:

    Taz said:

    Leon said:

    Anti-Woke Culture Wars are working in the USA

    Ramp them up over here, Boris

    “Democrats working to save their slim majority in the House in November’s elections have been sounding alarm bells lately over research showing that Republican attacks on culture-war issues are working, particularly with center-left, Hispanic and independent voters.”

    NYT ($$)

    How about concentrating on the real issues, rather than a phony war.

    Inflation, cost of living crisis, energy security, levelling up, growing the economy and not weaponising division ?
    “Not weaponising division”? Are you mad??
    Weaponising Brexit doesn't count, natch...
  • MightyAlexMightyAlex Posts: 1,641
    Taz said:

    Leon said:

    Anti-Woke Culture Wars are working in the USA

    Ramp them up over here, Boris

    “Democrats working to save their slim majority in the House in November’s elections have been sounding alarm bells lately over research showing that Republican attacks on culture-war issues are working, particularly with center-left, Hispanic and independent voters.”

    NYT ($$)

    How about concentrating on the real issues, rather than a phony war.

    Inflation, cost of living crisis, energy security, levelling up, growing the economy and not weaponising division ?
    Leon needs his daily hate.
  • StuartinromfordStuartinromford Posts: 17,069
    Taz said:

    Leon said:

    Anti-Woke Culture Wars are working in the USA

    Ramp them up over here, Boris

    “Democrats working to save their slim majority in the House in November’s elections have been sounding alarm bells lately over research showing that Republican attacks on culture-war issues are working, particularly with center-left, Hispanic and independent voters.”

    NYT ($$)

    How about concentrating on the real issues, rather than a phony war.

    Inflation, cost of living crisis, energy security, levelling up, growing the economy and not weaponising division ?
    Most of those are either caused by government actions or, at best, are global tides that Johnson can do no more about than Canute did.

    They bang on about Culture Wars because that's pretty much all they've got.
  • FF43FF43 Posts: 17,208
    Nigelb said:

    Pointed comment on that Brexit/Ukraine comparison.

    https://twitter.com/ProfTimBale/status/1506214760718680070
    As Putin’s invasion loomed, President Zelensky didn’t write two statements – one announcing surrender, the other declaring that Ukraine would fight – to see which would be best for his career...

    Another one I like:

    Zelenskiy was a former clown transformed into one of the great politicians of our age. Johnson is a politician become a clown.
  • Dura_AceDura_Ace Posts: 13,677
    MarqueeMark said:

    JosiasJessop said:

    Interesting if true:

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CbZuJV-MTZO/

    The first Russian soldier to hand over a fully-working T-80 tank to the Ukrainians. He will get $10k after the war, and can apply for Ukrainian citizenship.

    Give it a week and the price will be down to a bottle of vodka and a pot noodle....
    Jonathan "Simple Sword of Truth" Aitken paid $5m for a T-80 when he was Minister of Defence Procurement.
  • LeonLeon Posts: 54,679
    Applicant said:

    Taz said:

    Leon said:

    Anti-Woke Culture Wars are working in the USA

    Ramp them up over here, Boris

    “Democrats working to save their slim majority in the House in November’s elections have been sounding alarm bells lately over research showing that Republican attacks on culture-war issues are working, particularly with center-left, Hispanic and independent voters.”

    NYT ($$)

    How about concentrating on the real issues, rather than a phony war.

    Inflation, cost of living crisis, energy security, levelling up, growing the economy and not weaponising division ?
    The modern playbook of the Left:

    Step 1: Create as many divisions in society as possible
    Step 2: When the Right respond, whinge about them "weaponising division".
    I know. Lol
  • BlancheLivermoreBlancheLivermore Posts: 5,830
    edited March 2022
    FF43 said:

    Nigelb said:

    Pointed comment on that Brexit/Ukraine comparison.

    https://twitter.com/ProfTimBale/status/1506214760718680070
    As Putin’s invasion loomed, President Zelensky didn’t write two statements – one announcing surrender, the other declaring that Ukraine would fight – to see which would be best for his career...

    Another one I like:

    Zelenskiy was a former clown transformed into one of the great politicians of our age. Johnson is a politician become a clown.
    Johnson's always been a clown.
  • BigRichBigRich Posts: 3,491
    Nigelb said:

    “The Russian military rape women, the dead are just being dumped,” evacuee from Russian-occupied city says
    https://euromaidanpress.com/2022/03/21/the-russian-military-rape-women-the-dead-are-just-being-dumped-evacuee-from-russian-occupied-city-says/

    I'v seen a few reports of that in the last few days, using rape as a weapon of war is very very sad. Is possible that this is mostly the Mercenary company Vargner Group who have a history of this and are now fighting in the City of Mariupol where most of these reports are coming from. But it doesn't really matter who is doing it its just Wrong so very very Wrong.
  • Andy_CookeAndy_Cooke Posts: 4,993
    edited March 2022
    On ages of inheritance.

    From the ONS:
    "The age distribution of those receiving an inheritance is quite different from those receiving a gift or loan. Inheritances become more common as individuals age, with a peak in receipt among those aged 55 to 64 years. This is consistent with Gardiner (2017), who estimated, based on parents’ life expectancies, that the most common age at which today’s 20- to 35-year-olds in the UK will inherit is age 61 years (PDF, 482KB). "
  • Morris_DancerMorris_Dancer Posts: 61,700
    F1: an engine thought: the Mercedes teams were slow. The Red Bull teams a little bit too crispy. Ferrari, though, was fast and reliable.

    Story of the season, perhaps, if things don't change.
  • BigRichBigRich Posts: 3,491
    Something to cheer you up:

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

    Kiev Calling, a Ukrainian rock band have done a song to the music of the Clash Hit 'London Calling' its good :)
  • Scott_xPScott_xP Posts: 35,895
    New - MPs will hold inquiry into delay over Iran debt payment and the detention of Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe: https://www.theguardian.com/news/2022/mar/22/nazanin-zaghari-ratcliffe-jeremy-hunt-inquiry-iran-debt-delay
  • Dura_AceDura_Ace Posts: 13,677
    BigRich said:

    Nigelb said:

    “The Russian military rape women, the dead are just being dumped,” evacuee from Russian-occupied city says
    https://euromaidanpress.com/2022/03/21/the-russian-military-rape-women-the-dead-are-just-being-dumped-evacuee-from-russian-occupied-city-says/

    I'v seen a few reports of that in the last few days, using rape as a weapon of war is very very sad. Is possible that this is mostly the Mercenary company Vargner Group who have a history of this and are now fighting in the City of Mariupol where most of these reports are coming from. But it doesn't really matter who is doing it its just Wrong so very very Wrong.
    While every occupying army ever has done it few can match the proclivity of the Russians in this area.
  • FF43FF43 Posts: 17,208
    edited March 2022
    Scott_xP said:

    Richard_Tyndall said:

    If anything the last few weeks have shown that it really doesn't matter how contemptible your politicians are when the country they are leading still holds such political and military power. Sad but true.

    Maybe

    The PM would have been invited to the EU summit on Thursday if BoZo wasn't such a dick.

    Maybe that matters. Maybe not.
    In truth it doesn't matter, although I think Johnson should have been invited despite his behaviour. The people who need to be at the EUCO meeting are the members of the EU to hammer out a consensus position for the EU, and the US so that country can agree a common position with the EU. Trudeau and Johnson have been or would have been invited as a courtesy but they can be picked up through the G7, which is also meeting in Brussels.
  • LeonLeon Posts: 54,679
    FF43 said:

    Nigelb said:

    Pointed comment on that Brexit/Ukraine comparison.

    https://twitter.com/ProfTimBale/status/1506214760718680070
    As Putin’s invasion loomed, President Zelensky didn’t write two statements – one announcing surrender, the other declaring that Ukraine would fight – to see which would be best for his career...

    Another one I like:

    Zelenskiy was a former clown transformed into one of the great politicians of our age. Johnson is a politician become a clown.
    My god, what a brilliant observation no one has ever made before
  • FishingFishing Posts: 4,947
    Dura_Ace said:

    BigRich said:

    Nigelb said:

    “The Russian military rape women, the dead are just being dumped,” evacuee from Russian-occupied city says
    https://euromaidanpress.com/2022/03/21/the-russian-military-rape-women-the-dead-are-just-being-dumped-evacuee-from-russian-occupied-city-says/

    I'v seen a few reports of that in the last few days, using rape as a weapon of war is very very sad. Is possible that this is mostly the Mercenary company Vargner Group who have a history of this and are now fighting in the City of Mariupol where most of these reports are coming from. But it doesn't really matter who is doing it its just Wrong so very very Wrong.
    While every occupying army ever has done it few can match the proclivity of the Russians in this area.
    I did not hear of e.g. the British Army using it as a weapon of war in occupying Germany during the fifties and sixties.
  • kle4kle4 Posts: 95,873
    WhisperingOracle said:

    kjh said:

    rottenborough said:

    WhisperingOracle said:

    A couple of signs of hope today over Ukraine, despite the absolutely horrible scenes in Mariupol. Zelenskiy talking about the importance of a referendum to ratify "compromises", which another source says are over Dombass and Donetsk, as well as often mentioning the importance of a meeting with Putin, with another Ukrainian official talking about the ability to bring it all to an end within a couple of weeks.

    We can but hope.

    That would be brilliant. We can but hope as you say.
    The big problem for Europe is Putin can't be seen to have made any gains. And that is easy for me to say sitting on my sofa while Ukrainians die.
    The losses for Putin are very clear, though - huge loss of life, massive economic and reputational damage.
    For him that is worth it if he grows the empire.
  • StuartinromfordStuartinromford Posts: 17,069
    BlancheLivermore said:

    FF43 said:

    Nigelb said:

    Pointed comment on that Brexit/Ukraine comparison.

    https://twitter.com/ProfTimBale/status/1506214760718680070
    As Putin’s invasion loomed, President Zelensky didn’t write two statements – one announcing surrender, the other declaring that Ukraine would fight – to see which would be best for his career...

    Another one I like:

    Zelenskiy was a former clown transformed into one of the great politicians of our age. Johnson is a politician become a clown.
    Johnson's always been a clown.
    Just increases the pathos.

    Zelenskiy is everything Johnson imagined himself to be, wishes he was, but isn't.
  • FrancisUrquhartFrancisUrquhart Posts: 81,460
    Russia is closer than ever to using biological and chemical weapons in Ukraine, US president Joe Biden has warned, saying that Vladimir Putin's "back is against the wall" as casualties rise.

    https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2022/03/22/biden-warns-putin-considering-using-chemical-weapons/
  • kle4kle4 Posts: 95,873
    edited March 2022
    Applicant said:

    Taz said:

    Leon said:

    Anti-Woke Culture Wars are working in the USA

    Ramp them up over here, Boris

    “Democrats working to save their slim majority in the House in November’s elections have been sounding alarm bells lately over research showing that Republican attacks on culture-war issues are working, particularly with center-left, Hispanic and independent voters.”

    NYT ($$)

    How about concentrating on the real issues, rather than a phony war.

    Inflation, cost of living crisis, energy security, levelling up, growing the economy and not weaponising division ?
    The modern playbook of the Left:

    Step 1: Create as many divisions in society as possible
    Step 2: When the Right respond, whinge about them "weaponising division".
    I dont think that's unique. Left and right pick different targets and use different terminology.
  • TazTaz Posts: 14,162
    Stuartinromford said:

    Taz said:

    Leon said:

    Anti-Woke Culture Wars are working in the USA

    Ramp them up over here, Boris

    “Democrats working to save their slim majority in the House in November’s elections have been sounding alarm bells lately over research showing that Republican attacks on culture-war issues are working, particularly with center-left, Hispanic and independent voters.”

    NYT ($$)

    How about concentrating on the real issues, rather than a phony war.

    Inflation, cost of living crisis, energy security, levelling up, growing the economy and not weaponising division ?
    Most of those are either caused by government actions or, at best, are global tides that Johnson can do no more about than Canute did.

    They bang on about Culture Wars because that's pretty much all they've got.
    Yes, it is a pity really.

    They also risk simply further alienating the younger demographic too.

    They need to grasp the nettle on housing and housebuilding. They need to build far more rather than just talk about it and congratulate themselves on hitting modest targets.
  • MattWMattW Posts: 22,703
    edited March 2022
    MarqueeMark said:

    Leon said:

    Taz said:

    Leon said:

    Anti-Woke Culture Wars are working in the USA

    Ramp them up over here, Boris

    “Democrats working to save their slim majority in the House in November’s elections have been sounding alarm bells lately over research showing that Republican attacks on culture-war issues are working, particularly with center-left, Hispanic and independent voters.”

    NYT ($$)

    How about concentrating on the real issues, rather than a phony war.

    Inflation, cost of living crisis, energy security, levelling up, growing the economy and not weaponising division ?
    “Not weaponising division”? Are you mad??
    Weaponising Brexit doesn't count, natch...
    Does Macron weaponising refugees count? :smile:
  • TazTaz Posts: 14,162
    Leon said:

    Taz said:

    Leon said:

    Anti-Woke Culture Wars are working in the USA

    Ramp them up over here, Boris

    “Democrats working to save their slim majority in the House in November’s elections have been sounding alarm bells lately over research showing that Republican attacks on culture-war issues are working, particularly with center-left, Hispanic and independent voters.”

    NYT ($$)

    How about concentrating on the real issues, rather than a phony war.

    Inflation, cost of living crisis, energy security, levelling up, growing the economy and not weaponising division ?
    “Not weaponising division”? Are you mad??
    I'm as sane as any other participant here.
  • tlg86tlg86 Posts: 26,123
    FrancisUrquhart said:

    Russia is closer than ever to using biological and chemical weapons in Ukraine, US president Joe Biden has warned, saying that Vladimir Putin's "back is against the wall" as casualties rise.

    https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2022/03/22/biden-warns-putin-considering-using-chemical-weapons/

    Biological weapons? Really?
  • TimSTimS Posts: 12,720
    Stuartinromford said:

    Taz said:

    Leon said:

    Anti-Woke Culture Wars are working in the USA

    Ramp them up over here, Boris

    “Democrats working to save their slim majority in the House in November’s elections have been sounding alarm bells lately over research showing that Republican attacks on culture-war issues are working, particularly with center-left, Hispanic and independent voters.”

    NYT ($$)

    How about concentrating on the real issues, rather than a phony war.

    Inflation, cost of living crisis, energy security, levelling up, growing the economy and not weaponising division ?
    Most of those are either caused by government actions or, at best, are global tides that Johnson can do no more about than Canute did.

    They bang on about Culture Wars because that's pretty much all they've got.
    Let's be honest the identitarian left and right both love nothing more than a bit of culture war. It's a nice playground game that helps them to get outraged under controlled conditions, is distracting from real tricky political issues and leaves them with a feeling of virtue. It's the wars of religion de nos jours.

    I would hazard a guess based on social media that perhaps 15-20% of the population really indulge in culture warring, with roughly a 50:50 split between those outraged by "far right bigotry" and those equally offended by "left wing woke nonsense". Perhaps another 40-50% of the population have a mild leaning towards one side or the other, the Anglican church of these particular wars of religion (I'd put myself in that camp), and the rest don't even know it's happening.
  • TheuniondivvieTheuniondivvie Posts: 41,798
    HYUFD said:

    Scott_xP said:

    The details in this @PaulLewis scoop are just incredible.

    The ex-lover of the King of Spain was secretly recorded trying to enlist a notorious moonlighting police officer to help "resolve" questions for Zac Goldsmith over a tax evasion scheme

    https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2022/mar/22/secret-recording-sheds-light-on-zac-goldsmith-tax-evasion-case https://twitter.com/jessicaelgot/status/1506215544642547715/photo/1

    Former King of Spain, his son is now King
    Phew, Zaccy baby off the hook then!
  • NigelbNigelb Posts: 70,513
    MightyAlex said:

    Taz said:

    Leon said:

    Anti-Woke Culture Wars are working in the USA

    Ramp them up over here, Boris

    “Democrats working to save their slim majority in the House in November’s elections have been sounding alarm bells lately over research showing that Republican attacks on culture-war issues are working, particularly with center-left, Hispanic and independent voters.”

    NYT ($$)

    How about concentrating on the real issues, rather than a phony war.

    Inflation, cost of living crisis, energy security, levelling up, growing the economy and not weaponising division ?
    Leon needs his daily hate.
    Too long in the Q.
  • TheuniondivvieTheuniondivvie Posts: 41,798
    Dura_Ace said:

    Applicant said:

    DecrepiterJohnL said:

    Scott_xP said:

    Boris Johnson “cut short” last week’s Middle East-Saudi trip to return for his wife’s birthday party reports the Spectator and Sunday Times

    👀

    https://www.spectator.co.uk/article/boris-attends-another-party https://twitter.com/SamCoatesSky/status/1506209989173686273/photo/1

    Husband of the year.
    This whinge definitely fails the "what if he'd done the opposite" test.
    The interesting question is why he had to change the schedule of his tyrant arse-kissing trip at the last minute. The date of his wife's birthday can't have been a surprise.
    Happened to be watching a Billy Connolly thing last night and he has his wife’s birthday tattooed on his upper arm so he doesn’t forget. If BJ has had it done anywhere below his moobs he may not have seen it for a couple of years.
  • NigelbNigelb Posts: 70,513
    https://twitter.com/Hromadske/status/1506236417902526465
    In Hostomel (Kyiv Oblast), the Russian occupiers burned a stable with horses — most of the animals were killed.

    According to the owner, Russian troops first threatened to shoot the horses, but then burned the stable with them
  • FF43FF43 Posts: 17,208
    TimS said:

    Stuartinromford said:

    Taz said:

    Leon said:

    Anti-Woke Culture Wars are working in the USA

    Ramp them up over here, Boris

    “Democrats working to save their slim majority in the House in November’s elections have been sounding alarm bells lately over research showing that Republican attacks on culture-war issues are working, particularly with center-left, Hispanic and independent voters.”

    NYT ($$)

    How about concentrating on the real issues, rather than a phony war.

    Inflation, cost of living crisis, energy security, levelling up, growing the economy and not weaponising division ?
    Most of those are either caused by government actions or, at best, are global tides that Johnson can do no more about than Canute did.

    They bang on about Culture Wars because that's pretty much all they've got.
    Let's be honest the identitarian left and right both love nothing more than a bit of culture war. It's a nice playground game that helps them to get outraged under controlled conditions, is distracting from real tricky political issues and leaves them with a feeling of virtue. It's the wars of religion de nos jours.

    I would hazard a guess based on social media that perhaps 15-20% of the population really indulge in culture warring, with roughly a 50:50 split between those outraged by "far right bigotry" and those equally offended by "left wing woke nonsense". Perhaps another 40-50% of the population have a mild leaning towards one side or the other, the Anglican church of these particular wars of religion (I'd put myself in that camp), and the rest don't even know it's happening.
    Wokeism does bother me. It's not benign. It aims to disrespect people those they accuse of being Woke, to be offensive and to other their targets. To the extent it's successful, it undermines civic society.
  • MarqueeMarkMarqueeMark Posts: 52,361
    Dura_Ace said:

    MarqueeMark said:

    JosiasJessop said:

    Interesting if true:

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CbZuJV-MTZO/

    The first Russian soldier to hand over a fully-working T-80 tank to the Ukrainians. He will get $10k after the war, and can apply for Ukrainian citizenship.

    Give it a week and the price will be down to a bottle of vodka and a pot noodle....
    Jonathan "Simple Sword of Truth" Aitken paid $5m for a T-80 when he was Minister of Defence Procurement.
    And I guess we would pay $20m today, for a modern Russian battle tank.

    Or a bottle of vodka and a pot noodle to a Ukrainian tractor boy....
  • AslanAslan Posts: 1,673
    Stuartinromford said:

    BlancheLivermore said:

    FF43 said:

    Nigelb said:

    Pointed comment on that Brexit/Ukraine comparison.

    https://twitter.com/ProfTimBale/status/1506214760718680070
    As Putin’s invasion loomed, President Zelensky didn’t write two statements – one announcing surrender, the other declaring that Ukraine would fight – to see which would be best for his career...

    Another one I like:

    Zelenskiy was a former clown transformed into one of the great politicians of our age. Johnson is a politician become a clown.
    Johnson's always been a clown.
    Just increases the pathos.

    Zelenskiy is everything Johnson imagined himself to be, wishes he was, but isn't.
    5ft7?
  • tlg86tlg86 Posts: 26,123
    Nigelb said:

    https://twitter.com/Hromadske/status/1506236417902526465
    In Hostomel (Kyiv Oblast), the Russian occupiers burned a stable with horses — most of the animals were killed.

    According to the owner, Russian troops first threatened to shoot the horses, but then burned the stable with them

    Being Russian is going to be shit for the next 100 years.
  • CarnyxCarnyx Posts: 42,639
    Andy_Cooke said:

    On ages of inheritance.

    From the ONS:
    "The age distribution of those receiving an inheritance is quite different from those receiving a gift or loan. Inheritances become more common as individuals age, with a peak in receipt among those aged 55 to 64 years. This is consistent with Gardiner (2017), who estimated, based on parents’ life expectancies, that the most common age at which today’s 20- to 35-year-olds in the UK will inherit is age 61 years (PDF, 482KB). "

    Thanks for the constructive and helpful contribution to the discussion (not being sarcastic).
  • tlg86tlg86 Posts: 26,123
    Carnyx said:

    Andy_Cooke said:

    On ages of inheritance.

    From the ONS:
    "The age distribution of those receiving an inheritance is quite different from those receiving a gift or loan. Inheritances become more common as individuals age, with a peak in receipt among those aged 55 to 64 years. This is consistent with Gardiner (2017), who estimated, based on parents’ life expectancies, that the most common age at which today’s 20- to 35-year-olds in the UK will inherit is age 61 years (PDF, 482KB). "

    Thanks for the constructive and helpful contribution to the discussion (not being sarcastic).
    It does assume that inheritances only go to children rather than grandchildren. And, of course, the bank of mum and dad comes into its own at the point of inheritance.
  • Scott_xPScott_xP Posts: 35,895
    No10 confirms that, despite Boris Johnson being "desperate" to go to Ukraine, the country's president Volodymyr Zelensky has not invited him to do as much

    https://twitter.com/REWearmouth/status/1506240721673768964
  • FrancisUrquhartFrancisUrquhart Posts: 81,460
    Wales' first minister is not ruling out keeping the country's remaining Covid restrictions beyond their expiry date of next Monday.

    https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-politics-60834936
  • TheuniondivvieTheuniondivvie Posts: 41,798
    edited March 2022
    Dura_Ace said:

    JosiasJessop said:

    Interesting if true:

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CbZuJV-MTZO/

    The first Russian soldier to hand over a fully-working T-80 tank to the Ukrainians. He will get $10k after the war, and can apply for Ukrainian citizenship.

    I wonder if he killed the other two crew.
    Golly, I’ve not been keeping up, can an MBT get away with only 3 crew? I recall at least one of the Russian tanks has automatic loading for the main gun, the T80 I guess.

    Been reading a bit about French tank design between the wars and they tended to go for one man turrets (ie the commander had to do a helluva lot) because of the manpower shortage after WWI.
  • LostPasswordLostPassword Posts: 18,080
    kjh said:

    rottenborough said:

    WhisperingOracle said:

    A couple of signs of hope today over Ukraine, despite the absolutely horrible scenes in Mariupol. Zelenskiy talking about the importance of a referendum to ratify "compromises", which another source says are over Dombass and Donetsk, as well as often mentioning the importance of a meeting with Putin, with another Ukrainian official talking about the ability to bring it all to an end within a couple of weeks.

    We can but hope.

    That would be brilliant. We can but hope as you say.
    The big problem for Europe is Putin can't be seen to have made any gains. And that is easy for me to say sitting on my sofa while Ukrainians die.
    Unless we are able to provide more direct military support I think it could take a long time for Ukraine to force Russia back to the borders at the start of this year.

    So the likelihood of Putin making some gains is reasonably high.

    That won't be great, and it increases the likelihood of future conflict, but Europe as a whole would have the opportunity to do what Ukraine has done since 2014, and get ready for Russia's next attempt at expansionism.

    And if we are visibly ready enough, then that preparation might be enough in itself to deter future aggression. But we have to take it seriously.
  • Dura_AceDura_Ace Posts: 13,677
    Scott_xP said:

    No10 confirms that, despite Boris Johnson being "desperate" to go to Ukraine, the country's president Volodymyr Zelensky has not invited him to do as much

    https://twitter.com/REWearmouth/status/1506240721673768964

    It's really up to Biden, if he doesn’t want the FLSoJ stirring things up in Kyiv search of a laugh then Johnson's not going.
  • CarnyxCarnyx Posts: 42,639
    Nigelb said:

    BlancheLivermore said:

    Noticed some comments on the proper ingredients for paella yesterday.. Well now you know.

    "Researchers in Valencia pinpoint unwritten rules of paella
    No fish or shellfish in Spain’s famous national dish says survey of 400 amateur chefs

    Many crimes have been committed in the name of paella but now researchers in Valencia have laid down 10 commandments of what thou shall and shall not put in their national dish.

    The ten permitted ingredients are: rice, water, olive oil, salt, saffron (or food colouring), tomato, flat green beans, lima beans, chicken and rabbit. No fish or shellfish. Ever."
    https://www.theguardian.com/food/2022/mar/22/researchers-in-valencia-pinpoint-unwritten-rules-of-paella

    If they're unwritten, how are we reading them ?
    Yes, it's like PBTories and the Constitution. Only, in their case how can they be so sure?
  • kjhkjh Posts: 11,695
    Leon said:

    Anti-Woke Culture Wars are working in the USA

    Ramp them up over here, Boris

    “Democrats working to save their slim majority in the House in November’s elections have been sounding alarm bells lately over research showing that Republican attacks on culture-war issues are working, particularly with center-left, Hispanic and independent voters.”

    NYT ($$)

    No doubt they are. It is quite a common tactic to set up a bogyman and then attack it.
This discussion has been closed.