Er, you haven't noticed that we have discussed it several times on PB, including Labour's modification of the photo to a Britain Isn't Working-style election poster. But it is always good to remind ourselves that that is the way in which current government policy drills down to the ordinary punter on the street.
Fair play to Leon, the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune in our countryside, towns and cities aren't so obvious when one spends all their time hob-nobbing with the ladyboys of Bangkok and Phnom Pen.
One may agree with Tucker or not, but he is a major American journalist and such an action would greatly offend the American public."
followed by retweeting: "The European Union is said to be seeking sanctions and a "travel ban" against Tucker Carlson for his interview with Russian President Vladimir Putin."
As a general rule, if anyone starts by saying 'If true' it's fairly likely that they already know that what follows isn't true, and just enjoy spreading misinformation because they are arseholes.
But wait, Christiane Amanpour of CNN (a fine and famous journalist) and multiple other celebrated hacks, have all said they’ve tried and tried to get interviews with Putin
Is the EU going to ban them as well? Why not? So why are they banning Tucker C? For succeeding as a journalist?
Preposterous bollocks; thank god we left the EU
Perhaps because they were trying to interview Putin rather than propagandise on his behalf ?
The ban is a silly idea - but as a justification for leaving the EU, it's even sillier than your usual output.
How is it that for some people "one MEP wonders about X" = instantly and infallibly means "EU tries to impose a ban"?
Guy Verhofstadt is a fairly senior figure in the EU Parliament. If he is calling for something, it actually has some chance of happening. Which isn't much chance.
Er, you haven't noticed that we have discussed it several times on PB, including Labour's modification of the photo to a Britain Isn't Working-style election poster. But it is always good to remind ourselves that that is the way in which current government policy drills down to the ordinary punter on the street.
That isn't what that video says to any sane person
Now, don't get me wrong,. every person in that queue deserves free dental care, that is our national policy, that is their right. And dentistry in the UK has been SHITE for decades, and getting worse (I get all mine in Bangkok)
But the obvious BME over-representation in that queue (compared to national average) does suggest that part of the problem with our NHS (and much else) is the fact we are allowing in immigrants at an historically unprecedented rate - 1.3m in two years, more, per capita, than ever entered the USA - and that is going to fuck up a free heath service, and much else, unless the economy explodes with growth (which it has not done)
Of course, much of the blame lies with the Tories, they've been in power 14 years and demonstrably screwed this up. Fie on them
Bad teeth is a small price to pay for blue passports and a government intend on demonising social difference.
Good to get back to the patriotic 1950s, never mind the 1930s.
'The most obvious sign of under-nourishment is the badness of everybody’s teeth. In Lancashire you would have to look for a long time before you saw a working-class person with good natural teeth. Indeed, you see very few people with natural teeth at all, apart from the children; and even the children’s teeth have a frail bluish appearance which means, I suppose, calcium deficiency ... In Wigan various people gave me their opinion that it is best to get shut of your teeth as early in life as possible. ‘Teeth is just a misery,’ one woman said to me.'
The thing about all the fuss over the 1.5 degrees is that many people will look out of the window and think "meh".
Yes the 1.5C target is ridiculously low and based on centuries old data.
1.5C from here, that might be meaningful. 1.5C from what was a colder age anyway, when we're already consistently at 1.2C is utterly meaningless rounding error stuff.
1.5° from here means climate catastrophe for large parts of the world.
It may do or it may not. Your problem is that _this_ 1.5 degrees was supposed to mean climate catastrophe for large parts of the world. And here we are. Maldives still afloat, rain, sun, wind, snow in some kind of order.
Next week I'm heading into town for various things, including trying to make a dental appointment. We'll see if I've been thrown off the patient list after not having an appointment for a few years (as specifically requested by them due to low staffing and my teeth being ok). Tried making an appointment online but got back a standardised response suggesting I could join the practice, and, therefore, had been removed from the patient list.
"The United States bought more goods from Mexico than China in 2023 for the first time in 20 years. The trade deficit with China narrowed significantly last year, with goods imports from the country dropping 20 percent to $427.2 billion” https://twitter.com/DAlperovitch/status/1755411177167798295
Our town's dentist is technically an NHS dentists, but apparently you need the luck of the devil to get on the NHS list there (they are very good dentists, if that helps).
A new dentist has opened up in the town, in a very central location. And from what I see on their website, they don't take NHS patients.
We're lucky in that we can afford to go private. But many people we know can not, and some don't have cars to take them to NHS dentists elsewhere.
The system will have to change; I don't know in what way, though.
I agree entirely. Dental care in the UK is appallling. If anything I am surprised this hasn't become an issue before
Er, you haven't noticed that we have discussed it several times on PB, including Labour's modification of the photo to a Britain Isn't Working-style election poster. But it is always good to remind ourselves that that is the way in which current government policy drills down to the ordinary punter on the street.
That isn't what that video says to any sane person
Now, don't get me wrong,. every person in that queue deserves free dental care, that is our national policy, that is their right. And dentistry in the UK has been SHITE for decades, and getting worse (I get all mine in Bangkok)
But the obvious BME over-representation in that queue (compared to national average) does suggest that part of the problem with our NHS (and much else) is the fact we are allowing in immigrants at an historically unprecedented rate - 1.3m in two years, more, per capita, than ever entered the USA - and that is going to fuck up a free heath service, and much else, unless the economy explodes with growth (which it has not done)
Of course, much of the blame lies with the Tories, they've been in power 14 years and demonstrably screwed this up. Fie on them
That argument fails, because the photo was taken in St Paul's, which had a very high BME percentage half a century ago!
One may agree with Tucker or not, but he is a major American journalist and such an action would greatly offend the American public."
followed by retweeting: "The European Union is said to be seeking sanctions and a "travel ban" against Tucker Carlson for his interview with Russian President Vladimir Putin."
As a general rule, if anyone starts by saying 'If true' it's fairly likely that they already know that what follows isn't true, and just enjoy spreading misinformation because they are arseholes.
But wait, Christiane Amanpour of CNN (a fine and famous journalist) and multiple other celebrated hacks, have all said they’ve tried and tried to get interviews with Putin
Is the EU going to ban them as well? Why not? So why are they banning Tucker C? For succeeding as a journalist?
Preposterous bollocks; thank god we left the EU
Perhaps because they were trying to interview Putin rather than propagandise on his behalf ?
The ban is a silly idea - but as a justification for leaving the EU, it's even sillier than your usual output.
But he hasn’t even broadcast the interview yet, so how can he be accused of propagandising? We don’t know what’s in it
Why doesn’t the EU take a fucking chill pill and see what actually happens
As usual you will believe any bullshit far right or pro-Putin propaganda. Obviously it wasn't clear enough (at least not to a dimwit like you) so I'll put it in all caps for you
THE EU IS NOT SEEKING A TRAVEL BAN ON CARLSON
Of course, as a general point, the UK, for example, does ban people when it doesn't like what they say:
Here's an example from last year of the UK banning the Austrian nationalist at the centre of the Potsdam meeting that got millions of Germans demonstrating against the far-right the last few weeks, an American 'youtube commentator and author', and a Canadian 'right-wing activist':
Estonian Member of European Parliament @Urmaspaet Paet thinks that Tucker #Carlson interviewed a war criminal #Putin, expected in Hague and that does make him a journalist with any professional integrity, hence should have EU travel ban.
One may agree with Tucker or not, but he is a major American journalist and such an action would greatly offend the American public."
followed by retweeting: "The European Union is said to be seeking sanctions and a "travel ban" against Tucker Carlson for his interview with Russian President Vladimir Putin."
As a general rule, if anyone starts by saying 'If true' it's fairly likely that they already know that what follows isn't true, and just enjoy spreading misinformation because they are arseholes.
But wait, Christiane Amanpour of CNN (a fine and famous journalist) and multiple other celebrated hacks, have all said they’ve tried and tried to get interviews with Putin
Is the EU going to ban them as well? Why not? So why are they banning Tucker C? For succeeding as a journalist?
Preposterous bollocks; thank god we left the EU
Perhaps because they were trying to interview Putin rather than propagandise on his behalf ?
The ban is a silly idea - but as a justification for leaving the EU, it's even sillier than your usual output.
Our town's dentist is technically an NHS dentists, but apparently you need the luck of the devil to get on the NHS list there (they are very good dentists, if that helps).
A new dentist has opened up in the town, in a very central location. And from what I see on their website, they don't take NHS patients.
We're lucky in that we can afford to go private. But many people we know can not, and some don't have cars to take them to NHS dentists elsewhere.
The system will have to change; I don't know in what way, though.
We are still on the NHS part of our dentist practice but they do try and shift us off it every time we visit.
And we do regularly visit every 6 months because otherwise they will kick us off
"The United States bought more goods from Mexico than China in 2023 for the first time in 20 years. The trade deficit with China narrowed significantly last year, with goods imports from the country dropping 20 percent to $427.2 billion” https://twitter.com/DAlperovitch/status/1755411177167798295
Build. The. Wall.
Another one, to keep out the Chinese?
Do the Chinese sell Walls, in flat pack?
The Mexico thing is genuinely good news - anything to promote economic growth of the non paramilitary-drugs-and-death-squad type.
Our town's dentist is technically an NHS dentists, but apparently you need the luck of the devil to get on the NHS list there (they are very good dentists, if that helps).
A new dentist has opened up in the town, in a very central location. And from what I see on their website, they don't take NHS patients.
We're lucky in that we can afford to go private. But many people we know can not, and some don't have cars to take them to NHS dentists elsewhere.
The system will have to change; I don't know in what way, though.
I am a member of a village whatsapp group that I forgot to leave. The big thing atm is finding a dentist. Someone needed urgent treatment and then everyone piled in with their views (as is the way). Someone else had googled/investigated that there was no NHS dentist taking new patients within 60 miles of the village.
It turns out, according to group wisdom, that Mydentist was the preferred option and offers "20% more expensive than the NHS with many benefits that make it worthwhile". From which I can deduce that the NHS isn't free anyway. These are people of a low economic group who are accepting that going private is necessary and anyway not that much more expensive than the NHS.
With all the caveats - this is one case, it’s the Daily Mail (so may be at least half true), etc etc this is a good example of why ordinary people get frustrated by the asylum system
* Fled Syria in 2014 to avoid being called up. Ok, seems reasonable * Settled in Germany where he had family. Makes sense * 3 years ago he rowed with his family because he drinks and smokes and they said that means he’s not a good Muslim. Hmmh. Seems unlikely… may be @TheScreamingEagles can comment * To quote him: 'I thought the UK would be a good place to find work in the construction industry, I am a talented plasterer,'
In what world is someone who was settled for 5+ years in Germany and has admitted that they are coming to the UK to find work a potential asylum claimant. And how has it taken 3 years to make that determination?
This isn’t a comment on the level of immigration or the need for people to do jobs. It’s a comment on the breakdown is the asylum process. If you want legal immigration that should be separate
Quite: this should have been a 48 hour determination at most.
We must have the only police force in the world that actively tried to stop someone who admits, and is actively trying to go stop leaving !
But, what can they do with this boat-dwelling arsehole? They can't deport him to Syria. They can't deport him to Germany because of our hard won BREXIT FREEDOMS. The Old Bill can't just not enforce the law that says you can't blag your way onto ferries.
Stick him on a train to Dublin.
Brutal! I remember aged 18 going to Spain for a week just before taking up my first job. On the beach I met an English guy about the same age as me with a battered boat and 'Joe's Speedboat' daubed on the side.
He had a bevy of girls around him and every now and then someone would turn up wanting a ski he'd give them a spin round the bay. I spent most of the week with him and I spent the next several years wondering why I was working like a dog in London and wasn't doing what Joe was doing with his bevvy of girls not a care in the world driving his speedboat.
When did we become this morose place where we worry about someone from another country sleeping under a boat or even buying one if he wants to? What's wrong with foreigners being here? When did this obsession start?
Bad teeth is a small price to pay for blue passports and a government intend on demonising social difference.
Good to get back to the patriotic 1950s, never mind the 1930s.
'The most obvious sign of under-nourishment is the badness of everybody’s teeth. In Lancashire you would have to look for a long time before you saw a working-class person with good natural teeth. Indeed, you see very few people with natural teeth at all, apart from the children; and even the children’s teeth have a frail bluish appearance which means, I suppose, calcium deficiency ... In Wigan various people gave me their opinion that it is best to get shut of your teeth as early in life as possible. ‘Teeth is just a misery,’ one woman said to me.'
One may agree with Tucker or not, but he is a major American journalist and such an action would greatly offend the American public."
followed by retweeting: "The European Union is said to be seeking sanctions and a "travel ban" against Tucker Carlson for his interview with Russian President Vladimir Putin."
As a general rule, if anyone starts by saying 'If true' it's fairly likely that they already know that what follows isn't true, and just enjoy spreading misinformation because they are arseholes.
But wait, Christiane Amanpour of CNN (a fine and famous journalist) and multiple other celebrated hacks, have all said they’ve tried and tried to get interviews with Putin
Is the EU going to ban them as well? Why not? So why are they banning Tucker C? For succeeding as a journalist?
Preposterous bollocks; thank god we left the EU
Perhaps because they were trying to interview Putin rather than propagandise on his behalf ?
The ban is a silly idea - but as a justification for leaving the EU, it's even sillier than your usual output.
How is it that for some people "one MEP wonders about X" = instantly and infallibly means "EU tries to impose a ban"?
Guy Verhofstadt is a fairly senior figure in the EU Parliament. If he is calling for something, it actually has some chance of happening. Which isn't much chance.
Even if/when Carlson's interview turns out to be pure pro-Putin propaganda, there's no chance of a travel ban. Carlson would himself have to actively call for Russia to conquer the rest of Ukraine and then invade the Baltics, for there to be a chance of a ban.
Er, you haven't noticed that we have discussed it several times on PB, including Labour's modification of the photo to a Britain Isn't Working-style election poster. But it is always good to remind ourselves that that is the way in which current government policy drills down to the ordinary punter on the street.
That isn't what that video says to any sane person
Now, don't get me wrong,. every person in that queue deserves free dental care, that is our national policy, that is their right. And dentistry in the UK has been SHITE for decades, and getting worse (I get all mine in Bangkok)
But the obvious BME over-representation in that queue (compared to national average) does suggest that part of the problem with our NHS (and much else) is the fact we are allowing in immigrants at an historically unprecedented rate - 1.3m in two years, more, per capita, than ever entered the USA - and that is going to fuck up a free heath service, and much else, unless the economy explodes with growth (which it has not done)
Of course, much of the blame lies with the Tories, they've been in power 14 years and demonstrably screwed this up. Fie on them
That argument fails, because the photo was taken in St Paul's, which had a very high BME percentage half a century ago!
St Paul's has a non-UK population of 32%, and growing fast. It will be newcomers seeking a dentist
How can this be controversial? We have let in millions of immigramts, they will - quite rightly - expect the free dental care given to UK citzens, this is them looking for an NHS dentist. I don't blame them
You've got to love Kinabalu's favourite Old Haileyburian Bazza Gardiner.
Labour's u-turn is "politically jejeune".
Classic Old Labour rhetoric.
“Jejune” please Topping.
oh god.
Indeed, banished to Conhome for just the month if you are lucky.
{Puts on black cap}
You have been found guilty of crimes against PB. May you been taken from this place to a place of confinement. Where you will be placed in a cell with Piers Morgan, Piers Corbyn and Julian Assange, 24/366. The only entertainment will be
- the worst Radiohead song on permanent loop. - A computer that only allows you to read the worst comments on ConHome - a option to program in Python.
May God have mercy upon your soul. because we won't.
You've got to love Kinabalu's favourite Old Haileyburian Bazza Gardiner.
Labour's u-turn is "politically jejeune".
Classic Old Labour rhetoric.
“Jejune” please Topping.
oh god.
Indeed, banished to Conhome for just the month if you are lucky.
{Puts on black cap}
You have been found guilty of crimes against PB. May you been taken from this place to a place of confinement. Where you will be placed in a cell with Piers Morgan, Piers Corbyn and Julian Assange, 24/366. The only entertainment will be
- the worst Radiohead song on permanent loop. - A computer that only allows you to read the worst comments on ConHome - a option to program in Python.
May God have mercy upon your soul. because we won't.
Do we just have vanilla Python, or are we allowed extra libraries? That could be a deal breaker... ;;)
I'd be amazed if the PM hadn't called the Grey family privately to apologise "for any misunderstanding" or somesuch, ie usual apologetic non-apology but still a reach out. I'm sure he would have called them under the radar.
Er, you haven't noticed that we have discussed it several times on PB, including Labour's modification of the photo to a Britain Isn't Working-style election poster. But it is always good to remind ourselves that that is the way in which current government policy drills down to the ordinary punter on the street.
That isn't what that video says to any sane person
Now, don't get me wrong,. every person in that queue deserves free dental care, that is our national policy, that is their right. And dentistry in the UK has been SHITE for decades, and getting worse (I get all mine in Bangkok)
But the obvious BME over-representation in that queue (compared to national average) does suggest that part of the problem with our NHS (and much else) is the fact we are allowing in immigrants at an historically unprecedented rate - 1.3m in two years, more, per capita, than ever entered the USA - and that is going to fuck up a free heath service, and much else, unless the economy explodes with growth (which it has not done)
Of course, much of the blame lies with the Tories, they've been in power 14 years and demonstrably screwed this up. Fie on them
It demonstrates a longstanding truth, that NHS services are worse in poorer areas. The paucity of the services owes nothing to immigration and everything to a government policy of underfunding the NHS and public services more broadly. Immigration is just the convenient excuse Tory stooges wheel out to cover for the government's failings, lapped up by the week minded.
Er, you haven't noticed that we have discussed it several times on PB, including Labour's modification of the photo to a Britain Isn't Working-style election poster. But it is always good to remind ourselves that that is the way in which current government policy drills down to the ordinary punter on the street.
That isn't what that video says to any sane person
Now, don't get me wrong,. every person in that queue deserves free dental care, that is our national policy, that is their right. And dentistry in the UK has been SHITE for decades, and getting worse (I get all mine in Bangkok)
But the obvious BME over-representation in that queue (compared to national average) does suggest that part of the problem with our NHS (and much else) is the fact we are allowing in immigrants at an historically unprecedented rate - 1.3m in two years, more, per capita, than ever entered the USA - and that is going to fuck up a free heath service, and much else, unless the economy explodes with growth (which it has not done)
Of course, much of the blame lies with the Tories, they've been in power 14 years and demonstrably screwed this up. Fie on them
That argument fails, because the photo was taken in St Paul's, which had a very high BME percentage half a century ago!
St Paul's has a non-UK population of 32%, and growing fast. It will be newcomers seeking a dentist
How can this be controversial? We have let in millions of immigramts, they will - quite rightly - expect the free dental care given to UK citzens, this is them looking for an NHS dentist. I don't blame them
It's not free, it was about £28 for a two visit check-up, scale and polish last time I went !
Er, you haven't noticed that we have discussed it several times on PB, including Labour's modification of the photo to a Britain Isn't Working-style election poster. But it is always good to remind ourselves that that is the way in which current government policy drills down to the ordinary punter on the street.
That isn't what that video says to any sane person
Now, don't get me wrong,. every person in that queue deserves free dental care, that is our national policy, that is their right. And dentistry in the UK has been SHITE for decades, and getting worse (I get all mine in Bangkok)
But the obvious BME over-representation in that queue (compared to national average) does suggest that part of the problem with our NHS (and much else) is the fact we are allowing in immigrants at an historically unprecedented rate - 1.3m in two years, more, per capita, than ever entered the USA - and that is going to fuck up a free heath service, and much else, unless the economy explodes with growth (which it has not done)
Of course, much of the blame lies with the Tories, they've been in power 14 years and demonstrably screwed this up. Fie on them
Yes just looking at that queue with all those Polish plumbers and Norwegian bankers. They stand out a mile.
Er, you haven't noticed that we have discussed it several times on PB, including Labour's modification of the photo to a Britain Isn't Working-style election poster. But it is always good to remind ourselves that that is the way in which current government policy drills down to the ordinary punter on the street.
Fair play to Leon, the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune in our countryside, towns and cities aren't so obvious when one spends all their time hob-nobbing with the ladyboys of Bangkok and Phnom Pen.
Ladyboys are scary. Seriously. They are about six foot two and travel in gangs, I don't know what genetic reason makes them simultaneously ladyboyish and tall, but it is a thing
One may agree with Tucker or not, but he is a major American journalist and such an action would greatly offend the American public."
followed by retweeting: "The European Union is said to be seeking sanctions and a "travel ban" against Tucker Carlson for his interview with Russian President Vladimir Putin."
As a general rule, if anyone starts by saying 'If true' it's fairly likely that they already know that what follows isn't true, and just enjoy spreading misinformation because they are arseholes.
But wait, Christiane Amanpour of CNN (a fine and famous journalist) and multiple other celebrated hacks, have all said they’ve tried and tried to get interviews with Putin
Is the EU going to ban them as well? Why not? So why are they banning Tucker C? For succeeding as a journalist?
Preposterous bollocks; thank god we left the EU
Perhaps because they were trying to interview Putin rather than propagandise on his behalf ?
The ban is a silly idea - but as a justification for leaving the EU, it's even sillier than your usual output.
How is it that for some people "one MEP wonders about X" = instantly and infallibly means "EU tries to impose a ban"?
Guy Verhofstadt is a fairly senior figure in the EU Parliament. If he is calling for something, it actually has some chance of happening. Which isn't much chance.
Even if/when Carlson's interview turns out to be pure pro-Putin propaganda, there's no chance of a travel ban. Carlson would himself have to actively call for Russia to conquer the rest of Ukraine and then invade the Baltics, for there to be a chance of a ban.
Yup. Not sure why people are getting fired up *before* an interview.
I find it rather strange. When the PIRA were blowing up the pubs I drank in, it was considered a moral issue that An Phoblacht still be published and there was much whining at the idea of sanctioning those who personally and publicly called for the violence.
Er, you haven't noticed that we have discussed it several times on PB, including Labour's modification of the photo to a Britain Isn't Working-style election poster. But it is always good to remind ourselves that that is the way in which current government policy drills down to the ordinary punter on the street.
But the obvious BME over-representation in that queue
Er, you haven't noticed that we have discussed it several times on PB, including Labour's modification of the photo to a Britain Isn't Working-style election poster. But it is always good to remind ourselves that that is the way in which current government policy drills down to the ordinary punter on the street.
That isn't what that video says to any sane person
Now, don't get me wrong,. every person in that queue deserves free dental care, that is our national policy, that is their right. And dentistry in the UK has been SHITE for decades, and getting worse (I get all mine in Bangkok)
But the obvious BME over-representation in that queue (compared to national average) does suggest that part of the problem with our NHS (and much else) is the fact we are allowing in immigrants at an historically unprecedented rate - 1.3m in two years, more, per capita, than ever entered the USA - and that is going to fuck up a free heath service, and much else, unless the economy explodes with growth (which it has not done)
Of course, much of the blame lies with the Tories, they've been in power 14 years and demonstrably screwed this up. Fie on them
It demonstrates a longstanding truth, that NHS services are worse in poorer areas. The paucity of the services owes nothing to immigration and everything to a government policy of underfunding the NHS and public services more broadly. Immigration is just the convenient excuse Tory stooges wheel out to cover for the government's failings, lapped up by the week minded.
Also: where do rather a lot of doctors, nurses, and other health workers in the UK cone from? Helpful hint: not born in the UK. And getting rid of the EU-born ones doesn't help.
Er, you haven't noticed that we have discussed it several times on PB, including Labour's modification of the photo to a Britain Isn't Working-style election poster. But it is always good to remind ourselves that that is the way in which current government policy drills down to the ordinary punter on the street.
That isn't what that video says to any sane person
Now, don't get me wrong,. every person in that queue deserves free dental care, that is our national policy, that is their right. And dentistry in the UK has been SHITE for decades, and getting worse (I get all mine in Bangkok)
But the obvious BME over-representation in that queue (compared to national average) does suggest that part of the problem with our NHS (and much else) is the fact we are allowing in immigrants at an historically unprecedented rate - 1.3m in two years, more, per capita, than ever entered the USA - and that is going to fuck up a free heath service, and much else, unless the economy explodes with growth (which it has not done)
Of course, much of the blame lies with the Tories, they've been in power 14 years and demonstrably screwed this up. Fie on them
It demonstrates a longstanding truth, that NHS services are worse in poorer areas. The paucity of the services owes nothing to immigration and everything to a government policy of underfunding the NHS and public services more broadly. Immigration is just the convenient excuse Tory stooges wheel out to cover for the government's failings, lapped up by the week minded.
Do you really honestly believe that adding 10m people to our population, in a few short years - an influx so vast it is greater (per capita) than America experienced during the era of Ellis Island - has NOT put pressure on our NHS, infra, sewage, education, etc?
I mean, to me this is so ridiculous it is not debatable. It is blindingly obvious. But if you demur I'm kinda impressed
Heard on the radio the other day Kiev dentists were having difficulty coming over. Of all the people we both need and want as immigrants to the country I'd have thought they'd be at the very top.
One may agree with Tucker or not, but he is a major American journalist and such an action would greatly offend the American public."
followed by retweeting: "The European Union is said to be seeking sanctions and a "travel ban" against Tucker Carlson for his interview with Russian President Vladimir Putin."
As a general rule, if anyone starts by saying 'If true' it's fairly likely that they already know that what follows isn't true, and just enjoy spreading misinformation because they are arseholes.
But wait, Christiane Amanpour of CNN (a fine and famous journalist) and multiple other celebrated hacks, have all said they’ve tried and tried to get interviews with Putin
Is the EU going to ban them as well? Why not? So why are they banning Tucker C? For succeeding as a journalist?
Preposterous bollocks; thank god we left the EU
Perhaps because they were trying to interview Putin rather than propagandise on his behalf ?
The ban is a silly idea - but as a justification for leaving the EU, it's even sillier than your usual output.
Er, you haven't noticed that we have discussed it several times on PB, including Labour's modification of the photo to a Britain Isn't Working-style election poster. But it is always good to remind ourselves that that is the way in which current government policy drills down to the ordinary punter on the street.
But the obvious BME over-representation in that queue
This is where you fucked up.
No, it isn't
It will be newcomers seeking dentists. Settled citizens (of any stripe) will already have dentists, in the main
For the last eight years the vast majority of migration into Britain - since Brexit - has been non-white, non-EU. You would therefore expect a queue of new people, presumably seeking a dentist, to be non-white
The thing about all the fuss over the 1.5 degrees is that many people will look out of the window and think "meh".
Well quite. We had 1.5deg last year apparently. It was a bit hot for a few weeks in the summer, but hardly the end of days. The climate industry have spend 20 years shouting about how we've six months to save the world, how we should limit change to 2 deg C, then 1.5 deg C, or we're doomed, and frankly it increasingly seems a load of old hogwash. Unless something changes, eventually people may just start to to think it's just a poor chicken little impression, coupled with a load of cunning plans for them to spend all your money on their mates.
The thing about all the fuss over the 1.5 degrees is that many people will look out of the window and think "meh".
Well quite. We had 1.5deg last year apparently. It was a bit hot for a few weeks in the summer, but hardly the end of days. The climate industry have spend 20 years shouting about how we've six months to save the world, how we should limit change to 2 deg C, then 1.5 deg C, or we're doomed, and frankly it increasingly seems a load of old hogwash. Unless something changes, eventually people may just start to to think it's just a poor chicken little impression, coupled with a load of cunning plans for them to spend all your money on their mates.
I thought the "if the world is warming why is it a bit chilly outside my front door" thing was a purely American non-passport owning affliction, but you live and learn.
One may agree with Tucker or not, but he is a major American journalist and such an action would greatly offend the American public."
followed by retweeting: "The European Union is said to be seeking sanctions and a "travel ban" against Tucker Carlson for his interview with Russian President Vladimir Putin."
As a general rule, if anyone starts by saying 'If true' it's fairly likely that they already know that what follows isn't true, and just enjoy spreading misinformation because they are arseholes.
But wait, Christiane Amanpour of CNN (a fine and famous journalist) and multiple other celebrated hacks, have all said they’ve tried and tried to get interviews with Putin
Is the EU going to ban them as well? Why not? So why are they banning Tucker C? For succeeding as a journalist?
Preposterous bollocks; thank god we left the EU
Perhaps because they were trying to interview Putin rather than propagandise on his behalf ?
The ban is a silly idea - but as a justification for leaving the EU, it's even sillier than your usual output.
How is it that for some people "one MEP wonders about X" = instantly and infallibly means "EU tries to impose a ban"?
Perhaps they're not very clever.
I can certainly say with accuracy, you wouldn't get my tortoise making that non sequitur.
Saw a wild boar yesterday just walking beside a road not a care in the world.
Impressive
But where?
In France, much less impressive: they have trillions, they are basically vermin. I have seen a sanglier
In Britain: impressive! I've never seen one totally. I believe I glimpsed one in the Chilterns, but can't be sure (they're not meant to be there), I saw a trotter-print in Sussex, and I went looking for them in the Forest of Dean, which has loads, but had no luck
With all the caveats - this is one case, it’s the Daily Mail (so may be at least half true), etc etc this is a good example of why ordinary people get frustrated by the asylum system
* Fled Syria in 2014 to avoid being called up. Ok, seems reasonable * Settled in Germany where he had family. Makes sense * 3 years ago he rowed with his family because he drinks and smokes and they said that means he’s not a good Muslim. Hmmh. Seems unlikely… may be @TheScreamingEagles can comment * To quote him: 'I thought the UK would be a good place to find work in the construction industry, I am a talented plasterer,'
In what world is someone who was settled for 5+ years in Germany and has admitted that they are coming to the UK to find work a potential asylum claimant. And how has it taken 3 years to make that determination?
This isn’t a comment on the level of immigration or the need for people to do jobs. It’s a comment on the breakdown is the asylum process. If you want legal immigration that should be separate
Quite: this should have been a 48 hour determination at most.
We must have the only police force in the world that actively tried to stop someone who admits, and is actively trying to go stop leaving !
But, what can they do with this boat-dwelling arsehole? They can't deport him to Syria. They can't deport him to Germany because of our hard won BREXIT FREEDOMS. The Old Bill can't just not enforce the law that says you can't blag your way onto ferries.
Stick him on a train to Dublin.
Brutal! I remember aged 18 going to Spain for a week just before taking up my first job. On the beach I met an English guy about the same age as me with a battered boat and 'Joe's Speedboat' daubed on the side.
He had a bevy of girls around him and every now and then someone would turn up wanting a ski he'd give them a spin round the bay. I spent most of the week with him and I spent the next several years wondering why I was working like a dog in London and wasn't doing what Joe was doing with his bevvy of girls not a care in the world driving his speedboat.
When did we become this morose place where we worry about someone from another country sleeping under a boat or even buying one if he wants to? What's wrong with foreigners being here? When did this obsession start?
Because he broke the rules
Do you remember when we used to think we lived in a 'free country'? When most lived by the philosophy of 'live and let live'? '
Er, you haven't noticed that we have discussed it several times on PB, including Labour's modification of the photo to a Britain Isn't Working-style election poster. But it is always good to remind ourselves that that is the way in which current government policy drills down to the ordinary punter on the street.
But the obvious BME over-representation in that queue
This is where you fucked up.
No, it isn't
It will be newcomers seeking dentists. Settled citizens (of any stripe) will already have dentists, in the main
For the last eight years the vast majority of migration into Britain - since Brexit - has been non-white, non-EU. You would therefore expect a queue of new people, presumably seeking a dentist, to be non-white
I didn't see you travelling down this path tbh. What does it matter what colour people are. Plus I've no idea whether your "stat" is true. I haven't yet come across a black Polish plumber or Romanian bricklayer or indeed Albanian chippie but I'm sure some exist.
Or are you feeling a bit besieged on PB atm and are doubling down.
Er, you haven't noticed that we have discussed it several times on PB, including Labour's modification of the photo to a Britain Isn't Working-style election poster. But it is always good to remind ourselves that that is the way in which current government policy drills down to the ordinary punter on the street.
That isn't what that video says to any sane person
Now, don't get me wrong,. every person in that queue deserves free dental care, that is our national policy, that is their right. And dentistry in the UK has been SHITE for decades, and getting worse (I get all mine in Bangkok)
But the obvious BME over-representation in that queue (compared to national average) does suggest that part of the problem with our NHS (and much else) is the fact we are allowing in immigrants at an historically unprecedented rate - 1.3m in two years, more, per capita, than ever entered the USA - and that is going to fuck up a free heath service, and much else, unless the economy explodes with growth (which it has not done)
Of course, much of the blame lies with the Tories, they've been in power 14 years and demonstrably screwed this up. Fie on them
It demonstrates a longstanding truth, that NHS services are worse in poorer areas. The paucity of the services owes nothing to immigration and everything to a government policy of underfunding the NHS and public services more broadly. Immigration is just the convenient excuse Tory stooges wheel out to cover for the government's failings, lapped up by the week minded.
Are NHS services worse in poor areas or is there just more demand for NHS services in poor areas ?
One step further back:
Does bad, overcrowded housing lead to worse health among the poor or do the unhealthy live in bad, overcrowded housing because they are poor.
Though immigration is a factor - poor immigrants, often from countries with bad healthcare facilities, are going to both live in poor areas and also have greater need of healthcare treatment.
The best way of helping the poor is to stop bringing in more poor to live among them.
On topic, doesn't this header just demonstrate how fundamentally unserious and raggy our leading print newspapers are? Including both broadsheets and tabloids. The only one that pays meaningful attention to actual world news this morning rather than domestic tittle tattle is the FT.
The thing about all the fuss over the 1.5 degrees is that many people will look out of the window and think "meh".
Well quite. We had 1.5deg last year apparently. It was a bit hot for a few weeks in the summer, but hardly the end of days. The climate industry have spend 20 years shouting about how we've six months to save the world, how we should limit change to 2 deg C, then 1.5 deg C, or we're doomed, and frankly it increasingly seems a load of old hogwash. Unless something changes, eventually people may just start to to think it's just a poor chicken little impression, coupled with a load of cunning plans for them to spend all your money on their mates.
The ex-IPCC head this morning on R4 sounded positively unhinged.
On topic, doesn't this header just demonstrate how fundamentally unserious and raggy our leading print newspapers are? Including both broadsheets and tabloids. The only one that pays meaningful attention to actual world news this morning rather than domestic tittle tattle is the FT.
One may agree with Tucker or not, but he is a major American journalist and such an action would greatly offend the American public."
followed by retweeting: "The European Union is said to be seeking sanctions and a "travel ban" against Tucker Carlson for his interview with Russian President Vladimir Putin."
As a general rule, if anyone starts by saying 'If true' it's fairly likely that they already know that what follows isn't true, and just enjoy spreading misinformation because they are arseholes.
But wait, Christiane Amanpour of CNN (a fine and famous journalist) and multiple other celebrated hacks, have all said they’ve tried and tried to get interviews with Putin
Is the EU going to ban them as well? Why not? So why are they banning Tucker C? For succeeding as a journalist?
Preposterous bollocks; thank god we left the EU
Perhaps because they were trying to interview Putin rather than propagandise on his behalf ?
The ban is a silly idea - but as a justification for leaving the EU, it's even sillier than your usual output.
How is it that for some people "one MEP wonders about X" = instantly and infallibly means "EU tries to impose a ban"?
Perhaps they're not very clever.
I can certainly say with accuracy, you wouldn't get my tortoise making that non sequitur.
Saw a wild boar yesterday just walking beside a road not a care in the world.
Impressive
But where?
In France, much less impressive: they have trillions, they are basically vermin. I have seen a sanglier
In Britain: impressive! I've never seen one totally. I believe I glimpsed one in the Chilterns, but can't be sure (they're not meant to be there), I saw a trotter-print in Sussex, and I went looking for them in the Forest of Dean, which has loads, but had no luck
I like them. A bit of wildness
In Germany in the winter they would demolish our fence and then clear the snow in our garden with their tusks to eat the grass. You didn't mess with them. In the woods they generally left you alone but you had to be alert not to surprise them.
One may agree with Tucker or not, but he is a major American journalist and such an action would greatly offend the American public."
followed by retweeting: "The European Union is said to be seeking sanctions and a "travel ban" against Tucker Carlson for his interview with Russian President Vladimir Putin."
As a general rule, if anyone starts by saying 'If true' it's fairly likely that they already know that what follows isn't true, and just enjoy spreading misinformation because they are arseholes.
But wait, Christiane Amanpour of CNN (a fine and famous journalist) and multiple other celebrated hacks, have all said they’ve tried and tried to get interviews with Putin
Is the EU going to ban them as well? Why not? So why are they banning Tucker C? For succeeding as a journalist?
Preposterous bollocks; thank god we left the EU
Perhaps because they were trying to interview Putin rather than propagandise on his behalf ?
The ban is a silly idea - but as a justification for leaving the EU, it's even sillier than your usual output.
How is it that for some people "one MEP wonders about X" = instantly and infallibly means "EU tries to impose a ban"?
Perhaps they're not very clever.
I can certainly say with accuracy, you wouldn't get my tortoise making that non sequitur.
Saw a wild boar yesterday just walking beside a road not a care in the world.
Impressive
But where?
In France, much less impressive: they have trillions, they are basically vermin. I have seen a sanglier
In Britain: impressive! I've never seen one totally. I believe I glimpsed one in the Chilterns, but can't be sure (they're not meant to be there), I saw a trotter-print in Sussex, and I went looking for them in the Forest of Dean, which has loads, but had no luck
I like them. A bit of wildness
In Germany in the winter they would demolish our fence and then clear the snow in our garden with their tusks to eat the grass. You didn't mess with them. In the woods they generally left you alone but you had to be alert not to surprise them.
Er, you haven't noticed that we have discussed it several times on PB, including Labour's modification of the photo to a Britain Isn't Working-style election poster. But it is always good to remind ourselves that that is the way in which current government policy drills down to the ordinary punter on the street.
Fair play to Leon, the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune in our countryside, towns and cities aren't so obvious when one spends all their time hob-nobbing with the ladyboys of Bangkok and Phnom Pen.
Ladyboys are scary. Seriously. They are about six foot two and travel in gangs, I don't know what genetic reason makes them simultaneously ladyboyish and tall, but it is a thing
One may agree with Tucker or not, but he is a major American journalist and such an action would greatly offend the American public."
followed by retweeting: "The European Union is said to be seeking sanctions and a "travel ban" against Tucker Carlson for his interview with Russian President Vladimir Putin."
As a general rule, if anyone starts by saying 'If true' it's fairly likely that they already know that what follows isn't true, and just enjoy spreading misinformation because they are arseholes.
But wait, Christiane Amanpour of CNN (a fine and famous journalist) and multiple other celebrated hacks, have all said they’ve tried and tried to get interviews with Putin
Is the EU going to ban them as well? Why not? So why are they banning Tucker C? For succeeding as a journalist?
Preposterous bollocks; thank god we left the EU
Perhaps because they were trying to interview Putin rather than propagandise on his behalf ?
The ban is a silly idea - but as a justification for leaving the EU, it's even sillier than your usual output.
How is it that for some people "one MEP wonders about X" = instantly and infallibly means "EU tries to impose a ban"?
Guy Verhofstadt is a fairly senior figure in the EU Parliament. If he is calling for something, it actually has some chance of happening. Which isn't much chance.
Even if/when Carlson's interview turns out to be pure pro-Putin propaganda, there's no chance of a travel ban. Carlson would himself have to actively call for Russia to conquer the rest of Ukraine and then invade the Baltics, for there to be a chance of a ban.
Yup. Not sure why people are getting fired up *before* an interview.
I find it rather strange. When the PIRA were blowing up the pubs I drank in, it was considered a moral issue that An Phoblacht still be published and there was much whining at the idea of sanctioning those who personally and publicly called for the violence.
Those were the days! I remember Gerry Adams being voice by an actor on the radio...
But idiots like Leon claiming that Carlson is being persecuted by the EU because an MEP said he might be spreading pro-Putin propaganda, it's just the typical whiny fake-victimhood we expect from Putin-lovers.
Er, you haven't noticed that we have discussed it several times on PB, including Labour's modification of the photo to a Britain Isn't Working-style election poster. But it is always good to remind ourselves that that is the way in which current government policy drills down to the ordinary punter on the street.
That isn't what that video says to any sane person
Now, don't get me wrong,. every person in that queue deserves free dental care, that is our national policy, that is their right. And dentistry in the UK has been SHITE for decades, and getting worse (I get all mine in Bangkok)
But the obvious BME over-representation in that queue (compared to national average) does suggest that part of the problem with our NHS (and much else) is the fact we are allowing in immigrants at an historically unprecedented rate - 1.3m in two years, more, per capita, than ever entered the USA - and that is going to fuck up a free heath service, and much else, unless the economy explodes with growth (which it has not done)
Of course, much of the blame lies with the Tories, they've been in power 14 years and demonstrably screwed this up. Fie on them
It demonstrates a longstanding truth, that NHS services are worse in poorer areas. The paucity of the services owes nothing to immigration and everything to a government policy of underfunding the NHS and public services more broadly. Immigration is just the convenient excuse Tory stooges wheel out to cover for the government's failings, lapped up by the week minded.
Do you really honestly believe that adding 10m people to our population, in a few short years - an influx so vast it is greater (per capita) than America experienced during the era of Ellis Island - has NOT put pressure on our NHS, infra, sewage, education, etc?
I mean, to me this is so ridiculous it is not debatable. It is blindingly obvious. But if you demur I'm kinda impressed
Of course, if the government chooses not to fund the necessary expansion of public services. But that is a choice.
Er, you haven't noticed that we have discussed it several times on PB, including Labour's modification of the photo to a Britain Isn't Working-style election poster. But it is always good to remind ourselves that that is the way in which current government policy drills down to the ordinary punter on the street.
But the obvious BME over-representation in that queue
This is where you fucked up.
No, it isn't
It will be newcomers seeking dentists. Settled citizens (of any stripe) will already have dentists, in the main
For the last eight years the vast majority of migration into Britain - since Brexit - has been non-white, non-EU. You would therefore expect a queue of new people, presumably seeking a dentist, to be non-white
I didn't see you travelling down this path tbh. What does it matter what colour people are. Plus I've no idea whether your "stat" is true. I haven't yet come across a black Polish plumber or Romanian bricklayer or indeed Albanian chippie but I'm sure some exist.
Or are you feeling a bit besieged on PB atm and are doubling down.
I am merely saying that the video is - arguably - a visual representation of the pressure mass migration is putting on the UK's public services and infra. This is hardly a new point from me, I am hardly going off on a new Nazi tangent, am I? I expect you've heard me make the point before
And yet there are PB-ers who deny this is an issue. Who deny that mass migration might be at least part of the reason we see such pressure on UK health, education, sewage, roads, &c
See below
i do feel slightly beseiged, but I quite enjoy it (for now). With @Casino_Royale gone I am like the last redcoat in Zulu, the drunken malingerer in the sick bay turned hero, shooting up at the thatch as the lefty hordes overwhelm the Drift. Hooky. That was his name. Hooky. Got a VC didn't he?
The thing about all the fuss over the 1.5 degrees is that many people will look out of the window and think "meh".
Well quite. We had 1.5deg last year apparently. It was a bit hot for a few weeks in the summer, but hardly the end of days. The climate industry have spend 20 years shouting about how we've six months to save the world, how we should limit change to 2 deg C, then 1.5 deg C, or we're doomed, and frankly it increasingly seems a load of old hogwash. Unless something changes, eventually people may just start to to think it's just a poor chicken little impression, coupled with a load of cunning plans for them to spend all your money on their mates.
We also had an unprecedented series of winter storms (we have of course had bigger individual ones) which have demolished a disappointing number of trees, truly remarkable flooding and more than our share of forest fires in the summer.
It's curious how people can draw what they want from the same evidence. For me, it was obvious that our weather had a lot more energy in it and tended to extremes as forecast. This was the year for me when the implications of global warming became manifest locally in a way I had not picked up before.
One may agree with Tucker or not, but he is a major American journalist and such an action would greatly offend the American public."
followed by retweeting: "The European Union is said to be seeking sanctions and a "travel ban" against Tucker Carlson for his interview with Russian President Vladimir Putin."
As a general rule, if anyone starts by saying 'If true' it's fairly likely that they already know that what follows isn't true, and just enjoy spreading misinformation because they are arseholes.
But wait, Christiane Amanpour of CNN (a fine and famous journalist) and multiple other celebrated hacks, have all said they’ve tried and tried to get interviews with Putin
Is the EU going to ban them as well? Why not? So why are they banning Tucker C? For succeeding as a journalist?
Preposterous bollocks; thank god we left the EU
Perhaps because they were trying to interview Putin rather than propagandise on his behalf ?
The ban is a silly idea - but as a justification for leaving the EU, it's even sillier than your usual output.
How is it that for some people "one MEP wonders about X" = instantly and infallibly means "EU tries to impose a ban"?
Perhaps they're not very clever.
I can certainly say with accuracy, you wouldn't get my tortoise making that non sequitur.
Saw a wild boar yesterday just walking beside a road not a care in the world.
Impressive
But where?
In France, much less impressive: they have trillions, they are basically vermin. I have seen a sanglier
In Britain: impressive! I've never seen one totally. I believe I glimpsed one in the Chilterns, but can't be sure (they're not meant to be there), I saw a trotter-print in Sussex, and I went looking for them in the Forest of Dean, which has loads, but had no luck
I like them. A bit of wildness
In Germany in the winter they would demolish our fence and then clear the snow in our garden with their tusks to eat the grass. You didn't mess with them. In the woods they generally left you alone but you had to be alert not to surprise them.
They are growing in numbers - escapees from farms are now breeding in the wild.
It was many years back, when people used to panic about the escapes. There was one in Wiltshire, where the police tried to borrow suitable guns from a local hunter. It wasn’t long after the Raul Moat thing and the firearms dealer who got stitched up and committed suicide. The hunter told the police no.
Er, you haven't noticed that we have discussed it several times on PB, including Labour's modification of the photo to a Britain Isn't Working-style election poster. But it is always good to remind ourselves that that is the way in which current government policy drills down to the ordinary punter on the street.
But the obvious BME over-representation in that queue
This is where you fucked up.
No, it isn't
It will be newcomers seeking dentists. Settled citizens (of any stripe) will already have dentists, in the main
For the last eight years the vast majority of migration into Britain - since Brexit - has been non-white, non-EU. You would therefore expect a queue of new people, presumably seeking a dentist, to be non-white
Apparently the worst shortages of NHS dentists are in rural areas and coastal strips - not exactly the favoured destinations of newcomers.
And, as has been pointed out, St. Pauls is the area of Bristol that has had a high proportion of immigrants since at least the 1950s. You may be too young to remember the 1980 riots, when local youth expressed their displeasure at their persecution by the police. Those same youths, older and wiser, doubtless form part of the queue for a dentist that has animated you so much.
One may agree with Tucker or not, but he is a major American journalist and such an action would greatly offend the American public."
followed by retweeting: "The European Union is said to be seeking sanctions and a "travel ban" against Tucker Carlson for his interview with Russian President Vladimir Putin."
As a general rule, if anyone starts by saying 'If true' it's fairly likely that they already know that what follows isn't true, and just enjoy spreading misinformation because they are arseholes.
But wait, Christiane Amanpour of CNN (a fine and famous journalist) and multiple other celebrated hacks, have all said they’ve tried and tried to get interviews with Putin
Is the EU going to ban them as well? Why not? So why are they banning Tucker C? For succeeding as a journalist?
Preposterous bollocks; thank god we left the EU
Perhaps because they were trying to interview Putin rather than propagandise on his behalf ?
The ban is a silly idea - but as a justification for leaving the EU, it's even sillier than your usual output.
How is it that for some people "one MEP wonders about X" = instantly and infallibly means "EU tries to impose a ban"?
Perhaps they're not very clever.
I can certainly say with accuracy, you wouldn't get my tortoise making that non sequitur.
Saw a wild boar yesterday just walking beside a road not a care in the world.
Impressive
But where?
In France, much less impressive: they have trillions, they are basically vermin. I have seen a sanglier
In Britain: impressive! I've never seen one totally. I believe I glimpsed one in the Chilterns, but can't be sure (they're not meant to be there), I saw a trotter-print in Sussex, and I went looking for them in the Forest of Dean, which has loads, but had no luck
I like them. A bit of wildness
In Germany in the winter they would demolish our fence and then clear the snow in our garden with their tusks to eat the grass. You didn't mess with them. In the woods they generally left you alone but you had to be alert not to surprise them.
There are a handful in the woods of the Kent downs. Not as many as the burgeoning population of red deer though, who are everywhere (and very handsome but rather damaging). And Kent now also has bison roaming in Blean woods. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-kent-67754079
Er, you haven't noticed that we have discussed it several times on PB, including Labour's modification of the photo to a Britain Isn't Working-style election poster. But it is always good to remind ourselves that that is the way in which current government policy drills down to the ordinary punter on the street.
That isn't what that video says to any sane person
Now, don't get me wrong,. every person in that queue deserves free dental care, that is our national policy, that is their right. And dentistry in the UK has been SHITE for decades, and getting worse (I get all mine in Bangkok)
But the obvious BME over-representation in that queue (compared to national average) does suggest that part of the problem with our NHS (and much else) is the fact we are allowing in immigrants at an historically unprecedented rate - 1.3m in two years, more, per capita, than ever entered the USA - and that is going to fuck up a free heath service, and much else, unless the economy explodes with growth (which it has not done)
Of course, much of the blame lies with the Tories, they've been in power 14 years and demonstrably screwed this up. Fie on them
It demonstrates a longstanding truth, that NHS services are worse in poorer areas. The paucity of the services owes nothing to immigration and everything to a government policy of underfunding the NHS and public services more broadly. Immigration is just the convenient excuse Tory stooges wheel out to cover for the government's failings, lapped up by the week minded.
Do you really honestly believe that adding 10m people to our population, in a few short years - an influx so vast it is greater (per capita) than America experienced during the era of Ellis Island - has NOT put pressure on our NHS, infra, sewage, education, etc?
I mean, to me this is so ridiculous it is not debatable. It is blindingly obvious. But if you demur I'm kinda impressed
Of course, if the government chooses not to fund the necessary expansion of public services. But that is a choice.
And what if the government literally can't afford to fund this necessary expansion. What then? The obvious answer is: end immigration
Er, you haven't noticed that we have discussed it several times on PB, including Labour's modification of the photo to a Britain Isn't Working-style election poster. But it is always good to remind ourselves that that is the way in which current government policy drills down to the ordinary punter on the street.
But the obvious BME over-representation in that queue
This is where you fucked up.
No, it isn't
It will be newcomers seeking dentists. Settled citizens (of any stripe) will already have dentists, in the main
For the last eight years the vast majority of migration into Britain - since Brexit - has been non-white, non-EU. You would therefore expect a queue of new people, presumably seeking a dentist, to be non-white
I didn't see you travelling down this path tbh. What does it matter what colour people are. Plus I've no idea whether your "stat" is true. I haven't yet come across a black Polish plumber or Romanian bricklayer or indeed Albanian chippie but I'm sure some exist.
Or are you feeling a bit besieged on PB atm and are doubling down.
I am merely saying that the video is - arguably - a visual representation of the pressure mass migration is putting on the UK's public services and infra. This is hardly a new point from me, I am hardly going off on a new Nazi tangent, am I? I expect you've heard me make the point before
And yet there are PB-ers who deny this is an issue. Who deny that mass migration might be at least part of the reason we see such pressure on UK health, education, sewage, roads, &c
See below
i do feel slightly beseiged, but I quite enjoy it (for now). With @Casino_Royale gone I am like the last redcoat in Zulu, the drunken malingerer in the sick bay turned hero, shooting up at the thatch as the lefty hordes overwhelm the Drift. Hooky. That was his name. Hooky. Got a VC didn't he?
The drunken malingerer thing was bullshit, incidentally. He was a lay Methodist preacher and an exemplary soldier, IIRC.
Also, IIRC, his descendants protested at his portrayal
Er, you haven't noticed that we have discussed it several times on PB, including Labour's modification of the photo to a Britain Isn't Working-style election poster. But it is always good to remind ourselves that that is the way in which current government policy drills down to the ordinary punter on the street.
But the obvious BME over-representation in that queue
This is where you fucked up.
No, it isn't
It will be newcomers seeking dentists. Settled citizens (of any stripe) will already have dentists, in the main
For the last eight years the vast majority of migration into Britain - since Brexit - has been non-white, non-EU. You would therefore expect a queue of new people, presumably seeking a dentist, to be non-white
Not really. People move around, and will need a new dentist. Existing dental practices shut down and their patients need a new dentist. Plenty of people simply don't have a dentist because NHS dentists in their area won't take new patients. You just looked at a queue of non white people and said "they must be immigrants" on the basis of no information. Given that you live in Camden you have a surprisingly provincial and outdated view of British society.
Er, you haven't noticed that we have discussed it several times on PB, including Labour's modification of the photo to a Britain Isn't Working-style election poster. But it is always good to remind ourselves that that is the way in which current government policy drills down to the ordinary punter on the street.
But the obvious BME over-representation in that queue
This is where you fucked up.
No, it isn't
It will be newcomers seeking dentists. Settled citizens (of any stripe) will already have dentists, in the main
For the last eight years the vast majority of migration into Britain - since Brexit - has been non-white, non-EU. You would therefore expect a queue of new people, presumably seeking a dentist, to be non-white
I didn't see you travelling down this path tbh. What does it matter what colour people are. Plus I've no idea whether your "stat" is true. I haven't yet come across a black Polish plumber or Romanian bricklayer or indeed Albanian chippie but I'm sure some exist.
Or are you feeling a bit besieged on PB atm and are doubling down.
I am merely saying that the video is - arguably - a visual representation of the pressure mass migration is putting on the UK's public services and infra. This is hardly a new point from me, I am hardly going off on a new Nazi tangent, am I? I expect you've heard me make the point before
And yet there are PB-ers who deny this is an issue. Who deny that mass migration might be at least part of the reason we see such pressure on UK health, education, sewage, roads, &c
See below
i do feel slightly beseiged, but I quite enjoy it (for now). With @Casino_Royale gone I am like the last redcoat in Zulu, the drunken malingerer in the sick bay turned hero, shooting up at the thatch as the lefty hordes overwhelm the Drift. Hooky. That was his name. Hooky. Got a VC didn't he?
The drunken malingerer thing was bullshit, incidentally. He was a lay Methodist preacher and an exemplary soldier, IIRC.
Also, IIRC, his descendants protested at his portrayal
Great movie, tho. Really really great
I imagine it is barely showable now, as it is quite non-Woke
Er, you haven't noticed that we have discussed it several times on PB, including Labour's modification of the photo to a Britain Isn't Working-style election poster. But it is always good to remind ourselves that that is the way in which current government policy drills down to the ordinary punter on the street.
That isn't what that video says to any sane person
Now, don't get me wrong,. every person in that queue deserves free dental care, that is our national policy, that is their right. And dentistry in the UK has been SHITE for decades, and getting worse (I get all mine in Bangkok)
But the obvious BME over-representation in that queue (compared to national average) does suggest that part of the problem with our NHS (and much else) is the fact we are allowing in immigrants at an historically unprecedented rate - 1.3m in two years, more, per capita, than ever entered the USA - and that is going to fuck up a free heath service, and much else, unless the economy explodes with growth (which it has not done)
Of course, much of the blame lies with the Tories, they've been in power 14 years and demonstrably screwed this up. Fie on them
It demonstrates a longstanding truth, that NHS services are worse in poorer areas. The paucity of the services owes nothing to immigration and everything to a government policy of underfunding the NHS and public services more broadly. Immigration is just the convenient excuse Tory stooges wheel out to cover for the government's failings, lapped up by the week minded.
Do you really honestly believe that adding 10m people to our population, in a few short years - an influx so vast it is greater (per capita) than America experienced during the era of Ellis Island - has NOT put pressure on our NHS, infra, sewage, education, etc?
I mean, to me this is so ridiculous it is not debatable. It is blindingly obvious. But if you demur I'm kinda impressed
Of course, if the government chooses not to fund the necessary expansion of public services. But that is a choice.
And what if the government literally can't afford to fund this necessary expansion. What then? The obvious answer is: end immigration
Would you agree with that?
Even a simpleton would notice that you would have to figure out the effect of immigration on government finances, and the ability to provide those services. But not you!
Er, you haven't noticed that we have discussed it several times on PB, including Labour's modification of the photo to a Britain Isn't Working-style election poster. But it is always good to remind ourselves that that is the way in which current government policy drills down to the ordinary punter on the street.
But the obvious BME over-representation in that queue
This is where you fucked up.
No, it isn't
It will be newcomers seeking dentists. Settled citizens (of any stripe) will already have dentists, in the main
For the last eight years the vast majority of migration into Britain - since Brexit - has been non-white, non-EU. You would therefore expect a queue of new people, presumably seeking a dentist, to be non-white
Apparently the worst shortages of NHS dentists are in rural areas and coastal strips - not exactly the favoured destinations of newcomers.
It's not just NHS dentists. Mrs DA is now booking late April appointments. She used to keep the 9am - 10 am slot free for emergencies but now people are feigning emergencies to get quicker appointments. I don't know what the fuck is happening but, for once, the hyperbolic term 'collapse' seems apposite.
Don't know if this has been commented on in previous threads but Nevada held its Democratic primary on Tuesday. The United States being what it is with timely counting (and Nevada seems particularly poor at electoral administration), not all the votes are in yet but the top-line is unsurprising: Biden has won with about 90% (NotA finished second with nearly 6%).
Point is, that's another 36 pledged delegates in Biden's bag, giving him a clean sweep of the 91 up for grabs so far. Small beer out of the 3,770 to be elected in total (never mind the 4,540 once super-delegates are added in), but it's another incremental step and each such step makes it harder for the Democrats to pick anyone else, or to do so in a way that looks, well, democratic.
In a month or so, it'll be all but over. Super Tuesday is in less than 4 weeks, by when a third of delegates will have been chosen. A week later, another 6.5% are up for grabs; a week after that, another 10% will be - and that should then be that, providing Biden wants to remain in the race, which he gives every indication of wanting to do.
Er, you haven't noticed that we have discussed it several times on PB, including Labour's modification of the photo to a Britain Isn't Working-style election poster. But it is always good to remind ourselves that that is the way in which current government policy drills down to the ordinary punter on the street.
That isn't what that video says to any sane person
Now, don't get me wrong,. every person in that queue deserves free dental care, that is our national policy, that is their right. And dentistry in the UK has been SHITE for decades, and getting worse (I get all mine in Bangkok)
But the obvious BME over-representation in that queue (compared to national average) does suggest that part of the problem with our NHS (and much else) is the fact we are allowing in immigrants at an historically unprecedented rate - 1.3m in two years, more, per capita, than ever entered the USA - and that is going to fuck up a free heath service, and much else, unless the economy explodes with growth (which it has not done)
Of course, much of the blame lies with the Tories, they've been in power 14 years and demonstrably screwed this up. Fie on them
It demonstrates a longstanding truth, that NHS services are worse in poorer areas. The paucity of the services owes nothing to immigration and everything to a government policy of underfunding the NHS and public services more broadly. Immigration is just the convenient excuse Tory stooges wheel out to cover for the government's failings, lapped up by the week minded.
Do you really honestly believe that adding 10m people to our population, in a few short years - an influx so vast it is greater (per capita) than America experienced during the era of Ellis Island - has NOT put pressure on our NHS, infra, sewage, education, etc?
I mean, to me this is so ridiculous it is not debatable. It is blindingly obvious. But if you demur I'm kinda impressed
Of course, if the government chooses not to fund the necessary expansion of public services. But that is a choice.
And what if the government literally can't afford to fund this necessary expansion. What then? The obvious answer is: end immigration
Would you agree with that?
Even a simpleton would notice that you would have to figure out the effect of immigration on government finances, and the ability to provide those services. But not you!
The Dutch have had a go at adding it all up. The sums don't look good
"Dutch study: immigration costs state €17 billion per year
Generous welfare benefits have created a huge strain on the public purse"
Er, you haven't noticed that we have discussed it several times on PB, including Labour's modification of the photo to a Britain Isn't Working-style election poster. But it is always good to remind ourselves that that is the way in which current government policy drills down to the ordinary punter on the street.
That isn't what that video says to any sane person
Now, don't get me wrong,. every person in that queue deserves free dental care, that is our national policy, that is their right. And dentistry in the UK has been SHITE for decades, and getting worse (I get all mine in Bangkok)
But the obvious BME over-representation in that queue (compared to national average) does suggest that part of the problem with our NHS (and much else) is the fact we are allowing in immigrants at an historically unprecedented rate - 1.3m in two years, more, per capita, than ever entered the USA - and that is going to fuck up a free heath service, and much else, unless the economy explodes with growth (which it has not done)
Of course, much of the blame lies with the Tories, they've been in power 14 years and demonstrably screwed this up. Fie on them
It demonstrates a longstanding truth, that NHS services are worse in poorer areas. The paucity of the services owes nothing to immigration and everything to a government policy of underfunding the NHS and public services more broadly. Immigration is just the convenient excuse Tory stooges wheel out to cover for the government's failings, lapped up by the week minded.
Do you really honestly believe that adding 10m people to our population, in a few short years - an influx so vast it is greater (per capita) than America experienced during the era of Ellis Island - has NOT put pressure on our NHS, infra, sewage, education, etc?
I mean, to me this is so ridiculous it is not debatable. It is blindingly obvious. But if you demur I'm kinda impressed
Of course, if the government chooses not to fund the necessary expansion of public services. But that is a choice.
And what if the government literally can't afford to fund this necessary expansion. What then? The obvious answer is: end immigration
Would you agree with that?
The government can afford it, it's just choosing not to do it. How do you "end immigration" in a world where firms will move out of the UK if they can't hire global talent, and where there are demonstrable labour shortages in sectors like social care and effectively full employment? Ending immigration isn't a solution because it will simply make things worse and is not even possible.
Er, you haven't noticed that we have discussed it several times on PB, including Labour's modification of the photo to a Britain Isn't Working-style election poster. But it is always good to remind ourselves that that is the way in which current government policy drills down to the ordinary punter on the street.
But the obvious BME over-representation in that queue
This is where you fucked up.
No, it isn't
It will be newcomers seeking dentists. Settled citizens (of any stripe) will already have dentists, in the main
For the last eight years the vast majority of migration into Britain - since Brexit - has been non-white, non-EU. You would therefore expect a queue of new people, presumably seeking a dentist, to be non-white
Apparently the worst shortages of NHS dentists are in rural areas and coastal strips - not exactly the favoured destinations of newcomers.
It's not just NHS dentists. Mrs DA is now booking late April appointments. She used to keep the 9am - 10 am slot free for emergencies but now people are feigning emergencies to get quicker appointments. I don't know what the fuck is happening but, for once, the hyperbolic term 'collapse' seems apposite.
My sister's an NHS dentist. She does it out of choice but there are very few who still do. The way dentistry is funded and structured is a mess. She has a massive waiting list and struggles to fit people in, but as you say it's not much better for private appointments. She's in Coventry - the demand there seems to be mainly elderly. Whole sector is a mess.
Er, you haven't noticed that we have discussed it several times on PB, including Labour's modification of the photo to a Britain Isn't Working-style election poster. But it is always good to remind ourselves that that is the way in which current government policy drills down to the ordinary punter on the street.
But the obvious BME over-representation in that queue
This is where you fucked up.
No, it isn't
It will be newcomers seeking dentists. Settled citizens (of any stripe) will already have dentists, in the main
For the last eight years the vast majority of migration into Britain - since Brexit - has been non-white, non-EU. You would therefore expect a queue of new people, presumably seeking a dentist, to be non-white
Not really. People move around, and will need a new dentist. Existing dental practices shut down and their patients need a new dentist. Plenty of people simply don't have a dentist because NHS dentists in their area won't take new patients. You just looked at a queue of non white people and said "they must be immigrants" on the basis of no information. Given that you live in Camden you have a surprisingly provincial and outdated view of British society.
St Paul's, Bristol, has one of the higher levels of non-UK-born inhabitants in the country. So, no, I didn't just presume, I looked at the data
One may agree with Tucker or not, but he is a major American journalist and such an action would greatly offend the American public."
followed by retweeting: "The European Union is said to be seeking sanctions and a "travel ban" against Tucker Carlson for his interview with Russian President Vladimir Putin."
As a general rule, if anyone starts by saying 'If true' it's fairly likely that they already know that what follows isn't true, and just enjoy spreading misinformation because they are arseholes.
But wait, Christiane Amanpour of CNN (a fine and famous journalist) and multiple other celebrated hacks, have all said they’ve tried and tried to get interviews with Putin
Is the EU going to ban them as well? Why not? So why are they banning Tucker C? For succeeding as a journalist?
Preposterous bollocks; thank god we left the EU
Perhaps because they were trying to interview Putin rather than propagandise on his behalf ?
The ban is a silly idea - but as a justification for leaving the EU, it's even sillier than your usual output.
How is it that for some people "one MEP wonders about X" = instantly and infallibly means "EU tries to impose a ban"?
Perhaps they're not very clever.
I can certainly say with accuracy, you wouldn't get my tortoise making that non sequitur.
Saw a wild boar yesterday just walking beside a road not a care in the world.
Impressive
But where?
In France, much less impressive: they have trillions, they are basically vermin. I have seen a sanglier
In Britain: impressive! I've never seen one totally. I believe I glimpsed one in the Chilterns, but can't be sure (they're not meant to be there), I saw a trotter-print in Sussex, and I went looking for them in the Forest of Dean, which has loads, but had no luck
I like them. A bit of wildness
France but just on the outskirts of Villefranche old town. Where you'd find a fox in England. A first for me.
With all the caveats - this is one case, it’s the Daily Mail (so may be at least half true), etc etc this is a good example of why ordinary people get frustrated by the asylum system
* Fled Syria in 2014 to avoid being called up. Ok, seems reasonable * Settled in Germany where he had family. Makes sense * 3 years ago he rowed with his family because he drinks and smokes and they said that means he’s not a good Muslim. Hmmh. Seems unlikely… may be @TheScreamingEagles can comment * To quote him: 'I thought the UK would be a good place to find work in the construction industry, I am a talented plasterer,'
In what world is someone who was settled for 5+ years in Germany and has admitted that they are coming to the UK to find work a potential asylum claimant. And how has it taken 3 years to make that determination?
This isn’t a comment on the level of immigration or the need for people to do jobs. It’s a comment on the breakdown is the asylum process. If you want legal immigration that should be separate
Quite: this should have been a 48 hour determination at most.
We must have the only police force in the world that actively tried to stop someone who admits, and is actively trying to go stop leaving !
But, what can they do with this boat-dwelling arsehole? They can't deport him to Syria. They can't deport him to Germany because of our hard won BREXIT FREEDOMS. The Old Bill can't just not enforce the law that says you can't blag your way onto ferries.
Stick him on a train to Dublin.
Brutal! I remember aged 18 going to Spain for a week just before taking up my first job. On the beach I met an English guy about the same age as me with a battered boat and 'Joe's Speedboat' daubed on the side.
He had a bevy of girls around him and every now and then someone would turn up wanting a ski he'd give them a spin round the bay. I spent most of the week with him and I spent the next several years wondering why I was working like a dog in London and wasn't doing what Joe was doing with his bevvy of girls not a care in the world driving his speedboat.
When did we become this morose place where we worry about someone from another country sleeping under a boat or even buying one if he wants to? What's wrong with foreigners being here? When did this obsession start?
Because he broke the rules
Do you remember when we used to think we lived in a 'free country'? When most lived by the philosophy of 'live and let live'? '
I don't think many feel that anymore
No because it hasn’t been the case since the days of Alfred the Great. I’m not @JackW
Live and let live within the confines of the law. The law sets out a legal route for economic migration. He chose not to take that route and then tried to abscond.
Er, you haven't noticed that we have discussed it several times on PB, including Labour's modification of the photo to a Britain Isn't Working-style election poster. But it is always good to remind ourselves that that is the way in which current government policy drills down to the ordinary punter on the street.
That isn't what that video says to any sane person
Now, don't get me wrong,. every person in that queue deserves free dental care, that is our national policy, that is their right. And dentistry in the UK has been SHITE for decades, and getting worse (I get all mine in Bangkok)
But the obvious BME over-representation in that queue (compared to national average) does suggest that part of the problem with our NHS (and much else) is the fact we are allowing in immigrants at an historically unprecedented rate - 1.3m in two years, more, per capita, than ever entered the USA - and that is going to fuck up a free heath service, and much else, unless the economy explodes with growth (which it has not done)
Of course, much of the blame lies with the Tories, they've been in power 14 years and demonstrably screwed this up. Fie on them
It demonstrates a longstanding truth, that NHS services are worse in poorer areas. The paucity of the services owes nothing to immigration and everything to a government policy of underfunding the NHS and public services more broadly. Immigration is just the convenient excuse Tory stooges wheel out to cover for the government's failings, lapped up by the week minded.
Do you really honestly believe that adding 10m people to our population, in a few short years - an influx so vast it is greater (per capita) than America experienced during the era of Ellis Island - has NOT put pressure on our NHS, infra, sewage, education, etc?
I mean, to me this is so ridiculous it is not debatable. It is blindingly obvious. But if you demur I'm kinda impressed
Of course, if the government chooses not to fund the necessary expansion of public services. But that is a choice.
And what if the government literally can't afford to fund this necessary expansion. What then? The obvious answer is: end immigration
Would you agree with that?
The government can afford it, it's just choosing not to do it. How do you "end immigration" in a world where firms will move out of the UK if they can't hire global talent, and where there are demonstrable labour shortages in sectors like social care and effectively full employment? Ending immigration isn't a solution because it will simply make things worse and is not even possible.
The problem is that no-one (and I mean no-one) has put forwarded a sustainable structure.
The people who deny that we need to create infrastructure at the same rate as the population increase are insane. Yet, the after time, they say "Yes, I am in favour of more factories, railways etc. But not this one. Or this one. Or that one."
Time to build a canal city on Lake Windermere. Just to smash the smug. Well, also for the beauty we could create.
Er, you haven't noticed that we have discussed it several times on PB, including Labour's modification of the photo to a Britain Isn't Working-style election poster. But it is always good to remind ourselves that that is the way in which current government policy drills down to the ordinary punter on the street.
That isn't what that video says to any sane person
Now, don't get me wrong,. every person in that queue deserves free dental care, that is our national policy, that is their right. And dentistry in the UK has been SHITE for decades, and getting worse (I get all mine in Bangkok)
But the obvious BME over-representation in that queue (compared to national average) does suggest that part of the problem with our NHS (and much else) is the fact we are allowing in immigrants at an historically unprecedented rate - 1.3m in two years, more, per capita, than ever entered the USA - and that is going to fuck up a free heath service, and much else, unless the economy explodes with growth (which it has not done)
Of course, much of the blame lies with the Tories, they've been in power 14 years and demonstrably screwed this up. Fie on them
It demonstrates a longstanding truth, that NHS services are worse in poorer areas. The paucity of the services owes nothing to immigration and everything to a government policy of underfunding the NHS and public services more broadly. Immigration is just the convenient excuse Tory stooges wheel out to cover for the government's failings, lapped up by the week minded.
Do you really honestly believe that adding 10m people to our population, in a few short years - an influx so vast it is greater (per capita) than America experienced during the era of Ellis Island - has NOT put pressure on our NHS, infra, sewage, education, etc?
I mean, to me this is so ridiculous it is not debatable. It is blindingly obvious. But if you demur I'm kinda impressed
Of course, if the government chooses not to fund the necessary expansion of public services. But that is a choice.
And what if the government literally can't afford to fund this necessary expansion. What then? The obvious answer is: end immigration
Would you agree with that?
The government can afford it, it's just choosing not to do it. How do you "end immigration" in a world where firms will move out of the UK if they can't hire global talent, and where there are demonstrable labour shortages in sectors like social care and effectively full employment? Ending immigration isn't a solution because it will simply make things worse and is not even possible.
But I sincerely wonder if we can afford mass migration any more, as the evidence suggests it does NOT add to per capita wealth
I don't want to spend all day arguing this - today is a drinking day! - so I will conclude with a long quote from that excellent Unherd piece. I don't normally like cutting and pasting, but this dude sums it all up better than I can, especially when I have other stuff to do, like drink martinis in Bassac Lane
"A team led by mathematician Jan H. van de Beek at the University of Amsterdam estimates that the Dutch government spent approximately €17 billion per year on migration in the period between 1995 and 2019, meaning that more than one billion euros went to migration-related issues every month.
The study digs deeper still: annual net costs of non-Western immigration amount to €17 billion and the annual net benefits of Western immigration total one billion euros. Distinguishing between Western and non-Western migration patterns, the study comes to a startling conclusion: if immigration remains at 2015-2019 levels, the annual budget burden will increase from €17 billion in 2016 to about €50 billion. This is an increase that the welfare state would most likely not survive.
The Dutch findings are mirrored in a similar study conducted by the Danish Finance Ministry, which concludes that non-Western immigrants are most likely to remain lifelong recipients of public finances compared to their Western or native Danish peers. Meanwhile, the picture in Germany is not much different: about 45% of those who receive unemployment benefits are not German citizens, costing the taxpayers around €20 billion per year. Austria shows similar numbers, with almost 60% of recipients having a “migrant background”.
Van de Beek sees parts of the problem in the structure of the welfare state... [snip, you can see this interesting para in the link]
The emerging picture is a complex one that includes both cultural and economic factors, but the overall conclusion remains the same: the current conditions under which migration to Europe takes place are not sustainable and will bring the welfare systems ever closer to collapsing. The idea promoted by Folkerts-Landau and others turned out to be far too optimistic, and what makes matters worse is that politicians still refuse to face the facts.
Placing one’s head in the sand is, unfortunately, not the same as actual policymaking. Europe has ignored these issues for too long, and voters will make their discontent heard at the voting booth."
Brompton, of the cool folding bicycle and Great British success story (loads of them exported out here to Melbourne, for example) have plans for an ambitious new factory in Kent.
4,000 jobs. A 60 acre nature reserve. 200,000 bikes a year. Actual manufacturing investment in the UK!
BUT NO.
National Highways, for the fourth time in a row, have opposed the plans, delaying the approval process. All because Brompton want their staff to commute by bicycle, rather than by car.
If anyone wants to understand why the UK will struggle to mitigate carbon emissions, has chronic congestion problems, zero productivity growth and a dearth of investment, see the above.
Er, you haven't noticed that we have discussed it several times on PB, including Labour's modification of the photo to a Britain Isn't Working-style election poster. But it is always good to remind ourselves that that is the way in which current government policy drills down to the ordinary punter on the street.
But the obvious BME over-representation in that queue
This is where you fucked up.
No, it isn't
It will be newcomers seeking dentists. Settled citizens (of any stripe) will already have dentists, in the main
For the last eight years the vast majority of migration into Britain - since Brexit - has been non-white, non-EU. You would therefore expect a queue of new people, presumably seeking a dentist, to be non-white
I didn't see you travelling down this path tbh. What does it matter what colour people are. Plus I've no idea whether your "stat" is true. I haven't yet come across a black Polish plumber or Romanian bricklayer or indeed Albanian chippie but I'm sure some exist.
Or are you feeling a bit besieged on PB atm and are doubling down.
I am merely saying that the video is - arguably - a visual representation of the pressure mass migration is putting on the UK's public services and infra. This is hardly a new point from me, I am hardly going off on a new Nazi tangent, am I? I expect you've heard me make the point before
And yet there are PB-ers who deny this is an issue. Who deny that mass migration might be at least part of the reason we see such pressure on UK health, education, sewage, roads, &c
See below
i do feel slightly beseiged, but I quite enjoy it (for now). With @Casino_Royale gone I am like the last redcoat in Zulu, the drunken malingerer in the sick bay turned hero, shooting up at the thatch as the lefty hordes overwhelm the Drift. Hooky. That was his name. Hooky. Got a VC didn't he?
The drunken malingerer thing was bullshit, incidentally. He was a lay Methodist preacher and an exemplary soldier, IIRC.
Also, IIRC, his descendants protested at his portrayal
Great movie, tho. Really really great
I imagine it is barely showable now, as it is quite non-Woke
Apart from it being on woke Channel 4 at new year and on 4OD (maybe still is) it’s barely showable.
One may agree with Tucker or not, but he is a major American journalist and such an action would greatly offend the American public."
followed by retweeting: "The European Union is said to be seeking sanctions and a "travel ban" against Tucker Carlson for his interview with Russian President Vladimir Putin."
As a general rule, if anyone starts by saying 'If true' it's fairly likely that they already know that what follows isn't true, and just enjoy spreading misinformation because they are arseholes.
But wait, Christiane Amanpour of CNN (a fine and famous journalist) and multiple other celebrated hacks, have all said they’ve tried and tried to get interviews with Putin
Is the EU going to ban them as well? Why not? So why are they banning Tucker C? For succeeding as a journalist?
Preposterous bollocks; thank god we left the EU
Perhaps because they were trying to interview Putin rather than propagandise on his behalf ?
The ban is a silly idea - but as a justification for leaving the EU, it's even sillier than your usual output.
How is it that for some people "one MEP wonders about X" = instantly and infallibly means "EU tries to impose a ban"?
Perhaps they're not very clever.
I can certainly say with accuracy, you wouldn't get my tortoise making that non sequitur.
Saw a wild boar yesterday just walking beside a road not a care in the world.
Impressive
But where?
In France, much less impressive: they have trillions, they are basically vermin. I have seen a sanglier
In Britain: impressive! I've never seen one totally. I believe I glimpsed one in the Chilterns, but can't be sure (they're not meant to be there), I saw a trotter-print in Sussex, and I went looking for them in the Forest of Dean, which has loads, but had no luck
I like them. A bit of wildness
France but just on the outskirts of Villefranche old town. Where you'd find a fox in England. A first for me.
Nice. They can be properly dangerous, I think. We need more of that
I'm pro-wolf, I'd reintroduce them to Scotland, Northumberland, Cumbria and Wales tomorrow
Don't know if this has been commented on in previous threads but Nevada held its Democratic primary on Tuesday. The United States being what it is with timely counting (and Nevada seems particularly poor at electoral administration), not all the votes are in yet but the top-line is unsurprising: Biden has won with about 90% (NotA finished second with nearly 6%).
Point is, that's another 36 pledged delegates in Biden's bag, giving him a clean sweep of the 91 up for grabs so far. Small beer out of the 3,770 to be elected in total (never mind the 4,540 once super-delegates are added in), but it's another incremental step and each such step makes it harder for the Democrats to pick anyone else, or to do so in a way that looks, well, democratic.
In a month or so, it'll be all but over. Super Tuesday is in less than 4 weeks, by when a third of delegates will have been chosen. A week later, another 6.5% are up for grabs; a week after that, another 10% will be - and that should then be that, providing Biden wants to remain in the race, which he gives every indication of wanting to do.
Biden probably won't die between now and the end of the Democratic primaries. But it's a massively higher chance, by orders of magnitude than him actually losing the primaries. And if he does die, it'll be Harris.
Brompton, of the cool folding bicycle and Great British success story (loads of them exported out here to Melbourne, for example) have plans for an ambitious new factory in Kent.
4,000 jobs. A 60 acre nature reserve. 200,000 bikes a year. Actual manufacturing investment in the UK!
BUT NO.
National Highways, for the fourth time in a row, have opposed the plans, delaying the approval process. All because Brompton want their staff to commute by bicycle, rather than by car.
Hmmm, details please.....this seems to be the week of the one half of the story only to gain outrage and sympathy.
Our town's dentist is technically an NHS dentists, but apparently you need the luck of the devil to get on the NHS list there (they are very good dentists, if that helps).
A new dentist has opened up in the town, in a very central location. And from what I see on their website, they don't take NHS patients.
We're lucky in that we can afford to go private. But many people we know can not, and some don't have cars to take them to NHS dentists elsewhere.
The system will have to change; I don't know in what way, though.
I agree entirely. Dental care in the UK is appallling. If anything I am surprised this hasn't become an issue before
It's one of an ever increasing number of appalling issues, so basically they get buried unless or until it becomes an issue the media decides to run with. Eg the Post Office/Horizon, the contaminated blood scandal, NHS dentistry. NHS waiting lists
Other neglected appalling issues: The courts backlog and overflowing prisons Problems arising from climate change (flooding, Loss of wildlife) SNP secrecy and corruption issues Social Care and pensions timebomb Reliable Energy supply The gradual but continual diversion of the lions share of money to the ultra rich To name but a few
Meanwhile the media provides a diet of triva, what the royals are doing, which politician insulted another, celeb gossip etc
Even those of us who despair on the state of the world are sitting back and waiting for someone else to Do Something about it all.
Sorry, I'm not feeling very optimistic this morning
Er, you haven't noticed that we have discussed it several times on PB, including Labour's modification of the photo to a Britain Isn't Working-style election poster. But it is always good to remind ourselves that that is the way in which current government policy drills down to the ordinary punter on the street.
That isn't what that video says to any sane person
Now, don't get me wrong,. every person in that queue deserves free dental care, that is our national policy, that is their right. And dentistry in the UK has been SHITE for decades, and getting worse (I get all mine in Bangkok)
But the obvious BME over-representation in that queue (compared to national average) does suggest that part of the problem with our NHS (and much else) is the fact we are allowing in immigrants at an historically unprecedented rate - 1.3m in two years, more, per capita, than ever entered the USA - and that is going to fuck up a free heath service, and much else, unless the economy explodes with growth (which it has not done)
Of course, much of the blame lies with the Tories, they've been in power 14 years and demonstrably screwed this up. Fie on them
It demonstrates a longstanding truth, that NHS services are worse in poorer areas. The paucity of the services owes nothing to immigration and everything to a government policy of underfunding the NHS and public services more broadly. Immigration is just the convenient excuse Tory stooges wheel out to cover for the government's failings, lapped up by the week minded.
Do you really honestly believe that adding 10m people to our population, in a few short years - an influx so vast it is greater (per capita) than America experienced during the era of Ellis Island - has NOT put pressure on our NHS, infra, sewage, education, etc?
I mean, to me this is so ridiculous it is not debatable. It is blindingly obvious. But if you demur I'm kinda impressed
Of course, if the government chooses not to fund the necessary expansion of public services. But that is a choice.
And what if the government literally can't afford to fund this necessary expansion. What then? The obvious answer is: end immigration
Would you agree with that?
The government can afford it, it's just choosing not to do it. How do you "end immigration" in a world where firms will move out of the UK if they can't hire global talent, and where there are demonstrable labour shortages in sectors like social care and effectively full employment? Ending immigration isn't a solution because it will simply make things worse and is not even possible.
The problem is that no-one (and I mean no-one) has put forwarded a sustainable structure.
The people who deny that we need to create infrastructure at the same rate as the population increase are insane. Yet, the after time, they say "Yes, I am in favour of more factories, railways etc. But not this one. Or this one. Or that one."
Time to build a canal city on Lake Windermere. Just to smash the smug. Well, also for the beauty we could create.
Give local people less control over planning and development, whilst also giving solid financial incentives to councils to support development.
Er, you haven't noticed that we have discussed it several times on PB, including Labour's modification of the photo to a Britain Isn't Working-style election poster. But it is always good to remind ourselves that that is the way in which current government policy drills down to the ordinary punter on the street.
But the obvious BME over-representation in that queue
This is where you fucked up.
No, it isn't
It will be newcomers seeking dentists. Settled citizens (of any stripe) will already have dentists, in the main
For the last eight years the vast majority of migration into Britain - since Brexit - has been non-white, non-EU. You would therefore expect a queue of new people, presumably seeking a dentist, to be non-white
I didn't see you travelling down this path tbh. What does it matter what colour people are. Plus I've no idea whether your "stat" is true. I haven't yet come across a black Polish plumber or Romanian bricklayer or indeed Albanian chippie but I'm sure some exist.
Or are you feeling a bit besieged on PB atm and are doubling down.
I am merely saying that the video is - arguably - a visual representation of the pressure mass migration is putting on the UK's public services and infra. This is hardly a new point from me, I am hardly going off on a new Nazi tangent, am I? I expect you've heard me make the point before
And yet there are PB-ers who deny this is an issue. Who deny that mass migration might be at least part of the reason we see such pressure on UK health, education, sewage, roads, &c
See below
i do feel slightly beseiged, but I quite enjoy it (for now). With @Casino_Royale gone I am like the last redcoat in Zulu, the drunken malingerer in the sick bay turned hero, shooting up at the thatch as the lefty hordes overwhelm the Drift. Hooky. That was his name. Hooky. Got a VC didn't he?
The drunken malingerer thing was bullshit, incidentally. He was a lay Methodist preacher and an exemplary soldier, IIRC.
Also, IIRC, his descendants protested at his portrayal
Great movie, tho. Really really great
I imagine it is barely showable now, as it is quite non-Woke
Apart from it being on woke Channel 4 at new year and on 4OD (maybe still is) it’s barely showable.
Was it? i am genuinely surprised, and encouraged
It was my late father's favourite movie: he took me and my bro and sister to variously see it about seven times (just so he could see it again, I think). Luckily, I also loved it
Don't know if this has been commented on in previous threads but Nevada held its Democratic primary on Tuesday. The United States being what it is with timely counting (and Nevada seems particularly poor at electoral administration), not all the votes are in yet but the top-line is unsurprising: Biden has won with about 90% (NotA finished second with nearly 6%).
Point is, that's another 36 pledged delegates in Biden's bag, giving him a clean sweep of the 91 up for grabs so far. Small beer out of the 3,770 to be elected in total (never mind the 4,540 once super-delegates are added in), but it's another incremental step and each such step makes it harder for the Democrats to pick anyone else, or to do so in a way that looks, well, democratic.
In a month or so, it'll be all but over. Super Tuesday is in less than 4 weeks, by when a third of delegates will have been chosen. A week later, another 6.5% are up for grabs; a week after that, another 10% will be - and that should then be that, providing Biden wants to remain in the race, which he gives every indication of wanting to do.
Biden probably won't die between now and the end of the Democratic primaries. But it's a massively higher chance, by orders of magnitude than him actually losing the primaries. And if he does die, it'll be Harris.
He might voluntarily step down but not for Harris. It would have to be for someone who he believes has an even better chance of defeating Trump.
Don't know if this has been commented on in previous threads but Nevada held its Democratic primary on Tuesday. The United States being what it is with timely counting (and Nevada seems particularly poor at electoral administration), not all the votes are in yet but the top-line is unsurprising: Biden has won with about 90% (NotA finished second with nearly 6%).
Point is, that's another 36 pledged delegates in Biden's bag, giving him a clean sweep of the 91 up for grabs so far. Small beer out of the 3,770 to be elected in total (never mind the 4,540 once super-delegates are added in), but it's another incremental step and each such step makes it harder for the Democrats to pick anyone else, or to do so in a way that looks, well, democratic.
In a month or so, it'll be all but over. Super Tuesday is in less than 4 weeks, by when a third of delegates will have been chosen. A week later, another 6.5% are up for grabs; a week after that, another 10% will be - and that should then be that, providing Biden wants to remain in the race, which he gives every indication of wanting to do.
Biden probably won't die between now and the end of the Democratic primaries. But it's a massively higher chance, by orders of magnitude than him actually losing the primaries. And if he does die, it'll be Harris.
He might voluntarily step down but not for Harris. It would have to be for someone who he believes has an even better chance of defeating Trump.
Er, you haven't noticed that we have discussed it several times on PB, including Labour's modification of the photo to a Britain Isn't Working-style election poster. But it is always good to remind ourselves that that is the way in which current government policy drills down to the ordinary punter on the street.
But the obvious BME over-representation in that queue
This is where you fucked up.
No, it isn't
It will be newcomers seeking dentists. Settled citizens (of any stripe) will already have dentists, in the main
For the last eight years the vast majority of migration into Britain - since Brexit - has been non-white, non-EU. You would therefore expect a queue of new people, presumably seeking a dentist, to be non-white
I didn't see you travelling down this path tbh. What does it matter what colour people are. Plus I've no idea whether your "stat" is true. I haven't yet come across a black Polish plumber or Romanian bricklayer or indeed Albanian chippie but I'm sure some exist.
Or are you feeling a bit besieged on PB atm and are doubling down.
I am merely saying that the video is - arguably - a visual representation of the pressure mass migration is putting on the UK's public services and infra. This is hardly a new point from me, I am hardly going off on a new Nazi tangent, am I? I expect you've heard me make the point before
And yet there are PB-ers who deny this is an issue. Who deny that mass migration might be at least part of the reason we see such pressure on UK health, education, sewage, roads, &c
See below
i do feel slightly beseiged, but I quite enjoy it (for now). With @Casino_Royale gone I am like the last redcoat in Zulu, the drunken malingerer in the sick bay turned hero, shooting up at the thatch as the lefty hordes overwhelm the Drift. Hooky. That was his name. Hooky. Got a VC didn't he?
The drunken malingerer thing was bullshit, incidentally. He was a lay Methodist preacher and an exemplary soldier, IIRC.
Also, IIRC, his descendants protested at his portrayal
Great movie, tho. Really really great
I imagine it is barely showable now, as it is quite non-Woke
Apart from it being on woke Channel 4 at new year and on 4OD (maybe still is) it’s barely showable.
It is on all the bloody time. Not sure what Leon is getting at. I know because it sucks me in every time. The Hook story line is a really good one - bad boy comes good. Shame it is complete fiction and upsets his family so much, but then most films of true events do this as otherwise they would be boring if they were really true accounts.
Brompton, of the cool folding bicycle and Great British success story (loads of them exported out here to Melbourne, for example) have plans for an ambitious new factory in Kent.
4,000 jobs. A 60 acre nature reserve. 200,000 bikes a year. Actual manufacturing investment in the UK!
BUT NO.
National Highways, for the fourth time in a row, have opposed the plans, delaying the approval process. All because Brompton want their staff to commute by bicycle, rather than by car.
If anyone wants to understand why the UK will struggle to mitigate climate change, has chronic congestion problems, zero productivity growth and a dearth of investment, see the above.
Quite a few times now, on the days with better weather, I've seen people taking them on trains out to the countryside. A number of times, it's a couple with one person with an owned Brompton (work) and the other hiring one for the day.
Thanks very much for the recommendation. I used to think I didn't like Apps because I am a technical incompetent. Now I have a much better range of reasons.
Er, you haven't noticed that we have discussed it several times on PB, including Labour's modification of the photo to a Britain Isn't Working-style election poster. But it is always good to remind ourselves that that is the way in which current government policy drills down to the ordinary punter on the street.
But the obvious BME over-representation in that queue
This is where you fucked up.
No, it isn't
It will be newcomers seeking dentists. Settled citizens (of any stripe) will already have dentists, in the main
For the last eight years the vast majority of migration into Britain - since Brexit - has been non-white, non-EU. You would therefore expect a queue of new people, presumably seeking a dentist, to be non-white
I didn't see you travelling down this path tbh. What does it matter what colour people are. Plus I've no idea whether your "stat" is true. I haven't yet come across a black Polish plumber or Romanian bricklayer or indeed Albanian chippie but I'm sure some exist.
Or are you feeling a bit besieged on PB atm and are doubling down.
I am merely saying that the video is - arguably - a visual representation of the pressure mass migration is putting on the UK's public services and infra. This is hardly a new point from me, I am hardly going off on a new Nazi tangent, am I? I expect you've heard me make the point before
And yet there are PB-ers who deny this is an issue. Who deny that mass migration might be at least part of the reason we see such pressure on UK health, education, sewage, roads, &c
See below
i do feel slightly beseiged, but I quite enjoy it (for now). With @Casino_Royale gone I am like the last redcoat in Zulu, the drunken malingerer in the sick bay turned hero, shooting up at the thatch as the lefty hordes overwhelm the Drift. Hooky. That was his name. Hooky. Got a VC didn't he?
The drunken malingerer thing was bullshit, incidentally. He was a lay Methodist preacher and an exemplary soldier, IIRC.
Also, IIRC, his descendants protested at his portrayal
Great movie, tho. Really really great
I imagine it is barely showable now, as it is quite non-Woke
Apart from it being on woke Channel 4 at new year and on 4OD (maybe still is) it’s barely showable.
"Woke Channel 4" - is this the separate channel to "Stripped to waist, riding bears in the woods with V. Putin, Channel 4" ?
I see the Right are pushing back over Rishi's PMQs controversy yesterday. The alternative narrative is that Sir Keir put on a mawkish, insincere display that milked a tragic murder for his own grubby political ends. Which narrative will gain supremacy?
One may agree with Tucker or not, but he is a major American journalist and such an action would greatly offend the American public."
followed by retweeting: "The European Union is said to be seeking sanctions and a "travel ban" against Tucker Carlson for his interview with Russian President Vladimir Putin."
As a general rule, if anyone starts by saying 'If true' it's fairly likely that they already know that what follows isn't true, and just enjoy spreading misinformation because they are arseholes.
But wait, Christiane Amanpour of CNN (a fine and famous journalist) and multiple other celebrated hacks, have all said they’ve tried and tried to get interviews with Putin
Is the EU going to ban them as well? Why not? So why are they banning Tucker C? For succeeding as a journalist?
Preposterous bollocks; thank god we left the EU
Perhaps because they were trying to interview Putin rather than propagandise on his behalf ?
The ban is a silly idea - but as a justification for leaving the EU, it's even sillier than your usual output.
How is it that for some people "one MEP wonders about X" = instantly and infallibly means "EU tries to impose a ban"?
Perhaps they're not very clever.
I can certainly say with accuracy, you wouldn't get my tortoise making that non sequitur.
Saw a wild boar yesterday just walking beside a road not a care in the world.
Impressive
But where?
In France, much less impressive: they have trillions, they are basically vermin. I have seen a sanglier
In Britain: impressive! I've never seen one totally. I believe I glimpsed one in the Chilterns, but can't be sure (they're not meant to be there), I saw a trotter-print in Sussex, and I went looking for them in the Forest of Dean, which has loads, but had no luck
I like them. A bit of wildness
France but just on the outskirts of Villefranche old town. Where you'd find a fox in England. A first for me.
Nice. They can be properly dangerous, I think. We need more of that
I'm pro-wolf, I'd reintroduce them to Scotland, Northumberland, Cumbria and Wales tomorrow
Something we agree on. Nothing more enlivening than connecting with wild animals.
Don't know if this has been commented on in previous threads but Nevada held its Democratic primary on Tuesday. The United States being what it is with timely counting (and Nevada seems particularly poor at electoral administration), not all the votes are in yet but the top-line is unsurprising: Biden has won with about 90% (NotA finished second with nearly 6%).
Point is, that's another 36 pledged delegates in Biden's bag, giving him a clean sweep of the 91 up for grabs so far. Small beer out of the 3,770 to be elected in total (never mind the 4,540 once super-delegates are added in), but it's another incremental step and each such step makes it harder for the Democrats to pick anyone else, or to do so in a way that looks, well, democratic.
In a month or so, it'll be all but over. Super Tuesday is in less than 4 weeks, by when a third of delegates will have been chosen. A week later, another 6.5% are up for grabs; a week after that, another 10% will be - and that should then be that, providing Biden wants to remain in the race, which he gives every indication of wanting to do.
Biden probably won't die between now and the end of the Democratic primaries. But it's a massively higher chance, by orders of magnitude than him actually losing the primaries. And if he does die, it'll be Harris.
He might voluntarily step down but not for Harris. It would have to be for someone who he believes has an even better chance of defeating Trump.
I think this is the most unbelievable moment in American (and therefore potentially global) politics.
Choose between Biden and Trump
How can the civilised world have degenerated so much as to make this possible?
This is way more serious than climate change. Discuss
Our town's dentist is technically an NHS dentists, but apparently you need the luck of the devil to get on the NHS list there (they are very good dentists, if that helps).
A new dentist has opened up in the town, in a very central location. And from what I see on their website, they don't take NHS patients.
We're lucky in that we can afford to go private. But many people we know can not, and some don't have cars to take them to NHS dentists elsewhere.
The system will have to change; I don't know in what way, though.
I agree entirely. Dental care in the UK is appallling. If anything I am surprised this hasn't become an issue before
It's one of an ever increasing number of appalling issues, so basically they get buried unless or until it becomes an issue the media decides to run with. Eg the Post Office/Horizon, the contaminated blood scandal, NHS dentistry. NHS waiting lists
Other neglected appalling issues: The courts backlog and overflowing prisons Problems arising from climate change (flooding, Loss of wildlife) SNP secrecy and corruption issues Social Care and pensions timebomb Reliable Energy supply The gradual but continual diversion of the lions share of money to the ultra rich To name but a few
Meanwhile the media provides a diet of triva, what the royals are doing, which politician insulted another, celeb gossip etc
Even those of us who despair on the state of the world are sitting back and waiting for someone else to Do Something about it all.
Sorry, I'm not feeling very optimistic this morning
You didn't get where you are today by not being optimistic!
Brompton, of the cool folding bicycle and Great British success story (loads of them exported out here to Melbourne, for example) have plans for an ambitious new factory in Kent.
4,000 jobs. A 60 acre nature reserve. 200,000 bikes a year. Actual manufacturing investment in the UK!
BUT NO.
National Highways, for the fourth time in a row, have opposed the plans, delaying the approval process. All because Brompton want their staff to commute by bicycle, rather than by car.
If anyone wants to understand why the UK will struggle to mitigate carbon emissions, has chronic congestion problems, zero productivity growth and a dearth of investment, see the above.
It seems like the issue is with Brompton not providing parking spaces, which is understandable given their approach and philosophy but the Highways England concerns are also understandable as they're worried about people parking on nearby roads (on the basis not everyone working there is going to be within cycling distance). Sounds like they need to get together around a table to thrash it out.
Er, you haven't noticed that we have discussed it several times on PB, including Labour's modification of the photo to a Britain Isn't Working-style election poster. But it is always good to remind ourselves that that is the way in which current government policy drills down to the ordinary punter on the street.
But the obvious BME over-representation in that queue
This is where you fucked up.
No, it isn't
It will be newcomers seeking dentists. Settled citizens (of any stripe) will already have dentists, in the main
For the last eight years the vast majority of migration into Britain - since Brexit - has been non-white, non-EU. You would therefore expect a queue of new people, presumably seeking a dentist, to be non-white
I didn't see you travelling down this path tbh. What does it matter what colour people are. Plus I've no idea whether your "stat" is true. I haven't yet come across a black Polish plumber or Romanian bricklayer or indeed Albanian chippie but I'm sure some exist.
Or are you feeling a bit besieged on PB atm and are doubling down.
I am merely saying that the video is - arguably - a visual representation of the pressure mass migration is putting on the UK's public services and infra. This is hardly a new point from me, I am hardly going off on a new Nazi tangent, am I? I expect you've heard me make the point before
And yet there are PB-ers who deny this is an issue. Who deny that mass migration might be at least part of the reason we see such pressure on UK health, education, sewage, roads, &c
See below
i do feel slightly beseiged, but I quite enjoy it (for now). With @Casino_Royale gone I am like the last redcoat in Zulu, the drunken malingerer in the sick bay turned hero, shooting up at the thatch as the lefty hordes overwhelm the Drift. Hooky. That was his name. Hooky. Got a VC didn't he?
The drunken malingerer thing was bullshit, incidentally. He was a lay Methodist preacher and an exemplary soldier, IIRC.
Also, IIRC, his descendants protested at his portrayal
Great movie, tho. Really really great
I imagine it is barely showable now, as it is quite non-Woke
Apart from it being on woke Channel 4 at new year and on 4OD (maybe still is) it’s barely showable.
It is on all the bloody time. Not sure what Leon is getting at. I know because it sucks me in every time. The Hook story line is a really good one - bad boy comes good. Shame it is complete fiction and upsets his family so much, but then most films of true events do this as otherwise they would be boring if they were really true accounts.
I am happy to accept that in this instance - the public broadcasting of Zulu - I am totally wrong, and pleased to be wrong
It always sucks me in too. The scene where they do the rapid fire shooting is one of the most amazing and rivetting in all cinema. Also the Welsh singing: spine tingling!
Er, you haven't noticed that we have discussed it several times on PB, including Labour's modification of the photo to a Britain Isn't Working-style election poster. But it is always good to remind ourselves that that is the way in which current government policy drills down to the ordinary punter on the street.
That isn't what that video says to any sane person
Now, don't get me wrong,. every person in that queue deserves free dental care, that is our national policy, that is their right. And dentistry in the UK has been SHITE for decades, and getting worse (I get all mine in Bangkok)
But the obvious BME over-representation in that queue (compared to national average) does suggest that part of the problem with our NHS (and much else) is the fact we are allowing in immigrants at an historically unprecedented rate - 1.3m in two years, more, per capita, than ever entered the USA - and that is going to fuck up a free heath service, and much else, unless the economy explodes with growth (which it has not done)
Of course, much of the blame lies with the Tories, they've been in power 14 years and demonstrably screwed this up. Fie on them
It demonstrates a longstanding truth, that NHS services are worse in poorer areas. The paucity of the services owes nothing to immigration and everything to a government policy of underfunding the NHS and public services more broadly. Immigration is just the convenient excuse Tory stooges wheel out to cover for the government's failings, lapped up by the week minded.
Do you really honestly believe that adding 10m people to our population, in a few short years - an influx so vast it is greater (per capita) than America experienced during the era of Ellis Island - has NOT put pressure on our NHS, infra, sewage, education, etc?
I mean, to me this is so ridiculous it is not debatable. It is blindingly obvious. But if you demur I'm kinda impressed
Of course, if the government chooses not to fund the necessary expansion of public services. But that is a choice.
And what if the government literally can't afford to fund this necessary expansion. What then? The obvious answer is: end immigration
Would you agree with that?
Even if we accept your premise (I don't) the question is a) how and b) how much does that cost?
If you end immigration we have to increase spending on borders and visa checks and policing people who do and don't have documentation. We have to have more raids and deportations and such. All this requires infrastructure, training, staff, legal battles, boats etc. that the state does not currently have.
Whereas, again, the government could spend more on infrastructure that benefits everyone (including immigrants) and do some Keynesian economics at the same time. But the government doesn't want to do that because it is wedded to austerity and only the private sector being able to deliver things.
Whether it's a new Garden City somewhere or appropriate developments on the edges of existing urban areas - I think we both agree new development wouldn't be bad. It's just that the governments answer to new development will be "let a private company do it and build loads of 4-5 bedroom houses that only well off people can afford, as well as a few luxury flats, and let them be overpriced and sold to landlords or investment companies and therefore not alleviate the pressure on the market at all". And that won't solve the underlying issues of rent and house prices being too high. We need council housing to create a base line of affordable homes of acceptable quality.
Er, you haven't noticed that we have discussed it several times on PB, including Labour's modification of the photo to a Britain Isn't Working-style election poster. But it is always good to remind ourselves that that is the way in which current government policy drills down to the ordinary punter on the street.
But the obvious BME over-representation in that queue
This is where you fucked up.
No, it isn't
It will be newcomers seeking dentists. Settled citizens (of any stripe) will already have dentists, in the main
For the last eight years the vast majority of migration into Britain - since Brexit - has been non-white, non-EU. You would therefore expect a queue of new people, presumably seeking a dentist, to be non-white
I didn't see you travelling down this path tbh. What does it matter what colour people are. Plus I've no idea whether your "stat" is true. I haven't yet come across a black Polish plumber or Romanian bricklayer or indeed Albanian chippie but I'm sure some exist.
Or are you feeling a bit besieged on PB atm and are doubling down.
I am merely saying that the video is - arguably - a visual representation of the pressure mass migration is putting on the UK's public services and infra. This is hardly a new point from me, I am hardly going off on a new Nazi tangent, am I? I expect you've heard me make the point before
And yet there are PB-ers who deny this is an issue. Who deny that mass migration might be at least part of the reason we see such pressure on UK health, education, sewage, roads, &c
See below
i do feel slightly beseiged, but I quite enjoy it (for now). With @Casino_Royale gone I am like the last redcoat in Zulu, the drunken malingerer in the sick bay turned hero, shooting up at the thatch as the lefty hordes overwhelm the Drift. Hooky. That was his name. Hooky. Got a VC didn't he?
The drunken malingerer thing was bullshit, incidentally. He was a lay Methodist preacher and an exemplary soldier, IIRC.
Also, IIRC, his descendants protested at his portrayal
Great movie, tho. Really really great
I imagine it is barely showable now, as it is quite non-Woke
Apart from it being on woke Channel 4 at new year and on 4OD (maybe still is) it’s barely showable.
It is on all the bloody time. Not sure what Leon is getting at. I know because it sucks me in every time. The Hook story line is a really good one - bad boy comes good. Shame it is complete fiction and upsets his family so much, but then most films of true events do this as otherwise they would be boring if they were really true accounts.
It has to be watched on a non-Summer bank holiday weekend for me. No idea why but maybe just a reminder of childhood watching it on bank holidays. Don’t know why they changed it to a Welsh regiment though.
Wish they would show Khartoum again as well - last time it was on tv they showed it with the cinema intermission which was weird but fun.
On old films with Charlton Heston I was watching 55 days at Peking the other week and was amused by Heston giving it large as the tough military man giving David Niven grief and then comparing their real life military service was amusing, I could imagine Niven raising his eyebrow as Heston spoke his lines.
Comments
Now, don't get me wrong,. every person in that queue deserves free dental care, that is our national policy, that is their right. And dentistry in the UK has been SHITE for decades, and getting worse (I get all mine in Bangkok)
But the obvious BME over-representation in that queue (compared to national average) does suggest that part of the problem with our NHS (and much else) is the fact we are allowing in immigrants at an historically unprecedented rate - 1.3m in two years, more, per capita, than ever entered the USA - and that is going to fuck up a free heath service, and much else, unless the economy explodes with growth (which it has not done)
Of course, much of the blame lies with the Tories, they've been in power 14 years and demonstrably screwed this up. Fie on them
'The most obvious sign of under-nourishment is the badness of everybody’s teeth. In Lancashire you would have to look for a long time before you saw a working-class person with good natural teeth. Indeed, you see very few people with natural teeth at all, apart from the children; and even the children’s teeth have a frail bluish appearance which means, I suppose, calcium deficiency ... In Wigan various people gave me their opinion that it is best to get shut of your teeth as early in life as possible. ‘Teeth is just a misery,’ one woman said to me.'
https://www.lrb.co.uk/blog/2022/june/orwell-s-teeth
Next week I'm heading into town for various things, including trying to make a dental appointment. We'll see if I've been thrown off the patient list after not having an appointment for a few years (as specifically requested by them due to low staffing and my teeth being ok). Tried making an appointment online but got back a standardised response suggesting I could join the practice, and, therefore, had been removed from the patient list.
Thanks for proving me right.
And we do regularly visit every 6 months because otherwise they will kick us off
The Mexico thing is genuinely good news - anything to promote economic growth of the non paramilitary-drugs-and-death-squad type.
It turns out, according to group wisdom, that Mydentist was the preferred option and offers "20% more expensive than the NHS with many benefits that make it worthwhile". From which I can deduce that the NHS isn't free anyway. These are people of a low economic group who are accepting that going private is necessary and anyway not that much more expensive than the NHS.
I wonder if the reintroduction of workhouses will feature in the forthcoming Tory manifesto.
"Where are the British people?"
@PaulBrandITV
Chris Philp tells @GMB that the PM will be saying more about Brianna Ghey later today.
“Do you mean he’s going to apologise?”
“No that’s not what I’m saying”…
How can this be controversial? We have let in millions of immigramts, they will - quite rightly - expect the free dental care given to UK citzens, this is them looking for an NHS dentist. I don't blame them
You have been found guilty of crimes against PB. May you been taken from this place to a place of confinement. Where you will be placed in a cell with Piers Morgan, Piers Corbyn and Julian Assange, 24/366. The only entertainment will be
- the worst Radiohead song on permanent loop.
- A computer that only allows you to read the worst comments on ConHome
- a option to program in Python.
May God have mercy upon your soul. because we won't.
Or at least I hope he would have.
And they mug people
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3558652/Thai-police-warn-gangs-ladyboys-targeting-tourists-wave-muggings-German-man-attacked-robbed.html
I find it rather strange. When the PIRA were blowing up the pubs I drank in, it was considered a moral issue that An Phoblacht still be published and there was much whining at the idea of sanctioning those who personally and publicly called for the violence.
I mean, to me this is so ridiculous it is not debatable. It is blindingly obvious. But if you demur I'm kinda impressed
It will be newcomers seeking dentists. Settled citizens (of any stripe) will already have dentists, in the main
For the last eight years the vast majority of migration into Britain - since Brexit - has been non-white, non-EU. You would therefore expect a queue of new people, presumably seeking a dentist, to be non-white
But where?
In France, much less impressive: they have trillions, they are basically vermin. I have seen a sanglier
In Britain: impressive! I've never seen one totally. I believe I glimpsed one in the Chilterns, but can't be sure (they're not meant to be there), I saw a trotter-print in Sussex, and I went looking for them in the Forest of Dean, which has loads, but had no luck
I like them. A bit of wildness
I don't think many feel that anymore
Or are you feeling a bit besieged on PB atm and are doubling down.
One step further back:
Does bad, overcrowded housing lead to worse health among the poor or do the unhealthy live in bad, overcrowded housing because they are poor.
Though immigration is a factor - poor immigrants, often from countries with bad healthcare facilities, are going to both live in poor areas and also have greater need of healthcare treatment.
The best way of helping the poor is to stop bringing in more poor to live among them.
https://edition.cnn.com/us/live-news/california-atmospheric-river-flooding-rain-02-05-24/index.html
Classic El Nino.
https://amp.theguardian.com/world/2020/aug/07/german-nudist-chases-wild-boar-that-stole-laptop-berlin-teufelssee
But I know what I am and I'm glad I'm a man
And so is Lola
Back in 1970 transgender was just a cue for a song. Why is everyone so enraged about it 54 years later?
But idiots like Leon claiming that Carlson is being persecuted by the EU because an MEP said he might be spreading pro-Putin propaganda, it's just the typical whiny fake-victimhood we expect from Putin-lovers.
This is a fantastic article, I thoroughly recommend it.
And yet there are PB-ers who deny this is an issue. Who deny that mass migration might be at least part of the reason we see such pressure on UK health, education, sewage, roads, &c
See below
i do feel slightly beseiged, but I quite enjoy it (for now). With @Casino_Royale gone I am like the last redcoat in Zulu, the drunken malingerer in the sick bay turned hero, shooting up at the thatch as the lefty hordes overwhelm the Drift. Hooky. That was his name. Hooky. Got a VC didn't he?
It's curious how people can draw what they want from the same evidence. For me, it was obvious that our weather had a lot more energy in it and tended to extremes as forecast. This was the year for me when the implications of global warming became manifest locally in a way I had not picked up before.
It was many years back, when people used to panic about the escapes. There was one in Wiltshire, where the police tried to borrow suitable guns from a local hunter. It wasn’t long after the Raul Moat thing and the firearms dealer who got stitched up and committed suicide. The hunter told the police no.
And, as has been pointed out, St. Pauls is the area of Bristol that has had a high proportion of immigrants since at least the 1950s. You may be too young to remember the 1980 riots, when local youth expressed their displeasure at their persecution by the police. Those same youths, older and wiser, doubtless form part of the queue for a dentist that has animated you so much.
Would you agree with that?
Also, IIRC, his descendants protested at his portrayal
I imagine it is barely showable now, as it is quite non-Woke
Point is, that's another 36 pledged delegates in Biden's bag, giving him a clean sweep of the 91 up for grabs so far. Small beer out of the 3,770 to be elected in total (never mind the 4,540 once super-delegates are added in), but it's another incremental step and each such step makes it harder for the Democrats to pick anyone else, or to do so in a way that looks, well, democratic.
In a month or so, it'll be all but over. Super Tuesday is in less than 4 weeks, by when a third of delegates will have been chosen. A week later, another 6.5% are up for grabs; a week after that, another 10% will be - and that should then be that, providing Biden wants to remain in the race, which he gives every indication of wanting to do.
"Sinn Féin support falls by six points to lowest level in three years, poll shows"
https://x.com/IrishTimes/status/1755490669144277445?s=20
Green stuff? Migration? Trans? Rugby? People simply bored of them?
Six points is quite a movement
"Dutch study: immigration costs state €17 billion per year
Generous welfare benefits have created a huge strain on the public purse"
https://unherd.com/thepost/dutch-study-immigration-costs-state-e17-billion-per-year/#:~:text=A team led by mathematician,migration-related issues every month.
How do you "end immigration" in a world where firms will move out of the UK if they can't hire global talent, and where there are demonstrable labour shortages in sectors like social care and effectively full employment? Ending immigration isn't a solution because it will simply make things worse and is not even possible.
Live and let live within the confines of the law. The law sets out a legal route for economic migration. He chose not to take that route and then tried to abscond.
The people who deny that we need to create infrastructure at the same rate as the population increase are insane. Yet, the after time, they say "Yes, I am in favour of more factories, railways etc. But not this one. Or this one. Or that one."
Time to build a canal city on Lake Windermere. Just to smash the smug. Well, also for the beauty we could create.
I don't want to spend all day arguing this - today is a drinking day! - so I will conclude with a long quote from that excellent Unherd piece. I don't normally like cutting and pasting, but this dude sums it all up better than I can, especially when I have other stuff to do, like drink martinis in Bassac Lane
"A team led by mathematician Jan H. van de Beek at the University of Amsterdam estimates that the Dutch government spent approximately €17 billion per year on migration in the period between 1995 and 2019, meaning that more than one billion euros went to migration-related issues every month.
The study digs deeper still: annual net costs of non-Western immigration amount to €17 billion and the annual net benefits of Western immigration total one billion euros. Distinguishing between Western and non-Western migration patterns, the study comes to a startling conclusion: if immigration remains at 2015-2019 levels, the annual budget burden will increase from €17 billion in 2016 to about €50 billion. This is an increase that the welfare state would most likely not survive.
The Dutch findings are mirrored in a similar study conducted by the Danish Finance Ministry, which concludes that non-Western immigrants are most likely to remain lifelong recipients of public finances compared to their Western or native Danish peers. Meanwhile, the picture in Germany is not much different: about 45% of those who receive unemployment benefits are not German citizens, costing the taxpayers around €20 billion per year. Austria shows similar numbers, with almost 60% of recipients having a “migrant background”.
Van de Beek sees parts of the problem in the structure of the welfare state... [snip, you can see this interesting para in the link]
The emerging picture is a complex one that includes both cultural and economic factors, but the overall conclusion remains the same: the current conditions under which migration to Europe takes place are not sustainable and will bring the welfare systems ever closer to collapsing. The idea promoted by Folkerts-Landau and others turned out to be far too optimistic, and what makes matters worse is that politicians still refuse to face the facts.
Placing one’s head in the sand is, unfortunately, not the same as actual policymaking. Europe has ignored these issues for too long, and voters will make their discontent heard at the voting booth."
Coda
https://unherd.com/thepost/dutch-study-immigration-costs-state-e17-billion-per-year/#:~:text=A team led by mathematician,migration-related issues every month.
4,000 jobs. A 60 acre nature reserve. 200,000 bikes a year. Actual manufacturing investment in the UK!
BUT NO.
National Highways, for the fourth time in a row, have opposed the plans, delaying the approval process. All because Brompton want their staff to commute by bicycle, rather than by car.
If anyone wants to understand why the UK will struggle to mitigate carbon emissions, has chronic congestion problems, zero productivity growth and a dearth of investment, see the above.
I'm pro-wolf, I'd reintroduce them to Scotland, Northumberland, Cumbria and Wales tomorrow
Other neglected appalling issues:
The courts backlog and overflowing prisons
Problems arising from climate change (flooding, Loss of wildlife)
SNP secrecy and corruption issues
Social Care and pensions timebomb
Reliable Energy supply
The gradual but continual diversion of the lions share of money to the ultra rich
To name but a few
Meanwhile the media provides a diet of triva, what the royals are doing, which politician insulted another, celeb gossip etc
Even those of us who despair on the state of the world are sitting back and waiting for someone else to Do Something about it all.
Sorry, I'm not feeling very optimistic this morning
It was my late father's favourite movie: he took me and my bro and sister to variously see it about seven times (just so he could see it again, I think). Luckily, I also loved it
On the subject of Brompton - they have a very good hire scheme (small but growing) https://bromptonhire.com/our-locations/. Mostly railway stations.
Quite a few times now, on the days with better weather, I've seen people taking them on trains out to the countryside. A number of times, it's a couple with one person with an owned Brompton (work) and the other hiring one for the day.
Well worth a look.
Thanks very much for the recommendation. I used to think I didn't like Apps because I am a technical incompetent. Now I have a much better range of reasons.
Choose between Biden and Trump
How can the civilised world have degenerated so much as to make this possible?
This is way more serious than climate change. Discuss
It always sucks me in too. The scene where they do the rapid fire shooting is one of the most amazing and rivetting in all cinema. Also the Welsh singing: spine tingling!
If you end immigration we have to increase spending on borders and visa checks and policing people who do and don't have documentation. We have to have more raids and deportations and such. All this requires infrastructure, training, staff, legal battles, boats etc. that the state does not currently have.
Whereas, again, the government could spend more on infrastructure that benefits everyone (including immigrants) and do some Keynesian economics at the same time. But the government doesn't want to do that because it is wedded to austerity and only the private sector being able to deliver things.
Whether it's a new Garden City somewhere or appropriate developments on the edges of existing urban areas - I think we both agree new development wouldn't be bad. It's just that the governments answer to new development will be "let a private company do it and build loads of 4-5 bedroom houses that only well off people can afford, as well as a few luxury flats, and let them be overpriced and sold to landlords or investment companies and therefore not alleviate the pressure on the market at all". And that won't solve the underlying issues of rent and house prices being too high. We need council housing to create a base line of affordable homes of acceptable quality.
Wish they would show Khartoum again as well - last time it was on tv they showed it with the cinema intermission which was weird but fun.
On old films with Charlton Heston I was watching 55 days at Peking the other week and was amused by Heston giving it large as the tough military man giving David Niven grief and then comparing their real life military service was amusing, I could imagine Niven raising his eyebrow as Heston spoke his lines.