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Sir Graham Brady’s postie may get a hernia in the next few days – politicalbetting.com

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  • DougSealDougSeal Posts: 12,541
    edited February 16
    boulay said:

    Hilarious article, which isn't open to comments:

    https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/generation-alpha-2024-stormi-webster-harper-beckham-rfl5hd9h6

    "I’m a parent to two — aged six and three. They are already aware of single-use plastics. Data shows that households with 5 to 11-year-olds have more eco-friendly habits. And when my husband’s burgundy passport expired this year, my daughter’s bafflement as we explained the new Brexit blue one suggests the kids might yet take back control."

    I'm a parent to two Gen Alphas as well, aged five and eighteen months. Not once have either ever mentioned single use plastics to me - they have occasionally on litter - and nor have they ever commented on the colour of their passport nor do they even know what Brexit is.

    They are interested, particularly the older one, in playing doctors, Elsa, dolls houses, soft play, watching kids shows on Cbeebies, and Milkshake, and being read a bedtime story. It's a struggle to get them to eat anything at all, although they drink milk like camels and love cheese. And what they mainly want is spending more time playing with mummy and daddy. Just like all kids throughout the ages.

    Why do journalists write this clickbait tripe and who do they expect to belief it?

    They write it because they want their friends and associates to think that the journalist has exceptionally clever and wise children, and guess what, the children are clever and wise because the parents are. That’s the message they are trying to get across.

    There are whole lists on Facebook of twatty parents posting stories about how their four year old quoted something by Buddha as they passed a homeless man and how the young see the truth etc etc bollocks bollocks. There is a pisstake response even now which is “and everyone clapped”.

    It’s a symptom of “main character syndrome” where so many people, thanks to social media, think they are the main character in a book or film and so think everyone wants to know what’s going on in their life and have to burnish it because in reality they are pretty normal and boring.
    I recommend "Crap on Linkedin" and "The State of Linkedin" on Twitter for exposing that type of shite on Linkedin. A few years ago I posted on LinkedIn -

    'Yesterday my four year old told me “Life is a succession of lessons which must be lived to be understood.”. I was surprised and delighted by such wisdom.

    Especially as she's a dog.'


    Now, contrary to the the claims of some on here, I do not I consider myself some sort of hero of comedy. I know I'm not. Nevertheless it emerges that LinkedIn is not the place for that sort of light-hearted throwaway piss-take, as the response from other posters and my digital marketing team proved.
  • viewcodeviewcode Posts: 22,068
    ydoethur said:

    ydoethur said:

    ydoethur said:

    Nigelb said:

    ydoethur said:

    Selebian said:

    Seems a bit too normal to do well as a politician. Well done her. Need more like her.
    The normal thing to do would have been to complete the honeymoon and stand in the general, only a few months to wait.

    I find this video rather sad. It reminds me just how weirdly obsessive politicos are.
    I turned down a job interview while on honeymoon. Application had gone in three months earlier and I'd heard nothing. I took the view that if it was suddenly that urgent after all that time and they wouldn't wait a week until the honeymoon was over then it wasn't the place for me (and, also, if they weren't willing to wait for me then my chances maybe weren't all that good).

    ETA: And my current employer did move the interview date to work around my prior commitments (I had a flight booked to give a talk). I only requested it moved by one day and I flagged it up before applying that I could not attend on the published date. They indicated that if they liked me enough then they'd move the date, which they duly did.
    Quite right. So would I.

    I wouldn't interrupt anything on honeymoon.
    So you would withdraw?

    But isn’t that a form of interrupting?
    I'd be annoyed at getting the call in the first place, and then I'd politely decline.

    If you're talented there will be more opportunities and if you set boundaries you will also be more respected.
    She was married back in October.
    And in any event, it was literally a Gen Election.
    From a Gen Erection to a Gen Election in one fell swoop.
    She looks OK :blush:
    Talking of looking OK, I’m on one of TFW’s new 197s.

    I like it very much. First time I’ve had adequate legroom on a train since I last travelled on Mark II stock.
    Never been on one! But heartening to know there's at least one new type of train with decent seating!

    They’re pretty good actually. Comfortable. Not only good legroom but wide seats with high backs. Good views out of the window (which matters in Wales). USB and three pin charger points for every seat. Not too noisy. Not lots of stupid announcements, for a start.

    Against my expectations I’m impressed. Gold star for all involved.

    Edit - and I think they’re due to be rolled out across pretty much all routes including the Central Wales.
    I have Welsh relatives and the local lines, stations, stock, buses, taxis etc range from adequate to ugh, so any improvement is good.
  • boulayboulay Posts: 5,486
    DougSeal said:

    boulay said:

    Hilarious article, which isn't open to comments:

    https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/generation-alpha-2024-stormi-webster-harper-beckham-rfl5hd9h6

    "I’m a parent to two — aged six and three. They are already aware of single-use plastics. Data shows that households with 5 to 11-year-olds have more eco-friendly habits. And when my husband’s burgundy passport expired this year, my daughter’s bafflement as we explained the new Brexit blue one suggests the kids might yet take back control."

    I'm a parent to two Gen Alphas as well, aged five and eighteen months. Not once have either ever mentioned single use plastics to me - they have occasionally on litter - and nor have they ever commented on the colour of their passport nor do they even know what Brexit is.

    They are interested, particularly the older one, in playing doctors, Elsa, dolls houses, soft play, watching kids shows on Cbeebies, and Milkshake, and being read a bedtime story. It's a struggle to get them to eat anything at all, although they drink milk like camels and love cheese. And what they mainly want is spending more time playing with mummy and daddy. Just like all kids throughout the ages.

    Why do journalists write this clickbait tripe and who do they expect to belief it?

    They write it because they want their friends and associates to think that the journalist has exceptionally clever and wise children, and guess what, the children are clever and wise because the parents are. That’s the message they are trying to get across.

    There are whole lists on Facebook of twatty parents posting stories about how their four year old quoted something by Buddha as they passed a homeless man and how the young see the truth etc etc bollocks bollocks. There is a pisstake response even now which is “and everyone clapped”.

    It’s a symptom of “main character syndrome” where so many people, thanks to social media, think they are the main character in a book or film and so think everyone wants to know what’s going on in their life and have to burnish it because in reality they are pretty normal and boring.
    I recommend "Crap on Linkedin" and "The State of Linkedin" on Twitter for exposing that type of shite on Linkedin. A few years ago I posted on LinkedIn -

    'Yesterday my four year old told me “Life is a succession of lessons which must be lived to be understood.”. I was surprised and delighted by such wisdom.

    Especially as she's a dog.'


    Now, contrary to the the claims of some on here, I do not I consider myself sort of hero of comedy. I know I'm not. Nevertheless it emerges that LinkedIn is not the place for that sort of light-hearted throwaway piss-take, as the response from other posters and my digital marketing team proved.
    A lot of female friends have left LinkedIn because it’s become a bit of a stalky attempted pick up site where they keep getting random messages from people asking them if they are single, asking them on dates or making advances.
  • TheuniondivvieTheuniondivvie Posts: 41,950

    Hilarious article, which isn't open to comments:

    https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/generation-alpha-2024-stormi-webster-harper-beckham-rfl5hd9h6

    "I’m a parent to two — aged six and three. They are already aware of single-use plastics. Data shows that households with 5 to 11-year-olds have more eco-friendly habits. And when my husband’s burgundy passport expired this year, my daughter’s bafflement as we explained the new Brexit blue one suggests the kids might yet take back control."

    I'm a parent to two Gen Alphas as well, aged five and eighteen months. Not once have either ever mentioned single use plastics to me - they have occasionally on litter - and nor have they ever commented on the colour of their passport nor do they even know what Brexit is.

    They are interested, particularly the older one, in playing doctors, Elsa, dolls houses, soft play, watching kids shows on Cbeebies, and Milkshake, and being read a bedtime story. It's a struggle to get them to eat anything at all, although they drink milk like camels and love cheese. And what they mainly want is spending more time playing with mummy and daddy. Just like all kids throughout the ages.

    Why do journalists write this clickbait tripe and who do they expect to belief it?

    My three year-old nephew is currently obsessed with Optimus Prime...
    My thirteen month old son is obsessed with socks
    Wait till he's 13 years old..
  • isamisam Posts: 41,118
    Is there something a bit odd about that YouGov Poll @Stuartinromford ?

    https://d3nkl3psvxxpe9.cloudfront.net/documents/TheTimes_VI_AdHoc_240124_New_W.pdf

    They ask people whose VI is ‘Don’t Know’ whether they’d prefer Boris/Cameron/Badenoch to Sunak, and six of them say ‘makes no difference, I’d vote Conservative anyway’. But they’ve just said ‘Don’t Know’ to VI
  • TheuniondivvieTheuniondivvie Posts: 41,950
    Carnyx said:
    Brillo pursuing his Teutonic obsession.


  • isam said:

    Is there something a bit odd about that YouGov Poll @Stuartinromford ?

    https://d3nkl3psvxxpe9.cloudfront.net/documents/TheTimes_VI_AdHoc_240124_New_W.pdf

    They ask people whose VI is ‘Don’t Know’ whether they’d prefer Boris/Cameron/Badenoch to Sunak, and six of them say ‘makes no difference, I’d vote Conservative anyway’. But they’ve just said ‘Don’t Know’ to VI

    Quite possibly. Though you get a small number of people giving dumb answers in any survey- "yes, I have been abducted by aliens", "if there were an election tomorrow, I'd vote for Ron Madeup-Name", that sort of thing.
  • ydoethurydoethur Posts: 71,354

    ydoethur said:

    ydoethur said:

    ydoethur said:

    WillG said:

    WillG said:

    darkage said:

    ydoethur said:

    darkage said:

    https://www.newstatesman.com/comment/2024/02/the-trumpian-end-of-the-liberal-world-order

    "The more pertinent irrationality is that of liberals themselves. Weaponising the legal system to destroy Trump has only made him stronger. Why persist in a strategy that is so counter-productive? The answer is that liberals suffer from a form of repetition-compulsion – the pathological urge to re-enact damaging behaviours, as identified in Freudian psychoanalysis. Fixated on reasserting what they believe to be their proper place as the moral guardians of society, and indeed the world order, they are locking themselves into a cycle of failure...

    If any single issue can ensure Trump’s re-election, it is chaos on America’s Mexican border, a source of mounting concern that extends far beyond his core supporters. Continuing inflows of illegal aliens have produced dissension and opposition in Texas, New York and “sanctuary cities” such as Chicago, where communities of various ethnicities have protested against its effects on public services. Yet for many Democrat activists, voters’ resistance to mass immigration is not much more than an expression of popular racism. American liberals are reprising the hubristic disregard for their fellow citizens that led to Trump’s victory in 2016."


    They haven’t’weaponised the legal system to destroy Trump.’ The legal system has pursued him for multiple criminal acts.

    The only side weaponising the legal system are the Republicans with their decision to ignore Supreme Court rulings, vexatiously impeach a Cabinet member and pursue fraudulent charges against Hunter Biden disrupting the actual criminal case against him.
    The thesis of the article is that the aggressive pursuit of litigation and criminal allegations makes Trump stronger by reinforcing the narrative of an elite conspiracy, yet the 'liberals' keep on pursuing them, despite being presented with evidence that they are failing, and in so doing are trapped in a cycle of self destruction.

    A lot seems to be resting on the polling that a criminal conviction is a game changer - I am not that confident.

    The rule of law depends on prosecuting people that have broken the law. Including rich, white Republicans when applicable.
    but not elderly mentally impaired gentlemen with a garage full of confidential documents,
    I believe Trump was already included.
    then he shouldnt be prosecuted just like Biden
    Ther are certain key differences.

    For one, Biden handed over the documents when told to. He didn’t try to hold on to them.

    For another, he didn’t force his associates to lie about what was there.

    Third, he didn’t falsely claim they had all been declassified.
    You have Trumpitis. An overhwelming desire to give a known narcissist all the publicity he craves when simply ignoring him would yield better and more credible results.
    It’s interesting to see many on the political right are so weak on law and order that they want serial criminals to escape punishment for their crimes.
    I agree Biden should be put in a court too.
    Oddly, I’m actually inclined to agree with you. As I thought about Clinton.

    But the reason he hasn’t is because his subsequent actions mean no jury will convict him.

    That makes it a waste of time.

    Trump, however, keeps doubling down. Because he’s a dangerous criminal and thinks he is above the law.
    Im afraid youre off down the MAGA rabbit hole again chasing Trump. The more attention you give him the stronger he gets. Dems just better pray he doesnt get in since they have set up a new level of lawfare which he will use against them. The Reps did something similar attacking Bill Clinton and took the whole tone of political debate down several notched. It hasnt gone back up since.
    Ok, I’m calling it. There’s one person with Trumpitis in this conversation disappearing down not so much a hole as a whole warren - but it certainly isn’t me.
  • DougSealDougSeal Posts: 12,541
    boulay said:

    DougSeal said:

    boulay said:

    Hilarious article, which isn't open to comments:

    https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/generation-alpha-2024-stormi-webster-harper-beckham-rfl5hd9h6

    "I’m a parent to two — aged six and three. They are already aware of single-use plastics. Data shows that households with 5 to 11-year-olds have more eco-friendly habits. And when my husband’s burgundy passport expired this year, my daughter’s bafflement as we explained the new Brexit blue one suggests the kids might yet take back control."

    I'm a parent to two Gen Alphas as well, aged five and eighteen months. Not once have either ever mentioned single use plastics to me - they have occasionally on litter - and nor have they ever commented on the colour of their passport nor do they even know what Brexit is.

    They are interested, particularly the older one, in playing doctors, Elsa, dolls houses, soft play, watching kids shows on Cbeebies, and Milkshake, and being read a bedtime story. It's a struggle to get them to eat anything at all, although they drink milk like camels and love cheese. And what they mainly want is spending more time playing with mummy and daddy. Just like all kids throughout the ages.

    Why do journalists write this clickbait tripe and who do they expect to belief it?

    They write it because they want their friends and associates to think that the journalist has exceptionally clever and wise children, and guess what, the children are clever and wise because the parents are. That’s the message they are trying to get across.

    There are whole lists on Facebook of twatty parents posting stories about how their four year old quoted something by Buddha as they passed a homeless man and how the young see the truth etc etc bollocks bollocks. There is a pisstake response even now which is “and everyone clapped”.

    It’s a symptom of “main character syndrome” where so many people, thanks to social media, think they are the main character in a book or film and so think everyone wants to know what’s going on in their life and have to burnish it because in reality they are pretty normal and boring.
    I recommend "Crap on Linkedin" and "The State of Linkedin" on Twitter for exposing that type of shite on Linkedin. A few years ago I posted on LinkedIn -

    'Yesterday my four year old told me “Life is a succession of lessons which must be lived to be understood.”. I was surprised and delighted by such wisdom.

    Especially as she's a dog.'


    Now, contrary to the the claims of some on here, I do not I consider myself sort of hero of comedy. I know I'm not. Nevertheless it emerges that LinkedIn is not the place for that sort of light-hearted throwaway piss-take, as the response from other posters and my digital marketing team proved.
    A lot of female friends have left LinkedIn because it’s become a bit of a stalky attempted pick up site where they keep getting random messages from people asking them if they are single, asking them on dates or making advances.
    Its the absolute pits. I hate it but it's part of the job unfortunately.
  • DavidLDavidL Posts: 53,798

    isam said:

    Is there something a bit odd about that YouGov Poll @Stuartinromford ?

    https://d3nkl3psvxxpe9.cloudfront.net/documents/TheTimes_VI_AdHoc_240124_New_W.pdf

    They ask people whose VI is ‘Don’t Know’ whether they’d prefer Boris/Cameron/Badenoch to Sunak, and six of them say ‘makes no difference, I’d vote Conservative anyway’. But they’ve just said ‘Don’t Know’ to VI

    Quite possibly. Though you get a small number of people giving dumb answers in any survey- "yes, I have been abducted by aliens", "if there were an election tomorrow, I'd vote for Ron Madeup-Name", that sort of thing.
    Or even Liberal Democrat. I mean, come on!
  • OnlyLivingBoyOnlyLivingBoy Posts: 15,767
    boulay said:

    DougSeal said:

    boulay said:

    Hilarious article, which isn't open to comments:

    https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/generation-alpha-2024-stormi-webster-harper-beckham-rfl5hd9h6

    "I’m a parent to two — aged six and three. They are already aware of single-use plastics. Data shows that households with 5 to 11-year-olds have more eco-friendly habits. And when my husband’s burgundy passport expired this year, my daughter’s bafflement as we explained the new Brexit blue one suggests the kids might yet take back control."

    I'm a parent to two Gen Alphas as well, aged five and eighteen months. Not once have either ever mentioned single use plastics to me - they have occasionally on litter - and nor have they ever commented on the colour of their passport nor do they even know what Brexit is.

    They are interested, particularly the older one, in playing doctors, Elsa, dolls houses, soft play, watching kids shows on Cbeebies, and Milkshake, and being read a bedtime story. It's a struggle to get them to eat anything at all, although they drink milk like camels and love cheese. And what they mainly want is spending more time playing with mummy and daddy. Just like all kids throughout the ages.

    Why do journalists write this clickbait tripe and who do they expect to belief it?

    They write it because they want their friends and associates to think that the journalist has exceptionally clever and wise children, and guess what, the children are clever and wise because the parents are. That’s the message they are trying to get across.

    There are whole lists on Facebook of twatty parents posting stories about how their four year old quoted something by Buddha as they passed a homeless man and how the young see the truth etc etc bollocks bollocks. There is a pisstake response even now which is “and everyone clapped”.

    It’s a symptom of “main character syndrome” where so many people, thanks to social media, think they are the main character in a book or film and so think everyone wants to know what’s going on in their life and have to burnish it because in reality they are pretty normal and boring.
    I recommend "Crap on Linkedin" and "The State of Linkedin" on Twitter for exposing that type of shite on Linkedin. A few years ago I posted on LinkedIn -

    'Yesterday my four year old told me “Life is a succession of lessons which must be lived to be understood.”. I was surprised and delighted by such wisdom.

    Especially as she's a dog.'


    Now, contrary to the the claims of some on here, I do not I consider myself sort of hero of comedy. I know I'm not. Nevertheless it emerges that LinkedIn is not the place for that sort of light-hearted throwaway piss-take, as the response from other posters and my digital marketing team proved.
    A lot of female friends have left LinkedIn because it’s become a bit of a stalky attempted pick up site where they keep getting random messages from people asking them if they are single, asking them on dates or making advances.
    It should be an iron law of human society: for any new invention or innovation, men will eventually find a way to use it to be shit to women.
  • DougSealDougSeal Posts: 12,541
    boulay said:

    DougSeal said:

    boulay said:

    Hilarious article, which isn't open to comments:

    https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/generation-alpha-2024-stormi-webster-harper-beckham-rfl5hd9h6

    "I’m a parent to two — aged six and three. They are already aware of single-use plastics. Data shows that households with 5 to 11-year-olds have more eco-friendly habits. And when my husband’s burgundy passport expired this year, my daughter’s bafflement as we explained the new Brexit blue one suggests the kids might yet take back control."

    I'm a parent to two Gen Alphas as well, aged five and eighteen months. Not once have either ever mentioned single use plastics to me - they have occasionally on litter - and nor have they ever commented on the colour of their passport nor do they even know what Brexit is.

    They are interested, particularly the older one, in playing doctors, Elsa, dolls houses, soft play, watching kids shows on Cbeebies, and Milkshake, and being read a bedtime story. It's a struggle to get them to eat anything at all, although they drink milk like camels and love cheese. And what they mainly want is spending more time playing with mummy and daddy. Just like all kids throughout the ages.

    Why do journalists write this clickbait tripe and who do they expect to belief it?

    They write it because they want their friends and associates to think that the journalist has exceptionally clever and wise children, and guess what, the children are clever and wise because the parents are. That’s the message they are trying to get across.

    There are whole lists on Facebook of twatty parents posting stories about how their four year old quoted something by Buddha as they passed a homeless man and how the young see the truth etc etc bollocks bollocks. There is a pisstake response even now which is “and everyone clapped”.

    It’s a symptom of “main character syndrome” where so many people, thanks to social media, think they are the main character in a book or film and so think everyone wants to know what’s going on in their life and have to burnish it because in reality they are pretty normal and boring.
    I recommend "Crap on Linkedin" and "The State of Linkedin" on Twitter for exposing that type of shite on Linkedin. A few years ago I posted on LinkedIn -

    'Yesterday my four year old told me “Life is a succession of lessons which must be lived to be understood.”. I was surprised and delighted by such wisdom.

    Especially as she's a dog.'


    Now, contrary to the the claims of some on here, I do not I consider myself sort of hero of comedy. I know I'm not. Nevertheless it emerges that LinkedIn is not the place for that sort of light-hearted throwaway piss-take, as the response from other posters and my digital marketing team proved.
    A lot of female friends have left LinkedIn because it’s become a bit of a stalky attempted pick up site where they keep getting random messages from people asking them if they are single, asking them on dates or making advances.
    I use this now -

    https://viralpostgenerator.taplio.com/?target=998942e43ce445e7a8ed43cc51862f42&params={}
  • DavidLDavidL Posts: 53,798
    boulay said:

    DougSeal said:

    boulay said:

    Hilarious article, which isn't open to comments:

    https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/generation-alpha-2024-stormi-webster-harper-beckham-rfl5hd9h6

    "I’m a parent to two — aged six and three. They are already aware of single-use plastics. Data shows that households with 5 to 11-year-olds have more eco-friendly habits. And when my husband’s burgundy passport expired this year, my daughter’s bafflement as we explained the new Brexit blue one suggests the kids might yet take back control."

    I'm a parent to two Gen Alphas as well, aged five and eighteen months. Not once have either ever mentioned single use plastics to me - they have occasionally on litter - and nor have they ever commented on the colour of their passport nor do they even know what Brexit is.

    They are interested, particularly the older one, in playing doctors, Elsa, dolls houses, soft play, watching kids shows on Cbeebies, and Milkshake, and being read a bedtime story. It's a struggle to get them to eat anything at all, although they drink milk like camels and love cheese. And what they mainly want is spending more time playing with mummy and daddy. Just like all kids throughout the ages.

    Why do journalists write this clickbait tripe and who do they expect to belief it?

    They write it because they want their friends and associates to think that the journalist has exceptionally clever and wise children, and guess what, the children are clever and wise because the parents are. That’s the message they are trying to get across.

    There are whole lists on Facebook of twatty parents posting stories about how their four year old quoted something by Buddha as they passed a homeless man and how the young see the truth etc etc bollocks bollocks. There is a pisstake response even now which is “and everyone clapped”.

    It’s a symptom of “main character syndrome” where so many people, thanks to social media, think they are the main character in a book or film and so think everyone wants to know what’s going on in their life and have to burnish it because in reality they are pretty normal and boring.
    I recommend "Crap on Linkedin" and "The State of Linkedin" on Twitter for exposing that type of shite on Linkedin. A few years ago I posted on LinkedIn -

    'Yesterday my four year old told me “Life is a succession of lessons which must be lived to be understood.”. I was surprised and delighted by such wisdom.

    Especially as she's a dog.'


    Now, contrary to the the claims of some on here, I do not I consider myself sort of hero of comedy. I know I'm not. Nevertheless it emerges that LinkedIn is not the place for that sort of light-hearted throwaway piss-take, as the response from other posters and my digital marketing team proved.
    A lot of female friends have left LinkedIn because it’s become a bit of a stalky attempted pick up site where they keep getting random messages from people asking them if they are single, asking them on dates or making advances.
    I left because it was indescribably boring, full of people pumping out platitudes and the next super exciting thing that their firm was doing or what thrilling thing they were working on this week.

    Sometimes I think I can be a bit antisocial.
  • LostPasswordLostPassword Posts: 18,354
    kinabalu said:

    Andy_JS said:

    Strange timing from Putin.

    My theory? He didn't want to do it before the Carlson interview because he knew brave Tucker would have relentlessly pursued him on it and nailed him to the wall.
    I don't think the timing was chosen by Putin. What is most likely to have happened is that they put someone with poor health (due to a failed assassination attempt by poisoning) into a harsh prison regime, knowing that this would lead to an inevitable early death, at a relatively random time.

    Everyone knows that Navalny is dead because Putin wanted him dead, but the death certificate can truthfully say that he died of natural causes.
  • turbotubbsturbotubbs Posts: 17,392
    IanB2 said:

    Hilarious article, which isn't open to comments:

    https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/generation-alpha-2024-stormi-webster-harper-beckham-rfl5hd9h6

    "I’m a parent to two — aged six and three. They are already aware of single-use plastics. Data shows that households with 5 to 11-year-olds have more eco-friendly habits. And when my husband’s burgundy passport expired this year, my daughter’s bafflement as we explained the new Brexit blue one suggests the kids might yet take back control."

    I'm a parent to two Gen Alphas as well, aged five and eighteen months. Not once have either ever mentioned single use plastics to me - they have occasionally on litter - and nor have they ever commented on the colour of their passport nor do they even know what Brexit is.

    They are interested, particularly the older one, in playing doctors, Elsa, dolls houses, soft play, watching kids shows on Cbeebies, and Milkshake, and being read a bedtime story. It's a struggle to get them to eat anything at all, although they drink milk like camels and love cheese. And what they mainly want is spending more time playing with mummy and daddy. Just like all kids throughout the ages.

    Why do journalists write this clickbait tripe and who do they expect to belief it?

    My three year-old nephew is currently obsessed with Optimus Prime...
    My thirteen month old son is obsessed with socks
    Just appreciate that his world view has expanded as far as his feet. Things can only get worse.
    We have been teaching him very basic sign language. The sign for socks is rather similar to that for dog, and he does the same sign for both, but appropriately. Rather sweet, but also somewhat confusing.

    He also, as all small boys do, has found his todger...
  • AlanbrookeAlanbrooke Posts: 25,401
    ydoethur said:

    ydoethur said:

    ydoethur said:

    ydoethur said:

    WillG said:

    WillG said:

    darkage said:

    ydoethur said:

    darkage said:

    https://www.newstatesman.com/comment/2024/02/the-trumpian-end-of-the-liberal-world-order

    "The more pertinent irrationality is that of liberals themselves. Weaponising the legal system to destroy Trump has only made him stronger. Why persist in a strategy that is so counter-productive? The answer is that liberals suffer from a form of repetition-compulsion – the pathological urge to re-enact damaging behaviours, as identified in Freudian psychoanalysis. Fixated on reasserting what they believe to be their proper place as the moral guardians of society, and indeed the world order, they are locking themselves into a cycle of failure...

    If any single issue can ensure Trump’s re-election, it is chaos on America’s Mexican border, a source of mounting concern that extends far beyond his core supporters. Continuing inflows of illegal aliens have produced dissension and opposition in Texas, New York and “sanctuary cities” such as Chicago, where communities of various ethnicities have protested against its effects on public services. Yet for many Democrat activists, voters’ resistance to mass immigration is not much more than an expression of popular racism. American liberals are reprising the hubristic disregard for their fellow citizens that led to Trump’s victory in 2016."


    They haven’t’weaponised the legal system to destroy Trump.’ The legal system has pursued him for multiple criminal acts.

    The only side weaponising the legal system are the Republicans with their decision to ignore Supreme Court rulings, vexatiously impeach a Cabinet member and pursue fraudulent charges against Hunter Biden disrupting the actual criminal case against him.
    The thesis of the article is that the aggressive pursuit of litigation and criminal allegations makes Trump stronger by reinforcing the narrative of an elite conspiracy, yet the 'liberals' keep on pursuing them, despite being presented with evidence that they are failing, and in so doing are trapped in a cycle of self destruction.

    A lot seems to be resting on the polling that a criminal conviction is a game changer - I am not that confident.

    The rule of law depends on prosecuting people that have broken the law. Including rich, white Republicans when applicable.
    but not elderly mentally impaired gentlemen with a garage full of confidential documents,
    I believe Trump was already included.
    then he shouldnt be prosecuted just like Biden
    Ther are certain key differences.

    For one, Biden handed over the documents when told to. He didn’t try to hold on to them.

    For another, he didn’t force his associates to lie about what was there.

    Third, he didn’t falsely claim they had all been declassified.
    You have Trumpitis. An overhwelming desire to give a known narcissist all the publicity he craves when simply ignoring him would yield better and more credible results.
    It’s interesting to see many on the political right are so weak on law and order that they want serial criminals to escape punishment for their crimes.
    I agree Biden should be put in a court too.
    Oddly, I’m actually inclined to agree with you. As I thought about Clinton.

    But the reason he hasn’t is because his subsequent actions mean no jury will convict him.

    That makes it a waste of time.

    Trump, however, keeps doubling down. Because he’s a dangerous criminal and thinks he is above the law.
    Im afraid youre off down the MAGA rabbit hole again chasing Trump. The more attention you give him the stronger he gets. Dems just better pray he doesnt get in since they have set up a new level of lawfare which he will use against them. The Reps did something similar attacking Bill Clinton and took the whole tone of political debate down several notched. It hasnt gone back up since.
    Ok, I’m calling it. There’s one person with Trumpitis in this conversation disappearing down not so much a hole as a whole warren - but it certainly isn’t me.
    Keep chasing that rabbit.
  • DavidLDavidL Posts: 53,798

    DavidL said:

    ydoethur said:

    ydoethur said:

    WillG said:

    WillG said:

    darkage said:

    ydoethur said:

    darkage said:

    https://www.newstatesman.com/comment/2024/02/the-trumpian-end-of-the-liberal-world-order

    "The more pertinent irrationality is that of liberals themselves. Weaponising the legal system to destroy Trump has only made him stronger. Why persist in a strategy that is so counter-productive? The answer is that liberals suffer from a form of repetition-compulsion – the pathological urge to re-enact damaging behaviours, as identified in Freudian psychoanalysis. Fixated on reasserting what they believe to be their proper place as the moral guardians of society, and indeed the world order, they are locking themselves into a cycle of failure...

    If any single issue can ensure Trump’s re-election, it is chaos on America’s Mexican border, a source of mounting concern that extends far beyond his core supporters. Continuing inflows of illegal aliens have produced dissension and opposition in Texas, New York and “sanctuary cities” such as Chicago, where communities of various ethnicities have protested against its effects on public services. Yet for many Democrat activists, voters’ resistance to mass immigration is not much more than an expression of popular racism. American liberals are reprising the hubristic disregard for their fellow citizens that led to Trump’s victory in 2016."


    They haven’t’weaponised the legal system to destroy Trump.’ The legal system has pursued him for multiple criminal acts.

    The only side weaponising the legal system are the Republicans with their decision to ignore Supreme Court rulings, vexatiously impeach a Cabinet member and pursue fraudulent charges against Hunter Biden disrupting the actual criminal case against him.
    The thesis of the article is that the aggressive pursuit of litigation and criminal allegations makes Trump stronger by reinforcing the narrative of an elite conspiracy, yet the 'liberals' keep on pursuing them, despite being presented with evidence that they are failing, and in so doing are trapped in a cycle of self destruction.

    A lot seems to be resting on the polling that a criminal conviction is a game changer - I am not that confident.

    The rule of law depends on prosecuting people that have broken the law. Including rich, white Republicans when applicable.
    but not elderly mentally impaired gentlemen with a garage full of confidential documents,
    I believe Trump was already included.
    then he shouldnt be prosecuted just like Biden
    Ther are certain key differences.

    For one, Biden handed over the documents when told to. He didn’t try to hold on to them.

    For another, he didn’t force his associates to lie about what was there.

    Third, he didn’t falsely claim they had all been declassified.
    You have Trumpitis. An overhwelming desire to give a known narcissist all the publicity he craves when simply ignoring him would yield better and more credible results.
    It’s interesting to see many on the political right are so weak on law and order that they want serial criminals to escape punishment for their crimes.
    I agree Biden should be put in a court too.
    The person who accused Biden of taking a bribe is now on trial for perjury. What were you planning to charge him with?
    Me personally nothing. However you will have a job to convince that the US system with its many politically elected officials is an unbiased reliable one.
    Not something that I would even attempt Alan. It is truly bizarre and mixes politics and law in a way that is completely unhealthy.

    Having said that I do not think that Trump should be deemed eligible for the Presidency again , given his culpability for what happened on January 6th. He should have been convicted of that some considerable time ago.
  • MexicanpeteMexicanpete Posts: 28,368
    ...

    ydoethur said:

    ydoethur said:

    ydoethur said:

    ydoethur said:

    WillG said:

    WillG said:

    darkage said:

    ydoethur said:

    darkage said:

    https://www.newstatesman.com/comment/2024/02/the-trumpian-end-of-the-liberal-world-order

    "The more pertinent irrationality is that of liberals themselves. Weaponising the legal system to destroy Trump has only made him stronger. Why persist in a strategy that is so counter-productive? The answer is that liberals suffer from a form of repetition-compulsion – the pathological urge to re-enact damaging behaviours, as identified in Freudian psychoanalysis. Fixated on reasserting what they believe to be their proper place as the moral guardians of society, and indeed the world order, they are locking themselves into a cycle of failure...

    If any single issue can ensure Trump’s re-election, it is chaos on America’s Mexican border, a source of mounting concern that extends far beyond his core supporters. Continuing inflows of illegal aliens have produced dissension and opposition in Texas, New York and “sanctuary cities” such as Chicago, where communities of various ethnicities have protested against its effects on public services. Yet for many Democrat activists, voters’ resistance to mass immigration is not much more than an expression of popular racism. American liberals are reprising the hubristic disregard for their fellow citizens that led to Trump’s victory in 2016."


    They haven’t’weaponised the legal system to destroy Trump.’ The legal system has pursued him for multiple criminal acts.

    The only side weaponising the legal system are the Republicans with their decision to ignore Supreme Court rulings, vexatiously impeach a Cabinet member and pursue fraudulent charges against Hunter Biden disrupting the actual criminal case against him.
    The thesis of the article is that the aggressive pursuit of litigation and criminal allegations makes Trump stronger by reinforcing the narrative of an elite conspiracy, yet the 'liberals' keep on pursuing them, despite being presented with evidence that they are failing, and in so doing are trapped in a cycle of self destruction.

    A lot seems to be resting on the polling that a criminal conviction is a game changer - I am not that confident.

    The rule of law depends on prosecuting people that have broken the law. Including rich, white Republicans when applicable.
    but not elderly mentally impaired gentlemen with a garage full of confidential documents,
    I believe Trump was already included.
    then he shouldnt be prosecuted just like Biden
    Ther are certain key differences.

    For one, Biden handed over the documents when told to. He didn’t try to hold on to them.

    For another, he didn’t force his associates to lie about what was there.

    Third, he didn’t falsely claim they had all been declassified.
    You have Trumpitis. An overhwelming desire to give a known narcissist all the publicity he craves when simply ignoring him would yield better and more credible results.
    It’s interesting to see many on the political right are so weak on law and order that they want serial criminals to escape punishment for their crimes.
    I agree Biden should be put in a court too.
    Oddly, I’m actually inclined to agree with you. As I thought about Clinton.

    But the reason he hasn’t is because his subsequent actions mean no jury will convict him.

    That makes it a waste of time.

    Trump, however, keeps doubling down. Because he’s a dangerous criminal and thinks he is above the law.
    Im afraid youre off down the MAGA rabbit hole again chasing Trump. The more attention you give him the stronger he gets. Dems just better pray he doesnt get in since they have set up a new level of lawfare which he will use against them. The Reps did something similar attacking Bill Clinton and took the whole tone of political debate down several notched. It hasnt gone back up since.
    Ok, I’m calling it. There’s one person with Trumpitis in this conversation disappearing down not so much a hole as a whole warren - but it certainly isn’t me.
    Keep chasing that rabbit.
    Your rabbit isn't so much a big white imaginary one called Harvey, it's an enormous, smelly, orange f***** called Donald, and its unfortunately real.
  • DavidLDavidL Posts: 53,798

    ydoethur said:

    ydoethur said:

    ydoethur said:

    ydoethur said:

    WillG said:

    WillG said:

    darkage said:

    ydoethur said:

    darkage said:

    https://www.newstatesman.com/comment/2024/02/the-trumpian-end-of-the-liberal-world-order

    "The more pertinent irrationality is that of liberals themselves. Weaponising the legal system to destroy Trump has only made him stronger. Why persist in a strategy that is so counter-productive? The answer is that liberals suffer from a form of repetition-compulsion – the pathological urge to re-enact damaging behaviours, as identified in Freudian psychoanalysis. Fixated on reasserting what they believe to be their proper place as the moral guardians of society, and indeed the world order, they are locking themselves into a cycle of failure...

    If any single issue can ensure Trump’s re-election, it is chaos on America’s Mexican border, a source of mounting concern that extends far beyond his core supporters. Continuing inflows of illegal aliens have produced dissension and opposition in Texas, New York and “sanctuary cities” such as Chicago, where communities of various ethnicities have protested against its effects on public services. Yet for many Democrat activists, voters’ resistance to mass immigration is not much more than an expression of popular racism. American liberals are reprising the hubristic disregard for their fellow citizens that led to Trump’s victory in 2016."


    They haven’t’weaponised the legal system to destroy Trump.’ The legal system has pursued him for multiple criminal acts.

    The only side weaponising the legal system are the Republicans with their decision to ignore Supreme Court rulings, vexatiously impeach a Cabinet member and pursue fraudulent charges against Hunter Biden disrupting the actual criminal case against him.
    The thesis of the article is that the aggressive pursuit of litigation and criminal allegations makes Trump stronger by reinforcing the narrative of an elite conspiracy, yet the 'liberals' keep on pursuing them, despite being presented with evidence that they are failing, and in so doing are trapped in a cycle of self destruction.

    A lot seems to be resting on the polling that a criminal conviction is a game changer - I am not that confident.

    The rule of law depends on prosecuting people that have broken the law. Including rich, white Republicans when applicable.
    but not elderly mentally impaired gentlemen with a garage full of confidential documents,
    I believe Trump was already included.
    then he shouldnt be prosecuted just like Biden
    Ther are certain key differences.

    For one, Biden handed over the documents when told to. He didn’t try to hold on to them.

    For another, he didn’t force his associates to lie about what was there.

    Third, he didn’t falsely claim they had all been declassified.
    You have Trumpitis. An overhwelming desire to give a known narcissist all the publicity he craves when simply ignoring him would yield better and more credible results.
    It’s interesting to see many on the political right are so weak on law and order that they want serial criminals to escape punishment for their crimes.
    I agree Biden should be put in a court too.
    Oddly, I’m actually inclined to agree with you. As I thought about Clinton.

    But the reason he hasn’t is because his subsequent actions mean no jury will convict him.

    That makes it a waste of time.

    Trump, however, keeps doubling down. Because he’s a dangerous criminal and thinks he is above the law.
    Im afraid youre off down the MAGA rabbit hole again chasing Trump. The more attention you give him the stronger he gets. Dems just better pray he doesnt get in since they have set up a new level of lawfare which he will use against them. The Reps did something similar attacking Bill Clinton and took the whole tone of political debate down several notched. It hasnt gone back up since.
    Ok, I’m calling it. There’s one person with Trumpitis in this conversation disappearing down not so much a hole as a whole warren - but it certainly isn’t me.
    Keep chasing that rabbit.
    And if you go chasing rabbits
    And you know you're going to fall
    Tell 'em a hookah-smoking caterpillar
    Has given you the call
    Call Alice
    When she was just small

    When the men on the chessboard
    Get up and tell you where to go
    And you've just had some kind of mushroom
    And your mind is moving low
    Go ask Alice
    I think she'll know

    When logic and proportion
    Have fallen sloppy dead
    And the White Knight is talking backwards
    And the Red Queen's off with her head
    Remember what the dormouse said
    Feed your head
    Feed your head

    Apropos of nothing much but a great song.
  • MattWMattW Posts: 23,128
    Scott_xP said:

    DougSeal said:

    ydoethur said:

    Does any station have a more dramatic setting than Conwy? The river, the mountains, the castle? What a mix.

    I'm a big fan of Thanet Parkway
    Is that a euphemism?
    I had it down as an emphasis.
  • AlanbrookeAlanbrooke Posts: 25,401
    DavidL said:

    DavidL said:

    ydoethur said:

    ydoethur said:

    WillG said:

    WillG said:

    darkage said:

    ydoethur said:

    darkage said:

    https://www.newstatesman.com/comment/2024/02/the-trumpian-end-of-the-liberal-world-order

    "The more pertinent irrationality is that of liberals themselves. Weaponising the legal system to destroy Trump has only made him stronger. Why persist in a strategy that is so counter-productive? The answer is that liberals suffer from a form of repetition-compulsion – the pathological urge to re-enact damaging behaviours, as identified in Freudian psychoanalysis. Fixated on reasserting what they believe to be their proper place as the moral guardians of society, and indeed the world order, they are locking themselves into a cycle of failure...

    If any single issue can ensure Trump’s re-election, it is chaos on America’s Mexican border, a source of mounting concern that extends far beyond his core supporters. Continuing inflows of illegal aliens have produced dissension and opposition in Texas, New York and “sanctuary cities” such as Chicago, where communities of various ethnicities have protested against its effects on public services. Yet for many Democrat activists, voters’ resistance to mass immigration is not much more than an expression of popular racism. American liberals are reprising the hubristic disregard for their fellow citizens that led to Trump’s victory in 2016."


    They haven’t’weaponised the legal system to destroy Trump.’ The legal system has pursued him for multiple criminal acts.

    The only side weaponising the legal system are the Republicans with their decision to ignore Supreme Court rulings, vexatiously impeach a Cabinet member and pursue fraudulent charges against Hunter Biden disrupting the actual criminal case against him.
    The thesis of the article is that the aggressive pursuit of litigation and criminal allegations makes Trump stronger by reinforcing the narrative of an elite conspiracy, yet the 'liberals' keep on pursuing them, despite being presented with evidence that they are failing, and in so doing are trapped in a cycle of self destruction.

    A lot seems to be resting on the polling that a criminal conviction is a game changer - I am not that confident.

    The rule of law depends on prosecuting people that have broken the law. Including rich, white Republicans when applicable.
    but not elderly mentally impaired gentlemen with a garage full of confidential documents,
    I believe Trump was already included.
    then he shouldnt be prosecuted just like Biden
    Ther are certain key differences.

    For one, Biden handed over the documents when told to. He didn’t try to hold on to them.

    For another, he didn’t force his associates to lie about what was there.

    Third, he didn’t falsely claim they had all been declassified.
    You have Trumpitis. An overhwelming desire to give a known narcissist all the publicity he craves when simply ignoring him would yield better and more credible results.
    It’s interesting to see many on the political right are so weak on law and order that they want serial criminals to escape punishment for their crimes.
    I agree Biden should be put in a court too.
    The person who accused Biden of taking a bribe is now on trial for perjury. What were you planning to charge him with?
    Me personally nothing. However you will have a job to convince that the US system with its many politically elected officials is an unbiased reliable one.
    Not something that I would even attempt Alan. It is truly bizarre and mixes politics and law in a way that is completely unhealthy.

    Having said that I do not think that Trump should be deemed eligible for the Presidency again , given his culpability for what happened on January 6th. He should have been convicted of that some considerable time ago.
    Well coming from Belfast I probably have a different view of what a coup looks like. A coup requires organisation something Trump is not renowned for. This was just bad crowd control and totally avoidable. as ever the yanks like to big themselves up.
  • isamisam Posts: 41,118
    DavidL said:

    ydoethur said:

    ydoethur said:

    ydoethur said:

    ydoethur said:

    WillG said:

    WillG said:

    darkage said:

    ydoethur said:

    darkage said:

    https://www.newstatesman.com/comment/2024/02/the-trumpian-end-of-the-liberal-world-order

    "The more pertinent irrationality is that of liberals themselves. Weaponising the legal system to destroy Trump has only made him stronger. Why persist in a strategy that is so counter-productive? The answer is that liberals suffer from a form of repetition-compulsion – the pathological urge to re-enact damaging behaviours, as identified in Freudian psychoanalysis. Fixated on reasserting what they believe to be their proper place as the moral guardians of society, and indeed the world order, they are locking themselves into a cycle of failure...

    If any single issue can ensure Trump’s re-election, it is chaos on America’s Mexican border, a source of mounting concern that extends far beyond his core supporters. Continuing inflows of illegal aliens have produced dissension and opposition in Texas, New York and “sanctuary cities” such as Chicago, where communities of various ethnicities have protested against its effects on public services. Yet for many Democrat activists, voters’ resistance to mass immigration is not much more than an expression of popular racism. American liberals are reprising the hubristic disregard for their fellow citizens that led to Trump’s victory in 2016."


    They haven’t’weaponised the legal system to destroy Trump.’ The legal system has pursued him for multiple criminal acts.

    The only side weaponising the legal system are the Republicans with their decision to ignore Supreme Court rulings, vexatiously impeach a Cabinet member and pursue fraudulent charges against Hunter Biden disrupting the actual criminal case against him.
    The thesis of the article is that the aggressive pursuit of litigation and criminal allegations makes Trump stronger by reinforcing the narrative of an elite conspiracy, yet the 'liberals' keep on pursuing them, despite being presented with evidence that they are failing, and in so doing are trapped in a cycle of self destruction.

    A lot seems to be resting on the polling that a criminal conviction is a game changer - I am not that confident.

    The rule of law depends on prosecuting people that have broken the law. Including rich, white Republicans when applicable.
    but not elderly mentally impaired gentlemen with a garage full of confidential documents,
    I believe Trump was already included.
    then he shouldnt be prosecuted just like Biden
    Ther are certain key differences.

    For one, Biden handed over the documents when told to. He didn’t try to hold on to them.

    For another, he didn’t force his associates to lie about what was there.

    Third, he didn’t falsely claim they had all been declassified.
    You have Trumpitis. An overhwelming desire to give a known narcissist all the publicity he craves when simply ignoring him would yield better and more credible results.
    It’s interesting to see many on the political right are so weak on law and order that they want serial criminals to escape punishment for their crimes.
    I agree Biden should be put in a court too.
    Oddly, I’m actually inclined to agree with you. As I thought about Clinton.

    But the reason he hasn’t is because his subsequent actions mean no jury will convict him.

    That makes it a waste of time.

    Trump, however, keeps doubling down. Because he’s a dangerous criminal and thinks he is above the law.
    Im afraid youre off down the MAGA rabbit hole again chasing Trump. The more attention you give him the stronger he gets. Dems just better pray he doesnt get in since they have set up a new level of lawfare which he will use against them. The Reps did something similar attacking Bill Clinton and took the whole tone of political debate down several notched. It hasnt gone back up since.
    Ok, I’m calling it. There’s one person with Trumpitis in this conversation disappearing down not so much a hole as a whole warren - but it certainly isn’t me.
    Keep chasing that rabbit.
    And if you go chasing rabbits
    And you know you're going to fall
    Tell 'em a hookah-smoking caterpillar
    Has given you the call
    Call Alice
    When she was just small

    When the men on the chessboard
    Get up and tell you where to go
    And you've just had some kind of mushroom
    And your mind is moving low
    Go ask Alice
    I think she'll know

    When logic and proportion
    Have fallen sloppy dead
    And the White Knight is talking backwards
    And the Red Queen's off with her head
    Remember what the dormouse said
    Feed your head
    Feed your head

    Apropos of nothing much but a great song.
    For many years I misheard the lyric as ‘tell em a hooker, smoking caterpillar’ thinking it was a way of getting around mentioning drugs
  • English cricket has turned down a billion dollar offer for the Hundred from Lalit Modi, the founder of the Indian Premier League.

    Modi’s representatives met with Vikram Banerjee, the England and Wales Cricket Board’s director of operations, who is de facto head of the Hundred, and chief executive Richard Gould to lay out a 10-year offer to buy the Hundred and fund it through private investment.

    However, Telegraph Sport understands the ECB will not be pursuing talks with Modi. It is not interested in selling the competition as a whole because it fears losing control of the peak months of the season and worry dealing with Modi would jeopardise its relationship with the BCCI.

    Modi was banned for life by the BCCI in 2013 for “serious misconduct and indiscipline” related to bids for two new franchises in 2010. Modi was forced to leave India and has lived in London since.


    https://www.telegraph.co.uk/cricket/2024/02/16/ecb-reject-billion-dollar-hundred-ipl-founder-lalit-modi/
  • AlanbrookeAlanbrooke Posts: 25,401

    ...

    ydoethur said:

    ydoethur said:

    ydoethur said:

    ydoethur said:

    WillG said:

    WillG said:

    darkage said:

    ydoethur said:

    darkage said:

    https://www.newstatesman.com/comment/2024/02/the-trumpian-end-of-the-liberal-world-order

    "The more pertinent irrationality is that of liberals themselves. Weaponising the legal system to destroy Trump has only made him stronger. Why persist in a strategy that is so counter-productive? The answer is that liberals suffer from a form of repetition-compulsion – the pathological urge to re-enact damaging behaviours, as identified in Freudian psychoanalysis. Fixated on reasserting what they believe to be their proper place as the moral guardians of society, and indeed the world order, they are locking themselves into a cycle of failure...

    If any single issue can ensure Trump’s re-election, it is chaos on America’s Mexican border, a source of mounting concern that extends far beyond his core supporters. Continuing inflows of illegal aliens have produced dissension and opposition in Texas, New York and “sanctuary cities” such as Chicago, where communities of various ethnicities have protested against its effects on public services. Yet for many Democrat activists, voters’ resistance to mass immigration is not much more than an expression of popular racism. American liberals are reprising the hubristic disregard for their fellow citizens that led to Trump’s victory in 2016."


    They haven’t’weaponised the legal system to destroy Trump.’ The legal system has pursued him for multiple criminal acts.

    The only side weaponising the legal system are the Republicans with their decision to ignore Supreme Court rulings, vexatiously impeach a Cabinet member and pursue fraudulent charges against Hunter Biden disrupting the actual criminal case against him.
    The thesis of the article is that the aggressive pursuit of litigation and criminal allegations makes Trump stronger by reinforcing the narrative of an elite conspiracy, yet the 'liberals' keep on pursuing them, despite being presented with evidence that they are failing, and in so doing are trapped in a cycle of self destruction.

    A lot seems to be resting on the polling that a criminal conviction is a game changer - I am not that confident.

    The rule of law depends on prosecuting people that have broken the law. Including rich, white Republicans when applicable.
    but not elderly mentally impaired gentlemen with a garage full of confidential documents,
    I believe Trump was already included.
    then he shouldnt be prosecuted just like Biden
    Ther are certain key differences.

    For one, Biden handed over the documents when told to. He didn’t try to hold on to them.

    For another, he didn’t force his associates to lie about what was there.

    Third, he didn’t falsely claim they had all been declassified.
    You have Trumpitis. An overhwelming desire to give a known narcissist all the publicity he craves when simply ignoring him would yield better and more credible results.
    It’s interesting to see many on the political right are so weak on law and order that they want serial criminals to escape punishment for their crimes.
    I agree Biden should be put in a court too.
    Oddly, I’m actually inclined to agree with you. As I thought about Clinton.

    But the reason he hasn’t is because his subsequent actions mean no jury will convict him.

    That makes it a waste of time.

    Trump, however, keeps doubling down. Because he’s a dangerous criminal and thinks he is above the law.
    Im afraid youre off down the MAGA rabbit hole again chasing Trump. The more attention you give him the stronger he gets. Dems just better pray he doesnt get in since they have set up a new level of lawfare which he will use against them. The Reps did something similar attacking Bill Clinton and took the whole tone of political debate down several notched. It hasnt gone back up since.
    Ok, I’m calling it. There’s one person with Trumpitis in this conversation disappearing down not so much a hole as a whole warren - but it certainly isn’t me.
    Keep chasing that rabbit.
    Your rabbit isn't so much a big white imaginary one called Harvey, it's an enormous, smelly, orange f***** called Donald, and its unfortunately real.
    Whys it my rabbit ? I dont want Trump as POTUS. Perhaps you could explain your stance.
  • MexicanpeteMexicanpete Posts: 28,368
    isam said:

    DavidL said:

    ydoethur said:

    ydoethur said:

    ydoethur said:

    ydoethur said:

    WillG said:

    WillG said:

    darkage said:

    ydoethur said:

    darkage said:

    https://www.newstatesman.com/comment/2024/02/the-trumpian-end-of-the-liberal-world-order

    "The more pertinent irrationality is that of liberals themselves. Weaponising the legal system to destroy Trump has only made him stronger. Why persist in a strategy that is so counter-productive? The answer is that liberals suffer from a form of repetition-compulsion – the pathological urge to re-enact damaging behaviours, as identified in Freudian psychoanalysis. Fixated on reasserting what they believe to be their proper place as the moral guardians of society, and indeed the world order, they are locking themselves into a cycle of failure...

    If any single issue can ensure Trump’s re-election, it is chaos on America’s Mexican border, a source of mounting concern that extends far beyond his core supporters. Continuing inflows of illegal aliens have produced dissension and opposition in Texas, New York and “sanctuary cities” such as Chicago, where communities of various ethnicities have protested against its effects on public services. Yet for many Democrat activists, voters’ resistance to mass immigration is not much more than an expression of popular racism. American liberals are reprising the hubristic disregard for their fellow citizens that led to Trump’s victory in 2016."


    They haven’t’weaponised the legal system to destroy Trump.’ The legal system has pursued him for multiple criminal acts.

    The only side weaponising the legal system are the Republicans with their decision to ignore Supreme Court rulings, vexatiously impeach a Cabinet member and pursue fraudulent charges against Hunter Biden disrupting the actual criminal case against him.
    The thesis of the article is that the aggressive pursuit of litigation and criminal allegations makes Trump stronger by reinforcing the narrative of an elite conspiracy, yet the 'liberals' keep on pursuing them, despite being presented with evidence that they are failing, and in so doing are trapped in a cycle of self destruction.

    A lot seems to be resting on the polling that a criminal conviction is a game changer - I am not that confident.

    The rule of law depends on prosecuting people that have broken the law. Including rich, white Republicans when applicable.
    but not elderly mentally impaired gentlemen with a garage full of confidential documents,
    I believe Trump was already included.
    then he shouldnt be prosecuted just like Biden
    Ther are certain key differences.

    For one, Biden handed over the documents when told to. He didn’t try to hold on to them.

    For another, he didn’t force his associates to lie about what was there.

    Third, he didn’t falsely claim they had all been declassified.
    You have Trumpitis. An overhwelming desire to give a known narcissist all the publicity he craves when simply ignoring him would yield better and more credible results.
    It’s interesting to see many on the political right are so weak on law and order that they want serial criminals to escape punishment for their crimes.
    I agree Biden should be put in a court too.
    Oddly, I’m actually inclined to agree with you. As I thought about Clinton.

    But the reason he hasn’t is because his subsequent actions mean no jury will convict him.

    That makes it a waste of time.

    Trump, however, keeps doubling down. Because he’s a dangerous criminal and thinks he is above the law.
    Im afraid youre off down the MAGA rabbit hole again chasing Trump. The more attention you give him the stronger he gets. Dems just better pray he doesnt get in since they have set up a new level of lawfare which he will use against them. The Reps did something similar attacking Bill Clinton and took the whole tone of political debate down several notched. It hasnt gone back up since.
    Ok, I’m calling it. There’s one person with Trumpitis in this conversation disappearing down not so much a hole as a whole warren - but it certainly isn’t me.
    Keep chasing that rabbit.
    And if you go chasing rabbits
    And you know you're going to fall
    Tell 'em a hookah-smoking caterpillar
    Has given you the call
    Call Alice
    When she was just small

    When the men on the chessboard
    Get up and tell you where to go
    And you've just had some kind of mushroom
    And your mind is moving low
    Go ask Alice
    I think she'll know

    When logic and proportion
    Have fallen sloppy dead
    And the White Knight is talking backwards
    And the Red Queen's off with her head
    Remember what the dormouse said
    Feed your head
    Feed your head

    Apropos of nothing much but a great song.
    For many years I misheard the lyric as ‘tell em a hooker, smoking caterpillar’ thinking it was a way of getting around mentioning drugs
    It was an ode to hallucinogens. I don't think Grace and Marty were too worried about 1960s sensitivities.

    Grace Slick was a beautiful woman back in the day.
  • MexicanpeteMexicanpete Posts: 28,368

    ...

    ydoethur said:

    ydoethur said:

    ydoethur said:

    ydoethur said:

    WillG said:

    WillG said:

    darkage said:

    ydoethur said:

    darkage said:

    https://www.newstatesman.com/comment/2024/02/the-trumpian-end-of-the-liberal-world-order

    "The more pertinent irrationality is that of liberals themselves. Weaponising the legal system to destroy Trump has only made him stronger. Why persist in a strategy that is so counter-productive? The answer is that liberals suffer from a form of repetition-compulsion – the pathological urge to re-enact damaging behaviours, as identified in Freudian psychoanalysis. Fixated on reasserting what they believe to be their proper place as the moral guardians of society, and indeed the world order, they are locking themselves into a cycle of failure...

    If any single issue can ensure Trump’s re-election, it is chaos on America’s Mexican border, a source of mounting concern that extends far beyond his core supporters. Continuing inflows of illegal aliens have produced dissension and opposition in Texas, New York and “sanctuary cities” such as Chicago, where communities of various ethnicities have protested against its effects on public services. Yet for many Democrat activists, voters’ resistance to mass immigration is not much more than an expression of popular racism. American liberals are reprising the hubristic disregard for their fellow citizens that led to Trump’s victory in 2016."


    They haven’t’weaponised the legal system to destroy Trump.’ The legal system has pursued him for multiple criminal acts.

    The only side weaponising the legal system are the Republicans with their decision to ignore Supreme Court rulings, vexatiously impeach a Cabinet member and pursue fraudulent charges against Hunter Biden disrupting the actual criminal case against him.
    The thesis of the article is that the aggressive pursuit of litigation and criminal allegations makes Trump stronger by reinforcing the narrative of an elite conspiracy, yet the 'liberals' keep on pursuing them, despite being presented with evidence that they are failing, and in so doing are trapped in a cycle of self destruction.

    A lot seems to be resting on the polling that a criminal conviction is a game changer - I am not that confident.

    The rule of law depends on prosecuting people that have broken the law. Including rich, white Republicans when applicable.
    but not elderly mentally impaired gentlemen with a garage full of confidential documents,
    I believe Trump was already included.
    then he shouldnt be prosecuted just like Biden
    Ther are certain key differences.

    For one, Biden handed over the documents when told to. He didn’t try to hold on to them.

    For another, he didn’t force his associates to lie about what was there.

    Third, he didn’t falsely claim they had all been declassified.
    You have Trumpitis. An overhwelming desire to give a known narcissist all the publicity he craves when simply ignoring him would yield better and more credible results.
    It’s interesting to see many on the political right are so weak on law and order that they want serial criminals to escape punishment for their crimes.
    I agree Biden should be put in a court too.
    Oddly, I’m actually inclined to agree with you. As I thought about Clinton.

    But the reason he hasn’t is because his subsequent actions mean no jury will convict him.

    That makes it a waste of time.

    Trump, however, keeps doubling down. Because he’s a dangerous criminal and thinks he is above the law.
    Im afraid youre off down the MAGA rabbit hole again chasing Trump. The more attention you give him the stronger he gets. Dems just better pray he doesnt get in since they have set up a new level of lawfare which he will use against them. The Reps did something similar attacking Bill Clinton and took the whole tone of political debate down several notched. It hasnt gone back up since.
    Ok, I’m calling it. There’s one person with Trumpitis in this conversation disappearing down not so much a hole as a whole warren - but it certainly isn’t me.
    Keep chasing that rabbit.
    Your rabbit isn't so much a big white imaginary one called Harvey, it's an enormous, smelly, orange f***** called Donald, and its unfortunately real.
    Whys it my rabbit ? I dont want Trump as POTUS. Perhaps you could explain your stance.
    Colour me orange but you've been slagging off Biden and blowing smoke up Trump's behind all afternoon.
  • English cricket has turned down a billion dollar offer for the Hundred from Lalit Modi, the founder of the Indian Premier League.

    Modi’s representatives met with Vikram Banerjee, the England and Wales Cricket Board’s director of operations, who is de facto head of the Hundred, and chief executive Richard Gould to lay out a 10-year offer to buy the Hundred and fund it through private investment.

    However, Telegraph Sport understands the ECB will not be pursuing talks with Modi. It is not interested in selling the competition as a whole because it fears losing control of the peak months of the season and worry dealing with Modi would jeopardise its relationship with the BCCI.

    Modi was banned for life by the BCCI in 2013 for “serious misconduct and indiscipline” related to bids for two new franchises in 2010. Modi was forced to leave India and has lived in London since.


    https://www.telegraph.co.uk/cricket/2024/02/16/ecb-reject-billion-dollar-hundred-ipl-founder-lalit-modi/

    What do you call an Indian electronic music fan?

    Dipesh Modi.
  • nico679nico679 Posts: 6,275
    So the House GOP leave town and do fxck all about aid to Ukraine and today the terrible news of the death of Navalny.

    If there’s any justice the GOP would be utterly destroyed at the elections . Sadly they won’t .
  • AlanbrookeAlanbrooke Posts: 25,401

    ...

    ydoethur said:

    ydoethur said:

    ydoethur said:

    ydoethur said:

    WillG said:

    WillG said:

    darkage said:

    ydoethur said:

    darkage said:

    https://www.newstatesman.com/comment/2024/02/the-trumpian-end-of-the-liberal-world-order

    "The more pertinent irrationality is that of liberals themselves. Weaponising the legal system to destroy Trump has only made him stronger. Why persist in a strategy that is so counter-productive? The answer is that liberals suffer from a form of repetition-compulsion – the pathological urge to re-enact damaging behaviours, as identified in Freudian psychoanalysis. Fixated on reasserting what they believe to be their proper place as the moral guardians of society, and indeed the world order, they are locking themselves into a cycle of failure...

    If any single issue can ensure Trump’s re-election, it is chaos on America’s Mexican border, a source of mounting concern that extends far beyond his core supporters. Continuing inflows of illegal aliens have produced dissension and opposition in Texas, New York and “sanctuary cities” such as Chicago, where communities of various ethnicities have protested against its effects on public services. Yet for many Democrat activists, voters’ resistance to mass immigration is not much more than an expression of popular racism. American liberals are reprising the hubristic disregard for their fellow citizens that led to Trump’s victory in 2016."


    They haven’t’weaponised the legal system to destroy Trump.’ The legal system has pursued him for multiple criminal acts.

    The only side weaponising the legal system are the Republicans with their decision to ignore Supreme Court rulings, vexatiously impeach a Cabinet member and pursue fraudulent charges against Hunter Biden disrupting the actual criminal case against him.
    The thesis of the article is that the aggressive pursuit of litigation and criminal allegations makes Trump stronger by reinforcing the narrative of an elite conspiracy, yet the 'liberals' keep on pursuing them, despite being presented with evidence that they are failing, and in so doing are trapped in a cycle of self destruction.

    A lot seems to be resting on the polling that a criminal conviction is a game changer - I am not that confident.

    The rule of law depends on prosecuting people that have broken the law. Including rich, white Republicans when applicable.
    but not elderly mentally impaired gentlemen with a garage full of confidential documents,
    I believe Trump was already included.
    then he shouldnt be prosecuted just like Biden
    Ther are certain key differences.

    For one, Biden handed over the documents when told to. He didn’t try to hold on to them.

    For another, he didn’t force his associates to lie about what was there.

    Third, he didn’t falsely claim they had all been declassified.
    You have Trumpitis. An overhwelming desire to give a known narcissist all the publicity he craves when simply ignoring him would yield better and more credible results.
    It’s interesting to see many on the political right are so weak on law and order that they want serial criminals to escape punishment for their crimes.
    I agree Biden should be put in a court too.
    Oddly, I’m actually inclined to agree with you. As I thought about Clinton.

    But the reason he hasn’t is because his subsequent actions mean no jury will convict him.

    That makes it a waste of time.

    Trump, however, keeps doubling down. Because he’s a dangerous criminal and thinks he is above the law.
    Im afraid youre off down the MAGA rabbit hole again chasing Trump. The more attention you give him the stronger he gets. Dems just better pray he doesnt get in since they have set up a new level of lawfare which he will use against them. The Reps did something similar attacking Bill Clinton and took the whole tone of political debate down several notched. It hasnt gone back up since.
    Ok, I’m calling it. There’s one person with Trumpitis in this conversation disappearing down not so much a hole as a whole warren - but it certainly isn’t me.
    Keep chasing that rabbit.
    Your rabbit isn't so much a big white imaginary one called Harvey, it's an enormous, smelly, orange f***** called Donald, and its unfortunately real.
    Whys it my rabbit ? I dont want Trump as POTUS. Perhaps you could explain your stance.
    Colour me orange but you've been slagging off Biden and blowing smoke up Trump's behind all afternoon.
    Ill happily accept Im no fan of Biden as I think he;s not physically fit to do one of the most demanding jobs in the world. As for backing Trump I am on the record on this thread and many others as saying I dont want him as POTUS either. So basically all we have is a knee jerk reaction from you because you dont like Trump and beyond that not much.
  • AlsoLeiAlsoLei Posts: 1,457

    AlsoLei said:


    Tim Montgomerie 🇬🇧
    @montie

    It's over for the Tories. Absolutely over. We didn't do what we said we'd do and did the things we said we wouldn't. The longer Sunak delays the election date the angrier the electorate are going to get.

    As I posted earlier, people are utterly sick of them. They aren't interested in Tory perspectives on Starmer so its a waste of Sunak's breath constantly trying to attack him.

    You can fight an election on fear of the other when you have delivered something, you can't when you have failed on every one of your own measures.

    What the Tories really need is to go off on a policy retreat, sit round in a circle, and come up with some new ideas which they could get started on quickly. New news, change the narrative, find something positive to run on.

    Yes and Ho!
    They tried that six months ago, though - spending the money from HS2 on 'Network North', banning smoking, repealing the meat tax, a new round of nimbyism, and a barmy dog whistle around liveable cities.

    All very Thought Camp-worthy.

    But where is any of that now? It got laughed at by the public, and - to their credit - they quickly abandoned the notion of Rishi being the change candidate.

    It was worth a shot, I suppose - but they can't go back and try it again.
    Problem is that they didn't:
    Spending the money from HS2 on NN - nope. The only shovel ready schemes have been filling potholes in London
    Banning smoking - Tory MPs won't vote for it and Rishi knows it
    Repealing the Meat Tax - didn't exist to repeal

    etc

    NIMBYism - a lot of voters don't want Tory MPs if that was your point...
    Sure, it was all nonsense - but the point is that they've already tried peddling the 'change' narrative, and no-one was interested in buying it.

    Let's imagine that the govt go all-in on one single policy between now and October. Drop everything else, concentrate on hyping whatever-it-is to the moon, and make sure that it gets delivered.

    What would that one policy be? What is there that might both change the narrative sufficiently and be doable in the time remaining.

    Banning vapes for under-18s is likely doable, but isn't big enough. Culture war stuff would shore up plenty of Tory-leaners, but falls at the implementation hurdle.

    What else could there be? Scrap inheritance tax, maybe?
  • BlancheLivermoreBlancheLivermore Posts: 5,911
    edited February 16
    On topic, I believe that this is the eleventh time on Vanilla that Eagles has predicted a hernia for Brady's postie

    How pathetically weak is this postie?

    Even if every Tory MP, including Sunak and Brady himself, wrote to him on the same day it would weigh about the same as a ream of paper
  • MexicanpeteMexicanpete Posts: 28,368

    English cricket has turned down a billion dollar offer for the Hundred from Lalit Modi, the founder of the Indian Premier League.

    Modi’s representatives met with Vikram Banerjee, the England and Wales Cricket Board’s director of operations, who is de facto head of the Hundred, and chief executive Richard Gould to lay out a 10-year offer to buy the Hundred and fund it through private investment.

    However, Telegraph Sport understands the ECB will not be pursuing talks with Modi. It is not interested in selling the competition as a whole because it fears losing control of the peak months of the season and worry dealing with Modi would jeopardise its relationship with the BCCI.

    Modi was banned for life by the BCCI in 2013 for “serious misconduct and indiscipline” related to bids for two new franchises in 2010. Modi was forced to leave India and has lived in London since.


    https://www.telegraph.co.uk/cricket/2024/02/16/ecb-reject-billion-dollar-hundred-ipl-founder-lalit-modi/

    What do you call an Indian electronic music fan?

    Dipesh Modi.
    Isn't an Afghan techno pop fan called Durrani, Durrani?
  • DougSealDougSeal Posts: 12,541

    On topic, I believe that this is the eleventh time on Vanilla that Eagles has predicted a hernia for Brady's postie

    How pathetically weak is this postie?

    Even if every Tory MP, including Sunak and Brady himself, wrote to him on the same day it would weigh about the same as a ream of paper

    I think the letters have to be inscribed onto calfskin vellum executed with a pendant seal. One of JRM's lesser known reforms.
  • MattWMattW Posts: 23,128
    edited February 16

    AlsoLei said:


    Tim Montgomerie 🇬🇧
    @montie

    It's over for the Tories. Absolutely over. We didn't do what we said we'd do and did the things we said we wouldn't. The longer Sunak delays the election date the angrier the electorate are going to get.

    As I posted earlier, people are utterly sick of them. They aren't interested in Tory perspectives on Starmer so its a waste of Sunak's breath constantly trying to attack him.

    You can fight an election on fear of the other when you have delivered something, you can't when you have failed on every one of your own measures.

    What the Tories really need is to go off on a policy retreat, sit round in a circle, and come up with some new ideas which they could get started on quickly. New news, change the narrative, find something positive to run on.

    Yes and Ho!
    They tried that six months ago, though - spending the money from HS2 on 'Network North', banning smoking, repealing the meat tax, a new round of nimbyism, and a barmy dog whistle around liveable cities.

    All very Thought Camp-worthy.

    But where is any of that now? It got laughed at by the public, and - to their credit - they quickly abandoned the notion of Rishi being the change candidate.

    It was worth a shot, I suppose - but they can't go back and try it again.
    Problem is that they didn't:
    Spending the money from HS2 on NN - nope. The only shovel ready schemes have been filling potholes in London
    Banning smoking - Tory MPs won't vote for it and Rishi knows it
    Repealing the Meat Tax - didn't exist to repeal

    etc

    NIMBYism - a lot of voters don't want Tory MPs if that was your point...
    Isn't one point here that Sunk has now proven himself to be as big an inconsistent, self-serving, cynical liar as Boris ever was?

    I think the only thing he hasn't done is allegedly procure blowjobs from random blondes in return for possible preferment.

    As has been noted earlier, I am now not interested in listening. Let the bastards GFT in the dustbin of history.
  • noneoftheabovenoneoftheabove Posts: 22,812
    MattW said:

    AlsoLei said:


    Tim Montgomerie 🇬🇧
    @montie

    It's over for the Tories. Absolutely over. We didn't do what we said we'd do and did the things we said we wouldn't. The longer Sunak delays the election date the angrier the electorate are going to get.

    As I posted earlier, people are utterly sick of them. They aren't interested in Tory perspectives on Starmer so its a waste of Sunak's breath constantly trying to attack him.

    You can fight an election on fear of the other when you have delivered something, you can't when you have failed on every one of your own measures.

    What the Tories really need is to go off on a policy retreat, sit round in a circle, and come up with some new ideas which they could get started on quickly. New news, change the narrative, find something positive to run on.

    Yes and Ho!
    They tried that six months ago, though - spending the money from HS2 on 'Network North', banning smoking, repealing the meat tax, a new round of nimbyism, and a barmy dog whistle around liveable cities.

    All very Thought Camp-worthy.

    But where is any of that now? It got laughed at by the public, and - to their credit - they quickly abandoned the notion of Rishi being the change candidate.

    It was worth a shot, I suppose - but they can't go back and try it again.
    Problem is that they didn't:
    Spending the money from HS2 on NN - nope. The only shovel ready schemes have been filling potholes in London
    Banning smoking - Tory MPs won't vote for it and Rishi knows it
    Repealing the Meat Tax - didn't exist to repeal

    etc

    NIMBYism - a lot of voters don't want Tory MPs if that was your point...
    Isn't one point here that Sunk has now proven himself to be as big an inconsistent, self-serving, cynical liar as Boris ever was?

    Nah, Rishis lies are self-defeating, not self-serving.
  • DougSeal said:

    On topic, I believe that this is the eleventh time on Vanilla that Eagles has predicted a hernia for Brady's postie

    How pathetically weak is this postie?

    Even if every Tory MP, including Sunak and Brady himself, wrote to him on the same day it would weigh about the same as a ream of paper

    I think the letters have to be inscribed onto calfskin vellum executed with a pendant seal. One of JRM's lesser known reforms.
    That, or tied to a brick thrown through a window in the Whips' office for colleagues representing Red Wall seats.
  • MexicanpeteMexicanpete Posts: 28,368
    edited February 16

    ...

    ydoethur said:

    ydoethur said:

    ydoethur said:

    ydoethur said:

    WillG said:

    WillG said:

    darkage said:

    ydoethur said:

    darkage said:

    https://www.newstatesman.com/comment/2024/02/the-trumpian-end-of-the-liberal-world-order

    "The more pertinent irrationality is that of liberals themselves. Weaponising the legal system to destroy Trump has only made him stronger. Why persist in a strategy that is so counter-productive? The answer is that liberals suffer from a form of repetition-compulsion – the pathological urge to re-enact damaging behaviours, as identified in Freudian psychoanalysis. Fixated on reasserting what they believe to be their proper place as the moral guardians of society, and indeed the world order, they are locking themselves into a cycle of failure...

    If any single issue can ensure Trump’s re-election, it is chaos on America’s Mexican border, a source of mounting concern that extends far beyond his core supporters. Continuing inflows of illegal aliens have produced dissension and opposition in Texas, New York and “sanctuary cities” such as Chicago, where communities of various ethnicities have protested against its effects on public services. Yet for many Democrat activists, voters’ resistance to mass immigration is not much more than an expression of popular racism. American liberals are reprising the hubristic disregard for their fellow citizens that led to Trump’s victory in 2016."


    They haven’t’weaponised the legal system to destroy Trump.’ The legal system has pursued him for multiple criminal acts.

    The only side weaponising the legal system are the Republicans with their decision to ignore Supreme Court rulings, vexatiously impeach a Cabinet member and pursue fraudulent charges against Hunter Biden disrupting the actual criminal case against him.
    The thesis of the article is that the aggressive pursuit of litigation and criminal allegations makes Trump stronger by reinforcing the narrative of an elite conspiracy, yet the 'liberals' keep on pursuing them, despite being presented with evidence that they are failing, and in so doing are trapped in a cycle of self destruction.

    A lot seems to be resting on the polling that a criminal conviction is a game changer - I am not that confident.

    The rule of law depends on prosecuting people that have broken the law. Including rich, white Republicans when applicable.
    but not elderly mentally impaired gentlemen with a garage full of confidential documents,
    I believe Trump was already included.
    then he shouldnt be prosecuted just like Biden
    Ther are certain key differences.

    For one, Biden handed over the documents when told to. He didn’t try to hold on to them.

    For another, he didn’t force his associates to lie about what was there.

    Third, he didn’t falsely claim they had all been declassified.
    You have Trumpitis. An overhwelming desire to give a known narcissist all the publicity he craves when simply ignoring him would yield better and more credible results.
    It’s interesting to see many on the political right are so weak on law and order that they want serial criminals to escape punishment for their crimes.
    I agree Biden should be put in a court too.
    Oddly, I’m actually inclined to agree with you. As I thought about Clinton.

    But the reason he hasn’t is because his subsequent actions mean no jury will convict him.

    That makes it a waste of time.

    Trump, however, keeps doubling down. Because he’s a dangerous criminal and thinks he is above the law.
    Im afraid youre off down the MAGA rabbit hole again chasing Trump. The more attention you give him the stronger he gets. Dems just better pray he doesnt get in since they have set up a new level of lawfare which he will use against them. The Reps did something similar attacking Bill Clinton and took the whole tone of political debate down several notched. It hasnt gone back up since.
    Ok, I’m calling it. There’s one person with Trumpitis in this conversation disappearing down not so much a hole as a whole warren - but it certainly isn’t me.
    Keep chasing that rabbit.
    Your rabbit isn't so much a big white imaginary one called Harvey, it's an enormous, smelly, orange f***** called Donald, and its unfortunately real.
    Whys it my rabbit ? I dont want Trump as POTUS. Perhaps you could explain your stance.
    Colour me orange but you've been slagging off Biden and blowing smoke up Trump's behind all afternoon.
    Ill happily accept Im no fan of Biden as I think he;s not physically fit to do one of the most demanding jobs in the world. As for backing Trump I am on the record on this thread and many others as saying I dont want him as POTUS either. So basically all we have is a knee jerk reaction from you because you dont like Trump and beyond that not much.
    I don't dispute concerns with Biden, but Trump on the same metrics is much further down to road to Bedlam.

    1. Age, almost as old as sleepy Joe
    2. Cogency, worse than Sleepy Joe
    3. Mobility/ stability on a par with sleepy Joe, except Joe can handle a set of steps without assistance.
    4. Statesmanship, could never hold a candle to sleepy Joe, even now.
    5. Given the choice, and I am not suggesting either is optimal. Which one would, as a last resort, you use to babysit your grandchildren, and/ or the nuclear codes?
  • CarnyxCarnyx Posts: 42,814
    DougSeal said:

    On topic, I believe that this is the eleventh time on Vanilla that Eagles has predicted a hernia for Brady's postie

    How pathetically weak is this postie?

    Even if every Tory MP, including Sunak and Brady himself, wrote to him on the same day it would weigh about the same as a ream of paper

    I think the letters have to be inscribed onto calfskin vellum executed with a pendant seal. One of JRM's lesser known reforms.
    Er, Grey or Common?
  • MexicanpeteMexicanpete Posts: 28,368
    MattW said:

    AlsoLei said:


    Tim Montgomerie 🇬🇧
    @montie

    It's over for the Tories. Absolutely over. We didn't do what we said we'd do and did the things we said we wouldn't. The longer Sunak delays the election date the angrier the electorate are going to get.

    As I posted earlier, people are utterly sick of them. They aren't interested in Tory perspectives on Starmer so its a waste of Sunak's breath constantly trying to attack him.

    You can fight an election on fear of the other when you have delivered something, you can't when you have failed on every one of your own measures.

    What the Tories really need is to go off on a policy retreat, sit round in a circle, and come up with some new ideas which they could get started on quickly. New news, change the narrative, find something positive to run on.

    Yes and Ho!
    They tried that six months ago, though - spending the money from HS2 on 'Network North', banning smoking, repealing the meat tax, a new round of nimbyism, and a barmy dog whistle around liveable cities.

    All very Thought Camp-worthy.

    But where is any of that now? It got laughed at by the public, and - to their credit - they quickly abandoned the notion of Rishi being the change candidate.

    It was worth a shot, I suppose - but they can't go back and try it again.
    Problem is that they didn't:
    Spending the money from HS2 on NN - nope. The only shovel ready schemes have been filling potholes in London
    Banning smoking - Tory MPs won't vote for it and Rishi knows it
    Repealing the Meat Tax - didn't exist to repeal

    etc

    NIMBYism - a lot of voters don't want Tory MPs if that was your point...
    Isn't one point here that Sunk has now proven himself to be as big an inconsistent, self-serving, cynical liar as Boris ever was?

    I think the only thing he hasn't done is allegedly procure blowjobs from random blondes in return for possible preferment.

    No. By comparison Sunak is a rank amateur.
  • noneoftheabovenoneoftheabove Posts: 22,812

    ...

    ydoethur said:

    ydoethur said:

    ydoethur said:

    ydoethur said:

    WillG said:

    WillG said:

    darkage said:

    ydoethur said:

    darkage said:

    https://www.newstatesman.com/comment/2024/02/the-trumpian-end-of-the-liberal-world-order

    "The more pertinent irrationality is that of liberals themselves. Weaponising the legal system to destroy Trump has only made him stronger. Why persist in a strategy that is so counter-productive? The answer is that liberals suffer from a form of repetition-compulsion – the pathological urge to re-enact damaging behaviours, as identified in Freudian psychoanalysis. Fixated on reasserting what they believe to be their proper place as the moral guardians of society, and indeed the world order, they are locking themselves into a cycle of failure...

    If any single issue can ensure Trump’s re-election, it is chaos on America’s Mexican border, a source of mounting concern that extends far beyond his core supporters. Continuing inflows of illegal aliens have produced dissension and opposition in Texas, New York and “sanctuary cities” such as Chicago, where communities of various ethnicities have protested against its effects on public services. Yet for many Democrat activists, voters’ resistance to mass immigration is not much more than an expression of popular racism. American liberals are reprising the hubristic disregard for their fellow citizens that led to Trump’s victory in 2016."


    They haven’t’weaponised the legal system to destroy Trump.’ The legal system has pursued him for multiple criminal acts.

    The only side weaponising the legal system are the Republicans with their decision to ignore Supreme Court rulings, vexatiously impeach a Cabinet member and pursue fraudulent charges against Hunter Biden disrupting the actual criminal case against him.
    The thesis of the article is that the aggressive pursuit of litigation and criminal allegations makes Trump stronger by reinforcing the narrative of an elite conspiracy, yet the 'liberals' keep on pursuing them, despite being presented with evidence that they are failing, and in so doing are trapped in a cycle of self destruction.

    A lot seems to be resting on the polling that a criminal conviction is a game changer - I am not that confident.

    The rule of law depends on prosecuting people that have broken the law. Including rich, white Republicans when applicable.
    but not elderly mentally impaired gentlemen with a garage full of confidential documents,
    I believe Trump was already included.
    then he shouldnt be prosecuted just like Biden
    Ther are certain key differences.

    For one, Biden handed over the documents when told to. He didn’t try to hold on to them.

    For another, he didn’t force his associates to lie about what was there.

    Third, he didn’t falsely claim they had all been declassified.
    You have Trumpitis. An overhwelming desire to give a known narcissist all the publicity he craves when simply ignoring him would yield better and more credible results.
    It’s interesting to see many on the political right are so weak on law and order that they want serial criminals to escape punishment for their crimes.
    I agree Biden should be put in a court too.
    Oddly, I’m actually inclined to agree with you. As I thought about Clinton.

    But the reason he hasn’t is because his subsequent actions mean no jury will convict him.

    That makes it a waste of time.

    Trump, however, keeps doubling down. Because he’s a dangerous criminal and thinks he is above the law.
    Im afraid youre off down the MAGA rabbit hole again chasing Trump. The more attention you give him the stronger he gets. Dems just better pray he doesnt get in since they have set up a new level of lawfare which he will use against them. The Reps did something similar attacking Bill Clinton and took the whole tone of political debate down several notched. It hasnt gone back up since.
    Ok, I’m calling it. There’s one person with Trumpitis in this conversation disappearing down not so much a hole as a whole warren - but it certainly isn’t me.
    Keep chasing that rabbit.
    Your rabbit isn't so much a big white imaginary one called Harvey, it's an enormous, smelly, orange f***** called Donald, and its unfortunately real.
    Whys it my rabbit ? I dont want Trump as POTUS. Perhaps you could explain your stance.
    Colour me orange but you've been slagging off Biden and blowing smoke up Trump's behind all afternoon.
    Ill happily accept Im no fan of Biden as I think he;s not physically fit to do one of the most demanding jobs in the world. As for backing Trump I am on the record on this thread and many others as saying I dont want him as POTUS either. So basically all we have is a knee jerk reaction from you because you dont like Trump and beyond that not much.
    It is one of the most important jobs in the world but that doesnt automatically make it physically demanding. George W Bush finished working around 5.30-6pm and be in bed by 9pm after some exercise and dinner. Ronald Reagan had dementia for most of his second term. Things got done in both scenarios.
  • LostPasswordLostPassword Posts: 18,354

    On topic, I believe that this is the eleventh time on Vanilla that Eagles has predicted a hernia for Brady's postie

    How pathetically weak is this postie?

    Even if every Tory MP, including Sunak and Brady himself, wrote to him on the same day it would weigh about the same as a ream of paper

    Have you ever had a letter from your MP on Parliamentary paper? They do use incredibly thick and expensive paper. Bearing in mind also, the habit of many MPs to want to justify their decision in detail, this reporting more than one sheet, and the weight might add up more quickly than you think.
  • ydoethurydoethur Posts: 71,354
    Carnyx said:

    DougSeal said:

    On topic, I believe that this is the eleventh time on Vanilla that Eagles has predicted a hernia for Brady's postie

    How pathetically weak is this postie?

    Even if every Tory MP, including Sunak and Brady himself, wrote to him on the same day it would weigh about the same as a ream of paper

    I think the letters have to be inscribed onto calfskin vellum executed with a pendant seal. One of JRM's lesser known reforms.
    Er, Grey or Common?
    Bull.
  • Scott_xPScott_xP Posts: 35,986
    @RobDotHutton

    TOMORROW'S TAKES TODAY! Save time by reading our COMPLETE analysis of Why These By Elections Spell Disaster For Labour.


  • jamesdoylejamesdoyle Posts: 790
    isam said:

    Is there something a bit odd about that YouGov Poll @Stuartinromford ?

    https://d3nkl3psvxxpe9.cloudfront.net/documents/TheTimes_VI_AdHoc_240124_New_W.pdf

    They ask people whose VI is ‘Don’t Know’ whether they’d prefer Boris/Cameron/Badenoch to Sunak, and six of them say ‘makes no difference, I’d vote Conservative anyway’. But they’ve just said ‘Don’t Know’ to VI

    Good spot. Maybe it's a question designed to tease out if there are shy or reluctant Tories, the latter being an idea often ramped on here. In which case, the fact that 3-4 times as many people say 'wouldn't vote Con anyway' to each of those as say 'would vote Con anyway' rather demolishes that.
  • jamesdoylejamesdoyle Posts: 790

    ...

    ydoethur said:

    ydoethur said:

    ydoethur said:

    ydoethur said:

    WillG said:

    WillG said:

    darkage said:

    ydoethur said:

    darkage said:

    https://www.newstatesman.com/comment/2024/02/the-trumpian-end-of-the-liberal-world-order

    "The more pertinent irrationality is that of liberals themselves. Weaponising the legal system to destroy Trump has only made him stronger. Why persist in a strategy that is so counter-productive? The answer is that liberals suffer from a form of repetition-compulsion – the pathological urge to re-enact damaging behaviours, as identified in Freudian psychoanalysis. Fixated on reasserting what they believe to be their proper place as the moral guardians of society, and indeed the world order, they are locking themselves into a cycle of failure...

    If any single issue can ensure Trump’s re-election, it is chaos on America’s Mexican border, a source of mounting concern that extends far beyond his core supporters. Continuing inflows of illegal aliens have produced dissension and opposition in Texas, New York and “sanctuary cities” such as Chicago, where communities of various ethnicities have protested against its effects on public services. Yet for many Democrat activists, voters’ resistance to mass immigration is not much more than an expression of popular racism. American liberals are reprising the hubristic disregard for their fellow citizens that led to Trump’s victory in 2016."


    They haven’t’weaponised the legal system to destroy Trump.’ The legal system has pursued him for multiple criminal acts.

    The only side weaponising the legal system are the Republicans with their decision to ignore Supreme Court rulings, vexatiously impeach a Cabinet member and pursue fraudulent charges against Hunter Biden disrupting the actual criminal case against him.
    The thesis of the article is that the aggressive pursuit of litigation and criminal allegations makes Trump stronger by reinforcing the narrative of an elite conspiracy, yet the 'liberals' keep on pursuing them, despite being presented with evidence that they are failing, and in so doing are trapped in a cycle of self destruction.

    A lot seems to be resting on the polling that a criminal conviction is a game changer - I am not that confident.

    The rule of law depends on prosecuting people that have broken the law. Including rich, white Republicans when applicable.
    but not elderly mentally impaired gentlemen with a garage full of confidential documents,
    I believe Trump was already included.
    then he shouldnt be prosecuted just like Biden
    Ther are certain key differences.

    For one, Biden handed over the documents when told to. He didn’t try to hold on to them.

    For another, he didn’t force his associates to lie about what was there.

    Third, he didn’t falsely claim they had all been declassified.
    You have Trumpitis. An overhwelming desire to give a known narcissist all the publicity he craves when simply ignoring him would yield better and more credible results.
    It’s interesting to see many on the political right are so weak on law and order that they want serial criminals to escape punishment for their crimes.
    I agree Biden should be put in a court too.
    Oddly, I’m actually inclined to agree with you. As I thought about Clinton.

    But the reason he hasn’t is because his subsequent actions mean no jury will convict him.

    That makes it a waste of time.

    Trump, however, keeps doubling down. Because he’s a dangerous criminal and thinks he is above the law.
    Im afraid youre off down the MAGA rabbit hole again chasing Trump. The more attention you give him the stronger he gets. Dems just better pray he doesnt get in since they have set up a new level of lawfare which he will use against them. The Reps did something similar attacking Bill Clinton and took the whole tone of political debate down several notched. It hasnt gone back up since.
    Ok, I’m calling it. There’s one person with Trumpitis in this conversation disappearing down not so much a hole as a whole warren - but it certainly isn’t me.
    Keep chasing that rabbit.
    Your rabbit isn't so much a big white imaginary one called Harvey, it's an enormous, smelly, orange f***** called Donald, and its unfortunately real.
    Whys it my rabbit ? I dont want Trump as POTUS. Perhaps you could explain your stance.
    Colour me orange but you've been slagging off Biden and blowing smoke up Trump's behind all afternoon.
    Ill happily accept Im no fan of Biden as I think he;s not physically fit to do one of the most demanding jobs in the world. As for backing Trump I am on the record on this thread and many others as saying I dont want him as POTUS either. So basically all we have is a knee jerk reaction from you because you dont like Trump and beyond that not much.
    I don't dispute concerns with Biden, but Trump on the same metrics is much further down to road to Bedlam.

    1. Age, almost as old as sleepy Joe
    2. Cogency, worse than Sleepy Joe
    3. Mobility/ stability on a par with sleepy Joe, except Joe can handle a set of steps without assistance.
    4. Statesmanship, could never hold a candle to sleepy Joe, even now.
    5. Given the choice, and I am not suggesting either is optimal. Which one would, as a last resort, you use to babysit your grandchildren, and/ or the nuclear codes?
    And 6 - in the event of incapacity which adviser team would you prefer running things behind the scenes, Biden's or Trump's? And which team is doing a pretty good job at the moment?
  • This week's average polling.



    There was no average last week as Savanta did not publish a poll.

    A slight downward movement for Labour, but no real change.
  • Andy_JSAndy_JS Posts: 32,549
    Pulpstar said:

    Pulpstar said:

    So, Labour have their Dudley West of this electoral cycle. Results hint at Starmer getting a whopping majority with Lab's vote increasing slightly but the Tory vote completely cratering.

    Lab 13 million, Tories 8.

    For all the noise, Labour got almost exactly the same number of votes in Wellingborough as they did in GE2019.

    Now, there will be some swing disguised in that but it basically looks like to me that virtually all the Labour voters turned out whereas the Conservative voters went on strike, to Reform or a few to independents.

    That is not a seat Labour will be able to hold for long.
    Fun fact.

    Labour votes in Dudley West

    1992 general election - 28,940

    1994 by-election 28,400
    Here's the interesting question - applies to Wellingborough too 13,844/13,737 are they the same people ?
    No, because a lot of Corbyn supporters wouldn't have bothered to vote in this election.
  • ydoethurydoethur Posts: 71,354

    ...

    ydoethur said:

    ydoethur said:

    ydoethur said:

    ydoethur said:

    WillG said:

    WillG said:

    darkage said:

    ydoethur said:

    darkage said:

    https://www.newstatesman.com/comment/2024/02/the-trumpian-end-of-the-liberal-world-order

    "The more pertinent irrationality is that of liberals themselves. Weaponising the legal system to destroy Trump has only made him stronger. Why persist in a strategy that is so counter-productive? The answer is that liberals suffer from a form of repetition-compulsion – the pathological urge to re-enact damaging behaviours, as identified in Freudian psychoanalysis. Fixated on reasserting what they believe to be their proper place as the moral guardians of society, and indeed the world order, they are locking themselves into a cycle of failure...

    If any single issue can ensure Trump’s re-election, it is chaos on America’s Mexican border, a source of mounting concern that extends far beyond his core supporters. Continuing inflows of illegal aliens have produced dissension and opposition in Texas, New York and “sanctuary cities” such as Chicago, where communities of various ethnicities have protested against its effects on public services. Yet for many Democrat activists, voters’ resistance to mass immigration is not much more than an expression of popular racism. American liberals are reprising the hubristic disregard for their fellow citizens that led to Trump’s victory in 2016."


    They haven’t’weaponised the legal system to destroy Trump.’ The legal system has pursued him for multiple criminal acts.

    The only side weaponising the legal system are the Republicans with their decision to ignore Supreme Court rulings, vexatiously impeach a Cabinet member and pursue fraudulent charges against Hunter Biden disrupting the actual criminal case against him.
    The thesis of the article is that the aggressive pursuit of litigation and criminal allegations makes Trump stronger by reinforcing the narrative of an elite conspiracy, yet the 'liberals' keep on pursuing them, despite being presented with evidence that they are failing, and in so doing are trapped in a cycle of self destruction.

    A lot seems to be resting on the polling that a criminal conviction is a game changer - I am not that confident.

    The rule of law depends on prosecuting people that have broken the law. Including rich, white Republicans when applicable.
    but not elderly mentally impaired gentlemen with a garage full of confidential documents,
    I believe Trump was already included.
    then he shouldnt be prosecuted just like Biden
    Ther are certain key differences.

    For one, Biden handed over the documents when told to. He didn’t try to hold on to them.

    For another, he didn’t force his associates to lie about what was there.

    Third, he didn’t falsely claim they had all been declassified.
    You have Trumpitis. An overhwelming desire to give a known narcissist all the publicity he craves when simply ignoring him would yield better and more credible results.
    It’s interesting to see many on the political right are so weak on law and order that they want serial criminals to escape punishment for their crimes.
    I agree Biden should be put in a court too.
    Oddly, I’m actually inclined to agree with you. As I thought about Clinton.

    But the reason he hasn’t is because his subsequent actions mean no jury will convict him.

    That makes it a waste of time.

    Trump, however, keeps doubling down. Because he’s a dangerous criminal and thinks he is above the law.
    Im afraid youre off down the MAGA rabbit hole again chasing Trump. The more attention you give him the stronger he gets. Dems just better pray he doesnt get in since they have set up a new level of lawfare which he will use against them. The Reps did something similar attacking Bill Clinton and took the whole tone of political debate down several notched. It hasnt gone back up since.
    Ok, I’m calling it. There’s one person with Trumpitis in this conversation disappearing down not so much a hole as a whole warren - but it certainly isn’t me.
    Keep chasing that rabbit.
    Your rabbit isn't so much a big white imaginary one called Harvey, it's an enormous, smelly, orange f***** called Donald, and its unfortunately real.
    Whys it my rabbit ? I dont want Trump as POTUS. Perhaps you could explain your stance.
    Colour me orange but you've been slagging off Biden and blowing smoke up Trump's behind all afternoon.
    Ill happily accept Im no fan of Biden as I think he;s not physically fit to do one of the most demanding jobs in the world. As for backing Trump I am on the record on this thread and many others as saying I dont want him as POTUS either. So basically all we have is a knee jerk reaction from you because you dont like Trump and beyond that not much.
    It is one of the most important jobs in the world but that doesnt automatically make it physically demanding. George W Bush finished working around 5.30-6pm and be in bed by 9pm after some exercise and dinner. Ronald Reagan had dementia for most of his second term. Things got done in both scenarios.
    Tbf, Bush should have taken over from Reagan at least after Iran-Contra.

    One of the other issues in this race is that if Biden really were unfit to serve we can be pretty sure the Cabinet led by Harris (who whatever her shortcomings as a politician is neither stupid nor a coward) would act to replace him.

    When Trump becomes unfit to serve - which we know at least two senior figures thought he was in his *last* presidency - we can damn sure whichever useless lackeys he has in the cabinet will do fuck all.
  • I heard that last night Taylor Swift dedicated her performance at the MCG to her "great friend" Marais Erasmus

    I like this a lot. It reminds of when I found out that Federer is a big cricket fan

    And gives me an opportunity to link to her NPR Music Tiny Desk concert; just her and her guitar, and it's really rather good

    https://youtu.be/FvVnP8G6ITs?si=sS0bF6_qlLIlmkwY
  • noneoftheabovenoneoftheabove Posts: 22,812
    ydoethur said:

    ...

    ydoethur said:

    ydoethur said:

    ydoethur said:

    ydoethur said:

    WillG said:

    WillG said:

    darkage said:

    ydoethur said:

    darkage said:

    https://www.newstatesman.com/comment/2024/02/the-trumpian-end-of-the-liberal-world-order

    "The more pertinent irrationality is that of liberals themselves. Weaponising the legal system to destroy Trump has only made him stronger. Why persist in a strategy that is so counter-productive? The answer is that liberals suffer from a form of repetition-compulsion – the pathological urge to re-enact damaging behaviours, as identified in Freudian psychoanalysis. Fixated on reasserting what they believe to be their proper place as the moral guardians of society, and indeed the world order, they are locking themselves into a cycle of failure...

    If any single issue can ensure Trump’s re-election, it is chaos on America’s Mexican border, a source of mounting concern that extends far beyond his core supporters. Continuing inflows of illegal aliens have produced dissension and opposition in Texas, New York and “sanctuary cities” such as Chicago, where communities of various ethnicities have protested against its effects on public services. Yet for many Democrat activists, voters’ resistance to mass immigration is not much more than an expression of popular racism. American liberals are reprising the hubristic disregard for their fellow citizens that led to Trump’s victory in 2016."


    They haven’t’weaponised the legal system to destroy Trump.’ The legal system has pursued him for multiple criminal acts.

    The only side weaponising the legal system are the Republicans with their decision to ignore Supreme Court rulings, vexatiously impeach a Cabinet member and pursue fraudulent charges against Hunter Biden disrupting the actual criminal case against him.
    The thesis of the article is that the aggressive pursuit of litigation and criminal allegations makes Trump stronger by reinforcing the narrative of an elite conspiracy, yet the 'liberals' keep on pursuing them, despite being presented with evidence that they are failing, and in so doing are trapped in a cycle of self destruction.

    A lot seems to be resting on the polling that a criminal conviction is a game changer - I am not that confident.

    The rule of law depends on prosecuting people that have broken the law. Including rich, white Republicans when applicable.
    but not elderly mentally impaired gentlemen with a garage full of confidential documents,
    I believe Trump was already included.
    then he shouldnt be prosecuted just like Biden
    Ther are certain key differences.

    For one, Biden handed over the documents when told to. He didn’t try to hold on to them.

    For another, he didn’t force his associates to lie about what was there.

    Third, he didn’t falsely claim they had all been declassified.
    You have Trumpitis. An overhwelming desire to give a known narcissist all the publicity he craves when simply ignoring him would yield better and more credible results.
    It’s interesting to see many on the political right are so weak on law and order that they want serial criminals to escape punishment for their crimes.
    I agree Biden should be put in a court too.
    Oddly, I’m actually inclined to agree with you. As I thought about Clinton.

    But the reason he hasn’t is because his subsequent actions mean no jury will convict him.

    That makes it a waste of time.

    Trump, however, keeps doubling down. Because he’s a dangerous criminal and thinks he is above the law.
    Im afraid youre off down the MAGA rabbit hole again chasing Trump. The more attention you give him the stronger he gets. Dems just better pray he doesnt get in since they have set up a new level of lawfare which he will use against them. The Reps did something similar attacking Bill Clinton and took the whole tone of political debate down several notched. It hasnt gone back up since.
    Ok, I’m calling it. There’s one person with Trumpitis in this conversation disappearing down not so much a hole as a whole warren - but it certainly isn’t me.
    Keep chasing that rabbit.
    Your rabbit isn't so much a big white imaginary one called Harvey, it's an enormous, smelly, orange f***** called Donald, and its unfortunately real.
    Whys it my rabbit ? I dont want Trump as POTUS. Perhaps you could explain your stance.
    Colour me orange but you've been slagging off Biden and blowing smoke up Trump's behind all afternoon.
    Ill happily accept Im no fan of Biden as I think he;s not physically fit to do one of the most demanding jobs in the world. As for backing Trump I am on the record on this thread and many others as saying I dont want him as POTUS either. So basically all we have is a knee jerk reaction from you because you dont like Trump and beyond that not much.
    It is one of the most important jobs in the world but that doesnt automatically make it physically demanding. George W Bush finished working around 5.30-6pm and be in bed by 9pm after some exercise and dinner. Ronald Reagan had dementia for most of his second term. Things got done in both scenarios.
    Tbf, Bush should have taken over from Reagan at least after Iran-Contra.

    One of the other issues in this race is that if Biden really were unfit to serve we can be pretty sure the Cabinet led by Harris (who whatever her shortcomings as a politician is neither stupid nor a coward) would act to replace him.

    When Trump becomes unfit to serve - which we know at least two senior figures thought he was in his *last* presidency - we can damn sure whichever useless lackeys he has in the cabinet will do fuck all.
    How would one tell "when" Trump becomes unfit to serve?
  • viewcodeviewcode Posts: 22,068
    DavidL said:

    ydoethur said:

    ydoethur said:

    ydoethur said:

    ydoethur said:

    WillG said:

    WillG said:

    darkage said:

    ydoethur said:

    darkage said:

    https://www.newstatesman.com/comment/2024/02/the-trumpian-end-of-the-liberal-world-order

    "The more pertinent irrationality is that of liberals themselves. Weaponising the legal system to destroy Trump has only made him stronger. Why persist in a strategy that is so counter-productive? The answer is that liberals suffer from a form of repetition-compulsion – the pathological urge to re-enact damaging behaviours, as identified in Freudian psychoanalysis. Fixated on reasserting what they believe to be their proper place as the moral guardians of society, and indeed the world order, they are locking themselves into a cycle of failure...

    If any single issue can ensure Trump’s re-election, it is chaos on America’s Mexican border, a source of mounting concern that extends far beyond his core supporters. Continuing inflows of illegal aliens have produced dissension and opposition in Texas, New York and “sanctuary cities” such as Chicago, where communities of various ethnicities have protested against its effects on public services. Yet for many Democrat activists, voters’ resistance to mass immigration is not much more than an expression of popular racism. American liberals are reprising the hubristic disregard for their fellow citizens that led to Trump’s victory in 2016."


    They haven’t’weaponised the legal system to destroy Trump.’ The legal system has pursued him for multiple criminal acts.

    The only side weaponising the legal system are the Republicans with their decision to ignore Supreme Court rulings, vexatiously impeach a Cabinet member and pursue fraudulent charges against Hunter Biden disrupting the actual criminal case against him.
    The thesis of the article is that the aggressive pursuit of litigation and criminal allegations makes Trump stronger by reinforcing the narrative of an elite conspiracy, yet the 'liberals' keep on pursuing them, despite being presented with evidence that they are failing, and in so doing are trapped in a cycle of self destruction.

    A lot seems to be resting on the polling that a criminal conviction is a game changer - I am not that confident.

    The rule of law depends on prosecuting people that have broken the law. Including rich, white Republicans when applicable.
    but not elderly mentally impaired gentlemen with a garage full of confidential documents,
    I believe Trump was already included.
    then he shouldnt be prosecuted just like Biden
    Ther are certain key differences.

    For one, Biden handed over the documents when told to. He didn’t try to hold on to them.

    For another, he didn’t force his associates to lie about what was there.

    Third, he didn’t falsely claim they had all been declassified.
    You have Trumpitis. An overhwelming desire to give a known narcissist all the publicity he craves when simply ignoring him would yield better and more credible results.
    It’s interesting to see many on the political right are so weak on law and order that they want serial criminals to escape punishment for their crimes.
    I agree Biden should be put in a court too.
    Oddly, I’m actually inclined to agree with you. As I thought about Clinton.

    But the reason he hasn’t is because his subsequent actions mean no jury will convict him.

    That makes it a waste of time.

    Trump, however, keeps doubling down. Because he’s a dangerous criminal and thinks he is above the law.
    Im afraid youre off down the MAGA rabbit hole again chasing Trump. The more attention you give him the stronger he gets. Dems just better pray he doesnt get in since they have set up a new level of lawfare which he will use against them. The Reps did something similar attacking Bill Clinton and took the whole tone of political debate down several notched. It hasnt gone back up since.
    Ok, I’m calling it. There’s one person with Trumpitis in this conversation disappearing down not so much a hole as a whole warren - but it certainly isn’t me.
    Keep chasing that rabbit.
    And if you go chasing rabbits
    And you know you're going to fall
    Tell 'em a hookah-smoking caterpillar
    Has given you the call
    Call Alice
    When she was just small

    When the men on the chessboard
    Get up and tell you where to go
    And you've just had some kind of mushroom
    And your mind is moving low
    Go ask Alice
    I think she'll know

    When logic and proportion
    Have fallen sloppy dead
    And the White Knight is talking backwards
    And the Red Queen's off with her head
    Remember what the dormouse said
    Feed your head
    Feed your head

    Apropos of nothing much but a great song.
    One of my favourites, both in its original Grace Slick[1] and Pink[2] incarnations. Its use[3] in the Matrix: Resurrections trailer was one of the few good things about that film and was itself covered[4].

    The "when logic and proportion have fallen sloppy dead" is basically the motto of this Government... :)

    Notes
  • NigelbNigelb Posts: 71,061

    ...

    ydoethur said:

    ydoethur said:

    ydoethur said:

    ydoethur said:

    WillG said:

    WillG said:

    darkage said:

    ydoethur said:

    darkage said:

    https://www.newstatesman.com/comment/2024/02/the-trumpian-end-of-the-liberal-world-order

    "The more pertinent irrationality is that of liberals themselves. Weaponising the legal system to destroy Trump has only made him stronger. Why persist in a strategy that is so counter-productive? The answer is that liberals suffer from a form of repetition-compulsion – the pathological urge to re-enact damaging behaviours, as identified in Freudian psychoanalysis. Fixated on reasserting what they believe to be their proper place as the moral guardians of society, and indeed the world order, they are locking themselves into a cycle of failure...

    If any single issue can ensure Trump’s re-election, it is chaos on America’s Mexican border, a source of mounting concern that extends far beyond his core supporters. Continuing inflows of illegal aliens have produced dissension and opposition in Texas, New York and “sanctuary cities” such as Chicago, where communities of various ethnicities have protested against its effects on public services. Yet for many Democrat activists, voters’ resistance to mass immigration is not much more than an expression of popular racism. American liberals are reprising the hubristic disregard for their fellow citizens that led to Trump’s victory in 2016."


    They haven’t’weaponised the legal system to destroy Trump.’ The legal system has pursued him for multiple criminal acts.

    The only side weaponising the legal system are the Republicans with their decision to ignore Supreme Court rulings, vexatiously impeach a Cabinet member and pursue fraudulent charges against Hunter Biden disrupting the actual criminal case against him.
    The thesis of the article is that the aggressive pursuit of litigation and criminal allegations makes Trump stronger by reinforcing the narrative of an elite conspiracy, yet the 'liberals' keep on pursuing them, despite being presented with evidence that they are failing, and in so doing are trapped in a cycle of self destruction.

    A lot seems to be resting on the polling that a criminal conviction is a game changer - I am not that confident.

    The rule of law depends on prosecuting people that have broken the law. Including rich, white Republicans when applicable.
    but not elderly mentally impaired gentlemen with a garage full of confidential documents,
    I believe Trump was already included.
    then he shouldnt be prosecuted just like Biden
    Ther are certain key differences.

    For one, Biden handed over the documents when told to. He didn’t try to hold on to them.

    For another, he didn’t force his associates to lie about what was there.

    Third, he didn’t falsely claim they had all been declassified.
    You have Trumpitis. An overhwelming desire to give a known narcissist all the publicity he craves when simply ignoring him would yield better and more credible results.
    It’s interesting to see many on the political right are so weak on law and order that they want serial criminals to escape punishment for their crimes.
    I agree Biden should be put in a court too.
    Oddly, I’m actually inclined to agree with you. As I thought about Clinton.

    But the reason he hasn’t is because his subsequent actions mean no jury will convict him.

    That makes it a waste of time.

    Trump, however, keeps doubling down. Because he’s a dangerous criminal and thinks he is above the law.
    Im afraid youre off down the MAGA rabbit hole again chasing Trump. The more attention you give him the stronger he gets. Dems just better pray he doesnt get in since they have set up a new level of lawfare which he will use against them. The Reps did something similar attacking Bill Clinton and took the whole tone of political debate down several notched. It hasnt gone back up since.
    Ok, I’m calling it. There’s one person with Trumpitis in this conversation disappearing down not so much a hole as a whole warren - but it certainly isn’t me.
    Keep chasing that rabbit.
    Your rabbit isn't so much a big white imaginary one called Harvey, it's an enormous, smelly, orange f***** called Donald, and its unfortunately real.
    Whys it my rabbit ? I dont want Trump as POTUS. Perhaps you could explain your stance.
    Colour me orange but you've been slagging off Biden and blowing smoke up Trump's behind all afternoon.
    Ill happily accept Im no fan of Biden as I think he;s not physically fit to do one of the most demanding jobs in the world. As for backing Trump I am on the record on this thread and many others as saying I dont want him as POTUS either. So basically all we have is a knee jerk reaction from you because you dont like Trump and beyond that not much.
    I don't dispute concerns with Biden, but Trump on the same metrics is much further down to road to Bedlam.

    1. Age, almost as old as sleepy Joe
    2. Cogency, worse than Sleepy Joe
    3. Mobility/ stability on a par with sleepy Joe, except Joe can handle a set of steps without assistance.
    4. Statesmanship, could never hold a candle to sleepy Joe, even now.
    5. Given the choice, and I am not suggesting either is optimal. Which one would, as a last resort, you use to babysit your grandchildren, and/ or the nuclear codes?
    Biden campaign blasts Trump's comments on Putin and NATO in a new ad

    "No president has said anything like it. It's shameful. It's weak. It's dangerous. It's un-American."

    https://twitter.com/TDucklo/status/1758505667004891341
  • ydoethur said:

    ...

    ydoethur said:

    ydoethur said:

    ydoethur said:

    ydoethur said:

    WillG said:

    WillG said:

    darkage said:

    ydoethur said:

    darkage said:

    https://www.newstatesman.com/comment/2024/02/the-trumpian-end-of-the-liberal-world-order

    "The more pertinent irrationality is that of liberals themselves. Weaponising the legal system to destroy Trump has only made him stronger. Why persist in a strategy that is so counter-productive? The answer is that liberals suffer from a form of repetition-compulsion – the pathological urge to re-enact damaging behaviours, as identified in Freudian psychoanalysis. Fixated on reasserting what they believe to be their proper place as the moral guardians of society, and indeed the world order, they are locking themselves into a cycle of failure...

    If any single issue can ensure Trump’s re-election, it is chaos on America’s Mexican border, a source of mounting concern that extends far beyond his core supporters. Continuing inflows of illegal aliens have produced dissension and opposition in Texas, New York and “sanctuary cities” such as Chicago, where communities of various ethnicities have protested against its effects on public services. Yet for many Democrat activists, voters’ resistance to mass immigration is not much more than an expression of popular racism. American liberals are reprising the hubristic disregard for their fellow citizens that led to Trump’s victory in 2016."


    They haven’t’weaponised the legal system to destroy Trump.’ The legal system has pursued him for multiple criminal acts.

    The only side weaponising the legal system are the Republicans with their decision to ignore Supreme Court rulings, vexatiously impeach a Cabinet member and pursue fraudulent charges against Hunter Biden disrupting the actual criminal case against him.
    The thesis of the article is that the aggressive pursuit of litigation and criminal allegations makes Trump stronger by reinforcing the narrative of an elite conspiracy, yet the 'liberals' keep on pursuing them, despite being presented with evidence that they are failing, and in so doing are trapped in a cycle of self destruction.

    A lot seems to be resting on the polling that a criminal conviction is a game changer - I am not that confident.

    The rule of law depends on prosecuting people that have broken the law. Including rich, white Republicans when applicable.
    but not elderly mentally impaired gentlemen with a garage full of confidential documents,
    I believe Trump was already included.
    then he shouldnt be prosecuted just like Biden
    Ther are certain key differences.

    For one, Biden handed over the documents when told to. He didn’t try to hold on to them.

    For another, he didn’t force his associates to lie about what was there.

    Third, he didn’t falsely claim they had all been declassified.
    You have Trumpitis. An overhwelming desire to give a known narcissist all the publicity he craves when simply ignoring him would yield better and more credible results.
    It’s interesting to see many on the political right are so weak on law and order that they want serial criminals to escape punishment for their crimes.
    I agree Biden should be put in a court too.
    Oddly, I’m actually inclined to agree with you. As I thought about Clinton.

    But the reason he hasn’t is because his subsequent actions mean no jury will convict him.

    That makes it a waste of time.

    Trump, however, keeps doubling down. Because he’s a dangerous criminal and thinks he is above the law.
    Im afraid youre off down the MAGA rabbit hole again chasing Trump. The more attention you give him the stronger he gets. Dems just better pray he doesnt get in since they have set up a new level of lawfare which he will use against them. The Reps did something similar attacking Bill Clinton and took the whole tone of political debate down several notched. It hasnt gone back up since.
    Ok, I’m calling it. There’s one person with Trumpitis in this conversation disappearing down not so much a hole as a whole warren - but it certainly isn’t me.
    Keep chasing that rabbit.
    Your rabbit isn't so much a big white imaginary one called Harvey, it's an enormous, smelly, orange f***** called Donald, and its unfortunately real.
    Whys it my rabbit ? I dont want Trump as POTUS. Perhaps you could explain your stance.
    Colour me orange but you've been slagging off Biden and blowing smoke up Trump's behind all afternoon.
    Ill happily accept Im no fan of Biden as I think he;s not physically fit to do one of the most demanding jobs in the world. As for backing Trump I am on the record on this thread and many others as saying I dont want him as POTUS either. So basically all we have is a knee jerk reaction from you because you dont like Trump and beyond that not much.
    It is one of the most important jobs in the world but that doesnt automatically make it physically demanding. George W Bush finished working around 5.30-6pm and be in bed by 9pm after some exercise and dinner. Ronald Reagan had dementia for most of his second term. Things got done in both scenarios.
    Tbf, Bush should have taken over from Reagan at least after Iran-Contra.

    One of the other issues in this race is that if Biden really were unfit to serve we can be pretty sure the Cabinet led by Harris (who whatever her shortcomings as a politician is neither stupid nor a coward) would act to replace him.

    When Trump becomes unfit to serve - which we know at least two senior figures thought he was in his *last* presidency - we can damn sure whichever useless lackeys he has in the cabinet will do fuck all.
    How would one tell "when" Trump becomes unfit to serve?
    14 June 1946
  • theakestheakes Posts: 930
    Yesterday's local by elections were pretty dreadful for the Tories as well, smaller swings to the Lib Dems but these were from May 23 not Dec 19, so that is to be expected, the overall trend therefore seems to be ongoing. On this basis May 24 is going to be pretty awful for the Government.
    Lib Dems picked up another from Labour at Hull and now have a 9 seat cushion in the Council Chamber.
    Ed Davey and the Post Office do not appear to be affecting his local election results, nationally it may be different.
  • Andy_JSAndy_JS Posts: 32,549
    Michael Crick report from Rochdale.

    https://unherd.com/2024/02/when-gaza-came-to-rochdale/
  • rcs1000rcs1000 Posts: 57,129
    DougSeal said:

    boulay said:

    Hilarious article, which isn't open to comments:

    https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/generation-alpha-2024-stormi-webster-harper-beckham-rfl5hd9h6

    "I’m a parent to two — aged six and three. They are already aware of single-use plastics. Data shows that households with 5 to 11-year-olds have more eco-friendly habits. And when my husband’s burgundy passport expired this year, my daughter’s bafflement as we explained the new Brexit blue one suggests the kids might yet take back control."

    I'm a parent to two Gen Alphas as well, aged five and eighteen months. Not once have either ever mentioned single use plastics to me - they have occasionally on litter - and nor have they ever commented on the colour of their passport nor do they even know what Brexit is.

    They are interested, particularly the older one, in playing doctors, Elsa, dolls houses, soft play, watching kids shows on Cbeebies, and Milkshake, and being read a bedtime story. It's a struggle to get them to eat anything at all, although they drink milk like camels and love cheese. And what they mainly want is spending more time playing with mummy and daddy. Just like all kids throughout the ages.

    Why do journalists write this clickbait tripe and who do they expect to belief it?

    They write it because they want their friends and associates to think that the journalist has exceptionally clever and wise children, and guess what, the children are clever and wise because the parents are. That’s the message they are trying to get across.

    There are whole lists on Facebook of twatty parents posting stories about how their four year old quoted something by Buddha as they passed a homeless man and how the young see the truth etc etc bollocks bollocks. There is a pisstake response even now which is “and everyone clapped”.

    It’s a symptom of “main character syndrome” where so many people, thanks to social media, think they are the main character in a book or film and so think everyone wants to know what’s going on in their life and have to burnish it because in reality they are pretty normal and boring.
    I recommend "Crap on Linkedin" and "The State of Linkedin" on Twitter for exposing that type of shite on Linkedin. A few years ago I posted on LinkedIn -

    'Yesterday my four year old told me “Life is a succession of lessons which must be lived to be understood.”. I was surprised and delighted by such wisdom.

    Especially as she's a dog.'


    Now, contrary to the the claims of some on here, I do not I consider myself some sort of hero of comedy. I know I'm not. Nevertheless it emerges that LinkedIn is not the place for that sort of light-hearted throwaway piss-take, as the response from other posters and my digital marketing team proved.
    It's so rare that a parent can admit their child is ugly.

    I'm impressed.
  • isamisam Posts: 41,118

    isam said:

    Is there something a bit odd about that YouGov Poll @Stuartinromford ?

    https://d3nkl3psvxxpe9.cloudfront.net/documents/TheTimes_VI_AdHoc_240124_New_W.pdf

    They ask people whose VI is ‘Don’t Know’ whether they’d prefer Boris/Cameron/Badenoch to Sunak, and six of them say ‘makes no difference, I’d vote Conservative anyway’. But they’ve just said ‘Don’t Know’ to VI

    Good spot. Maybe it's a question designed to tease out if there are shy or reluctant Tories, the latter being an idea often ramped on here. In which case, the fact that 3-4 times as many people say 'wouldn't vote Con anyway' to each of those as say 'would vote Con anyway' rather demolishes that.
    To be fair the don’t knows in the YouGov are ‘all voters’ rather than the ‘2019 Tories’ who Mike refers to
  • rcs1000rcs1000 Posts: 57,129

    Carnyx said:
    Brillo pursuing his Teutonic obsession.


    Statista actually has data on food banks in the UK and Germany:

    https://www.statista.com/statistics/1382807/uk-number-of-foodbanks/
    https://www.statista.com/statistics/1347308/food-banks-germany/

    Now, I'm always wary of comparing things like this at a country level: how big are they? are they functionally identical between countries? etc.

    But, still, I would have hoped Brillo would actually have checked the data before posting.
  • NigelbNigelb Posts: 71,061
    ydoethur said:

    ...

    ydoethur said:

    ydoethur said:

    ydoethur said:

    ydoethur said:

    WillG said:

    WillG said:

    darkage said:

    ydoethur said:

    darkage said:

    https://www.newstatesman.com/comment/2024/02/the-trumpian-end-of-the-liberal-world-order

    "The more pertinent irrationality is that of liberals themselves. Weaponising the legal system to destroy Trump has only made him stronger. Why persist in a strategy that is so counter-productive? The answer is that liberals suffer from a form of repetition-compulsion – the pathological urge to re-enact damaging behaviours, as identified in Freudian psychoanalysis. Fixated on reasserting what they believe to be their proper place as the moral guardians of society, and indeed the world order, they are locking themselves into a cycle of failure...

    If any single issue can ensure Trump’s re-election, it is chaos on America’s Mexican border, a source of mounting concern that extends far beyond his core supporters. Continuing inflows of illegal aliens have produced dissension and opposition in Texas, New York and “sanctuary cities” such as Chicago, where communities of various ethnicities have protested against its effects on public services. Yet for many Democrat activists, voters’ resistance to mass immigration is not much more than an expression of popular racism. American liberals are reprising the hubristic disregard for their fellow citizens that led to Trump’s victory in 2016."


    They haven’t’weaponised the legal system to destroy Trump.’ The legal system has pursued him for multiple criminal acts.

    The only side weaponising the legal system are the Republicans with their decision to ignore Supreme Court rulings, vexatiously impeach a Cabinet member and pursue fraudulent charges against Hunter Biden disrupting the actual criminal case against him.
    The thesis of the article is that the aggressive pursuit of litigation and criminal allegations makes Trump stronger by reinforcing the narrative of an elite conspiracy, yet the 'liberals' keep on pursuing them, despite being presented with evidence that they are failing, and in so doing are trapped in a cycle of self destruction.

    A lot seems to be resting on the polling that a criminal conviction is a game changer - I am not that confident.

    The rule of law depends on prosecuting people that have broken the law. Including rich, white Republicans when applicable.
    but not elderly mentally impaired gentlemen with a garage full of confidential documents,
    I believe Trump was already included.
    then he shouldnt be prosecuted just like Biden
    Ther are certain key differences.

    For one, Biden handed over the documents when told to. He didn’t try to hold on to them.

    For another, he didn’t force his associates to lie about what was there.

    Third, he didn’t falsely claim they had all been declassified.
    You have Trumpitis. An overhwelming desire to give a known narcissist all the publicity he craves when simply ignoring him would yield better and more credible results.
    It’s interesting to see many on the political right are so weak on law and order that they want serial criminals to escape punishment for their crimes.
    I agree Biden should be put in a court too.
    Oddly, I’m actually inclined to agree with you. As I thought about Clinton.

    But the reason he hasn’t is because his subsequent actions mean no jury will convict him.

    That makes it a waste of time.

    Trump, however, keeps doubling down. Because he’s a dangerous criminal and thinks he is above the law.
    Im afraid youre off down the MAGA rabbit hole again chasing Trump. The more attention you give him the stronger he gets. Dems just better pray he doesnt get in since they have set up a new level of lawfare which he will use against them. The Reps did something similar attacking Bill Clinton and took the whole tone of political debate down several notched. It hasnt gone back up since.
    Ok, I’m calling it. There’s one person with Trumpitis in this conversation disappearing down not so much a hole as a whole warren - but it certainly isn’t me.
    Keep chasing that rabbit.
    Your rabbit isn't so much a big white imaginary one called Harvey, it's an enormous, smelly, orange f***** called Donald, and its unfortunately real.
    Whys it my rabbit ? I dont want Trump as POTUS. Perhaps you could explain your stance.
    Colour me orange but you've been slagging off Biden and blowing smoke up Trump's behind all afternoon.
    Ill happily accept Im no fan of Biden as I think he;s not physically fit to do one of the most demanding jobs in the world. As for backing Trump I am on the record on this thread and many others as saying I dont want him as POTUS either. So basically all we have is a knee jerk reaction from you because you dont like Trump and beyond that not much.
    It is one of the most important jobs in the world but that doesnt automatically make it physically demanding. George W Bush finished working around 5.30-6pm and be in bed by 9pm after some exercise and dinner. Ronald Reagan had dementia for most of his second term. Things got done in both scenarios.
    Tbf, Bush should have taken over from Reagan at least after Iran-Contra.

    One of the other issues in this race is that if Biden really were unfit to serve we can be pretty sure the Cabinet led by Harris (who whatever her shortcomings as a politician is neither stupid nor a coward) would act to replace him.

    When Trump becomes unfit to serve - which we know at least two senior figures thought he was in his *last* presidency - we can damn sure whichever useless lackeys he has in the cabinet will do fuck all.
    His lackeys are considerably more focused this time around - and note they weren't completely useless last time. They were particularly effective, for example, at confirming judges.

    The old style establishment Republicans who were in his previous administration are unlikely to be invited.
  • NigelbNigelb Posts: 71,061
    rcs1000 said:

    DougSeal said:

    boulay said:

    Hilarious article, which isn't open to comments:

    https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/generation-alpha-2024-stormi-webster-harper-beckham-rfl5hd9h6

    "I’m a parent to two — aged six and three. They are already aware of single-use plastics. Data shows that households with 5 to 11-year-olds have more eco-friendly habits. And when my husband’s burgundy passport expired this year, my daughter’s bafflement as we explained the new Brexit blue one suggests the kids might yet take back control."

    I'm a parent to two Gen Alphas as well, aged five and eighteen months. Not once have either ever mentioned single use plastics to me - they have occasionally on litter - and nor have they ever commented on the colour of their passport nor do they even know what Brexit is.

    They are interested, particularly the older one, in playing doctors, Elsa, dolls houses, soft play, watching kids shows on Cbeebies, and Milkshake, and being read a bedtime story. It's a struggle to get them to eat anything at all, although they drink milk like camels and love cheese. And what they mainly want is spending more time playing with mummy and daddy. Just like all kids throughout the ages.

    Why do journalists write this clickbait tripe and who do they expect to belief it?

    They write it because they want their friends and associates to think that the journalist has exceptionally clever and wise children, and guess what, the children are clever and wise because the parents are. That’s the message they are trying to get across.

    There are whole lists on Facebook of twatty parents posting stories about how their four year old quoted something by Buddha as they passed a homeless man and how the young see the truth etc etc bollocks bollocks. There is a pisstake response even now which is “and everyone clapped”.

    It’s a symptom of “main character syndrome” where so many people, thanks to social media, think they are the main character in a book or film and so think everyone wants to know what’s going on in their life and have to burnish it because in reality they are pretty normal and boring.
    I recommend "Crap on Linkedin" and "The State of Linkedin" on Twitter for exposing that type of shite on Linkedin. A few years ago I posted on LinkedIn -

    'Yesterday my four year old told me “Life is a succession of lessons which must be lived to be understood.”. I was surprised and delighted by such wisdom.

    Especially as she's a dog.'


    Now, contrary to the the claims of some on here, I do not I consider myself some sort of hero of comedy. I know I'm not. Nevertheless it emerges that LinkedIn is not the place for that sort of light-hearted throwaway piss-take, as the response from other posters and my digital marketing team proved.
    It's so rare that a parent can admit their child is ugly.

    I'm impressed.
    I think you're confused by the pun on Seal pup.
  • rcs1000rcs1000 Posts: 57,129
    boulay said:

    DougSeal said:

    boulay said:

    Hilarious article, which isn't open to comments:

    https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/generation-alpha-2024-stormi-webster-harper-beckham-rfl5hd9h6

    "I’m a parent to two — aged six and three. They are already aware of single-use plastics. Data shows that households with 5 to 11-year-olds have more eco-friendly habits. And when my husband’s burgundy passport expired this year, my daughter’s bafflement as we explained the new Brexit blue one suggests the kids might yet take back control."

    I'm a parent to two Gen Alphas as well, aged five and eighteen months. Not once have either ever mentioned single use plastics to me - they have occasionally on litter - and nor have they ever commented on the colour of their passport nor do they even know what Brexit is.

    They are interested, particularly the older one, in playing doctors, Elsa, dolls houses, soft play, watching kids shows on Cbeebies, and Milkshake, and being read a bedtime story. It's a struggle to get them to eat anything at all, although they drink milk like camels and love cheese. And what they mainly want is spending more time playing with mummy and daddy. Just like all kids throughout the ages.

    Why do journalists write this clickbait tripe and who do they expect to belief it?

    They write it because they want their friends and associates to think that the journalist has exceptionally clever and wise children, and guess what, the children are clever and wise because the parents are. That’s the message they are trying to get across.

    There are whole lists on Facebook of twatty parents posting stories about how their four year old quoted something by Buddha as they passed a homeless man and how the young see the truth etc etc bollocks bollocks. There is a pisstake response even now which is “and everyone clapped”.

    It’s a symptom of “main character syndrome” where so many people, thanks to social media, think they are the main character in a book or film and so think everyone wants to know what’s going on in their life and have to burnish it because in reality they are pretty normal and boring.
    I recommend "Crap on Linkedin" and "The State of Linkedin" on Twitter for exposing that type of shite on Linkedin. A few years ago I posted on LinkedIn -

    'Yesterday my four year old told me “Life is a succession of lessons which must be lived to be understood.”. I was surprised and delighted by such wisdom.

    Especially as she's a dog.'


    Now, contrary to the the claims of some on here, I do not I consider myself sort of hero of comedy. I know I'm not. Nevertheless it emerges that LinkedIn is not the place for that sort of light-hearted throwaway piss-take, as the response from other posters and my digital marketing team proved.
    A lot of female friends have left LinkedIn because it’s become a bit of a stalky attempted pick up site where they keep getting random messages from people asking them if they are single, asking them on dates or making advances.
    Wait.

    If you want to pick up women, why not use something that is more... appropriate... for that like Tinder or Plenty of Fish or whatever?
  • rcs1000rcs1000 Posts: 57,129
    Nigelb said:

    rcs1000 said:

    DougSeal said:

    boulay said:

    Hilarious article, which isn't open to comments:

    https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/generation-alpha-2024-stormi-webster-harper-beckham-rfl5hd9h6

    "I’m a parent to two — aged six and three. They are already aware of single-use plastics. Data shows that households with 5 to 11-year-olds have more eco-friendly habits. And when my husband’s burgundy passport expired this year, my daughter’s bafflement as we explained the new Brexit blue one suggests the kids might yet take back control."

    I'm a parent to two Gen Alphas as well, aged five and eighteen months. Not once have either ever mentioned single use plastics to me - they have occasionally on litter - and nor have they ever commented on the colour of their passport nor do they even know what Brexit is.

    They are interested, particularly the older one, in playing doctors, Elsa, dolls houses, soft play, watching kids shows on Cbeebies, and Milkshake, and being read a bedtime story. It's a struggle to get them to eat anything at all, although they drink milk like camels and love cheese. And what they mainly want is spending more time playing with mummy and daddy. Just like all kids throughout the ages.

    Why do journalists write this clickbait tripe and who do they expect to belief it?

    They write it because they want their friends and associates to think that the journalist has exceptionally clever and wise children, and guess what, the children are clever and wise because the parents are. That’s the message they are trying to get across.

    There are whole lists on Facebook of twatty parents posting stories about how their four year old quoted something by Buddha as they passed a homeless man and how the young see the truth etc etc bollocks bollocks. There is a pisstake response even now which is “and everyone clapped”.

    It’s a symptom of “main character syndrome” where so many people, thanks to social media, think they are the main character in a book or film and so think everyone wants to know what’s going on in their life and have to burnish it because in reality they are pretty normal and boring.
    I recommend "Crap on Linkedin" and "The State of Linkedin" on Twitter for exposing that type of shite on Linkedin. A few years ago I posted on LinkedIn -

    'Yesterday my four year old told me “Life is a succession of lessons which must be lived to be understood.”. I was surprised and delighted by such wisdom.

    Especially as she's a dog.'


    Now, contrary to the the claims of some on here, I do not I consider myself some sort of hero of comedy. I know I'm not. Nevertheless it emerges that LinkedIn is not the place for that sort of light-hearted throwaway piss-take, as the response from other posters and my digital marketing team proved.
    It's so rare that a parent can admit their child is ugly.

    I'm impressed.
    I think you're confused by the pun on Seal pup.
    I'm just being deliberately obtuse.
  • MattWMattW Posts: 23,128
    edited February 16
    Andy_JS said:
    I'm not yet convinced by the title: Inside the nastiest by-election in modern history.

    Especially perhaps given Galloway's previous outings, even ignoring his General Election win vs Oona King in 2005 in Bethnal Green & Bow.
  • CarnyxCarnyx Posts: 42,814
    rcs1000 said:

    Carnyx said:
    Brillo pursuing his Teutonic obsession.


    Statista actually has data on food banks in the UK and Germany:

    https://www.statista.com/statistics/1382807/uk-number-of-foodbanks/
    https://www.statista.com/statistics/1347308/food-banks-germany/

    Now, I'm always wary of comparing things like this at a country level: how big are they? are they functionally identical between countries? etc.

    But, still, I would have hoped Brillo would actually have checked the data before posting.
    And Germany has a substantially bigger population, too.
  • TOPPINGTOPPING Posts: 42,952
    rcs1000 said:

    Nigelb said:

    rcs1000 said:

    DougSeal said:

    boulay said:

    Hilarious article, which isn't open to comments:

    https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/generation-alpha-2024-stormi-webster-harper-beckham-rfl5hd9h6

    "I’m a parent to two — aged six and three. They are already aware of single-use plastics. Data shows that households with 5 to 11-year-olds have more eco-friendly habits. And when my husband’s burgundy passport expired this year, my daughter’s bafflement as we explained the new Brexit blue one suggests the kids might yet take back control."

    I'm a parent to two Gen Alphas as well, aged five and eighteen months. Not once have either ever mentioned single use plastics to me - they have occasionally on litter - and nor have they ever commented on the colour of their passport nor do they even know what Brexit is.

    They are interested, particularly the older one, in playing doctors, Elsa, dolls houses, soft play, watching kids shows on Cbeebies, and Milkshake, and being read a bedtime story. It's a struggle to get them to eat anything at all, although they drink milk like camels and love cheese. And what they mainly want is spending more time playing with mummy and daddy. Just like all kids throughout the ages.

    Why do journalists write this clickbait tripe and who do they expect to belief it?

    They write it because they want their friends and associates to think that the journalist has exceptionally clever and wise children, and guess what, the children are clever and wise because the parents are. That’s the message they are trying to get across.

    There are whole lists on Facebook of twatty parents posting stories about how their four year old quoted something by Buddha as they passed a homeless man and how the young see the truth etc etc bollocks bollocks. There is a pisstake response even now which is “and everyone clapped”.

    It’s a symptom of “main character syndrome” where so many people, thanks to social media, think they are the main character in a book or film and so think everyone wants to know what’s going on in their life and have to burnish it because in reality they are pretty normal and boring.
    I recommend "Crap on Linkedin" and "The State of Linkedin" on Twitter for exposing that type of shite on Linkedin. A few years ago I posted on LinkedIn -

    'Yesterday my four year old told me “Life is a succession of lessons which must be lived to be understood.”. I was surprised and delighted by such wisdom.

    Especially as she's a dog.'


    Now, contrary to the the claims of some on here, I do not I consider myself some sort of hero of comedy. I know I'm not. Nevertheless it emerges that LinkedIn is not the place for that sort of light-hearted throwaway piss-take, as the response from other posters and my digital marketing team proved.
    It's so rare that a parent can admit their child is ugly.

    I'm impressed.
    I think you're confused by the pun on Seal pup.
    I'm just being deliberately obtuse.
    @rcs1000 just idly re-read some of the weekend thread headers and saw the news about your father.

    Best wishes to him, you and your family.
  • NigelbNigelb Posts: 71,061
    rcs1000 said:

    Nigelb said:

    rcs1000 said:

    DougSeal said:

    boulay said:

    Hilarious article, which isn't open to comments:

    https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/generation-alpha-2024-stormi-webster-harper-beckham-rfl5hd9h6

    "I’m a parent to two — aged six and three. They are already aware of single-use plastics. Data shows that households with 5 to 11-year-olds have more eco-friendly habits. And when my husband’s burgundy passport expired this year, my daughter’s bafflement as we explained the new Brexit blue one suggests the kids might yet take back control."

    I'm a parent to two Gen Alphas as well, aged five and eighteen months. Not once have either ever mentioned single use plastics to me - they have occasionally on litter - and nor have they ever commented on the colour of their passport nor do they even know what Brexit is.

    They are interested, particularly the older one, in playing doctors, Elsa, dolls houses, soft play, watching kids shows on Cbeebies, and Milkshake, and being read a bedtime story. It's a struggle to get them to eat anything at all, although they drink milk like camels and love cheese. And what they mainly want is spending more time playing with mummy and daddy. Just like all kids throughout the ages.

    Why do journalists write this clickbait tripe and who do they expect to belief it?

    They write it because they want their friends and associates to think that the journalist has exceptionally clever and wise children, and guess what, the children are clever and wise because the parents are. That’s the message they are trying to get across.

    There are whole lists on Facebook of twatty parents posting stories about how their four year old quoted something by Buddha as they passed a homeless man and how the young see the truth etc etc bollocks bollocks. There is a pisstake response even now which is “and everyone clapped”.

    It’s a symptom of “main character syndrome” where so many people, thanks to social media, think they are the main character in a book or film and so think everyone wants to know what’s going on in their life and have to burnish it because in reality they are pretty normal and boring.
    I recommend "Crap on Linkedin" and "The State of Linkedin" on Twitter for exposing that type of shite on Linkedin. A few years ago I posted on LinkedIn -

    'Yesterday my four year old told me “Life is a succession of lessons which must be lived to be understood.”. I was surprised and delighted by such wisdom.

    Especially as she's a dog.'


    Now, contrary to the the claims of some on here, I do not I consider myself some sort of hero of comedy. I know I'm not. Nevertheless it emerges that LinkedIn is not the place for that sort of light-hearted throwaway piss-take, as the response from other posters and my digital marketing team proved.
    It's so rare that a parent can admit their child is ugly.

    I'm impressed.
    I think you're confused by the pun on Seal pup.
    I'm just being deliberately obtuse.
    I'm all for that.
  • SelebianSelebian Posts: 8,721
    Carnyx said:

    rcs1000 said:

    Carnyx said:
    Brillo pursuing his Teutonic obsession.


    Statista actually has data on food banks in the UK and Germany:

    https://www.statista.com/statistics/1382807/uk-number-of-foodbanks/
    https://www.statista.com/statistics/1347308/food-banks-germany/

    Now, I'm always wary of comparing things like this at a country level: how big are they? are they functionally identical between countries? etc.

    But, still, I would have hoped Brillo would actually have checked the data before posting.
    And Germany has a substantially bigger population, too.
    Due to the vast amount of free food from all those food banks? :wink:
  • NigelbNigelb Posts: 71,061
    It’s hard to fathom what a spectacular failure this Comer/Jordan impeachment is.

    Two “star witnesses” have now been indicted.

    Every GOP witness confirmed that Joe Biden had no connection to Hunter’s business.

    Comer and Jordan owe @POTUS and the American people an apology.

    https://twitter.com/danielsgoldman/status/1758310392533533183
  • HYUFDHYUFD Posts: 122,889
    rcs1000 said:

    Carnyx said:
    Brillo pursuing his Teutonic obsession.


    Statista actually has data on food banks in the UK and Germany:

    https://www.statista.com/statistics/1382807/uk-number-of-foodbanks/
    https://www.statista.com/statistics/1347308/food-banks-germany/

    Now, I'm always wary of comparing things like this at a country level: how big are they? are they functionally identical between countries? etc.

    But, still, I would have hoped Brillo would actually have checked the data before posting.
    German unemployment rate 5.7%, UK unemployment rate 3.8%.

    Clearly Brits are just more generous in providing and supporting foodbanks for those out of work and on low incomes than Germans are!
  • TimSTimS Posts: 12,984
    HYUFD said:

    rcs1000 said:

    Carnyx said:
    Brillo pursuing his Teutonic obsession.


    Statista actually has data on food banks in the UK and Germany:

    https://www.statista.com/statistics/1382807/uk-number-of-foodbanks/
    https://www.statista.com/statistics/1347308/food-banks-germany/

    Now, I'm always wary of comparing things like this at a country level: how big are they? are they functionally identical between countries? etc.

    But, still, I would have hoped Brillo would actually have checked the data before posting.
    German unemployment rate 5.7%, UK unemployment rate 3.8%.

    Clearly Brits are just more generous in providing and supporting foodbanks for those out of work and on low incomes than Germans are!
    Germany has actual social security.
  • boulayboulay Posts: 5,486
    rcs1000 said:

    boulay said:

    DougSeal said:

    boulay said:

    Hilarious article, which isn't open to comments:

    https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/generation-alpha-2024-stormi-webster-harper-beckham-rfl5hd9h6

    "I’m a parent to two — aged six and three. They are already aware of single-use plastics. Data shows that households with 5 to 11-year-olds have more eco-friendly habits. And when my husband’s burgundy passport expired this year, my daughter’s bafflement as we explained the new Brexit blue one suggests the kids might yet take back control."

    I'm a parent to two Gen Alphas as well, aged five and eighteen months. Not once have either ever mentioned single use plastics to me - they have occasionally on litter - and nor have they ever commented on the colour of their passport nor do they even know what Brexit is.

    They are interested, particularly the older one, in playing doctors, Elsa, dolls houses, soft play, watching kids shows on Cbeebies, and Milkshake, and being read a bedtime story. It's a struggle to get them to eat anything at all, although they drink milk like camels and love cheese. And what they mainly want is spending more time playing with mummy and daddy. Just like all kids throughout the ages.

    Why do journalists write this clickbait tripe and who do they expect to belief it?

    They write it because they want their friends and associates to think that the journalist has exceptionally clever and wise children, and guess what, the children are clever and wise because the parents are. That’s the message they are trying to get across.

    There are whole lists on Facebook of twatty parents posting stories about how their four year old quoted something by Buddha as they passed a homeless man and how the young see the truth etc etc bollocks bollocks. There is a pisstake response even now which is “and everyone clapped”.

    It’s a symptom of “main character syndrome” where so many people, thanks to social media, think they are the main character in a book or film and so think everyone wants to know what’s going on in their life and have to burnish it because in reality they are pretty normal and boring.
    I recommend "Crap on Linkedin" and "The State of Linkedin" on Twitter for exposing that type of shite on Linkedin. A few years ago I posted on LinkedIn -

    'Yesterday my four year old told me “Life is a succession of lessons which must be lived to be understood.”. I was surprised and delighted by such wisdom.

    Especially as she's a dog.'


    Now, contrary to the the claims of some on here, I do not I consider myself sort of hero of comedy. I know I'm not. Nevertheless it emerges that LinkedIn is not the place for that sort of light-hearted throwaway piss-take, as the response from other posters and my digital marketing team proved.
    A lot of female friends have left LinkedIn because it’s become a bit of a stalky attempted pick up site where they keep getting random messages from people asking them if they are single, asking them on dates or making advances.
    Wait.

    If you want to pick up women, why not use something that is more... appropriate... for that like Tinder or Plenty of Fish or whatever?
    I believe it’s a favourite for chaps who are in relationships/married as their other half doesn’t see the dating apps and no history on dating sites.
  • Nigelb said:

    ydoethur said:

    ...

    ydoethur said:

    ydoethur said:

    ydoethur said:

    ydoethur said:

    WillG said:

    WillG said:

    darkage said:

    ydoethur said:

    darkage said:

    https://www.newstatesman.com/comment/2024/02/the-trumpian-end-of-the-liberal-world-order

    "The more pertinent irrationality is that of liberals themselves. Weaponising the legal system to destroy Trump has only made him stronger. Why persist in a strategy that is so counter-productive? The answer is that liberals suffer from a form of repetition-compulsion – the pathological urge to re-enact damaging behaviours, as identified in Freudian psychoanalysis. Fixated on reasserting what they believe to be their proper place as the moral guardians of society, and indeed the world order, they are locking themselves into a cycle of failure...

    If any single issue can ensure Trump’s re-election, it is chaos on America’s Mexican border, a source of mounting concern that extends far beyond his core supporters. Continuing inflows of illegal aliens have produced dissension and opposition in Texas, New York and “sanctuary cities” such as Chicago, where communities of various ethnicities have protested against its effects on public services. Yet for many Democrat activists, voters’ resistance to mass immigration is not much more than an expression of popular racism. American liberals are reprising the hubristic disregard for their fellow citizens that led to Trump’s victory in 2016."


    They haven’t’weaponised the legal system to destroy Trump.’ The legal system has pursued him for multiple criminal acts.

    The only side weaponising the legal system are the Republicans with their decision to ignore Supreme Court rulings, vexatiously impeach a Cabinet member and pursue fraudulent charges against Hunter Biden disrupting the actual criminal case against him.
    The thesis of the article is that the aggressive pursuit of litigation and criminal allegations makes Trump stronger by reinforcing the narrative of an elite conspiracy, yet the 'liberals' keep on pursuing them, despite being presented with evidence that they are failing, and in so doing are trapped in a cycle of self destruction.

    A lot seems to be resting on the polling that a criminal conviction is a game changer - I am not that confident.

    The rule of law depends on prosecuting people that have broken the law. Including rich, white Republicans when applicable.
    but not elderly mentally impaired gentlemen with a garage full of confidential documents,
    I believe Trump was already included.
    then he shouldnt be prosecuted just like Biden
    Ther are certain key differences.

    For one, Biden handed over the documents when told to. He didn’t try to hold on to them.

    For another, he didn’t force his associates to lie about what was there.

    Third, he didn’t falsely claim they had all been declassified.
    You have Trumpitis. An overhwelming desire to give a known narcissist all the publicity he craves when simply ignoring him would yield better and more credible results.
    It’s interesting to see many on the political right are so weak on law and order that they want serial criminals to escape punishment for their crimes.
    I agree Biden should be put in a court too.
    Oddly, I’m actually inclined to agree with you. As I thought about Clinton.

    But the reason he hasn’t is because his subsequent actions mean no jury will convict him.

    That makes it a waste of time.

    Trump, however, keeps doubling down. Because he’s a dangerous criminal and thinks he is above the law.
    Im afraid youre off down the MAGA rabbit hole again chasing Trump. The more attention you give him the stronger he gets. Dems just better pray he doesnt get in since they have set up a new level of lawfare which he will use against them. The Reps did something similar attacking Bill Clinton and took the whole tone of political debate down several notched. It hasnt gone back up since.
    Ok, I’m calling it. There’s one person with Trumpitis in this conversation disappearing down not so much a hole as a whole warren - but it certainly isn’t me.
    Keep chasing that rabbit.
    Your rabbit isn't so much a big white imaginary one called Harvey, it's an enormous, smelly, orange f***** called Donald, and its unfortunately real.
    Whys it my rabbit ? I dont want Trump as POTUS. Perhaps you could explain your stance.
    Colour me orange but you've been slagging off Biden and blowing smoke up Trump's behind all afternoon.
    Ill happily accept Im no fan of Biden as I think he;s not physically fit to do one of the most demanding jobs in the world. As for backing Trump I am on the record on this thread and many others as saying I dont want him as POTUS either. So basically all we have is a knee jerk reaction from you because you dont like Trump and beyond that not much.
    It is one of the most important jobs in the world but that doesnt automatically make it physically demanding. George W Bush finished working around 5.30-6pm and be in bed by 9pm after some exercise and dinner. Ronald Reagan had dementia for most of his second term. Things got done in both scenarios.
    Tbf, Bush should have taken over from Reagan at least after Iran-Contra.

    One of the other issues in this race is that if Biden really were unfit to serve we can be pretty sure the Cabinet led by Harris (who whatever her shortcomings as a politician is neither stupid nor a coward) would act to replace him.

    When Trump becomes unfit to serve - which we know at least two senior figures thought he was in his *last* presidency - we can damn sure whichever useless lackeys he has in the cabinet will do fuck all.
    His lackeys are considerably more focused this time around - and note they weren't completely useless last time. They were particularly effective, for example, at confirming judges.

    The old style establishment Republicans who were in his previous administration are unlikely to be invited.
    You might have misread the GOP. It is mainstream Republicans who installed the judges.
  • rcs1000 said:

    DougSeal said:

    boulay said:

    Hilarious article, which isn't open to comments:

    https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/generation-alpha-2024-stormi-webster-harper-beckham-rfl5hd9h6

    "I’m a parent to two — aged six and three. They are already aware of single-use plastics. Data shows that households with 5 to 11-year-olds have more eco-friendly habits. And when my husband’s burgundy passport expired this year, my daughter’s bafflement as we explained the new Brexit blue one suggests the kids might yet take back control."

    I'm a parent to two Gen Alphas as well, aged five and eighteen months. Not once have either ever mentioned single use plastics to me - they have occasionally on litter - and nor have they ever commented on the colour of their passport nor do they even know what Brexit is.

    They are interested, particularly the older one, in playing doctors, Elsa, dolls houses, soft play, watching kids shows on Cbeebies, and Milkshake, and being read a bedtime story. It's a struggle to get them to eat anything at all, although they drink milk like camels and love cheese. And what they mainly want is spending more time playing with mummy and daddy. Just like all kids throughout the ages.

    Why do journalists write this clickbait tripe and who do they expect to belief it?

    They write it because they want their friends and associates to think that the journalist has exceptionally clever and wise children, and guess what, the children are clever and wise because the parents are. That’s the message they are trying to get across.

    There are whole lists on Facebook of twatty parents posting stories about how their four year old quoted something by Buddha as they passed a homeless man and how the young see the truth etc etc bollocks bollocks. There is a pisstake response even now which is “and everyone clapped”.

    It’s a symptom of “main character syndrome” where so many people, thanks to social media, think they are the main character in a book or film and so think everyone wants to know what’s going on in their life and have to burnish it because in reality they are pretty normal and boring.
    I recommend "Crap on Linkedin" and "The State of Linkedin" on Twitter for exposing that type of shite on Linkedin. A few years ago I posted on LinkedIn -

    'Yesterday my four year old told me “Life is a succession of lessons which must be lived to be understood.”. I was surprised and delighted by such wisdom.

    Especially as she's a dog.'


    Now, contrary to the the claims of some on here, I do not I consider myself some sort of hero of comedy. I know I'm not. Nevertheless it emerges that LinkedIn is not the place for that sort of light-hearted throwaway piss-take, as the response from other posters and my digital marketing team proved.
    It's so rare that a parent can admit their child is ugly.

    I'm impressed.
    We put it down to OGH's dementia.
  • turbotubbsturbotubbs Posts: 17,392
    Carnyx said:

    rcs1000 said:

    Carnyx said:
    Brillo pursuing his Teutonic obsession.


    Statista actually has data on food banks in the UK and Germany:

    https://www.statista.com/statistics/1382807/uk-number-of-foodbanks/
    https://www.statista.com/statistics/1347308/food-banks-germany/

    Now, I'm always wary of comparing things like this at a country level: how big are they? are they functionally identical between countries? etc.

    But, still, I would have hoped Brillo would actually have checked the data before posting.
    And Germany has a substantially bigger population, too.
    So it looks as if the claim that they have at least as many as the UK is wrong. What ought to be undeniable is that other countries also have the concept of foodbanks. You can sometimes get the impression from commentators that the UK is somehow unique in that we have them.
  • rcs1000rcs1000 Posts: 57,129
    boulay said:

    rcs1000 said:

    boulay said:

    DougSeal said:

    boulay said:

    Hilarious article, which isn't open to comments:

    https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/generation-alpha-2024-stormi-webster-harper-beckham-rfl5hd9h6

    "I’m a parent to two — aged six and three. They are already aware of single-use plastics. Data shows that households with 5 to 11-year-olds have more eco-friendly habits. And when my husband’s burgundy passport expired this year, my daughter’s bafflement as we explained the new Brexit blue one suggests the kids might yet take back control."

    I'm a parent to two Gen Alphas as well, aged five and eighteen months. Not once have either ever mentioned single use plastics to me - they have occasionally on litter - and nor have they ever commented on the colour of their passport nor do they even know what Brexit is.

    They are interested, particularly the older one, in playing doctors, Elsa, dolls houses, soft play, watching kids shows on Cbeebies, and Milkshake, and being read a bedtime story. It's a struggle to get them to eat anything at all, although they drink milk like camels and love cheese. And what they mainly want is spending more time playing with mummy and daddy. Just like all kids throughout the ages.

    Why do journalists write this clickbait tripe and who do they expect to belief it?

    They write it because they want their friends and associates to think that the journalist has exceptionally clever and wise children, and guess what, the children are clever and wise because the parents are. That’s the message they are trying to get across.

    There are whole lists on Facebook of twatty parents posting stories about how their four year old quoted something by Buddha as they passed a homeless man and how the young see the truth etc etc bollocks bollocks. There is a pisstake response even now which is “and everyone clapped”.

    It’s a symptom of “main character syndrome” where so many people, thanks to social media, think they are the main character in a book or film and so think everyone wants to know what’s going on in their life and have to burnish it because in reality they are pretty normal and boring.
    I recommend "Crap on Linkedin" and "The State of Linkedin" on Twitter for exposing that type of shite on Linkedin. A few years ago I posted on LinkedIn -

    'Yesterday my four year old told me “Life is a succession of lessons which must be lived to be understood.”. I was surprised and delighted by such wisdom.

    Especially as she's a dog.'


    Now, contrary to the the claims of some on here, I do not I consider myself sort of hero of comedy. I know I'm not. Nevertheless it emerges that LinkedIn is not the place for that sort of light-hearted throwaway piss-take, as the response from other posters and my digital marketing team proved.
    A lot of female friends have left LinkedIn because it’s become a bit of a stalky attempted pick up site where they keep getting random messages from people asking them if they are single, asking them on dates or making advances.
    Wait.

    If you want to pick up women, why not use something that is more... appropriate... for that like Tinder or Plenty of Fish or whatever?
    I believe it’s a favourite for chaps who are in relationships/married as their other half doesn’t see the dating apps and no history on dating sites.
    Just do what I do and wear a Zorro mask on Tinder.

    Works every time.
  • boulayboulay Posts: 5,486
    rcs1000 said:

    boulay said:

    rcs1000 said:

    boulay said:

    DougSeal said:

    boulay said:

    Hilarious article, which isn't open to comments:

    https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/generation-alpha-2024-stormi-webster-harper-beckham-rfl5hd9h6

    "I’m a parent to two — aged six and three. They are already aware of single-use plastics. Data shows that households with 5 to 11-year-olds have more eco-friendly habits. And when my husband’s burgundy passport expired this year, my daughter’s bafflement as we explained the new Brexit blue one suggests the kids might yet take back control."

    I'm a parent to two Gen Alphas as well, aged five and eighteen months. Not once have either ever mentioned single use plastics to me - they have occasionally on litter - and nor have they ever commented on the colour of their passport nor do they even know what Brexit is.

    They are interested, particularly the older one, in playing doctors, Elsa, dolls houses, soft play, watching kids shows on Cbeebies, and Milkshake, and being read a bedtime story. It's a struggle to get them to eat anything at all, although they drink milk like camels and love cheese. And what they mainly want is spending more time playing with mummy and daddy. Just like all kids throughout the ages.

    Why do journalists write this clickbait tripe and who do they expect to belief it?

    They write it because they want their friends and associates to think that the journalist has exceptionally clever and wise children, and guess what, the children are clever and wise because the parents are. That’s the message they are trying to get across.

    There are whole lists on Facebook of twatty parents posting stories about how their four year old quoted something by Buddha as they passed a homeless man and how the young see the truth etc etc bollocks bollocks. There is a pisstake response even now which is “and everyone clapped”.

    It’s a symptom of “main character syndrome” where so many people, thanks to social media, think they are the main character in a book or film and so think everyone wants to know what’s going on in their life and have to burnish it because in reality they are pretty normal and boring.
    I recommend "Crap on Linkedin" and "The State of Linkedin" on Twitter for exposing that type of shite on Linkedin. A few years ago I posted on LinkedIn -

    'Yesterday my four year old told me “Life is a succession of lessons which must be lived to be understood.”. I was surprised and delighted by such wisdom.

    Especially as she's a dog.'


    Now, contrary to the the claims of some on here, I do not I consider myself sort of hero of comedy. I know I'm not. Nevertheless it emerges that LinkedIn is not the place for that sort of light-hearted throwaway piss-take, as the response from other posters and my digital marketing team proved.
    A lot of female friends have left LinkedIn because it’s become a bit of a stalky attempted pick up site where they keep getting random messages from people asking them if they are single, asking them on dates or making advances.
    Wait.

    If you want to pick up women, why not use something that is more... appropriate... for that like Tinder or Plenty of Fish or whatever?
    I believe it’s a favourite for chaps who are in relationships/married as their other half doesn’t see the dating apps and no history on dating sites.
    Just do what I do and wear a Zorro mask on Tinder.

    Works every time.
    So you were the girl with the deep voice I went for drinks with last week. I just didn’t want to enter the gender minefield and ask about it.
  • RogerRoger Posts: 19,897
    A cool customer. Likeable. If she spends the next three months putting herself about who knows?
  • NEW THREAD

  • PhilPhil Posts: 2,301

    DavidL said:

    DavidL said:

    ydoethur said:

    ydoethur said:

    WillG said:

    WillG said:

    darkage said:

    ydoethur said:

    darkage said:

    https://www.newstatesman.com/comment/2024/02/the-trumpian-end-of-the-liberal-world-order

    "The more pertinent irrationality is that of liberals themselves. Weaponising the legal system to destroy Trump has only made him stronger. Why persist in a strategy that is so counter-productive? The answer is that liberals suffer from a form of repetition-compulsion – the pathological urge to re-enact damaging behaviours, as identified in Freudian psychoanalysis. Fixated on reasserting what they believe to be their proper place as the moral guardians of society, and indeed the world order, they are locking themselves into a cycle of failure...

    If any single issue can ensure Trump’s re-election, it is chaos on America’s Mexican border, a source of mounting concern that extends far beyond his core supporters. Continuing inflows of illegal aliens have produced dissension and opposition in Texas, New York and “sanctuary cities” such as Chicago, where communities of various ethnicities have protested against its effects on public services. Yet for many Democrat activists, voters’ resistance to mass immigration is not much more than an expression of popular racism. American liberals are reprising the hubristic disregard for their fellow citizens that led to Trump’s victory in 2016."


    They haven’t’weaponised the legal system to destroy Trump.’ The legal system has pursued him for multiple criminal acts.

    The only side weaponising the legal system are the Republicans with their decision to ignore Supreme Court rulings, vexatiously impeach a Cabinet member and pursue fraudulent charges against Hunter Biden disrupting the actual criminal case against him.
    The thesis of the article is that the aggressive pursuit of litigation and criminal allegations makes Trump stronger by reinforcing the narrative of an elite conspiracy, yet the 'liberals' keep on pursuing them, despite being presented with evidence that they are failing, and in so doing are trapped in a cycle of self destruction.

    A lot seems to be resting on the polling that a criminal conviction is a game changer - I am not that confident.

    The rule of law depends on prosecuting people that have broken the law. Including rich, white Republicans when applicable.
    but not elderly mentally impaired gentlemen with a garage full of confidential documents,
    I believe Trump was already included.
    then he shouldnt be prosecuted just like Biden
    Ther are certain key differences.

    For one, Biden handed over the documents when told to. He didn’t try to hold on to them.

    For another, he didn’t force his associates to lie about what was there.

    Third, he didn’t falsely claim they had all been declassified.
    You have Trumpitis. An overhwelming desire to give a known narcissist all the publicity he craves when simply ignoring him would yield better and more credible results.
    It’s interesting to see many on the political right are so weak on law and order that they want serial criminals to escape punishment for their crimes.
    I agree Biden should be put in a court too.
    The person who accused Biden of taking a bribe is now on trial for perjury. What were you planning to charge him with?
    Me personally nothing. However you will have a job to convince that the US system with its many politically elected officials is an unbiased reliable one.
    Not something that I would even attempt Alan. It is truly bizarre and mixes politics and law in a way that is completely unhealthy.

    Having said that I do not think that Trump should be deemed eligible for the Presidency again , given his culpability for what happened on January 6th. He should have been convicted of that some considerable time ago.
    Well coming from Belfast I probably have a different view of what a coup looks like. A coup requires organisation something Trump is not renowned for. This was just bad crowd control and totally avoidable. as ever the yanks like to big themselves up.
    “bad crowd control”

    so you’re telling us the guys who turned up with duffel bags bags full of zip tie handcuffs were just misguided tourists who got into a scrape? Is that really what you believe?
  • turbotubbsturbotubbs Posts: 17,392
    Roger said:

    A cool customer. Likeable. If she spends the next three months putting herself about who knows?
    Easy - I thought she was married!
  • rcs1000rcs1000 Posts: 57,129
    rcs1000 said:

    boulay said:

    rcs1000 said:

    boulay said:

    DougSeal said:

    boulay said:

    Hilarious article, which isn't open to comments:

    https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/generation-alpha-2024-stormi-webster-harper-beckham-rfl5hd9h6

    "I’m a parent to two — aged six and three. They are already aware of single-use plastics. Data shows that households with 5 to 11-year-olds have more eco-friendly habits. And when my husband’s burgundy passport expired this year, my daughter’s bafflement as we explained the new Brexit blue one suggests the kids might yet take back control."

    I'm a parent to two Gen Alphas as well, aged five and eighteen months. Not once have either ever mentioned single use plastics to me - they have occasionally on litter - and nor have they ever commented on the colour of their passport nor do they even know what Brexit is.

    They are interested, particularly the older one, in playing doctors, Elsa, dolls houses, soft play, watching kids shows on Cbeebies, and Milkshake, and being read a bedtime story. It's a struggle to get them to eat anything at all, although they drink milk like camels and love cheese. And what they mainly want is spending more time playing with mummy and daddy. Just like all kids throughout the ages.

    Why do journalists write this clickbait tripe and who do they expect to belief it?

    They write it because they want their friends and associates to think that the journalist has exceptionally clever and wise children, and guess what, the children are clever and wise because the parents are. That’s the message they are trying to get across.

    There are whole lists on Facebook of twatty parents posting stories about how their four year old quoted something by Buddha as they passed a homeless man and how the young see the truth etc etc bollocks bollocks. There is a pisstake response even now which is “and everyone clapped”.

    It’s a symptom of “main character syndrome” where so many people, thanks to social media, think they are the main character in a book or film and so think everyone wants to know what’s going on in their life and have to burnish it because in reality they are pretty normal and boring.
    I recommend "Crap on Linkedin" and "The State of Linkedin" on Twitter for exposing that type of shite on Linkedin. A few years ago I posted on LinkedIn -

    'Yesterday my four year old told me “Life is a succession of lessons which must be lived to be understood.”. I was surprised and delighted by such wisdom.

    Especially as she's a dog.'


    Now, contrary to the the claims of some on here, I do not I consider myself sort of hero of comedy. I know I'm not. Nevertheless it emerges that LinkedIn is not the place for that sort of light-hearted throwaway piss-take, as the response from other posters and my digital marketing team proved.
    A lot of female friends have left LinkedIn because it’s become a bit of a stalky attempted pick up site where they keep getting random messages from people asking them if they are single, asking them on dates or making advances.
    Wait.

    If you want to pick up women, why not use something that is more... appropriate... for that like Tinder or Plenty of Fish or whatever?
    I believe it’s a favourite for chaps who are in relationships/married as their other half doesn’t see the dating apps and no history on dating sites.
    Just do what I do and wear a Zorro mask on Tinder.

    Works every time.
    Candidly, the main problem with Tinder is that whenever you go out on a date, you're faced with a dilemma:

    Which is more important to you: mocking astrology or getting laid?
  • HYUFDHYUFD Posts: 122,889
    edited February 16
    TimS said:

    HYUFD said:

    rcs1000 said:

    Carnyx said:
    Brillo pursuing his Teutonic obsession.


    Statista actually has data on food banks in the UK and Germany:

    https://www.statista.com/statistics/1382807/uk-number-of-foodbanks/
    https://www.statista.com/statistics/1347308/food-banks-germany/

    Now, I'm always wary of comparing things like this at a country level: how big are they? are they functionally identical between countries? etc.

    But, still, I would have hoped Brillo would actually have checked the data before posting.
    German unemployment rate 5.7%, UK unemployment rate 3.8%.

    Clearly Brits are just more generous in providing and supporting foodbanks for those out of work and on low incomes than Germans are!
    Germany has actual social security.
    We also have unemployment benefits, including contributory JSA via NI.

    Foodbanks are great, a wonderful example of the charitable sector and often provided by religious groups and there will always be those on low incomes needing extra support.

    The more foodbanks the better!!
  • CarnyxCarnyx Posts: 42,814
    HYUFD said:

    TimS said:

    HYUFD said:

    rcs1000 said:

    Carnyx said:
    Brillo pursuing his Teutonic obsession.


    Statista actually has data on food banks in the UK and Germany:

    https://www.statista.com/statistics/1382807/uk-number-of-foodbanks/
    https://www.statista.com/statistics/1347308/food-banks-germany/

    Now, I'm always wary of comparing things like this at a country level: how big are they? are they functionally identical between countries? etc.

    But, still, I would have hoped Brillo would actually have checked the data before posting.
    German unemployment rate 5.7%, UK unemployment rate 3.8%.

    Clearly Brits are just more generous in providing and supporting foodbanks for those out of work and on low incomes than Germans are!
    Germany has actual social security.
    We also have unemployment benefits, including contributory JSA via NI.

    Foodbanks are great, a wonderful example of the charitable sector and often provided by religious groups and there will always be those on low incomes needing extra support.

    The more foodbanks the better!!
    Hooray, Britain is worldbeating in the production of pauper soup and similar comestibles.
  • NigelbNigelb Posts: 71,061

    Nigelb said:

    ydoethur said:

    ...

    ydoethur said:

    ydoethur said:

    ydoethur said:

    ydoethur said:

    WillG said:

    WillG said:

    darkage said:

    ydoethur said:

    darkage said:

    https://www.newstatesman.com/comment/2024/02/the-trumpian-end-of-the-liberal-world-order

    "The more pertinent irrationality is that of liberals themselves. Weaponising the legal system to destroy Trump has only made him stronger. Why persist in a strategy that is so counter-productive? The answer is that liberals suffer from a form of repetition-compulsion – the pathological urge to re-enact damaging behaviours, as identified in Freudian psychoanalysis. Fixated on reasserting what they believe to be their proper place as the moral guardians of society, and indeed the world order, they are locking themselves into a cycle of failure...

    If any single issue can ensure Trump’s re-election, it is chaos on America’s Mexican border, a source of mounting concern that extends far beyond his core supporters. Continuing inflows of illegal aliens have produced dissension and opposition in Texas, New York and “sanctuary cities” such as Chicago, where communities of various ethnicities have protested against its effects on public services. Yet for many Democrat activists, voters’ resistance to mass immigration is not much more than an expression of popular racism. American liberals are reprising the hubristic disregard for their fellow citizens that led to Trump’s victory in 2016."


    They haven’t’weaponised the legal system to destroy Trump.’ The legal system has pursued him for multiple criminal acts.

    The only side weaponising the legal system are the Republicans with their decision to ignore Supreme Court rulings, vexatiously impeach a Cabinet member and pursue fraudulent charges against Hunter Biden disrupting the actual criminal case against him.
    The thesis of the article is that the aggressive pursuit of litigation and criminal allegations makes Trump stronger by reinforcing the narrative of an elite conspiracy, yet the 'liberals' keep on pursuing them, despite being presented with evidence that they are failing, and in so doing are trapped in a cycle of self destruction.

    A lot seems to be resting on the polling that a criminal conviction is a game changer - I am not that confident.

    The rule of law depends on prosecuting people that have broken the law. Including rich, white Republicans when applicable.
    but not elderly mentally impaired gentlemen with a garage full of confidential documents,
    I believe Trump was already included.
    then he shouldnt be prosecuted just like Biden
    Ther are certain key differences.

    For one, Biden handed over the documents when told to. He didn’t try to hold on to them.

    For another, he didn’t force his associates to lie about what was there.

    Third, he didn’t falsely claim they had all been declassified.
    You have Trumpitis. An overhwelming desire to give a known narcissist all the publicity he craves when simply ignoring him would yield better and more credible results.
    It’s interesting to see many on the political right are so weak on law and order that they want serial criminals to escape punishment for their crimes.
    I agree Biden should be put in a court too.
    Oddly, I’m actually inclined to agree with you. As I thought about Clinton.

    But the reason he hasn’t is because his subsequent actions mean no jury will convict him.

    That makes it a waste of time.

    Trump, however, keeps doubling down. Because he’s a dangerous criminal and thinks he is above the law.
    Im afraid youre off down the MAGA rabbit hole again chasing Trump. The more attention you give him the stronger he gets. Dems just better pray he doesnt get in since they have set up a new level of lawfare which he will use against them. The Reps did something similar attacking Bill Clinton and took the whole tone of political debate down several notched. It hasnt gone back up since.
    Ok, I’m calling it. There’s one person with Trumpitis in this conversation disappearing down not so much a hole as a whole warren - but it certainly isn’t me.
    Keep chasing that rabbit.
    Your rabbit isn't so much a big white imaginary one called Harvey, it's an enormous, smelly, orange f***** called Donald, and its unfortunately real.
    Whys it my rabbit ? I dont want Trump as POTUS. Perhaps you could explain your stance.
    Colour me orange but you've been slagging off Biden and blowing smoke up Trump's behind all afternoon.
    Ill happily accept Im no fan of Biden as I think he;s not physically fit to do one of the most demanding jobs in the world. As for backing Trump I am on the record on this thread and many others as saying I dont want him as POTUS either. So basically all we have is a knee jerk reaction from you because you dont like Trump and beyond that not much.
    It is one of the most important jobs in the world but that doesnt automatically make it physically demanding. George W Bush finished working around 5.30-6pm and be in bed by 9pm after some exercise and dinner. Ronald Reagan had dementia for most of his second term. Things got done in both scenarios.
    Tbf, Bush should have taken over from Reagan at least after Iran-Contra.

    One of the other issues in this race is that if Biden really were unfit to serve we can be pretty sure the Cabinet led by Harris (who whatever her shortcomings as a politician is neither stupid nor a coward) would act to replace him.

    When Trump becomes unfit to serve - which we know at least two senior figures thought he was in his *last* presidency - we can damn sure whichever useless lackeys he has in the cabinet will do fuck all.
    His lackeys are considerably more focused this time around - and note they weren't completely useless last time. They were particularly effective, for example, at confirming judges.

    The old style establishment Republicans who were in his previous administration are unlikely to be invited.
    You might have misread the GOP. It is mainstream Republicans who installed the judges.
    It's Congressional Republicans who confirmed them. absolutely.
    But their nominations were a pretty efficient process for an otherwise fairly chaotic White House.

    It's interesting that one of the very few characters from that administration* now on the 2024 campaign team was involved in that effort.
    https://www.politico.com/story/2018/06/11/white-house-steven-cheung-leaving-636589
    ..Sims said Cheung was a key behind-the-scenes player on the administration’s most successful wins: the confirmation of Justice Neil Gorsuch and last winter’s passage of a massive tax reform bill. “No one gave more of his heart and soul to the president these past two years,” he said.

    Cheung declined to comment for this article. Sanders spoke well of the departing staffer, despite clashes that precipitated his departure.

    “Steven Cheung was an early member of the campaign team and has been in the White House from day one,” she said in a statement. “He is well-liked, talented, smart and served this President extremely well. Steven is moving on to take a prominent position in the private sector, and there is no doubt in my mind he’ll be greatly successful and certainly missed by the team.”..


    *Another is Jason Miller.
  • pigeonpigeon Posts: 4,837
    HYUFD said:

    rcs1000 said:

    Carnyx said:
    Brillo pursuing his Teutonic obsession.


    Statista actually has data on food banks in the UK and Germany:

    https://www.statista.com/statistics/1382807/uk-number-of-foodbanks/
    https://www.statista.com/statistics/1347308/food-banks-germany/

    Now, I'm always wary of comparing things like this at a country level: how big are they? are they functionally identical between countries? etc.

    But, still, I would have hoped Brillo would actually have checked the data before posting.
    German unemployment rate 5.7%, UK unemployment rate 3.8%.

    Clearly Brits are just more generous in providing and supporting foodbanks for those out of work and on low incomes than Germans are!
    Britain's low unemployment rate is, of course, a statistical fiction. We have vast numbers of workers consigned to the scrapheap through long-term sickness, with the numbers steadily increasing in large part because much of our public healthcare system is a pile of smouldering rubble (there are plenty of good private hospitals of course, as anyone who has had to pay eyewatering fees to circumvent multi-year waits on the NHS will tell you.)

    This is without going into the epidemic of minimum wage crap jobs, gig economy jobs and zero hours contract jobs that leave so many people who are actually in employment living in slum properties and going cap in hand to food banks in order to survive.

    Food banks, cold and mouldy homes and jobs that don't pay enough to survive on (as well as hospitals that take months just to offer an appointment, schools that are literally falling down all across the land, and widespread child poverty and homelessness) are all symptoms of the decaying state and rotten society that a decade and a half of continuous decline under your party have left us with.

    Not that the other lot are likely to do much better, of course, with their fiddling round the edges.
  • viewcodeviewcode Posts: 22,068
    rcs1000 said:

    Nigelb said:

    rcs1000 said:

    DougSeal said:

    boulay said:

    Hilarious article, which isn't open to comments:

    https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/generation-alpha-2024-stormi-webster-harper-beckham-rfl5hd9h6

    "I’m a parent to two — aged six and three. They are already aware of single-use plastics. Data shows that households with 5 to 11-year-olds have more eco-friendly habits. And when my husband’s burgundy passport expired this year, my daughter’s bafflement as we explained the new Brexit blue one suggests the kids might yet take back control."

    I'm a parent to two Gen Alphas as well, aged five and eighteen months. Not once have either ever mentioned single use plastics to me - they have occasionally on litter - and nor have they ever commented on the colour of their passport nor do they even know what Brexit is.

    They are interested, particularly the older one, in playing doctors, Elsa, dolls houses, soft play, watching kids shows on Cbeebies, and Milkshake, and being read a bedtime story. It's a struggle to get them to eat anything at all, although they drink milk like camels and love cheese. And what they mainly want is spending more time playing with mummy and daddy. Just like all kids throughout the ages.

    Why do journalists write this clickbait tripe and who do they expect to belief it?

    They write it because they want their friends and associates to think that the journalist has exceptionally clever and wise children, and guess what, the children are clever and wise because the parents are. That’s the message they are trying to get across.

    There are whole lists on Facebook of twatty parents posting stories about how their four year old quoted something by Buddha as they passed a homeless man and how the young see the truth etc etc bollocks bollocks. There is a pisstake response even now which is “and everyone clapped”.

    It’s a symptom of “main character syndrome” where so many people, thanks to social media, think they are the main character in a book or film and so think everyone wants to know what’s going on in their life and have to burnish it because in reality they are pretty normal and boring.
    I recommend "Crap on Linkedin" and "The State of Linkedin" on Twitter for exposing that type of shite on Linkedin. A few years ago I posted on LinkedIn -

    'Yesterday my four year old told me “Life is a succession of lessons which must be lived to be understood.”. I was surprised and delighted by such wisdom.

    Especially as she's a dog.'


    Now, contrary to the the claims of some on here, I do not I consider myself some sort of hero of comedy. I know I'm not. Nevertheless it emerges that LinkedIn is not the place for that sort of light-hearted throwaway piss-take, as the response from other posters and my digital marketing team proved.
    It's so rare that a parent can admit their child is ugly.

    I'm impressed.
    I think you're confused by the pun on Seal pup.
    I'm just being deliberately obtuse.
    It's an acute situation, this angle you've taken
  • SelebianSelebian Posts: 8,721
    viewcode said:

    rcs1000 said:

    Nigelb said:

    rcs1000 said:

    DougSeal said:

    boulay said:

    Hilarious article, which isn't open to comments:

    https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/generation-alpha-2024-stormi-webster-harper-beckham-rfl5hd9h6

    "I’m a parent to two — aged six and three. They are already aware of single-use plastics. Data shows that households with 5 to 11-year-olds have more eco-friendly habits. And when my husband’s burgundy passport expired this year, my daughter’s bafflement as we explained the new Brexit blue one suggests the kids might yet take back control."

    I'm a parent to two Gen Alphas as well, aged five and eighteen months. Not once have either ever mentioned single use plastics to me - they have occasionally on litter - and nor have they ever commented on the colour of their passport nor do they even know what Brexit is.

    They are interested, particularly the older one, in playing doctors, Elsa, dolls houses, soft play, watching kids shows on Cbeebies, and Milkshake, and being read a bedtime story. It's a struggle to get them to eat anything at all, although they drink milk like camels and love cheese. And what they mainly want is spending more time playing with mummy and daddy. Just like all kids throughout the ages.

    Why do journalists write this clickbait tripe and who do they expect to belief it?

    They write it because they want their friends and associates to think that the journalist has exceptionally clever and wise children, and guess what, the children are clever and wise because the parents are. That’s the message they are trying to get across.

    There are whole lists on Facebook of twatty parents posting stories about how their four year old quoted something by Buddha as they passed a homeless man and how the young see the truth etc etc bollocks bollocks. There is a pisstake response even now which is “and everyone clapped”.

    It’s a symptom of “main character syndrome” where so many people, thanks to social media, think they are the main character in a book or film and so think everyone wants to know what’s going on in their life and have to burnish it because in reality they are pretty normal and boring.
    I recommend "Crap on Linkedin" and "The State of Linkedin" on Twitter for exposing that type of shite on Linkedin. A few years ago I posted on LinkedIn -

    'Yesterday my four year old told me “Life is a succession of lessons which must be lived to be understood.”. I was surprised and delighted by such wisdom.

    Especially as she's a dog.'


    Now, contrary to the the claims of some on here, I do not I consider myself some sort of hero of comedy. I know I'm not. Nevertheless it emerges that LinkedIn is not the place for that sort of light-hearted throwaway piss-take, as the response from other posters and my digital marketing team proved.
    It's so rare that a parent can admit their child is ugly.

    I'm impressed.
    I think you're confused by the pun on Seal pup.
    I'm just being deliberately obtuse.
    It's an acute situation, this angle you've taken
    Just a reflex
  • HYUFDHYUFD Posts: 122,889
    pigeon said:

    HYUFD said:

    rcs1000 said:

    Carnyx said:
    Brillo pursuing his Teutonic obsession.


    Statista actually has data on food banks in the UK and Germany:

    https://www.statista.com/statistics/1382807/uk-number-of-foodbanks/
    https://www.statista.com/statistics/1347308/food-banks-germany/

    Now, I'm always wary of comparing things like this at a country level: how big are they? are they functionally identical between countries? etc.

    But, still, I would have hoped Brillo would actually have checked the data before posting.
    German unemployment rate 5.7%, UK unemployment rate 3.8%.

    Clearly Brits are just more generous in providing and supporting foodbanks for those out of work and on low incomes than Germans are!
    Britain's low unemployment rate is, of course, a statistical fiction. We have vast numbers of workers consigned to the scrapheap through long-term sickness, with the numbers steadily increasing in large part because much of our public healthcare system is a pile of smouldering rubble (there are plenty of good private hospitals of course, as anyone who has had to pay eyewatering fees to circumvent multi-year waits on the NHS will tell you.)

    This is without going into the epidemic of minimum wage crap jobs, gig economy jobs and zero hours contract jobs that leave so many people who are actually in employment living in slum properties and going cap in hand to food banks in order to survive.

    Food banks, cold and mouldy homes and jobs that don't pay enough to survive on (as well as hospitals that take months just to offer an appointment, schools that are literally falling down all across the land, and widespread child poverty and homelessness) are all symptoms of the decaying state and rotten society that a decade and a half of continuous decline under your party have left us with.

    Not that the other lot are likely to do much better, of course, with their fiddling round the edges.
    This government has also consistently increased the minimum wage as well as halving the unemployment rate Labour left.

    Our PISA education results are up too much higher in the league table than 2010. Even though our welfare state is far more generous than that in most other nations, foodbanks are still a great source of charitable endeavour
  • Casino_RoyaleCasino_Royale Posts: 60,407
    rcs1000 said:

    rcs1000 said:

    boulay said:

    rcs1000 said:

    boulay said:

    DougSeal said:

    boulay said:

    Hilarious article, which isn't open to comments:

    https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/generation-alpha-2024-stormi-webster-harper-beckham-rfl5hd9h6

    "I’m a parent to two — aged six and three. They are already aware of single-use plastics. Data shows that households with 5 to 11-year-olds have more eco-friendly habits. And when my husband’s burgundy passport expired this year, my daughter’s bafflement as we explained the new Brexit blue one suggests the kids might yet take back control."

    I'm a parent to two Gen Alphas as well, aged five and eighteen months. Not once have either ever mentioned single use plastics to me - they have occasionally on litter - and nor have they ever commented on the colour of their passport nor do they even know what Brexit is.

    They are interested, particularly the older one, in playing doctors, Elsa, dolls houses, soft play, watching kids shows on Cbeebies, and Milkshake, and being read a bedtime story. It's a struggle to get them to eat anything at all, although they drink milk like camels and love cheese. And what they mainly want is spending more time playing with mummy and daddy. Just like all kids throughout the ages.

    Why do journalists write this clickbait tripe and who do they expect to belief it?

    They write it because they want their friends and associates to think that the journalist has exceptionally clever and wise children, and guess what, the children are clever and wise because the parents are. That’s the message they are trying to get across.

    There are whole lists on Facebook of twatty parents posting stories about how their four year old quoted something by Buddha as they passed a homeless man and how the young see the truth etc etc bollocks bollocks. There is a pisstake response even now which is “and everyone clapped”.

    It’s a symptom of “main character syndrome” where so many people, thanks to social media, think they are the main character in a book or film and so think everyone wants to know what’s going on in their life and have to burnish it because in reality they are pretty normal and boring.
    I recommend "Crap on Linkedin" and "The State of Linkedin" on Twitter for exposing that type of shite on Linkedin. A few years ago I posted on LinkedIn -

    'Yesterday my four year old told me “Life is a succession of lessons which must be lived to be understood.”. I was surprised and delighted by such wisdom.

    Especially as she's a dog.'


    Now, contrary to the the claims of some on here, I do not I consider myself sort of hero of comedy. I know I'm not. Nevertheless it emerges that LinkedIn is not the place for that sort of light-hearted throwaway piss-take, as the response from other posters and my digital marketing team proved.
    A lot of female friends have left LinkedIn because it’s become a bit of a stalky attempted pick up site where they keep getting random messages from people asking them if they are single, asking them on dates or making advances.
    Wait.

    If you want to pick up women, why not use something that is more... appropriate... for that like Tinder or Plenty of Fish or whatever?
    I believe it’s a favourite for chaps who are in relationships/married as their other half doesn’t see the dating apps and no history on dating sites.
    Just do what I do and wear a Zorro mask on Tinder.

    Works every time.
    Candidly, the main problem with Tinder is that whenever you go out on a date, you're faced with a dilemma:

    Which is more important to you: mocking astrology or getting laid?
    Show me a man who's into amateur astrology and I'll show you a man who wants to shag an amateur astrologist.
  • malcolmgmalcolmg Posts: 43,311

    kinabalu said:

    Andy_JS said:

    Strange timing from Putin.

    My theory? He didn't want to do it before the Carlson interview because he knew brave Tucker would have relentlessly pursued him on it and nailed him to the wall.
    I don't think the timing was chosen by Putin. What is most likely to have happened is that they put someone with poor health (due to a failed assassination attempt by poisoning) into a harsh prison regime, knowing that this would lead to an inevitable early death, at a relatively random time.

    Everyone knows that Navalny is dead because Putin wanted him dead, but the death certificate can truthfully say that he died of natural causes.
    Or after a jab, softened up by a few years of deprivation and then a nice injection no doubt.
  • kinabalukinabalu Posts: 42,098
    malcolmg said:

    kinabalu said:

    Andy_JS said:

    Strange timing from Putin.

    My theory? He didn't want to do it before the Carlson interview because he knew brave Tucker would have relentlessly pursued him on it and nailed him to the wall.
    I don't think the timing was chosen by Putin. What is most likely to have happened is that they put someone with poor health (due to a failed assassination attempt by poisoning) into a harsh prison regime, knowing that this would lead to an inevitable early death, at a relatively random time.

    Everyone knows that Navalny is dead because Putin wanted him dead, but the death certificate can truthfully say that he died of natural causes.
    Or after a jab, softened up by a few years of deprivation and then a nice injection no doubt.
    Great reward for genuine courage, isn't it.
This discussion has been closed.