The thinnest of thin gruels – politicalbetting.com

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The thinnest of thin gruels – politicalbetting.com

Jo Coburn: What crime do you think Angela Rayner committed?James Daly(Tory MP): We should allow the police investigation to proceedJC: But what do you think she's done?JD: We should allow them to carry out that investigationJC: What's the offense?#PoliticsLive pic.twitter.com/Z1rgXYsGxo

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DavidL

Oh the laws of defamation.

We should try free speech sometime.

Anabobazina

Raynergate. Oh baby!

Benpointer

DavidL said:

Oh the laws of defamation.

We should try free speech sometime.

Some have much louder voices than others though. Can you imagine what the tabloid press would get up to without the defamation laws?

TheScreamingEagles

Benpointer said:

DavidL said:

Oh the laws of defamation.

We should try free speech sometime.

Some have much louder voices than others though. Can you imagine what the tabloid press would get up to without the defamation laws?

Lord McAlpine has entered the chat.

Malmesbury

DavidL said:

Oh the laws of defamation.

We should try free speech sometime.

There are always limits to free speech. Shouting “Fire” in theatres etc.

DecrepiterJohnL

DavidL said:

Oh the laws of defamation.

We should try free speech sometime.

What's defamation to do with the price of fish?

DecrepiterJohnL

FPT because this is the most significant political intelligence of the decade...

The Rest is Entertainment (not TRI Politics) on the relationship between TV viewing and voting based on data from More In Common.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eh_ByqfG2R4&t=1734s

In 2019, Conservatives had Strictly and IACGMOOH. Now Labour lead in both, so Keir Starmer will win. No more spoilers.

Andy_JS

DavidL said:

Oh the laws of defamation.

We should try free speech sometime.

Innocent face.

DavidL

DecrepiterJohnL said:

DavidL said:

Oh the laws of defamation.

We should try free speech sometime.

What's defamation to do with the price of fish?

Well, if had been foolish enough to answer the question put to him by, for example, alleging that there had been some evasion of tax she could sue him if that turned out not to be an accurate statement of fact.

As the interviewer knew full well of course.

Theuniondivvie

I noticed at the weekend that Rayner's noisy ex-assistant's payoff when he became an ex included an NDA (didn't appear to apply to commenting on her housing arrangements). Is this standard with this type of thing nowadays?

Clutch_Brompton

Interesting that R&W have Andy Street trailing by 14% for WM Mayor while the Cons at the GE are 28% down in the WM. That is a comparison with London where the Mayor is also notably under-performing his party's GE position.

I had assumed it was down to the unpopularity of Sadiq Khan but perhaps I was looking at it the wrong way. In fact what we are looking at is the depth of Con unpopularity at national level compared to local level. A little bit of hope for the Cons in the Locals perhaps but given the low level of Con performance in 2022 and 2023 Locals it could easily be overstated.

Leon

Has anyone ever had gruel? I haven't, and I don't know anyone that has. And you don't often see it in restaurants these days, as a main or even a starter - "Gruel"

Also, why don't they just thicken it a bit? With some cornflour? Does it have to be thin? The gruel industry just needs some imagination and it could make a major comeback

TheScreamingEagles

Theuniondivvie said:

I noticed at the weekend that Rayner's noisy ex-assistant's payoff when he became an ex included an NDA (didn't appear to apply to commenting on her housing arrangements). Is this standard with this type of thing nowadays?

Depends on the NDA, you might be limited on discussing why you left her employment but you can discuss other parts of when you worked for her.

LostPassword

Theuniondivvie said:

I noticed at the weekend that Rayner's noisy ex-assistant's payoff when he became an ex included an NDA (didn't appear to apply to commenting on her housing arrangements). Is this standard with this type of thing nowadays?

NDAs do seem to be standard, yes, which is an effing outrage.

They should be strictly limited in time and extent to only what is necessary - development of a new product, for example.

Carnyx

Leon said:

Has anyone ever had gruel? I haven't, and I don't know anyone that has. And you don't often see it in restaurants these days, as a main or even a starter - "Gruel"

Also, why don't they just thicken it a bit? With some cornflour? Does it have to be thin? The gruel industry just needs some imagination and it could make a major comeback

Anyone who has been to prison and been fed thin porridge in the morning would qualify; likewise, for instance, boarding school alumni/alumnae, Royal Navy matelots, etc. etc. Perhaps above a certain age.

No idea if it is in the modern menu of MoD contractors, though.

Selebian

DavidL said:

DecrepiterJohnL said:

DavidL said:

Oh the laws of defamation.

We should try free speech sometime.

What's defamation to do with the price of fish?

Well, if had been foolish enough to answer the question put to him by, for example, alleging that there had been some evasion of tax she could sue him if that turned out not to be an accurate statement of fact.

As the interviewer knew full well of course.

Is there not a way of phrasing it though without getting sued and without looking like a complete numpty?

"My concern was that she may have [whatever the hell she is supposed to have done], which is why I think it is appropriate that the police investigate fully to establish whether this is in fact the case."

Or do I have a touchingly naïve view of our libel laws?

Nigelb

DavidL said:

Oh the laws of defamation.

We should try free speech sometime.

The laws of defamation don't require you to say "a complaint was made" when you mean "I made a complaint".

FF43

Leon said:

Has anyone ever had gruel? I haven't, and I don't know anyone that has. And you don't often see it in restaurants these days, as a main or even a starter - "Gruel"

Also, why don't they just thicken it a bit? With some cornflour? Does it have to be thin? The gruel industry just needs some imagination and it could make a major comeback

Sure I have. It's a breakfast staple across much of Asia.

Anabobazina

Leon said:

Has anyone ever had gruel? I haven't, and I don't know anyone that has. And you don't often see it in restaurants these days, as a main or even a starter - "Gruel"

Also, why don't they just thicken it a bit? With some cornflour? Does it have to be thin? The gruel industry just needs some imagination and it could make a major comeback

A medium-bodied, lightly salted gruel would likely be a winner in the FMCG segment. One to ponder.

Carnyx

DavidL said:

DecrepiterJohnL said:

DavidL said:

Oh the laws of defamation.

We should try free speech sometime.

What's defamation to do with the price of fish?

Well, if had been foolish enough to answer the question put to him by, for example, alleging that there had been some evasion of tax she could sue him if that turned out not to be an accurate statement of fact.

As the interviewer knew full well of course.

What I don't understand in all this is - what's the legal difference between saying that to DCI Plod and to Ms Coburn? Or is the critical bit where the phone call is made from?

DecrepiterJohnL

Carnyx said:

Leon said:

Has anyone ever had gruel? I haven't, and I don't know anyone that has. And you don't often see it in restaurants these days, as a main or even a starter - "Gruel"

Also, why don't they just thicken it a bit? With some cornflour? Does it have to be thin? The gruel industry just needs some imagination and it could make a major comeback

Anyone who has been to prison and been fed thin porridge in the morning would qualify; likewise, for instance, boarding school alumni/alumnae, Royal Navy matelots, etc. etc. Perhaps above a certain age.

No idea if it is in the modern menu of MoD contractors, though.

Gruel is very moreish, if I've understood Dickens correctly.

kinabalu

I'm not clear on this Rayner business either. Dodging CGT on the sale of a property - I thought this is what she's being accused of. A matter between her and HMRC. So what are the police looking at?

DougSeal

DavidL said:

DecrepiterJohnL said:

DavidL said:

Oh the laws of defamation.

We should try free speech sometime.

What's defamation to do with the price of fish?

Well, if had been foolish enough to answer the question put to him by, for example, alleging that there had been some evasion of tax she could sue him if that turned out not to be an accurate statement of fact.

As the interviewer knew full well of course.

Hmmm..."I reported Angela Rayner to the police on the basis that I suspected there may have been a contravention of [x] but it is up to the police to determine whether there is evidence to proceed" would not be a statement that would cause someone to think less of Angela Rayner, furthermore it is presumably an honest opinion, and he himself has stated it was a matter of public interest. So, no. That doesn't fly.

CarlottaVance

FPT - thread:

By popular demand: Flow of the Vote, Scotland edition. Each block represents 25k voters in colour of 2019 vote, based on data from all Scottish polls this year.

Much like the Tories GB-wide, the SNP's vote has splintered in multiple directions, Labour the ultimate beneficiary.




https://x.com/Dylan_Difford/status/1780140319385756075

Nigelb

Leon said:

Has anyone ever had gruel? I haven't, and I don't know anyone that has. And you don't often see it in restaurants these days, as a main or even a starter - "Gruel"

Also, why don't they just thicken it a bit? With some cornflour? Does it have to be thin? The gruel industry just needs some imagination and it could make a major comeback

If you thicken it you couldn't drink it.
Gruel is a food consisting of some type of cereal—such as ground oats, wheat, rye, or rice—heated or boiled in water or milk. It is a thinner version of porridge that may be more often drunk rather than eaten. ..

Think of it as a very boring smoothie.

Theuniondivvie

Carnyx said:

Leon said:

Has anyone ever had gruel? I haven't, and I don't know anyone that has. And you don't often see it in restaurants these days, as a main or even a starter - "Gruel"

Also, why don't they just thicken it a bit? With some cornflour? Does it have to be thin? The gruel industry just needs some imagination and it could make a major comeback

Anyone who has been to prison and been fed thin porridge in the morning would qualify; likewise, for instance, boarding school alumni/alumnae, Royal Navy matelots, etc. etc. Perhaps above a certain age.

No idea if it is in the modern menu of MoD contractors, though.

My Angus grandad used to prepare me brose which was essentially boiling water over oats in a cup, perhaps a pinch of salt, sugar and Istr cinammon. Would that count?

LostPassword

Leon said:

Has anyone ever had gruel? I haven't, and I don't know anyone that has. And you don't often see it in restaurants these days, as a main or even a starter - "Gruel"

Also, why don't they just thicken it a bit? With some cornflour? Does it have to be thin? The gruel industry just needs some imagination and it could make a major comeback

Our primary school had us make gruel, and then eat it. I can confirm that thick gruel is no less unpleasant than thin gruel.

eek

kinabalu said:

I'm not clear on this Rayner business either. Dodging CGT on the sale of a property - I thought this is what she's being accused of. A matter between her and HMRC. So what are the police looking at?

You have election fraud (although that is well and truely time expired).

Reality is James Daly should be charged with wasting police time and sued for the money spent

kinabalu

Leon said:

Has anyone ever had gruel? I haven't, and I don't know anyone that has. And you don't often see it in restaurants these days, as a main or even a starter - "Gruel"

Also, why don't they just thicken it a bit? With some cornflour? Does it have to be thin? The gruel industry just needs some imagination and it could make a major comeback

It can be transformed with a sprinkling of blueberries.

Nigelb

DavidL said:

DecrepiterJohnL said:

DavidL said:

Oh the laws of defamation.

We should try free speech sometime.

What's defamation to do with the price of fish?

Well, if had been foolish enough to answer the question put to him by, for example, alleging that there had been some evasion of tax she could sue him if that turned out not to be an accurate statement of fact.

As the interviewer knew full well of course.

A consideration which seems to have left the owners and moderators of this site entirely untroubled.

No_Offence_Alan

LostPassword said:

Theuniondivvie said:

I noticed at the weekend that Rayner's noisy ex-assistant's payoff when he became an ex included an NDA (didn't appear to apply to commenting on her housing arrangements). Is this standard with this type of thing nowadays?

NDAs do seem to be standard, yes, which is an effing outrage.

They should be strictly limited in time and extent to only what is necessary - development of a new product, for example.

When I was made redundant, in 2012, I signed a "compromise agreement" which I think amounts to the same thing as an NDA. I got £100 for it!
NDAs/compromise agreements cut both ways though, it prevents the employer saying bad things, even if true, about the employee too.

Selebian

CarlottaVance said:

FPT - thread:

By popular demand: Flow of the Vote, Scotland edition. Each block represents 25k voters in colour of 2019 vote, based on data from all Scottish polls this year.

Much like the Tories GB-wide, the SNP's vote has splintered in multiple directions, Labour the ultimate beneficiary.




https://x.com/Dylan_Difford/status/1780140319385756075

"Preliminary research suggests voting for 'other' parties is highly protective against death within 4.5 years. Being too young to vote in 2019 also highly protective."

Nigelb

Selebian said:

DavidL said:

DecrepiterJohnL said:

DavidL said:

Oh the laws of defamation.

We should try free speech sometime.

What's defamation to do with the price of fish?

Well, if had been foolish enough to answer the question put to him by, for example, alleging that there had been some evasion of tax she could sue him if that turned out not to be an accurate statement of fact.

As the interviewer knew full well of course.

Is there not a way of phrasing it though without getting sued and without looking like a complete numpty?

"My concern was that she may have [whatever the hell she is supposed to have done], which is why I think it is appropriate that the police investigate fully to establish whether this is in fact the case."

Or do I have a touchingly naïve view of our libel laws?

Not in this particular case.

isam

Leon said:

Has anyone ever had gruel? I haven't, and I don't know anyone that has. And you don't often see it in restaurants these days, as a main or even a starter - "Gruel"

Also, why don't they just thicken it a bit? With some cornflour? Does it have to be thin? The gruel industry just needs some imagination and it could make a major comeback

I found out yesterday that it was on the Titanic's menu

Carnyx

FF43 said:

Leon said:

Has anyone ever had gruel? I haven't, and I don't know anyone that has. And you don't often see it in restaurants these days, as a main or even a starter - "Gruel"

Also, why don't they just thicken it a bit? With some cornflour? Does it have to be thin? The gruel industry just needs some imagination and it could make a major comeback

Sure I have. It's a breakfast staple across much of Asia.

Last time I ate in Garrard Street of an evening, the Chinese chaps at the next table were lapping up b ig bowls of what looked like rice gruel with bits of things like spring onions, prawns, pork etc. etc. in it.

david_herdson

On topic, I don't know if this has already been posted (probably, knowing pbc), but it's spot on so it's worth repeating even if so.

https://twitter.com/richardhorton1/status/1780130294927970414

Leon

kinabalu said:

Leon said:

Has anyone ever had gruel? I haven't, and I don't know anyone that has. And you don't often see it in restaurants these days, as a main or even a starter - "Gruel"

Also, why don't they just thicken it a bit? With some cornflour? Does it have to be thin? The gruel industry just needs some imagination and it could make a major comeback

It can be transformed with a sprinkling of blueberries.

They need to rebrand it. Supergruel - the ultimate fuel

Gruelina, mixed with spirulina

Same goes for "broken meats"

kinabalu

eek said:

kinabalu said:

I'm not clear on this Rayner business either. Dodging CGT on the sale of a property - I thought this is what she's being accused of. A matter between her and HMRC. So what are the police looking at?

You have election fraud (although that is well and truely time expired).

Reality is James Daly should be charged with wasting police time and sued for the money spent

Election fraud? How so? (allegedly).

Carnyx

Selebian said:

CarlottaVance said:

FPT - thread:

By popular demand: Flow of the Vote, Scotland edition. Each block represents 25k voters in colour of 2019 vote, based on data from all Scottish polls this year.

Much like the Tories GB-wide, the SNP's vote has splintered in multiple directions, Labour the ultimate beneficiary.




https://x.com/Dylan_Difford/status/1780140319385756075

"Preliminary research suggests voting for 'other' parties is highly protective against death within 4.5 years. Being too young to vote in 2019 also highly protective."

I also wondered how theyt got to ask the deceased voters how they voted.

Taz

Leon said:

kinabalu said:

Leon said:

Has anyone ever had gruel? I haven't, and I don't know anyone that has. And you don't often see it in restaurants these days, as a main or even a starter - "Gruel"

Also, why don't they just thicken it a bit? With some cornflour? Does it have to be thin? The gruel industry just needs some imagination and it could make a major comeback

It can be transformed with a sprinkling of blueberries.

They need to rebrand it. Supergruel - the ultimate fuel

Gruelina, mixed with spirulina

Same goes for "broken meats"

Humble Pie seems quite popular.

Pulpstar

Going back to the weather, on the rainfall totals we're definitely (YTD) the wettest (England, Wales) since 1818 but that year doesn't have daily data so not sure if we're ahead to date.
1937 could well overtake us in the next couple of days though.

Both those years ended up with 94 and 96 cm of rain respectively though, so you never know this year may end up dry(ish) after all !

DecrepiterJohnL

DecrepiterJohnL said:

FPT because this is the most significant political intelligence of the decade...

The Rest is Entertainment (not TRI Politics) on the relationship between TV viewing and voting based on data from More In Common.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eh_ByqfG2R4&t=1734s

In 2019, Conservatives had Strictly and IACGMOOH. Now Labour lead in both, so Keir Starmer will win. No more spoilers.

At the end, Richard Osman suggests the parties could do worse than consult television producers about what attracts audiences.

Thinking about it, New Labour had Peter Mandelson. Mrs Thatcher had playwrights like Ronald Harwood and advertising executives. Winston Churchill had Alexander Korda and Lord Beaverbrook (and also took advice from Cambridge-educated non-lawyer and BBC radio producer Guy Burgess).

Pulpstar

Who here remembers the winter & spring of 1818 ? Back when @JackW was a boy I think.

kinabalu

isam said:

Leon said:

Has anyone ever had gruel? I haven't, and I don't know anyone that has. And you don't often see it in restaurants these days, as a main or even a starter - "Gruel"

Also, why don't they just thicken it a bit? With some cornflour? Does it have to be thin? The gruel industry just needs some imagination and it could make a major comeback

I found out yesterday that it was on the Titanic's menu

How did you find that out as a matter of interest?

Theuniondivvie

Dramatic fall in hate in Scotland.
Alternatively the moronic timewasters have no stamina.

Leon

I get the same vibe with mess of pottage. I can't remember the last time I had a decent mess of pottage, when dining out. It's weird how that goes. One day everyone is eating endless messes of pottage, then a month later, it's all smashed avos on sourdough

DavidL

Malmesbury said:

DavidL said:

Oh the laws of defamation.

We should try free speech sometime.

There are always limits to free speech. Shouting “Fire” in theatres etc.

Or in front of a firing squad.

Stocky

david_herdson said:

On topic, I don't know if this has already been posted (probably, knowing pbc), but it's spot on so it's worth repeating even if so.

https://twitter.com/richardhorton1/status/1780130294927970414

Yes but you might want to consider the below for a fuller picture:

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2024/02/19/help-labour-succeed-ex-tory-minister-nick-boles/

Nigelb

.

david_herdson said:

On topic, I don't know if this has already been posted (probably, knowing pbc), but it's spot on so it's worth repeating even if so.

https://twitter.com/richardhorton1/status/1780130294927970414

A couple of the replies to that don't seem too concerned about our libel laws, either.

david_herdson

Stocky said:

david_herdson said:

On topic, I don't know if this has already been posted (probably, knowing pbc), but it's spot on so it's worth repeating even if so.

https://twitter.com/richardhorton1/status/1780130294927970414

Yes but you might want to consider the below for a fuller picture:

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2024/02/19/help-labour-succeed-ex-tory-minister-nick-boles/

I don't think that adds anything to the picture, other than - at most - the sign-off sentence. Are any of the facts in Boles' letter in question?

DecrepiterJohnL

Liz Truss. It occurs to me that she became Prime Minister on the back of a broken Brexit deal because as Trade Secretary it was her job to roll over EU trade deals with various countries, possibly tweaking them to our disadvantage.

The point was that amidst the chaos of Brexit and later Covid, Liz Truss was regularly in the papers with triumphant headlines as each trade deal was signed. Whoever had that job would have been a frontrunner for Downing Street.

DavidL

Carnyx said:

DavidL said:

DecrepiterJohnL said:

DavidL said:

Oh the laws of defamation.

We should try free speech sometime.

What's defamation to do with the price of fish?

Well, if had been foolish enough to answer the question put to him by, for example, alleging that there had been some evasion of tax she could sue him if that turned out not to be an accurate statement of fact.

As the interviewer knew full well of course.

What I don't understand in all this is - what's the legal difference between saying that to DCI Plod and to Ms Coburn? Or is the critical bit where the phone call is made from?

I don't think there is one. I defended a defamation action in Inverness where the pursuer was claiming he had been defamed when the defender made an allegation of illegal conduct by him to the police. He lost, but not on the ground that there was some absolute privilege that applied.

LostPassword

Leon said:

I get the same vibe with mess of pottage. I can't remember the last time I had a decent mess of pottage, when dining out. It's weird how that goes. One day everyone is eating endless messes of pottage, then a month later, it's all smashed avos on sourdough

My daughter's primary school made her class cook pottage, and they had to be in Tudor dress for the experience. A definite step up on gruel in my view, but sort of in the way that having a finger amputated is preferable to losing a hand.

Carnyx

Theuniondivvie said:

Carnyx said:

Leon said:

Has anyone ever had gruel? I haven't, and I don't know anyone that has. And you don't often see it in restaurants these days, as a main or even a starter - "Gruel"

Also, why don't they just thicken it a bit? With some cornflour? Does it have to be thin? The gruel industry just needs some imagination and it could make a major comeback

Anyone who has been to prison and been fed thin porridge in the morning would qualify; likewise, for instance, boarding school alumni/alumnae, Royal Navy matelots, etc. etc. Perhaps above a certain age.

No idea if it is in the modern menu of MoD contractors, though.

My Angus grandad used to prepare me brose which was essentially boiling water over oats in a cup, perhaps a pinch of salt, sugar and Istr cinammon. Would that count?

Probably not, with sugar and all, counts as pampering. Especially the Athole variety.

kinabalu

Leon said:

kinabalu said:

Leon said:

Has anyone ever had gruel? I haven't, and I don't know anyone that has. And you don't often see it in restaurants these days, as a main or even a starter - "Gruel"

Also, why don't they just thicken it a bit? With some cornflour? Does it have to be thin? The gruel industry just needs some imagination and it could make a major comeback

It can be transformed with a sprinkling of blueberries.

They need to rebrand it. Supergruel - the ultimate fuel

Gruelina, mixed with spirulina

Same goes for "broken meats"

The association with Victorian poorhouses is the problem. I don't think anything associated with Victorian poorhouses has ever managed to reinvent itself as a desirable consumer product.

Carnyx

DavidL said:

Carnyx said:

DavidL said:

DecrepiterJohnL said:

DavidL said:

Oh the laws of defamation.

We should try free speech sometime.

What's defamation to do with the price of fish?

Well, if had been foolish enough to answer the question put to him by, for example, alleging that there had been some evasion of tax she could sue him if that turned out not to be an accurate statement of fact.

As the interviewer knew full well of course.

What I don't understand in all this is - what's the legal difference between saying that to DCI Plod and to Ms Coburn? Or is the critical bit where the phone call is made from?

I don't think there is one. I defended a defamation action in Inverness where the pursuer was claiming he had been defamed when the defender made an allegation of illegal conduct by him to the police. He lost, but not on the ground that there was some absolute privilege that applied.

Thanks, that's interesting. Not what I had expected.

Malmesbury

DavidL said:

Carnyx said:

DavidL said:

DecrepiterJohnL said:

DavidL said:

Oh the laws of defamation.

We should try free speech sometime.

What's defamation to do with the price of fish?

Well, if had been foolish enough to answer the question put to him by, for example, alleging that there had been some evasion of tax she could sue him if that turned out not to be an accurate statement of fact.

As the interviewer knew full well of course.

What I don't understand in all this is - what's the legal difference between saying that to DCI Plod and to Ms Coburn? Or is the critical bit where the phone call is made from?

I don't think there is one. I defended a defamation action in Inverness where the pursuer was claiming he had been defamed when the defender made an allegation of illegal conduct by him to the police. He lost, but not on the ground that there was some absolute privilege that applied.

?

So you could, in theory, see the police sued for defamation, when they request an arrest warrant?

Nigelb

Carnyx said:

FF43 said:

Leon said:

Has anyone ever had gruel? I haven't, and I don't know anyone that has. And you don't often see it in restaurants these days, as a main or even a starter - "Gruel"

Also, why don't they just thicken it a bit? With some cornflour? Does it have to be thin? The gruel industry just needs some imagination and it could make a major comeback

Sure I have. It's a breakfast staple across much of Asia.

Last time I ate in Garrard Street of an evening, the Chinese chaps at the next table were lapping up b ig bowls of what looked like rice gruel with bits of things like spring onions, prawns, pork etc. etc. in it.

Congee ?

The Koreans have a similar rice dish, juk (죽), but it's usually more of a porridge consistency.

Heathener

Nigelb said:

Leon said:

Has anyone ever had gruel? I haven't, and I don't know anyone that has. And you don't often see it in restaurants these days, as a main or even a starter - "Gruel"

Also, why don't they just thicken it a bit? With some cornflour? Does it have to be thin? The gruel industry just needs some imagination and it could make a major comeback

If you thicken it you couldn't drink it.
Gruel is a food consisting of some type of cereal—such as ground oats, wheat, rye, or rice—heated or boiled in water or milk. It is a thinner version of porridge that may be more often drunk rather than eaten. ..

Think of it as a very boring smoothie.

I’m reminded about Grape Nuts. They have been extremely popular as a breakfast cereal in the US. The one thing you can say about Grape Nuts is that they contain neither grapes nor nuts.

https://www.mashed.com/371854/the-untold-truth-of-grape-nuts/

Theuniondivvie

Carnyx said:

Theuniondivvie said:

Carnyx said:

Leon said:

Has anyone ever had gruel? I haven't, and I don't know anyone that has. And you don't often see it in restaurants these days, as a main or even a starter - "Gruel"

Also, why don't they just thicken it a bit? With some cornflour? Does it have to be thin? The gruel industry just needs some imagination and it could make a major comeback

Anyone who has been to prison and been fed thin porridge in the morning would qualify; likewise, for instance, boarding school alumni/alumnae, Royal Navy matelots, etc. etc. Perhaps above a certain age.

No idea if it is in the modern menu of MoD contractors, though.

My Angus grandad used to prepare me brose which was essentially boiling water over oats in a cup, perhaps a pinch of salt, sugar and Istr cinammon. Would that count?

Probably not, with sugar and all, counts as pampering. Especially the Athole variety.

I guess so. That were luxury in 1970s Brechin.

Carnyx

kinabalu said:

Leon said:

kinabalu said:

Leon said:

Has anyone ever had gruel? I haven't, and I don't know anyone that has. And you don't often see it in restaurants these days, as a main or even a starter - "Gruel"

Also, why don't they just thicken it a bit? With some cornflour? Does it have to be thin? The gruel industry just needs some imagination and it could make a major comeback

It can be transformed with a sprinkling of blueberries.

They need to rebrand it. Supergruel - the ultimate fuel

Gruelina, mixed with spirulina

Same goes for "broken meats"

The association with Victorian poorhouses is the problem. I don't think anything associated with Victorian poorhouses has ever managed to reinvent itself as a desirable consumer product.

Surely that's not true? Plenty of buyers for Dickens's novel and the spin-off play, film, and CD. (And I do recommend Ruth Richardson's modern history.)

turbotubbs

DavidL said:

Malmesbury said:

DavidL said:

Oh the laws of defamation.

We should try free speech sometime.

There are always limits to free speech. Shouting “Fire” in theatres etc.

Or in front of a firing squad.

Self-limiting - you'd only do it once.

Nigelb

kinabalu said:

Leon said:

kinabalu said:

Leon said:

Has anyone ever had gruel? I haven't, and I don't know anyone that has. And you don't often see it in restaurants these days, as a main or even a starter - "Gruel"

Also, why don't they just thicken it a bit? With some cornflour? Does it have to be thin? The gruel industry just needs some imagination and it could make a major comeback

It can be transformed with a sprinkling of blueberries.

They need to rebrand it. Supergruel - the ultimate fuel

Gruelina, mixed with spirulina

Same goes for "broken meats"

The association with Victorian poorhouses is the problem. I don't think anything associated with Victorian poorhouses has ever managed to reinvent itself as a desirable consumer product.

That (broken meats) is just leftovers. Often consumed in our household.

Luckyguy1983

kinabalu said:

Leon said:

kinabalu said:

Leon said:

Has anyone ever had gruel? I haven't, and I don't know anyone that has. And you don't often see it in restaurants these days, as a main or even a starter - "Gruel"

Also, why don't they just thicken it a bit? With some cornflour? Does it have to be thin? The gruel industry just needs some imagination and it could make a major comeback

It can be transformed with a sprinkling of blueberries.

They need to rebrand it. Supergruel - the ultimate fuel

Gruelina, mixed with spirulina

Same goes for "broken meats"

The association with Victorian poorhouses is the problem. I don't think anything associated with Victorian poorhouses has ever managed to reinvent itself as a desirable consumer product.

It can't have been that bad, or Oliver Twist wouldn't have asked for more of it.

williamglenn

DecrepiterJohnL said:

Liz Truss. It occurs to me that she became Prime Minister on the back of a broken Brexit deal because as Trade Secretary it was her job to roll over EU trade deals with various countries, possibly tweaking them to our disadvantage.

The point was that amidst the chaos of Brexit and later Covid, Liz Truss was regularly in the papers with triumphant headlines as each trade deal was signed. Whoever had that job would have been a frontrunner for Downing Street.

It could have been Liam Fox.

kinabalu

Theuniondivvie said:

Dramatic fall in hate in Scotland.
Alternatively the moronic timewasters have no stamina.

Weren't most of the initial blizzard of referrals 'LOL' ones targeted at Yousaf himself?

Carnyx

Nigelb said:

Carnyx said:

FF43 said:

Leon said:

Has anyone ever had gruel? I haven't, and I don't know anyone that has. And you don't often see it in restaurants these days, as a main or even a starter - "Gruel"

Also, why don't they just thicken it a bit? With some cornflour? Does it have to be thin? The gruel industry just needs some imagination and it could make a major comeback

Sure I have. It's a breakfast staple across much of Asia.

Last time I ate in Garrard Street of an evening, the Chinese chaps at the next table were lapping up b ig bowls of what looked like rice gruel with bits of things like spring onions, prawns, pork etc. etc. in it.

Congee ?

The Koreans have a similar rice dish, juk (죽), but it's usually more of a porridge consistency.

That's it, I think.

nico679

If Manchester police can’t charge Rayner with an electoral law offense because of the time limit then what exactly are they investigating.

Or is this just a performative exercise to get Daly to stfu !

Carnyx

Luckyguy1983 said:

kinabalu said:

Leon said:

kinabalu said:

Leon said:

Has anyone ever had gruel? I haven't, and I don't know anyone that has. And you don't often see it in restaurants these days, as a main or even a starter - "Gruel"

Also, why don't they just thicken it a bit? With some cornflour? Does it have to be thin? The gruel industry just needs some imagination and it could make a major comeback

It can be transformed with a sprinkling of blueberries.

They need to rebrand it. Supergruel - the ultimate fuel

Gruelina, mixed with spirulina

Same goes for "broken meats"

The association with Victorian poorhouses is the problem. I don't think anything associated with Victorian poorhouses has ever managed to reinvent itself as a desirable consumer product.

It can't have been that bad, or Oliver Twist wouldn't have asked for more of it.

It was slightly more nutritious than the local water, and safer (having been boiled).

Fairliered

Theuniondivvie said:

Dramatic fall in hate in Scotland.
Alternatively the moronic timewasters have no stamina.

The people who thought they could get the collars felt of those that disagreed with them, have found out that they can’t.

kinabalu

Nigelb said:

kinabalu said:

Leon said:

kinabalu said:

Leon said:

Has anyone ever had gruel? I haven't, and I don't know anyone that has. And you don't often see it in restaurants these days, as a main or even a starter - "Gruel"

Also, why don't they just thicken it a bit? With some cornflour? Does it have to be thin? The gruel industry just needs some imagination and it could make a major comeback

It can be transformed with a sprinkling of blueberries.

They need to rebrand it. Supergruel - the ultimate fuel

Gruelina, mixed with spirulina

Same goes for "broken meats"

The association with Victorian poorhouses is the problem. I don't think anything associated with Victorian poorhouses has ever managed to reinvent itself as a desirable consumer product.

That (broken meats) is just leftovers. Often consumed in our household.

Same here. Very big on leftovers. Often taste better that way.

Selebian

Heathener said:

Nigelb said:

Leon said:

Has anyone ever had gruel? I haven't, and I don't know anyone that has. And you don't often see it in restaurants these days, as a main or even a starter - "Gruel"

Also, why don't they just thicken it a bit? With some cornflour? Does it have to be thin? The gruel industry just needs some imagination and it could make a major comeback

If you thicken it you couldn't drink it.
Gruel is a food consisting of some type of cereal—such as ground oats, wheat, rye, or rice—heated or boiled in water or milk. It is a thinner version of porridge that may be more often drunk rather than eaten. ..

Think of it as a very boring smoothie.

I’m reminded about Grape Nuts. They have been extremely popular as a breakfast cereal in the US. The one thing you can say about Grape Nuts is that they contain neither grapes nor nuts.

https://www.mashed.com/371854/the-untold-truth-of-grape-nuts/

"created in Battle Creek, Michigan, by Charles W Post, who also thought up the rather unusual name" (that's from memory - I was big into them as a kid once I graduated from soggy rice krispies or cornflakes). Haven't had them in years, though.

Theuniondivvie

kinabalu said:

Theuniondivvie said:

Dramatic fall in hate in Scotland.
Alternatively the moronic timewasters have no stamina.

Weren't most of the initial blizzard of referrals 'LOL' ones targeted at Yousaf himself?

And Rowling I believe, who can leave no scene unmartyred.
The complaints against Humza were condign punishment for daring to bring in this legislation (with SLab and the LDs of course), while the complaints against Rowling were just the latest torrent of vile abuse against a woman much sinned against.
Or so I have read.

TimS

Carnyx said:

kinabalu said:

Leon said:

kinabalu said:

Leon said:

Has anyone ever had gruel? I haven't, and I don't know anyone that has. And you don't often see it in restaurants these days, as a main or even a starter - "Gruel"

Also, why don't they just thicken it a bit? With some cornflour? Does it have to be thin? The gruel industry just needs some imagination and it could make a major comeback

It can be transformed with a sprinkling of blueberries.

They need to rebrand it. Supergruel - the ultimate fuel

Gruelina, mixed with spirulina

Same goes for "broken meats"

The association with Victorian poorhouses is the problem. I don't think anything associated with Victorian poorhouses has ever managed to reinvent itself as a desirable consumer product.

Surely that's not true? Plenty of buyers for Dickens's novel and the spin-off play, film, and CD. (And I do recommend Ruth Richardson's modern history.)

Other desirable consumer phenomena coming out of Victorian poorhouses:

- thin physiques and BMI below 21
- cheerful singalongs (see also: New York orphanages)
- multiple occupancy accommodation in inner London
- several episodes of who do you think you are
- working from home
- small plates dining

DecrepiterJohnL

Selebian said:

Heathener said:

Nigelb said:

Leon said:

Has anyone ever had gruel? I haven't, and I don't know anyone that has. And you don't often see it in restaurants these days, as a main or even a starter - "Gruel"

Also, why don't they just thicken it a bit? With some cornflour? Does it have to be thin? The gruel industry just needs some imagination and it could make a major comeback

If you thicken it you couldn't drink it.
Gruel is a food consisting of some type of cereal—such as ground oats, wheat, rye, or rice—heated or boiled in water or milk. It is a thinner version of porridge that may be more often drunk rather than eaten. ..

Think of it as a very boring smoothie.

I’m reminded about Grape Nuts. They have been extremely popular as a breakfast cereal in the US. The one thing you can say about Grape Nuts is that they contain neither grapes nor nuts.

https://www.mashed.com/371854/the-untold-truth-of-grape-nuts/

"created in Battle Creek, Michigan, by Charles W Post, who also thought up the rather unusual name" (that's from memory - I was big into them as a kid once I graduated from soggy rice krispies or cornflakes). Haven't had them in years, though.

Head to the cereal aisle of any supermarket.

NickPalmer

Selebian said:

Heathener said:

Nigelb said:

Leon said:

Has anyone ever had gruel? I haven't, and I don't know anyone that has. And you don't often see it in restaurants these days, as a main or even a starter - "Gruel"

Also, why don't they just thicken it a bit? With some cornflour? Does it have to be thin? The gruel industry just needs some imagination and it could make a major comeback

If you thicken it you couldn't drink it.
Gruel is a food consisting of some type of cereal—such as ground oats, wheat, rye, or rice—heated or boiled in water or milk. It is a thinner version of porridge that may be more often drunk rather than eaten. ..

Think of it as a very boring smoothie.

I’m reminded about Grape Nuts. They have been extremely popular as a breakfast cereal in the US. The one thing you can say about Grape Nuts is that they contain neither grapes nor nuts.

https://www.mashed.com/371854/the-untold-truth-of-grape-nuts/

"created in Battle Creek, Michigan, by Charles W Post, who also thought up the rather unusual name" (that's from memory - I was big into them as a kid once I graduated from soggy rice krispies or cornflakes). Haven't had them in years, though.

I have them most days as a top-up to muesli (I only need sandals and I can qualify to be a LibDem). They're amazingly expensive for the small packets, but still quite distinctive.

DavidL

Malmesbury said:

DavidL said:

Carnyx said:

DavidL said:

DecrepiterJohnL said:

DavidL said:

Oh the laws of defamation.

We should try free speech sometime.

What's defamation to do with the price of fish?

Well, if had been foolish enough to answer the question put to him by, for example, alleging that there had been some evasion of tax she could sue him if that turned out not to be an accurate statement of fact.

As the interviewer knew full well of course.

What I don't understand in all this is - what's the legal difference between saying that to DCI Plod and to Ms Coburn? Or is the critical bit where the phone call is made from?

I don't think there is one. I defended a defamation action in Inverness where the pursuer was claiming he had been defamed when the defender made an allegation of illegal conduct by him to the police. He lost, but not on the ground that there was some absolute privilege that applied.

?

So you could, in theory, see the police sued for defamation, when they request an arrest warrant?

They would have a defence of carrying out a public duty pf investigating a complaint but if the application for the arrest warrant, for example, was malicious, then yes. Of course one of the problems with actions based on this is that the level of public disclosure is of course minimal (since the police have a duty to be discreet) making any damages notional. If you made a false allegation that got to trial, however, that might be different. So there is a potential civil remedy if someone is falsely accused of rape, for example.

Heathener

Selebian said:

Heathener said:

Nigelb said:

Leon said:

Has anyone ever had gruel? I haven't, and I don't know anyone that has. And you don't often see it in restaurants these days, as a main or even a starter - "Gruel"

Also, why don't they just thicken it a bit? With some cornflour? Does it have to be thin? The gruel industry just needs some imagination and it could make a major comeback

If you thicken it you couldn't drink it.
Gruel is a food consisting of some type of cereal—such as ground oats, wheat, rye, or rice—heated or boiled in water or milk. It is a thinner version of porridge that may be more often drunk rather than eaten. ..

Think of it as a very boring smoothie.

I’m reminded about Grape Nuts. They have been extremely popular as a breakfast cereal in the US. The one thing you can say about Grape Nuts is that they contain neither grapes nor nuts.

https://www.mashed.com/371854/the-untold-truth-of-grape-nuts/

"created in Battle Creek, Michigan, by Charles W Post, who also thought up the rather unusual name" (that's from memory - I was big into them as a kid once I graduated from soggy rice krispies or cornflakes). Haven't had them in years, though.

That’s right.

They became very popular again (in the US) during the pandemic. Comfort food I guess?

Also used in ice cream.

TimS

LostPassword said:

Leon said:

I get the same vibe with mess of pottage. I can't remember the last time I had a decent mess of pottage, when dining out. It's weird how that goes. One day everyone is eating endless messes of pottage, then a month later, it's all smashed avos on sourdough

My daughter's primary school made her class cook pottage, and they had to be in Tudor dress for the experience. A definite step up on gruel in my view, but sort of in the way that having a finger amputated is preferable to losing a hand.

Is it related in any way to Pease Pudding (hot, cold, or 9-day aged)?

Sunil_Prasannan

First heard the word "gruel" when we sang the songs to "Oliver!" at primary school.

I don't think it was on the school dinner menu, though!

Sunil_Prasannan

"National Conservative German Workers' Party"

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-68826577

Carnyx

TimS said:

LostPassword said:

Leon said:

I get the same vibe with mess of pottage. I can't remember the last time I had a decent mess of pottage, when dining out. It's weird how that goes. One day everyone is eating endless messes of pottage, then a month later, it's all smashed avos on sourdough

My daughter's primary school made her class cook pottage, and they had to be in Tudor dress for the experience. A definite step up on gruel in my view, but sort of in the way that having a finger amputated is preferable to losing a hand.

Is it related in any way to Pease Pudding (hot, cold, or 9-day aged)?

Pease pudding is fairly solid stuff - think really thick lentil soup, the kind that you can turn out of the bowl when it's cold.
https://www.lavenderandlovage.com/2020/04/mums-pease-pudding-recipe.html

Selebian

Just got canvassed (Lab) for the N Yorks Mayoral election.

Canvasser reckons they have a good chance (do canvassers ever say anything else?)

Can't see it myself, but might test it, depending on the other candidates.

DecrepiterJohnL

TimS said:

LostPassword said:

Leon said:

I get the same vibe with mess of pottage. I can't remember the last time I had a decent mess of pottage, when dining out. It's weird how that goes. One day everyone is eating endless messes of pottage, then a month later, it's all smashed avos on sourdough

My daughter's primary school made her class cook pottage, and they had to be in Tudor dress for the experience. A definite step up on gruel in my view, but sort of in the way that having a finger amputated is preferable to losing a hand.

Is it related in any way to Pease Pudding (hot, cold, or 9-day aged)?

No. The clue is in the name. It is pretty bloody awful though if I remember school dinners correctly; pease pudding was not a fan favourite.

Heathener

Sunil_Prasannan said:

First heard the word "gruel" when we sang the songs to "Oliver!" at primary school.

I don't think it was on the school dinner menu, though!

Which neatly leads on a loop back to the limits of free speech. Standing up in a primary school class to teach the kids about the wonders of paedophilia, for example.

Sorry that’s so distasteful but those who blather about limitless free speech don’t stop and think about it. Or perhaps they do, which is considerably worse.

TimS

"You’ll note that we’re never in the chamber at the same time… I’m currently dictating to her through an earpiece disguised as a roll-up… she’s repeated every word so far… I might try that Anchor Man thing and see if she just repeats it verbatim…"

https://x.com/timfarron/status/1780234762277281885

isam

kinabalu said:

isam said:

Leon said:

Has anyone ever had gruel? I haven't, and I don't know anyone that has. And you don't often see it in restaurants these days, as a main or even a starter - "Gruel"

Also, why don't they just thicken it a bit? With some cornflour? Does it have to be thin? The gruel industry just needs some imagination and it could make a major comeback

I found out yesterday that it was on the Titanic's menu

How did you find that out as a matter of interest?

https://x.com/fxmc1957/status/1779414547863937397?s=46&t=CW4pL-mMpTqsJXCdjW0Z6Q

TimS

DecrepiterJohnL said:

TimS said:

LostPassword said:

Leon said:

I get the same vibe with mess of pottage. I can't remember the last time I had a decent mess of pottage, when dining out. It's weird how that goes. One day everyone is eating endless messes of pottage, then a month later, it's all smashed avos on sourdough

My daughter's primary school made her class cook pottage, and they had to be in Tudor dress for the experience. A definite step up on gruel in my view, but sort of in the way that having a finger amputated is preferable to losing a hand.

Is it related in any way to Pease Pudding (hot, cold, or 9-day aged)?

No. The clue is in the name. It is pretty bloody awful though if I remember school dinners correctly; pease pudding was not a fan favourite.

So Pease Pottage (Sussex village and motorway services): pottage, but made with peas(s)? Rather than an archaic name for pease pudding.

SeaShantyIrish2

Tory hacks have gone fishing . . . yet again . . .

PB's own isam could & would have done better job than JD (soon-to-be-ex) MP.

kinabalu

Fairliered said:

Theuniondivvie said:

Dramatic fall in hate in Scotland.
Alternatively the moronic timewasters have no stamina.

The people who thought they could get the collars felt of those that disagreed with them, have found out that they can’t.

Key metric is how much nasty stuff is being said. Will there be less of it? Will the law have its desired chilling effect on the saying of nasty stuff?

DecrepiterJohnL

The BBC presents an apparently random collection of facts about the Indian election. Good for school projects, I expect.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/extra/2gd2po82go/big-india-election

Stark_Dawning

TimS said:

DecrepiterJohnL said:

TimS said:

LostPassword said:

Leon said:

I get the same vibe with mess of pottage. I can't remember the last time I had a decent mess of pottage, when dining out. It's weird how that goes. One day everyone is eating endless messes of pottage, then a month later, it's all smashed avos on sourdough

My daughter's primary school made her class cook pottage, and they had to be in Tudor dress for the experience. A definite step up on gruel in my view, but sort of in the way that having a finger amputated is preferable to losing a hand.

Is it related in any way to Pease Pudding (hot, cold, or 9-day aged)?

No. The clue is in the name. It is pretty bloody awful though if I remember school dinners correctly; pease pudding was not a fan favourite.

So Pease Pottage (Sussex village and motorway services): pottage, but made with peas(s)? Rather than an archaic name for pease pudding.

Yes, that's right. They used to feed it to prisoners there during the stop-off from London to the court at Lewis.

Andy_JS

O/T

One of the best writers on popular music, Simon Reynolds, has a new book coming out.

https://twitter.com/SimonRetromania/status/1778467456258093428

"Simon Reynolds
@SimonRetromania
My new book Futuromania is out today in the UK via @WhiteRabbitBks! Details at my blog, including the @NTSlive show I just did around the book
https://blissout.blogspot.com/2024/04/futuromania-out-today.html"

Sunil_Prasannan

DecrepiterJohnL said:

The BBC presents an apparently random collection of facts about the Indian election. Good for school projects, I expect.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/extra/2gd2po82go/big-india-election

I thought the fall in India's Press Freedom Index rating was probably the most interesting (and worrying) development.

Nigelb

Why is it still allowed to be called Alfa Romeo, then ?

Alfa Romeo Milano Now Named ‘Junior’ Because Of Italian Law Protecting Cheese
The car will be built in Poland, not Italy, which means it’s not allowed to bear an Italian-sounding name.
https://insideevs.com/news/716161/alfa-romeo-junior-rename-milano/

kinabalu

isam said:

kinabalu said:

isam said:

Leon said:

Has anyone ever had gruel? I haven't, and I don't know anyone that has. And you don't often see it in restaurants these days, as a main or even a starter - "Gruel"

Also, why don't they just thicken it a bit? With some cornflour? Does it have to be thin? The gruel industry just needs some imagination and it could make a major comeback

I found out yesterday that it was on the Titanic's menu

How did you find that out as a matter of interest?

https://x.com/fxmc1957/status/1779414547863937397?s=46&t=CW4pL-mMpTqsJXCdjW0Z6Q

That looks terrific esp for 3rd class. The passengers could have no complaints on that score anyway.

Nigelb

kinabalu said:

isam said:

kinabalu said:

isam said:

Leon said:

Has anyone ever had gruel? I haven't, and I don't know anyone that has. And you don't often see it in restaurants these days, as a main or even a starter - "Gruel"

Also, why don't they just thicken it a bit? With some cornflour? Does it have to be thin? The gruel industry just needs some imagination and it could make a major comeback

I found out yesterday that it was on the Titanic's menu

How did you find that out as a matter of interest?

https://x.com/fxmc1957/status/1779414547863937397?s=46&t=CW4pL-mMpTqsJXCdjW0Z6Q

That looks terrific esp for 3rd class. The passengers could have no complaints on that score anyway.

Bit short on greens.

DavidL

DecrepiterJohnL said:

The BBC presents an apparently random collection of facts about the Indian election. Good for school projects, I expect.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/extra/2gd2po82go/big-india-election

One telling statistic is that they elect 543 MPs with an electorate of 1.4bn whilst we seem to think we need 650 for 5% of that number.

Theuniondivvie

kinabalu said:

Fairliered said:

Theuniondivvie said:

Dramatic fall in hate in Scotland.
Alternatively the moronic timewasters have no stamina.

The people who thought they could get the collars felt of those that disagreed with them, have found out that they can’t.

Key metric is how much nasty stuff is being said. Will there be less of it? Will the law have its desired chilling effect on the saying of nasty stuff?

One identifiable example not far from me, though no doubt there are those that think discouraging people from singing about being 'up to our knees in Fenian blood' is a terrible blow against free speech.

https://x.com/ScotNational/status/1778321333740527730

DavidL

Nigelb said:

kinabalu said:

isam said:

kinabalu said:

isam said:

Leon said:

Has anyone ever had gruel? I haven't, and I don't know anyone that has. And you don't often see it in restaurants these days, as a main or even a starter - "Gruel"

Also, why don't they just thicken it a bit? With some cornflour? Does it have to be thin? The gruel industry just needs some imagination and it could make a major comeback

I found out yesterday that it was on the Titanic's menu

How did you find that out as a matter of interest?

https://x.com/fxmc1957/status/1779414547863937397?s=46&t=CW4pL-mMpTqsJXCdjW0Z6Q

That looks terrific esp for 3rd class. The passengers could have no complaints on that score anyway.

Bit short on greens.

Maybe some ice? Or perhaps not.