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A Good Sport? – politicalbetting.com

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  • Roger said:

    Roger said:

    OT A bit crazy to blame hotel staff because Liam Payne took drugs.

    Ridiculous in fact. Is there anywhere where people are responsible for themselves?

    It is alleged they sold him drugs
    Did they threaten him if he didn't buy them?
    I have no idea and only saying what has been reported

    Best not to speculate on this case
  • The EU will make mincemeat of Starmer in these negotiations. He'll make Theresa May look like Margaret Thatcher.

    I bet they're already smacking their lips with glee, and can't bloody wait.
  • TimSTimS Posts: 13,583

    The EU will make mincemeat of Starmer in these negotiations. He'll make Theresa May look like Margaret Thatcher.

    I bet they're already smacking their lips with glee, and can't bloody wait.

    This evening’s vibe etc etc
  • MalmesburyMalmesbury Posts: 52,106

    Roger said:

    Roger said:

    OT A bit crazy to blame hotel staff because Liam Payne took drugs.

    Ridiculous in fact. Is there anywhere where people are responsible for themselves?

    It is alleged they sold him drugs
    Did they threaten him if he didn't buy them?
    I have no idea and only saying what has been reported

    Best not to speculate on this case
    From the BBC story (information given by the legal authorities handling the case)

    Hotel employee EDP is suspected of having sold Liam Payne cocaine on 15 and 16 October

    Waiter BNP is also suspected of having sold cocaine to Liam Payne twice on 14 October

    Payne's friend RLN is suspected of manslaughter for allegedly "failing to fulfil his duties of care, assistance and help" towards the singer after having "abandoned him to his luck knowing that he was incapable of fending for himself and knowing that he [Payne] suffered from multiple addictions"

    Hotel Manager GAM is suspected of manslaughter for allegedly failing to stop Payne from being taken to his hotel room moments before his death. According to the court papers, given Payne's state, the room's balcony posed a "serious threat" and the manager should have ensured Payne was kept in a safe place until medical help arrived

    Chief receptionist ERG is also suspected of manslaughter for allegedly asking three people to "drag" Payne, who could not stand up, to his room, instead of keeping him safe.
  • MexicanpeteMexicanpete Posts: 29,481
    edited December 2024
    ...
  • williamglennwilliamglenn Posts: 52,883
    TimS said:

    carnforth said:

    ....

    Just reading Tim Shipman's "Out" - how Brexit got done and the Tories were undone - which is a remarkable book.

    Nearly 400 pages in I've had my first snort out loud.

    I'm reading about The Nightmare Before Christmas, where talks almost broke down on 21st December 2020 over fish - the EU wanted a hammer clause across the whole treaty if it didn't get what it wanted on fish quotas in future - and it describes a 1:1 between Johnson and von der Leyen where he told her at 8pm, "I cannot sign this treaty, Ursula. I can't do something that is not in my country's interests". He then spoke 'terrible German' to von der Leyen, 'Viel hummer, kein hammer' (lots of lobster, no hammer). And then sought to explain the problem with reference to a surreal sketch from Monty Python.

    Does remind me that for all his faults Johnson was funny.

    Funny as in peculiar.

    Someone's comic genius is someone else's complete w*****.
    The EU have bought back this concept in the latest negotiations - they want the five-year transitional fishing arrangements extended permanently - and claiming it as a red line. Hopefully Starmer will be as robust.
    Starmer will concede it in the first 30 seconds.
    This evening’s vibe: “I don’t like the government, therefore I’ll predict that they’ll do something really bad and then feel pre-emptively and satisfyingly indignant about it.”
    I'm sticking to my contrarian take that Reeves' jobs tax is just what we need to reduce the level of immigration. We need to make it more expensive to employ people.
  • Pagan2Pagan2 Posts: 10,166
    TimS said:

    carnforth said:

    ....

    Just reading Tim Shipman's "Out" - how Brexit got done and the Tories were undone - which is a remarkable book.

    Nearly 400 pages in I've had my first snort out loud.

    I'm reading about The Nightmare Before Christmas, where talks almost broke down on 21st December 2020 over fish - the EU wanted a hammer clause across the whole treaty if it didn't get what it wanted on fish quotas in future - and it describes a 1:1 between Johnson and von der Leyen where he told her at 8pm, "I cannot sign this treaty, Ursula. I can't do something that is not in my country's interests". He then spoke 'terrible German' to von der Leyen, 'Viel hummer, kein hammer' (lots of lobster, no hammer). And then sought to explain the problem with reference to a surreal sketch from Monty Python.

    Does remind me that for all his faults Johnson was funny.

    Funny as in peculiar.

    Someone's comic genius is someone else's complete w*****.
    The EU have bought back this concept in the latest negotiations - they want the five-year transitional fishing arrangements extended permanently - and claiming it as a red line. Hopefully Starmer will be as robust.
    Starmer will concede it in the first 30 seconds.
    This evening’s vibe: “I don’t like the government, therefore I’ll predict that they’ll do something really bad and then feel pre-emptively and satisfyingly indignant about it.”
    We can judge them on past performance because they are already doing the same with the chagos negotiations. Waiting for a government to do something then criticising them for it is what we usually call locking the door after the horse has bolted.....make a fuss before they do it give them a heads up that it won't be popular
  • MexicanpeteMexicanpete Posts: 29,481
    TimS said:

    ....

    Just reading Tim Shipman's "Out" - how Brexit got done and the Tories were undone - which is a remarkable book.

    Nearly 400 pages in I've had my first snort out loud.

    I'm reading about The Nightmare Before Christmas, where talks almost broke down on 21st December 2020 over fish - the EU wanted a hammer clause across the whole treaty if it didn't get what it wanted on fish quotas in future - and it describes a 1:1 between Johnson and von der Leyen where he told her at 8pm, "I cannot sign this treaty, Ursula. I can't do something that is not in my country's interests". He then spoke 'terrible German' to von der Leyen, 'Viel hummer, kein hammer' (lots of lobster, no hammer). And then sought to explain the problem with reference to a surreal sketch from Monty Python.

    Does remind me that for all his faults Johnson was funny.

    Funny as in peculiar.

    Someone's comic genius is someone else's complete w*****.
    I got talking to a French neighbour yesterday (strictly speaking the new boyfriend - but he’s in his 60s - of our long standing neighbour Barbara).

    After we’d done commenting on the foggy weather, discussed their pregnant horse and I’d introduced my son to him, he mentioned that he’s in the middle of reading Boris Johnson’s book, in the French translation. Which is, he said, hilarious. “Johnson is a very talented writer”.

    Interesting that a random bourgeois in rural France should be picking up Boris Johnson memoirs in the local bookshop.
    Maybe it gains humour in translation. I haven't looked at Unleashed but I have attempted to read The Churchill Factor which I found to be unreadable nonsense.

    The writing style is hackneyed and the essence
    of the book was how Churchill in his finest moments channelled Johnson.
  • Roger said:

    Roger said:

    OT A bit crazy to blame hotel staff because Liam Payne took drugs.

    Ridiculous in fact. Is there anywhere where people are responsible for themselves?

    It is alleged they sold him drugs
    Did they threaten him if he didn't buy them?
    I have no idea and only saying what has been reported

    Best not to speculate on this case
    From the BBC story (information given by the legal authorities handling the case)

    Hotel employee EDP is suspected of having sold Liam Payne cocaine on 15 and 16 October

    Waiter BNP is also suspected of having sold cocaine to Liam Payne twice on 14 October

    Payne's friend RLN is suspected of manslaughter for allegedly "failing to fulfil his duties of care, assistance and help" towards the singer after having "abandoned him to his luck knowing that he was incapable of fending for himself and knowing that he [Payne] suffered from multiple addictions"

    Hotel Manager GAM is suspected of manslaughter for allegedly failing to stop Payne from being taken to his hotel room moments before his death. According to the court papers, given Payne's state, the room's balcony posed a "serious threat" and the manager should have ensured Payne was kept in a safe place until medical help arrived

    Chief receptionist ERG is also suspected of manslaughter for allegedly asking three people to "drag" Payne, who could not stand up, to his room, instead of keeping him safe.
    Yes and best not to speculate on the case
  • Sean_F said:

    One term latest:


    Labour urged to drop ‘Western-centric’ science in school curriculum

    https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2024/12/30/labour-urged-drop-western-centric-science-curriculum/

    Is there such a thing as "non-Western-centric" science?
    Astrology, perhaps?
    Bunk, NOT science!
  • Foxy said:

    Andy_JS said:

    "Welsh Ambulance Service declares critical incident"

    https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c62z14perego

    Not the only one.

    In the West Midlands alone 183 Ambulances are waiting outside hospitals, over 100 have been there more than an hour. 18 are en route.to somewhere.

    Glad I'm not working until Thursday...

    Does any other european country have this annual nightmare of A&E chaos and ambulance crisis?

    Happy to be corrected, but I dont think they do.
  • FoxyFoxy Posts: 49,582
    Dame Emily Thornberry:

    “She added that, on telling the drag queen Ella Vaday that she was going to be a dame, her friend, who was then appearing in a pantomime, replied: "Oh fantastic, and where are you on?"

    https://bsky.app/profile/ashcowburn.bsky.social/post/3lekln2rldc2e

    Well, it made me laugh...
  • dixiedean said:

    What are the odds next year's Manchester Derbies are in the Championship?
    A heck of a lot shorter than two months ago.

    I wouldn't go that far
    Well, it's all relative. But while Man Utd are genuine relegation contenders now - second-bottom in the 6-game form guide and worryingly close (from their point of view) to the relegation zone after half a season - Man City already have 31 points: two more wins and that's probably enough to stay up by itself.
  • https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c1ln96d4yyeo

    Lots of excellence on that list.. Southgate for services to winning and Khan for London nightlife no doubt..🥴🧐

  • ‪The Guardian‬ ‪@theguardian.com‬

    Trump sides with Musk on support for H-1B visas for foreign tech workers



    ‪Timothy Snyder‬ ‪@timothysnyder.bsky.social‬

    Not unusual for a press spokesman to repeat the government line.

    https://bsky.app/profile/timothysnyder.bsky.social/post/3lekgu2do4c2k
  • Foxy said:

    Dame Emily Thornberry:

    “She added that, on telling the drag queen Ella Vaday that she was going to be a dame, her friend, who was then appearing in a pantomime, replied: "Oh fantastic, and where are you on?"

    https://bsky.app/profile/ashcowburn.bsky.social/post/3lekln2rldc2e

    Well, it made me laugh...

    Services to the England flag?
  • williamglennwilliamglenn Posts: 52,883


    ‪The Guardian‬ ‪@theguardian.com‬

    Trump sides with Musk on support for H-1B visas for foreign tech workers


    ‪Timothy Snyder‬ ‪@timothysnyder.bsky.social‬

    Not unusual for a press spokesman to repeat the government line.

    https://bsky.app/profile/timothysnyder.bsky.social/post/3lekgu2do4c2k

    Snyder‬ has spent years telling everyone that Trump is Hitler. Is he admitting that this was always nonsense?
  • LostPasswordLostPassword Posts: 19,090

    ohnotnow said:

    rcs1000 said:

    Omnium said:

    The ruble has lost 5% against the dollar.

    Just today.

    Trump has an opportunity to bring Russia to heel - simply by saying he will continue supporting Ukraine. Putin's strategy has been to use all his men and material to get him to January 2025 in the expectation of a political reset. If that doesn't come about, then he cannot continue as he has. As well as a military at breaking point, Putin has an economy that has been writing cheques it cannot cash. It's collapse could be rapid - and spectacular.

    If there's a chance that Russia will collapse then better to let it do so. Huge risks either way, but an organised flailing about is probably better for others than an unorganised one.
    Hmm. Not sure about how good it thing it would be for a nuclear armed power with well north of 100 million people collapsing.
    Well, it's certainly not a good thing for a nuclear armed power to be going round meddling in other countries affairs and cutting undersea power and internet cables.

    Yet here we are.
    Sure, but a Russia taken over by a mafia group, ultra-nationalists, terrorists or collapsing in chaos with a civil war and nukes sold to the highest bidder isn't good news either. And, in fact, could be even worse.

    We shouldn't like our schadenfreude blind our imaginations to the fact that it could be much worse still.
    We could send them Liz. Imagine what they could do with all that growth. As I remember Mrs.Thatcher was popular in Gorbachev-era Russia. And Liz is her true successor - in both her and the Telegraphs fevered minds.
    Gorbachev is probably as good as it gets in Russia.

    Yeltsin was proto nationalist and was only held back from being more Putinesque by his drink, and he was his progedy for a reason.
    Yeltsin was a classic chancer-politician who liked power and liked to be popular. He had no fixed ideology and brought down the USSR from within solely so that he could run Russia as a state for himself (which was probably a personal strategic mistake as he was in a position to take over from Gorbachev and could have held on to most of the country).

    Yeltsin went through any number of PMs and Putin was foisted on him by a KGB-FSB clique who were rightly worried that they may lose what precarious grip on power they retained. But they were lucky the music stopped when Putin was in the hot-seat; there was no guarantee of that (Chechen wars and staged apartment bombings notwithstanding).

    But what comes next can be impossible to predict. Who knows what the second rank would do if allowed power. Putin was not obviously a new dictator in 2000. In fact he looked out of his depth and the Oligarchy looked set to retain its strong share of power. Who would have predicted that after Stalin's even greater dictatorship, a communal and mutually agreed sharing of power would emerge among the elite? Or that after Franco, Juan Carlos - who held office through the autocratic era - would restore democracy?
    Yes, it's possible that a post Putin Russia surprises on the upside. But, I'm not especially hopeful of that based on the evidence before us, rather than wishful thinking. He's killed every possible moderate contender, and opposition there is none outside Moscow and St Petersburg - which Western media is hopelessly bias in focusing upon.

    I suppose someone new could emerge who's wise and strong enough to lead Russia into a brave new age. But I'd assess that as a 15% shot.
    A new Russian leader would have a strategic decision to make. They could either accept becoming a satrap of China, or they could make tentative steps towards friendship with the West.

    The advantage of choosing China would be a completely free hand with internal affairs. No questions about human rights, press freedom and the rule of [contract] law. The advantage of an orientation towards the West would be a respect for sovereign Russian independence.

    It would be in the West's interests to help a post-Putin Russian leader to turn away from China, which would have to involve not insisting on Russian reparations to rebuild Ukraine, for example.

    But we're rather getting ahead of ourselves. Russia hasn't lost yet.
  • MattWMattW Posts: 24,352
    edited December 2024
    Foxy said:

    MattW said:

    viewcode said:

    OK, PB Brains Trust, how much would it cost to build a two storey house, 3.5metres by 10metres, bathroom and bedroom upstairs, living room and kitchen downstairs.

    The points are as follows:

    • Assume the land has been purchased and detailed planning permission has been granted.
    • Assume conventional building techniques: bricks and mortar for the walls, tiles for the roof.
    • Do not include the cost of fitting out the bathroom/kitchen as that's variable.
    Between £1500 and £4000 per sqm, depending on a lot of things. Most particularly, how much you are intending to do yourself, and spec level, and region. £2500 to £3500 is probably nearer.

    There are a number of OK cost estimating sites online, or see if one of your advisers has a copy of SPONS.

    But 3.5 m x 10 m is a really strange proportion with a very high SA:V ratio, and much more heat loss. and all your rooms with 3 outside walls. 7m x 7m or 6m x 8m would give you 30-50% more floor area for the same amount of wall.

    With 30cm thick walls (which may not be achievable with conventional techniques - depending on which conventional techniques you mean) techniques you will end up with very narrow rooms under 9ft wide.

    On those dimensions I would be looking at something very simple, like single thickness no cavity block and the insulation on the outside, or a turnkey timber frame.
    It sounds like the plot of a fairly narrow terraced house. Obviously cheaper to do the whole terrace and split it.
    3.5m is a lot less than "fairly narrow". If you are putting conventional walls on it, what you have left inside is essentially the width of a single garage.

    It can be useful, but is really constrained, so really difficult and you have to be really creative. And it depends on use - AirBNB? Weekend cottage? Garden guest annexe? Or home?

    On 3.5m x 10m two story, you get 2.9m x 9.4m inside (following my 30cm wall thickness). If the dimensions are inside, it helps.

    But of the interior space, you lose 6-9sqm of your floor area for the staircase. Thta is something like 15-17% of the floor area, if it is done to minimum conventional area. If you go pigeon-toed, then the upstairs is limited for declared use in some ways.

    We need more info, and I'd actually advise @viewcode to pop over to Buildhub and start his own thread there, and there are people who have done really low cost builds. It will also help with clarifying the concept.

    Here are a couple that show what is possible, but both single storey and around 2018. They aren't a two storey as @viewcode is asking, but on a site like that it really needs creativity.

    A hut at Carbeth built for iirc about 10-15k. The first entry at the bottom is a photo diary:
    https://forum.buildhub.org.uk/blogs/blog/10-tennentslager/

    A Wee Hoose on Skye built by a Crofter to use as a holiday let for a supplementary income. It's a blog so read from the bottom entry, This one is amazing quality.
    https://forum.buildhub.org.uk/blogs/blog/8-wee-hoose-on-the-croft/

    My photo quota of the Wee Hoose:


  • turbotubbsturbotubbs Posts: 17,773
    Roger said:

    OT A bit crazy to blame hotel staff because Liam Payne took drugs.

    Ridiculous in fact. Is there anywhere where people are responsible for themselves?

    Bit different if they sold the drugs or were complicit in the sales.
  • turbotubbsturbotubbs Posts: 17,773
    Roger said:

    Roger said:

    OT A bit crazy to blame hotel staff because Liam Payne took drugs.

    Ridiculous in fact. Is there anywhere where people are responsible for themselves?

    It is alleged they sold him drugs
    Did they threaten him if he didn't buy them?
    Selling illegal drugs is kinda illegal.
  • dixiedeandixiedean Posts: 29,531
    Luke Littler into deciding set.
    Monster upset possible....
  • MattWMattW Posts: 24,352
    MattW said:

    Foxy said:

    MattW said:

    viewcode said:

    OK, PB Brains Trust, how much would it cost to build a two storey house, 3.5metres by 10metres, bathroom and bedroom upstairs, living room and kitchen downstairs.

    The points are as follows:

    • Assume the land has been purchased and detailed planning permission has been granted.
    • Assume conventional building techniques: bricks and mortar for the walls, tiles for the roof.
    • Do not include the cost of fitting out the bathroom/kitchen as that's variable.
    Between £1500 and £4000 per sqm, depending on a lot of things. Most particularly, how much you are intending to do yourself, and spec level, and region. £2500 to £3500 is probably nearer.

    There are a number of OK cost estimating sites online, or see if one of your advisers has a copy of SPONS.

    But 3.5 m x 10 m is a really strange proportion with a very high SA:V ratio, and much more heat loss. and all your rooms with 3 outside walls. 7m x 7m or 6m x 8m would give you 30-50% more floor area for the same amount of wall.

    With 30cm thick walls (which may not be achievable with conventional techniques - depending on which conventional techniques you mean) techniques you will end up with very narrow rooms under 9ft wide.

    On those dimensions I would be looking at something very simple, like single thickness no cavity block and the insulation on the outside, or a turnkey timber frame.
    It sounds like the plot of a fairly narrow terraced house. Obviously cheaper to do the whole terrace and split it.
    3.5m is a lot less than "fairly narrow". If you are putting conventional walls on it, what you have left inside is essentially the width of a single garage.

    It can be useful, but is really constrained, so really difficult and you have to be really creative. And it depends on use - AirBNB? Weekend cottage? Garden guest annexe? Or home?

    On 3.5m x 10m two story, you get 2.9m x 9.4m inside (following my 30cm wall thickness). If the dimensions are inside, it helps.

    But of the interior space, you lose 6-9sqm of your floor area for the staircase. Thta is something like 15-17% of the floor area, if it is done to minimum conventional area. If you go pigeon-toed, then the upstairs is limited for declared use in some ways.

    We need more info, and I'd actually advise @viewcode to pop over to Buildhub and start his own thread there, and there are people who have done really low cost builds. It will also help with clarifying the concept.

    Here are a couple that show what is possible, but both single storey and around 2018. They aren't a two storey as @viewcode is asking, but on a site like that it really needs creativity.

    A hut at Carbeth built for iirc about 10-15k. The first entry at the bottom is a photo diary:
    https://forum.buildhub.org.uk/blogs/blog/10-tennentslager/

    A Wee Hoose on Skye built by a Crofter to use as a holiday let for a supplementary income. It's a blog so read from the bottom entry, This one is amazing quality.
    https://forum.buildhub.org.uk/blogs/blog/8-wee-hoose-on-the-croft/

    My photo quota of the Wee Hoose:


    PS Here's a letting listing with more photos.
    https://www.agoda.com/en-in/curlew-cottage/hotel/eyre-gb.html?ds=vbOTR41xOYzIVmgD
  • ohnotnowohnotnow Posts: 4,234
    https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c3weye2j0e7o

    US Treasury says it was hacked by China in 'major incident'

    ---

    "The compromised third-party service - called BeyondTrust - has since been taken offline, officials said."

    ---

    Is that like 'BeyondLife' or 'BeyondTheVeryThingYouWerePaidFor'? 🤔
  • carnforthcarnforth Posts: 5,103
    ohnotnow said:

    https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c3weye2j0e7o

    US Treasury says it was hacked by China in 'major incident'

    ---

    "The compromised third-party service - called BeyondTrust - has since been taken offline, officials said."

    ---

    Is that like 'BeyondLife' or 'BeyondTheVeryThingYouWerePaidFor'? 🤔

    BeyondAJoke
  • ohnotnowohnotnow Posts: 4,234
    MattW said:

    MattW said:

    Foxy said:

    MattW said:

    viewcode said:

    OK, PB Brains Trust, how much would it cost to build a two storey house, 3.5metres by 10metres, bathroom and bedroom upstairs, living room and kitchen downstairs.

    The points are as follows:

    • Assume the land has been purchased and detailed planning permission has been granted.
    • Assume conventional building techniques: bricks and mortar for the walls, tiles for the roof.
    • Do not include the cost of fitting out the bathroom/kitchen as that's variable.
    Between £1500 and £4000 per sqm, depending on a lot of things. Most particularly, how much you are intending to do yourself, and spec level, and region. £2500 to £3500 is probably nearer.

    There are a number of OK cost estimating sites online, or see if one of your advisers has a copy of SPONS.

    But 3.5 m x 10 m is a really strange proportion with a very high SA:V ratio, and much more heat loss. and all your rooms with 3 outside walls. 7m x 7m or 6m x 8m would give you 30-50% more floor area for the same amount of wall.

    With 30cm thick walls (which may not be achievable with conventional techniques - depending on which conventional techniques you mean) techniques you will end up with very narrow rooms under 9ft wide.

    On those dimensions I would be looking at something very simple, like single thickness no cavity block and the insulation on the outside, or a turnkey timber frame.
    It sounds like the plot of a fairly narrow terraced house. Obviously cheaper to do the whole terrace and split it.
    3.5m is a lot less than "fairly narrow". If you are putting conventional walls on it, what you have left inside is essentially the width of a single garage.

    It can be useful, but is really constrained, so really difficult and you have to be really creative. And it depends on use - AirBNB? Weekend cottage? Garden guest annexe? Or home?

    On 3.5m x 10m two story, you get 2.9m x 9.4m inside (following my 30cm wall thickness). If the dimensions are inside, it helps.

    But of the interior space, you lose 6-9sqm of your floor area for the staircase. Thta is something like 15-17% of the floor area, if it is done to minimum conventional area. If you go pigeon-toed, then the upstairs is limited for declared use in some ways.

    We need more info, and I'd actually advise @viewcode to pop over to Buildhub and start his own thread there, and there are people who have done really low cost builds. It will also help with clarifying the concept.

    Here are a couple that show what is possible, but both single storey and around 2018. They aren't a two storey as @viewcode is asking, but on a site like that it really needs creativity.

    A hut at Carbeth built for iirc about 10-15k. The first entry at the bottom is a photo diary:
    https://forum.buildhub.org.uk/blogs/blog/10-tennentslager/

    A Wee Hoose on Skye built by a Crofter to use as a holiday let for a supplementary income. It's a blog so read from the bottom entry, This one is amazing quality.
    https://forum.buildhub.org.uk/blogs/blog/8-wee-hoose-on-the-croft/

    My photo quota of the Wee Hoose:


    PS Here's a letting listing with more photos.
    https://www.agoda.com/en-in/curlew-cottage/hotel/eyre-gb.html?ds=vbOTR41xOYzIVmgD
    The UI of that website make it look like a 2.5 star place (it looks lovely to me, just bad UI) :


  • ohnotnowohnotnow Posts: 4,234

    Roger said:

    Roger said:

    OT A bit crazy to blame hotel staff because Liam Payne took drugs.

    Ridiculous in fact. Is there anywhere where people are responsible for themselves?

    It is alleged they sold him drugs
    Did they threaten him if he didn't buy them?
    Selling illegal drugs is kinda illegal.
    You've clearly been paying the wrong Senators.
  • Sean_F said:

    One term latest:


    Labour urged to drop ‘Western-centric’ science in school curriculum

    https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2024/12/30/labour-urged-drop-western-centric-science-curriculum/

    Is there such a thing as "non-Western-centric" science?
    Astrology, perhaps?
    Bunk, NOT science!
    You've missed the point of the story which is that the learned societies are pretending to go along with the woke-finding not by changing the science but by merely tacking on a history module which will name a lot of exotic foreign types who invented things first, but who won't be on the test. Bose, Raman and so on, as well as Einstein and the Solvay massive. They won't be changing pi or anything.
    https://connect.iisc.ac.in/2024/12/a-century-of-quantum-mechanics/
  • MattWMattW Posts: 24,352
    ohnotnow said:

    MattW said:

    MattW said:

    Foxy said:

    MattW said:

    viewcode said:

    OK, PB Brains Trust, how much would it cost to build a two storey house, 3.5metres by 10metres, bathroom and bedroom upstairs, living room and kitchen downstairs.

    The points are as follows:

    • Assume the land has been purchased and detailed planning permission has been granted.
    • Assume conventional building techniques: bricks and mortar for the walls, tiles for the roof.
    • Do not include the cost of fitting out the bathroom/kitchen as that's variable.
    Between £1500 and £4000 per sqm, depending on a lot of things. Most particularly, how much you are intending to do yourself, and spec level, and region. £2500 to £3500 is probably nearer.

    There are a number of OK cost estimating sites online, or see if one of your advisers has a copy of SPONS.

    But 3.5 m x 10 m is a really strange proportion with a very high SA:V ratio, and much more heat loss. and all your rooms with 3 outside walls. 7m x 7m or 6m x 8m would give you 30-50% more floor area for the same amount of wall.

    With 30cm thick walls (which may not be achievable with conventional techniques - depending on which conventional techniques you mean) techniques you will end up with very narrow rooms under 9ft wide.

    On those dimensions I would be looking at something very simple, like single thickness no cavity block and the insulation on the outside, or a turnkey timber frame.
    It sounds like the plot of a fairly narrow terraced house. Obviously cheaper to do the whole terrace and split it.
    3.5m is a lot less than "fairly narrow". If you are putting conventional walls on it, what you have left inside is essentially the width of a single garage.

    It can be useful, but is really constrained, so really difficult and you have to be really creative. And it depends on use - AirBNB? Weekend cottage? Garden guest annexe? Or home?

    On 3.5m x 10m two story, you get 2.9m x 9.4m inside (following my 30cm wall thickness). If the dimensions are inside, it helps.

    But of the interior space, you lose 6-9sqm of your floor area for the staircase. Thta is something like 15-17% of the floor area, if it is done to minimum conventional area. If you go pigeon-toed, then the upstairs is limited for declared use in some ways.

    We need more info, and I'd actually advise @viewcode to pop over to Buildhub and start his own thread there, and there are people who have done really low cost builds. It will also help with clarifying the concept.

    Here are a couple that show what is possible, but both single storey and around 2018. They aren't a two storey as @viewcode is asking, but on a site like that it really needs creativity.

    A hut at Carbeth built for iirc about 10-15k. The first entry at the bottom is a photo diary:
    https://forum.buildhub.org.uk/blogs/blog/10-tennentslager/

    A Wee Hoose on Skye built by a Crofter to use as a holiday let for a supplementary income. It's a blog so read from the bottom entry, This one is amazing quality.
    https://forum.buildhub.org.uk/blogs/blog/8-wee-hoose-on-the-croft/

    My photo quota of the Wee Hoose:


    PS Here's a letting listing with more photos.
    https://www.agoda.com/en-in/curlew-cottage/hotel/eyre-gb.html?ds=vbOTR41xOYzIVmgD
    The UI of that website make it look like a 2.5 star place (it looks lovely to me, just bad UI) :


    Yes - I got that by a reverse image search; I think he was respecting the Buildhub non-commercial policy and did not want to promote.

    Here is the Facebook page:
    https://www.facebook.com/upperedinbane/?locale=en_GB

    And here are the 49 Booking.com reviews averaging 9.6/10:
    https://www.booking.com/reviews/gb/hotel/curlew-cottage-portree.en-gb.html
  • MattWMattW Posts: 24,352
    ohnotnow said:

    Roger said:

    Roger said:

    OT A bit crazy to blame hotel staff because Liam Payne took drugs.

    Ridiculous in fact. Is there anywhere where people are responsible for themselves?

    It is alleged they sold him drugs
    Did they threaten him if he didn't buy them?
    Selling illegal drugs is kinda illegal.
    You've clearly been paying the wrong Senators.
    I thought Senators *bought* drugs ...
  • Foxy said:

    Ipswich 2 - 0 Chelsea

    That surely ends Chelsea's title hopes realistically? At the halfway mark of the season [for them] they're now 10 points behind Liverpool with the Reds having a game in hand still.

    Can Ipswich catch up with Man Utd in the table though? Looking more plausible than when I joked about it earlier that the gap is coming down to 7 points tonight between Ipswich in the relegation zone and United.

    How soon before ManU contact Leicester for RVN? Not that his record is great with us(though at least entertaining) but it was the best bit of the ManU season.
    How long before Anorim gets sacked?

    5 defeats from first 8 games, joint worst in United's entire history.
    To pick up an analogy somebody pointed to earlier, Amorim's Manchester United faces a similar dilemma to Starmer's government. Both are dealing with 14 years of neglect and mismanagement, and people who expect them to turn it around in a few short weeks are barking. As with Starmer, let's do an assessment in a couple of years' time.
    Both Amorim and Starmer are leaving leftie activists on the bench?
  • I just learnt that in Carter's election win of 1976 there was a faithless electoral college voter in Washington who went for Reagan.

  • MalmesburyMalmesbury Posts: 52,106
    ohnotnow said:

    Roger said:

    Roger said:

    OT A bit crazy to blame hotel staff because Liam Payne took drugs.

    Ridiculous in fact. Is there anywhere where people are responsible for themselves?

    It is alleged they sold him drugs
    Did they threaten him if he didn't buy them?
    Selling illegal drugs is kinda illegal.
    You've clearly been paying the wrong Senators.
    Silly boy.

    You pay the right Senators, and your drugs are legal.

    They return the favour by keeping your competition illegal.
  • ohnotnowohnotnow Posts: 4,234

    One term latest:


    Labour urged to drop ‘Western-centric’ science in school curriculum

    https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2024/12/30/labour-urged-drop-western-centric-science-curriculum/

    Is there such a thing as "non-Western-centric" science?
    Boy oh boy. Having spent way more time in Arts-faculty Academic zoom calls than I'd like this year - then very much "yes". Vague stuff about a god star that lines up with another god star once in a while? Relevant science! Not just "let's see if there's anything of interest here". 100% of pure science.

    I began to wish for the simpler days when a dull man in nicely ironed trousers could just performatively take the knee then pretend he gave a damn in return for some votes.
  • Sporting dogs that have not yet barked or been bought by Americans, part 94.

    Rory's punting misfortunes are rumoured to have left many, many well-connected "investors" out of pocket. More fool them, perhaps, for not knowing that gambling is, well, gambling. But if this shines an unwelcome light on irregular Far East betting markets, there might be problems for the FA's blind eye on Brentford and Brighton whose owners are best known for dabbling themselves.
  • ohnotnowohnotnow Posts: 4,234
    MattW said:

    ohnotnow said:

    MattW said:

    MattW said:

    Foxy said:

    MattW said:

    viewcode said:

    OK, PB Brains Trust, how much would it cost to build a two storey house, 3.5metres by 10metres, bathroom and bedroom upstairs, living room and kitchen downstairs.

    The points are as follows:

    • Assume the land has been purchased and detailed planning permission has been granted.
    • Assume conventional building techniques: bricks and mortar for the walls, tiles for the roof.
    • Do not include the cost of fitting out the bathroom/kitchen as that's variable.
    Between £1500 and £4000 per sqm, depending on a lot of things. Most particularly, how much you are intending to do yourself, and spec level, and region. £2500 to £3500 is probably nearer.

    There are a number of OK cost estimating sites online, or see if one of your advisers has a copy of SPONS.

    But 3.5 m x 10 m is a really strange proportion with a very high SA:V ratio, and much more heat loss. and all your rooms with 3 outside walls. 7m x 7m or 6m x 8m would give you 30-50% more floor area for the same amount of wall.

    With 30cm thick walls (which may not be achievable with conventional techniques - depending on which conventional techniques you mean) techniques you will end up with very narrow rooms under 9ft wide.

    On those dimensions I would be looking at something very simple, like single thickness no cavity block and the insulation on the outside, or a turnkey timber frame.
    It sounds like the plot of a fairly narrow terraced house. Obviously cheaper to do the whole terrace and split it.
    3.5m is a lot less than "fairly narrow". If you are putting conventional walls on it, what you have left inside is essentially the width of a single garage.

    It can be useful, but is really constrained, so really difficult and you have to be really creative. And it depends on use - AirBNB? Weekend cottage? Garden guest annexe? Or home?

    On 3.5m x 10m two story, you get 2.9m x 9.4m inside (following my 30cm wall thickness). If the dimensions are inside, it helps.

    But of the interior space, you lose 6-9sqm of your floor area for the staircase. Thta is something like 15-17% of the floor area, if it is done to minimum conventional area. If you go pigeon-toed, then the upstairs is limited for declared use in some ways.

    We need more info, and I'd actually advise @viewcode to pop over to Buildhub and start his own thread there, and there are people who have done really low cost builds. It will also help with clarifying the concept.

    Here are a couple that show what is possible, but both single storey and around 2018. They aren't a two storey as @viewcode is asking, but on a site like that it really needs creativity.

    A hut at Carbeth built for iirc about 10-15k. The first entry at the bottom is a photo diary:
    https://forum.buildhub.org.uk/blogs/blog/10-tennentslager/

    A Wee Hoose on Skye built by a Crofter to use as a holiday let for a supplementary income. It's a blog so read from the bottom entry, This one is amazing quality.
    https://forum.buildhub.org.uk/blogs/blog/8-wee-hoose-on-the-croft/

    My photo quota of the Wee Hoose:


    PS Here's a letting listing with more photos.
    https://www.agoda.com/en-in/curlew-cottage/hotel/eyre-gb.html?ds=vbOTR41xOYzIVmgD
    The UI of that website make it look like a 2.5 star place (it looks lovely to me, just bad UI) :


    Yes - I got that by a reverse image search; I think he was respecting the Buildhub non-commercial policy and did not want to promote.

    Here is the Facebook page:
    https://www.facebook.com/upperedinbane/?locale=en_GB

    And here are the 49 Booking.com reviews averaging 9.6/10:
    https://www.booking.com/reviews/gb/hotel/curlew-cottage-portree.en-gb.html
    Oh! That looks even more lovely! I shall pass on to some friends!
  • DecrepiterJohnLDecrepiterJohnL Posts: 28,854
    edited December 2024
    On-topic (finally) the Racing Post thinks Afghanistan are overpriced and might even win.
  • Sean_F said:

    One term latest:


    Labour urged to drop ‘Western-centric’ science in school curriculum

    https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2024/12/30/labour-urged-drop-western-centric-science-curriculum/

    Is there such a thing as "non-Western-centric" science?
    Astrology, perhaps?
    Bunk, NOT science!
    You've missed the point of the story which is that the learned societies are pretending to go along with the woke-finding not by changing the science but by merely tacking on a history module which will name a lot of exotic foreign types who invented things first, but who won't be on the test. Bose, Raman and so on, as well as Einstein and the Solvay massive. They won't be changing pi or anything.
    https://connect.iisc.ac.in/2024/12/a-century-of-quantum-mechanics/
    Aren't they doing science?

  • MattWMattW Posts: 24,352
    ohnotnow said:

    MattW said:

    ohnotnow said:

    MattW said:

    MattW said:

    Foxy said:

    MattW said:

    viewcode said:

    OK, PB Brains Trust, how much would it cost to build a two storey house, 3.5metres by 10metres, bathroom and bedroom upstairs, living room and kitchen downstairs.

    The points are as follows:

    • Assume the land has been purchased and detailed planning permission has been granted.
    • Assume conventional building techniques: bricks and mortar for the walls, tiles for the roof.
    • Do not include the cost of fitting out the bathroom/kitchen as that's variable.
    Between £1500 and £4000 per sqm, depending on a lot of things. Most particularly, how much you are intending to do yourself, and spec level, and region. £2500 to £3500 is probably nearer.

    There are a number of OK cost estimating sites online, or see if one of your advisers has a copy of SPONS.

    But 3.5 m x 10 m is a really strange proportion with a very high SA:V ratio, and much more heat loss. and all your rooms with 3 outside walls. 7m x 7m or 6m x 8m would give you 30-50% more floor area for the same amount of wall.

    With 30cm thick walls (which may not be achievable with conventional techniques - depending on which conventional techniques you mean) techniques you will end up with very narrow rooms under 9ft wide.

    On those dimensions I would be looking at something very simple, like single thickness no cavity block and the insulation on the outside, or a turnkey timber frame.
    It sounds like the plot of a fairly narrow terraced house. Obviously cheaper to do the whole terrace and split it.
    3.5m is a lot less than "fairly narrow". If you are putting conventional walls on it, what you have left inside is essentially the width of a single garage.

    It can be useful, but is really constrained, so really difficult and you have to be really creative. And it depends on use - AirBNB? Weekend cottage? Garden guest annexe? Or home?

    On 3.5m x 10m two story, you get 2.9m x 9.4m inside (following my 30cm wall thickness). If the dimensions are inside, it helps.

    But of the interior space, you lose 6-9sqm of your floor area for the staircase. Thta is something like 15-17% of the floor area, if it is done to minimum conventional area. If you go pigeon-toed, then the upstairs is limited for declared use in some ways.

    We need more info, and I'd actually advise @viewcode to pop over to Buildhub and start his own thread there, and there are people who have done really low cost builds. It will also help with clarifying the concept.

    Here are a couple that show what is possible, but both single storey and around 2018. They aren't a two storey as @viewcode is asking, but on a site like that it really needs creativity.

    A hut at Carbeth built for iirc about 10-15k. The first entry at the bottom is a photo diary:
    https://forum.buildhub.org.uk/blogs/blog/10-tennentslager/

    A Wee Hoose on Skye built by a Crofter to use as a holiday let for a supplementary income. It's a blog so read from the bottom entry, This one is amazing quality.
    https://forum.buildhub.org.uk/blogs/blog/8-wee-hoose-on-the-croft/

    My photo quota of the Wee Hoose:


    PS Here's a letting listing with more photos.
    https://www.agoda.com/en-in/curlew-cottage/hotel/eyre-gb.html?ds=vbOTR41xOYzIVmgD
    The UI of that website make it look like a 2.5 star place (it looks lovely to me, just bad UI) :


    Yes - I got that by a reverse image search; I think he was respecting the Buildhub non-commercial policy and did not want to promote.

    Here is the Facebook page:
    https://www.facebook.com/upperedinbane/?locale=en_GB

    And here are the 49 Booking.com reviews averaging 9.6/10:
    https://www.booking.com/reviews/gb/hotel/curlew-cottage-portree.en-gb.html
    Oh! That looks even more lovely! I shall pass on to some friends!
    They are great people. It's 43sqm, which is as big as my first house (detached).
  • williamglennwilliamglenn Posts: 52,883
    ohnotnow said:

    One term latest:


    Labour urged to drop ‘Western-centric’ science in school curriculum

    https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2024/12/30/labour-urged-drop-western-centric-science-curriculum/

    Is there such a thing as "non-Western-centric" science?
    Boy oh boy. Having spent way more time in Arts-faculty Academic zoom calls than I'd like this year - then very much "yes". Vague stuff about a god star that lines up with another god star once in a while? Relevant science! Not just "let's see if there's anything of interest here". 100% of pure science.

    I began to wish for the simpler days when a dull man in nicely ironed trousers could just performatively take the knee then pretend he gave a damn in return for some votes.
    "Trust the science" unless it perpetuates the Western patriarchy in which case you should elevate other ways of knowing.
  • MalmesburyMalmesbury Posts: 52,106

    Sean_F said:

    One term latest:


    Labour urged to drop ‘Western-centric’ science in school curriculum

    https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2024/12/30/labour-urged-drop-western-centric-science-curriculum/

    Is there such a thing as "non-Western-centric" science?
    Astrology, perhaps?
    Bunk, NOT science!
    You've missed the point of the story which is that the learned societies are pretending to go along with the woke-finding not by changing the science but by merely tacking on a history module which will name a lot of exotic foreign types who invented things first, but who won't be on the test. Bose, Raman and so on, as well as Einstein and the Solvay massive. They won't be changing pi or anything.
    https://connect.iisc.ac.in/2024/12/a-century-of-quantum-mechanics/
    Aren't they doing science?

    Of course, the reality fun kind of science, would be where you could create your own value for PI.

    With a big enough bang, you could start your own pocket universe. Hire a couple of good Quantum Mechanics* and you could customised the new universe as it comes into existence.

    *Always loved the idea that would be a job in the future.
  • MalmesburyMalmesbury Posts: 52,106

    ohnotnow said:

    One term latest:


    Labour urged to drop ‘Western-centric’ science in school curriculum

    https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2024/12/30/labour-urged-drop-western-centric-science-curriculum/

    Is there such a thing as "non-Western-centric" science?
    Boy oh boy. Having spent way more time in Arts-faculty Academic zoom calls than I'd like this year - then very much "yes". Vague stuff about a god star that lines up with another god star once in a while? Relevant science! Not just "let's see if there's anything of interest here". 100% of pure science.

    I began to wish for the simpler days when a dull man in nicely ironed trousers could just performatively take the knee then pretend he gave a damn in return for some votes.
    "Trust the science" unless it perpetuates the Western patriarchy in which case you should elevate other ways of knowing.
    Elevate their thinking?

    {quickly looks at the VX rocket collection}
  • MattWMattW Posts: 24,352
    MattW said:

    ohnotnow said:

    MattW said:

    ohnotnow said:

    MattW said:

    MattW said:

    Foxy said:

    MattW said:

    viewcode said:

    OK, PB Brains Trust, how much would it cost to build a two storey house, 3.5metres by 10metres, bathroom and bedroom upstairs, living room and kitchen downstairs.

    The points are as follows:

    • Assume the land has been purchased and detailed planning permission has been granted.
    • Assume conventional building techniques: bricks and mortar for the walls, tiles for the roof.
    • Do not include the cost of fitting out the bathroom/kitchen as that's variable.
    Between £1500 and £4000 per sqm, depending on a lot of things. Most particularly, how much you are intending to do yourself, and spec level, and region. £2500 to £3500 is probably nearer.

    There are a number of OK cost estimating sites online, or see if one of your advisers has a copy of SPONS.

    But 3.5 m x 10 m is a really strange proportion with a very high SA:V ratio, and much more heat loss. and all your rooms with 3 outside walls. 7m x 7m or 6m x 8m would give you 30-50% more floor area for the same amount of wall.

    With 30cm thick walls (which may not be achievable with conventional techniques - depending on which conventional techniques you mean) techniques you will end up with very narrow rooms under 9ft wide.

    On those dimensions I would be looking at something very simple, like single thickness no cavity block and the insulation on the outside, or a turnkey timber frame.
    It sounds like the plot of a fairly narrow terraced house. Obviously cheaper to do the whole terrace and split it.
    3.5m is a lot less than "fairly narrow". If you are putting conventional walls on it, what you have left inside is essentially the width of a single garage.

    It can be useful, but is really constrained, so really difficult and you have to be really creative. And it depends on use - AirBNB? Weekend cottage? Garden guest annexe? Or home?

    On 3.5m x 10m two story, you get 2.9m x 9.4m inside (following my 30cm wall thickness). If the dimensions are inside, it helps.

    But of the interior space, you lose 6-9sqm of your floor area for the staircase. Thta is something like 15-17% of the floor area, if it is done to minimum conventional area. If you go pigeon-toed, then the upstairs is limited for declared use in some ways.

    We need more info, and I'd actually advise @viewcode to pop over to Buildhub and start his own thread there, and there are people who have done really low cost builds. It will also help with clarifying the concept.

    Here are a couple that show what is possible, but both single storey and around 2018. They aren't a two storey as @viewcode is asking, but on a site like that it really needs creativity.

    A hut at Carbeth built for iirc about 10-15k. The first entry at the bottom is a photo diary:
    https://forum.buildhub.org.uk/blogs/blog/10-tennentslager/

    A Wee Hoose on Skye built by a Crofter to use as a holiday let for a supplementary income. It's a blog so read from the bottom entry, This one is amazing quality.
    https://forum.buildhub.org.uk/blogs/blog/8-wee-hoose-on-the-croft/

    My photo quota of the Wee Hoose:


    PS Here's a letting listing with more photos.
    https://www.agoda.com/en-in/curlew-cottage/hotel/eyre-gb.html?ds=vbOTR41xOYzIVmgD
    The UI of that website make it look like a 2.5 star place (it looks lovely to me, just bad UI) :


    Yes - I got that by a reverse image search; I think he was respecting the Buildhub non-commercial policy and did not want to promote.

    Here is the Facebook page:
    https://www.facebook.com/upperedinbane/?locale=en_GB

    And here are the 49 Booking.com reviews averaging 9.6/10:
    https://www.booking.com/reviews/gb/hotel/curlew-cottage-portree.en-gb.html
    Oh! That looks even more lovely! I shall pass on to some friends!
    They are great people. It's 43sqm, which is as big as my first house (detached).
    He's a fellow moderator at Buildhub.
  • Sean_F said:

    One term latest:


    Labour urged to drop ‘Western-centric’ science in school curriculum

    https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2024/12/30/labour-urged-drop-western-centric-science-curriculum/

    Is there such a thing as "non-Western-centric" science?
    Astrology, perhaps?
    Bunk, NOT science!
    You've missed the point of the story which is that the learned societies are pretending to go along with the woke-finding not by changing the science but by merely tacking on a history module which will name a lot of exotic foreign types who invented things first, but who won't be on the test. Bose, Raman and so on, as well as Einstein and the Solvay massive. They won't be changing pi or anything.
    https://connect.iisc.ac.in/2024/12/a-century-of-quantum-mechanics/
    Aren't they doing science?

    They are cynically decolonising the history of science as cover for leaving the actual science alone.
  • Former England football manager Gareth Southgate and actor Stephen Fry have both been knighted in a New Year Honours list that also recognises the stars of the Olympic Games.

    800m champion Keely Hodgkinson, who receives an MBE, is one of several medallists to be honoured following the summer games in Paris.

    Mayor of London Sadiq Khan and former West Midlands mayor Andy Street are also awarded knighthoods, while Labour MP Emily Thornberry is made a dame.

    https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c1ln96d4yyeo
  • NigelbNigelb Posts: 72,997

    One term latest:


    Labour urged to drop ‘Western-centric’ science in school curriculum

    https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2024/12/30/labour-urged-drop-western-centric-science-curriculum/

    Is there such a thing as "non-Western-centric" science?
    Well the global centre of gravity has shifted quite a bit with China’s development, but I doubt that’s what the nutty article about a nutty idea meant.
  • MarqueeMarkMarqueeMark Posts: 53,264

    https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c1ln96d4yyeo

    Lots of excellence on that list.. Southgate for services to winning and Khan for London nightlife no doubt..🥴🧐

    The only one you need to know - Tom Baker MBE, for services to television.
  • Host of Britain’s Olympians and Paralympians snubbed in New Year Honours List
    Paris heroes miss out on recognition in noticeable tightening of criteria for the awarding of gongs to mark sporting success

    https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/2024/12/30/keir-starmer-snubs-olympians-and-paralympians-honours-list/ (£££)
  • NigelbNigelb Posts: 72,997


    ‪The Guardian‬ ‪@theguardian.com‬

    Trump sides with Musk on support for H-1B visas for foreign tech workers


    ‪Timothy Snyder‬ ‪@timothysnyder.bsky.social‬

    Not unusual for a press spokesman to repeat the government line.

    https://bsky.app/profile/timothysnyder.bsky.social/post/3lekgu2do4c2k

    Snyder‬ has spent years telling everyone that Trump is Hitler. Is he admitting that this was always nonsense?
    Did he ? Cite please.
    I thought he spent years saying Trump was a danger to democracy. The idea that he might have handed government over to Musk (which is pretty clearly a bit of trolling anyway) isn’t exactly inconsistent with that.
  • williamglennwilliamglenn Posts: 52,883
    Nigelb said:


    ‪The Guardian‬ ‪@theguardian.com‬

    Trump sides with Musk on support for H-1B visas for foreign tech workers


    ‪Timothy Snyder‬ ‪@timothysnyder.bsky.social‬

    Not unusual for a press spokesman to repeat the government line.

    https://bsky.app/profile/timothysnyder.bsky.social/post/3lekgu2do4c2k

    Snyder‬ has spent years telling everyone that Trump is Hitler. Is he admitting that this was always nonsense?
    Did he ? Cite please.
    I thought he spent years saying Trump was a danger to democracy. The idea that he might have handed government over to Musk (which is pretty clearly a bit of trolling anyway) isn’t exactly inconsistent with that.
    For example:

    https://snyder.substack.com/p/trumps-hitlerian-month

    Now, the Hitlerian things that Trump says would be Hitlerian with or without this Hitlerian context of the last four years, the last year, or the last month. And this context would be Hitlerian with or without Trump's recent Hitlerian utterances.
  • FF43FF43 Posts: 17,410

    The EU will make mincemeat of Starmer in these negotiations. He'll make Theresa May look like Margaret Thatcher.

    I bet they're already smacking their lips with glee, and can't bloody wait.

    So what? It's just continuing the same deal Johnson already signed us up to.
  • https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c1ln96d4yyeo

    Lots of excellence on that list.. Southgate for services to winning and Khan for London nightlife no doubt..🥴🧐

    The only one you need to know - Tom Baker MBE, for services to television.
    The greatest doctor only gets an MBE.

    Jeez...
  • Public sector could swap pay rises for lower pensions
    Surveys show half of younger teachers would be interested in the trade-off under a model designed to ease staffing problems without raising overall cost to taxpayer

    https://www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/article/public-sector-could-swap-pay-rises-for-lower-pensions-nc5c372zx (£££)
  • MalmesburyMalmesbury Posts: 52,106

    https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c1ln96d4yyeo

    Lots of excellence on that list.. Southgate for services to winning and Khan for London nightlife no doubt..🥴🧐

    The only one you need to know - Tom Baker MBE, for services to television.
    The greatest doctor only gets an MBE.

    Jeez...
    GCMG at least.
  • NigelbNigelb Posts: 72,997

    Nigelb said:


    ‪The Guardian‬ ‪@theguardian.com‬

    Trump sides with Musk on support for H-1B visas for foreign tech workers


    ‪Timothy Snyder‬ ‪@timothysnyder.bsky.social‬

    Not unusual for a press spokesman to repeat the government line.

    https://bsky.app/profile/timothysnyder.bsky.social/post/3lekgu2do4c2k

    Snyder‬ has spent years telling everyone that Trump is Hitler. Is he admitting that this was always nonsense?
    Did he ? Cite please.
    I thought he spent years saying Trump was a danger to democracy. The idea that he might have handed government over to Musk (which is pretty clearly a bit of trolling anyway) isn’t exactly inconsistent with that.
    For example:

    https://snyder.substack.com/p/trumps-hitlerian-month

    Now, the Hitlerian things that Trump says would be Hitlerian with or without this Hitlerian context of the last four years, the last year, or the last month. And this context would be Hitlerian with or without Trump's recent Hitlerian utterances.
    Fair enough.
    The conclusion he draws from the evidence cited there are quite possibly overdone.
    But we won’t really know that until we see how he (or his administration) governs.
  • carnforthcarnforth Posts: 5,103
    FF43 said:

    The EU will make mincemeat of Starmer in these negotiations. He'll make Theresa May look like Margaret Thatcher.

    I bet they're already smacking their lips with glee, and can't bloody wait.

    So what? It's just continuing the same deal Johnson already signed us up to.
    No. If we decline to sign, Johnson's deal continues. It's just an opportunity to review. We should take the opportunity, if a mutually beneficial agreement can be signed - but we don't have to.
  • NigelbNigelb Posts: 72,997
    This is a great paper.
    Thoughts ?

    The Unbearable Slowness of Being: Why do we live at 10 bits/s?
    https://arxiv.org/pdf/2408.10234
  • SandpitSandpit Posts: 55,554
    Andy_JS said:

    Happy New Year's Eve.

    Happy NYE everyone!

    Off to work, desparately hoping that I can get everything done by lunchtime.
  • Penddu2Penddu2 Posts: 724
    On subject of building costs, most large projects go overbudget and overcost because when they are first designed and costed, the owners say that is too expensive (too slow), you need to sharpen your pencil.... so the conservative estimates are revised, the contingencies are removed, the risks ignored until the owner is satisfied that it meets his expectations. Then once construction starts the estimates prove to be optimistic, the contingencies needed and risks actualised. And something you didnt plan for also happens.

    It happens on almost every major project I have worked on. But I still get paid very well for my advice to be ignored.
  • stodgestodge Posts: 14,062
    Nearly evening all from Aotearoa :)

    Just over six hours from 2025 - Kiribati will get there an hour ahead of us. They are 25 hours ahead of American Samoa where it is still late Monday afternoon.

    The Kiwis had a comfortable win in the cricket last night. Of the last 11 ODI matches played at Tauranga, the side batting first has won 10. The Sri Lankans won both tosses and decided to bowl on both occasions.
  • Penddu2 said:

    On subject of building costs, most large projects go overbudget and overcost because when they are first designed and costed, the owners say that is too expensive (too slow), you need to sharpen your pencil.... so the conservative estimates are revised, the contingencies are removed, the risks ignored until the owner is satisfied that it meets his expectations. Then once construction starts the estimates prove to be optimistic, the contingencies needed and risks actualised. And something you didnt plan for also happens.

    It happens on almost every major project I have worked on. But I still get paid very well for my advice to be ignored.

    Worked for a large infrastructure firm. When starting a new site the sequence was

    Portakabin
    Utilities

    Kettle
    Computer

    The latter was to record variations from contract to charge later.
  • CiceroCicero Posts: 3,155

    carnforth said:

    ....

    Just reading Tim Shipman's "Out" - how Brexit got done and the Tories were undone - which is a remarkable book.

    Nearly 400 pages in I've had my first snort out loud.

    I'm reading about The Nightmare Before Christmas, where talks almost broke down on 21st December 2020 over fish - the EU wanted a hammer clause across the whole treaty if it didn't get what it wanted on fish quotas in future - and it describes a 1:1 between Johnson and von der Leyen where he told her at 8pm, "I cannot sign this treaty, Ursula. I can't do something that is not in my country's interests". He then spoke 'terrible German' to von der Leyen, 'Viel hummer, kein hammer' (lots of lobster, no hammer). And then sought to explain the problem with reference to a surreal sketch from Monty Python.

    Does remind me that for all his faults Johnson was funny.

    Funny as in peculiar.

    Someone's comic genius is someone else's complete w*****.
    The EU have bought back this concept in the latest negotiations - they want the five-year transitional fishing arrangements extended permanently - and claiming it as a red line. Hopefully Starmer will be as robust.
    Starmer will concede it in the first 30 seconds.
    That was the sticking point on the student exchange discussion, so actually I think it is a Starmer red line too. It will be very difficult to break the deadlock. On the otherhand with Iceland about to vote on starting the EU accession process there are other fishing grounds that could open up in the next five years which could help the EU-UK discussion.
  • TazTaz Posts: 15,758

    Former England football manager Gareth Southgate and actor Stephen Fry have both been knighted in a New Year Honours list that also recognises the stars of the Olympic Games.

    800m champion Keely Hodgkinson, who receives an MBE, is one of several medallists to be honoured following the summer games in Paris.

    Mayor of London Sadiq Khan and former West Midlands mayor Andy Street are also awarded knighthoods, while Labour MP Emily Thornberry is made a dame.

    https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c1ln96d4yyeo

    More importantly Tom Baker has been given an MBE.

    Unlike many recipients this is utterly deserved.

    https://x.com/doctorwhonews/status/1873873846480363763?s=61
  • SandpitSandpit Posts: 55,554
    To be fair, with a couple of exceptions for politicians (looking at you, Sadiq Khan) it’s a pretty good honours list this year.

    I always look at the Olympians, who train bloody hard for years for what’s mostly amateur sport and don’t usually end up with life-changing amounts of money - and the long list of unknown names, those who have done a meaningful but low-paid or voluntary job for years in their local communities. I have known a few of that latter group over the years, and every one of them has been very well deserved.
  • SandpitSandpit Posts: 55,554
    Funny of the day: one American cruise line is offering a four-year cruise leaving next month, covering 425 ports in 160 countries. A bargain at $320,000 for a two-berth cabin, for anyone who really doesn’t want to be in the US until January 2029!

    https://www.ibtimes.co.uk/cruise-company-offers-skip-forward-four-year-voyage-getaway-trumps-second-presidency-1728486

    https://x.com/collinrugg/status/1873928359425581215
  • Taz said:

    Former England football manager Gareth Southgate and actor Stephen Fry have both been knighted in a New Year Honours list that also recognises the stars of the Olympic Games.

    800m champion Keely Hodgkinson, who receives an MBE, is one of several medallists to be honoured following the summer games in Paris.

    Mayor of London Sadiq Khan and former West Midlands mayor Andy Street are also awarded knighthoods, while Labour MP Emily Thornberry is made a dame.

    https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c1ln96d4yyeo

    More importantly Tom Baker has been given an MBE.

    Unlike many recipients this is utterly deserved.

    https://x.com/doctorwhonews/status/1873873846480363763?s=61
    There are two odd things (so far) about the New Year Honours list. First, why has Sadiq Khan been knighted when Ken and Boris were not? Of course it is likely they'd have turned it down if offered but it still looks odd to knight one Mayor of London but not his predecessors.

    Second, why only some of the Olympians and Paralympians? Sure, the Tories complained Tony Blair was dishing them out too easily to sportspeople, but these choices just look arbitrary at best, unfair or discriminatory at worst. It's an avoidable banana skin.
  • SandpitSandpit Posts: 55,554
    Link to full New Year Honours lists - including a searchable CSV file, perhaps we should nominate whoever does data releases at the Cabinet Office!

    https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/the-new-year-honours-2025

    https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/676a8befbe7b2c675de30a0f/NEW_YEAR_HONOURS_LIST_2025.csv
  • SandpitSandpit Posts: 55,554
    Martin Brundle OBE, another well-deserved one for a lifetime achievement.

    https://x.com/skysportsf1/status/1873890515814670655.
  • Sandpit said:

    Link to full New Year Honours lists - including a searchable CSV file, perhaps we should nominate whoever does data releases at the Cabinet Office!

    https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/the-new-year-honours-2025

    https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/676a8befbe7b2c675de30a0f/NEW_YEAR_HONOURS_LIST_2025.csv

    It has been like this for years, to be fair.
  • Good morning, everyone.
    Sandpit said:

    Martin Brundle OBE, another well-deserved one for a lifetime achievement.

    https://x.com/skysportsf1/status/1873890515814670655.

    It's nice to have one sensible chap in the commentary box.

    Also, the third Undercutters podcast, looking back at top 10 moments of 2024, is up here: https://undercutters.podbean.com/e/f1-2024-top-10-memorable-moments/


    Planning 3-4 preview type episodes but given there's a couple of months ahead they'll be roughly fortnightly before the season starts.
  • Actually I might make the pre-weekend episodes predictions (NB not the same as tips as a prediction might have bloody awful odds).
  • Dura_AceDura_Ace Posts: 13,856
    What a load of bollocks the honours are. My mother put my dad's CMG on the collar of her Épagneul Breton, where it remained in an increasingly battered state until Sven passed over the bifrost bridge. It was then buried with him (dog not father).
  • mwadamsmwadams Posts: 3,689

    Sandpit said:

    Link to full New Year Honours lists - including a searchable CSV file, perhaps we should nominate whoever does data releases at the Cabinet Office!

    https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/the-new-year-honours-2025

    https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/676a8befbe7b2c675de30a0f/NEW_YEAR_HONOURS_LIST_2025.csv

    It has been like this for years, to be fair.
    It's a total stitch-up. 37 mentions of "Oxford" and only 2 of "Cambridge".
  • JosiasJessopJosiasJessop Posts: 43,958
    Dura_Ace said:

    What a load of bollocks the honours are. My mother put my dad's CMG on the collar of her Épagneul Breton, where it remained in an increasingly battered state until Sven passed over the bifrost bridge. It was then buried with him (dog not father).

    A rather predictable comment from PB's very own negasayer.

    Don't most countries have something similar? The US has the Medal of Freedom and the Congressional Gold Medal, as examples. Germany has the Order of Merit (apparently given out to 262,000 individuals). AIUI France has a whole series of them.
  • Dura_Ace said:

    What a load of bollocks the honours are. My mother put my dad's CMG on the collar of her Épagneul Breton, where it remained in an increasingly battered state until Sven passed over the bifrost bridge. It was then buried with him (dog not father).

    I've read somewhere that FOI details of Boris's reasoning for Charlotte Owens House of Lords nomination will be released mid January. No doubt the Mail / Express / Telegraph will go full on front page on that - won't be holding breath.

    Also some X noise around a massive news alert on Farage (career ending some have commented) - it may just be a left retort to the Starmer bullcrap stories that eminated about 2 months ago about his sexuality but which quickly vanished - typical X since Musk too over. Suggestions of links to very unsavoury Film Directors and Media moguls relatives...probably just flim and flam!

    Maybe though it's the long awaited oft hidden but probably very credible "Russian Report" about Putin funding of Reform and Tories.

    Although if i was Labour I'd be waiting for late April to splash that bombshell!
  • SandyRentoolSandyRentool Posts: 22,387
    Sadiq Khan rewarded for failure, apparently.

    So what about Andy Street?
  • TazTaz Posts: 15,758

    Dura_Ace said:

    What a load of bollocks the honours are. My mother put my dad's CMG on the collar of her Épagneul Breton, where it remained in an increasingly battered state until Sven passed over the bifrost bridge. It was then buried with him (dog not father).

    I've read somewhere that FOI details of Boris's reasoning for Charlotte Owens House of Lords nomination will be released mid January. No doubt the Mail / Express / Telegraph will go full on front page on that - won't be holding breath.

    Also some X noise around a massive news alert on Farage (career ending some have commented) - it may just be a left retort to the Starmer bullcrap stories that eminated about 2 months ago about his sexuality but which quickly vanished - typical X since Musk too over. Suggestions of links to very unsavoury Film Directors and Media moguls relatives...probably just flim and flam!

    Maybe though it's the long awaited oft hidden but probably very credible "Russian Report" about Putin funding of Reform and Tories.

    Although if i was Labour I'd be waiting for late April to splash that bombshell!
    Exciting stuff. Can’t wait to read it all. Most credible.
  • MarqueeMarkMarqueeMark Posts: 53,264
    Sandpit said:

    Funny of the day: one American cruise line is offering a four-year cruise leaving next month, covering 425 ports in 160 countries. A bargain at $320,000 for a two-berth cabin, for anyone who really doesn’t want to be in the US until January 2029!

    https://www.ibtimes.co.uk/cruise-company-offers-skip-forward-four-year-voyage-getaway-trumps-second-presidency-1728486

    https://x.com/collinrugg/status/1873928359425581215

    That's a fast way to tick off 160 countries. Anybody told Leon?

    Leaves year five to tick off the land-locked states like Mongolia and Chad.
  • I've seen worse NY honours lists.

    One of my neighbours has got a CBE.
  • Dura_AceDura_Ace Posts: 13,856

    I've seen worse NY honours lists.

    One of my neighbours has got a CBE.

    My old comrade "Jumbo" Jenkins got a KCB as a consolation prize for getting cockblocked from the National Security Advisor made-up non-job by Starmer. I assume he was a bit too war-crime adjacent for SKS.
  • bondegezoubondegezou Posts: 11,980

    ohnotnow said:

    One term latest:


    Labour urged to drop ‘Western-centric’ science in school curriculum

    https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2024/12/30/labour-urged-drop-western-centric-science-curriculum/

    Is there such a thing as "non-Western-centric" science?
    Boy oh boy. Having spent way more time in Arts-faculty Academic zoom calls than I'd like this year - then very much "yes". Vague stuff about a god star that lines up with another god star once in a while? Relevant science! Not just "let's see if there's anything of interest here". 100% of pure science.

    I began to wish for the simpler days when a dull man in nicely ironed trousers could just performatively take the knee then pretend he gave a damn in return for some votes.
    "Trust the science" unless it perpetuates the Western patriarchy in which case you should elevate other ways of knowing.
    It’s the populist right who are more anti science: denying climate change, doubting vaccines and (in the US) banning any research on gun violence.
  • Dura_Ace said:

    What a load of bollocks the honours are. My mother put my dad's CMG on the collar of her Épagneul Breton, where it remained in an increasingly battered state until Sven passed over the bifrost bridge. It was then buried with him (dog not father).

    I've read somewhere that FOI details of Boris's reasoning for Charlotte Owens House of Lords nomination will be released mid January. No doubt the Mail / Express / Telegraph will go full on front page on that - won't be holding breath.

    Also some X noise around a massive news alert on Farage (career ending some have commented) - it may just be a left retort to the Starmer bullcrap stories that eminated about 2 months ago about his sexuality but which quickly vanished - typical X since Musk too over. Suggestions of links to very unsavoury Film Directors and Media moguls relatives...probably just flim and flam!

    Maybe though it's the long awaited oft hidden but probably very credible "Russian Report" about Putin funding of Reform and Tories.

    Although if i was Labour I'd be waiting for late April to splash that bombshell!
    Boris and Charlotte Owen: note that it is Boris's justification to HOLAC that will be made known, not his reasons for nominating her in the first place, so there will be lots about her public service and nothing about her shapely ankles.
  • algarkirkalgarkirk Posts: 13,068
    Battlebus said:

    Penddu2 said:

    On subject of building costs, most large projects go overbudget and overcost because when they are first designed and costed, the owners say that is too expensive (too slow), you need to sharpen your pencil.... so the conservative estimates are revised, the contingencies are removed, the risks ignored until the owner is satisfied that it meets his expectations. Then once construction starts the estimates prove to be optimistic, the contingencies needed and risks actualised. And something you didnt plan for also happens.

    It happens on almost every major project I have worked on. But I still get paid very well for my advice to be ignored.

    Worked for a large infrastructure firm. When starting a new site the sequence was

    Portakabin
    Utilities

    Kettle
    Computer

    The latter was to record variations from contract to charge later.
    Might this lead to teabags/milk/sugar causing a massive drain on 'contingencies'? Shouldn't they be right at the top? No wonder we find HS2 hard going.
  • MalmesburyMalmesbury Posts: 52,106
    a
    Taz said:

    Former England football manager Gareth Southgate and actor Stephen Fry have both been knighted in a New Year Honours list that also recognises the stars of the Olympic Games.

    800m champion Keely Hodgkinson, who receives an MBE, is one of several medallists to be honoured following the summer games in Paris.

    Mayor of London Sadiq Khan and former West Midlands mayor Andy Street are also awarded knighthoods, while Labour MP Emily Thornberry is made a dame.

    https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c1ln96d4yyeo

    More importantly Tom Baker has been given an MBE.

    Unlike many recipients this is utterly deserved.

    https://x.com/doctorwhonews/status/1873873846480363763?s=61
    Was mentioned last night.

    Should have been a GCMG - Gallifrey Calls Me God
  • Dura_AceDura_Ace Posts: 13,856

    Dura_Ace said:

    What a load of bollocks the honours are. My mother put my dad's CMG on the collar of her Épagneul Breton, where it remained in an increasingly battered state until Sven passed over the bifrost bridge. It was then buried with him (dog not father).

    I've read somewhere that FOI details of Boris's reasoning for Charlotte Owens House of Lords nomination will be released mid January. No doubt the Mail / Express / Telegraph will go full on front page on that - won't be holding breath.

    Also some X noise around a massive news alert on Farage (career ending some have commented) - it may just be a left retort to the Starmer bullcrap stories that eminated about 2 months ago about his sexuality but which quickly vanished - typical X since Musk too over. Suggestions of links to very unsavoury Film Directors and Media moguls relatives...probably just flim and flam!

    Maybe though it's the long awaited oft hidden but probably very credible "Russian Report" about Putin funding of Reform and Tories.

    Although if i was Labour I'd be waiting for late April to splash that bombshell!
    Boris and Charlotte Owen: note that it is Boris's justification to HOLAC that will be made known, not his reasons for nominating her in the first place, so there will be lots about her public service and nothing about her shapely ankles.
    He's just got her a job at some murky charity/think tank/whatever-the-fuck with which he's entangled.
  • DecrepiterJohnLDecrepiterJohnL Posts: 28,854
    edited December 2024
    Dura_Ace said:

    Dura_Ace said:

    What a load of bollocks the honours are. My mother put my dad's CMG on the collar of her Épagneul Breton, where it remained in an increasingly battered state until Sven passed over the bifrost bridge. It was then buried with him (dog not father).

    I've read somewhere that FOI details of Boris's reasoning for Charlotte Owens House of Lords nomination will be released mid January. No doubt the Mail / Express / Telegraph will go full on front page on that - won't be holding breath.

    Also some X noise around a massive news alert on Farage (career ending some have commented) - it may just be a left retort to the Starmer bullcrap stories that eminated about 2 months ago about his sexuality but which quickly vanished - typical X since Musk too over. Suggestions of links to very unsavoury Film Directors and Media moguls relatives...probably just flim and flam!

    Maybe though it's the long awaited oft hidden but probably very credible "Russian Report" about Putin funding of Reform and Tories.

    Although if i was Labour I'd be waiting for late April to splash that bombshell!
    Boris and Charlotte Owen: note that it is Boris's justification to HOLAC that will be made known, not his reasons for nominating her in the first place, so there will be lots about her public service and nothing about her shapely ankles.
    He's just got her a job at some murky charity/think tank/whatever-the-fuck with which he's entangled.
    My guess is there is nothing to see here, and her ladyship is just Boris's latest workhorse come fixer, or the one who does all the work Boris is nominally committed to, the replacement for Lord Lister, a calmer Dominic Cummings.
  • EabhalEabhal Posts: 9,185
    edited December 2024

    Sadiq Khan rewarded for failure, apparently.

    So what about Andy Street?

    Re-elected and successfully pushed through flagship policy in face of widespread criminality and actual bombings.

    Arise Sir Sadiq.
  • Dura_AceDura_Ace Posts: 13,856



    My guess is there is nothing to see here, and her ladyship is just Boris's latest workhorse come fixer, or the one who does all the work Boris is nominally committed to, the replacement for Lord Lister, a calmer Dominic Cummings.

    That would certainly be a sagacious guess, much supported by the evidence of Johnson's track record with women.
  • squareroot2squareroot2 Posts: 6,900
    Khan and Fry. Two cheeks af the same arse. Both full of their own importance.
    In Fry's case he is v clever but unpleasant.
    After being honoured by the MCC he slagged off then institution. Nice

    Khan has done nothing to warrant anything but derision.
  • FeersumEnjineeyaFeersumEnjineeya Posts: 4,556
    edited December 2024

    Dura_Ace said:

    What a load of bollocks the honours are. My mother put my dad's CMG on the collar of her Épagneul Breton, where it remained in an increasingly battered state until Sven passed over the bifrost bridge. It was then buried with him (dog not father).

    A rather predictable comment from PB's very own negasayer.

    Don't most countries have something similar? The US has the Medal of Freedom and the Congressional Gold Medal, as examples. Germany has the Order of Merit (apparently given out to 262,000 individuals). AIUI France has a whole series of them.
    Of course most countries have them. They are, after all, a nationalist carrot. That doesn't stop them being bollocks though.

    Edit: I'm actually ambivalent about them being bollocks; it's just that the fact that most countries have them doesn't stop them being bollocks.
  • SandyRentoolSandyRentool Posts: 22,387

    I've seen worse NY honours lists.

    One of my neighbours has got a CBE.

    If that means you live next door to Alan Titchmarsh, commiserations.
  • NigelbNigelb Posts: 72,997
    edited December 2024
    If Europe were to allow allow Russia to defeat Ukraine, it would be facing a much more capable military adversary than is now the case.

    Ukrainian intelligence reports that it was able to shoot down a Russian helicopter with a naval drone for the first time in history
    https://x.com/den_kazansky/status/1873993934340591658

    Repurposed R73 air to air missile, reportedly.
  • SandyRentoolSandyRentool Posts: 22,387
    They'll be putting the flags out to celebrate Emily Thornberry's damehood.
  • MarqueeMarkMarqueeMark Posts: 53,264

    They'll be putting the flags out to celebrate Emily Thornberry's damehood.

    Some of these awards are surely just done for the shitz 'n gigglez?
  • Eabhal said:

    Sadiq Khan rewarded for failure, apparently.

    So what about Andy Street?

    Re-elected and successfully pushed through flagship policy in face of widespread criminality and actual bombings.

    Arise Sir Sadiq.
    Plus
    Vision zero
    Free school meals for primary school children
    Fare freeze
  • TheuniondivvieTheuniondivvie Posts: 42,373
    edited December 2024

    Dura_Ace said:

    What a load of bollocks the honours are. My mother put my dad's CMG on the collar of her Épagneul Breton, where it remained in an increasingly battered state until Sven passed over the bifrost bridge. It was then buried with him (dog not father).

    A rather predictable comment from PB's very own negasayer.

    Don't most countries have something similar? The US has the Medal of Freedom and the Congressional Gold Medal, as examples. Germany has the Order of Merit (apparently given out to 262,000 individuals). AIUI France has a whole series of them.
    I don’t think many award systems extol the days of dabbling in imperial exploitation of far away places on behalf of the mother country.
  • MarqueeMarkMarqueeMark Posts: 53,264

    I've seen worse NY honours lists.

    One of my neighbours has got a CBE.

    If that means you live next door to Alan Titchmarsh, commiserations.
    If Titchmarsh were to form the Garden Party, he'd romp into Downing Street.
This discussion has been closed.