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Let’s talk about clouds – politicalbetting.com

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  • LeonLeon Posts: 57,404
    Cyclefree said:

    When I finally retire, I will run a mobile library like this one: books, Italy, sunshine and chatting to people. What more could anyone want?


    A fourth wheel?
  • TimSTimS Posts: 13,651
    Driver said:

    kinabalu said:

    Leon said:

    glw said:

    Scott_xP said:

    @techmeme.com‬

    In email to X staff, Musk says "user growth is stagnant, revenue is unimpressive, and we're barely breaking even"; sources: banks plan to sell their debt in X (Wall Street Journal)

    https://bsky.app/profile/techmeme.com/post/3lgjbldyxgo2h

    That can't be correct as Elon fans in their black shorts keep saying that Twitter is doing really well.
    Has Musk only just noticed all his X numbers are going to shit?

    Tesla also in shit.

    Maybe he should get back to his day job(s) and stop trying to overthrow european governments?
    Yes. Musk has to decide whether he wants X as a personal bully pulpit, or as a successful growing social medium

    Either is a legit aspiration, but he can’t have both
    Buying up the media to spread far right propaganda is a legitimate aspiration? Hmm. Ok. One wonders what an illegitimate one would look like then.
    there's that term "far right" again...
    It’s actually a waddling, web-footed, quacking hamster.
  • Alphabet_SoupAlphabet_Soup Posts: 3,424

    geoffw said:

    Leon said:

    Leon said:

    I’ve woken up in the middle of the tigerish Burmese night to the most hilarious thread in PB history

    Trump is actually seizing Greenland and Denmark is chucking a mental

    Reform are leading in the polls and Labour are down to 22%, six months after a landslide win (“vote share holding up quite well” - @Foxy)

    And

    The next Chancellor of Germany is calling time on Schengen

    Did I miss anything?

    Go back to sleep. You'll be fine in the morning.
    Something to calm you all down. Rural Burma today


    I feel an affinity, my grandmother was born in Rangoon, British East India.

    British India.
    We read Elephant Bill by JH Williams in 3A. Recommended.
    I was in 3H and iirc we read whatever we liked.
    Commendably liberal, but if I'd been to your school I wouldn't be a life-long expert on elephant logging in Burma.
  • kjhkjh Posts: 12,083
    I am going to have dinner at 'The Unruly Pig' this weekend. By coincidence today the Guardian reviewed it. It is the most glowing review I have ever read finishing with 'this is as good as it gets'. Just hope they don't put the prices up before I get there.

    As mentioned earlier I am trying find all the best pubs to eat at. Last week it was The Cat in Sussex, this week the Unruly Pig in Suffolk. So far I have been relying on the Michelin guide.
  • kjhkjh Posts: 12,083
    TimS said:

    Driver said:

    kinabalu said:

    Leon said:

    glw said:

    Scott_xP said:

    @techmeme.com‬

    In email to X staff, Musk says "user growth is stagnant, revenue is unimpressive, and we're barely breaking even"; sources: banks plan to sell their debt in X (Wall Street Journal)

    https://bsky.app/profile/techmeme.com/post/3lgjbldyxgo2h

    That can't be correct as Elon fans in their black shorts keep saying that Twitter is doing really well.
    Has Musk only just noticed all his X numbers are going to shit?

    Tesla also in shit.

    Maybe he should get back to his day job(s) and stop trying to overthrow european governments?
    Yes. Musk has to decide whether he wants X as a personal bully pulpit, or as a successful growing social medium

    Either is a legit aspiration, but he can’t have both
    Buying up the media to spread far right propaganda is a legitimate aspiration? Hmm. Ok. One wonders what an illegitimate one would look like then.
    there's that term "far right" again...
    It’s actually a waddling, web-footed, quacking hamster.
    Damn it I wish I could think of responses like that.
  • Alphabet_SoupAlphabet_Soup Posts: 3,424
    edited January 24
    Leon said:

    Cyclefree said:

    When I finally retire, I will run a mobile library like this one: books, Italy, sunshine and chatting to people. What more could anyone want?


    A fourth wheel?
    My architect brother-in-law explained that every object rests on three points. If you add a fourth it either takes no weight or it takes a third of the weight and relieves one of the others. This is why chairs wobble but three-legged stools don't.

  • TimSTimS Posts: 13,651
    kjh said:

    I am going to have dinner at 'The Unruly Pig' this weekend. By coincidence today the Guardian reviewed it. It is the most glowing review I have ever read finishing with 'this is as good as it gets'. Just hope they don't put the prices up before I get there.

    As mentioned earlier I am trying find all the best pubs to eat at. Last week it was The Cat in Sussex, this week the Unruly Pig in Suffolk. So far I have been relying on the Michelin guide.

    The Duck in Pett Bottom, Kent has just reopened with new management and is so far unreviewed by any of the papers since its change of ownership. The food is really excellent.
  • kjhkjh Posts: 12,083
    TimS said:

    kjh said:

    I am going to have dinner at 'The Unruly Pig' this weekend. By coincidence today the Guardian reviewed it. It is the most glowing review I have ever read finishing with 'this is as good as it gets'. Just hope they don't put the prices up before I get there.

    As mentioned earlier I am trying find all the best pubs to eat at. Last week it was The Cat in Sussex, this week the Unruly Pig in Suffolk. So far I have been relying on the Michelin guide.

    The Duck in Pett Bottom, Kent has just reopened with new management and is so far unreviewed by any of the papers since its change of ownership. The food is really excellent.
    Thank you.
  • ohnotnowohnotnow Posts: 4,249

    geoffw said:

    Leon said:

    Leon said:

    I’ve woken up in the middle of the tigerish Burmese night to the most hilarious thread in PB history

    Trump is actually seizing Greenland and Denmark is chucking a mental

    Reform are leading in the polls and Labour are down to 22%, six months after a landslide win (“vote share holding up quite well” - @Foxy)

    And

    The next Chancellor of Germany is calling time on Schengen

    Did I miss anything?

    Go back to sleep. You'll be fine in the morning.
    Something to calm you all down. Rural Burma today


    I feel an affinity, my grandmother was born in Rangoon, British East India.

    British India.
    We read Elephant Bill by JH Williams in 3A. Recommended.
    I was in 3H and iirc we read whatever we liked.
    Commendably liberal, but if I'd been to your school I wouldn't be a life-long expert on elephant logging in Burma.
    I was thrown out of my English Higher class for knowing that Orwell was based in Burma. It seems that knowing the thing the teacher wanted to trip up pupils on was not the right thing to do.

    Teacher: "So, where do you think Shooting an Elephant was set?"

    Me: "Burma!"

    Teacher: "... anyone else?"

    ...

    Me: "It was in Burma. That's where he was stationed. I read it last month."

    Teacher: "Right! Get out of the class now!"

    Teacher: "Anyone else?"

    Other pupil: "India?"

    Teacher: "Ah, no. I can see why you might think that because it mentions Elephants. But it was actually Burma."

    ---

    I learned a lot that day.


  • CyclefreeCyclefree Posts: 25,508
    edited January 24
    Leon said:

    Cyclefree said:

    When I finally retire, I will run a mobile library like this one: books, Italy, sunshine and chatting to people. What more could anyone want?


    A fourth wheel?
    God, you can be so literal sometimes. Where's your imagination, your sense of adventure, your sense of fun!?

    All this and decent coffee too .....
  • Scott_xPScott_xP Posts: 36,208

    Leon said:

    Cyclefree said:

    When I finally retire, I will run a mobile library like this one: books, Italy, sunshine and chatting to people. What more could anyone want?


    A fourth wheel?
    My architect brother-in-law explained that every object rests on three points. If you add a fourth it either takes no weight or it takes a third of the weight and relieves one of the others. This is why chairs wobble but three-legged stools don't.

    An object in free space has 6 degrees of freedom. Every point of contact restricts one degree of freedom, so an object with 3 points of contact can technically still surge, sway and yaw (you can still slide it and turn it round).
  • Alphabet_SoupAlphabet_Soup Posts: 3,424
    ohnotnow said:

    geoffw said:

    Leon said:

    Leon said:

    I’ve woken up in the middle of the tigerish Burmese night to the most hilarious thread in PB history

    Trump is actually seizing Greenland and Denmark is chucking a mental

    Reform are leading in the polls and Labour are down to 22%, six months after a landslide win (“vote share holding up quite well” - @Foxy)

    And

    The next Chancellor of Germany is calling time on Schengen

    Did I miss anything?

    Go back to sleep. You'll be fine in the morning.
    Something to calm you all down. Rural Burma today


    I feel an affinity, my grandmother was born in Rangoon, British East India.

    British India.
    We read Elephant Bill by JH Williams in 3A. Recommended.
    I was in 3H and iirc we read whatever we liked.
    Commendably liberal, but if I'd been to your school I wouldn't be a life-long expert on elephant logging in Burma.
    I was thrown out of my English Higher class for knowing that Orwell was based in Burma. It seems that knowing the thing the teacher wanted to trip up pupils on was not the right thing to do.

    Teacher: "So, where do you think Shooting an Elephant was set?"

    Me: "Burma!"

    Teacher: "... anyone else?"

    ...

    Me: "It was in Burma. That's where he was stationed. I read it last month."

    Teacher: "Right! Get out of the class now!"

    Teacher: "Anyone else?"

    Other pupil: "India?"

    Teacher: "Ah, no. I can see why you might think that because it mentions Elephants. But it was actually Burma."

    ---

    I learned a lot that day.


    According to Literacy Criticism by Terry Eagleton you should derive facts solely from the text itself and not from extraneous biographical detail. The text is all that matters. Everything else is just journalism.

    I mention this without necessarily agreeing.
  • ohnotnowohnotnow Posts: 4,249
    TimS said:

    kjh said:

    I am going to have dinner at 'The Unruly Pig' this weekend. By coincidence today the Guardian reviewed it. It is the most glowing review I have ever read finishing with 'this is as good as it gets'. Just hope they don't put the prices up before I get there.

    As mentioned earlier I am trying find all the best pubs to eat at. Last week it was The Cat in Sussex, this week the Unruly Pig in Suffolk. So far I have been relying on the Michelin guide.

    The Duck in Pett Bottom, Kent has just reopened with new management and is so far unreviewed by any of the papers since its change of ownership. The food is really excellent.
    If either of you ever end up in Glasgow - The Bell Jar is worth a visit. Well made food, not too fancy, and a decent pint.
  • Scott_xP said:

    Leon said:

    Cyclefree said:

    When I finally retire, I will run a mobile library like this one: books, Italy, sunshine and chatting to people. What more could anyone want?


    A fourth wheel?
    My architect brother-in-law explained that every object rests on three points. If you add a fourth it either takes no weight or it takes a third of the weight and relieves one of the others. This is why chairs wobble but three-legged stools don't.

    An object in free space has 6 degrees of freedom. Every point of contact restricts one degree of freedom, so an object with 3 points of contact can technically still surge, sway and yaw (you can still slide it and turn it round).
    Hmm, so 3 legs is stable because we live in 3-dimensional space? That's something that had never occurred to me before.
  • NigelbNigelb Posts: 73,138
    Scott_xP said:

    Leon said:

    Cyclefree said:

    When I finally retire, I will run a mobile library like this one: books, Italy, sunshine and chatting to people. What more could anyone want?


    A fourth wheel?
    My architect brother-in-law explained that every object rests on three points. If you add a fourth it either takes no weight or it takes a third of the weight and relieves one of the others. This is why chairs wobble but three-legged stools don't.

    An object in free space has 6 degrees of freedom. Every point of contact restricts one degree of freedom, so an object with 3 points of contact can technically still surge, sway and yaw (you can still slide it and turn it round).
    As anyone who’s tried to drift in a Reliant Robin will realise,
  • DecrepiterJohnLDecrepiterJohnL Posts: 28,942

    geoffw said:

    Leon said:

    Leon said:

    I’ve woken up in the middle of the tigerish Burmese night to the most hilarious thread in PB history

    Trump is actually seizing Greenland and Denmark is chucking a mental

    Reform are leading in the polls and Labour are down to 22%, six months after a landslide win (“vote share holding up quite well” - @Foxy)

    And

    The next Chancellor of Germany is calling time on Schengen

    Did I miss anything?

    Go back to sleep. You'll be fine in the morning.
    Something to calm you all down. Rural Burma today


    I feel an affinity, my grandmother was born in Rangoon, British East India.

    British India.
    We read Elephant Bill by JH Williams in 3A. Recommended.
    I was in 3H and iirc we read whatever we liked.
    Commendably liberal, but if I'd been to your school I wouldn't be a life-long expert on elephant logging in Burma.
    I was going to say that reading the Jennings books gave me my intimate knowledge of the English public school system, but thinking about it now, that would have been a prep school. In 3H we knew nothing of prep schools. Also Billy Bunter for public schools. Odd perhaps to be reading boarding school stories when there were none in our borough but of course the Harry Potter generation did the same. The H in 3H came from the name of our teacher, btw; it was not the eighth class down.
  • NigelbNigelb Posts: 73,138

    ohnotnow said:

    geoffw said:

    Leon said:

    Leon said:

    I’ve woken up in the middle of the tigerish Burmese night to the most hilarious thread in PB history

    Trump is actually seizing Greenland and Denmark is chucking a mental

    Reform are leading in the polls and Labour are down to 22%, six months after a landslide win (“vote share holding up quite well” - @Foxy)

    And

    The next Chancellor of Germany is calling time on Schengen

    Did I miss anything?

    Go back to sleep. You'll be fine in the morning.
    Something to calm you all down. Rural Burma today


    I feel an affinity, my grandmother was born in Rangoon, British East India.

    British India.
    We read Elephant Bill by JH Williams in 3A. Recommended.
    I was in 3H and iirc we read whatever we liked.
    Commendably liberal, but if I'd been to your school I wouldn't be a life-long expert on elephant logging in Burma.
    I was thrown out of my English Higher class for knowing that Orwell was based in Burma. It seems that knowing the thing the teacher wanted to trip up pupils on was not the right thing to do.

    Teacher: "So, where do you think Shooting an Elephant was set?"

    Me: "Burma!"

    Teacher: "... anyone else?"

    ...

    Me: "It was in Burma. That's where he was stationed. I read it last month."

    Teacher: "Right! Get out of the class now!"

    Teacher: "Anyone else?"

    Other pupil: "India?"

    Teacher: "Ah, no. I can see why you might think that because it mentions Elephants. But it was actually Burma."

    ---

    I learned a lot that day.


    According to Literacy Criticism by Terry Eagleton you should derive facts solely from the text itself and not from extraneous biographical detail. The text is all that matters. Everything else is just journalism.

    I mention this without necessarily agreeing.
    That always struck me as an asinine argument.
    You can’t even read a text without recourse to extraneous detail; why exclude the biographical in particular ?
  • NigelbNigelb Posts: 73,138

    geoffw said:

    Leon said:

    Leon said:

    I’ve woken up in the middle of the tigerish Burmese night to the most hilarious thread in PB history

    Trump is actually seizing Greenland and Denmark is chucking a mental

    Reform are leading in the polls and Labour are down to 22%, six months after a landslide win (“vote share holding up quite well” - @Foxy)

    And

    The next Chancellor of Germany is calling time on Schengen

    Did I miss anything?

    Go back to sleep. You'll be fine in the morning.
    Something to calm you all down. Rural Burma today


    I feel an affinity, my grandmother was born in Rangoon, British East India.

    British India.
    We read Elephant Bill by JH Williams in 3A. Recommended.
    I was in 3H and iirc we read whatever we liked.
    Commendably liberal, but if I'd been to your school I wouldn't be a life-long expert on elephant logging in Burma.
    I was going to say that reading the Jennings books gave me my intimate knowledge of the English public school system, but thinking about it now, that would have been a prep school. In 3H we knew nothing of prep schools. Also Billy Bunter for public schools. Odd perhaps to be reading boarding school stories when there were none in our borough but of course the Harry Potter generation did the same. The H in 3H came from the name of our teacher, btw; it was not the eighth class down.
    And not the pencils, then ?
  • ohnotnowohnotnow Posts: 4,249

    The main bbc news is delayed 30mins because of some bollocks called 'traitors'?



    The rest of my family are watching it on i-player while I'm festering on here.

    I yearn for the honest simplicity of It's a Knockout.
    I keep thinking, in an alternate timeline, Nigel Farage could have made a great "It's A Knockout" presenter. Would have made all our lives simpler.
  • MexicanpeteMexicanpete Posts: 29,544
    Leon said:

    Cyclefree said:

    When I finally retire, I will run a mobile library like this one: books, Italy, sunshine and chatting to people. What more could anyone want?


    A fourth wheel?

    Laconic post of the day.
  • AnneJGPAnneJGP Posts: 3,166

    geoffw said:

    Leon said:

    Leon said:

    I’ve woken up in the middle of the tigerish Burmese night to the most hilarious thread in PB history

    Trump is actually seizing Greenland and Denmark is chucking a mental

    Reform are leading in the polls and Labour are down to 22%, six months after a landslide win (“vote share holding up quite well” - @Foxy)

    And

    The next Chancellor of Germany is calling time on Schengen

    Did I miss anything?

    Go back to sleep. You'll be fine in the morning.
    Something to calm you all down. Rural Burma today


    I feel an affinity, my grandmother was born in Rangoon, British East India.

    British India.
    We read Elephant Bill by JH Williams in 3A. Recommended.
    I was in 3H and iirc we read whatever we liked.
    Commendably liberal, but if I'd been to your school I wouldn't be a life-long expert on elephant logging in Burma.
    I was going to say that reading the Jennings books gave me my intimate knowledge of the English public school system, but thinking about it now, that would have been a prep school. In 3H we knew nothing of prep schools. Also Billy Bunter for public schools. Odd perhaps to be reading boarding school stories when there were none in our borough but of course the Harry Potter generation did the same. The H in 3H came from the name of our teacher, btw; it was not the eighth class down.
    If it had been the eighth class down, they'd have been grateful the children were reading anything. Just reading is a huge skill.
  • rottenboroughrottenborough Posts: 63,603
    ohnotnow said:

    geoffw said:

    Leon said:

    Leon said:

    I’ve woken up in the middle of the tigerish Burmese night to the most hilarious thread in PB history

    Trump is actually seizing Greenland and Denmark is chucking a mental

    Reform are leading in the polls and Labour are down to 22%, six months after a landslide win (“vote share holding up quite well” - @Foxy)

    And

    The next Chancellor of Germany is calling time on Schengen

    Did I miss anything?

    Go back to sleep. You'll be fine in the morning.
    Something to calm you all down. Rural Burma today


    I feel an affinity, my grandmother was born in Rangoon, British East India.

    British India.
    We read Elephant Bill by JH Williams in 3A. Recommended.
    I was in 3H and iirc we read whatever we liked.
    Commendably liberal, but if I'd been to your school I wouldn't be a life-long expert on elephant logging in Burma.
    I was thrown out of my English Higher class for knowing that Orwell was based in Burma. It seems that knowing the thing the teacher wanted to trip up pupils on was not the right thing to do.

    Teacher: "So, where do you think Shooting an Elephant was set?"

    Me: "Burma!"

    Teacher: "... anyone else?"

    ...

    Me: "It was in Burma. That's where he was stationed. I read it last month."

    Teacher: "Right! Get out of the class now!"

    Teacher: "Anyone else?"

    Other pupil: "India?"

    Teacher: "Ah, no. I can see why you might think that because it mentions Elephants. But it was actually Burma."

    ---

    I learned a lot that day.


    "teacher, leave them kids alone"
  • ohnotnowohnotnow Posts: 4,249

    ohnotnow said:

    geoffw said:

    Leon said:

    Leon said:

    I’ve woken up in the middle of the tigerish Burmese night to the most hilarious thread in PB history

    Trump is actually seizing Greenland and Denmark is chucking a mental

    Reform are leading in the polls and Labour are down to 22%, six months after a landslide win (“vote share holding up quite well” - @Foxy)

    And

    The next Chancellor of Germany is calling time on Schengen

    Did I miss anything?

    Go back to sleep. You'll be fine in the morning.
    Something to calm you all down. Rural Burma today


    I feel an affinity, my grandmother was born in Rangoon, British East India.

    British India.
    We read Elephant Bill by JH Williams in 3A. Recommended.
    I was in 3H and iirc we read whatever we liked.
    Commendably liberal, but if I'd been to your school I wouldn't be a life-long expert on elephant logging in Burma.
    I was thrown out of my English Higher class for knowing that Orwell was based in Burma. It seems that knowing the thing the teacher wanted to trip up pupils on was not the right thing to do.

    Teacher: "So, where do you think Shooting an Elephant was set?"

    Me: "Burma!"

    Teacher: "... anyone else?"

    ...

    Me: "It was in Burma. That's where he was stationed. I read it last month."

    Teacher: "Right! Get out of the class now!"

    Teacher: "Anyone else?"

    Other pupil: "India?"

    Teacher: "Ah, no. I can see why you might think that because it mentions Elephants. But it was actually Burma."

    ---

    I learned a lot that day.


    According to Literacy Criticism by Terry Eagleton you should derive facts solely from the text itself and not from extraneous biographical detail. The text is all that matters. Everything else is just journalism.

    I mention this without necessarily agreeing.
    ... I mean... the opening line of the text is :

    "In Moulmein, in lower Burma, I was hated by large numbers of people"

    I'm sure even Big Tel would have given me a break, if not my English teacher.
  • ohnotnowohnotnow Posts: 4,249

    ohnotnow said:

    geoffw said:

    Leon said:

    Leon said:

    I’ve woken up in the middle of the tigerish Burmese night to the most hilarious thread in PB history

    Trump is actually seizing Greenland and Denmark is chucking a mental

    Reform are leading in the polls and Labour are down to 22%, six months after a landslide win (“vote share holding up quite well” - @Foxy)

    And

    The next Chancellor of Germany is calling time on Schengen

    Did I miss anything?

    Go back to sleep. You'll be fine in the morning.
    Something to calm you all down. Rural Burma today


    I feel an affinity, my grandmother was born in Rangoon, British East India.

    British India.
    We read Elephant Bill by JH Williams in 3A. Recommended.
    I was in 3H and iirc we read whatever we liked.
    Commendably liberal, but if I'd been to your school I wouldn't be a life-long expert on elephant logging in Burma.
    I was thrown out of my English Higher class for knowing that Orwell was based in Burma. It seems that knowing the thing the teacher wanted to trip up pupils on was not the right thing to do.

    Teacher: "So, where do you think Shooting an Elephant was set?"

    Me: "Burma!"

    Teacher: "... anyone else?"

    ...

    Me: "It was in Burma. That's where he was stationed. I read it last month."

    Teacher: "Right! Get out of the class now!"

    Teacher: "Anyone else?"

    Other pupil: "India?"

    Teacher: "Ah, no. I can see why you might think that because it mentions Elephants. But it was actually Burma."

    ---

    I learned a lot that day.


    "teacher, leave them kids alone"
    I wish the P.E teacher had heeded that. Very keen on monitoring the showers he was.
  • numbertwelvenumbertwelve Posts: 7,045
    edited January 24

    The main bbc news is delayed 30mins because of some bollocks called 'traitors'?



    Well, according to BBC News, it is the fourth most important news story in the whole world right now.

    They are losing their way so badly nowadays.
  • rkrkrkrkrkrk Posts: 8,426

    glw said:

    Scott_xP said:

    @techmeme.com‬

    In email to X staff, Musk says "user growth is stagnant, revenue is unimpressive, and we're barely breaking even"; sources: banks plan to sell their debt in X (Wall Street Journal)

    https://bsky.app/profile/techmeme.com/post/3lgjbldyxgo2h

    That can't be correct as Elon fans in their black shorts keep saying that Twitter is doing really well.
    Has Musk only just noticed all his X numbers are going to shit?

    Tesla also in shit.

    Maybe he should get back to his day job(s) and stop trying to overthrow european governments?
    AI is the hot thing and he seems behind in that race. Starts to make his other companies look overvalued.
  • kle4kle4 Posts: 96,900

    ohnotnow said:

    rcs1000 said:

    Nigelb said:

    Tulsi Gabbard growing less likely to be confirmed.
    I'd forgotten this one.

    As we remember Japan’s aggression in the Pacific, we need to ask ourselves this question: is the remilitarization of Japan, which is presently underway, truly a good idea? We need to be careful that shortsighted, self-serving leaders do not end up bringing us again face-to-face with a remilitarized Japan. #PearlHarbor82..
    https://x.com/TulsiGabbard/status/1732690475482755422

    You know, I can think of positive things to say about almost every human being: yes, even Trump, @kle4 and RFK Jr.

    Tulsi Gabbard, though, I'm really struggling. Can anyone think of a single positive characteristic?
    'Somewhat interesting name'?
    She’s kinda cute
    Thank you for saving me from saying it.
  • rottenboroughrottenborough Posts: 63,603
    rkrkrk said:

    glw said:

    Scott_xP said:

    @techmeme.com‬

    In email to X staff, Musk says "user growth is stagnant, revenue is unimpressive, and we're barely breaking even"; sources: banks plan to sell their debt in X (Wall Street Journal)

    https://bsky.app/profile/techmeme.com/post/3lgjbldyxgo2h

    That can't be correct as Elon fans in their black shorts keep saying that Twitter is doing really well.
    Has Musk only just noticed all his X numbers are going to shit?

    Tesla also in shit.

    Maybe he should get back to his day job(s) and stop trying to overthrow european governments?
    AI is the hot thing and he seems behind in that race. Starts to make his other companies look overvalued.
    maybe.

    Seems to me a massive amount of air holding up Telsa share price (capitalisation greater than entire German auto industry iirc) is driverless stuff and AI.

  • kle4kle4 Posts: 96,900
    edited January 25

    The main bbc news is delayed 30mins because of some bollocks called 'traitors'?



    Well, according to BBC News, it is the fourth most important news story in the whole world right now.

    They are losing their way so badly nowadays.
    I've somehow avoided learning anything about it from the snippets of headlines that pop up all over the internet. Quite unintentionally, but now I feel like I have a duty to continue to know bugger all about it.
  • rottenboroughrottenborough Posts: 63,603

    The main bbc news is delayed 30mins because of some bollocks called 'traitors'?



    Well, according to BBC News, it is the fourth most important news story in the whole world right now.

    They are losing their way so badly nowadays.
    LOL. Actually maybe things are improving. Last year it would be second most important story!!
  • rottenboroughrottenborough Posts: 63,603
    Johnson is available at 11 to be con leader at GE 2028/9.

    I am topping up kids.

  • StereodogStereodog Posts: 742
    kinabalu said:

    Leon said:

    glw said:

    Scott_xP said:

    @techmeme.com‬

    In email to X staff, Musk says "user growth is stagnant, revenue is unimpressive, and we're barely breaking even"; sources: banks plan to sell their debt in X (Wall Street Journal)

    https://bsky.app/profile/techmeme.com/post/3lgjbldyxgo2h

    That can't be correct as Elon fans in their black shorts keep saying that Twitter is doing really well.
    Has Musk only just noticed all his X numbers are going to shit?

    Tesla also in shit.

    Maybe he should get back to his day job(s) and stop trying to overthrow european governments?
    Yes. Musk has to decide whether he wants X as a personal bully pulpit, or as a successful growing social medium

    Either is a legit aspiration, but he can’t have both
    Buying up the media to spread far right propaganda is a legitimate aspiration? Hmm. Ok. One wonders what an illegitimate one would look like then.
    It's been the reason that most people have bought newspapers for the last century or so
  • HYUFDHYUFD Posts: 124,821
    'Vice President JD Vance proclaimed he wants “more babies in the United States of America” on Friday in his debut speech, echoing President Trump’s promise to fight back against unrestrained abortion access.

    “Our society has failed to recognize the obligation that one generation has to another is a core part of living in a society to begin with. So let me say, very simply, I want more babies in the United States of America,” Vance declared.

    Vance added that the US had “failed a generation” by celebrating abortion access and not aiding young couples with the tools they need to support a family — saying the country had embraced a “culture of abortion on demand.”

    “We need a culture that celebrates life at all stages, one that recognizes and truly believes that the benchmark of national success is not a GDP number or our stock market, but whether people feel that they can raise thriving and healthy families, in our country,” Vance said.'

    https://nypost.com/2025/01/24/us-news/march-for-life-jd-vance-says-he-wants-more-babies-in-the-us/
  • HYUFDHYUFD Posts: 124,821

    Johnson is available at 11 to be con leader at GE 2028/9.

    I am topping up kids.

    CCHQ won't put him on the approved parliamentary candidates list again so rule that out, Jenrick or Cleverly might have done, Kemi won't any more than Rishi would
  • Andy_JSAndy_JS Posts: 33,247

    Johnson is available at 11 to be con leader at GE 2028/9.

    I am topping up kids.

    I can confidently predict that Johnson won't be back as Tory leader or leader of any other party.
  • FeersumEnjineeyaFeersumEnjineeya Posts: 4,589
    edited January 25
    HYUFD said:

    'Vice President JD Vance proclaimed he wants “more babies in the United States of America” on Friday in his debut speech, echoing President Trump’s promise to fight back against unrestrained abortion access.

    “Our society has failed to recognize the obligation that one generation has to another is a core part of living in a society to begin with. So let me say, very simply, I want more babies in the United States of America,” Vance declared.

    Vance added that the US had “failed a generation” by celebrating abortion access and not aiding young couples with the tools they need to support a family — saying the country had embraced a “culture of abortion on demand.”

    “We need a culture that celebrates life at all stages, one that recognizes and truly believes that the benchmark of national success is not a GDP number or our stock market, but whether people feel that they can raise thriving and healthy families, in our country,” Vance said.'

    https://nypost.com/2025/01/24/us-news/march-for-life-jd-vance-says-he-wants-more-babies-in-the-us/

    He's right to value a culture in which people feel that they can raise thriving and healthy families, but it's hard to see how restricting access to abortion is supposed to achieve that. They'll just end up with a bunch of unwanted, and potentially unloved, children who'll then likely to grow up to be maladjusted adults. It's a recipe for misery, but hey, it's what the Amercans apparently want.
  • rottenboroughrottenborough Posts: 63,603

    HYUFD said:

    'Vice President JD Vance proclaimed he wants “more babies in the United States of America” on Friday in his debut speech, echoing President Trump’s promise to fight back against unrestrained abortion access.

    “Our society has failed to recognize the obligation that one generation has to another is a core part of living in a society to begin with. So let me say, very simply, I want more babies in the United States of America,” Vance declared.

    Vance added that the US had “failed a generation” by celebrating abortion access and not aiding young couples with the tools they need to support a family — saying the country had embraced a “culture of abortion on demand.”

    “We need a culture that celebrates life at all stages, one that recognizes and truly believes that the benchmark of national success is not a GDP number or our stock market, but whether people feel that they can raise thriving and healthy families, in our country,” Vance said.'

    https://nypost.com/2025/01/24/us-news/march-for-life-jd-vance-says-he-wants-more-babies-in-the-us/

    He's right to value a culture in which people feel that they can raise thriving and healthy families, but it's hard to see how restricting access to abortion is supposed to achieve that. They'll just end up with a bunch of unwanted, and potentially unloved, children who'll then likely to grow up to be maladjusted adults. It's a recipe for misery, but hey, it's what the Amercans apparently want.
    “We need a culture that celebrates life at all stages, one that recognizes and truly believes that the benchmark of national success is not a GDP number or our stock market , but whether people feel that they can raise thriving and healthy families, in our country,” Vance said.'

    Davos Man having a heart attack listening to this.

    Greens been saying this for forty years though.
  • rottenboroughrottenborough Posts: 63,603
    Andy_JS said:

    Johnson is available at 11 to be con leader at GE 2028/9.

    I am topping up kids.

    I can confidently predict that Johnson won't be back as Tory leader or leader of any other party.
    Let's see.

    Not advisable to write him off.
  • rottenboroughrottenborough Posts: 63,603
    HYUFD said:

    Johnson is available at 11 to be con leader at GE 2028/9.

    I am topping up kids.

    CCHQ won't put him on the approved parliamentary candidates list again so rule that out, Jenrick or Cleverly might have done, Kemi won't any more than Rishi would
    CCHQ by 2027 may well not be the same CCHQ leaders and staff as now.

    Kemi wont be leader by then unless something changes dramatically.
  • Jim_MillerJim_Miller Posts: 3,099
    "Tulsi Gabbard, though, I'm really struggling. Can anyone think of a single positive characteristic?"

    Gutsy surfer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5D02U4oEKOw
  • Andy_JSAndy_JS Posts: 33,247
    "Controversial tourist tax approved in Edinburgh despite warnings

    A five per cent charge will be levied on hotels, B&Bs, campsites and accommodation let through websites such as Airbnb"

    https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2025/01/24/edinburgh-tourist-tax-hotels-bed-breakfast-airbnb-overnight/
  • MattWMattW Posts: 24,469
    spudgfsh said:

    Taz said:

    This labour MP, of the new intake, seems to be a bright spark and should get ministerial office sooner rather than later.

    https://x.com/dan4barnet/status/1882774413977755680?s=61

    he's talking more sense than most (so will probably go nowhere). Keir Starmer was also talking sense. Sam Coates (in the quoted tweet) shows his lack of understanding of the specifics.

    the A47 between Dereham and Norwich is a horrible road which has cost lives, (I know I use it regularly) and Dr Boswell was trying to stop a road project which was not only needed but popular in the county and supported by all of the local MPs and councillors. if these specific schemes didn't happen another one would have happened much later and at much higher cost. Dr Boswell was being crowdfunded and had a flimsy argument which should have been thrown out initially.

    A better system for review of infrastructure projects is needed so it doesn't get to court in the first place. or if it has to it's once and quick.
    I'd say that if Mr Starmer had not named anyone, Sky would be going on about him being airy-fairy and giving no examples.
  • MattWMattW Posts: 24,469
    edited January 25
    ..
  • MattWMattW Posts: 24,469
    edited January 25
    rcs1000 said:

    You know, it's one thing offering a fair price and having a negotiation with Denmark over Greenland (assuming the Greenlanders agree).

    It's another thing entirely when you threaten retaliatory tariffs if fellow NATO member Denmark does not accede to your request.

    Chump, or his successor, is going to end up with a Europe armed to the teeth shunning him as a threatening rival still grounded in the 18C.

    I'd say that Greenland needs to be looking at a closer alliance with Canada.

    Mr Trump really has his eye on the North-West passage, and ultimately the USA will say "our Navy is coming through - what're you gonna do?", ignoring international law to which they pay no regard anyway if it cuts across self-interest. And short of naval mines installed by Canada, they will not stop.

    That's the USA for you.
  • MattWMattW Posts: 24,469
    edited January 25

    ohnotnow said:

    rcs1000 said:

    Nigelb said:

    Tulsi Gabbard growing less likely to be confirmed.
    I'd forgotten this one.

    As we remember Japan’s aggression in the Pacific, we need to ask ourselves this question: is the remilitarization of Japan, which is presently underway, truly a good idea? We need to be careful that shortsighted, self-serving leaders do not end up bringing us again face-to-face with a remilitarized Japan. #PearlHarbor82..
    https://x.com/TulsiGabbard/status/1732690475482755422

    You know, I can think of positive things to say about almost every human being: yes, even Trump, @kle4 and RFK Jr.

    Tulsi Gabbard, though, I'm really struggling. Can anyone think of a single positive characteristic?
    'Somewhat interesting name'?
    She’s kinda cute
    I'm not sure about Tulsi Gabbard. She had a longish political career as a Democrat, including working alongside Bernie Sanders.

    Then around 2020-2022 she went full Trumpist and picked up all the rhetoric around "woke", "anti-white racism", trans obsession, and the rest.

    It seems to me to be like a religious conversion.

    I wonder what happened?
  • MattWMattW Posts: 24,469
    Cyclefree said:

    When I finally retire, I will run a mobile library like this one: books, Italy, sunshine and chatting to people. What more could anyone want?


    A small packet of cornflakes.

    “He would have felt safe if alongside the Dentrassis' underwear, the piles of Sqornshellous mattresses and the man from Betelgeuse holding up a small yellow fish and offering to put it in his ear he had been able to see just a small packet of cornflakes. But he couldn't, and he didn't feel safe.”
  • DecrepiterJohnLDecrepiterJohnL Posts: 28,942
    Young HGV drivers quitting - threatening Labour plan to build new towns
    ...
    One of the government’s key policies in 2021 was funding skills “bootcamps” to fast-track a new generation of HGV drivers. However, according to the DfT report, almost half [47 per cent] of those who went through the training scheme are yet to find employment within the HGV industry, or have given up and moved into a different career.

    https://inews.co.uk/news/young-hgv-drivers-threatening-labour-plan-build-new-towns-3497237 (£££)
  • DecrepiterJohnLDecrepiterJohnL Posts: 28,942
    Opening NHS to private firms will be price of Trump trade deal, No 10 warned
    Government insists access to National Health Service will be 'red line' in any talks

    https://inews.co.uk/news/politics/opening-nhs-private-firms-price-trump-trade-deal-no10-warned-3500801 (£££)
  • DecrepiterJohnLDecrepiterJohnL Posts: 28,942
    Trump Says Fauci, Bolton’s Safety Is Their Problem as Security Ends
    https://www.youtube.com/shorts/i27F3tA7vso

    (54 seconds of press conference video from Bloomberg)
  • DecrepiterJohnLDecrepiterJohnL Posts: 28,942
    VLAD’S SWEET TALK
    Putin sensationally says Trump may have PREVENTED Ukraine war if ‘2020 victory wasn’t stolen’ & despot is ready to meet
    Trump has made stark threats to Russia in recent days to try and draw Putin towards the negotiating table

    https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/32990924/putin-trump-prevented-ukraine-war-election-ready-meet/
  • Morris_DancerMorris_Dancer Posts: 62,098
    Good morning, everyone.

    Hope nobody's been too badly affected by the storm.
  • NigelbNigelb Posts: 73,138

    VLAD’S SWEET TALK
    Putin sensationally says Trump may have PREVENTED Ukraine war if ‘2020 victory wasn’t stolen’ & despot is ready to meet
    Trump has made stark threats to Russia in recent days to try and draw Putin towards the negotiating table

    https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/32990924/putin-trump-prevented-ukraine-war-election-ready-meet/

    Why is that sensational, rather than predictable ?
    Putin was quite happy to flatter Trump last time round. It doesn't mean anything other than he knows Trump is susceptible to flattery.
  • Casino_RoyaleCasino_Royale Posts: 61,293
    The Trump stuff on Denmark is insane.

    It's the sort of thing that would probably compel us to back Denmark, together with other European allies, and split NATO.

    I presume he couldn't take any military action without the approval of Congress. Whilst Republican controlled one would hope not all Senators would vote for such insanity.
  • ydoethurydoethur Posts: 72,222
    edited January 25

    The Trump stuff on Denmark is insane.

    It's the sort of thing that would probably compel us to back Denmark, together with other European allies, and split NATO.

    I presume he couldn't take any military action without the approval of Congress. Whilst Republican controlled one would hope not all Senators would vote for such insanity.

    If they vote for Hesgeth, albeit on a tie break, I’m thinking concerns about sanity won’t stop the Senate.
  • NigelbNigelb Posts: 73,138
    edited January 25
    MattW said:

    ohnotnow said:

    rcs1000 said:

    Nigelb said:

    Tulsi Gabbard growing less likely to be confirmed.
    I'd forgotten this one.

    As we remember Japan’s aggression in the Pacific, we need to ask ourselves this question: is the remilitarization of Japan, which is presently underway, truly a good idea? We need to be careful that shortsighted, self-serving leaders do not end up bringing us again face-to-face with a remilitarized Japan. #PearlHarbor82..
    https://x.com/TulsiGabbard/status/1732690475482755422

    You know, I can think of positive things to say about almost every human being: yes, even Trump, @kle4 and RFK Jr.

    Tulsi Gabbard, though, I'm really struggling. Can anyone think of a single positive characteristic?
    'Somewhat interesting name'?
    She’s kinda cute
    I'm not sure about Tulsi Gabbard. She had a longish political career as a Democrat, including working alongside Bernie Sanders.

    Then around 2020-2022 she went full Trumpist and picked up all the rhetoric around "woke", "anti-white racism", trans obsession, and the rest.

    It seems to me to be like a religious conversion.

    I wonder what happened?
    She was going nowhere in Democratic politics.
    She always had some fairly bonkers ideas; the fondness for Assad, for example, long predates the move to team Trump.
  • JonathanJonathan Posts: 21,776

    The Trump stuff on Denmark is insane.

    It's the sort of thing that would probably compel us to back Denmark, together with other European allies, and split NATO.

    I presume he couldn't take any military action without the approval of Congress. Whilst Republican controlled one would hope not all Senators would vote for such insanity.

    Can UK forces operate independently or is our technology dependent on US approval?
  • MattWMattW Posts: 24,469

    Young HGV drivers quitting - threatening Labour plan to build new towns
    ...
    One of the government’s key policies in 2021 was funding skills “bootcamps” to fast-track a new generation of HGV drivers. However, according to the DfT report, almost half [47 per cent] of those who went through the training scheme are yet to find employment within the HGV industry, or have given up and moved into a different career.

    https://inews.co.uk/news/young-hgv-drivers-threatening-labour-plan-build-new-towns-3497237 (£££)

    Higlighting some strange statistics:

    It will highlight that only 2.2 per cent of HGV drivers are 24 or under, and blames part of the problem on the ability of firms to get insurance for inexperienced drivers.
  • MattWMattW Posts: 24,469

    Opening NHS to private firms will be price of Trump trade deal, No 10 warned
    Government insists access to National Health Service will be 'red line' in any talks

    https://inews.co.uk/news/politics/opening-nhs-private-firms-price-trump-trade-deal-no10-warned-3500801 (£££)

    That sounds like quite an important theological debate around definitions:

    But experts have warned Downing Street that any attempt to secure a full free-trade agreement (FTA) with the Washington is likely to see demands for full access to the NHS.

    We need to remember that the USA does not do Free Trade Agreements, it does managed trade agreements.

    US Pharma already has access to the NHS via the established negotiated purchase routes (eg I can opt - if I choose - for Yankee Doodle Insulin from Eli Lilly), so it's not clear what he wants - other than perhaps to try and manage out more money for his Pharma Friends at our cost.

    Trump needs to explain what he means.
  • MattWMattW Posts: 24,469

    The Trump stuff on Denmark is insane.

    It's the sort of thing that would probably compel us to back Denmark, together with other European allies, and split NATO.

    I presume he couldn't take any military action without the approval of Congress. Whilst Republican controlled one would hope not all Senators would vote for such insanity.

    In sentence one, the middle bit "stuff on Denmark" is redundant. :smile:
  • DecrepiterJohnLDecrepiterJohnL Posts: 28,942
    MattW said:

    Young HGV drivers quitting - threatening Labour plan to build new towns
    ...
    One of the government’s key policies in 2021 was funding skills “bootcamps” to fast-track a new generation of HGV drivers. However, according to the DfT report, almost half [47 per cent] of those who went through the training scheme are yet to find employment within the HGV industry, or have given up and moved into a different career.

    https://inews.co.uk/news/young-hgv-drivers-threatening-labour-plan-build-new-towns-3497237 (£££)

    Higlighting some strange statistics:

    It will highlight that only 2.2 per cent of HGV drivers are 24 or under, and blames part of the problem on the ability of firms to get insurance for inexperienced drivers.
    Yes, a 50 per cent wastage rate cries out for some sort of government action, whether that be to ease insurance rates or to re-target the scheme at older applicants.
  • Casino_RoyaleCasino_Royale Posts: 61,293
    Jonathan said:

    The Trump stuff on Denmark is insane.

    It's the sort of thing that would probably compel us to back Denmark, together with other European allies, and split NATO.

    I presume he couldn't take any military action without the approval of Congress. Whilst Republican controlled one would hope not all Senators would vote for such insanity.

    Can UK forces operate independently or is our technology dependent on US approval?
    What forces?
  • Casino_RoyaleCasino_Royale Posts: 61,293
    Dura_Ace said:

    The Trump stuff on Denmark is insane.

    It's the sort of thing that would probably compel us to back Denmark, together with other European allies, and split NATO.

    I presume he couldn't take any military action without the approval of Congress. Whilst Republican controlled one would hope not all Senators would vote for such insanity.

    It wouldn't need military action. The population of Greenland is tiny and they have no armed forces of their own to speak of. DJT could just send CIA SADs/PMCs into Nuuk to round up the government and take over the airport. They've already got forces in Greenland if necessay. The janitorial team from Thule AFB could probably do it.

    Then it's over. Europe aren't going to fight the USA over it. We'd all feel a bit shit about it for a bit then get over it.
    No, we wouldn't get over it.

    It would have very serious repercussions.
  • NigelbNigelb Posts: 73,138
    Jonathan said:

    The Trump stuff on Denmark is insane.

    It's the sort of thing that would probably compel us to back Denmark, together with other European allies, and split NATO.

    I presume he couldn't take any military action without the approval of Congress. Whilst Republican controlled one would hope not all Senators would vote for such insanity.

    Can UK forces operate independently or is our technology dependent on US approval?
    They can. But that's probably time limited because of our reliance on ongoing US. technical support for quite a list if it ?
  • FoxyFoxy Posts: 49,663
    edited January 25


    You coildnt make it up

    Reeves says you need to be positive about the economy. Perhaps she could explain her first 6 months of talking everything down and apologise.

    https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2025/01/24/britain-trump-positivity-economic-growth-rachel-reeves/

    I see overall PMI was up yesterday to 50.9 indicating expansion. Manufacturing was still below 50, but both manufacturing and services PMI were higher than expectations.

    So there are some things to be positive about, at least purchasing managers think so.
  • CiceroCicero Posts: 3,177
    MattW said:

    rcs1000 said:

    You know, it's one thing offering a fair price and having a negotiation with Denmark over Greenland (assuming the Greenlanders agree).

    It's another thing entirely when you threaten retaliatory tariffs if fellow NATO member Denmark does not accede to your request.

    Chump, or his successor, is going to end up with a Europe armed to the teeth shunning him as a threatening rival still grounded in the 18C.

    I'd say that Greenland needs to be looking at a closer alliance with Canada.

    Mr Trump really has his eye on the North-West passage, and ultimately the USA will say "our Navy is coming through - what're you gonna do?", ignoring international law to which they pay no regard anyway if it cuts across self-interest. And short of naval mines installed by Canada, they will not stop.

    That's the USA for you.
    With Tech valuations in mid air, and red ink all over Musk's hubris Empire- I'd say the US is riding for one hell of a fall. I am meeting my financial team on Tuesday and will be looking to drastically reduce exposure to the US.

    Pride goeth before destruction and a haughty spirit before a fall.
  • NigelbNigelb Posts: 73,138
    Given some of the badly thought out NIMBY measures in the bill, this is probably a good thing on balance.

    Labour MPs ordered to sink landmark climate and environment bill
    https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/jan/23/labour-mps-ordered-to-sink-landmark-climate-and-environment-bill
    A landmark bill that would make the UK’s climate and environment targets legally binding seems doomed after government whips ordered Labour MPs to oppose it following a breakdown in negotiations.

    Supporters of the climate and nature bill, introduced by the Liberal Democrat MP Roz Savage, say Labour insisted on the removal of clauses that would require the UK to meet the targets it agreed to at Cop and other international summits.

    Although it is a private member’s bill, more than 80 Labour MPs, including several ministers, had publicly signed up to support it...


    The bill as it stands would have massively increased the kind of lawfare which paralyses all development.
    It would be an act of serious self harm to pass it in this form.
  • Dura_AceDura_Ace Posts: 13,882
    Nigelb said:

    Jonathan said:

    The Trump stuff on Denmark is insane.

    It's the sort of thing that would probably compel us to back Denmark, together with other European allies, and split NATO.

    I presume he couldn't take any military action without the approval of Congress. Whilst Republican controlled one would hope not all Senators would vote for such insanity.

    Can UK forces operate independently or is our technology dependent on US approval?
    They can. But that's probably time limited because of our reliance on ongoing US. technical support for quite a list if it ?
    The UK can do a lot autonomously, but one thing it definitely isn't going to do is fight (and lose badly to) the USA over a load of rocks covered in snow and puffin shit in the North Atlantic.
  • CiceroCicero Posts: 3,177

    The main bbc news is delayed 30mins because of some bollocks called 'traitors'?



    Well, according to BBC News, it is the fourth most important news story in the whole world right now.

    They are losing their way so badly nowadays.
    LOL. Actually maybe things are improving. Last year it would be second most important story!!
    For the BBC it is a very important story- and they are looking to make overseas sales. Such self serving log rolling tends ultimately to devalue the BBC brand- but that's just collateral damage, if the moolah keeps coming in
  • MattWMattW Posts: 24,469
    Cicero said:

    MattW said:

    rcs1000 said:

    You know, it's one thing offering a fair price and having a negotiation with Denmark over Greenland (assuming the Greenlanders agree).

    It's another thing entirely when you threaten retaliatory tariffs if fellow NATO member Denmark does not accede to your request.

    Chump, or his successor, is going to end up with a Europe armed to the teeth shunning him as a threatening rival still grounded in the 18C.

    I'd say that Greenland needs to be looking at a closer alliance with Canada.

    Mr Trump really has his eye on the North-West passage, and ultimately the USA will say "our Navy is coming through - what're you gonna do?", ignoring international law to which they pay no regard anyway if it cuts across self-interest. And short of naval mines installed by Canada, they will not stop.

    That's the USA for you.
    With Tech valuations in mid air, and red ink all over Musk's hubris Empire- I'd say the US is riding for one hell of a fall. I am meeting my financial team on Tuesday and will be looking to drastically reduce exposure to the US.

    Pride goeth before destruction and a haughty spirit before a fall.
    Like everyone else, I really can't call any of it !

    It's a random walk.
  • NigelbNigelb Posts: 73,138
    Dura_Ace said:

    Nigelb said:

    Jonathan said:

    The Trump stuff on Denmark is insane.

    It's the sort of thing that would probably compel us to back Denmark, together with other European allies, and split NATO.

    I presume he couldn't take any military action without the approval of Congress. Whilst Republican controlled one would hope not all Senators would vote for such insanity.

    Can UK forces operate independently or is our technology dependent on US approval?
    They can. But that's probably time limited because of our reliance on ongoing US. technical support for quite a list if it ?
    The UK can do a lot autonomously, but one thing it definitely isn't going to do is fight (and lose badly to) the USA over a load of rocks covered in snow and puffin shit in the North Atlantic.
    Of course not. If Trump goes completely mental, then we're screwed. How much of our armed forces we can operate independently is something of a side question.

    I was just answering the question as posed.
  • AlanbrookeAlanbrooke Posts: 25,732
    Foxy said:


    You coildnt make it up

    Reeves says you need to be positive about the economy. Perhaps she could explain her first 6 months of talking everything down and apologise.

    https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2025/01/24/britain-trump-positivity-economic-growth-rachel-reeves/

    I see overall PMI was up yesterday to 50.9 indicating expansion. Manufacturing was still below 50, but both manufacturing and services PMI were higher than expectations.

    So there are some things to be positive about, at least purchasing managers think so.
    I do have to laugh

    The slightest bit of good news gets ramped as is we're heading to the sundrenched uplands

    Im afraid we are in one step forward wo steps back land. Nothing much is going to change the direction of travel until the government changes its economic policies. Or indeed until the government actually has an economic policy as opposed to a series of random acts which only make things worse.
  • ydoethurydoethur Posts: 72,222
    Dura_Ace said:

    Nigelb said:

    Jonathan said:

    The Trump stuff on Denmark is insane.

    It's the sort of thing that would probably compel us to back Denmark, together with other European allies, and split NATO.

    I presume he couldn't take any military action without the approval of Congress. Whilst Republican controlled one would hope not all Senators would vote for such insanity.

    Can UK forces operate independently or is our technology dependent on US approval?
    They can. But that's probably time limited because of our reliance on ongoing US. technical support for quite a list if it ?
    The UK can do a lot autonomously, but one thing it definitely isn't going to do is fight (and lose badly to) the USA over a load of rocks covered in snow and puffin shit in the North Atlantic.
    Er, excuse me? He’s coming after Scotland too?
  • NigelbNigelb Posts: 73,138
    Cicero said:

    The main bbc news is delayed 30mins because of some bollocks called 'traitors'?



    Well, according to BBC News, it is the fourth most important news story in the whole world right now.

    They are losing their way so badly nowadays.
    LOL. Actually maybe things are improving. Last year it would be second most important story!!
    For the BBC it is a very important story- and they are looking to make overseas sales. Such self serving log rolling tends ultimately to devalue the BBC brand- but that's just collateral damage, if the moolah keeps coming in
    It's not just the BBC though, is it ?
    Plenty of other media report it with some prominence.

    The OP is quite wrong. Stuff gets prominence because news organisation think stuff will attract eyeballs, not because it's "important".

    The relationship between important and interesting is an evolving one.
  • rkrkrkrkrkrk Posts: 8,426

    The Trump stuff on Denmark is insane.

    It's the sort of thing that would probably compel us to back Denmark, together with other European allies, and split NATO.

    I presume he couldn't take any military action without the approval of Congress. Whilst Republican controlled one would hope not all Senators would vote for such insanity.

    He can legally take action without Congress (and of course legal barriers arent necessarily an impediment). He merely has to notify them. Over 60 days I think he needs a vote or to declare war i think...

    https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/War_Powers_Resolution#:~:text=The War Powers Resolution requires,force (AUMF) or a declaration
  • ydoethurydoethur Posts: 72,222
    edited January 25
    rkrkrk said:

    The Trump stuff on Denmark is insane.

    It's the sort of thing that would probably compel us to back Denmark, together with other European allies, and split NATO.

    I presume he couldn't take any military action without the approval of Congress. Whilst Republican controlled one would hope not all Senators would vote for such insanity.

    He can legally take action without Congress (and of course legal barriers arent necessarily an impediment). He merely has to notify them. Over 60 days I think he needs a vote or to declare war i think...

    https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/War_Powers_Resolution#:~:text=The War Powers Resolution requires,force (AUMF) or a declaration
    Or alternatively, just say it’s covered by Presidential Immunity.

    What are they going to do, impeach him? Ask the Supreme Court for a ruling? Prosecute with a Special Counsel?
  • CiceroCicero Posts: 3,177
    MattW said:

    Cicero said:

    MattW said:

    rcs1000 said:

    You know, it's one thing offering a fair price and having a negotiation with Denmark over Greenland (assuming the Greenlanders agree).

    It's another thing entirely when you threaten retaliatory tariffs if fellow NATO member Denmark does not accede to your request.

    Chump, or his successor, is going to end up with a Europe armed to the teeth shunning him as a threatening rival still grounded in the 18C.

    I'd say that Greenland needs to be looking at a closer alliance with Canada.

    Mr Trump really has his eye on the North-West passage, and ultimately the USA will say "our Navy is coming through - what're you gonna do?", ignoring international law to which they pay no regard anyway if it cuts across self-interest. And short of naval mines installed by Canada, they will not stop.

    That's the USA for you.
    With Tech valuations in mid air, and red ink all over Musk's hubris Empire- I'd say the US is riding for one hell of a fall. I am meeting my financial team on Tuesday and will be looking to drastically reduce exposure to the US.

    Pride goeth before destruction and a haughty spirit before a fall.
    Like everyone else, I really can't call any of it !

    It's a random walk.
    As far as Musk is concerned- it really isn't. He has managed his businesses badly, Tesla is under significant pressure and TwiX is probably worth less than half what he paid for it. Hoing to Mars is pretty much the definition of hubris. Individual business- starlink, possibly, have value, but the overall assets of the "first trillionaire" look like a house if cards. Meta to is is also extremely vulnerable. The enshitiffication of Facebook is more and more obvious- Reddit feeds are just cheap, repetitive filler.

    At current valuations a tech rout is not only quite likely- it's all but inevitable.
  • BattlebusBattlebus Posts: 160
    Andy_JS said:

    "Zia Yusuf, the Reform chairman, added: “No pacts, no deals. Reform is headed for government.”

    https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2025/01/24/reform-top-national-polls-first-time-southport-sentencing/

    "Go back to your constituencies, and prepare for government."
  • AlanbrookeAlanbrooke Posts: 25,732

    Labour donor gets favour from Ed Miliband, Farmers get proof Labour happy to hand countryside over to big corporates.

    https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2025/01/24/miliband-approves-solar-farm-built-major-labour-donor/
  • AlanbrookeAlanbrooke Posts: 25,732
    Cicero said:

    MattW said:

    Cicero said:

    MattW said:

    rcs1000 said:

    You know, it's one thing offering a fair price and having a negotiation with Denmark over Greenland (assuming the Greenlanders agree).

    It's another thing entirely when you threaten retaliatory tariffs if fellow NATO member Denmark does not accede to your request.

    Chump, or his successor, is going to end up with a Europe armed to the teeth shunning him as a threatening rival still grounded in the 18C.

    I'd say that Greenland needs to be looking at a closer alliance with Canada.

    Mr Trump really has his eye on the North-West passage, and ultimately the USA will say "our Navy is coming through - what're you gonna do?", ignoring international law to which they pay no regard anyway if it cuts across self-interest. And short of naval mines installed by Canada, they will not stop.

    That's the USA for you.
    With Tech valuations in mid air, and red ink all over Musk's hubris Empire- I'd say the US is riding for one hell of a fall. I am meeting my financial team on Tuesday and will be looking to drastically reduce exposure to the US.

    Pride goeth before destruction and a haughty spirit before a fall.
    Like everyone else, I really can't call any of it !

    It's a random walk.
    As far as Musk is concerned- it really isn't. He has managed his businesses badly, Tesla is under significant pressure and TwiX is probably worth less than half what he paid for it. Hoing to Mars is pretty much the definition of hubris. Individual business- starlink, possibly, have value, but the overall assets of the "first trillionaire" look like a house if cards. Meta to is is also extremely vulnerable. The enshitiffication of Facebook is more and more obvious- Reddit feeds are just cheap, repetitive filler.

    At current valuations a tech rout is not only quite likely- it's all but inevitable.
    Are you richer than Elon Musk ? From memory youre in private equity ?
  • NigelbNigelb Posts: 73,138
    I see Vance had to break the Senate tie to confirm the alcohol dependent incompetent, credibly accused of sexual assault, to be SecDef.
  • TazTaz Posts: 15,867
    Nigelb said:

    Cicero said:

    The main bbc news is delayed 30mins because of some bollocks called 'traitors'?



    Well, according to BBC News, it is the fourth most important news story in the whole world right now.

    They are losing their way so badly nowadays.
    LOL. Actually maybe things are improving. Last year it would be second most important story!!
    For the BBC it is a very important story- and they are looking to make overseas sales. Such self serving log rolling tends ultimately to devalue the BBC brand- but that's just collateral damage, if the moolah keeps coming in
    It's not just the BBC though, is it ?
    Plenty of other media report it with some prominence.

    The OP is quite wrong. Stuff gets prominence because news organisation think stuff will attract eyeballs, not because it's "important".

    The relationship between important and interesting is an evolving one.
    Media group Reach whose titles include plenty of local rags full of this shit had results this week that showed them to be profitable and moving in the right direction.

    Clickbait stuff, like the traitors, helps drive that.

    It’s a Dutch format so I am not sure if the BBC can monetise much with it.
  • FoxyFoxy Posts: 49,663
    I see Trump has frozen all foreign aid, military and civilian for 90 days pending review (except aid to Israel and Egypt). This does include Ukraine.

    https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/jan/24/foreign-aid-israel-egypt?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_Other

    Once again it isn't clear that Trump can legally do this, as the budget is a Congressional perogative.

    And we have an abusive, alcoholic "Christian Nationalist" as US Secretary of State for Defence.

    https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/jan/24/pete-hegseth-what-we-know?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_Other
  • PulpstarPulpstar Posts: 78,671
    Taz said:

    Nigelb said:

    Cicero said:

    The main bbc news is delayed 30mins because of some bollocks called 'traitors'?



    Well, according to BBC News, it is the fourth most important news story in the whole world right now.

    They are losing their way so badly nowadays.
    LOL. Actually maybe things are improving. Last year it would be second most important story!!
    For the BBC it is a very important story- and they are looking to make overseas sales. Such self serving log rolling tends ultimately to devalue the BBC brand- but that's just collateral damage, if the moolah keeps coming in
    It's not just the BBC though, is it ?
    Plenty of other media report it with some prominence.

    The OP is quite wrong. Stuff gets prominence because news organisation think stuff will attract eyeballs, not because it's "important".

    The relationship between important and interesting is an evolving one.
    Media group Reach whose titles include plenty of local rags full of this shit had results this week that showed them to be profitable and moving in the right direction.

    Clickbait stuff, like the traitors, helps drive that.

    It’s a Dutch format so I am not sure if the BBC can monetise much with it.
    I've enjoyed watching the gameshow based off the werewolf party game - but it is not in any way shape or form "The news"
  • StillWatersStillWaters Posts: 8,685
    Scott_xP said:

    Leon said:

    Cyclefree said:

    When I finally retire, I will run a mobile library like this one: books, Italy, sunshine and chatting to people. What more could anyone want?


    A fourth wheel?
    My architect brother-in-law explained that every object rests on three points. If you add a fourth it either takes no weight or it takes a third of the weight and relieves one of the others. This is why chairs wobble but three-legged stools don't.

    An object in free space has 6 degrees of freedom. Every point of contact restricts one degree of freedom, so an object with 3 points of contact can technically still surge, sway and yaw (you can still slide it and turn it round).
    Although when I was free climbing they always taught me to maintain 3 points of contact
  • AlanbrookeAlanbrooke Posts: 25,732
    Germany still in shock after the knife attacks in Aschaffenburg. Currently the attacks are weakening the so called firewall to keep the AfD out of government with the CDU saying it will work with any party looking to reverse current immigration laws.

    https://www.welt.de/politik/deutschland/plus255229080/Migrationspolitische-Wende-Wie-die-Union-jetzt-an-der-Brandmauer-ruettelt.html
  • Casino_RoyaleCasino_Royale Posts: 61,293
    Dura_Ace said:

    Nigelb said:

    Jonathan said:

    The Trump stuff on Denmark is insane.

    It's the sort of thing that would probably compel us to back Denmark, together with other European allies, and split NATO.

    I presume he couldn't take any military action without the approval of Congress. Whilst Republican controlled one would hope not all Senators would vote for such insanity.

    Can UK forces operate independently or is our technology dependent on US approval?
    They can. But that's probably time limited because of our reliance on ongoing US. technical support for quite a list if it ?
    The UK can do a lot autonomously, but one thing it definitely isn't going to do is fight (and lose badly to) the USA over a load of rocks covered in snow and puffin shit in the North Atlantic.
    We've autonomously fought and won wars over a load of rocks covered in snow and puffin shit in the South Atlantic before.
  • Morris_DancerMorris_Dancer Posts: 62,098
    Pulpstar said:

    Taz said:

    Nigelb said:

    Cicero said:

    The main bbc news is delayed 30mins because of some bollocks called 'traitors'?



    Well, according to BBC News, it is the fourth most important news story in the whole world right now.

    They are losing their way so badly nowadays.
    LOL. Actually maybe things are improving. Last year it would be second most important story!!
    For the BBC it is a very important story- and they are looking to make overseas sales. Such self serving log rolling tends ultimately to devalue the BBC brand- but that's just collateral damage, if the moolah keeps coming in
    It's not just the BBC though, is it ?
    Plenty of other media report it with some prominence.

    The OP is quite wrong. Stuff gets prominence because news organisation think stuff will attract eyeballs, not because it's "important".

    The relationship between important and interesting is an evolving one.
    Media group Reach whose titles include plenty of local rags full of this shit had results this week that showed them to be profitable and moving in the right direction.

    Clickbait stuff, like the traitors, helps drive that.

    It’s a Dutch format so I am not sure if the BBC can monetise much with it.
    I've enjoyed watching the gameshow based off the werewolf party game - but it is not in any way shape or form "The news"
    Sounds essentially like a TV version of Lycans or Among Us.

    And perplexing as to why it's 'news'.
  • Casino_RoyaleCasino_Royale Posts: 61,293
    rkrkrk said:

    The Trump stuff on Denmark is insane.

    It's the sort of thing that would probably compel us to back Denmark, together with other European allies, and split NATO.

    I presume he couldn't take any military action without the approval of Congress. Whilst Republican controlled one would hope not all Senators would vote for such insanity.

    He can legally take action without Congress (and of course legal barriers arent necessarily an impediment). He merely has to notify them. Over 60 days I think he needs a vote or to declare war i think...

    https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/War_Powers_Resolution#:~:text=The War Powers Resolution requires,force (AUMF) or a declaration
    Thanks
  • FoxyFoxy Posts: 49,663
    edited January 25

    Scott_xP said:

    Leon said:

    Cyclefree said:

    When I finally retire, I will run a mobile library like this one: books, Italy, sunshine and chatting to people. What more could anyone want?


    A fourth wheel?
    My architect brother-in-law explained that every object rests on three points. If you add a fourth it either takes no weight or it takes a third of the weight and relieves one of the others. This is why chairs wobble but three-legged stools don't.

    An object in free space has 6 degrees of freedom. Every point of contact restricts one degree of freedom, so an object with 3 points of contact can technically still surge, sway and yaw (you can still slide it and turn it round).
    Although when I was free climbing they always taught me to maintain 3 points of contact
    While 3 points of contact are possibly all that is used at one point in time, the advantage of having more is that they can change in fluid situations, so a 4 wheel vehicle is intrinsically more stable than a three wheeler, assuming the same centre of gravity.

    This may be particularly important with a heavily loaded vehicle such as a mobile library.

    Similarly, a climber moves because they have 4 points of contact, even if only using 3 at any time.
  • MattWMattW Posts: 24,469


    Labour donor gets favour from Ed Miliband, Farmers get proof Labour happy to hand countryside over to big corporates.

    https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2025/01/24/miliband-approves-solar-farm-built-major-labour-donor/

    I'd hold your horses on that on slightly.

    I'm not aware that the Energy and Climate Change Minister makes Planning decisions on called-in schemes (are solar farms exceptions?), and the Telegraph have run their story without a Government comment.

    Full story:
    https://archive.is/20250124195103/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2025/01/24/miliband-approves-solar-farm-built-major-labour-donor/
  • NigelbNigelb Posts: 73,138
    Says it all about US politics.

    "Who do you think won their election by a larger popular vote margin?"

    Trump in 2024: 49%
    Biden in 2020: 28%

    Both were equal: 4%

    YouGov / Jan 24, 2025 / n=9887
  • AlanbrookeAlanbrooke Posts: 25,732
    MattW said:


    Labour donor gets favour from Ed Miliband, Farmers get proof Labour happy to hand countryside over to big corporates.

    https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2025/01/24/miliband-approves-solar-farm-built-major-labour-donor/

    I'd hold your horses on that on slightly.

    I'm not aware that the Energy and Climate Change Minister makes Planning decisions on called-in schemes (are solar farms exceptions?), and the Telegraph have run their story without a Government comment.

    Full story:
    https://archive.is/20250124195103/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2025/01/24/miliband-approves-solar-farm-built-major-labour-donor/
    Story is big donor gets his payoff. Though why we should be building on some of our best agricultural land is a mystery. Surely there must be low grade land on which we can put solar farms ?
  • MarqueeMarkMarqueeMark Posts: 53,299

    Dura_Ace said:

    Nigelb said:

    Jonathan said:

    The Trump stuff on Denmark is insane.

    It's the sort of thing that would probably compel us to back Denmark, together with other European allies, and split NATO.

    I presume he couldn't take any military action without the approval of Congress. Whilst Republican controlled one would hope not all Senators would vote for such insanity.

    Can UK forces operate independently or is our technology dependent on US approval?
    They can. But that's probably time limited because of our reliance on ongoing US. technical support for quite a list if it ?
    The UK can do a lot autonomously, but one thing it definitely isn't going to do is fight (and lose badly to) the USA over a load of rocks covered in snow and puffin shit in the North Atlantic.
    We've autonomously fought and won wars over a load of rocks covered in snow and puffin shit in the South Atlantic before.
    Correction - penguin shit. There are no puffins in the southern hemisphere. And the only penguins in the northern hemisphere are on the Galapogos Islands, and even then, only by a few miles.
  • FoxyFoxy Posts: 49,663

    Dura_Ace said:

    Nigelb said:

    Jonathan said:

    The Trump stuff on Denmark is insane.

    It's the sort of thing that would probably compel us to back Denmark, together with other European allies, and split NATO.

    I presume he couldn't take any military action without the approval of Congress. Whilst Republican controlled one would hope not all Senators would vote for such insanity.

    Can UK forces operate independently or is our technology dependent on US approval?
    They can. But that's probably time limited because of our reliance on ongoing US. technical support for quite a list if it ?
    The UK can do a lot autonomously, but one thing it definitely isn't going to do is fight (and lose badly to) the USA over a load of rocks covered in snow and puffin shit in the North Atlantic.
    We've autonomously fought and won wars over a load of rocks covered in snow and puffin shit in the South Atlantic before.
    Penguin shit surely? Puffins are Northern hemisphere.

    I don't think we could do the same armada now, and certainly not against the USA.

    If Trump does attack Greenland it would surely be the end of NATO. Putin couldn't ask more of Trump if he tried.
  • FF43FF43 Posts: 17,442

    Dura_Ace said:

    The Trump stuff on Denmark is insane.

    It's the sort of thing that would probably compel us to back Denmark, together with other European allies, and split NATO.

    I presume he couldn't take any military action without the approval of Congress. Whilst Republican controlled one would hope not all Senators would vote for such insanity.

    It wouldn't need military action. The population of Greenland is tiny and they have no armed forces of their own to speak of. DJT could just send CIA SADs/PMCs into Nuuk to round up the government and take over the airport. They've already got forces in Greenland if necessay. The janitorial team from Thule AFB could probably do it.

    Then it's over. Europe aren't going to fight the USA over it. We'd all feel a bit shit about it for a bit then get over it.
    No, we wouldn't get over it.

    It would have very serious repercussions.
    You're both right I think. Trump is picking off Greenland because he believes it's an easy win for him. Much the same calculation as Putin's invasions of Ukraine. But the repercussions will be serious. The World depends on states behaving properly, particularly the USA.
  • MattWMattW Posts: 24,469
    Foxy said:

    Dura_Ace said:

    Nigelb said:

    Jonathan said:

    The Trump stuff on Denmark is insane.

    It's the sort of thing that would probably compel us to back Denmark, together with other European allies, and split NATO.

    I presume he couldn't take any military action without the approval of Congress. Whilst Republican controlled one would hope not all Senators would vote for such insanity.

    Can UK forces operate independently or is our technology dependent on US approval?
    They can. But that's probably time limited because of our reliance on ongoing US. technical support for quite a list if it ?
    The UK can do a lot autonomously, but one thing it definitely isn't going to do is fight (and lose badly to) the USA over a load of rocks covered in snow and puffin shit in the North Atlantic.
    We've autonomously fought and won wars over a load of rocks covered in snow and puffin shit in the South Atlantic before.
    Penguin shit surely? Puffins are Northern hemisphere.

    I don't think we could do the same armada now, and certainly not against the USA.

    If Trump does attack Greenland it would surely be the end of NATO. Putin couldn't ask more of Trump if he tried.
    So Al Murray was wrong, and Northern Hemisphere Guinness is made from puffins?
  • FoxyFoxy Posts: 49,663

    MattW said:


    Labour donor gets favour from Ed Miliband, Farmers get proof Labour happy to hand countryside over to big corporates.

    https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2025/01/24/miliband-approves-solar-farm-built-major-labour-donor/

    I'd hold your horses on that on slightly.

    I'm not aware that the Energy and Climate Change Minister makes Planning decisions on called-in schemes (are solar farms exceptions?), and the Telegraph have run their story without a Government comment.

    Full story:
    https://archive.is/20250124195103/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2025/01/24/miliband-approves-solar-farm-built-major-labour-donor/
    Story is big donor gets his payoff. Though why we should be building on some of our best agricultural land is a mystery. Surely there must be low grade land on which we can put solar farms ?
    If a business gets better return on capital with solar panels than sheep, why should regulators get in the way? I thought you favoured growth.
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