I’ve been searching for positives anyway and I believe I’ve found one. In a world of turmoil, autocracy and brutish populism on the rise wherever you look, we in the UK have a sane and stable government, with a large majority and four years still to run. I realize their precise policies aren’t everybody’s cup of tea, and that Keir Starmer neither rocks the aisles with laughter (like Boris Johnson) nor inspires the public’s love and devotion (like Gordon Brown), but so what? In times like these you count your blessings and a blessing is what he is. So by all means criticise him and this Labour government, that’s healthy, but let’s at the same time treasure it.
Serious question. Would you have said the same if it had been Thatcher or Cameron (in coalition or alone) in No 10?
I treasure the British system of Government (whoever is in power) without treasuring the current incumbent who I consider facile and superficial at best.
I shared this note with the Washington Post team this morning:
I’m writing to let you know about a change coming to our opinion pages.
We are going to be writing every day in support and defense of two pillars: personal liberties and free markets. We’ll cover other topics too of course, but viewpoints opposing those pillars will be left to be published by others.
There was a time when a newspaper, especially one that was a local monopoly, might have seen it as a service to bring to the reader’s doorstep every morning a broad-based opinion section that sought to cover all views. Today, the internet does that job.
I am of America and for America, and proud to be so. Our country did not get here by being typical. And a big part of America’s success has been freedom in the economic realm and everywhere else. Freedom is ethical — it minimizes coercion — and practical — it drives creativity, invention, and prosperity.
I offered David Shipley, whom I greatly admire, the opportunity to lead this new chapter. I suggested to him that if the answer wasn’t “hell yes,” then it had to be “no.” After careful consideration, David decided to step away. This is a significant shift, it won’t be easy, and it will require 100% commitment — I respect his decision. We’ll be searching for a new Opinion Editor to own this new direction.
I’m confident that free markets and personal liberties are right for America. I also believe these viewpoints are underserved in the current market of ideas and news opinion. I’m excited for us together to fill that void.
Every time you think you’ve seen and done everything debauched, decadent, and drunkenly doolally it shows you that NAH
My 21 year old grandson ad his 22 year (male) cousin are booked into Bangkok for a fw days en route to a working trip to Australia. Their uncle has found them all sorts of 'seemly' things to do...... family dinners, sports such as football. Seems such a waste!
Fucksake
Males aged 21 and 22?
I can tell them EXACTLY where to go, and when (crucial) to have more fun than they have ever conceived possible (from the perspective of an open minded, horny 21 year old male)
Lavrov says Russia will not accept any ceasefire on current lines of occupation, only once Russia has obtained all of Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions as well as Crimea.
He also rejects any European troops being involved in enforcing any ceasefire (which suggests only Turkish and otherwise non NATO UN troops could enforce a ceasefire)
With Trump's deal making successes so far Poland, Finland, Sweden, Norway and the Baltic States will all be on the table with the whole of Ukraine and the Balkans.
His being this shit at dealmaking would explain why his current fortune is less than if his parents had invested his inheritance in a tracker fund at 18.
Donald Trump made $500 million from his share of The Apprentice. All our lot got was a junior ministerial post and two seats in the House of Lords.
There's an argument that show put him on the way to the WH. For years he was beamed into living rooms as this tough personable guy who knew how the world worked and got things done. When you listen to the vox pops over there the "businessman not a politician, he can fix things" nonsense still features very strongly, despite all evidence to the contrary.
I highly doubt he would be the richest man in the world and a Physics and Business grad from Ivy League Pennsylvania University if his IQ wasn't at least 130+
@bondegezou is citing an utter wanker, known for his chanting bollocks, it is risible
I’ve been searching for positives anyway and I believe I’ve found one. In a world of turmoil, autocracy and brutish populism on the rise wherever you look, we in the UK have a sane and stable government, with a large majority and four years still to run. I realize their precise policies aren’t everybody’s cup of tea, and that Keir Starmer neither rocks the aisles with laughter (like Boris Johnson) nor inspires the public’s love and devotion (like Gordon Brown), but so what? In times like these you count your blessings and a blessing is what he is. So by all means criticise him and this Labour government, that’s healthy, but let’s at the same time treasure it.
Serious question. Would you have said the same if it had been Thatcher or Cameron (in coalition or alone) in No 10?
I treasure the British system of Government (whoever is in power) without treasuring the current incumbent who I consider facile and superficial at best.
Every time you think you’ve seen and done everything debauched, decadent, and drunkenly doolally it shows you that NAH
My 21 year old grandson ad his 22 year (male) cousin are booked into Bangkok for a fw days en route to a working trip to Australia. Their uncle has found them all sorts of 'seemly' things to do...... family dinners, sports such as football. Seems such a waste!
Fucksake
Males aged 21 and 22?
I can tell them EXACTLY where to go, and when (crucial) to have more fun than they have ever conceived possible (from the perspective of an open minded, horny 21 year old male)
I highly doubt he would be the richest man in the world and a Physics and Business grad from Ivy League Pennsylvania University if his IQ wasn't at least 130+
"It’s also a particularly American problem to confuse wealth with intelligence and corporations with their owners. In most of the world, this conversation would seem utterly absurd, as once again, there’s no evidence of Musk having *intellectual* achievements."
One of the great failings in the US system is that they imbue corporations iwth the same rights as individuals. It is one of the reasons they are in the mess they are today.
I’ve been searching for positives anyway and I believe I’ve found one. In a world of turmoil, autocracy and brutish populism on the rise wherever you look, we in the UK have a sane and stable government, with a large majority and four years still to run. I realize their precise policies aren’t everybody’s cup of tea, and that Keir Starmer neither rocks the aisles with laughter (like Boris Johnson) nor inspires the public’s love and devotion (like Gordon Brown), but so what? In times like these you count your blessings and a blessing is what he is. So by all means criticise him and this Labour government, that’s healthy, but let’s at the same time treasure it.
Serious question. Would you have said the same if it had been Thatcher or Cameron (in coalition or alone) in No 10?
I treasure the British system of Government (whoever is in power) without treasuring the current incumbent who I consider facile and superficial at best.
Serious answer, yes. In this context, I would.
In which case I agree with you. Though I would not treasure either Starmer or any other politician of any party.
I shared this note with the Washington Post team this morning:
I’m writing to let you know about a change coming to our opinion pages.
We are going to be writing every day in support and defense of two pillars: personal liberties and free markets. We’ll cover other topics too of course, but viewpoints opposing those pillars will be left to be published by others.
There was a time when a newspaper, especially one that was a local monopoly, might have seen it as a service to bring to the reader’s doorstep every morning a broad-based opinion section that sought to cover all views. Today, the internet does that job.
I am of America and for America, and proud to be so. Our country did not get here by being typical. And a big part of America’s success has been freedom in the economic realm and everywhere else. Freedom is ethical — it minimizes coercion — and practical — it drives creativity, invention, and prosperity.
I offered David Shipley, whom I greatly admire, the opportunity to lead this new chapter. I suggested to him that if the answer wasn’t “hell yes,” then it had to be “no.” After careful consideration, David decided to step away. This is a significant shift, it won’t be easy, and it will require 100% commitment — I respect his decision. We’ll be searching for a new Opinion Editor to own this new direction.
I’m confident that free markets and personal liberties are right for America. I also believe these viewpoints are underserved in the current market of ideas and news opinion. I’m excited for us together to fill that void.
Jeff
Part 1 - Lets start with explaining why tariffs are good for free markets.
Lavrov says Russia will not accept any ceasefire on current lines of occupation, only once Russia has obtained all of Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions as well as Crimea.
He also rejects any European troops being involved in enforcing any ceasefire (which suggests only Turkish and otherwise non NATO UN troops could enforce a ceasefire)
With Trump's deal making successes so far Poland, Finland, Sweden, Norway and the Baltic States will all be on the table with the whole of Ukraine and the Balkans.
His being this shit at dealmaking would explain why his current fortune is less than if his parents had invested his inheritance in a tracker fund at 18.
Or, as is often said, the only man who ever lost money owning a casino
And yet, weirdly, he is now the most powerful man on earth
Seems he made QUITE the deal with the American voter, given he is such a "terrible dealmaker"?
Again, the stupid on this site is off the fucking dial. It is embarrassing
Lavrov says Russia will not accept any ceasefire on current lines of occupation, only once Russia has obtained all of Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions as well as Crimea.
He also rejects any European troops being involved in enforcing any ceasefire (which suggests only Turkish and otherwise non NATO UN troops could enforce a ceasefire)
With Trump's deal making successes so far Poland, Finland, Sweden, Norway and the Baltic States will all be on the table with the whole of Ukraine and the Balkans.
His being this shit at dealmaking would explain why his current fortune is less than if his parents had invested his inheritance in a tracker fund at 18.
Donald Trump made $500 million from his share of The Apprentice. All our lot got was a junior ministerial post and two seats in the House of Lords.
There's an argument that show put him on the way to the WH. For years he was beamed into living rooms as this tough personable guy who knew how the world worked and got things done. When you listen to the vox pops over there the "businessman not a politician, he can fix things" nonsense still features very strongly, despite all evidence to the contrary.
We got off lightly, only having Donald Trump as the President Over The Water. We could have had PM Simon Cowell.
Or, forever swapping between Number 10 and Number 11, Ant n Dec....
I highly doubt he would be the richest man in the world and a Physics and Business grad from Ivy League Pennsylvania University if his IQ wasn't at least 130+
"It’s also a particularly American problem to confuse wealth with intelligence and corporations with their owners. In most of the world, this conversation would seem utterly absurd, as once again, there’s no evidence of Musk having *intellectual* achievements."
Most of those with high IQs aren't intellectuals however
Every time you think you’ve seen and done everything debauched, decadent, and drunkenly doolally it shows you that NAH
My 21 year old grandson ad his 22 year (male) cousin are booked into Bangkok for a fw days en route to a working trip to Australia. Their uncle has found them all sorts of 'seemly' things to do...... family dinners, sports such as football. Seems such a waste!
Fucksake
Males aged 21 and 22?
I can tell them EXACTLY where to go, and when (crucial) to have more fun than they have ever conceived possible (from the perspective of an open minded, horny 21 year old male)
DM me if they want specifics
So your hookers have grand daughters?
I'd need research into average Indochinese condom reliability circa 1992
It’s not that Trump’s bark is worse than his bite, more that he’s simply a liar and a nut job, surrounded by liars and nut jobs. He doesn’t have the wit or the administrative capability to deliver much.
Reality rarely hs any resemblance to what the Trump administration has been saying about anything.
The US President flat-out lying all the time, about big things and small, no shame about it whatsoever. I still have to pinch myself it's happening.
Bravo to Macron for calling him out on it. Sat next to him. In a press conference.
You do have to wonder if Trump went back into the White House after that and asked "Is that guy right? They GAVE all their stuff to Ukraine? Really? I mean - really?"
I shared this note with the Washington Post team this morning:
I’m writing to let you know about a change coming to our opinion pages.
We are going to be writing every day in support and defense of two pillars: personal liberties and free markets. We’ll cover other topics too of course, but viewpoints opposing those pillars will be left to be published by others.
There was a time when a newspaper, especially one that was a local monopoly, might have seen it as a service to bring to the reader’s doorstep every morning a broad-based opinion section that sought to cover all views. Today, the internet does that job.
I am of America and for America, and proud to be so. Our country did not get here by being typical. And a big part of America’s success has been freedom in the economic realm and everywhere else. Freedom is ethical — it minimizes coercion — and practical — it drives creativity, invention, and prosperity.
I offered David Shipley, whom I greatly admire, the opportunity to lead this new chapter. I suggested to him that if the answer wasn’t “hell yes,” then it had to be “no.” After careful consideration, David decided to step away. This is a significant shift, it won’t be easy, and it will require 100% commitment — I respect his decision. We’ll be searching for a new Opinion Editor to own this new direction.
I’m confident that free markets and personal liberties are right for America. I also believe these viewpoints are underserved in the current market of ideas and news opinion. I’m excited for us together to fill that void.
Jeff
Part 1 - Lets start with explaining why tariffs are good for free markets.
Tariffs are no more an impediment to freedom than the concept of national citizenship is.
Every time you think you’ve seen and done everything debauched, decadent, and drunkenly doolally it shows you that NAH
My 21 year old grandson ad his 22 year (male) cousin are booked into Bangkok for a fw days en route to a working trip to Australia. Their uncle has found them all sorts of 'seemly' things to do...... family dinners, sports such as football. Seems such a waste!
Fucksake
Males aged 21 and 22?
I can tell them EXACTLY where to go, and when (crucial) to have more fun than they have ever conceived possible (from the perspective of an open minded, horny 21 year old male)
DM me if they want specifics
So your hookers have grand daughters?
I'd need research into average Indochinese condom reliability circa 1992
I wasn't suggesting your own Indochinese grandchildren, but now you have planted that seed, then the "yuck coefficient" has exceeded the scale.
I shared this note with the Washington Post team this morning:
I’m writing to let you know about a change coming to our opinion pages.
We are going to be writing every day in support and defense of two pillars: personal liberties and free markets. We’ll cover other topics too of course, but viewpoints opposing those pillars will be left to be published by others.
There was a time when a newspaper, especially one that was a local monopoly, might have seen it as a service to bring to the reader’s doorstep every morning a broad-based opinion section that sought to cover all views. Today, the internet does that job.
I am of America and for America, and proud to be so. Our country did not get here by being typical. And a big part of America’s success has been freedom in the economic realm and everywhere else. Freedom is ethical — it minimizes coercion — and practical — it drives creativity, invention, and prosperity.
I offered David Shipley, whom I greatly admire, the opportunity to lead this new chapter. I suggested to him that if the answer wasn’t “hell yes,” then it had to be “no.” After careful consideration, David decided to step away. This is a significant shift, it won’t be easy, and it will require 100% commitment — I respect his decision. We’ll be searching for a new Opinion Editor to own this new direction.
I’m confident that free markets and personal liberties are right for America. I also believe these viewpoints are underserved in the current market of ideas and news opinion. I’m excited for us together to fill that void.
Jeff
Tariffs can distort free markets. I hope they oppose tariffs when they need to be opposed. Tariffs on dumping, fine, tariffs as a blunt lever. No way.
I highly doubt he would be the richest man in the world and a Physics and Business grad from Ivy League Pennsylvania University if his IQ wasn't at least 130+
"It’s also a particularly American problem to confuse wealth with intelligence and corporations with their owners. In most of the world, this conversation would seem utterly absurd, as once again, there’s no evidence of Musk having *intellectual* achievements."
Most of those with high IQs aren't intellectuals however
Or even intelligent in more than one very narrow sense.
Edit: a bit too strong, on reflection. There is some correlation. But not nearly as much as so many people seem to think.
I shared this note with the Washington Post team this morning:
I’m writing to let you know about a change coming to our opinion pages.
We are going to be writing every day in support and defense of two pillars: personal liberties and free markets. We’ll cover other topics too of course, but viewpoints opposing those pillars will be left to be published by others.
There was a time when a newspaper, especially one that was a local monopoly, might have seen it as a service to bring to the reader’s doorstep every morning a broad-based opinion section that sought to cover all views. Today, the internet does that job.
I am of America and for America, and proud to be so. Our country did not get here by being typical. And a big part of America’s success has been freedom in the economic realm and everywhere else. Freedom is ethical — it minimizes coercion — and practical — it drives creativity, invention, and prosperity.
I offered David Shipley, whom I greatly admire, the opportunity to lead this new chapter. I suggested to him that if the answer wasn’t “hell yes,” then it had to be “no.” After careful consideration, David decided to step away. This is a significant shift, it won’t be easy, and it will require 100% commitment — I respect his decision. We’ll be searching for a new Opinion Editor to own this new direction.
I’m confident that free markets and personal liberties are right for America. I also believe these viewpoints are underserved in the current market of ideas and news opinion. I’m excited for us together to fill that void.
Jeff
Part 1 - Lets start with explaining why tariffs are good for free markets.
Tariffs to protect a domestic market from dumping, most certainly are.
I am ordering all of my opinion-writing employees to only write about the importance of personal liberty, if they don't want to write on the assigned topic, they will lose their jobs
Lavrov says Russia will not accept any ceasefire on current lines of occupation, only once Russia has obtained all of Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions as well as Crimea.
He also rejects any European troops being involved in enforcing any ceasefire (which suggests only Turkish and otherwise non NATO UN troops could enforce a ceasefire)
With Trump's deal making successes so far Poland, Finland, Sweden, Norway and the Baltic States will all be on the table with the whole of Ukraine and the Balkans.
His being this shit at dealmaking would explain why his current fortune is less than if his parents had invested his inheritance in a tracker fund at 18.
Or, as is often said, the only man who ever lost money owning a casino
And yet, weirdly, he is now the most powerful man on earth
Seems he made QUITE the deal with the American voter, given he is such a "terrible dealmaker"?
Again, the stupid on this site is off the fucking dial. It is embarrassing
Well, yes.
He's learned one very simple lesson. If, in a high trust society, you are willing to lie your teeth off, then you can do very well indeed.
There's an interesting contrast with Musk, mind. There's a cadre of engineers and employees that have followed Musk around. There aren't a lot of people who worked with Musk who badmouth him.
With Trump, with the exception of his former CFO, he's got an entirely new staff surrounding him, he's fallen out with every lawyer he's ever worked with, and no-one who's worked for him seems to have a good word to say about him.
I’ve been searching for positives anyway and I believe I’ve found one. In a world of turmoil, autocracy and brutish populism on the rise wherever you look, we in the UK have a sane and stable government, with a large majority and four years still to run. I realize their precise policies aren’t everybody’s cup of tea, and that Keir Starmer neither rocks the aisles with laughter (like Boris Johnson) nor inspires the public’s love and devotion (like Gordon Brown), but so what? In times like these you count your blessings and a blessing is what he is. So by all means criticise him and this Labour government, that’s healthy, but let’s at the same time treasure it.
Yes. I'm checking out Jon Stewart and Steve Colbert's output to make sure they are still allowed to criticise Trump and Trumpism and haven't been arrested. But I'm not wondering whether Matt is still allowed to make me laugh.
With Trump, with the exception of his former CFO, he's got an entirely new staff surrounding him, he's fallen out with every lawyer he's ever worked with, and no-one who's worked for him seems to have a good word to say about him.
The only person Trump ever hired who was really good that their job was Stormy Daniels
I’ve been searching for positives anyway and I believe I’ve found one. In a world of turmoil, autocracy and brutish populism on the rise wherever you look, we in the UK have a sane and stable government, with a large majority and four years still to run. I realize their precise policies aren’t everybody’s cup of tea, and that Keir Starmer neither rocks the aisles with laughter (like Boris Johnson) nor inspires the public’s love and devotion (like Gordon Brown), but so what? In times like these you count your blessings and a blessing is what he is. So by all means criticise him and this Labour government, that’s healthy, but let’s at the same time treasure it.
Serious question. Would you have said the same if it had been Thatcher or Cameron (in coalition or alone) in No 10?
I treasure the British system of Government (whoever is in power) without treasuring the current incumbent who I consider facile and superficial at best.
Serious answer, yes. In this context, I would.
In which case I agree with you. Though I would not treasure either Starmer or any other politician of any party.
Yes, I meant our situation. Politicians to treasure? It's rare but I'm capable of it. They'd need to (mainly) share my views and be someone I see as honest, kind, hard working and capable. Some Labour figures from the old days might qualify. I struggle a bit with today's cast. But perhaps that's just the nostalgia monster.
I shared this note with the Washington Post team this morning:
I’m writing to let you know about a change coming to our opinion pages.
We are going to be writing every day in support and defense of two pillars: personal liberties and free markets. We’ll cover other topics too of course, but viewpoints opposing those pillars will be left to be published by others.
There was a time when a newspaper, especially one that was a local monopoly, might have seen it as a service to bring to the reader’s doorstep every morning a broad-based opinion section that sought to cover all views. Today, the internet does that job.
I am of America and for America, and proud to be so. Our country did not get here by being typical. And a big part of America’s success has been freedom in the economic realm and everywhere else. Freedom is ethical — it minimizes coercion — and practical — it drives creativity, invention, and prosperity.
I offered David Shipley, whom I greatly admire, the opportunity to lead this new chapter. I suggested to him that if the answer wasn’t “hell yes,” then it had to be “no.” After careful consideration, David decided to step away. This is a significant shift, it won’t be easy, and it will require 100% commitment — I respect his decision. We’ll be searching for a new Opinion Editor to own this new direction.
I’m confident that free markets and personal liberties are right for America. I also believe these viewpoints are underserved in the current market of ideas and news opinion. I’m excited for us together to fill that void.
Jeff
Part 1 - Lets start with explaining why tariffs are good for free markets.
Tariffs to protect a domestic market from dumping, most certainly are.
Are they? The economic research is pretty mixed, not least because actual dumping (i.e. the deliberate decision to lose large sums of money for a sustained period of time with the goal of bankrupting competitors) is very rare.
Most dumping - i.e. Canadian companies producing cheaper aluminium than US firms - is simply the result of companies in one country having a competitive advantage (i.e. cheap hydroelectric energy).
It’s not that Trump’s bark is worse than his bite, more that he’s simply a liar and a nut job, surrounded by liars and nut jobs. He doesn’t have the wit or the administrative capability to deliver much.
Whilst I would be happy if that’s the case (as I am surprised by my derangement over the original “deal” and don’t have the energy to get that wound up about things outside of my control) there is the danger that if Trump is mocked for lying about his deal prowess/having been bargained down he will go back to crazy demands.
It could be spun as “isn’t Trump such a generous benefactor deserving of giant gold statues in Ukraine for letting Ukraine off from paying what they owed” I guess.
Every time you think you’ve seen and done everything debauched, decadent, and drunkenly doolally it shows you that NAH
My 21 year old grandson ad his 22 year (male) cousin are booked into Bangkok for a fw days en route to a working trip to Australia. Their uncle has found them all sorts of 'seemly' things to do...... family dinners, sports such as football. Seems such a waste!
Fucksake
Males aged 21 and 22?
I can tell them EXACTLY where to go, and when (crucial) to have more fun than they have ever conceived possible (from the perspective of an open minded, horny 21 year old male)
DM me if they want specifics
So your hookers have grand daughters?
I'd need research into average Indochinese condom reliability circa 1992
I shared this note with the Washington Post team this morning:
I’m writing to let you know about a change coming to our opinion pages.
We are going to be writing every day in support and defense of two pillars: personal liberties and free markets. We’ll cover other topics too of course, but viewpoints opposing those pillars will be left to be published by others.
There was a time when a newspaper, especially one that was a local monopoly, might have seen it as a service to bring to the reader’s doorstep every morning a broad-based opinion section that sought to cover all views. Today, the internet does that job.
I am of America and for America, and proud to be so. Our country did not get here by being typical. And a big part of America’s success has been freedom in the economic realm and everywhere else. Freedom is ethical — it minimizes coercion — and practical — it drives creativity, invention, and prosperity.
I offered David Shipley, whom I greatly admire, the opportunity to lead this new chapter. I suggested to him that if the answer wasn’t “hell yes,” then it had to be “no.” After careful consideration, David decided to step away. This is a significant shift, it won’t be easy, and it will require 100% commitment — I respect his decision. We’ll be searching for a new Opinion Editor to own this new direction.
I’m confident that free markets and personal liberties are right for America. I also believe these viewpoints are underserved in the current market of ideas and news opinion. I’m excited for us together to fill that void.
Jeff
Part 1 - Lets start with explaining why tariffs are good for free markets.
Tariffs to protect a domestic market from dumping, most certainly are.
They may be good for that market, that is arguable and scenario dependent, but they are by definition not good for "free markets".
Every time you think you’ve seen and done everything debauched, decadent, and drunkenly doolally it shows you that NAH
My 21 year old grandson ad his 22 year (male) cousin are booked into Bangkok for a fw days en route to a working trip to Australia. Their uncle has found them all sorts of 'seemly' things to do...... family dinners, sports such as football. Seems such a waste!
Fucksake
Males aged 21 and 22?
I can tell them EXACTLY where to go, and when (crucial) to have more fun than they have ever conceived possible (from the perspective of an open minded, horny 21 year old male)
I shared this note with the Washington Post team this morning:
I’m writing to let you know about a change coming to our opinion pages.
We are going to be writing every day in support and defense of two pillars: personal liberties and free markets. We’ll cover other topics too of course, but viewpoints opposing those pillars will be left to be published by others.
There was a time when a newspaper, especially one that was a local monopoly, might have seen it as a service to bring to the reader’s doorstep every morning a broad-based opinion section that sought to cover all views. Today, the internet does that job.
I am of America and for America, and proud to be so. Our country did not get here by being typical. And a big part of America’s success has been freedom in the economic realm and everywhere else. Freedom is ethical — it minimizes coercion — and practical — it drives creativity, invention, and prosperity.
I offered David Shipley, whom I greatly admire, the opportunity to lead this new chapter. I suggested to him that if the answer wasn’t “hell yes,” then it had to be “no.” After careful consideration, David decided to step away. This is a significant shift, it won’t be easy, and it will require 100% commitment — I respect his decision. We’ll be searching for a new Opinion Editor to own this new direction.
I’m confident that free markets and personal liberties are right for America. I also believe these viewpoints are underserved in the current market of ideas and news opinion. I’m excited for us together to fill that void.
Jeff
Part 1 - Lets start with explaining why tariffs are good for free markets.
Tariffs are no more an impediment to freedom than the concept of national citizenship is.
Citizenship and borders are clearly an obstruction on free markets. It is what the words mean that matter here, not whether you approve of them.
Lavrov says Russia will not accept any ceasefire on current lines of occupation, only once Russia has obtained all of Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions as well as Crimea.
He also rejects any European troops being involved in enforcing any ceasefire (which suggests only Turkish and otherwise non NATO UN troops could enforce a ceasefire)
With Trump's deal making successes so far Poland, Finland, Sweden, Norway and the Baltic States will all be on the table with the whole of Ukraine and the Balkans.
His being this shit at dealmaking would explain why his current fortune is less than if his parents had invested his inheritance in a tracker fund at 18.
Or, as is often said, the only man who ever lost money owning a casino
And yet, weirdly, he is now the most powerful man on earth
Seems he made QUITE the deal with the American voter, given he is such a "terrible dealmaker"?
Again, the stupid on this site is off the fucking dial. It is embarrassing
Well, yes.
He's learned one very simple lesson. If, in a high trust society, you are willing to lie your teeth off, then you can do very well indeed.
There's an interesting contrast with Musk, mind. There's a cadre of engineers and employees that have followed Musk around. There aren't a lot of people who worked with Musk who badmouth him.
With Trump, with the exception of his former CFO, he's got an entirely new staff surrounding him, he's fallen out with every lawyer he's ever worked with, and no-one who's worked for him seems to have a good word to say about him.
All and any criticisms of Trump would be so much more forceful if the entire left-liberal media-political establishment in America hadn’t conspired to hide the fact that Biden was clearly too senile to run again
Unfortunately they did. They lied and lied and lied, about the most important politician and election on Earth
Every time you think you’ve seen and done everything debauched, decadent, and drunkenly doolally it shows you that NAH
My 21 year old grandson ad his 22 year (male) cousin are booked into Bangkok for a fw days en route to a working trip to Australia. Their uncle has found them all sorts of 'seemly' things to do...... family dinners, sports such as football. Seems such a waste!
Fucksake
Males aged 21 and 22?
I can tell them EXACTLY where to go, and when (crucial) to have more fun than they have ever conceived possible (from the perspective of an open minded, horny 21 year old male)
DM me if they want specifics
So your hookers have grand daughters?
I'd need research into average Indochinese condom reliability circa 1992
I wasn't suggesting your own Indochinese grandchildren, but now you have planted that seed, then the "yuck coefficient" has exceeded the scale.
You really had to say “planted the seed” didn’t you…
Just in: Musk’s team has mass terminated hundreds of government leases, while simultaneously demanding federal workers go back to the office five days a week
“Where are we supposed to tell them to go?,” one federal supervisor tells me
Where’s the problem - it’s survival of those who arrived earliest and get the (single) desk.
Having cut the offices, Elon and co will be able to terminate a whole new set of workers for failing to fulfil the 5 days in the office mandate
Lavrov says Russia will not accept any ceasefire on current lines of occupation, only once Russia has obtained all of Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions as well as Crimea.
He also rejects any European troops being involved in enforcing any ceasefire (which suggests only Turkish and otherwise non NATO UN troops could enforce a ceasefire)
With Trump's deal making successes so far Poland, Finland, Sweden, Norway and the Baltic States will all be on the table with the whole of Ukraine and the Balkans.
His being this shit at dealmaking would explain why his current fortune is less than if his parents had invested his inheritance in a tracker fund at 18.
Or, as is often said, the only man who ever lost money owning a casino
And yet, weirdly, he is now the most powerful man on earth
Seems he made QUITE the deal with the American voter, given he is such a "terrible dealmaker"?
Again, the stupid on this site is off the fucking dial. It is embarrassing
What's stupid is to project his political genius (which it is) onto his abilities to manage, negotiate and govern. Eg did Boris Johnson's campaigning skills translate to running the country? Not really. Donald Trump is that dichotomy in spades.
I shared this note with the Washington Post team this morning:
I’m writing to let you know about a change coming to our opinion pages.
We are going to be writing every day in support and defense of two pillars: personal liberties and free markets. We’ll cover other topics too of course, but viewpoints opposing those pillars will be left to be published by others.
There was a time when a newspaper, especially one that was a local monopoly, might have seen it as a service to bring to the reader’s doorstep every morning a broad-based opinion section that sought to cover all views. Today, the internet does that job.
I am of America and for America, and proud to be so. Our country did not get here by being typical. And a big part of America’s success has been freedom in the economic realm and everywhere else. Freedom is ethical — it minimizes coercion — and practical — it drives creativity, invention, and prosperity.
I offered David Shipley, whom I greatly admire, the opportunity to lead this new chapter. I suggested to him that if the answer wasn’t “hell yes,” then it had to be “no.” After careful consideration, David decided to step away. This is a significant shift, it won’t be easy, and it will require 100% commitment — I respect his decision. We’ll be searching for a new Opinion Editor to own this new direction.
I’m confident that free markets and personal liberties are right for America. I also believe these viewpoints are underserved in the current market of ideas and news opinion. I’m excited for us together to fill that void.
Jeff
Part 1 - Lets start with explaining why tariffs are good for free markets.
Tariffs are no more an impediment to freedom than the concept of national citizenship is.
Citizenship and borders are clearly an obstruction on free markets. It is what the words mean that matter here, not whether you approve of them.
I said "no more an impediment". The hysteria about the use of tariffs is disproportionate and betrays an underlying belief that nation states are illegitimate and should eventually dissolve into a system of global government.
I am ordering all of my opinion-writing employees to only write about the importance of personal liberty, if they don't want to write on the assigned topic, they will lose their jobs
I reckon if one were a decent writer you could write a whole series of excellent articles about how Trump and Musk are destroying the idea of personal liberty. Not sure the current owner of that newspaper would be very happy to see them published though.
What’s with the obsession with IQs? Musk is obviously incredibly smart, but also a total moron, who has fallen down a fascist rabbit-hole.
Not unlike our own Leon.
There is a covenent on pb.com that IQ must be discussed at least once a month, with HYUFD stoically defending the indefensible against some exasperated academics, and Leon has to big up the IQ of his preferred ethno-nationalist du jour. Unless these conditions are met, the site simply disappears into the ether.
I shared this note with the Washington Post team this morning:
I’m writing to let you know about a change coming to our opinion pages.
We are going to be writing every day in support and defense of two pillars: personal liberties and free markets. We’ll cover other topics too of course, but viewpoints opposing those pillars will be left to be published by others.
There was a time when a newspaper, especially one that was a local monopoly, might have seen it as a service to bring to the reader’s doorstep every morning a broad-based opinion section that sought to cover all views. Today, the internet does that job.
I am of America and for America, and proud to be so. Our country did not get here by being typical. And a big part of America’s success has been freedom in the economic realm and everywhere else. Freedom is ethical — it minimizes coercion — and practical — it drives creativity, invention, and prosperity.
I offered David Shipley, whom I greatly admire, the opportunity to lead this new chapter. I suggested to him that if the answer wasn’t “hell yes,” then it had to be “no.” After careful consideration, David decided to step away. This is a significant shift, it won’t be easy, and it will require 100% commitment — I respect his decision. We’ll be searching for a new Opinion Editor to own this new direction.
I’m confident that free markets and personal liberties are right for America. I also believe these viewpoints are underserved in the current market of ideas and news opinion. I’m excited for us together to fill that void.
Jeff
Part 1 - Lets start with explaining why tariffs are good for free markets.
Tariffs to protect a domestic market from dumping, most certainly are.
Are they? The economic research is pretty mixed, not least because actual dumping (i.e. the deliberate decision to lose large sums of money for a sustained period of time with the goal of bankrupting competitors) is very rare.
Most dumping - i.e. Canadian companies producing cheaper aluminium than US firms - is simply the result of companies in one country having a competitive advantage (i.e. cheap hydroelectric energy).
Certainly always been my understanding although I am happy to be convinced otherwise.
I guess it depends where the competitive advantage comes from and the aim and what happens longer term. Govt subsidy of a key industry. Flood the market with cheap product. Drive competition out of business then increase prices when there is less supply. That’s certainly how I was taught it in my economics module as part of my CIPS in the 90s.
Coloured my thinking on it but if the thoughts are different now happy to revisit.
I shared this note with the Washington Post team this morning:
I’m writing to let you know about a change coming to our opinion pages.
We are going to be writing every day in support and defense of two pillars: personal liberties and free markets. We’ll cover other topics too of course, but viewpoints opposing those pillars will be left to be published by others.
There was a time when a newspaper, especially one that was a local monopoly, might have seen it as a service to bring to the reader’s doorstep every morning a broad-based opinion section that sought to cover all views. Today, the internet does that job.
I am of America and for America, and proud to be so. Our country did not get here by being typical. And a big part of America’s success has been freedom in the economic realm and everywhere else. Freedom is ethical — it minimizes coercion — and practical — it drives creativity, invention, and prosperity.
I offered David Shipley, whom I greatly admire, the opportunity to lead this new chapter. I suggested to him that if the answer wasn’t “hell yes,” then it had to be “no.” After careful consideration, David decided to step away. This is a significant shift, it won’t be easy, and it will require 100% commitment — I respect his decision. We’ll be searching for a new Opinion Editor to own this new direction.
I’m confident that free markets and personal liberties are right for America. I also believe these viewpoints are underserved in the current market of ideas and news opinion. I’m excited for us together to fill that void.
Jeff
Part 1 - Lets start with explaining why tariffs are good for free markets.
Tariffs are no more an impediment to freedom than the concept of national citizenship is.
I am not sure whether I don't understand that post because it is a statement of such intellectual gravitas or because it is simply bollocks.
Lavrov says Russia will not accept any ceasefire on current lines of occupation, only once Russia has obtained all of Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions as well as Crimea.
He also rejects any European troops being involved in enforcing any ceasefire (which suggests only Turkish and otherwise non NATO UN troops could enforce a ceasefire)
With Trump's deal making successes so far Poland, Finland, Sweden, Norway and the Baltic States will all be on the table with the whole of Ukraine and the Balkans.
His being this shit at dealmaking would explain why his current fortune is less than if his parents had invested his inheritance in a tracker fund at 18.
Or, as is often said, the only man who ever lost money owning a casino
And yet, weirdly, he is now the most powerful man on earth
Seems he made QUITE the deal with the American voter, given he is such a "terrible dealmaker"?
Again, the stupid on this site is off the fucking dial. It is embarrassing
Well, yes.
He's learned one very simple lesson. If, in a high trust society, you are willing to lie your teeth off, then you can do very well indeed.
There's an interesting contrast with Musk, mind. There's a cadre of engineers and employees that have followed Musk around. There aren't a lot of people who worked with Musk who badmouth him.
With Trump, with the exception of his former CFO, he's got an entirely new staff surrounding him, he's fallen out with every lawyer he's ever worked with, and no-one who's worked for him seems to have a good word to say about him.
All and any criticisms of Trump would be so much more forceful if the entire left-liberal media-political establishment in America hadn’t conspired to hide the fact that Biden was clearly too senile to run again
Unfortunately they did. They lied and lied and lied, about the most important politician and election on Earth
But, they think it's lying for the right reasons, as opposed to the wrong ones.
I’ve been searching for positives anyway and I believe I’ve found one. In a world of turmoil, autocracy and brutish populism on the rise wherever you look, we in the UK have a sane and stable government, with a large majority and four years still to run. I realize their precise policies aren’t everybody’s cup of tea, and that Keir Starmer neither rocks the aisles with laughter (like Boris Johnson) nor inspires the public’s love and devotion (like Gordon Brown), but so what? In times like these you count your blessings and a blessing is what he is. So by all means criticise him and this Labour government, that’s healthy, but let’s at the same time treasure it.
Serious question. Would you have said the same if it had been Thatcher or Cameron (in coalition or alone) in No 10?
I treasure the British system of Government (whoever is in power) without treasuring the current incumbent who I consider facile and superficial at best.
Serious answer, yes. In this context, I would.
In which case I agree with you. Though I would not treasure either Starmer or any other politician of any party.
Yes, I meant our situation. Politicians to treasure? It's rare but I'm capable of it. They'd need to (mainly) share my views and be someone I see as honest, kind, hard working and capable. Some Labour figures from the old days might qualify. I struggle a bit with today's cast. But perhaps that's just the nostalgia monster.
Call me old fashioned, but above all I value good, old fashioned morality.
So, for example, I respected Michael Foot as a moral man. Likewise, I respect Mike Johnson for that reason. I think both Charles Kennedy and Margaret Thatcher had strong moral cores.
On the other hand, I don't believe (say) Donald Trump has a moral bone in his body.
Lavrov says Russia will not accept any ceasefire on current lines of occupation, only once Russia has obtained all of Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions as well as Crimea.
He also rejects any European troops being involved in enforcing any ceasefire (which suggests only Turkish and otherwise non NATO UN troops could enforce a ceasefire)
With Trump's deal making successes so far Poland, Finland, Sweden, Norway and the Baltic States will all be on the table with the whole of Ukraine and the Balkans.
His being this shit at dealmaking would explain why his current fortune is less than if his parents had invested his inheritance in a tracker fund at 18.
Or, as is often said, the only man who ever lost money owning a casino
And yet, weirdly, he is now the most powerful man on earth
Seems he made QUITE the deal with the American voter, given he is such a "terrible dealmaker"?
Again, the stupid on this site is off the fucking dial. It is embarrassing
Well, yes.
He's learned one very simple lesson. If, in a high trust society, you are willing to lie your teeth off, then you can do very well indeed.
There's an interesting contrast with Musk, mind. There's a cadre of engineers and employees that have followed Musk around. There aren't a lot of people who worked with Musk who badmouth him.
With Trump, with the exception of his former CFO, he's got an entirely new staff surrounding him, he's fallen out with every lawyer he's ever worked with, and no-one who's worked for him seems to have a good word to say about him.
I’ve been searching for positives anyway and I believe I’ve found one. In a world of turmoil, autocracy and brutish populism on the rise wherever you look, we in the UK have a sane and stable government, with a large majority and four years still to run. I realize their precise policies aren’t everybody’s cup of tea, and that Keir Starmer neither rocks the aisles with laughter (like Boris Johnson) nor inspires the public’s love and devotion (like Gordon Brown), but so what? In times like these you count your blessings and a blessing is what he is. So by all means criticise him and this Labour government, that’s healthy, but let’s at the same time treasure it.
Serious question. Would you have said the same if it had been Thatcher or Cameron (in coalition or alone) in No 10?
I treasure the British system of Government (whoever is in power) without treasuring the current incumbent who I consider facile and superficial at best.
Serious answer, yes. In this context, I would.
In which case I agree with you. Though I would not treasure either Starmer or any other politician of any party.
Yes, I meant our situation. Politicians to treasure? It's rare but I'm capable of it. They'd need to (mainly) share my views and be someone I see as honest, kind, hard working and capable. Some Labour figures from the old days might qualify. I struggle a bit with today's cast. But perhaps that's just the nostalgia monster.
Call me old fashioned, but above all I value good, old fashioned morality.
So, for example, I respected Michael Foot as a moral man. Likewise, I respect Mike Johnson for that reason. I think both Charles Kennedy and Margaret Thatcher had strong moral cores.
On the other hand, I don't believe (say) Donald Trump has a moral bone in his body.
Cummings was calling for Rory Stewart to be executed the other day.
He’s a total nut job.
True, but execution is a step too far.
What this tells us is that words matter, and they have real-life consequences.
We can get this wrong in both directions, atm: absurd hypersensitivity in one direction (over ridiculous micro-aggressions, for example) but also in the other where we resort to dangerous hyperbole, threats and labelling that can, and does, have real-world effects.
I shared this note with the Washington Post team this morning:
I’m writing to let you know about a change coming to our opinion pages.
We are going to be writing every day in support and defense of two pillars: personal liberties and free markets. We’ll cover other topics too of course, but viewpoints opposing those pillars will be left to be published by others.
There was a time when a newspaper, especially one that was a local monopoly, might have seen it as a service to bring to the reader’s doorstep every morning a broad-based opinion section that sought to cover all views. Today, the internet does that job.
I am of America and for America, and proud to be so. Our country did not get here by being typical. And a big part of America’s success has been freedom in the economic realm and everywhere else. Freedom is ethical — it minimizes coercion — and practical — it drives creativity, invention, and prosperity.
I offered David Shipley, whom I greatly admire, the opportunity to lead this new chapter. I suggested to him that if the answer wasn’t “hell yes,” then it had to be “no.” After careful consideration, David decided to step away. This is a significant shift, it won’t be easy, and it will require 100% commitment — I respect his decision. We’ll be searching for a new Opinion Editor to own this new direction.
I’m confident that free markets and personal liberties are right for America. I also believe these viewpoints are underserved in the current market of ideas and news opinion. I’m excited for us together to fill that void.
Jeff
Part 1 - Lets start with explaining why tariffs are good for free markets.
Tariffs to protect a domestic market from dumping, most certainly are.
They may be good for that market, that is arguable and scenario dependent, but they are by definition not good for "free markets".
Well of course it’s scenario dependent and if you have a govt effectively heavily subsidising an industry to basically get a lot of global share to the detriment of others businesses globally then that is hardly good for a free market either.
I shared this note with the Washington Post team this morning:
I’m writing to let you know about a change coming to our opinion pages.
We are going to be writing every day in support and defense of two pillars: personal liberties and free markets. We’ll cover other topics too of course, but viewpoints opposing those pillars will be left to be published by others.
There was a time when a newspaper, especially one that was a local monopoly, might have seen it as a service to bring to the reader’s doorstep every morning a broad-based opinion section that sought to cover all views. Today, the internet does that job.
I am of America and for America, and proud to be so. Our country did not get here by being typical. And a big part of America’s success has been freedom in the economic realm and everywhere else. Freedom is ethical — it minimizes coercion — and practical — it drives creativity, invention, and prosperity.
I offered David Shipley, whom I greatly admire, the opportunity to lead this new chapter. I suggested to him that if the answer wasn’t “hell yes,” then it had to be “no.” After careful consideration, David decided to step away. This is a significant shift, it won’t be easy, and it will require 100% commitment — I respect his decision. We’ll be searching for a new Opinion Editor to own this new direction.
I’m confident that free markets and personal liberties are right for America. I also believe these viewpoints are underserved in the current market of ideas and news opinion. I’m excited for us together to fill that void.
Jeff
Part 1 - Lets start with explaining why tariffs are good for free markets.
Tariffs to protect a domestic market from dumping, most certainly are.
Are they? The economic research is pretty mixed, not least because actual dumping (i.e. the deliberate decision to lose large sums of money for a sustained period of time with the goal of bankrupting competitors) is very rare.
Most dumping - i.e. Canadian companies producing cheaper aluminium than US firms - is simply the result of companies in one country having a competitive advantage (i.e. cheap hydroelectric energy).
Reminded me of Porter's Competitive Advantage Theory. Seem to recall Porter thought Canada was doomed as all they had were basic materials which they had to export.
I shared this note with the Washington Post team this morning:
I’m writing to let you know about a change coming to our opinion pages.
We are going to be writing every day in support and defense of two pillars: personal liberties and free markets. We’ll cover other topics too of course, but viewpoints opposing those pillars will be left to be published by others.
There was a time when a newspaper, especially one that was a local monopoly, might have seen it as a service to bring to the reader’s doorstep every morning a broad-based opinion section that sought to cover all views. Today, the internet does that job.
I am of America and for America, and proud to be so. Our country did not get here by being typical. And a big part of America’s success has been freedom in the economic realm and everywhere else. Freedom is ethical — it minimizes coercion — and practical — it drives creativity, invention, and prosperity.
I offered David Shipley, whom I greatly admire, the opportunity to lead this new chapter. I suggested to him that if the answer wasn’t “hell yes,” then it had to be “no.” After careful consideration, David decided to step away. This is a significant shift, it won’t be easy, and it will require 100% commitment — I respect his decision. We’ll be searching for a new Opinion Editor to own this new direction.
I’m confident that free markets and personal liberties are right for America. I also believe these viewpoints are underserved in the current market of ideas and news opinion. I’m excited for us together to fill that void.
Jeff
Part 1 - Lets start with explaining why tariffs are good for free markets.
Tariffs are no more an impediment to freedom than the concept of national citizenship is.
I am not sure whether I don't understand that post because it is a statement of such intellectual gravitas or because it is simply bollocks.
Having a piece of paper that determines where you have the right to live and work is at least as much of a restriction on free trade than having to pay x% to import a product from country y.
Imagine if national passports didn't exist and some populist leader were elected on a platform of introducing them with the accompanying border controls. (Which reminds me: what happened to the poster who used to talk about "border fascism"?)
I've decided the problem with the world today: there aren't enough people playing with their train set.
That's the real issue: lots of people would be happier if they built and played with a train set.
THERE.
I had a train set as a kid, but I never liked the compromises that modelling at OO scale meant.
So when I was a teenager, I went up to 1:1 scale instead.
I'd love to have a layout, but I have so many other interests that I wouldn't be able to do one justice. Perhaps when I'm a little older and I can't run. In the meantime, I live vicariously through YouTube videos of really skillful modellers.
I’ve been searching for positives anyway and I believe I’ve found one. In a world of turmoil, autocracy and brutish populism on the rise wherever you look, we in the UK have a sane and stable government, with a large majority and four years still to run. I realize their precise policies aren’t everybody’s cup of tea, and that Keir Starmer neither rocks the aisles with laughter (like Boris Johnson) nor inspires the public’s love and devotion (like Gordon Brown), but so what? In times like these you count your blessings and a blessing is what he is. So by all means criticise him and this Labour government, that’s healthy, but let’s at the same time treasure it.
Serious question. Would you have said the same if it had been Thatcher or Cameron (in coalition or alone) in No 10?
I treasure the British system of Government (whoever is in power) without treasuring the current incumbent who I consider facile and superficial at best.
Serious answer, yes. In this context, I would.
In which case I agree with you. Though I would not treasure either Starmer or any other politician of any party.
Yes, I meant our situation. Politicians to treasure? It's rare but I'm capable of it. They'd need to (mainly) share my views and be someone I see as honest, kind, hard working and capable. Some Labour figures from the old days might qualify. I struggle a bit with today's cast. But perhaps that's just the nostalgia monster.
Call me old fashioned, but above all I value good, old fashioned morality.
So, for example, I respected Michael Foot as a moral man. Likewise, I respect Mike Johnson for that reason. I think both Charles Kennedy and Margaret Thatcher had strong moral cores.
On the other hand, I don't believe (say) Donald Trump has a moral bone in his body.
I suspect you are correct here and I get the impression he is driven by Trump first and America first and will pivot the US govt accordingly.
I wonder if you need to put your morals aside to get to a certain level in the business world and US politics ?
I've decided the problem with the world today: there aren't enough people playing with their train set.
That's the real issue: lots of people would be happier if they built and played with a train set.
THERE.
H0 gauge is more accurate than OO gauge.
The former is 1:87 for train bodies and track, the latter mixes 1:76 train bodies with 1:87 track.
There!
Done, if I understand it correctly, as UK homes generally have less space (even back then...), and the narrower track allowed sharper curves, and therefore layouts to be smaller.
Every time you think you’ve seen and done everything debauched, decadent, and drunkenly doolally it shows you that NAH
My 21 year old grandson ad his 22 year (male) cousin are booked into Bangkok for a fw days en route to a working trip to Australia. Their uncle has found them all sorts of 'seemly' things to do...... family dinners, sports such as football. Seems such a waste!
I hope they have a delightful time, and enjoy proper Thai hospitality.
Exploiting trafficked girls and catching STDs is not everyone's sort of tourism.
I’ve been searching for positives anyway and I believe I’ve found one. In a world of turmoil, autocracy and brutish populism on the rise wherever you look, we in the UK have a sane and stable government, with a large majority and four years still to run. I realize their precise policies aren’t everybody’s cup of tea, and that Keir Starmer neither rocks the aisles with laughter (like Boris Johnson) nor inspires the public’s love and devotion (like Gordon Brown), but so what? In times like these you count your blessings and a blessing is what he is. So by all means criticise him and this Labour government, that’s healthy, but let’s at the same time treasure it.
Serious question. Would you have said the same if it had been Thatcher or Cameron (in coalition or alone) in No 10?
I treasure the British system of Government (whoever is in power) without treasuring the current incumbent who I consider facile and superficial at best.
Serious answer, yes. In this context, I would.
In which case I agree with you. Though I would not treasure either Starmer or any other politician of any party.
Yes, I meant our situation. Politicians to treasure? It's rare but I'm capable of it. They'd need to (mainly) share my views and be someone I see as honest, kind, hard working and capable. Some Labour figures from the old days might qualify. I struggle a bit with today's cast. But perhaps that's just the nostalgia monster.
Call me old fashioned, but above all I value good, old fashioned morality.
So, for example, I respected Michael Foot as a moral man. Likewise, I respect Mike Johnson for that reason. I think both Charles Kennedy and Margaret Thatcher had strong moral cores.
On the other hand, I don't believe (say) Donald Trump has a moral bone in his body.
Charles Kennedy liked his whisky. Probably that was what did for him. That and losing his seat.
What’s with the obsession with IQs? Musk is obviously incredibly smart, but also a total moron, who has fallen down a fascist rabbit-hole.
Not unlike our own Leon.
I'm not convinced there's much connection between IQ and what you might call every-day intelligence.
An example I always think of is Bobby Fischer. A stone cold genius at chess, stratospheric IQ, yet at the same time a dumbo antisemite prone to believing complete nonsense such as that the Holocaust didn't happen.
Every time you think you’ve seen and done everything debauched, decadent, and drunkenly doolally it shows you that NAH
My 21 year old grandson ad his 22 year (male) cousin are booked into Bangkok for a fw days en route to a working trip to Australia. Their uncle has found them all sorts of 'seemly' things to do...... family dinners, sports such as football. Seems such a waste!
I hope they have a delightful time, and enjoy proper Thai hospitality.
Exploiting trafficked girls and catching STDs is not everyone's sort of tourism.
They're staying with their British uncle and his Thai wife. So they should have the best of both.
I’ve been searching for positives anyway and I believe I’ve found one. In a world of turmoil, autocracy and brutish populism on the rise wherever you look, we in the UK have a sane and stable government, with a large majority and four years still to run. I realize their precise policies aren’t everybody’s cup of tea, and that Keir Starmer neither rocks the aisles with laughter (like Boris Johnson) nor inspires the public’s love and devotion (like Gordon Brown), but so what? In times like these you count your blessings and a blessing is what he is. So by all means criticise him and this Labour government, that’s healthy, but let’s at the same time treasure it.
Serious question. Would you have said the same if it had been Thatcher or Cameron (in coalition or alone) in No 10?
I treasure the British system of Government (whoever is in power) without treasuring the current incumbent who I consider facile and superficial at best.
Serious answer, yes. In this context, I would.
In which case I agree with you. Though I would not treasure either Starmer or any other politician of any party.
Yes, I meant our situation. Politicians to treasure? It's rare but I'm capable of it. They'd need to (mainly) share my views and be someone I see as honest, kind, hard working and capable. Some Labour figures from the old days might qualify. I struggle a bit with today's cast. But perhaps that's just the nostalgia monster.
Call me old fashioned, but above all I value good, old fashioned morality.
So, for example, I respected Michael Foot as a moral man. Likewise, I respect Mike Johnson for that reason. I think both Charles Kennedy and Margaret Thatcher had strong moral cores.
On the other hand, I don't believe (say) Donald Trump has a moral bone in his body.
I don't think the way Mike Johnson behaved with Ukraine aid last year was in any way moral. To me, he appears as someone who wears his religion as a shroud to cover his politics.
I've decided the problem with the world today: there aren't enough people playing with their train set.
That's the real issue: lots of people would be happier if they built and played with a train set.
THERE.
H0 gauge is more accurate than OO gauge.
The former is 1:87 for train bodies and track, the latter mixes 1:76 train bodies with 1:87 track.
There!
Done, if I understand it correctly, as UK homes generally have less space (even back then...), and the narrower track allowed sharper curves, and therefore layouts to be smaller.
I’ve been searching for positives anyway and I believe I’ve found one. In a world of turmoil, autocracy and brutish populism on the rise wherever you look, we in the UK have a sane and stable government, with a large majority and four years still to run. I realize their precise policies aren’t everybody’s cup of tea, and that Keir Starmer neither rocks the aisles with laughter (like Boris Johnson) nor inspires the public’s love and devotion (like Gordon Brown), but so what? In times like these you count your blessings and a blessing is what he is. So by all means criticise him and this Labour government, that’s healthy, but let’s at the same time treasure it.
Yes. I'm checking out Jon Stewart and Steve Colbert's output to make sure they are still allowed to criticise Trump and Trumpism and haven't been arrested. But I'm not wondering whether Matt is still allowed to make me laugh.
I would reckon the chance of Matt being arrested for a hateful cartoon in this country greater than the chance of Stewart or Colbert being arrested for mere speech in the US. Even under Trump.
I've decided the problem with the world today: there aren't enough people playing with their train set.
That's the real issue: lots of people would be happier if they built and played with a train set.
THERE.
I had a train set as a kid, but I never liked the compromises that modelling at OO scale meant.
So when I was a teenager, I went up to 1:1 scale instead.
I'd love to have a layout, but I have so many other interests that I wouldn't be able to do one justice. Perhaps when I'm a little older and I can't run. In the meantime, I live vicariously through YouTube videos of really skillful modellers.
The one to watch out for is O gauge.
In the UK it is 1:43rd because it is based on a metric 7mm/ft whereas in the US it is 1/48th because it is based on 1/4" per foot. It makes quite a difference when you see the same model side by side. Both O gauge but the UK version is noticeably bigger.
It’s not that Trump’s bark is worse than his bite, more that he’s simply a liar and a nut job, surrounded by liars and nut jobs. He doesn’t have the wit or the administrative capability to deliver much.
So a good deal but the person who is responsible for its negotiation is an idiot, liar, nutjob.
I’ve been searching for positives anyway and I believe I’ve found one. In a world of turmoil, autocracy and brutish populism on the rise wherever you look, we in the UK have a sane and stable government, with a large majority and four years still to run. I realize their precise policies aren’t everybody’s cup of tea, and that Keir Starmer neither rocks the aisles with laughter (like Boris Johnson) nor inspires the public’s love and devotion (like Gordon Brown), but so what? In times like these you count your blessings and a blessing is what he is. So by all means criticise him and this Labour government, that’s healthy, but let’s at the same time treasure it.
Serious question. Would you have said the same if it had been Thatcher or Cameron (in coalition or alone) in No 10?
I treasure the British system of Government (whoever is in power) without treasuring the current incumbent who I consider facile and superficial at best.
Serious answer, yes. In this context, I would.
In which case I agree with you. Though I would not treasure either Starmer or any other politician of any party.
Yes, I meant our situation. Politicians to treasure? It's rare but I'm capable of it. They'd need to (mainly) share my views and be someone I see as honest, kind, hard working and capable. Some Labour figures from the old days might qualify. I struggle a bit with today's cast. But perhaps that's just the nostalgia monster.
Call me old fashioned, but above all I value good, old fashioned morality.
So, for example, I respected Michael Foot as a moral man. Likewise, I respect Mike Johnson for that reason. I think both Charles Kennedy and Margaret Thatcher had strong moral cores.
On the other hand, I don't believe (say) Donald Trump has a moral bone in his body.
I don't think the way Mike Johnson behaved with Ukraine aid last year was in any way moral. To me, he appears as someone who wears his religion as a shroud to cover his politics.
"Who's making your decisions? You or your religion?"
It’s not that Trump’s bark is worse than his bite, more that he’s simply a liar and a nut job, surrounded by liars and nut jobs. He doesn’t have the wit or the administrative capability to deliver much.
So a good deal but the person who is responsible for its negotiation is an idiot, liar, nutjob.
Cognitive dissonance, much?
Is it? Trump's team's original draft and menaces were disgraceful. Zelensky rightly pushed back. Thankfully wiser heads prevailed and have signed something that though imperfect can be lived with.
I shared this note with the Washington Post team this morning:
I’m writing to let you know about a change coming to our opinion pages.
We are going to be writing every day in support and defense of two pillars: personal liberties and free markets. We’ll cover other topics too of course, but viewpoints opposing those pillars will be left to be published by others.
There was a time when a newspaper, especially one that was a local monopoly, might have seen it as a service to bring to the reader’s doorstep every morning a broad-based opinion section that sought to cover all views. Today, the internet does that job.
I am of America and for America, and proud to be so. Our country did not get here by being typical. And a big part of America’s success has been freedom in the economic realm and everywhere else. Freedom is ethical — it minimizes coercion — and practical — it drives creativity, invention, and prosperity.
I offered David Shipley, whom I greatly admire, the opportunity to lead this new chapter. I suggested to him that if the answer wasn’t “hell yes,” then it had to be “no.” After careful consideration, David decided to step away. This is a significant shift, it won’t be easy, and it will require 100% commitment — I respect his decision. We’ll be searching for a new Opinion Editor to own this new direction.
I’m confident that free markets and personal liberties are right for America. I also believe these viewpoints are underserved in the current market of ideas and news opinion. I’m excited for us together to fill that void.
Jeff
Part 1 - Lets start with explaining why tariffs are good for free markets.
Tariffs to protect a domestic market from dumping, most certainly are.
Are they? The economic research is pretty mixed, not least because actual dumping (i.e. the deliberate decision to lose large sums of money for a sustained period of time with the goal of bankrupting competitors) is very rare.
Most dumping - i.e. Canadian companies producing cheaper aluminium than US firms - is simply the result of companies in one country having a competitive advantage (i.e. cheap hydroelectric energy).
Reminded me of Porter's Competitive Advantage Theory. Seem to recall Porter thought Canada was doomed as all they had were basic materials which they had to export.
Just in: Musk’s team has mass terminated hundreds of government leases, while simultaneously demanding federal workers go back to the office five days a week
“Where are we supposed to tell them to go?,” one federal supervisor tells me
Where’s the problem - it’s survival of those who arrived earliest and get the (single) desk.
Having cut the offices, Elon and co will be able to terminate a whole new set of workers for failing to fulfil the 5 days in the office mandate
It's obvious what you do. Having turned up to find no desk, you tell your boss that you're in Starbucks until there is one. And because you didn't bring your VPN token (you don't need it in the office of course) you can't do anything useful anyway.
It’s not that Trump’s bark is worse than his bite, more that he’s simply a liar and a nut job, surrounded by liars and nut jobs. He doesn’t have the wit or the administrative capability to deliver much.
So a good deal but the person who is responsible for its negotiation is an idiot, liar, nutjob.
Cognitive dissonance, much?
Are you suggesting the deal is due to Trump’s very stable negotiating prowess?
Every time you think you’ve seen and done everything debauched, decadent, and drunkenly doolally it shows you that NAH
My 21 year old grandson ad his 22 year (male) cousin are booked into Bangkok for a fw days en route to a working trip to Australia. Their uncle has found them all sorts of 'seemly' things to do...... family dinners, sports such as football. Seems such a waste!
I've been once, in 2014, and almost got myself killed by taking a motorbike taxi ride. Usually they go down the narrow streets at low speed because the journeys aren't long, but I made the mistake of asking one to take me from one side of the city to the other, and so the driver decided to go on a busy highway at much higher speed, which I wasn't prepared for. Nearly fell off several times because I hadn't been on a motorbike before (or since).
I’ve been searching for positives anyway and I believe I’ve found one. In a world of turmoil, autocracy and brutish populism on the rise wherever you look, we in the UK have a sane and stable government, with a large majority and four years still to run. I realize their precise policies aren’t everybody’s cup of tea, and that Keir Starmer neither rocks the aisles with laughter (like Boris Johnson) nor inspires the public’s love and devotion (like Gordon Brown), but so what? In times like these you count your blessings and a blessing is what he is. So by all means criticise him and this Labour government, that’s healthy, but let’s at the same time treasure it.
Serious question. Would you have said the same if it had been Thatcher or Cameron (in coalition or alone) in No 10?
I treasure the British system of Government (whoever is in power) without treasuring the current incumbent who I consider facile and superficial at best.
Serious answer, yes. In this context, I would.
In which case I agree with you. Though I would not treasure either Starmer or any other politician of any party.
Yes, I meant our situation. Politicians to treasure? It's rare but I'm capable of it. They'd need to (mainly) share my views and be someone I see as honest, kind, hard working and capable. Some Labour figures from the old days might qualify. I struggle a bit with today's cast. But perhaps that's just the nostalgia monster.
Call me old fashioned, but above all I value good, old fashioned morality.
So, for example, I respected Michael Foot as a moral man. Likewise, I respect Mike Johnson for that reason. I think both Charles Kennedy and Margaret Thatcher had strong moral cores.
On the other hand, I don't believe (say) Donald Trump has a moral bone in his body.
I don't think the way Mike Johnson behaved with Ukraine aid last year was in any way moral. To me, he appears as someone who wears his religion as a shroud to cover his politics.
"Who's making your decisions? You or your religion?"
I’ve been searching for positives anyway and I believe I’ve found one. In a world of turmoil, autocracy and brutish populism on the rise wherever you look, we in the UK have a sane and stable government, with a large majority and four years still to run. I realize their precise policies aren’t everybody’s cup of tea, and that Keir Starmer neither rocks the aisles with laughter (like Boris Johnson) nor inspires the public’s love and devotion (like Gordon Brown), but so what? In times like these you count your blessings and a blessing is what he is. So by all means criticise him and this Labour government, that’s healthy, but let’s at the same time treasure it.
Serious question. Would you have said the same if it had been Thatcher or Cameron (in coalition or alone) in No 10?
I treasure the British system of Government (whoever is in power) without treasuring the current incumbent who I consider facile and superficial at best.
Serious answer, yes. In this context, I would.
In which case I agree with you. Though I would not treasure either Starmer or any other politician of any party.
Yes, I meant our situation. Politicians to treasure? It's rare but I'm capable of it. They'd need to (mainly) share my views and be someone I see as honest, kind, hard working and capable. Some Labour figures from the old days might qualify. I struggle a bit with today's cast. But perhaps that's just the nostalgia monster.
Call me old fashioned, but above all I value good, old fashioned morality.
So, for example, I respected Michael Foot as a moral man. Likewise, I respect Mike Johnson for that reason. I think both Charles Kennedy and Margaret Thatcher had strong moral cores.
On the other hand, I don't believe (say) Donald Trump has a moral bone in his body.
What about pols with respected political morals but looser personal ones?
I've decided the problem with the world today: there aren't enough people playing with their train set.
That's the real issue: lots of people would be happier if they built and played with a train set.
THERE.
I had a train set as a kid, but I never liked the compromises that modelling at OO scale meant.
So when I was a teenager, I went up to 1:1 scale instead.
I'd love to have a layout, but I have so many other interests that I wouldn't be able to do one justice. Perhaps when I'm a little older and I can't run. In the meantime, I live vicariously through YouTube videos of really skillful modellers.
I like the YouTube videos of the garden model railway with a resident cat.
Every time you think you’ve seen and done everything debauched, decadent, and drunkenly doolally it shows you that NAH
My 21 year old grandson ad his 22 year (male) cousin are booked into Bangkok for a fw days en route to a working trip to Australia. Their uncle has found them all sorts of 'seemly' things to do...... family dinners, sports such as football. Seems such a waste!
I've been once, in 2014, and almost got myself killed by taking a motorbike taxi ride. Usually they go down the narrow streets at low speed because the journeys aren't long, but I made the mistake of asking one to take me from one side of the city to the other, and so the driver decided to go on a busy highway at much higher speed, which I wasn't prepared for. Nearly fell off several times because I hadn't been on a motorbike before (or since).
We took a flight by Qantas from Heathrow to Sydney with a refueling stop in Bangkok
Following our departure and about 2 hours into the leg to Sydney we lost an engine. The pilot informed us the aircraft was too heavy with fuel and he would discharge it from the wing tips and circle until only a safe amount of fuel remained for a flight back to Bangkok and a full emergency landing
Quite scary with fire engines chasing the plane but we landed safely and was parked away from the terminal
Qantas accommodated us in a five star hotel full board and for a second night, though in the early hours of the morning we were called to the boarding gate to witness a 747 arriving with 5 engines. The captain explained the inboard engine was for our damaged plane and once disconnected he would fly us to Sydney in the just arrived 747
We really enjoyed our luxury hospitality in Bangkok and Qantas sent us a £500 cheque when we got home
I've decided the problem with the world today: there aren't enough people playing with their train set.
That's the real issue: lots of people would be happier if they built and played with a train set.
THERE.
I had a train set as a kid, but I never liked the compromises that modelling at OO scale meant.
So when I was a teenager, I went up to 1:1 scale instead.
I'd love to have a layout, but I have so many other interests that I wouldn't be able to do one justice. Perhaps when I'm a little older and I can't run. In the meantime, I live vicariously through YouTube videos of really skillful modellers.
I know a handful of people who own stream trains that are large enough to ride on.
They are all relaxed, happy people. And fairly uninterested in material things (apart from a bigger lathe/mill)
This strongly suggests that we should teach building large scale model steam trains in schools, I think.
Wargaming with model soldiers as collateral damage? My Macedonian phalanxes are coming for you, and the Companions to finish you off.
Wargaming is a minefield (if you will forgive the pun) as far as scales go. Try getting into a discussion about what '28mm' means. So many different manufacturers with so many different sculptors all doing something slightly different. It doesn't help that 28mm was a slow evolution from 25mm so that you have a whole range of different scales all purporting to be '28mm'.
I own a company making '28mm' vehicles for wargames and model railways and we sell on two different scales - 1/56th which matches much of the classic 28mm stuff and 1/48th which is better suited to the 'heroic' scale as they like to call it.
Perhaps the only time I am ever going to hope that England lose at the cricket. They shouldn't be there and deserve to get thrashed.
What weird logic? The ones who shouldn't be there are Afghanistan. Why are they not banned as South Africa were for so long? Is what Afghanistan is doing to women less bad than apartheid?
I’ve been searching for positives anyway and I believe I’ve found one. In a world of turmoil, autocracy and brutish populism on the rise wherever you look, we in the UK have a sane and stable government, with a large majority and four years still to run. I realize their precise policies aren’t everybody’s cup of tea, and that Keir Starmer neither rocks the aisles with laughter (like Boris Johnson) nor inspires the public’s love and devotion (like Gordon Brown), but so what? In times like these you count your blessings and a blessing is what he is. So by all means criticise him and this Labour government, that’s healthy, but let’s at the same time treasure it.
Serious question. Would you have said the same if it had been Thatcher or Cameron (in coalition or alone) in No 10?
I treasure the British system of Government (whoever is in power) without treasuring the current incumbent who I consider facile and superficial at best.
Serious answer, yes. In this context, I would.
In which case I agree with you. Though I would not treasure either Starmer or any other politician of any party.
Yes, I meant our situation. Politicians to treasure? It's rare but I'm capable of it. They'd need to (mainly) share my views and be someone I see as honest, kind, hard working and capable. Some Labour figures from the old days might qualify. I struggle a bit with today's cast. But perhaps that's just the nostalgia monster.
Call me old fashioned, but above all I value good, old fashioned morality.
So, for example, I respected Michael Foot as a moral man. Likewise, I respect Mike Johnson for that reason. I think both Charles Kennedy and Margaret Thatcher had strong moral cores.
On the other hand, I don't believe (say) Donald Trump has a moral bone in his body.
I don't think the way Mike Johnson behaved with Ukraine aid last year was in any way moral. To me, he appears as someone who wears his religion as a shroud to cover his politics.
Perhaps the only time I am ever going to hope that England lose at the cricket. They shouldn't be there and deserve to get thrashed.
What weird logic? The ones who shouldn't be there are Afghanistan. Why are they not banned as South Africa were for so long? Is what Afghanistan is doing to women less bad than apartheid?
you think the Taliban care about Cricket? that's the difference
I've just watched the slick Trump/Gaza film. It's not weird. It's sick and evil. I can barely imagine the offence it would cause to people living in, or connected to, rubble-strewn Gaza. Rather than building bridges, the USA is blowing them up. How to intensify Palestinians' hatred of the USA in one easy step.
..The video might have gone down particularly badly with Trump’s Christian supporters, with several comments referencing the idolatry of the golden statue, and others lamenting a scene showing Trump in a nightclub alone with a woman dressed as a bellydancer as a crowd looks on.
“Only one deserves the glory and the honor, Mr President,” wrote another user. “The statue is a symbol of the antichrist, please humble yourself to God. Jesus is king and only Him.” Other users described the video as “sick” and “filth”...
Perhaps evangelicals are finally realising Trump worships 3 things above all, 1 himself, 2 money, 3 power. Jesus Christ and his teachings are rather lower down the list and now he has been re elected he doesn't have need for evangelical voters turning out for him again
Don't all Trump voters now get their entire theology from JD Vance?
No - he's RC.
Trumpvangelicals hold their noses and accept it as predestined !
Comments
I treasure the British system of Government (whoever is in power) without treasuring the current incumbent who I consider facile and superficial at best.
I shared this note with the Washington Post team this morning:
I’m writing to let you know about a change coming to our opinion pages.
We are going to be writing every day in support and defense of two pillars: personal liberties and free markets. We’ll cover other topics too of course, but viewpoints opposing those pillars will be left to be published by others.
There was a time when a newspaper, especially one that was a local monopoly, might have seen it as a service to bring to the reader’s doorstep every morning a broad-based opinion section that sought to cover all views. Today, the internet does that job.
I am of America and for America, and proud to be so. Our country did not get here by being typical. And a big part of America’s success has been freedom in the economic realm and everywhere else. Freedom is ethical — it minimizes coercion — and practical — it drives creativity, invention, and prosperity.
I offered David Shipley, whom I greatly admire, the opportunity to lead this new chapter. I suggested to him that if the answer wasn’t “hell yes,” then it had to be “no.” After careful consideration, David decided to step away. This is a significant shift, it won’t be easy, and it will require 100% commitment — I respect his decision. We’ll be searching for a new Opinion Editor to own this new direction.
I’m confident that free markets and personal liberties are right for America. I also believe these viewpoints are underserved in the current market of ideas and news opinion. I’m excited for us together to fill that void.
Jeff
Males aged 21 and 22?
I can tell them EXACTLY where to go, and when (crucial) to have more fun than they have ever conceived possible (from the perspective of an open minded, horny 21 year old male)
DM me if they want specifics
https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2021/01/24/trumps-false-or-misleading-claims-total-30573-over-four-years/
FFS America. What does it take to overcome the cult of celebrity there?
Musk is obviously incredibly smart, but also a total moron, who has fallen down a fascist rabbit-hole.
Not unlike our own Leon.
Seems he made QUITE the deal with the American voter, given he is such a "terrible dealmaker"?
Again, the stupid on this site is off the fucking dial. It is embarrassing
Or, forever swapping between Number 10 and Number 11, Ant n Dec....
It’s not that Trump’s bark is worse than his bite, more that he’s simply a liar and a nut job, surrounded by liars and nut jobs. He doesn’t have the wit or the administrative capability to deliver much.
"Elon - are we the baddies?"
Edit: a bit too strong, on reflection. There is some correlation. But not nearly as much as so many people seem to think.
@tomscocca.bsky.social
I am ordering all of my opinion-writing employees to only write about the importance of personal liberty, if they don't want to write on the assigned topic, they will lose their jobs
He's learned one very simple lesson. If, in a high trust society, you are willing to lie your teeth off, then you can do very well indeed.
There's an interesting contrast with Musk, mind. There's a cadre of engineers and employees that have followed Musk around. There aren't a lot of people who worked with Musk who badmouth him.
With Trump, with the exception of his former CFO, he's got an entirely new staff surrounding him, he's fallen out with every lawyer he's ever worked with, and no-one who's worked for him seems to have a good word to say about him.
Most dumping - i.e. Canadian companies producing cheaper aluminium than US firms - is simply the result of companies in one country having a competitive advantage (i.e. cheap hydroelectric energy).
It could be spun as “isn’t Trump such a generous benefactor deserving of giant gold statues in Ukraine for letting Ukraine off from paying what they owed” I guess.
Farage has his head so far up Trump's arse, you'll have trouble telling where he ends and Trump begins!
Unfortunately they did. They lied and lied and lied, about the most important politician and election on Earth
Having cut the offices, Elon and co will be able to terminate a whole new set of workers for failing to fulfil the 5 days in the office mandate
I guess it depends where the competitive advantage comes from and the aim and what happens longer term. Govt subsidy of a key industry. Flood the market with cheap product. Drive competition out of business then increase prices when there is less supply. That’s certainly how I was taught it in my economics module as part of my CIPS in the 90s.
Coloured my thinking on it but if the thoughts are different now happy to revisit.
If Trump refuses to put that in then there’s only one conclusion to take which we all suspect is the case anyway .
That's the real issue: lots of people would be happier if they built and played with a train set.
THERE.
So, for example, I respected Michael Foot as a moral man. Likewise, I respect Mike Johnson for that reason. I think both Charles Kennedy and Margaret Thatcher had strong moral cores.
On the other hand, I don't believe (say) Donald Trump has a moral bone in his body.
This is the one I want.
https://www.1722waggonway.co.uk/about-the-project
The former is 1:87 for train bodies and track, the latter mixes 1:76 train bodies with 1:87 track.
There!
We can get this wrong in both directions, atm: absurd hypersensitivity in one direction (over ridiculous micro-aggressions, for example) but also in the other where we resort to dangerous hyperbole, threats and labelling that can, and does, have real-world effects.
Eliminate tariffs and eliminate subsidies
https://www.hivelr.com/2024/01/canada-porters-diamond-model-the-competitive-advantage-of-nations/
Imagine if national passports didn't exist and some populist leader were elected on a platform of introducing them with the accompanying border controls. (Which reminds me: what happened to the poster who used to talk about "border fascism"?)
So when I was a teenager, I went up to 1:1 scale instead.
I'd love to have a layout, but I have so many other interests that I wouldn't be able to do one justice. Perhaps when I'm a little older and I can't run. In the meantime, I live vicariously through YouTube videos of really skillful modellers.
I wonder if you need to put your morals aside to get to a certain level in the business world and US politics ?
Exploiting trafficked girls and catching STDs is not everyone's sort of tourism.
My garden is tiny, but I’ll make the best of it.
There was someone here who grew tomatoes (Blanche ?) if I become half as good as that this year I’d be delighted.
In the UK it is 1:43rd because it is based on a metric 7mm/ft whereas in the US it is 1/48th because it is based on 1/4" per foot. It makes quite a difference when you see the same model side by side. Both O gauge but the UK version is noticeably bigger.
Cognitive dissonance, much?
You or your religion?"
That’s fine when global commodities are in an up-cycle, but otherwise, not.
NEW THREAD
Good evening/afternoon, everybody.
Following our departure and about 2 hours into the leg to Sydney we lost an engine. The pilot informed us the aircraft was too heavy with fuel and he would discharge it from the wing tips and circle until only a safe amount of fuel remained for a flight back to Bangkok and a full emergency landing
Quite scary with fire engines chasing the plane but we landed safely and was parked away from the terminal
Qantas accommodated us in a five star hotel full board and for a second night, though in the early hours of the morning we were called to the boarding gate to witness a 747 arriving with 5 engines. The captain explained the inboard engine was for our damaged plane and once disconnected he would fly us to Sydney in the just arrived 747
We really enjoyed our luxury hospitality in Bangkok and Qantas sent us a £500 cheque when we got home
They are all relaxed, happy people. And fairly uninterested in material things (apart from a bigger lathe/mill)
This strongly suggests that we should teach building large scale model steam trains in schools, I think.
I own a company making '28mm' vehicles for wargames and model railways and we sell on two different scales - 1/56th which matches much of the classic 28mm stuff and 1/48th which is better suited to the 'heroic' scale as they like to call it.
Trumpvangelicals hold their noses and accept it as predestined !