Our 16 year old grandson, who has just started his 3 year catering course, arrived today with sticky toffee pudding and sauce he had made, and it was quite the best we have tasted anywhere
Who says our FE colleges are not worth it, though it does have an excellent reputation and many years ago my cousin qualified there and eventually became a director of Trust House Forte
You can have a very tasty and reasonably priced meal at an FE college with a chef course.
Yes, and catered entirely by the students (including our grandson) with quite an up market menu and wines at a very competitive price
Our daughter and ourselves intend booking a table just to see his reaction !!!!!!!!!
They have completely naffed up the comms again on this (it’s Labour, so we shouldn’t be surprised).
This is all happening because (a bit like their stupid “our economy is at deaths door and there will be all sorts of pain in our budget but we’re not going to tell you what. Enjoy your summer” wheeze after winning the GE), they just said they’d consult on what the final policy looked like. That just breeds speculation.
They should’ve just announced the policy, warts and all, and that would have killed all these “mission creep” headlines.
Or better still, they shouldn’t have announced it at all. Because it’s a crap policy.
I expect they will be quietly dropped
I'm surprised the more pro-EU people aren't pointing out that large chucks of the more stupid stuff break EU laws and rules on privacy and data security - they would be barrier to re-entry.
Even in the present circumstances, the EU is likely to be very angry about the really insane stuff being applied to their citizens. Such as storing primary biometric id - not just a hash of your fingerprint.
Yes, the last time this was planned, the idea was to include in the database of every actual fingerprint in the country. And eye scans.
What's wrong with that? asks @kinabalu. Well, when the data is stolen, as it will be, changing your fingerprints may be a bit hard. And no, it's perfectly possible to do finger print recognition without storing your primary fingerprint.
Oi I'm not the frontman for the Surveillance Society! I might even be anti the scheme when we know what it is - as opposed to frothing over Daily Mail clickbait or what Tony Blair was or wasn't intending 25 years ago.
What a bizarre and concerning poll. Not the American thing, the other bit at the bottom. We (along with many similar countries) are struggling with a flat economy, ageing demographics, stagnant living standards, and tight public finances. That 88% of people consider this to mean "Britain is Broken" shows that febrile hyperbole has become the norm. Unless it's just become a phrase that means all is not well and some things need to change. Perhaps that's it. I don't like it anyway, all this "broken" and "fix" business. It's overwrought and leading to poor debate and decisions. We are not broken, and if we were it wouldn't be something fixable by politicians at Westminster.
The problem is Starmer and Reeves, from before and after their election win, complained how bad everything is after 14 years of Tory rule, then produced the most anti business budget anyone could imagine, so yes Labour need to reflect on their own behaviour in this story
No, that's not the problem. It's the gormless gullible public. I never went round saying Britain is Broken even during the worst times under the Tories, nor when I personally was struggling.
The public have had years of being let down by politicians of all colours. It is hardly surprising they have a dim view of things, after that experience.
What a bizarre and concerning poll. Not the American thing, the other bit at the bottom. We (along with many similar countries) are struggling with a flat economy, ageing demographics, stagnant living standards, and tight public finances. That 88% of people consider this to mean "Britain is Broken" shows that febrile hyperbole has become the norm. Unless it's just become a phrase that means all is not well and some things need to change. Perhaps that's it. I don't like it anyway, all this "broken" and "fix" business. It's overwrought and leading to poor debate and decisions. We are not broken, and if we were it wouldn't be something fixable by politicians at Westminster.
The problem is Starmer and Reeves, from before and after their election win, complained how bad everything is after 14 years of Tory rule, then produced the most anti business budget anyone could imagine, so yes Labour need to reflect on their own behaviour in this story
No, that's not the problem. It's the gormless gullible public. I never went round saying Britain is Broken even during the worst times under the Tories, nor when I personally was struggling.
Starmer and Reeves and the cabinet did for months !!!!!!!!!!!!
Spencer Hakimian @SpencerHakimian · 22s BREAKING: Venezuela has requested an emergency session of the United Nations Security Council, citing expectations of an imminent “armed attack” by the United States.
Well, now Trump doesn’t have his Nobel prize I guess he might as well start another conflict…
He can say he is going for the Nobel War Prize in order to oust the Venezuelan regime and place the winner of the Nobel Peace Prize in the Presidential Palace then he will try for the double!
Having been here two days now - and walked and waymo’d much of the city, I can reliably inform PBers that - far from being a zombie-strewn hellzone, San Francisco is the delightful, eccentric, vibrant, historic, quirky and beautifully located city I remember from my last visit 20 years ago. If anything, it has improved
The food is good, the people are fun, the oysters and lobster ravioli at johns grill (established 1908) are ace
Yes, there are two neighbourhoods - Soma and tenderloin - where juddering fent addicts stagger around and droop to the ground, but you just speed through them in your luxury robocab
Let this be a lesson to the more gullible PBers who spend all their time on X. Don’t believe everything you see on social media, kids
What a bizarre and concerning poll. Not the American thing, the other bit at the bottom. We (along with many similar countries) are struggling with a flat economy, ageing demographics, stagnant living standards, and tight public finances. That 88% of people consider this to mean "Britain is Broken" shows that febrile hyperbole has become the norm. Unless it's just become a phrase that means all is not well and some things need to change. Perhaps that's it. I don't like it anyway, all this "broken" and "fix" business. It's overwrought and leading to poor debate and decisions. We are not broken, and if we were it wouldn't be something fixable by politicians at Westminster.
Take for example housing. Britain has a recognised problem with housing. Every political party agrees there is a problem. Every political party has promised to fix those problems. Every political party that has reached government has failed to fix the problems with housing. This has been going on for at least two decades.
If a country recognises it has a problem, decides to solve it, implements policies to solve it, and fails - repeatedly - is it much of a stretch to conclude that the country is broken in some respect?
It's certainly not functioning as you might expect or hope it to.
Because the proposed solution from the public is to halt immigration and send back millions of migrants and illegals, the political parties want to pave over the countryside and build shitty high rise blocks in already overpopulated cities.
Consistently the public has asked for lower immigration and the government hasn't delivered. That's what's broken.
But see this morning's header. There are all sorts of things that are popular in isolation, but would cause unpopular things to happen.
The public clearly do want lower immigration, and I'm not going to condemn them for that. But politicians have judged that voters would really dislike the second-order effects of delivering that, probably correctly. I mean, we could fix the dependency ratio issue by telling people in their sixties that they can't retire yet, but I doubt it would be popular.
What a bizarre and concerning poll. Not the American thing, the other bit at the bottom. We (along with many similar countries) are struggling with a flat economy, ageing demographics, stagnant living standards, and tight public finances. That 88% of people consider this to mean "Britain is Broken" shows that febrile hyperbole has become the norm. Unless it's just become a phrase that means all is not well and some things need to change. Perhaps that's it. I don't like it anyway, all this "broken" and "fix" business. It's overwrought and leading to poor debate and decisions. We are not broken, and if we were it wouldn't be something fixable by politicians at Westminster.
The problem is Starmer and Reeves, from before and after their election win, complained how bad everything is after 14 years of Tory rule, then produced the most anti business budget anyone could imagine, so yes Labour need to reflect on their own behaviour in this story
No, that's not the problem. It's the gormless gullible public. I never went round saying Britain is Broken even during the worst times under the Tories, nor when I personally was struggling.
The public are gullible by being upset when politicians don't deliver what they promised to deliver?
On an unrelated matter, is there some scam going on with Insurance Companies? Somebody scraped my car the other week, I have a deepish scartch and some denting along both doors and rear wing. I made a claim so I could get it fixed - really I just wanted to know if I had to take it to a trusted repairer for a quote - but they are saying my car is a write-off. Does it really cost £7500 to make some bodywork repairs to a VW Golf?
Cost of labour has gone through the roof.
Plus it is more the car companies. Better for them if they sell more cars, rather than panels.
A similar incident happened to my car last year when I was parked and I claimed from my insurance company
They insisted on taking it to Wrexham, their nearest approved repairer, offered me a courtesy car [ not required ] and refused to tell me the cost just it would be repaired
I was utterly shocked that when they did note the repair cost on my policy it was £3,200 for a repair when the local body shop had quoted at £850
I told them I thought it was not only unacceptable, but they were acting as a cartel but all to no avail and my brokers cheapest renewal premium was 40 % higher and this through no fault of mine, other than the third party did not stop
If it's superficial then a SMART repair such as Chipsaway is the best option, don't go near your insurer unless the other party is at fault, you've got their details and there's no chance of your car being written off. I had someone rear end me, needed a minor body repair as the rear hatch wouldn't close. The loss assessor gave me the option of write-off or a cheap repair job, that was despite it all being covered by the other party's insurance. Thankfully I'd noted their reg and the driver in front who I'd been shunted into gave a witness statement because they had no intention of taking responsibility.
I’m watching ‘Sweet As You Are’ starring Liam Neeson and Miranda Richardson. Richardson is so beautiful. I had only really ever seen her in BlackAdder II as Queen Elizabeth before.
Having been here two days now - and walked and waymo’d much of the city, I can reliably inform PBers that - far from being a zombie-strewn hellzone, San Francisco is the delightful, eccentric, vibrant, historic, quirky and beautifully located city I remember from my last visit 20 years ago. If anything, it has improved
The food is good, the people are fun, the oysters and lobster ravioli at johns grill (established 1908) are ace
Yes, there are two neighbourhoods - Soma and tenderloin - where juddering fent addicts stagger around and droop to the ground, but you just speed through them in your luxury robocab
Let this be a lesson to the more gullible PBers who spend all their time on X. Don’t believe everything you see on social media, kids
Are you shilling for the San Francisco tourist board? I've heard it as crime-ridden and dangerous as London.
What a bizarre and concerning poll. Not the American thing, the other bit at the bottom. We (along with many similar countries) are struggling with a flat economy, ageing demographics, stagnant living standards, and tight public finances. That 88% of people consider this to mean "Britain is Broken" shows that febrile hyperbole has become the norm. Unless it's just become a phrase that means all is not well and some things need to change. Perhaps that's it. I don't like it anyway, all this "broken" and "fix" business. It's overwrought and leading to poor debate and decisions. We are not broken, and if we were it wouldn't be something fixable by politicians at Westminster.
Take for example housing. Britain has a recognised problem with housing. Every political party agrees there is a problem. Every political party has promised to fix those problems. Every political party that has reached government has failed to fix the problems with housing. This has been going on for at least two decades.
If a country recognises it has a problem, decides to solve it, implements policies to solve it, and fails - repeatedly - is it much of a stretch to conclude that the country is broken in some respect?
It's certainly not functioning as you might expect or hope it to.
Because the proposed solution from the public is to halt immigration and send back millions of migrants and illegals, the political parties want to pave over the countryside and build shitty high rise blocks in already overpopulated cities.
Consistently the public has asked for lower immigration and the government hasn't delivered. That's what's broken.
The specifics of the problem and policies that might fix it aren't really the point. The point is the repeated failure.
On immigration, for example, Cameron promised immigration in the tens of thousands and that never happened. And he was five Prime Ministers ago. If you repeatedly tell the public that you are going to do something and you repeatedly don't do that, then they are going to conclude that you are taking the piss.
It's a fundamental lack of honesty between politicians and the voters.
That's right. Our politics is broken, the country is not. But it could end up being if we're not careful. The political situation is quite precarious imo.
Having been here two days now - and walked and waymo’d much of the city, I can reliably inform PBers that - far from being a zombie-strewn hellzone, San Francisco is the delightful, eccentric, vibrant, historic, quirky and beautifully located city I remember from my last visit 20 years ago. If anything, it has improved
The food is good, the people are fun, the oysters and lobster ravioli at johns grill (established 1908) are ace
Yes, there are two neighbourhoods - Soma and tenderloin - where juddering fent addicts stagger around and droop to the ground, but you just speed through them in your luxury robocab
Let this be a lesson to the more gullible PBers who spend all their time on X. Don’t believe everything you see on social media, kids
Sen. Roger Marshall: "October 18 is when the protest gets here. This will be a Soros paid-for protest for his professional protesters. The agitators show up. We'll have to get the National Guard out. Hopefully it will be peaceful. I doubt it."
Having been here two days now - and walked and waymo’d much of the city, I can reliably inform PBers that - far from being a zombie-strewn hellzone, San Francisco is the delightful, eccentric, vibrant, historic, quirky and beautifully located city I remember from my last visit 20 years ago. If anything, it has improved
The food is good, the people are fun, the oysters and lobster ravioli at johns grill (established 1908) are ace
Yes, there are two neighbourhoods - Soma and tenderloin - where juddering fent addicts stagger around and droop to the ground, but you just speed through them in your luxury robocab
Let this be a lesson to the more gullible PBers who spend all their time on X. Don’t believe everything you see on social media, kids
Are you shilling for the San Francisco tourist board? I've heard it as crime-ridden and dangerous as London.
It helps that I am getting MAJOR amounts of grovelling
I turned up at John’s Grill last night - it’s a really famous SF institution, Dashiel Hammet, Sam Spade, the beat poets, etc - and the maitre d’ said “oh we were just talking about you!!”
He then escorted me to the finest table in the restaurant and forced me to drink the best Sancerre with the best oysters etc as dozens of flunkeys did their best to make me extremely happy for free
Stuff like that leaves a positive glow, if I’m honest
But nonetheless it is a gorgeous, youthful, optimistic city and the doom is much overdone. Yesterday I listened to some of the best buskers I’ve ever heard, doing a searing guitar versing of “autumn leaves” by the Asian Art museum, then I went into the museum and was moved almost tk years by the “Betty bogart contemplative alcove”
And now I’m off to cycle across the Golden Gate Bridge to Sausalito
What a bizarre and concerning poll. Not the American thing, the other bit at the bottom. We (along with many similar countries) are struggling with a flat economy, ageing demographics, stagnant living standards, and tight public finances. That 88% of people consider this to mean "Britain is Broken" shows that febrile hyperbole has become the norm. Unless it's just become a phrase that means all is not well and some things need to change. Perhaps that's it. I don't like it anyway, all this "broken" and "fix" business. It's overwrought and leading to poor debate and decisions. We are not broken, and if we were it wouldn't be something fixable by politicians at Westminster.
Take for example housing. Britain has a recognised problem with housing. Every political party agrees there is a problem. Every political party has promised to fix those problems. Every political party that has reached government has failed to fix the problems with housing. This has been going on for at least two decades.
If a country recognises it has a problem, decides to solve it, implements policies to solve it, and fails - repeatedly - is it much of a stretch to conclude that the country is broken in some respect?
It's certainly not functioning as you might expect or hope it to.
Because the proposed solution from the public is to halt immigration and send back millions of migrants and illegals, the political parties want to pave over the countryside and build shitty high rise blocks in already overpopulated cities.
Consistently the public has asked for lower immigration and the government hasn't delivered. That's what's broken.
But see this morning's header. There are all sorts of things that are popular in isolation, but would cause unpopular things to happen.
The public clearly do want lower immigration, and I'm not going to condemn them for that. But politicians have judged that voters would really dislike the second-order effects of delivering that, probably correctly. I mean, we could fix the dependency ratio issue by telling people in their sixties that they can't retire yet, but I doubt it would be popular.
Politicians haven’t made it any easier for themselves here*. They have for years pretended that you can have all these things without payoffs. Because they’ve calculated the public don’t want to hear about bad things. But that infantilises the public, and leads to unrealistic expectations.
We need more honest politicians, frankly. People who are quite happy to say - yes, you can have these policies (not “you are a bad person for wanting them” / “it is simply not possible to do that because that is how things are”), but it does mean that there will be negative consequences to doing so, and you have to be prepared for that.
* I should say the other big culprits here are the media. They also have a huge degree of responsibility in generating these expectations. Did anyone in the media scutinise, for instance, the costs of the various Covid policies that the government enacted, or tried to explain this is one of the reasons our debt situation is so bad?
Having been here two days now - and walked and waymo’d much of the city, I can reliably inform PBers that - far from being a zombie-strewn hellzone, San Francisco is the delightful, eccentric, vibrant, historic, quirky and beautifully located city I remember from my last visit 20 years ago. If anything, it has improved
The food is good, the people are fun, the oysters and lobster ravioli at johns grill (established 1908) are ace
Yes, there are two neighbourhoods - Soma and tenderloin - where juddering fent addicts stagger around and droop to the ground, but you just speed through them in your luxury robocab
Let this be a lesson to the more gullible PBers who spend all their time on X. Don’t believe everything you see on social media, kids
Are you shilling for the San Francisco tourist board? I've heard it as crime-ridden and dangerous as London.
A lot of London is neither crime-ridden or dangerous.
What a bizarre and concerning poll. Not the American thing, the other bit at the bottom. We (along with many similar countries) are struggling with a flat economy, ageing demographics, stagnant living standards, and tight public finances. That 88% of people consider this to mean "Britain is Broken" shows that febrile hyperbole has become the norm. Unless it's just become a phrase that means all is not well and some things need to change. Perhaps that's it. I don't like it anyway, all this "broken" and "fix" business. It's overwrought and leading to poor debate and decisions. We are not broken, and if we were it wouldn't be something fixable by politicians at Westminster.
The problem is Starmer and Reeves, from before and after their election win, complained how bad everything is after 14 years of Tory rule, then produced the most anti business budget anyone could imagine, so yes Labour need to reflect on their own behaviour in this story
No, that's not the problem. It's the gormless gullible public. I never went round saying Britain is Broken even during the worst times under the Tories, nor when I personally was struggling.
Starmer and Reeves and the cabinet did for months !!!!!!!!!!!!
All very humorous and all that but Obama got his for simply being black, whereas when Trumpy gets his next year, he will genuinely have achieved something.
Its not Obama's fault, and I have a lot of time for him. I imagine him running again is the main reason Trump would not abolish the two term limit. But he really didn't deserve the Nobel for simply getting elected.
I think Obama got his for simply not being Dubya.
I you really think this, you and the eight who have liked the comment are naive fools. Do you think a white democrat would have got the Nobel for beating Dubya? Biden didn’t for beating Trump.
What a bizarre and concerning poll. Not the American thing, the other bit at the bottom. We (along with many similar countries) are struggling with a flat economy, ageing demographics, stagnant living standards, and tight public finances. That 88% of people consider this to mean "Britain is Broken" shows that febrile hyperbole has become the norm. Unless it's just become a phrase that means all is not well and some things need to change. Perhaps that's it. I don't like it anyway, all this "broken" and "fix" business. It's overwrought and leading to poor debate and decisions. We are not broken, and if we were it wouldn't be something fixable by politicians at Westminster.
The problem is Starmer and Reeves, from before and after their election win, complained how bad everything is after 14 years of Tory rule, then produced the most anti business budget anyone could imagine, so yes Labour need to reflect on their own behaviour in this story
No, that's not the problem. It's the gormless gullible public. I never went round saying Britain is Broken even during the worst times under the Tories, nor when I personally was struggling.
The public have had years of being let down by politicians of all colours. It is hardly surprising they have a dim view of things, after that experience.
Dim view, sure. I can relate to that. But Britain is Broken say 88%? Cmon. That's a major loss of judgement and perspective. And a dangerous one too since it fuels charlatans and extremists.
All very humorous and all that but Obama got his for simply being black, whereas when Trumpy gets his next year, he will genuinely have achieved something.
Its not Obama's fault, and I have a lot of time for him. I imagine him running again is the main reason Trump would not abolish the two term limit. But he really didn't deserve the Nobel for simply getting elected.
Obama got the prize for not being the perceived warmonger George Bush.
What a bizarre and concerning poll. Not the American thing, the other bit at the bottom. We (along with many similar countries) are struggling with a flat economy, ageing demographics, stagnant living standards, and tight public finances. That 88% of people consider this to mean "Britain is Broken" shows that febrile hyperbole has become the norm. Unless it's just become a phrase that means all is not well and some things need to change. Perhaps that's it. I don't like it anyway, all this "broken" and "fix" business. It's overwrought and leading to poor debate and decisions. We are not broken, and if we were it wouldn't be something fixable by politicians at Westminster.
Take for example housing. Britain has a recognised problem with housing. Every political party agrees there is a problem. Every political party has promised to fix those problems. Every political party that has reached government has failed to fix the problems with housing. This has been going on for at least two decades.
If a country recognises it has a problem, decides to solve it, implements policies to solve it, and fails - repeatedly - is it much of a stretch to conclude that the country is broken in some respect?
It's certainly not functioning as you might expect or hope it to.
That's a big one, yes. I have it right up there. I wouldn't in fact demur from "our housing model is unfit for purpose and needs radical reform".
Housing is just an example, but the persistent failure of politicians to live up to their promises is true across multiple policy areas.
This is one reason why, at his peak, I thought Johnson might increase his majority at the next election. Uniquely among politicians he had promised to do something - get Brexit done - and then done it.
Having been here two days now - and walked and waymo’d much of the city, I can reliably inform PBers that - far from being a zombie-strewn hellzone, San Francisco is the delightful, eccentric, vibrant, historic, quirky and beautifully located city I remember from my last visit 20 years ago. If anything, it has improved
The food is good, the people are fun, the oysters and lobster ravioli at johns grill (established 1908) are ace
Yes, there are two neighbourhoods - Soma and tenderloin - where juddering fent addicts stagger around and droop to the ground, but you just speed through them in your luxury robocab
Let this be a lesson to the more gullible PBers who spend all their time on X. Don’t believe everything you see on social media, kids
Are you shilling for the San Francisco tourist board? I've heard it as crime-ridden and dangerous as London.
A lot of London is neither crime-ridden or dangerous.
Nonsense, the entirety of London, even Penge!!, is a dangerous crime-ridden no go zone.
What a bizarre and concerning poll. Not the American thing, the other bit at the bottom. We (along with many similar countries) are struggling with a flat economy, ageing demographics, stagnant living standards, and tight public finances. That 88% of people consider this to mean "Britain is Broken" shows that febrile hyperbole has become the norm. Unless it's just become a phrase that means all is not well and some things need to change. Perhaps that's it. I don't like it anyway, all this "broken" and "fix" business. It's overwrought and leading to poor debate and decisions. We are not broken, and if we were it wouldn't be something fixable by politicians at Westminster.
Take for example housing. Britain has a recognised problem with housing. Every political party agrees there is a problem. Every political party has promised to fix those problems. Every political party that has reached government has failed to fix the problems with housing. This has been going on for at least two decades.
If a country recognises it has a problem, decides to solve it, implements policies to solve it, and fails - repeatedly - is it much of a stretch to conclude that the country is broken in some respect?
It's certainly not functioning as you might expect or hope it to.
Because the proposed solution from the public is to halt immigration and send back millions of migrants and illegals, the political parties want to pave over the countryside and build shitty high rise blocks in already overpopulated cities.
Consistently the public has asked for lower immigration and the government hasn't delivered. That's what's broken.
The specifics of the problem and policies that might fix it aren't really the point. The point is the repeated failure.
On immigration, for example, Cameron promised immigration in the tens of thousands and that never happened. And he was five Prime Ministers ago. If you repeatedly tell the public that you are going to do something and you repeatedly don't do that, then they are going to conclude that you are taking the piss.
It's a fundamental lack of honesty between politicians and the voters.
That's right. Our politics is broken, the country is not. But it could end up being if we're not careful. The political situation is quite precarious imo.
The politics of a country are a fundamental part of the country. If the politics isn't working that affects everything else. State activity represents nearly half of all economic activity for starters.
All very humorous and all that but Obama got his for simply being black, whereas when Trumpy gets his next year, he will genuinely have achieved something.
Its not Obama's fault, and I have a lot of time for him. I imagine him running again is the main reason Trump would not abolish the two term limit. But he really didn't deserve the Nobel for simply getting elected.
I think Obama got his for simply not being Dubya.
I you really think this, you and the eight who have liked the comment are naive fools. Do you think a white democrat would have got the Nobel for beating Dubya? Biden didn’t for beating Trump.
Obama didn't beat Dubya.
You forget though how much of the world hated Dubya for Iraq and how it was as if America was lead by a warmongerer because of that.
Yes, I 100% think a white Democrat would have got it for not being Dubya and speaking up about peace etc just as Obama did.
Many were happy to turn the page from Dubya. Trump to Biden was an entirely different kettle of fish, and Trump for all his faults never invaded Iraq or anywhere else.
What a bizarre and concerning poll. Not the American thing, the other bit at the bottom. We (along with many similar countries) are struggling with a flat economy, ageing demographics, stagnant living standards, and tight public finances. That 88% of people consider this to mean "Britain is Broken" shows that febrile hyperbole has become the norm. Unless it's just become a phrase that means all is not well and some things need to change. Perhaps that's it. I don't like it anyway, all this "broken" and "fix" business. It's overwrought and leading to poor debate and decisions. We are not broken, and if we were it wouldn't be something fixable by politicians at Westminster.
The problem is Starmer and Reeves, from before and after their election win, complained how bad everything is after 14 years of Tory rule, then produced the most anti business budget anyone could imagine, so yes Labour need to reflect on their own behaviour in this story
No, that's not the problem. It's the gormless gullible public. I never went round saying Britain is Broken even during the worst times under the Tories, nor when I personally was struggling.
The public have had years of being let down by politicians of all colours. It is hardly surprising they have a dim view of things, after that experience.
Dim view, sure. I can relate to that. But Britain is Broken say 88%? Cmon. That's a major loss of judgement and perspective. And a dangerous one too since it fuels charlatans and extremists.
It’s quite clear the country doesn’t work as it should for lots of people. It works fine for some - but that number is, I think, decreasing as each day goes by.
There are a lot of reasons why. Housing costs, general costs of living, societal splintering/isolation, geographical inequalities, longer working hours for many, high taxes, cultural change/loss of identity. And many more. The solutions to these problems are myriad and in all fairness are probably not all preserves of either the right or the left. Some need global change and co-operation, not just national. But it is hard to look at the country now and see a country at ease with itself or that works well for its people.
Having been here two days now - and walked and waymo’d much of the city, I can reliably inform PBers that - far from being a zombie-strewn hellzone, San Francisco is the delightful, eccentric, vibrant, historic, quirky and beautifully located city I remember from my last visit 20 years ago. If anything, it has improved
The food is good, the people are fun, the oysters and lobster ravioli at johns grill (established 1908) are ace
Yes, there are two neighbourhoods - Soma and tenderloin - where juddering fent addicts stagger around and droop to the ground, but you just speed through them in your luxury robocab
Let this be a lesson to the more gullible PBers who spend all their time on X. Don’t believe everything you see on social media, kids
Are you shilling for the San Francisco tourist board? I've heard it as crime-ridden and dangerous as London.
A lot of London is neither crime-ridden or dangerous.
Nonsense, the entirety of London, even Penge!!, is a dangerous crime-ridden no go zone.
All very humorous and all that but Obama got his for simply being black, whereas when Trumpy gets his next year, he will genuinely have achieved something.
Its not Obama's fault, and I have a lot of time for him. I imagine him running again is the main reason Trump would not abolish the two term limit. But he really didn't deserve the Nobel for simply getting elected.
I think Obama got his for simply not being Dubya.
I you really think this, you and the eight who have liked the comment are naive fools. Do you think a white democrat would have got the Nobel for beating Dubya? Biden didn’t for beating Trump.
Obama didn't beat Dubya.
You forget though how much of the world hated Dubya for Iraq and how it was as if America was lead by a warmongerer because of that.
Yes, I 100% think a white Democrat would have got it for not being Dubya and speaking up about peace etc just as Obama did.
Many were happy to turn the page from Dubya. Trump to Biden was an entirely different kettle of fish, and Trump for all his faults never invaded Iraq or anywhere else.
The fact that it was awarded barely as the applause died down on his election (in my head, at least) suggests otherwise. If it had been after a period of years of Obama as president I’d could see it, but there it is.
All very humorous and all that but Obama got his for simply being black, whereas when Trumpy gets his next year, he will genuinely have achieved something.
Its not Obama's fault, and I have a lot of time for him. I imagine him running again is the main reason Trump would not abolish the two term limit. But he really didn't deserve the Nobel for simply getting elected.
Obama got the prize for not being the perceived warmonger George Bush.
Nope. For being the first black president.
Maybe Trump should be rewarded for being the first orange president.
All very humorous and all that but Obama got his for simply being black, whereas when Trumpy gets his next year, he will genuinely have achieved something.
Its not Obama's fault, and I have a lot of time for him. I imagine him running again is the main reason Trump would not abolish the two term limit. But he really didn't deserve the Nobel for simply getting elected.
I think Obama got his for simply not being Dubya.
I you really think this, you and the eight who have liked the comment are naive fools. Do you think a white democrat would have got the Nobel for beating Dubya? Biden didn’t for beating Trump.
Obama didn't beat Dubya.
You forget though how much of the world hated Dubya for Iraq and how it was as if America was lead by a warmongerer because of that.
Yes, I 100% think a white Democrat would have got it for not being Dubya and speaking up about peace etc just as Obama did.
Many were happy to turn the page from Dubya. Trump to Biden was an entirely different kettle of fish, and Trump for all his faults never invaded Iraq or anywhere else.
The fact that it was awarded barely as the applause died down on his election (in my head, at least) suggests otherwise. If it had been after a period of years of Obama as president I’d could see it, but there it is.
The fact it was awarded barely as tbe applause died down on his election reinforces a "thank goodness Dubya has gone" narrative.
If it was after a period of years of Obama, then it'd be more about Obama and less about Not Dubya.
Having been here two days now - and walked and waymo’d much of the city, I can reliably inform PBers that - far from being a zombie-strewn hellzone, San Francisco is the delightful, eccentric, vibrant, historic, quirky and beautifully located city I remember from my last visit 20 years ago. If anything, it has improved
The food is good, the people are fun, the oysters and lobster ravioli at johns grill (established 1908) are ace
Yes, there are two neighbourhoods - Soma and tenderloin - where juddering fent addicts stagger around and droop to the ground, but you just speed through them in your luxury robocab
Let this be a lesson to the more gullible PBers who spend all their time on X. Don’t believe everything you see on social media, kids
Are you shilling for the San Francisco tourist board? I've heard it as crime-ridden and dangerous as London.
It helps that I am getting MAJOR amounts of grovelling
I turned up at John’s Grill last night - it’s a really famous SF institution, Dashiel Hammet, Sam Spade, the beat poets, etc - and the maitre d’ said “oh we were just talking about you!!”
He then escorted me to the finest table in the restaurant and forced me to drink the best Sancerre with the best oysters etc as dozens of flunkeys did their best to make me extremely happy for free
Stuff like that leaves a positive glow, if I’m honest
But nonetheless it is a gorgeous, youthful, optimistic city and the doom is much overdone. Yesterday I listened to some of the best buskers I’ve ever heard, doing a searing guitar versing of “autumn leaves” by the Asian Art museum, then I went into the museum and was moved almost tk years by the “Betty bogart contemplative alcove”
And now I’m off to cycle across the Golden Gate Bridge to Sausalito
Having been here two days now - and walked and waymo’d much of the city, I can reliably inform PBers that - far from being a zombie-strewn hellzone, San Francisco is the delightful, eccentric, vibrant, historic, quirky and beautifully located city I remember from my last visit 20 years ago. If anything, it has improved
The food is good, the people are fun, the oysters and lobster ravioli at johns grill (established 1908) are ace
Yes, there are two neighbourhoods - Soma and tenderloin - where juddering fent addicts stagger around and droop to the ground, but you just speed through them in your luxury robocab
Let this be a lesson to the more gullible PBers who spend all their time on X. Don’t believe everything you see on social media, kids
Are you shilling for the San Francisco tourist board? I've heard it as crime-ridden and dangerous as London.
A lot of London is neither crime-ridden or dangerous.
Nonsense, the entirety of London, even Penge!!, is a dangerous crime-ridden no go zone.
Go to London you’ll either be mugged or not appreciated.
What a bizarre and concerning poll. Not the American thing, the other bit at the bottom. We (along with many similar countries) are struggling with a flat economy, ageing demographics, stagnant living standards, and tight public finances. That 88% of people consider this to mean "Britain is Broken" shows that febrile hyperbole has become the norm. Unless it's just become a phrase that means all is not well and some things need to change. Perhaps that's it. I don't like it anyway, all this "broken" and "fix" business. It's overwrought and leading to poor debate and decisions. We are not broken, and if we were it wouldn't be something fixable by politicians at Westminster.
The problem is Starmer and Reeves, from before and after their election win, complained how bad everything is after 14 years of Tory rule, then produced the most anti business budget anyone could imagine, so yes Labour need to reflect on their own behaviour in this story
No, that's not the problem. It's the gormless gullible public. I never went round saying Britain is Broken even during the worst times under the Tories, nor when I personally was struggling.
The public have had years of being let down by politicians of all colours. It is hardly surprising they have a dim view of things, after that experience.
Dim view, sure. I can relate to that. But Britain is Broken say 88%? Cmon. That's a major loss of judgement and perspective. And a dangerous one too since it fuels charlatans and extremists.
It’s quite clear the country doesn’t work as it should for lots of people. It works fine for some - but that number is, I think, decreasing as each day goes by.
There are a lot of reasons why. Housing costs, general costs of living, societal splintering/isolation, geographical inequalities, longer working hours for many, high taxes, cultural change/loss of identity. And many more. The solutions to these problems are myriad and in all fairness are probably not all preserves of either the right or the left. Some need global change and co-operation, not just national. But it is hard to look at the country now and see a country at ease with itself or that works well for its people.
I’ve travelled extensively around both the USA and Europe these last 3 years. I’ve been all over both
Objectively, Europe seems way more fucked up than America. Poorer, sadder, edgier, more fractious, more troubled, more menaced. Sadly I very much include the UK in this
America has its issues but it is also has money energy and hope. The idea states are going to secede is a ludicrous fever dream of liberals (or QAnons on the other side). America’s borders are now secure (thanks to Trump). It is not militarily threatened by anyone. It does not have a massive problem with Muslim immigration. It has a commanding hold on the best technology. It has falling crime rates - San Francisco’s murder rate is at a 60 year low
By contrast, Europe DOES seem broken. Free speech is collapsing. We are corralled by hideous new laws (online safety act). EU citizens can’t even use fucking AirPods because of their insane technology restrictions
Europe needs a populist right revolution across the board, to become much more like America
I accept PBers are largely going to hate this opinion, but it is my honest take from my intense travels in both places
On an unrelated matter, is there some scam going on with Insurance Companies? Somebody scraped my car the other week, I have a deepish scartch and some denting along both doors and rear wing. I made a claim so I could get it fixed - really I just wanted to know if I had to take it to a trusted repairer for a quote - but they are saying my car is a write-off. Does it really cost £7500 to make some bodywork repairs to a VW Golf?
Cost of labour has gone through the roof.
Plus it is more the car companies. Better for them if they sell more cars, rather than panels.
But who makes the money? The insurance company buys a car off me at market value, paid for by all us mugs who buy insurance. Assuming it could be repaired for about £2k, who is pocketing the difference?
Anyway I will be getting a quote from the panel specialist locally, see how much and then maybe wonder about buying it back at scrap value. Can you still do that? (My Dad did, years ago).
America’s borders are now secure (thanks to Trump). It is not militarily threatened by anyone. It does not have a massive problem with Muslim immigration. It has a commanding hold on the best technology. It has falling crime rates
In order
Bollocks Probably, but not definitely true It has a massive problem with immigration It's hold on the best technology is seriously fucked up by Trump True, unless you include the grift in Washington
What a bizarre and concerning poll. Not the American thing, the other bit at the bottom. We (along with many similar countries) are struggling with a flat economy, ageing demographics, stagnant living standards, and tight public finances. That 88% of people consider this to mean "Britain is Broken" shows that febrile hyperbole has become the norm. Unless it's just become a phrase that means all is not well and some things need to change. Perhaps that's it. I don't like it anyway, all this "broken" and "fix" business. It's overwrought and leading to poor debate and decisions. We are not broken, and if we were it wouldn't be something fixable by politicians at Westminster.
Take for example housing. Britain has a recognised problem with housing. Every political party agrees there is a problem. Every political party has promised to fix those problems. Every political party that has reached government has failed to fix the problems with housing. This has been going on for at least two decades.
If a country recognises it has a problem, decides to solve it, implements policies to solve it, and fails - repeatedly - is it much of a stretch to conclude that the country is broken in some respect?
It's certainly not functioning as you might expect or hope it to.
That's a big one, yes. I have it right up there. I wouldn't in fact demur from "our housing model is unfit for purpose and needs radical reform".
Housing is just an example, but the persistent failure of politicians to live up to their promises is true across multiple policy areas.
This is one reason why, at his peak, I thought Johnson might increase his majority at the next election. Uniquely among politicians he had promised to do something - get Brexit done - and then done it.
He did indeed. But the pesky levelling up he did not.
Politicians need to do two things to stop the slide and restore respect and trust.
1. Deliver on their promises. 2. Stop promising the undeliverable.
It needs brave politicians and a public willing to meet them halfway.
What a bizarre and concerning poll. Not the American thing, the other bit at the bottom. We (along with many similar countries) are struggling with a flat economy, ageing demographics, stagnant living standards, and tight public finances. That 88% of people consider this to mean "Britain is Broken" shows that febrile hyperbole has become the norm. Unless it's just become a phrase that means all is not well and some things need to change. Perhaps that's it. I don't like it anyway, all this "broken" and "fix" business. It's overwrought and leading to poor debate and decisions. We are not broken, and if we were it wouldn't be something fixable by politicians at Westminster.
The problem is Starmer and Reeves, from before and after their election win, complained how bad everything is after 14 years of Tory rule, then produced the most anti business budget anyone could imagine, so yes Labour need to reflect on their own behaviour in this story
No, that's not the problem. It's the gormless gullible public. I never went round saying Britain is Broken even during the worst times under the Tories, nor when I personally was struggling.
The public have had years of being let down by politicians of all colours. It is hardly surprising they have a dim view of things, after that experience.
Dim view, sure. I can relate to that. But Britain is Broken say 88%? Cmon. That's a major loss of judgement and perspective. And a dangerous one too since it fuels charlatans and extremists.
It’s quite clear the country doesn’t work as it should for lots of people. It works fine for some - but that number is, I think, decreasing as each day goes by.
There are a lot of reasons why. Housing costs, general costs of living, societal splintering/isolation, geographical inequalities, longer working hours for many, high taxes, cultural change/loss of identity. And many more. The solutions to these problems are myriad and in all fairness are probably not all preserves of either the right or the left. Some need global change and co-operation, not just national. But it is hard to look at the country now and see a country at ease with itself or that works well for its people.
All very humorous and all that but Obama got his for simply being black, whereas when Trumpy gets his next year, he will genuinely have achieved something.
Its not Obama's fault, and I have a lot of time for him. I imagine him running again is the main reason Trump would not abolish the two term limit. But he really didn't deserve the Nobel for simply getting elected.
I think Obama got his for simply not being Dubya.
I you really think this, you and the eight who have liked the comment are naive fools. Do you think a white democrat would have got the Nobel for beating Dubya? Biden didn’t for beating Trump.
Obama didn't beat Dubya.
You forget though how much of the world hated Dubya for Iraq and how it was as if America was lead by a warmongerer because of that.
Yes, I 100% think a white Democrat would have got it for not being Dubya and speaking up about peace etc just as Obama did.
Many were happy to turn the page from Dubya. Trump to Biden was an entirely different kettle of fish, and Trump for all his faults never invaded Iraq or anywhere else.
The fact that it was awarded barely as the applause died down on his election (in my head, at least) suggests otherwise. If it had been after a period of years of Obama as president I’d could see it, but there it is.
The fact it was awarded barely as tbe applause died down on his election reinforces a "thank goodness Dubya has gone" narrative.
If it was after a period of years of Obama, then it'd be more about Obama and less about Not Dubya.
Amazing, a black man can be president of the USA! That means anyone can do anything.
I’m watching ‘Sweet As You Are’ starring Liam Neeson and Miranda Richardson. Richardson is so beautiful. I had only really ever seen her in BlackAdder II as Queen Elizabeth before.
I’m not particularly that way inclined but Neeson is also fairly beauteous. They made a lovely couple.
On an unrelated matter, is there some scam going on with Insurance Companies? Somebody scraped my car the other week, I have a deepish scartch and some denting along both doors and rear wing. I made a claim so I could get it fixed - really I just wanted to know if I had to take it to a trusted repairer for a quote - but they are saying my car is a write-off. Does it really cost £7500 to make some bodywork repairs to a VW Golf?
Cost of labour has gone through the roof.
Plus it is more the car companies. Better for them if they sell more cars, rather than panels.
But who makes the money? The insurance company buys a car off me at market value, paid for by all us mugs who buy insurance. Assuming it could be repaired for about £2k, who is pocketing the difference?
Anyway I will be getting a quote from the panel specialist locally, see how much and then maybe wonder about buying it back at scrap value. Can you still do that? (My Dad did, years ago).
There is a market in write offs like yours. They get bought, repaired and then sold again. So you get your pay out, the insurance company recoups some money and someone does a cheap, cosmetic repair and makes money selling the results.
I’m watching ‘Sweet As You Are’ starring Liam Neeson and Miranda Richardson. Richardson is so beautiful. I had only really ever seen her in BlackAdder II as Queen Elizabeth before.
I’m not particularly that way inclined but Neeson is also fairly beauteous. They made a lovely couple.
"While the introduction of the new entry and exit service (EES) is being staggered across the EU, France has imposed extra checks on people entering from Britain via sea and rail that are not being enforced by other countries." (£)
On an unrelated matter, is there some scam going on with Insurance Companies? Somebody scraped my car the other week, I have a deepish scartch and some denting along both doors and rear wing. I made a claim so I could get it fixed - really I just wanted to know if I had to take it to a trusted repairer for a quote - but they are saying my car is a write-off. Does it really cost £7500 to make some bodywork repairs to a VW Golf?
Cost of labour has gone through the roof.
Plus it is more the car companies. Better for them if they sell more cars, rather than panels.
But who makes the money? The insurance company buys a car off me at market value, paid for by all us mugs who buy insurance. Assuming it could be repaired for about £2k, who is pocketing the difference?
Anyway I will be getting a quote from the panel specialist locally, see how much and then maybe wonder about buying it back at scrap value. Can you still do that? (My Dad did, years ago).
There is a market in write offs like yours. They get bought, repaired and then sold again. So you get your pay out, the insurance company recoups some money and someone does a cheap, cosmetic repair and makes money selling the results.
And the people repairing the write-offs will use second-hand or after-market parts, not new ones from the manufacturer.
What a bizarre and concerning poll. Not the American thing, the other bit at the bottom. We (along with many similar countries) are struggling with a flat economy, ageing demographics, stagnant living standards, and tight public finances. That 88% of people consider this to mean "Britain is Broken" shows that febrile hyperbole has become the norm. Unless it's just become a phrase that means all is not well and some things need to change. Perhaps that's it. I don't like it anyway, all this "broken" and "fix" business. It's overwrought and leading to poor debate and decisions. We are not broken, and if we were it wouldn't be something fixable by politicians at Westminster.
The problem is Starmer and Reeves, from before and after their election win, complained how bad everything is after 14 years of Tory rule, then produced the most anti business budget anyone could imagine, so yes Labour need to reflect on their own behaviour in this story
No, that's not the problem. It's the gormless gullible public. I never went round saying Britain is Broken even during the worst times under the Tories, nor when I personally was struggling.
The public have had years of being let down by politicians of all colours. It is hardly surprising they have a dim view of things, after that experience.
Dim view, sure. I can relate to that. But Britain is Broken say 88%? Cmon. That's a major loss of judgement and perspective. And a dangerous one too since it fuels charlatans and extremists.
It’s quite clear the country doesn’t work as it should for lots of people. It works fine for some - but that number is, I think, decreasing as each day goes by.
There are a lot of reasons why. Housing costs, general costs of living, societal splintering/isolation, geographical inequalities, longer working hours for many, high taxes, cultural change/loss of identity. And many more. The solutions to these problems are myriad and in all fairness are probably not all preserves of either the right or the left. Some need global change and co-operation, not just national. But it is hard to look at the country now and see a country at ease with itself or that works well for its people.
I’ve travelled extensively around both the USA and Europe these last 3 years. I’ve been all over both
Objectively, Europe seems way more fucked up than America. Poorer, sadder, edgier, more fractious, more troubled, more menaced. Sadly I very much include the UK in this
America has its issues but it is also has money energy and hope. The idea states are going to secede is a ludicrous fever dream of liberals (or QAnons on the other side). America’s borders are now secure (thanks to Trump). It is not militarily threatened by anyone. It does not have a massive problem with Muslim immigration. It has a commanding hold on the best technology. It has falling crime rates - San Francisco’s murder rate is at a 60 year low
By contrast, Europe DOES seem broken. Free speech is collapsing. We are corralled by hideous new laws (online safety act). EU citizens can’t even use fucking AirPods because of their insane technology restrictions
Europe needs a populist right revolution across the board, to become much more like America
I accept PBers are largely going to hate this opinion, but it is my honest take from my intense travels in both places
That's your opinion, and you are welcome to it.
I'm just a little confused by your belief that the US has free speech, given the extent to which the US administration punishes those who express (say) concern about Israel's actions in Gaza.
On an unrelated matter, is there some scam going on with Insurance Companies? Somebody scraped my car the other week, I have a deepish scartch and some denting along both doors and rear wing. I made a claim so I could get it fixed - really I just wanted to know if I had to take it to a trusted repairer for a quote - but they are saying my car is a write-off. Does it really cost £7500 to make some bodywork repairs to a VW Golf?
Cost of labour has gone through the roof.
Plus it is more the car companies. Better for them if they sell more cars, rather than panels.
But who makes the money? The insurance company buys a car off me at market value, paid for by all us mugs who buy insurance. Assuming it could be repaired for about £2k, who is pocketing the difference?
Anyway I will be getting a quote from the panel specialist locally, see how much and then maybe wonder about buying it back at scrap value. Can you still do that? (My Dad did, years ago).
There is a market in write offs like yours. They get bought, repaired and then sold again. So you get your pay out, the insurance company recoups some money and someone does a cheap, cosmetic repair and makes money selling the results.
And the people repairing the write-offs will use second-hand or after-market parts, not new ones from the manufacturer.
Quite. It's not uncommon to encounter your written off car back on the road...
"While the introduction of the new entry and exit service (EES) is being staggered across the EU, France has imposed extra checks on people entering from Britain via sea and rail that are not being enforced by other countries." (£)
"While the introduction of the new entry and exit service (EES) is being staggered across the EU, France has imposed extra checks on people entering from Britain via sea and rail that are not being enforced by other countries." (£)
America’s borders are now secure (thanks to Trump). It is not militarily threatened by anyone. It does not have a massive problem with Muslim immigration. It has a commanding hold on the best technology. It has falling crime rates
In order
Bollocks Probably, but not definitely true It has a massive problem with immigration It's hold on the best technology is seriously fucked up by Trump True, unless you include the grift in Washington
In a number of respects still better off than are we, though.
What a bizarre and concerning poll. Not the American thing, the other bit at the bottom. We (along with many similar countries) are struggling with a flat economy, ageing demographics, stagnant living standards, and tight public finances. That 88% of people consider this to mean "Britain is Broken" shows that febrile hyperbole has become the norm. Unless it's just become a phrase that means all is not well and some things need to change. Perhaps that's it. I don't like it anyway, all this "broken" and "fix" business. It's overwrought and leading to poor debate and decisions. We are not broken, and if we were it wouldn't be something fixable by politicians at Westminster.
The problem is Starmer and Reeves, from before and after their election win, complained how bad everything is after 14 years of Tory rule, then produced the most anti business budget anyone could imagine, so yes Labour need to reflect on their own behaviour in this story
No, that's not the problem. It's the gormless gullible public. I never went round saying Britain is Broken even during the worst times under the Tories, nor when I personally was struggling.
The public have had years of being let down by politicians of all colours. It is hardly surprising they have a dim view of things, after that experience.
Dim view, sure. I can relate to that. But Britain is Broken say 88%? Cmon. That's a major loss of judgement and perspective. And a dangerous one too since it fuels charlatans and extremists.
It’s quite clear the country doesn’t work as it should for lots of people. It works fine for some - but that number is, I think, decreasing as each day goes by.
There are a lot of reasons why. Housing costs, general costs of living, societal splintering/isolation, geographical inequalities, longer working hours for many, high taxes, cultural change/loss of identity. And many more. The solutions to these problems are myriad and in all fairness are probably not all preserves of either the right or the left. Some need global change and co-operation, not just national. But it is hard to look at the country now and see a country at ease with itself or that works well for its people.
I’ve travelled extensively around both the USA and Europe these last 3 years. I’ve been all over both
Objectively, Europe seems way more fucked up than America. Poorer, sadder, edgier, more fractious, more troubled, more menaced. Sadly I very much include the UK in this
America has its issues but it is also has money energy and hope. The idea states are going to secede is a ludicrous fever dream of liberals (or QAnons on the other side). America’s borders are now secure (thanks to Trump). It is not militarily threatened by anyone. It does not have a massive problem with Muslim immigration. It has a commanding hold on the best technology. It has falling crime rates - San Francisco’s murder rate is at a 60 year low
By contrast, Europe DOES seem broken. Free speech is collapsing. We are corralled by hideous new laws (online safety act). EU citizens can’t even use fucking AirPods because of their insane technology restrictions
Europe needs a populist right revolution across the board, to become much more like America
I accept PBers are largely going to hate this opinion, but it is my honest take from my intense travels in both places
We'd have to take the opinion seriously to hate it.
America’s borders are now secure (thanks to Trump). It is not militarily threatened by anyone. It does not have a massive problem with Muslim immigration. It has a commanding hold on the best technology. It has falling crime rates
In order
Bollocks Probably, but not definitely true It has a massive problem with immigration It's hold on the best technology is seriously fucked up by Trump True, unless you include the grift in Washington
In a number of respects still better off than are we, though.
What a bizarre and concerning poll. Not the American thing, the other bit at the bottom. We (along with many similar countries) are struggling with a flat economy, ageing demographics, stagnant living standards, and tight public finances. That 88% of people consider this to mean "Britain is Broken" shows that febrile hyperbole has become the norm. Unless it's just become a phrase that means all is not well and some things need to change. Perhaps that's it. I don't like it anyway, all this "broken" and "fix" business. It's overwrought and leading to poor debate and decisions. We are not broken, and if we were it wouldn't be something fixable by politicians at Westminster.
Take for example housing. Britain has a recognised problem with housing. Every political party agrees there is a problem. Every political party has promised to fix those problems. Every political party that has reached government has failed to fix the problems with housing. This has been going on for at least two decades.
If a country recognises it has a problem, decides to solve it, implements policies to solve it, and fails - repeatedly - is it much of a stretch to conclude that the country is broken in some respect?
It's certainly not functioning as you might expect or hope it to.
Because the proposed solution from the public is to halt immigration and send back millions of migrants and illegals, the political parties want to pave over the countryside and build shitty high rise blocks in already overpopulated cities.
Consistently the public has asked for lower immigration and the government hasn't delivered. That's what's broken.
But see this morning's header. There are all sorts of things that are popular in isolation, but would cause unpopular things to happen.
The public clearly do want lower immigration, and I'm not going to condemn them for that. But politicians have judged that voters would really dislike the second-order effects of delivering that, probably correctly. I mean, we could fix the dependency ratio issue by telling people in their sixties that they can't retire yet, but I doubt it would be popular.
Limit benefits and force the dole careerists into working or starving.
"While the introduction of the new entry and exit service (EES) is being staggered across the EU, France has imposed extra checks on people entering from Britain via sea and rail that are not being enforced by other countries." (£)
They quite simply are a bunch of bunts (sic) who have never forgiven or forgotten being rescued in WW2.
It’s not just that, tho it is partly that. They also want to punish us - forever - for Brexit. Pour discouraging les autres and also because Brexit was seen as a massive slap in the face of the EU, and deeply damaging to the EU (which is largely a French driven project)
They are right on this. Brexit has badly dented the EU in many ways - stopped it seeming inevitable, sown the seeds of further secession down the line, gravely reduced the EU in its political military and economic clout, and so on
I’m watching ‘Sweet As You Are’ starring Liam Neeson and Miranda Richardson. Richardson is so beautiful. I had only really ever seen her in BlackAdder II as Queen Elizabeth before.
I’m not particularly that way inclined but Neeson is also fairly beauteous. They made a lovely couple.
America’s borders are now secure (thanks to Trump). It is not militarily threatened by anyone. It does not have a massive problem with Muslim immigration. It has a commanding hold on the best technology. It has falling crime rates
In order
Bollocks Probably, but not definitely true It has a massive problem with immigration It's hold on the best technology is seriously fucked up by Trump True, unless you include the grift in Washington
In a number of respects still better off than are we, though.
What a bizarre and concerning poll. Not the American thing, the other bit at the bottom. We (along with many similar countries) are struggling with a flat economy, ageing demographics, stagnant living standards, and tight public finances. That 88% of people consider this to mean "Britain is Broken" shows that febrile hyperbole has become the norm. Unless it's just become a phrase that means all is not well and some things need to change. Perhaps that's it. I don't like it anyway, all this "broken" and "fix" business. It's overwrought and leading to poor debate and decisions. We are not broken, and if we were it wouldn't be something fixable by politicians at Westminster.
The problem is Starmer and Reeves, from before and after their election win, complained how bad everything is after 14 years of Tory rule, then produced the most anti business budget anyone could imagine, so yes Labour need to reflect on their own behaviour in this story
No, that's not the problem. It's the gormless gullible public. I never went round saying Britain is Broken even during the worst times under the Tories, nor when I personally was struggling.
The public have had years of being let down by politicians of all colours. It is hardly surprising they have a dim view of things, after that experience.
Dim view, sure. I can relate to that. But Britain is Broken say 88%? Cmon. That's a major loss of judgement and perspective. And a dangerous one too since it fuels charlatans and extremists.
It’s quite clear the country doesn’t work as it should for lots of people. It works fine for some - but that number is, I think, decreasing as each day goes by.
There are a lot of reasons why. Housing costs, general costs of living, societal splintering/isolation, geographical inequalities, longer working hours for many, high taxes, cultural change/loss of identity. And many more. The solutions to these problems are myriad and in all fairness are probably not all preserves of either the right or the left. Some need global change and co-operation, not just national. But it is hard to look at the country now and see a country at ease with itself or that works well for its people.
I’ve travelled extensively around both the USA and Europe these last 3 years. I’ve been all over both
Objectively, Europe seems way more fucked up than America. Poorer, sadder, edgier, more fractious, more troubled, more menaced. Sadly I very much include the UK in this
America has its issues but it is also has money energy and hope. The idea states are going to secede is a ludicrous fever dream of liberals (or QAnons on the other side). America’s borders are now secure (thanks to Trump). It is not militarily threatened by anyone. It does not have a massive problem with Muslim immigration. It has a commanding hold on the best technology. It has falling crime rates - San Francisco’s murder rate is at a 60 year low
By contrast, Europe DOES seem broken. Free speech is collapsing. We are corralled by hideous new laws (online safety act). EU citizens can’t even use fucking AirPods because of their insane technology restrictions
Europe needs a populist right revolution across the board, to become much more like America
I accept PBers are largely going to hate this opinion, but it is my honest take from my intense travels in both places
We'd have to take the opinion seriously to hate it.
This is such a YOU response. Pinched, narrow, cramped. Resistant to anything that doesn’t fit. Dim despite your reasonable intelligence
But I imagine most PBers feel exactly the same as you. Probably for similar reasons
I could see Farage squeezed down to 25% and "losing it" during a GE, whilst the Tories (miraculously) end up getting about the same. He doesn't have the organisation skills or the message discipline - he gravitates towards those that venerate or like him.
You could have a hell of a weird parliament where Reform, the Tories and Labour are all in the 140-190 seat bracket, and the LDs have a good chunk of seats and maybe the Greens break double-figures too.
What a bizarre and concerning poll. Not the American thing, the other bit at the bottom. We (along with many similar countries) are struggling with a flat economy, ageing demographics, stagnant living standards, and tight public finances. That 88% of people consider this to mean "Britain is Broken" shows that febrile hyperbole has become the norm. Unless it's just become a phrase that means all is not well and some things need to change. Perhaps that's it. I don't like it anyway, all this "broken" and "fix" business. It's overwrought and leading to poor debate and decisions. We are not broken, and if we were it wouldn't be something fixable by politicians at Westminster.
Take for example housing. Britain has a recognised problem with housing. Every political party agrees there is a problem. Every political party has promised to fix those problems. Every political party that has reached government has failed to fix the problems with housing. This has been going on for at least two decades.
If a country recognises it has a problem, decides to solve it, implements policies to solve it, and fails - repeatedly - is it much of a stretch to conclude that the country is broken in some respect?
It's certainly not functioning as you might expect or hope it to.
That's a big one, yes. I have it right up there. I wouldn't in fact demur from "our housing model is unfit for purpose and needs radical reform".
Housing is just an example, but the persistent failure of politicians to live up to their promises is true across multiple policy areas.
This is one reason why, at his peak, I thought Johnson might increase his majority at the next election. Uniquely among politicians he had promised to do something - get Brexit done - and then done it.
He did indeed. But the pesky levelling up he did not.
Politicians need to do two things to stop the slide and restore respect and trust.
1. Deliver on their promises. 2. Stop promising the undeliverable.
It needs brave politicians and a public willing to meet them halfway.
Surely even his biggest detractors would bin Ede that the pandemic pretty much stopped Boris doing anything meaningful in terms of normal politics?
America’s borders are now secure (thanks to Trump). It is not militarily threatened by anyone. It does not have a massive problem with Muslim immigration. It has a commanding hold on the best technology. It has falling crime rates
In order
Bollocks Probably, but not definitely true It has a massive problem with immigration It's hold on the best technology is seriously fucked up by Trump True, unless you include the grift in Washington
In a number of respects still better off than are we, though.
Which respects?
I lived there. I wouldn't rush back now
Higher material standard of living, I guess?
Only for some, great if you have money , healthcare etc but shit if you do not. They don't get free houses, mobility cars, benefits up the wazoo over there. You work your butt off or you are a goner.
What a bizarre and concerning poll. Not the American thing, the other bit at the bottom. We (along with many similar countries) are struggling with a flat economy, ageing demographics, stagnant living standards, and tight public finances. That 88% of people consider this to mean "Britain is Broken" shows that febrile hyperbole has become the norm. Unless it's just become a phrase that means all is not well and some things need to change. Perhaps that's it. I don't like it anyway, all this "broken" and "fix" business. It's overwrought and leading to poor debate and decisions. We are not broken, and if we were it wouldn't be something fixable by politicians at Westminster.
Take for example housing. Britain has a recognised problem with housing. Every political party agrees there is a problem. Every political party has promised to fix those problems. Every political party that has reached government has failed to fix the problems with housing. This has been going on for at least two decades.
If a country recognises it has a problem, decides to solve it, implements policies to solve it, and fails - repeatedly - is it much of a stretch to conclude that the country is broken in some respect?
It's certainly not functioning as you might expect or hope it to.
That's a big one, yes. I have it right up there. I wouldn't in fact demur from "our housing model is unfit for purpose and needs radical reform".
Housing is just an example, but the persistent failure of politicians to live up to their promises is true across multiple policy areas.
This is one reason why, at his peak, I thought Johnson might increase his majority at the next election. Uniquely among politicians he had promised to do something - get Brexit done - and then done it.
The Process State worship of process over people may make lawyers who specialise in planning enquiries happy.
It certainly makes happy those guilty of scandal after scandal, since nothing ever happens to them. “Lessons will be learned”
The problem is that The People want a government that does things. At a vaguely reasonable price. Inside a decade.
All very humorous and all that but Obama got his for simply being black, whereas when Trumpy gets his next year, he will genuinely have achieved something.
Its not Obama's fault, and I have a lot of time for him. I imagine him running again is the main reason Trump would not abolish the two term limit. But he really didn't deserve the Nobel for simply getting elected.
I think Obama got his for simply not being Dubya.
I you really think this, you and the eight who have liked the comment are naive fools. Do you think a white democrat would have got the Nobel for beating Dubya? Biden didn’t for beating Trump.
Obama didn't beat Dubya.
You forget though how much of the world hated Dubya for Iraq and how it was as if America was lead by a warmongerer because of that.
Yes, I 100% think a white Democrat would have got it for not being Dubya and speaking up about peace etc just as Obama did.
Many were happy to turn the page from Dubya. Trump to Biden was an entirely different kettle of fish, and Trump for all his faults never invaded Iraq or anywhere else.
The fact that it was awarded barely as the applause died down on his election (in my head, at least) suggests otherwise. If it had been after a period of years of Obama as president I’d could see it, but there it is.
The fact it was awarded barely as tbe applause died down on his election reinforces a "thank goodness Dubya has gone" narrative.
If it was after a period of years of Obama, then it'd be more about Obama and less about Not Dubya.
Amazing, a black man can be president of the USA! That means anyone can do anything.
It was a great and moving event. Seems so distant now - not just in years.
The ironic corollary of all this is that 80% of Americans don’t realise how good they have it
Yes prices are mad, yes healthcare, yes urban issues. But they are better off than almost anywhere else in the world - apart from a few unique spots like Switzerland, Singapore, etc
The politics here is so intense and polarised Americans - on both sides - have convinced themselves the country is utterly fucked and the other side is entirely to blame
They should travel more and get some perspective. It broadens the mind
I’m watching ‘Sweet As You Are’ starring Liam Neeson and Miranda Richardson. Richardson is so beautiful. I had only really ever seen her in BlackAdder II as Queen Elizabeth before.
I’m not particularly that way inclined but Neeson is also fairly beauteous. They made a lovely couple.
Just like James Woods and Willem Dafoe, Liam Neeson is alleged to have a larger than usual penis.
What a bizarre and concerning poll. Not the American thing, the other bit at the bottom. We (along with many similar countries) are struggling with a flat economy, ageing demographics, stagnant living standards, and tight public finances. That 88% of people consider this to mean "Britain is Broken" shows that febrile hyperbole has become the norm. Unless it's just become a phrase that means all is not well and some things need to change. Perhaps that's it. I don't like it anyway, all this "broken" and "fix" business. It's overwrought and leading to poor debate and decisions. We are not broken, and if we were it wouldn't be something fixable by politicians at Westminster.
Take for example housing. Britain has a recognised problem with housing. Every political party agrees there is a problem. Every political party has promised to fix those problems. Every political party that has reached government has failed to fix the problems with housing. This has been going on for at least two decades.
If a country recognises it has a problem, decides to solve it, implements policies to solve it, and fails - repeatedly - is it much of a stretch to conclude that the country is broken in some respect?
It's certainly not functioning as you might expect or hope it to.
That's a big one, yes. I have it right up there. I wouldn't in fact demur from "our housing model is unfit for purpose and needs radical reform".
Housing is just an example, but the persistent failure of politicians to live up to their promises is true across multiple policy areas.
This is one reason why, at his peak, I thought Johnson might increase his majority at the next election. Uniquely among politicians he had promised to do something - get Brexit done - and then done it.
He did indeed. But the pesky levelling up he did not.
Politicians need to do two things to stop the slide and restore respect and trust.
1. Deliver on their promises. 2. Stop promising the undeliverable.
It needs brave politicians and a public willing to meet them halfway.
Surely even his biggest detractors would bin Ede that the pandemic pretty much stopped Boris doing anything meaningful in terms of normal politics?
I am and I would, yes. But it wasn't his biggest problem. That was his character.
What a bizarre and concerning poll. Not the American thing, the other bit at the bottom. We (along with many similar countries) are struggling with a flat economy, ageing demographics, stagnant living standards, and tight public finances. That 88% of people consider this to mean "Britain is Broken" shows that febrile hyperbole has become the norm. Unless it's just become a phrase that means all is not well and some things need to change. Perhaps that's it. I don't like it anyway, all this "broken" and "fix" business. It's overwrought and leading to poor debate and decisions. We are not broken, and if we were it wouldn't be something fixable by politicians at Westminster.
Take for example housing. Britain has a recognised problem with housing. Every political party agrees there is a problem. Every political party has promised to fix those problems. Every political party that has reached government has failed to fix the problems with housing. This has been going on for at least two decades.
If a country recognises it has a problem, decides to solve it, implements policies to solve it, and fails - repeatedly - is it much of a stretch to conclude that the country is broken in some respect?
It's certainly not functioning as you might expect or hope it to.
That's a big one, yes. I have it right up there. I wouldn't in fact demur from "our housing model is unfit for purpose and needs radical reform".
Housing is just an example, but the persistent failure of politicians to live up to their promises is true across multiple policy areas.
This is one reason why, at his peak, I thought Johnson might increase his majority at the next election. Uniquely among politicians he had promised to do something - get Brexit done - and then done it.
The Process State worship of process over people may make lawyers who specialise in planning enquiries happy.
It certainly makes happy those guilty of scandal after scandal, since nothing ever happens to them. “Lessons will be learned”
The problem is that The People want a government that does things. At a vaguely reasonable price. Inside a decade.
Truss showed the pitfalls of the opposite though - contempt for process.
The ironic corollary of all this is that 80% of Americans don’t realise how good they have it
Yes prices are mad, yes healthcare, yes urban issues. But they are better off than almost anywhere else in the world - apart from a few unique spots like Switzerland, Singapore, etc
The politics here is so intense and polarised Americans - on both sides - have convinced themselves the country is utterly fucked and the other side is entirely to blame
They should travel more and get some perspective. It broadens the mind
Is the tipping culture as insane as we read about. It’s about a decade since I visited.
"While the introduction of the new entry and exit service (EES) is being staggered across the EU, France has imposed extra checks on people entering from Britain via sea and rail that are not being enforced by other countries." (£)
Having been here two days now - and walked and waymo’d much of the city, I can reliably inform PBers that - far from being a zombie-strewn hellzone, San Francisco is the delightful, eccentric, vibrant, historic, quirky and beautifully located city I remember from my last visit 20 years ago. If anything, it has improved
The food is good, the people are fun, the oysters and lobster ravioli at johns grill (established 1908) are ace
Yes, there are two neighbourhoods - Soma and tenderloin - where juddering fent addicts stagger around and droop to the ground, but you just speed through them in your luxury robocab
Let this be a lesson to the more gullible PBers who spend all their time on X. Don’t believe everything you see on social media, kids
Are you shilling for the San Francisco tourist board? I've heard it as crime-ridden and dangerous as London.
The San Francisco tourist board is as crime-ridden and dangerous as London?
I’m watching ‘Sweet As You Are’ starring Liam Neeson and Miranda Richardson. Richardson is so beautiful. I had only really ever seen her in BlackAdder II as Queen Elizabeth before.
I’m not particularly that way inclined but Neeson is also fairly beauteous. They made a lovely couple.
Just like James Woods and Willem Dafoe, Liam Neeson is alleged to have a larger than usual penis.
When I was at work, prior to retirement, one of the women came up to me and said ‘there’s a rumour going round you’ve got a rather large penis’. I told her, yes, I know, I started it,
The ironic corollary of all this is that 80% of Americans don’t realise how good they have it
Yes prices are mad, yes healthcare, yes urban issues. But they are better off than almost anywhere else in the world - apart from a few unique spots like Switzerland, Singapore, etc
The politics here is so intense and polarised Americans - on both sides - have convinced themselves the country is utterly fucked and the other side is entirely to blame
They should travel more and get some perspective. It broadens the mind
Is the tipping culture as insane as we read about. It’s about a decade since I visited.
Yes. It’s horrifying. Possibly the worst aspect of visiting the country! I had to tip a fucking robot the other day
The ironic corollary of all this is that 80% of Americans don’t realise how good they have it
Yes prices are mad, yes healthcare, yes urban issues. But they are better off than almost anywhere else in the world - apart from a few unique spots like Switzerland, Singapore, etc
The politics here is so intense and polarised Americans - on both sides - have convinced themselves the country is utterly fucked and the other side is entirely to blame
They should travel more and get some perspective. It broadens the mind
Is the tipping culture as insane as we read about. It’s about a decade since I visited.
Yes. It’s horrifying. Possibly the worst aspect of visiting the country! I had to tip a fucking robot the other day
I’m watching ‘Sweet As You Are’ starring Liam Neeson and Miranda Richardson. Richardson is so beautiful. I had only really ever seen her in BlackAdder II as Queen Elizabeth before.
I’m not particularly that way inclined but Neeson is also fairly beauteous. They made a lovely couple.
Yes. Although I’m sure they were even lovelier in the years before we meet them in the play!
What a bizarre and concerning poll. Not the American thing, the other bit at the bottom. We (along with many similar countries) are struggling with a flat economy, ageing demographics, stagnant living standards, and tight public finances. That 88% of people consider this to mean "Britain is Broken" shows that febrile hyperbole has become the norm. Unless it's just become a phrase that means all is not well and some things need to change. Perhaps that's it. I don't like it anyway, all this "broken" and "fix" business. It's overwrought and leading to poor debate and decisions. We are not broken, and if we were it wouldn't be something fixable by politicians at Westminster.
The problem is Starmer and Reeves, from before and after their election win, complained how bad everything is after 14 years of Tory rule, then produced the most anti business budget anyone could imagine, so yes Labour need to reflect on their own behaviour in this story
No, that's not the problem. It's the gormless gullible public. I never went round saying Britain is Broken even during the worst times under the Tories, nor when I personally was struggling.
The public have had years of being let down by politicians of all colours. It is hardly surprising they have a dim view of things, after that experience.
Dim view, sure. I can relate to that. But Britain is Broken say 88%? Cmon. That's a major loss of judgement and perspective. And a dangerous one too since it fuels charlatans and extremists.
It’s quite clear the country doesn’t work as it should for lots of people. It works fine for some - but that number is, I think, decreasing as each day goes by.
There are a lot of reasons why. Housing costs, general costs of living, societal splintering/isolation, geographical inequalities, longer working hours for many, high taxes, cultural change/loss of identity. And many more. The solutions to these problems are myriad and in all fairness are probably not all preserves of either the right or the left. Some need global change and co-operation, not just national. But it is hard to look at the country now and see a country at ease with itself or that works well for its people.
I’ve travelled extensively around both the USA and Europe these last 3 years. I’ve been all over both
Objectively, Europe seems way more fucked up than America. Poorer, sadder, edgier, more fractious, more troubled, more menaced. Sadly I very much include the UK in this
America has its issues but it is also has money energy and hope. The idea states are going to secede is a ludicrous fever dream of liberals (or QAnons on the other side). America’s borders are now secure (thanks to Trump). It is not militarily threatened by anyone. It does not have a massive problem with Muslim immigration. It has a commanding hold on the best technology. It has falling crime rates - San Francisco’s murder rate is at a 60 year low
By contrast, Europe DOES seem broken. Free speech is collapsing. We are corralled by hideous new laws (online safety act). EU citizens can’t even use fucking AirPods because of their insane technology restrictions
Europe needs a populist right revolution across the board, to become much more like America
I accept PBers are largely going to hate this opinion, but it is my honest take from my intense travels in both places
We'd have to take the opinion seriously to hate it.
This is such a YOU response. Pinched, narrow, cramped. Resistant to anything that doesn’t fit. Dim despite your reasonable intelligence
But I imagine most PBers feel exactly the same as you. Probably for similar reasons
I am a little resistant to "Europe needs a populist right revolution", this is true. It's just a silly fashionable thing to say. It's all the rage but, me, I stand aloof and retain my faculties.
I could see Farage squeezed down to 25% and "losing it" during a GE, whilst the Tories (miraculously) end up getting about the same. He doesn't have the organisation skills or the message discipline - he gravitates towards those that venerate or like him.
You could have a hell of a weird parliament where Reform, the Tories and Labour are all in the 140-190 seat bracket, and the LDs have a good chunk of seats and maybe the Greens break double-figures too.
My point being that if, by some psephological fluke, Kemi is the one on top with seats (even if she has a lower number than Michael Howard in the GE2025) she could still become the next Prime Minister. If she deals with Reform as her partner.
I wouldn't rule her out yet. Nor do I think it's inevitable she goes next year.
What a bizarre and concerning poll. Not the American thing, the other bit at the bottom. We (along with many similar countries) are struggling with a flat economy, ageing demographics, stagnant living standards, and tight public finances. That 88% of people consider this to mean "Britain is Broken" shows that febrile hyperbole has become the norm. Unless it's just become a phrase that means all is not well and some things need to change. Perhaps that's it. I don't like it anyway, all this "broken" and "fix" business. It's overwrought and leading to poor debate and decisions. We are not broken, and if we were it wouldn't be something fixable by politicians at Westminster.
Take for example housing. Britain has a recognised problem with housing. Every political party agrees there is a problem. Every political party has promised to fix those problems. Every political party that has reached government has failed to fix the problems with housing. This has been going on for at least two decades.
If a country recognises it has a problem, decides to solve it, implements policies to solve it, and fails - repeatedly - is it much of a stretch to conclude that the country is broken in some respect?
It's certainly not functioning as you might expect or hope it to.
That's a big one, yes. I have it right up there. I wouldn't in fact demur from "our housing model is unfit for purpose and needs radical reform".
Housing is just an example, but the persistent failure of politicians to live up to their promises is true across multiple policy areas.
This is one reason why, at his peak, I thought Johnson might increase his majority at the next election. Uniquely among politicians he had promised to do something - get Brexit done - and then done it.
He did indeed. But the pesky levelling up he did not.
Politicians need to do two things to stop the slide and restore respect and trust.
1. Deliver on their promises. 2. Stop promising the undeliverable.
It needs brave politicians and a public willing to meet them halfway.
Surely even his biggest detractors would bin Ede that the pandemic pretty much stopped Boris doing anything meaningful in terms of normal politics?
I am and I would, yes. But it wasn't his biggest problem. That was his character.
Strange auto correct of ‘concede’ in my post. It’s weird how often my phone auto corrects to mumbo jumbo, I thought it was supposed to do the opposite
The ironic corollary of all this is that 80% of Americans don’t realise how good they have it
Yes prices are mad, yes healthcare, yes urban issues. But they are better off than almost anywhere else in the world - apart from a few unique spots like Switzerland, Singapore, etc
The politics here is so intense and polarised Americans - on both sides - have convinced themselves the country is utterly fucked and the other side is entirely to blame
They should travel more and get some perspective. It broadens the mind
I thought you wrote an article saying being American was shit, and it was much better being a European.
The ironic corollary of all this is that 80% of Americans don’t realise how good they have it
Yes prices are mad, yes healthcare, yes urban issues. But they are better off than almost anywhere else in the world - apart from a few unique spots like Switzerland, Singapore, etc
The politics here is so intense and polarised Americans - on both sides - have convinced themselves the country is utterly fucked and the other side is entirely to blame
They should travel more and get some perspective. It broadens the mind
Is the tipping culture as insane as we read about. It’s about a decade since I visited.
Yes. It’s horrifying. Possibly the worst aspect of visiting the country! I had to tip a fucking robot the other day
America’s borders are now secure (thanks to Trump). It is not militarily threatened by anyone. It does not have a massive problem with Muslim immigration. It has a commanding hold on the best technology. It has falling crime rates
In order
Bollocks Probably, but not definitely true It has a massive problem with immigration It's hold on the best technology is seriously fucked up by Trump True, unless you include the grift in Washington
In a number of respects still better off than are we, though.
Which respects?
I lived there. I wouldn't rush back now
Higher material standard of living, I guess?
Only for some, great if you have money , healthcare etc but shit if you do not. They don't get free houses, mobility cars, benefits up the wazoo over there. You work your butt off or you are a goner.
The ironic corollary of all this is that 80% of Americans don’t realise how good they have it
Yes prices are mad, yes healthcare, yes urban issues. But they are better off than almost anywhere else in the world - apart from a few unique spots like Switzerland, Singapore, etc
The politics here is so intense and polarised Americans - on both sides - have convinced themselves the country is utterly fucked and the other side is entirely to blame
They should travel more and get some perspective. It broadens the mind
Strange that what you say about the US is almost exactly what Kinabulu says about Britain down thread.
So decisions made on the basis of "it's fucked, let's try anything different" would be bad decisions surely.
The ironic corollary of all this is that 80% of Americans don’t realise how good they have it
Yes prices are mad, yes healthcare, yes urban issues. But they are better off than almost anywhere else in the world - apart from a few unique spots like Switzerland, Singapore, etc
The politics here is so intense and polarised Americans - on both sides - have convinced themselves the country is utterly fucked and the other side is entirely to blame
They should travel more and get some perspective. It broadens the mind
I thought you wrote an article saying being American was shit, and it was much better being a European.
That was my stalker about 3 or 4 years ago. But at a guess I’d say he has radically changed his mind. You could call that inconsistency, or you could admire someone willing to absorb new data and adjust accordingly
And lots of things have happened interim. From the Ukraine war to the rise of REDACTED to the European economy ploughing into a wall, and so much more
On an unrelated matter, is there some scam going on with Insurance Companies? Somebody scraped my car the other week, I have a deepish scartch and some denting along both doors and rear wing. I made a claim so I could get it fixed - really I just wanted to know if I had to take it to a trusted repairer for a quote - but they are saying my car is a write-off. Does it really cost £7500 to make some bodywork repairs to a VW Golf?
That sounds like at least 3 replacement parts (2x doors plus the side piece) plus may be bumper etc,
Comments
Our daughter and ourselves intend booking a table just to see his reaction !!!!!!!!!
The food is good, the people are fun, the oysters and lobster ravioli at johns grill (established 1908) are ace
Yes, there are two neighbourhoods - Soma and tenderloin - where juddering fent addicts stagger around and droop to the ground, but you just speed through them in your luxury robocab
Let this be a lesson to the more gullible PBers who spend all their time on X. Don’t believe everything you see on social media, kids
The public clearly do want lower immigration, and I'm not going to condemn them for that. But politicians have judged that voters would really dislike the second-order effects of delivering that, probably correctly. I mean, we could fix the dependency ratio issue by telling people in their sixties that they can't retire yet, but I doubt it would be popular.
I had someone rear end me, needed a minor body repair as the rear hatch wouldn't close. The loss assessor gave me the option of write-off or a cheap repair job, that was despite it all being covered by the other party's insurance. Thankfully I'd noted their reg and the driver in front who I'd been shunted into gave a witness statement because they had no intention of taking responsibility.
I've heard it as crime-ridden and dangerous as London.
@atrupar
Sen. Roger Marshall: "October 18 is when the protest gets here. This will be a Soros paid-for protest for his professional protesters. The agitators show up. We'll have to get the National Guard out. Hopefully it will be peaceful. I doubt it."
https://x.com/atrupar/status/1976659346072203702
I turned up at John’s Grill last night - it’s a really famous SF institution, Dashiel Hammet, Sam Spade, the beat poets, etc - and the maitre d’ said “oh we were just talking about you!!”
He then escorted me to the finest table in the restaurant and forced me to drink the best Sancerre with the best oysters etc as dozens of flunkeys did their best to make me extremely happy for free
Stuff like that leaves a positive glow, if I’m honest
But nonetheless it is a gorgeous, youthful, optimistic city and the doom is much overdone. Yesterday I listened to some of the best buskers I’ve ever heard, doing a searing guitar versing of “autumn leaves” by the Asian Art museum, then I went into the museum and was moved almost tk years by the “Betty bogart contemplative alcove”
And now I’m off to cycle across the Golden Gate Bridge to Sausalito
We need more honest politicians, frankly. People who are quite happy to say - yes, you can have these policies (not “you are a bad person for wanting them” / “it is simply not possible to do that because that is how things are”), but it does mean that there will be negative consequences to doing so, and you have to be prepared for that.
* I should say the other big culprits here are the media. They also have a huge degree of responsibility in generating these expectations. Did anyone in the media scutinise, for instance, the costs of the various Covid policies that the government enacted, or tried to explain this is one of the reasons our debt situation is so bad?
The entire vista wraps around the suite. This is not all of it. You can see the Bay Bridge over there
What you can’t see is the view of the ocean from the bedroom. But I’ve done my best
It is SPECTAC at night
Laura Loomer
@LauraLoomer
The people of IDAHO need to REVOLT against the creation of a Qatari air base in their state.
This cannot stand.
https://x.com/LauraLoomer/status/1976686247041974629
This is one reason why, at his peak, I thought Johnson might increase his majority at the next election. Uniquely among politicians he had promised to do something - get Brexit done - and then done it.
You forget though how much of the world hated Dubya for Iraq and how it was as if America was lead by a warmongerer because of that.
Yes, I 100% think a white Democrat would have got it for not being Dubya and speaking up about peace etc just as Obama did.
Many were happy to turn the page from Dubya. Trump to Biden was an entirely different kettle of fish, and Trump for all his faults never invaded Iraq or anywhere else.
There are a lot of reasons why. Housing costs, general costs of living, societal splintering/isolation, geographical inequalities, longer working hours for many, high taxes, cultural change/loss of identity. And many more. The solutions to these problems are myriad and in all fairness are probably not all preserves of either the right or the left. Some need global change and co-operation, not just national. But it is hard to look at the country now and see a country at ease with itself or that works well for its people.
While Parliament is in session of course.
https://x.com/Nigel_Farage/status/1976712126455480490
"UN Refugee Convention ‘is next target’ in fight to deport migrants"
https://www.thetimes.com/article/7627f9f9-26a7-4ebc-82e0-19341df9ae41?shareToken=ae7538af1f6ea3d96e65effe5d2f0637
To summarize:
Reporter: Why didn’t Trump win the Nobel Peace Prize?
Nobel Chair: the award only goes to people of courage and integrity.
*mic drop* 🫳🎤
https://x.com/adamscochran/status/1976639455638548602
If it was after a period of years of Obama, then it'd be more about Obama and less about Not Dubya.
Objectively, Europe seems way more fucked up than America. Poorer, sadder, edgier, more fractious, more troubled, more menaced. Sadly I very much include the UK in this
America has its issues but it is also has money energy and hope. The idea states are going to secede is a ludicrous fever dream of liberals (or QAnons on the other side). America’s borders are now secure (thanks to Trump). It is not militarily threatened by anyone. It does not have a massive problem with Muslim immigration. It has a commanding hold on the best technology. It has falling crime rates - San Francisco’s murder rate is at a 60 year low
By contrast, Europe DOES seem broken. Free speech is collapsing. We are corralled by hideous new laws (online safety act). EU citizens can’t even use fucking AirPods because of their insane technology restrictions
Europe needs a populist right revolution across the board, to become much more like America
I accept PBers are largely going to hate this opinion, but it is my honest take from my intense travels in both places
Anyway I will be getting a quote from the panel specialist locally, see how much and then maybe wonder about buying it back at scrap value. Can you still do that? (My Dad did, years ago).
Bollocks
Probably, but not definitely true
It has a massive problem with immigration
It's hold on the best technology is seriously fucked up by Trump
True, unless you include the grift in Washington
Politicians need to do two things to stop the slide and restore respect and trust.
1. Deliver on their promises.
2. Stop promising the undeliverable.
It needs brave politicians and a public willing to meet them halfway.
No other country has its own military base on US soil.
"While the introduction of the new entry and exit service (EES) is being staggered across the EU, France has imposed extra checks on people entering from Britain via sea and rail that are not being enforced by other countries." (£)
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/10/10/eu-fingerprint-checks-could-cause-four-hour-delays
I'm just a little confused by your belief that the US has free speech, given the extent to which the US administration punishes those who express (say) concern about Israel's actions in Gaza.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c39rkpe8mj2o
I lived there. I wouldn't rush back now
They are right on this. Brexit has badly dented the EU in many ways - stopped it seeming inevitable, sown the seeds of further secession down the line, gravely reduced the EU in its political military and economic clout, and so on
We must therefore be punished for l’eternite
But I imagine most PBers feel exactly the same as you. Probably for similar reasons
You could have a hell of a weird parliament where Reform, the Tories and Labour are all in the 140-190 seat bracket, and the LDs have a good chunk of seats and maybe the Greens break double-figures too.
Trump in 2017: “Qatar has been a funder of terrorism at a very high level.”
Trump administration in 2025: We are building a Qatari Air Force facility in the United States.
https://x.com/NoLieWithBTC/status/1976711898495119445
It certainly makes happy those guilty of scandal after scandal, since nothing ever happens to them. “Lessons will be learned”
The problem is that The People want a government that does things. At a vaguely reasonable price. Inside a decade.
Yes prices are mad, yes healthcare, yes urban issues. But they are better off than almost anywhere else in the world - apart from a few unique spots like Switzerland, Singapore, etc
The politics here is so intense and polarised Americans - on both sides - have convinced themselves the country is utterly fucked and the other side is entirely to blame
They should travel more and get some perspective. It broadens the mind
Regardless of what I think of the man, or his character. That'd be quite an achievement.
We might get to something approaching a cross-party consensus on this.
Tell more !!
I wouldn't rule her out yet. Nor do I think it's inevitable she goes next year.
Afaiac they can just FUCK OFF.
National Trust puts vegan tampons in men’s toilets https://share.google/cDKJTSg9SAnmITEsa
So decisions made on the basis of "it's fucked, let's try anything different" would be bad decisions surely.
Wonder if this one will last a full Truss?
And lots of things have happened interim. From the Ukraine war to the rise of REDACTED to the European economy ploughing into a wall, and so much more
“Write off” just means uneconomic to repair