I appreciate some people here doubt the reality of the Russian threat. And, certainly, I don't think the Red Army is very likely to be rolling over the plains of Central Europe all the way to the channel any time soon. But this is disturbing, no?
"The Kremlin orchestrated a concerted surveillance campaign using drones launched from shadow fleet vessels over an 18-month period which targeted nuclear sites in the UK, France, Belgium and the Netherlands, researchers have said.
"Analysis by the International Institute of Strategic Studies (IISS) of 144 incidents in more than a dozen countries beginning in late 2024 concluded Russian intelligence had operated with “substantial impunity”, leaving authorities across Europe flat-footed and confused.
"Drones were repeatedly spotted over airbases and airports, yet none were captured or shot down by western militaries, exposing a strategic failure in Nato air defences that the thinktank said had been quietly acknowledged across Europe."
I think that is concerning. I also think that current MoD spending priorities don't seem well aligned with this sort of threat. The DIP does have a focus on drones, cybersecurity and munitions, which I think everyone welcomes, but do we need two aircraft carriers? Do we need more fighter jets and to have "Europe's first 6th Generation Air Force"?
Yes, we do.
Because threats other than drones and cyber attacks exist.
Enemies are annoying like that (as Herman Kahn) observed. They always do the most inconvenient things - almost as if they are trying to avoid your defences or something.
For example, you build drone defences. Nice. Then someone lobs a ballistic missile at you. Whoops.
Drones are just cheaper, less capable (in a number of ways) missiles.
And they’ve been around a long time.
1964, capable of 3500 miles of flight at Mach 3.3+, at 90,000 feet.
Is a fighter jet, even a 6th generation one, much use against a ballistic missile or a Mach 3.3+ thing? How does an aircraft carrier help against them?
i really don't know what to make of this. Those 'pulling up the drawbridge' as they describe it are as a whole my least favourite people. Is that what they're saying she is?
I remember when Ed Balls was ed sec. The Department absolutely never was able to release press releases in the format Balls: {Quote from Secretary of State}
I appreciate some people here doubt the reality of the Russian threat. And, certainly, I don't think the Red Army is very likely to be rolling over the plains of Central Europe all the way to the channel any time soon. But this is disturbing, no?
"The Kremlin orchestrated a concerted surveillance campaign using drones launched from shadow fleet vessels over an 18-month period which targeted nuclear sites in the UK, France, Belgium and the Netherlands, researchers have said.
"Analysis by the International Institute of Strategic Studies (IISS) of 144 incidents in more than a dozen countries beginning in late 2024 concluded Russian intelligence had operated with “substantial impunity”, leaving authorities across Europe flat-footed and confused.
"Drones were repeatedly spotted over airbases and airports, yet none were captured or shot down by western militaries, exposing a strategic failure in Nato air defences that the thinktank said had been quietly acknowledged across Europe."
We shouldn't be able to buy drones on amazon. At a minimum they should be licensed and registered to the same level as cars, personally I'd restrict them much further and treat them like planes.
Our drone laws have been tightened up quite considerably, with the exception of drones below 100g. There are now requirements for remote ID to be broadcast, for example, either in place or coming in.
(I don't think cars are a very useful comparison, just as they are not a useful comparison for bicycles.)
I think there are questions around preparing the country for what is already a hybrid-war scenario, but I think that is hindered by current partisan politics. "I would not fight for a country led by the traitor Keir Starmer" is a fairly common sentiment on the Right. Though I would link that to the bungalow or extremist Right rather than the serious or semi-serious political right.
If we get Mr Burnham, I hope that his better communications will help there.
I think that there is much more going on in the armed forces than we hear about in the media over several years, including under the Sunak Government, and there was some interesting detail published around the recent investment plan. But 90% of our media are not interested in serious and accurate reporting of the news - that's just a corollary imo of having a sick, shit media.
I think there are issues around defence of air bases and airports and sensitive sites, and around protection of sites (I find the comparison between Lossiemouth in 2026 and Manston in 1940 revealing), and publication of information potentially useful to enemies of the country by drone fliers who are out to thumb their nose at authority, and hardening of our air bases against attacks.
I think one answer to these is to use some of the weapons we have developed at pace for Ukraine such as the Octopus interceptor drones being mass produced in Mildenhall.
Good Morning one and all. Late today, as I had an early hospital appointment.
All sorted now, for four months, thankfully.
On topic, I don't quite understand the personal hostility to Ed M; somewhat odd-looking, rather geeky appearing admittedly but on his podcast he comes across as quite a reasonable, indeed sensible chap.
Good Morning one and all. Late today, as I had an early hospital appointment.
All sorted now, for four months, thankfully.
On topic, I don't quite understand the personal hostility to Ed M; somewhat odd-looking, rather geeky appearing admittedly but on his podcast he comes across as quite a reasonable, indeed sensible chap.
I was going to like this but the final paragraph precluded that.
...Incidentally, the next piece of fun that technology will give us, is the collapse of gun control.
At the moment, 3D printing and CNC milling hasn’t done this - because barrels and ammunition are hard to make.
What is coming is coil guns. Electromagnets firing projectiles.
There are no explosives required - the design at the moment use high end power tool batteries. All the parts can be 3D printed or made from metal rod etc bought from a DIY store. The coils can be hand wound. You’d need a 3D printer, some hand tools and soldering iron.
Fully automatic weapon, silent, no rifling marks on the projectile and no propellant gas residue for forensics.
The current designs are a bit lore powerful than air guns - might well be lethal now, but their power is growing year by year...
Is that still true? I know ArcLabs made a good try at Gauss rifles. But those were four or so years ago now and they've given up. Coilguns have a maximum velocity dictated by physics. Combustion-based weaponry - the "fire" in "firearms" - is a simple, mature technology with known and scalable elements: moar propellant, moar bullet. Electro-magnetic weapons will need a shit-ton of money to bring them up to the point where hundreds of thousands can be made and work reliably in the field. Musk did it for rockets, the military is (this surprised me - I thought they'd given up) still working on railguns but there's no mad big daddy for coilguns. It's all blokes in sheds
Good Morning one and all. Late today, as I had an early hospital appointment.
All sorted now, for four months, thankfully.
On topic, I don't quite understand the personal hostility to Ed M; somewhat odd-looking, rather geeky appearing admittedly but on his podcast he comes across as quite a reasonable, indeed sensible chap.
I was going to like this but the final paragraph precluded that.
Glad your appointment went well.
LOL. Thanks. Routine cortisone treatment for longstanding and apparently incurable foot pain. Sorts it out for a bit, then it recurs. Consequence of silly whatsits from student days; was OK for 50 years, but now ........
The great strength of PB is that it remains Britain’s premier meeting place for people who think deeply about defence procurement, councillor attrition rates, 1970s R&B, test cricket, Coldplay aversion, Andy Burnham’s calves, and UK politics as a Doctor Who regeneration cycle.
Frankly, if the security services aren’t monitoring this place, that’s the real scandal.
Good Morning one and all. Late today, as I had an early hospital appointment.
All sorted now, for four months, thankfully.
On topic, I don't quite understand the personal hostility to Ed M; somewhat odd-looking, rather geeky appearing admittedly but on his podcast he comes across as quite a reasonable, indeed sensible chap
Good morning
We oldies are very grateful for each time we pass our regular check ups
Mind you we are not on the same page with Miliband but then we can respectfully disagree
Good Morning one and all. Late today, as I had an early hospital appointment.
All sorted now, for four months, thankfully.
On topic, I don't quite understand the personal hostility to Ed M; somewhat odd-looking, rather geeky appearing admittedly but on his podcast he comes across as quite a reasonable, indeed sensible chap.
I was going to like this but the final paragraph precluded that.
Glad your appointment went well.
LOL. Thanks. Routine cortisone treatment for longstanding and apparently incurable foot pain. Sorts it out for a bit, then it recurs. Consequence of silly whatsits from student days; was OK for 50 years, but now ........
I have an arthritic thumb and injections were suggested although they said it would be painful and the effectivity would wear off.
The great strength of PB is that it remains Britain’s premier meeting place for people who think deeply about defence procurement, councillor attrition rates, 1970s R&B, test cricket, Coldplay aversion, Andy Burnham’s calves, and UK politics as a Doctor Who regeneration cycle.
Frankly, if the security services aren’t monitoring this place, that’s the real scandal.
Frankly, I would rather have almost anyone as Chancellor than Ed. He has shown in Energy an ideological obsession and a complete disregard for the national interest.
Oh, and Harry Kane on SPOTY, apparently.
I am hoping SPOTY will be the 🐐🐐🐐🐐🐐🐐🐐 Sir Lewis Hamilton.
There's still time for a lady cricketer goat to emerge as England play in the T20 semi-final today. They've already got the Google doodle sewn up. Hmm. The woman batters are each described as ‘batsman’.
In Old English, mann meant person regardless of gender.
There were wifmann and wermann. Wife person and weapon person.
The word man is gender neutral, except when it isn't.
I appreciate some people here doubt the reality of the Russian threat. And, certainly, I don't think the Red Army is very likely to be rolling over the plains of Central Europe all the way to the channel any time soon. But this is disturbing, no?
"The Kremlin orchestrated a concerted surveillance campaign using drones launched from shadow fleet vessels over an 18-month period which targeted nuclear sites in the UK, France, Belgium and the Netherlands, researchers have said.
"Analysis by the International Institute of Strategic Studies (IISS) of 144 incidents in more than a dozen countries beginning in late 2024 concluded Russian intelligence had operated with “substantial impunity”, leaving authorities across Europe flat-footed and confused.
"Drones were repeatedly spotted over airbases and airports, yet none were captured or shot down by western militaries, exposing a strategic failure in Nato air defences that the thinktank said had been quietly acknowledged across Europe."
We shouldn't be able to buy drones on amazon. At a minimum they should be licensed and registered to the same level as cars, personally I'd restrict them much further and treat them like planes.
How?
That just means that the bad actors move to kits - the basic bits and pieces can’t be banned. “Possession if an electric motor”?
Incidentally, the next piece of fun that technology will give us, is the collapse of gun control.
At the moment, 3D printing and CNC milling hasn’t done this - because barrels and ammunition are hard to make.
What is coming is coil guns. Electromagnets firing projectiles.
There are no explosives required - the design at the moment use high end power tool batteries. All the parts can be 3D printed or made from metal rod etc bought from a DIY store. The coils can be hand wound. You’d need a 3D printer, some hand tools and soldering iron.
Fully automatic weapon, silent, no rifling marks on the projectile and no propellant gas residue for forensics.
The current designs are a bit lore powerful than air guns - might well be lethal now, but their power is growing year by year.
Could you make them have some authenticator code they emit when airborne perhaps?
How do you stop someone turning that off, breaking it etc?
You aren't going to be able to stop people sometimes breaking the rules. But they are not something to be encouraged, they are easily turned into weapons, used for prison smuggling, snooping, privacy invasions, a noise nuisance and can be dangerous if owners are careless or reckless with them.
I see Brighton are banning them from all their public parks and public spaces, a step in the right direction.
You can’t turn back the tide. This stuff is out there. There is little or no technology that is specific to drones, to block.
If you are worried about that, wait till you see what is coming down the road in biotechnology. New Rose Hotel made real…
I also have to say that replacing Yvette Cooper with David M seems an unnecessary aggravation of the problem identified in the thread header.
Yvette Cooper is the perfect minister in the old fashioned way. Completely invisible, usually polite, rarely publicity seeking, married to someone worthwhile in their own right, moderate.
Mmm. Has Cooper done (or not done) anything that would provide sn obvious argument for putting somebody else in? If not, Burnham should favour continuity rather than putting in yet another minister. Tenures in post tend to be way too short these days. If David Miliband is in the frame then there isn't even the excuse of needing to hand out the top job to a supporter as a reward for loyalty.
...These cabinet posts are money for old rope as long as you can talk some bullshit now and again.
Frankly, I would rather have almost anyone as Chancellor than Ed. He has shown in Energy an ideological obsession and a complete disregard for the national interest.
Oh, and Harry Kane on SPOTY, apparently.
I am hoping SPOTY will be the 🐐🐐🐐🐐🐐🐐🐐 Sir Lewis Hamilton.
There's still time for a lady cricketer goat to emerge as England play in the T20 semi-final today. They've already got the Google doodle sewn up. Hmm. The woman batters are each described as ‘batsman’.
In Old English, mann meant person regardless of gender.
There were wifmann and wermann. Wife person and weapon person.
The word man is gender neutral, except when it isn't.
Wif means woman rather than wife, of course, and waepn in this context might mean penis.
Good Morning one and all. Late today, as I had an early hospital appointment.
All sorted now, for four months, thankfully.
On topic, I don't quite understand the personal hostility to Ed M; somewhat odd-looking, rather geeky appearing admittedly but on his podcast he comes across as quite a reasonable, indeed sensible chap.
Glad the appointment went well.
I had 3 in 2 days this week - telephone Leukemia monitoring, dentist for a filling with an "above front teeth" jab which brings back horrible memories of being 7 when I felt smaller than the needle, and then opthalmology for diabetic eye monitoring.
The opthalmalogical nurse could not keep a straight face as she watched the look I was giving the "sting your eyes and blind you for the next 3 hours in normal daylight" eyedrops as they approached. I felt like a cat being given a tablet:
I appreciate some people here doubt the reality of the Russian threat. And, certainly, I don't think the Red Army is very likely to be rolling over the plains of Central Europe all the way to the channel any time soon. But this is disturbing, no?
"The Kremlin orchestrated a concerted surveillance campaign using drones launched from shadow fleet vessels over an 18-month period which targeted nuclear sites in the UK, France, Belgium and the Netherlands, researchers have said.
"Analysis by the International Institute of Strategic Studies (IISS) of 144 incidents in more than a dozen countries beginning in late 2024 concluded Russian intelligence had operated with “substantial impunity”, leaving authorities across Europe flat-footed and confused.
"Drones were repeatedly spotted over airbases and airports, yet none were captured or shot down by western militaries, exposing a strategic failure in Nato air defences that the thinktank said had been quietly acknowledged across Europe."
We shouldn't be able to buy drones on amazon. At a minimum they should be licensed and registered to the same level as cars, personally I'd restrict them much further and treat them like planes.
How?
That just means that the bad actors move to kits - the basic bits and pieces can’t be banned. “Possession if an electric motor”?
Incidentally, the next piece of fun that technology will give us, is the collapse of gun control.
At the moment, 3D printing and CNC milling hasn’t done this - because barrels and ammunition are hard to make.
What is coming is coil guns. Electromagnets firing projectiles.
There are no explosives required - the design at the moment use high end power tool batteries. All the parts can be 3D printed or made from metal rod etc bought from a DIY store. The coils can be hand wound. You’d need a 3D printer, some hand tools and soldering iron.
Fully automatic weapon, silent, no rifling marks on the projectile and no propellant gas residue for forensics.
The current designs are a bit lore powerful than air guns - might well be lethal now, but their power is growing year by year.
Could you make them have some authenticator code they emit when airborne perhaps?
How do you stop someone turning that off, breaking it etc?
You aren't going to be able to stop people sometimes breaking the rules. But they are not something to be encouraged, they are easily turned into weapons, used for prison smuggling, snooping, privacy invasions, a noise nuisance and can be dangerous if owners are careless or reckless with them.
I see Brighton are banning them from all their public parks and public spaces, a step in the right direction.
You can’t turn back the tide. This stuff is out there. There is little or no technology that is specific to drones, to block.
If you are worried about that, wait till you see what is coming down the road in biotechnology. New Rose Hotel made real…
i really don't know what to make of this. Those 'pulling up the drawbridge' as they describe it are as a whole my least favourite people. Is that what they're saying she is?
The alternative is to say that people's political opinions should be based on who their parents were, or the circumstances of their birth. Not a good alternative for democracy.
I appreciate some people here doubt the reality of the Russian threat. And, certainly, I don't think the Red Army is very likely to be rolling over the plains of Central Europe all the way to the channel any time soon. But this is disturbing, no?
"The Kremlin orchestrated a concerted surveillance campaign using drones launched from shadow fleet vessels over an 18-month period which targeted nuclear sites in the UK, France, Belgium and the Netherlands, researchers have said.
"Analysis by the International Institute of Strategic Studies (IISS) of 144 incidents in more than a dozen countries beginning in late 2024 concluded Russian intelligence had operated with “substantial impunity”, leaving authorities across Europe flat-footed and confused.
"Drones were repeatedly spotted over airbases and airports, yet none were captured or shot down by western militaries, exposing a strategic failure in Nato air defences that the thinktank said had been quietly acknowledged across Europe."
We shouldn't be able to buy drones on amazon. At a minimum they should be licensed and registered to the same level as cars, personally I'd restrict them much further and treat them like planes.
Luddism.
Meanwhile, in the US. Since February, I've designed and built the world's fastest RC airplane in my college dorm, and that’s not clickbait. Reaper has a 5kg carbon-fiber frame, 250N turbojet, and flies at 500mph. New to X and will be going through the whole build here in the coming days. https://x.com/tomas_salvo22/status/2072538257351745882
I appreciate some people here doubt the reality of the Russian threat. And, certainly, I don't think the Red Army is very likely to be rolling over the plains of Central Europe all the way to the channel any time soon. But this is disturbing, no?
"The Kremlin orchestrated a concerted surveillance campaign using drones launched from shadow fleet vessels over an 18-month period which targeted nuclear sites in the UK, France, Belgium and the Netherlands, researchers have said.
"Analysis by the International Institute of Strategic Studies (IISS) of 144 incidents in more than a dozen countries beginning in late 2024 concluded Russian intelligence had operated with “substantial impunity”, leaving authorities across Europe flat-footed and confused.
"Drones were repeatedly spotted over airbases and airports, yet none were captured or shot down by western militaries, exposing a strategic failure in Nato air defences that the thinktank said had been quietly acknowledged across Europe."
I think that is concerning. I also think that current MoD spending priorities don't seem well aligned with this sort of threat. The DIP does have a focus on drones, cybersecurity and munitions, which I think everyone welcomes, but do we need two aircraft carriers? Do we need more fighter jets and to have "Europe's first 6th Generation Air Force"?
Yes, we do.
Because threats other than drones and cyber attacks exist.
Enemies are annoying like that (as Herman Kahn) observed. They always do the most inconvenient things - almost as if they are trying to avoid your defences or something.
For example, you build drone defences. Nice. Then someone lobs a ballistic missile at you. Whoops.
Drones are just cheaper, less capable (in a number of ways) missiles.
And they’ve been around a long time.
1964, capable of 3500 miles of flight at Mach 3.3+, at 90,000 feet.
You need a B52 to launch it, though. And its operation history was exceedingly brief and unsuccessful.
Good Morning one and all. Late today, as I had an early hospital appointment.
All sorted now, for four months, thankfully.
On topic, I don't quite understand the personal hostility to Ed M; somewhat odd-looking, rather geeky appearing admittedly but on his podcast he comes across as quite a reasonable, indeed sensible chap.
Glad the appointment went well.
I had 3 in 2 days this week - telephone Leukemia monitoring, dentist for a filling with an "above front teeth" jab which brings back horrible memories of being 7 when I felt smaller than the needle, and then opthalmology for diabetic eye monitoring.
The opthalmalogical nurse could not keep a straight face as she watched the look I was giving the "sting your eyes and blind you for the next 3 hours in normal daylight" eyedrops as they approached. I felt like a cat being given a tablet:
There was quite a good account of "how to give a cat a tablet" circulating a couple of years ago. Including bandaging oneself and getting the cat down from the top of the kitchen cabinet.
I appreciate some people here doubt the reality of the Russian threat. And, certainly, I don't think the Red Army is very likely to be rolling over the plains of Central Europe all the way to the channel any time soon. But this is disturbing, no?
"The Kremlin orchestrated a concerted surveillance campaign using drones launched from shadow fleet vessels over an 18-month period which targeted nuclear sites in the UK, France, Belgium and the Netherlands, researchers have said.
"Analysis by the International Institute of Strategic Studies (IISS) of 144 incidents in more than a dozen countries beginning in late 2024 concluded Russian intelligence had operated with “substantial impunity”, leaving authorities across Europe flat-footed and confused.
"Drones were repeatedly spotted over airbases and airports, yet none were captured or shot down by western militaries, exposing a strategic failure in Nato air defences that the thinktank said had been quietly acknowledged across Europe."
We shouldn't be able to buy drones on amazon. At a minimum they should be licensed and registered to the same level as cars, personally I'd restrict them much further and treat them like planes.
How?
That just means that the bad actors move to kits - the basic bits and pieces can’t be banned. “Possession if an electric motor”?
Incidentally, the next piece of fun that technology will give us, is the collapse of gun control.
At the moment, 3D printing and CNC milling hasn’t done this - because barrels and ammunition are hard to make.
What is coming is coil guns. Electromagnets firing projectiles.
There are no explosives required - the design at the moment use high end power tool batteries. All the parts can be 3D printed or made from metal rod etc bought from a DIY store. The coils can be hand wound. You’d need a 3D printer, some hand tools and soldering iron.
Fully automatic weapon, silent, no rifling marks on the projectile and no propellant gas residue for forensics.
The current designs are a bit lore powerful than air guns - might well be lethal now, but their power is growing year by year.
Could you make them have some authenticator code they emit when airborne perhaps?
How do you stop someone turning that off, breaking it etc?
You aren't going to be able to stop people sometimes breaking the rules. But they are not something to be encouraged, they are easily turned into weapons, used for prison smuggling, snooping, privacy invasions, a noise nuisance and can be dangerous if owners are careless or reckless with them.
I see Brighton are banning them from all their public parks and public spaces, a step in the right direction.
You can’t turn back the tide. This stuff is out there. There is little or no technology that is specific to drones, to block.
If you are worried about that, wait till you see what is coming down the road in biotechnology. New Rose Hotel made real…
...Incidentally, the next piece of fun that technology will give us, is the collapse of gun control.
At the moment, 3D printing and CNC milling hasn’t done this - because barrels and ammunition are hard to make.
What is coming is coil guns. Electromagnets firing projectiles.
There are no explosives required - the design at the moment use high end power tool batteries. All the parts can be 3D printed or made from metal rod etc bought from a DIY store. The coils can be hand wound. You’d need a 3D printer, some hand tools and soldering iron.
Fully automatic weapon, silent, no rifling marks on the projectile and no propellant gas residue for forensics.
The current designs are a bit lore powerful than air guns - might well be lethal now, but their power is growing year by year...
Is that still true? I know ArcLabs made a good try at Gauss rifles. But those were four or so years ago now and they've given up. Coilguns have a maximum velocity dictated by physics. Combustion-based weaponry - the "fire" in "firearms" - is a simple, mature technology with known and scalable elements: moar propellant, moar bullet. Electro-magnetic weapons will need a shit-ton of money to bring them up to the point where hundreds of thousands can be made and work reliably in the field. Musk did it for rockets, the military is (this surprised me - I thought they'd given up) still working on railguns but there's no mad big daddy for coilguns. It's all blokes in sheds
Good Morning one and all. Late today, as I had an early hospital appointment.
All sorted now, for four months, thankfully.
On topic, I don't quite understand the personal hostility to Ed M; somewhat odd-looking, rather geeky appearing admittedly but on his podcast he comes across as quite a reasonable, indeed sensible chap.
Glad the appointment went well.
I had 3 in 2 days this week - telephone Leukemia monitoring, dentist for a filling with an "above front teeth" jab which brings back horrible memories of being 7 when I felt smaller than the needle, and then opthalmology for diabetic eye monitoring.
The opthalmalogical nurse could not keep a straight face as she watched the look I was giving the "sting your eyes and blind you for the next 3 hours in normal daylight" eyedrops as they approached. I felt like a cat being given a tablet:
There was quite a good account of "how to give a cat a tablet" circulating a couple of years ago. Including bandaging oneself and getting the cat down from the top of the kitchen cabinet.
Just use pill assist pockets, which wrap around the pill. Our cat scarfs them down.
Good Morning one and all. Late today, as I had an early hospital appointment.
All sorted now, for four months, thankfully.
On topic, I don't quite understand the personal hostility to Ed M; somewhat odd-looking, rather geeky appearing admittedly but on his podcast he comes across as quite a reasonable, indeed sensible chap.
Glad the appointment went well.
I had 3 in 2 days this week - telephone Leukemia monitoring, dentist for a filling with an "above front teeth" jab which brings back horrible memories of being 7 when I felt smaller than the needle, and then opthalmology for diabetic eye monitoring.
The opthalmalogical nurse could not keep a straight face as she watched the look I was giving the "sting your eyes and blind you for the next 3 hours in normal daylight" eyedrops as they approached. I felt like a cat being given a tablet:
There was quite a good account of "how to give a cat a tablet" circulating a couple of years ago. Including bandaging oneself and getting the cat down from the top of the kitchen cabinet.
Just use pill assist pockets, which wrap around the pill. Our cat scarfs them down.
Good Morning one and all. Late today, as I had an early hospital appointment.
All sorted now, for four months, thankfully.
On topic, I don't quite understand the personal hostility to Ed M; somewhat odd-looking, rather geeky appearing admittedly but on his podcast he comes across as quite a reasonable, indeed sensible chap.
Glad the appointment went well.
I had 3 in 2 days this week - telephone Leukemia monitoring, dentist for a filling with an "above front teeth" jab which brings back horrible memories of being 7 when I felt smaller than the needle, and then opthalmology for diabetic eye monitoring.
The opthalmalogical nurse could not keep a straight face as she watched the look I was giving the "sting your eyes and blind you for the next 3 hours in normal daylight" eyedrops as they approached. I felt like a cat being given a tablet:
There was quite a good account of "how to give a cat a tablet" circulating a couple of years ago. Including bandaging oneself and getting the cat down from the top of the kitchen cabinet.
Just use pill assist pockets, which wrap around the pill. Our cat scarfs them down.
we had to resort to crushing the pill and mixing with one of those lickable sachets
I appreciate some people here doubt the reality of the Russian threat. And, certainly, I don't think the Red Army is very likely to be rolling over the plains of Central Europe all the way to the channel any time soon. But this is disturbing, no?
"The Kremlin orchestrated a concerted surveillance campaign using drones launched from shadow fleet vessels over an 18-month period which targeted nuclear sites in the UK, France, Belgium and the Netherlands, researchers have said.
"Analysis by the International Institute of Strategic Studies (IISS) of 144 incidents in more than a dozen countries beginning in late 2024 concluded Russian intelligence had operated with “substantial impunity”, leaving authorities across Europe flat-footed and confused.
"Drones were repeatedly spotted over airbases and airports, yet none were captured or shot down by western militaries, exposing a strategic failure in Nato air defences that the thinktank said had been quietly acknowledged across Europe."
I think that is concerning. I also think that current MoD spending priorities don't seem well aligned with this sort of threat. The DIP does have a focus on drones, cybersecurity and munitions, which I think everyone welcomes, but do we need two aircraft carriers? Do we need more fighter jets and to have "Europe's first 6th Generation Air Force"?
Yes, we do.
Because threats other than drones and cyber attacks exist.
Enemies are annoying like that (as Herman Kahn) observed. They always do the most inconvenient things - almost as if they are trying to avoid your defences or something.
For example, you build drone defences. Nice. Then someone lobs a ballistic missile at you. Whoops.
Drones are just cheaper, less capable (in a number of ways) missiles.
And they’ve been around a long time.
1964, capable of 3500 miles of flight at Mach 3.3+, at 90,000 feet.
You need a B52 to launch it, though. And its operation history was exceedingly brief and unsuccessful.
Because of tech limitations of 60 years ago. The failure were a combination of lack of self monitoring and guidance. These days, the drone would check out its systems before launch and guidance would be accurate to a couple of meters.
The reason for the B52 was to carry it to near China. You could ground launch it with a solid booster fairly easily - if you were in a thousand miles of where you wanted it to go. For a round trip.
Good Morning one and all. Late today, as I had an early hospital appointment.
All sorted now, for four months, thankfully.
On topic, I don't quite understand the personal hostility to Ed M; somewhat odd-looking, rather geeky appearing admittedly but on his podcast he comes across as quite a reasonable, indeed sensible chap.
Glad the appointment went well.
I had 3 in 2 days this week - telephone Leukemia monitoring, dentist for a filling with an "above front teeth" jab which brings back horrible memories of being 7 when I felt smaller than the needle, and then opthalmology for diabetic eye monitoring.
The opthalmalogical nurse could not keep a straight face as she watched the look I was giving the "sting your eyes and blind you for the next 3 hours in normal daylight" eyedrops as they approached. I felt like a cat being given a tablet:
There was quite a good account of "how to give a cat a tablet" circulating a couple of years ago. Including bandaging oneself and getting the cat down from the top of the kitchen cabinet.
There's an excellent description in James Herriot of giving a tablet to a cat called Boris, and it sounds just like the real one other than that it was extremely fit.
Good Morning one and all. Late today, as I had an early hospital appointment.
All sorted now, for four months, thankfully.
On topic, I don't quite understand the personal hostility to Ed M; somewhat odd-looking, rather geeky appearing admittedly but on his podcast he comes across as quite a reasonable, indeed sensible chap.
Glad the appointment went well.
I had 3 in 2 days this week - telephone Leukemia monitoring, dentist for a filling with an "above front teeth" jab which brings back horrible memories of being 7 when I felt smaller than the needle, and then opthalmology for diabetic eye monitoring.
The opthalmalogical nurse could not keep a straight face as she watched the look I was giving the "sting your eyes and blind you for the next 3 hours in normal daylight" eyedrops as they approached. I felt like a cat being given a tablet:
There was quite a good account of "how to give a cat a tablet" circulating a couple of years ago. Including bandaging oneself and getting the cat down from the top of the kitchen cabinet.
Just use pill assist pockets, which wrap around the pill. Our cat scarfs them down.
we had to resort to crushing the pill and mixing with one of those lickable sachets
We used to use squashy cat treats, wrapping the pill nicely. Worked for a while but then the cat got wise and started spitting the pill out and swallowing the treat.
...Incidentally, the next piece of fun that technology will give us, is the collapse of gun control.
At the moment, 3D printing and CNC milling hasn’t done this - because barrels and ammunition are hard to make.
What is coming is coil guns. Electromagnets firing projectiles.
There are no explosives required - the design at the moment use high end power tool batteries. All the parts can be 3D printed or made from metal rod etc bought from a DIY store. The coils can be hand wound. You’d need a 3D printer, some hand tools and soldering iron.
Fully automatic weapon, silent, no rifling marks on the projectile and no propellant gas residue for forensics.
The current designs are a bit lore powerful than air guns - might well be lethal now, but their power is growing year by year...
Is that still true? I know ArcLabs made a good try at Gauss rifles. But those were four or so years ago now and they've given up. Coilguns have a maximum velocity dictated by physics. Combustion-based weaponry - the "fire" in "firearms" - is a simple, mature technology with known and scalable elements: moar propellant, moar bullet. Electro-magnetic weapons will need a shit-ton of money to bring them up to the point where hundreds of thousands can be made and work reliably in the field. Musk did it for rockets, the military is (this surprised me - I thought they'd given up) still working on railguns but there's no mad big daddy for coilguns. It's all blokes in sheds
Good Morning one and all. Late today, as I had an early hospital appointment.
All sorted now, for four months, thankfully.
On topic, I don't quite understand the personal hostility to Ed M; somewhat odd-looking, rather geeky appearing admittedly but on his podcast he comes across as quite a reasonable, indeed sensible chap.
Glad the appointment went well.
I had 3 in 2 days this week - telephone Leukemia monitoring, dentist for a filling with an "above front teeth" jab which brings back horrible memories of being 7 when I felt smaller than the needle, and then opthalmology for diabetic eye monitoring.
The opthalmalogical nurse could not keep a straight face as she watched the look I was giving the "sting your eyes and blind you for the next 3 hours in normal daylight" eyedrops as they approached. I felt like a cat being given a tablet:
There was quite a good account of "how to give a cat a tablet" circulating a couple of years ago. Including bandaging oneself and getting the cat down from the top of the kitchen cabinet.
There's an excellent description in James Herriot of giving a tablet to a cat called Boris, and it sounds just like the real one other than that it was extremely fit.
I don't think we've ever had a cat which was that co-operative with anything.
I’d chime in, but this thread has already taken too heavy a toll.
I was going to compare the cabinet to a band of bell ringers, but thought it a far too camp analogy.
All bell ringers and all church choirs are like different aspects of the Canterbury tales.
My forever favourite anecdote was with the small professional choir of St Bartholomew the Great, Smithfield, in the Rising Sun pub opposite in about 1998 - when I was living near the Barbican for a couple of years.
There was a conversation about "how heavy is a boob", so one of the men asked to try it out, and one of the women let him. So they sat there in the pub with the gent weighing the lady's fairly large left boob in his hand up and down as one would assess the weight of something like a haggis or a ball of dough when preparing to bake a loaf.
The great strength of PB is that it remains Britain’s premier meeting place for people who think deeply about defence procurement, councillor attrition rates, 1970s R&B, test cricket, Coldplay aversion, Andy Burnham’s calves, and UK politics as a Doctor Who regeneration cycle.
Frankly, if the security services aren’t monitoring this place, that’s the real scandal.
Five African teams have played in the Round of 32 so far.
Only one was losing in the 85th minute of their match: Morocco.
Only one advanced: Morocco.
So I thought that Congo were excellent last night but they were visibly really tired in the last 15-20 minutes. Tremendous workrate up to that point.
Senegal were 2-0 up just before the 90-minute mark, and £100,000 was traded at 1.02 on Betfair, before they conceded two goals at 86 and 89 minutes then lost in extra time to a last-minute penalty.
Five African teams have played in the Round of 32 so far.
Only one was losing in the 85th minute of their match: Morocco.
Only one advanced: Morocco.
So I thought that Congo were excellent last night but they were visibly really tired in the last 15-20 minutes. Tremendous workrate up to that point.
Senegal were 2-0 up just before the 90-minute mark, and £100,000 was traded at 1.02 on Betfair, before they conceded two goals at 86 and 89 minutes then lost in extra time to a last-minute penalty.
I was sitting on a decent chunk of Congo to qualify up until England scored. The trick is to know the future.
PS - not related to the subject we don’t talk about.
“ 'I've been terrorised all my childhood by this man, and he's going to be back out in society?'
As part of government reforms aimed at combating prison overcrowding, jail sentences could be reduced by over half for all but those serving extended or life sentences.
Carol Higgins, who was repeatedly raped by her father, speaks to Channel 4 News after receiving a letter saying her attacker may be released early under the scheme.”
...Incidentally, the next piece of fun that technology will give us, is the collapse of gun control.
At the moment, 3D printing and CNC milling hasn’t done this - because barrels and ammunition are hard to make.
What is coming is coil guns. Electromagnets firing projectiles.
There are no explosives required - the design at the moment use high end power tool batteries. All the parts can be 3D printed or made from metal rod etc bought from a DIY store. The coils can be hand wound. You’d need a 3D printer, some hand tools and soldering iron.
Fully automatic weapon, silent, no rifling marks on the projectile and no propellant gas residue for forensics.
The current designs are a bit lore powerful than air guns - might well be lethal now, but their power is growing year by year...
Is that still true? I know ArcLabs made a good try at Gauss rifles. But those were four or so years ago now and they've given up. Coilguns have a maximum velocity dictated by physics. Combustion-based weaponry - the "fire" in "firearms" - is a simple, mature technology with known and scalable elements: moar propellant, moar bullet. Electro-magnetic weapons will need a shit-ton of money to bring them up to the point where hundreds of thousands can be made and work reliably in the field. Musk did it for rockets, the military is (this surprised me - I thought they'd given up) still working on railguns but there's no mad big daddy for coilguns. It's all blokes in sheds
...Incidentally, the next piece of fun that technology will give us, is the collapse of gun control.
At the moment, 3D printing and CNC milling hasn’t done this - because barrels and ammunition are hard to make.
What is coming is coil guns. Electromagnets firing projectiles.
There are no explosives required - the design at the moment use high end power tool batteries. All the parts can be 3D printed or made from metal rod etc bought from a DIY store. The coils can be hand wound. You’d need a 3D printer, some hand tools and soldering iron.
Fully automatic weapon, silent, no rifling marks on the projectile and no propellant gas residue for forensics.
The current designs are a bit lore powerful than air guns - might well be lethal now, but their power is growing year by year...
Is that still true? I know ArcLabs made a good try at Gauss rifles. But those were four or so years ago now and they've given up. Coilguns have a maximum velocity dictated by physics. Combustion-based weaponry - the "fire" in "firearms" - is a simple, mature technology with known and scalable elements: moar propellant, moar bullet. Electro-magnetic weapons will need a shit-ton of money to bring them up to the point where hundreds of thousands can be made and work reliably in the field. Musk did it for rockets, the military is (this surprised me - I thought they'd given up) still working on railguns but there's no mad big daddy for coilguns. It's all blokes in sheds
...Incidentally, the next piece of fun that technology will give us, is the collapse of gun control.
At the moment, 3D printing and CNC milling hasn’t done this - because barrels and ammunition are hard to make.
What is coming is coil guns. Electromagnets firing projectiles.
There are no explosives required - the design at the moment use high end power tool batteries. All the parts can be 3D printed or made from metal rod etc bought from a DIY store. The coils can be hand wound. You’d need a 3D printer, some hand tools and soldering iron.
Fully automatic weapon, silent, no rifling marks on the projectile and no propellant gas residue for forensics.
The current designs are a bit lore powerful than air guns - might well be lethal now, but their power is growing year by year...
Is that still true? I know ArcLabs made a good try at Gauss rifles. But those were four or so years ago now and they've given up. Coilguns have a maximum velocity dictated by physics. Combustion-based weaponry - the "fire" in "firearms" - is a simple, mature technology with known and scalable elements: moar propellant, moar bullet. Electro-magnetic weapons will need a shit-ton of money to bring them up to the point where hundreds of thousands can be made and work reliably in the field. Musk did it for rockets, the military is (this surprised me - I thought they'd given up) still working on railguns but there's no mad big daddy for coilguns. It's all blokes in sheds
Good Morning one and all. Late today, as I had an early hospital appointment.
All sorted now, for four months, thankfully.
On topic, I don't quite understand the personal hostility to Ed M; somewhat odd-looking, rather geeky appearing admittedly but on his podcast he comes across as quite a reasonable, indeed sensible chap.
Glad the appointment went well.
I had 3 in 2 days this week - telephone Leukemia monitoring, dentist for a filling with an "above front teeth" jab which brings back horrible memories of being 7 when I felt smaller than the needle, and then opthalmology for diabetic eye monitoring.
The opthalmalogical nurse could not keep a straight face as she watched the look I was giving the "sting your eyes and blind you for the next 3 hours in normal daylight" eyedrops as they approached. I felt like a cat being given a tablet:
There was quite a good account of "how to give a cat a tablet" circulating a couple of years ago. Including bandaging oneself and getting the cat down from the top of the kitchen cabinet.
Which is why cat medicine has often now moved to liquid you can put a few drops of onto their food.
So I'm bored and randomly looking at websites rather than working - and I've just seen this advert where a comma would be very helpful in the title which currently reads 'Reduced Quality toy Cavapoo puppies toy poodle'
The great strength of PB is that it remains Britain’s premier meeting place for people who think deeply about defence procurement, councillor attrition rates, 1970s R&B, test cricket, Coldplay aversion, Andy Burnham’s calves, and UK politics as a Doctor Who regeneration cycle.
Frankly, if the security services aren’t monitoring this place, that’s the real scandal.
I want an attrition rate on bloody Reform MPs.
Time to do some things - have a good day, all.
40% of the Reform MPs elected at the last general election are gone.
Only 50% of the current Parliamentary party were elected on a Reform ticket.
PS - not related to the subject we don’t talk about.
“ 'I've been terrorised all my childhood by this man, and he's going to be back out in society?'
As part of government reforms aimed at combating prison overcrowding, jail sentences could be reduced by over half for all but those serving extended or life sentences.
Carol Higgins, who was repeatedly raped by her father, speaks to Channel 4 News after receiving a letter saying her attacker may be released early under the scheme.”
Trouble is, if left to victims, there'd not be many let out at all, ever. Best to rely on the trusted old formula:-
1. increase sentences to assuage headline writers 2. not realise this means the prison population will rise 3. release prisoners early to ease pressure, so a bit like shorter sentences but without the benefit of planned rehabilitation and preparation for life outside
Came here 20 years ago from Somalia, did voluntary work, got a degree, worked in the public sector, became a councillor and seems like he’s done a good job.
Came here 20 years ago from Somalia, did voluntary work, got a degree, worked in the public sector, became a councillor and seems like he’s done a good job.
… in reply to…
The only question that remains is how much of this is an act, and how much is the real man?
Came here 20 years ago from Somalia, did voluntary work, got a degree, worked in the public sector, became a councillor and seems like he’s done a good job.
… in reply to…
I wonder how Nadhim Zahawi, an Iraqi REFUGEE, feels about Goodwin’s stance.
Came here 20 years ago from Somalia, did voluntary work, got a degree, worked in the public sector, became a councillor and seems like he’s done a good job.
… in reply to…
Also: the Lord Mayor isn't really 'running' the city, is he? He's a figurehead - he gets to wear the mayoral regalia. He's like a municipal constitutional monarch.
I'm right up the immigration-sceptic end of the spectrum, but I can't get exercised about this at all. He looks to me very much like he's integrating. This is what we want, surely?
Good Morning one and all. Late today, as I had an early hospital appointment.
All sorted now, for four months, thankfully.
On topic, I don't quite understand the personal hostility to Ed M; somewhat odd-looking, rather geeky appearing admittedly but on his podcast he comes across as quite a reasonable, indeed sensible chap.
Glad the appointment went well.
I had 3 in 2 days this week - telephone Leukemia monitoring, dentist for a filling with an "above front teeth" jab which brings back horrible memories of being 7 when I felt smaller than the needle, and then opthalmology for diabetic eye monitoring.
The opthalmalogical nurse could not keep a straight face as she watched the look I was giving the "sting your eyes and blind you for the next 3 hours in normal daylight" eyedrops as they approached. I felt like a cat being given a tablet:
There was quite a good account of "how to give a cat a tablet" circulating a couple of years ago. Including bandaging oneself and getting the cat down from the top of the kitchen cabinet.
There's an excellent description in James Herriot of giving a tablet to a cat called Boris, and it sounds just like the real one other than that it was extremely fit.
I don't think we've ever had a cat which was that co-operative with anything.
Going back to the header, anyone who has successfully given medicine to a cat ought to be made Chancellor.
If you can persuade/trick a cat into swallowing unpleasant medicine, you might have half a chance with the British electorate.
Came here 20 years ago from Somalia, did voluntary work, got a degree, worked in the public sector, became a councillor and seems like he’s done a good job.
… in reply to…
Would Goodwin be saying the same about a refugee from Ukraine?
PS - not related to the subject we don’t talk about.
“ 'I've been terrorised all my childhood by this man, and he's going to be back out in society?'
As part of government reforms aimed at combating prison overcrowding, jail sentences could be reduced by over half for all but those serving extended or life sentences.
Carol Higgins, who was repeatedly raped by her father, speaks to Channel 4 News after receiving a letter saying her attacker may be released early under the scheme.”
Trouble is, if left to victims, there'd not be many let out at all, ever. Best to rely on the trusted old formula:-
1. increase sentences to assuage headline writers 2. not realise this means the prison population will rise 3. release prisoners early to ease pressure, so a bit like shorter sentences but without the benefit of planned rehabilitation and preparation for life outside
What could go wrong?
The USA manages to incarcerate about 1.9 million people which if translated to the population of UK would be 380,000 prisoners. Yet their violent crime rate is still higher than ours. If you apply Daily Mail logic, the number of prisoners in the USA should have reduced crime to about zero. Correlation isn't causation of course, but lower incarceration rates chime nicely with lower levels of violent crime.
No, if I were a victim, I wouldn't want to know this either.
Came here 20 years ago from Somalia, did voluntary work, got a degree, worked in the public sector, became a councillor and seems like he’s done a good job.
… in reply to…
Wow. Goodwin seems to have scrapped any of the intellectual patina - 'the economic and social considerations of large-wave immigration' etc. - and is embracing pure racial hatred. I wonder what went on in his head. Is it some kind of psychotic incident or, like Enoch Powell before him, does he simply get a buzz being lionized by the bovver boys?
Came here 20 years ago from Somalia, did voluntary work, got a degree, worked in the public sector, became a councillor and seems like he’s done a good job.
… in reply to…
Would Goodwin be saying the same about a refugee from Ukraine?
Goodwin once again invoking Godwin’s Law by proxy...
PS - not related to the subject we don’t talk about.
“ 'I've been terrorised all my childhood by this man, and he's going to be back out in society?'
As part of government reforms aimed at combating prison overcrowding, jail sentences could be reduced by over half for all but those serving extended or life sentences.
Carol Higgins, who was repeatedly raped by her father, speaks to Channel 4 News after receiving a letter saying her attacker may be released early under the scheme.”
Trouble is, if left to victims, there'd not be many let out at all, ever. Best to rely on the trusted old formula:-
1. increase sentences to assuage headline writers 2. not realise this means the prison population will rise 3. release prisoners early to ease pressure, so a bit like shorter sentences but without the benefit of planned rehabilitation and preparation for life outside
What could go wrong?
The USA manages to incarcerate about 1.9 million people which if translated to the population of UK would be 380,000 prisoners. Yet their violent crime rate is still higher than ours. If you apply Daily Mail logic, the number of prisoners in the USA should have reduced crime to about zero. Correlation isn't causation of course, but lower incarceration rates chime nicely with lower levels of violent crime.
No, if I were a victim, I wouldn't want to know this either.
That’s what happens in a country that fetishises guns.
Came here 20 years ago from Somalia, did voluntary work, got a degree, worked in the public sector, became a councillor and seems like he’s done a good job.
… in reply to…
Also: the Lord Mayor isn't really 'running' the city, is he? He's a figurehead - he gets to wear the mayoral regalia. He's like a municipal constitutional monarch.
I'm right up the immigration-sceptic end of the spectrum, but I can't get exercised about this at all. He looks to me very much like he's integrating. This is what we want, surely?
Same here
I think it’s nice to see a positive story of Somali migration and integration and actual economic participation for a change
Came here 20 years ago from Somalia, did voluntary work, got a degree, worked in the public sector, became a councillor and seems like he’s done a good job.
… in reply to…
I didn't believe this was possible even from Goodwin in his current incarnation, it looked so like a spoofed exaggeration, Private Eye style. I checked. It isn't.
And this bit of 1930s Germanic smearing is from respectable non racist Reform, not outlier racist Restore.
Came here 20 years ago from Somalia, did voluntary work, got a degree, worked in the public sector, became a councillor and seems like he’s done a good job.
… in reply to…
Would Goodwin be saying the same about a refugee from Ukraine?
Now that he’s crossed the rubicon and is singing the MAGA greatest hits, it’s possible he might. His entire business model appears to be saying things that’ll get the most clicks and likes from American extremists.
Came here 20 years ago from Somalia, did voluntary work, got a degree, worked in the public sector, became a councillor and seems like he’s done a good job.
… in reply to…
Would Goodwin be saying the same about a refugee from Ukraine?
Isaiah Berlin, Karl Popper, Alfred Dubs. A retrospective Reform party act is needed to chuck them all out.
Came here 20 years ago from Somalia, did voluntary work, got a degree, worked in the public sector, became a councillor and seems like he’s done a good job.
… in reply to…
Would Goodwin be saying the same about a refugee from Ukraine?
Now that he’s crossed the rubicon and is singing the MAGA greatest hits, it’s possible he might. His entire business model appears to be saying things that’ll get the most clicks and likes from American extremists.
Isn't the Lord Mayor a purely ceremonial role?
Not the same as a Mayor of say Manchester who actually has authority and power etc.
Came here 20 years ago from Somalia, did voluntary work, got a degree, worked in the public sector, became a councillor and seems like he’s done a good job.
… in reply to…
Wow. Goodwin seems to have scrapped any of the intellectual patina - 'the economic and social considerations of large-wave immigration' etc. - and is embracing pure racial hatred. I wonder what went on in his head. Is it some kind of psychotic incident or, like Enoch Powell before him, does he simply get a buzz being lionized by the bovver boys?
Can we go back to talking about bell ringing instead of bell ends ?
I used to drive part Moffett Field every time I visited San Jose. Didn't really these were constructed of Douglas fir. The detail in the close up pic is remarkable.
Google Salvages a WWII Airship Hangar’s Wooden Roof for Mass Timber Google deconstructed Hangar 3 at Moffett Field board by board, salvaging 119,000 board feet of Douglas fir and remanufacturing 66,000 of it into mass timber for new offices in Oregon. https://woodcentral.com.au/google-wwii-hangar-mass-timber/
Came here 20 years ago from Somalia, did voluntary work, got a degree, worked in the public sector, became a councillor and seems like he’s done a good job.
… in reply to…
Would Goodwin be saying the same about a refugee from Ukraine?
Now that he’s crossed the rubicon and is singing the MAGA greatest hits, it’s possible he might. His entire business model appears to be saying things that’ll get the most clicks and likes from American extremists.
Isn't the Lord Mayor a purely ceremonial role?
Not the same as a Mayor of say Manchester who actually has authority and power etc.
Ceremonial usually with fund raising attached. It's usually given to long serving councillors in recognise of previous years of service.
Came here 20 years ago from Somalia, did voluntary work, got a degree, worked in the public sector, became a councillor and seems like he’s done a good job.
… in reply to…
Also: the Lord Mayor isn't really 'running' the city, is he? He's a figurehead - he gets to wear the mayoral regalia. He's like a municipal constitutional monarch.
I'm right up the immigration-sceptic end of the spectrum, but I can't get exercised about this at all. He looks to me very much like he's integrating. This is what we want, surely?
Same here
I think it’s nice to see a positive story of Somali migration and integration and actual economic participation for a change
In fact, this post crystallises one of my problems with Reform. I have so many complaints about immigration. The sheer numbers of undesirable immigrants crossing in boats. The criminal elements it introduces. The refusal to deal with the criminal elements robustly. The bending-over-backwards to put the needs and in some cases wants of (some) immigrants before the needs of our own people. The sheer amount of money we’re spending on immigrants (while, simultaneously, and puzzlingly, making it very hard and expensive for immigrants from places like Canada). The sheer squalor of places like Cheetham Hill. The depression of wages. But that very much isn’t to say I have an aversion to all immigrants or all immigration. I recognise the benefits. What I want is for immigrants to buy into Britishness. This is what most of the immigrants I know do. My daughter’s football and cricket clubs are peppered with immigrants and their families. For immigrants – like this guy in Britsol, willing to don silly British clothes – who want to buy into Britishness: this is absolutely brilliant. I love it. It’s not only great for Britain, but great that Britishness is something that people like this want to adopt. I think my views on this are perfectly mainstream.
A perfectly good case could have been made opposing ‘bad’ immigration while welcoming ‘good’. I’d say it would have been popular. Once again, Reform had an electoral open goal which they’ve judiciously aimed a good 45 degrees right of.
Came here 20 years ago from Somalia, did voluntary work, got a degree, worked in the public sector, became a councillor and seems like he’s done a good job.
… in reply to…
I didn't believe this was possible even from Goodwin in his current incarnation, it looked so like a spoofed exaggeration, Private Eye style. I checked. It isn't.
And this bit of 1930s Germanic smearing is from respectable non racist Reform, not outlier racist Restore.
O tempora. O mores.
lol
Somewhat melodramatic but this guy is supposed to be a patriot but was glugging well known Spanish beer, Madri, before an England game
Came here 20 years ago from Somalia, did voluntary work, got a degree, worked in the public sector, became a councillor and seems like he’s done a good job.
… in reply to…
Would Goodwin be saying the same about a refugee from Ukraine?
Isaiah Berlin, Karl Popper, Alfred Dubs. A retrospective Reform party act is needed to chuck them all out.
Came here 20 years ago from Somalia, did voluntary work, got a degree, worked in the public sector, became a councillor and seems like he’s done a good job.
… in reply to…
I wonder how Nadhim Zahawi, an Iraqi REFUGEE, feels about Goodwin’s stance.
Came here 20 years ago from Somalia, did voluntary work, got a degree, worked in the public sector, became a councillor and seems like he’s done a good job.
… in reply to…
Would Goodwin be saying the same about a refugee from Ukraine?
Goodwin once again invoking Godwin’s Law by proxy...
Thing is, we can probably safely ignore MattGPT. But it’s harder to ignore the richest man in the world who regularly posts and promotes similar sentiments on the social media site that he owns.
Came here 20 years ago from Somalia, did voluntary work, got a degree, worked in the public sector, became a councillor and seems like he’s done a good job.
… in reply to…
Would Goodwin be saying the same about a refugee from Ukraine?
Now that he’s crossed the rubicon and is singing the MAGA greatest hits, it’s possible he might. His entire business model appears to be saying things that’ll get the most clicks and likes from American extremists.
Isn't the Lord Mayor a purely ceremonial role?
Not the same as a Mayor of say Manchester who actually has authority and power etc.
Ceremonial usually with fund raising attached. It's usually given to long serving councillors in recognise of previous years of service.
Also, they chair council meetings, which always needs some political heft and has genuine power if the council is sufficiently well-hung.
But yes, a lot of it is handing out awards, unveiling plaques and representing the town. All good Somewhere things.
Came here 20 years ago from Somalia, did voluntary work, got a degree, worked in the public sector, became a councillor and seems like he’s done a good job.
… in reply to…
Would Goodwin be saying the same about a refugee from Ukraine?
Goodwin once again invoking Godwin’s Law by proxy...
Thing is, we can probably safely ignore MattGPT. But it’s harder to ignore the richest man in the world who regularly posts and promotes similar sentiments on the social media site that he owns.
It's very easy to ignore that man, simply don't use his social media platform..
Came here 20 years ago from Somalia, did voluntary work, got a degree, worked in the public sector, became a councillor and seems like he’s done a good job.
… in reply to…
Also: the Lord Mayor isn't really 'running' the city, is he? He's a figurehead - he gets to wear the mayoral regalia. He's like a municipal constitutional monarch.
I'm right up the immigration-sceptic end of the spectrum, but I can't get exercised about this at all. He looks to me very much like he's integrating. This is what we want, surely?
Same here
I think it’s nice to see a positive story of Somali migration and integration and actual economic participation for a change
In fact, this post crystallises one of my problems with Reform. I have so many complaints about immigration. The sheer numbers of undesirable immigrants crossing in boats. The criminal elements it introduces. The refusal to deal with the criminal elements robustly. The bending-over-backwards to put the needs and in some cases wants of (some) immigrants before the needs of our own people. The sheer amount of money we’re spending on immigrants (while, simultaneously, and puzzlingly, making it very hard and expensive for immigrants from places like Canada). The sheer squalor of places like Cheetham Hill. The depression of wages. But that very much isn’t to say I have an aversion to all immigrants or all immigration. I recognise the benefits. What I want is for immigrants to buy into Britishness. This is what most of the immigrants I know do. My daughter’s football and cricket clubs are peppered with immigrants and their families. For immigrants – like this guy in Britsol, willing to don silly British clothes – who want to buy into Britishness: this is absolutely brilliant. I love it. It’s not only great for Britain, but great that Britishness is something that people like this want to adopt. I think my views on this are perfectly mainstream.
A perfectly good case could have been made opposing ‘bad’ immigration while welcoming ‘good’. I’d say it would have been popular. Once again, Reform had an electoral open goal which they’ve judiciously aimed a good 45 degrees right of.
Indeed and I completely agree and I share those concerns which is one of the main reasons I can’t quite commit to Reform.
You said it far more eloquently than I could but you hit the nail on the head.
This man has done what is expected of migrants. He’s come here, trained, got a job, integrated and participated and that’s not enough !!!
Came here 20 years ago from Somalia, did voluntary work, got a degree, worked in the public sector, became a councillor and seems like he’s done a good job.
… in reply to…
Would Goodwin be saying the same about a refugee from Ukraine?
Now that he’s crossed the rubicon and is singing the MAGA greatest hits, it’s possible he might. His entire business model appears to be saying things that’ll get the most clicks and likes from American extremists.
Isn't the Lord Mayor a purely ceremonial role?
Not the same as a Mayor of say Manchester who actually has authority and power etc.
A pedant notes: I think you mean Mayor of Greater Manchester. The Mayor of Manchester (if there is one? I think there is. I know there is a mayor of Trafford) is ceremonial, as are the mayors of the other boroughs.
Came here 20 years ago from Somalia, did voluntary work, got a degree, worked in the public sector, became a councillor and seems like he’s done a good job.
… in reply to…
Also: the Lord Mayor isn't really 'running' the city, is he? He's a figurehead - he gets to wear the mayoral regalia. He's like a municipal constitutional monarch.
I'm right up the immigration-sceptic end of the spectrum, but I can't get exercised about this at all. He looks to me very much like he's integrating. This is what we want, surely?
Same here
I think it’s nice to see a positive story of Somali migration and integration and actual economic participation for a change
In fact, this post crystallises one of my problems with Reform. I have so many complaints about immigration. The sheer numbers of undesirable immigrants crossing in boats. The criminal elements it introduces. The refusal to deal with the criminal elements robustly. The bending-over-backwards to put the needs and in some cases wants of (some) immigrants before the needs of our own people. The sheer amount of money we’re spending on immigrants (while, simultaneously, and puzzlingly, making it very hard and expensive for immigrants from places like Canada). The sheer squalor of places like Cheetham Hill. The depression of wages. But that very much isn’t to say I have an aversion to all immigrants or all immigration. I recognise the benefits. What I want is for immigrants to buy into Britishness. This is what most of the immigrants I know do. My daughter’s football and cricket clubs are peppered with immigrants and their families. For immigrants – like this guy in Britsol, willing to don silly British clothes – who want to buy into Britishness: this is absolutely brilliant. I love it. It’s not only great for Britain, but great that Britishness is something that people like this want to adopt. I think my views on this are perfectly mainstream.
A perfectly good case could have been made opposing ‘bad’ immigration while welcoming ‘good’. I’d say it would have been popular. Once again, Reform had an electoral open goal which they’ve judiciously aimed a good 45 degrees right of.
I agree, but I think what you miss is that Reform don’t want what we want. We see an integrated immigrant becoming Lord Mayor and think, "great, more of the same please".
For at least part of Reform’s coalition, the objection isn’t just illegal immigration or failed integration. It’s demographic and cultural change itself. From that perspective, Goodwin’s post isn’t a blunder at all. It’s entirely consistent.
Came here 20 years ago from Somalia, did voluntary work, got a degree, worked in the public sector, became a councillor and seems like he’s done a good job.
… in reply to…
I didn't believe this was possible even from Goodwin in his current incarnation, it looked so like a spoofed exaggeration, Private Eye style. I checked. It isn't.
And this bit of 1930s Germanic smearing is from respectable non racist Reform, not outlier racist Restore.
O tempora. O mores.
Indeed - I personally find that post disgusting. Is it a) he’s gone down an internet rabbit hole and is simply straight out racist now or b) simply the mask has slipped / been cast aside.
It does seem a shame as - although I did not always agree with him - he had some interesting and challenging perspectives (at least when he was more of an academic than failed Reform candidate.
Came here 20 years ago from Somalia, did voluntary work, got a degree, worked in the public sector, became a councillor and seems like he’s done a good job.
… in reply to…
Would Goodwin be saying the same about a refugee from Ukraine?
Now that he’s crossed the rubicon and is singing the MAGA greatest hits, it’s possible he might. His entire business model appears to be saying things that’ll get the most clicks and likes from American extremists.
Isn't the Lord Mayor a purely ceremonial role?
Not the same as a Mayor of say Manchester who actually has authority and power etc.
A pedant notes: I think you mean Mayor of Greater Manchester. The Mayor of Manchester (if there is one? I think there is. I know there is a mayor of Trafford) is ceremonial, as are the mayors of the other boroughs.
Came here 20 years ago from Somalia, did voluntary work, got a degree, worked in the public sector, became a councillor and seems like he’s done a good job.
… in reply to…
Also: the Lord Mayor isn't really 'running' the city, is he? He's a figurehead - he gets to wear the mayoral regalia. He's like a municipal constitutional monarch.
I'm right up the immigration-sceptic end of the spectrum, but I can't get exercised about this at all. He looks to me very much like he's integrating. This is what we want, surely?
Same here
I think it’s nice to see a positive story of Somali migration and integration and actual economic participation for a change
In fact, this post crystallises one of my problems with Reform. I have so many complaints about immigration. The sheer numbers of undesirable immigrants crossing in boats. The criminal elements it introduces. The refusal to deal with the criminal elements robustly. The bending-over-backwards to put the needs and in some cases wants of (some) immigrants before the needs of our own people. The sheer amount of money we’re spending on immigrants (while, simultaneously, and puzzlingly, making it very hard and expensive for immigrants from places like Canada). The sheer squalor of places like Cheetham Hill. The depression of wages. But that very much isn’t to say I have an aversion to all immigrants or all immigration. I recognise the benefits. What I want is for immigrants to buy into Britishness. This is what most of the immigrants I know do. My daughter’s football and cricket clubs are peppered with immigrants and their families. For immigrants – like this guy in Britsol, willing to don silly British clothes – who want to buy into Britishness: this is absolutely brilliant. I love it. It’s not only great for Britain, but great that Britishness is something that people like this want to adopt. I think my views on this are perfectly mainstream.
A perfectly good case could have been made opposing ‘bad’ immigration while welcoming ‘good’. I’d say it would have been popular. Once again, Reform had an electoral open goal which they’ve judiciously aimed a good 45 degrees right of.
Excellent post and I very much agree. Where we went wrong in this country was encouraging multiculturalism to the point that communities came here and lived apart, as opposed to joining in with being British and, gently, changing what that meant. Communities that live apart, have a non British ethos, non British views on women and their status, for example, are what has caused most of our difficulties. Those who join in are more than welcome.
Came here 20 years ago from Somalia, did voluntary work, got a degree, worked in the public sector, became a councillor and seems like he’s done a good job.
… in reply to…
Would Goodwin be saying the same about a refugee from Ukraine?
Isaiah Berlin, Karl Popper, Alfred Dubs. A retrospective Reform party act is needed to chuck them all out.
Are Poppers good ?
An excellent remedy for all those wanting an answer to the Humean problem of induction, an introduction to the history of closed minds and why they are bad for you and an outline of how critical realism may be a better answer to the problem of 'what we can know' than critical idealism. Apart from that, of no good at all.
Came here 20 years ago from Somalia, did voluntary work, got a degree, worked in the public sector, became a councillor and seems like he’s done a good job.
… in reply to…
Also: the Lord Mayor isn't really 'running' the city, is he? He's a figurehead - he gets to wear the mayoral regalia. He's like a municipal constitutional monarch.
I'm right up the immigration-sceptic end of the spectrum, but I can't get exercised about this at all. He looks to me very much like he's integrating. This is what we want, surely?
It’s a total British cultural victory is what it is. It’s kind of telling that these chuds can’t see that. Perhaps they’re not actually as proud of British culture as they claim to be?
Came here 20 years ago from Somalia, did voluntary work, got a degree, worked in the public sector, became a councillor and seems like he’s done a good job.
… in reply to…
I didn't believe this was possible even from Goodwin in his current incarnation, it looked so like a spoofed exaggeration, Private Eye style. I checked. It isn't.
And this bit of 1930s Germanic smearing is from respectable non racist Reform, not outlier racist Restore.
O tempora. O mores.
Indeed - I personally find that post disgusting. Is it a) he’s gone down an internet rabbit hole and is simply straight out racist now or b) simply the mask has slipped / been cast aside.
It does seem a shame as - although I did not always agree with him - he had some interesting and challenging perspectives (at least when he was more of an academic than failed Reform candidate.
Yes. There is a genuine political agenda to attend to about the folly of indiscriminate migration, the issues of assimilation, the problem of benefits culture, selective soft policing, far left lunacy, the law's delays, access to courts only for the rich and chancers, violent male sexual behaviour, the education of working class boys, cultural elitism, politics and big money like £5 million, political competence, planning and regulation stifling innovation and business, council house provision and so on. All these things can be attended to from a conservative right of centre position without demonising people on the basis of colour or origin.
PS - not related to the subject we don’t talk about.
“ 'I've been terrorised all my childhood by this man, and he's going to be back out in society?'
As part of government reforms aimed at combating prison overcrowding, jail sentences could be reduced by over half for all but those serving extended or life sentences.
Carol Higgins, who was repeatedly raped by her father, speaks to Channel 4 News after receiving a letter saying her attacker may be released early under the scheme.”
Came here 20 years ago from Somalia, did voluntary work, got a degree, worked in the public sector, became a councillor and seems like he’s done a good job.
… in reply to…
Also: the Lord Mayor isn't really 'running' the city, is he? He's a figurehead - he gets to wear the mayoral regalia. He's like a municipal constitutional monarch.
I'm right up the immigration-sceptic end of the spectrum, but I can't get exercised about this at all. He looks to me very much like he's integrating. This is what we want, surely?
It’s a total British cultural victory is what it is. It’s kind of telling that these chuds can’t see that. Perhaps they’re not actually as proud of British culture as they claim to be?
Their online audience is to a significant extent not British. It’s cross-Atlantic MAGA.
Came here 20 years ago from Somalia, did voluntary work, got a degree, worked in the public sector, became a councillor and seems like he’s done a good job.
… in reply to…
Also: the Lord Mayor isn't really 'running' the city, is he? He's a figurehead - he gets to wear the mayoral regalia. He's like a municipal constitutional monarch.
I'm right up the immigration-sceptic end of the spectrum, but I can't get exercised about this at all. He looks to me very much like he's integrating. This is what we want, surely?
Same here
I think it’s nice to see a positive story of Somali migration and integration and actual economic participation for a change
In fact, this post crystallises one of my problems with Reform. I have so many complaints about immigration. The sheer numbers of undesirable immigrants crossing in boats. The criminal elements it introduces. The refusal to deal with the criminal elements robustly. The bending-over-backwards to put the needs and in some cases wants of (some) immigrants before the needs of our own people. The sheer amount of money we’re spending on immigrants (while, simultaneously, and puzzlingly, making it very hard and expensive for immigrants from places like Canada). The sheer squalor of places like Cheetham Hill. The depression of wages. But that very much isn’t to say I have an aversion to all immigrants or all immigration. I recognise the benefits. What I want is for immigrants to buy into Britishness. This is what most of the immigrants I know do. My daughter’s football and cricket clubs are peppered with immigrants and their families. For immigrants – like this guy in Britsol, willing to don silly British clothes – who want to buy into Britishness: this is absolutely brilliant. I love it. It’s not only great for Britain, but great that Britishness is something that people like this want to adopt. I think my views on this are perfectly mainstream.
A perfectly good case could have been made opposing ‘bad’ immigration while welcoming ‘good’. I’d say it would have been popular. Once again, Reform had an electoral open goal which they’ve judiciously aimed a good 45 degrees right of.
I agree, but I think what you miss is that Reform don’t want what we want. We see an integrated immigrant becoming Lord Mayor and think, "great, more of the same please".
For at least part of Reform’s coalition, the objection isn’t just illegal immigration or failed integration. It’s demographic and cultural change itself. From that perspective, Goodwin’s post isn’t a blunder at all. It’s entirely consistent.
To want to nudge the future in a particular direction is politics. To address what has already happened WRT who is lawfully living here by attacking its foundations and opposing assimilation, and wanting to demonise and reverse it is a starting point for the genuine fascist.
PS - not related to the subject we don’t talk about.
“ 'I've been terrorised all my childhood by this man, and he's going to be back out in society?'
As part of government reforms aimed at combating prison overcrowding, jail sentences could be reduced by over half for all but those serving extended or life sentences.
Carol Higgins, who was repeatedly raped by her father, speaks to Channel 4 News after receiving a letter saying her attacker may be released early under the scheme.”
I don't think even Tommy Robinson would have posted that tweet about the Mayor of Bristol, which tells us how radicalised and racist Matt Goodwin has become. He should be in Restore rather than Reform, if not in some far-right British patriotic splinter group.
I don't think even Tommy Robinson would have posted that tweet about the Mayor of Bristol, which tell us how radicalised and racist Matt Goodwin has become. He should be in Restore rather than Reform, if not in some far-right British patriotic splinter group.
I suspect Rupert Lowe has some standards - which means Matt won't be anywhere near Restore.
Came here 20 years ago from Somalia, did voluntary work, got a degree, worked in the public sector, became a councillor and seems like he’s done a good job.
… in reply to…
Also: the Lord Mayor isn't really 'running' the city, is he? He's a figurehead - he gets to wear the mayoral regalia. He's like a municipal constitutional monarch.
I'm right up the immigration-sceptic end of the spectrum, but I can't get exercised about this at all. He looks to me very much like he's integrating. This is what we want, surely?
Same here
I think it’s nice to see a positive story of Somali migration and integration and actual economic participation for a change
In fact, this post crystallises one of my problems with Reform. I have so many complaints about immigration. The sheer numbers of undesirable immigrants crossing in boats. The criminal elements it introduces. The refusal to deal with the criminal elements robustly. The bending-over-backwards to put the needs and in some cases wants of (some) immigrants before the needs of our own people. The sheer amount of money we’re spending on immigrants (while, simultaneously, and puzzlingly, making it very hard and expensive for immigrants from places like Canada). The sheer squalor of places like Cheetham Hill. The depression of wages. But that very much isn’t to say I have an aversion to all immigrants or all immigration. I recognise the benefits. What I want is for immigrants to buy into Britishness. This is what most of the immigrants I know do. My daughter’s football and cricket clubs are peppered with immigrants and their families. For immigrants – like this guy in Britsol, willing to don silly British clothes – who want to buy into Britishness: this is absolutely brilliant. I love it. It’s not only great for Britain, but great that Britishness is something that people like this want to adopt. I think my views on this are perfectly mainstream.
A perfectly good case could have been made opposing ‘bad’ immigration while welcoming ‘good’. I’d say it would have been popular. Once again, Reform had an electoral open goal which they’ve judiciously aimed a good 45 degrees right of.
I agree, but I think what you miss is that Reform don’t want what we want. We see an integrated immigrant becoming Lord Mayor and think, "great, more of the same please".
For at least part of Reform’s coalition, the objection isn’t just illegal immigration or failed integration. It’s demographic and cultural change itself. From that perspective, Goodwin’s post isn’t a blunder at all. It’s entirely consistent.
To want to nudge the future in a particular direction is politics. To address what has already happened WRT who is lawfully living here by attacking its foundations and opposing assimilation, and wanting to demonise and reverse it is a starting point for the genuine fascist.
Yes, exactly. Opposing future policy is one thing. Looking at someone lawfully here, visibly assimilated, civically engaged, and then objecting anyway is quite another.
At that point the issue clearly isn’t failed integration. It’s that integration has succeeded, and some people still don’t like the result. - If successful assimilation still counts as a problem, then assimilation was never really the test.
Comments
It's nice to think good lines from here get picked up. So, true or not, I'm going to believe it.
https://lawakhigbe.com/2025/07/29/kemi-badenoch-the-anchor-baby-who-pulled-up-the-drawbridge-by-lawson-akhigbe-lawakhigbe-com/
(I don't think cars are a very useful comparison, just as they are not a useful comparison for bicycles.)
I think there are questions around preparing the country for what is already a hybrid-war scenario, but I think that is hindered by current partisan politics. "I would not fight for a country led by the traitor Keir Starmer" is a fairly common sentiment on the Right. Though I would link that to the bungalow or extremist Right rather than the serious or semi-serious political right.
If we get Mr Burnham, I hope that his better communications will help there.
I think that there is much more going on in the armed forces than we hear about in the media over several years, including under the Sunak Government, and there was some interesting detail published around the recent investment plan. But 90% of our media are not interested in serious and accurate reporting of the news - that's just a corollary imo of having a sick, shit media.
I think there are issues around defence of air bases and airports and sensitive sites, and around protection of sites (I find the comparison between Lossiemouth in 2026 and Manston in 1940 revealing), and publication of information potentially useful to enemies of the country by drone fliers who are out to thumb their nose at authority, and hardening of our air bases against attacks.
I think one answer to these is to use some of the weapons we have developed at pace for Ukraine such as the Octopus interceptor drones being mass produced in Mildenhall.
All sorted now, for four months, thankfully.
On topic, I don't quite understand the personal hostility to Ed M; somewhat odd-looking, rather geeky appearing admittedly but on his podcast he comes across as quite a reasonable, indeed sensible chap.
Glad your appointment went well.
If they’re not a risk why ?
https://x.com/gbnews/status/2072485723077308488?s=61
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EwHRjgVWFno
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eAHKS0nVlL4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=crBqplCIZoA
https://www.twz.com/44326/the-3375-electromagnetic-guns-inventor-tells-us-all-about-his-creation
[edit: I'm doing some Googling and I may be wrong on this. Viewcode be stupid]
Frankly, if the security services aren’t monitoring this place, that’s the real scandal.
We oldies are very grateful for each time we pass our regular check ups
Mind you we are not on the same page with Miliband but then we can respectfully disagree
So I didn’t bother.
There were wifmann and wermann. Wife person and weapon person.
The word man is gender neutral, except when it isn't.
If you are worried about that, wait till you see what is coming down the road in biotechnology. New Rose Hotel made real…
I had 3 in 2 days this week - telephone Leukemia monitoring, dentist for a filling with an "above front teeth" jab which brings back horrible memories of being 7 when I felt smaller than the needle, and then opthalmology for diabetic eye monitoring.
The opthalmalogical nurse could not keep a straight face as she watched the look I was giving the "sting your eyes and blind you for the next 3 hours in normal daylight" eyedrops as they approached. I felt like a cat being given a tablet:
Meanwhile, in the US.
Since February, I've designed and built the world's fastest RC airplane in my college dorm, and that’s not clickbait. Reaper has a 5kg carbon-fiber frame, 250N turbojet, and flies at 500mph. New to X and will be going through the whole build here in the coming days.
https://x.com/tomas_salvo22/status/2072538257351745882
And its operation history was exceedingly brief and unsuccessful.
The costs are dropping all the time. The next funky fun bit is Star Trek style design by computer, print the DNA. Or RNA. As an all-in-one process.
Just order up some smallpox. With tuned capabilities and behaviour.
In WW2 the PIAT (Projector, Infantry, Anti-Tank) was largely powered by a big coiled spring.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uk_vS-VdYas&t=221s
Our cat scarfs them down.
The reason for the B52 was to carry it to near China. You could ground launch it with a solid booster fairly easily - if you were in a thousand miles of where you wanted it to go. For a round trip.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D-R383L64LI
There's an excellent description in James Herriot of giving a tablet to a cat called Boris, and it sounds just like the real one other than that it was extremely fit.
Bastards. Its for your own good!
My forever favourite anecdote was with the small professional choir of St Bartholomew the Great, Smithfield, in the Rising Sun pub opposite in about 1998 - when I was living near the Barbican for a couple of years.
There was a conversation about "how heavy is a boob", so one of the men asked to try it out, and one of the women let him. So they sat there in the pub with the gent weighing the lady's fairly large left boob in his hand up and down as one would assess the weight of something like a haggis or a ball of dough when preparing to bake a loaf.
Time to do some things - have a good day, all.
This woman looks terrified.
PS - not related to the subject we don’t talk about.
“ 'I've been terrorised all my childhood by this man, and he's going to be back out in society?'
As part of government reforms aimed at combating prison overcrowding, jail sentences could be reduced by over half for all but those serving extended or life sentences.
Carol Higgins, who was repeatedly raped by her father, speaks to Channel 4 News after receiving a letter saying her attacker may be released early under the scheme.”
https://x.com/channel4news/status/2072369645181431814?s=61
Projectile velocity != energy. There’s a reason that weapons are defined, in this country, by energy.
Portable coil guns with muzzle energy in the hand gun range exist - and are getting better all the time.
Projectile velocity != energy. There’s a reason that weapons are defined, in this country, by energy.
Portable coil guns with muzzle energy in the hand gun range exist - and are getting better all the time.
https://www.pets4homes.co.uk/classifieds/so1nlqp6k-quality-cavapoo-puppies-toy-poodle-durham/
Only 50% of the current Parliamentary party were elected on a Reform ticket.
1. increase sentences to assuage headline writers
2. not realise this means the prison population will rise
3. release prisoners early to ease pressure, so a bit like shorter sentences but without the benefit of planned rehabilitation and preparation for life outside
What could go wrong?
MattGPT @GoodwinMJ, what is your problem?
Came here 20 years ago from Somalia, did voluntary work, got a degree, worked in the public sector, became a councillor and seems like he’s done a good job.
… in reply to…
Not that either prospect is appealing.
I'm right up the immigration-sceptic end of the spectrum, but I can't get exercised about this at all. He looks to me very much like he's integrating. This is what we want, surely?
If you can persuade/trick a cat into swallowing unpleasant medicine, you might have half a chance with the British electorate.
No, if I were a victim, I wouldn't want to know this either.
I think it’s nice to see a positive story of Somali migration and integration and actual economic participation for a change
And this bit of 1930s Germanic smearing is from respectable non racist Reform, not outlier racist Restore.
O tempora. O mores.
Not the same as a Mayor of say Manchester who actually has authority and power etc.
Didn't really these were constructed of Douglas fir. The detail in the close up pic is remarkable.
Google Salvages a WWII Airship Hangar’s Wooden Roof for Mass Timber
Google deconstructed Hangar 3 at Moffett Field board by board, salvaging 119,000 board feet of Douglas fir and remanufacturing 66,000 of it into mass timber for new offices in Oregon.
https://woodcentral.com.au/google-wwii-hangar-mass-timber/
I have so many complaints about immigration. The sheer numbers of undesirable immigrants crossing in boats. The criminal elements it introduces. The refusal to deal with the criminal elements robustly. The bending-over-backwards to put the needs and in some cases wants of (some) immigrants before the needs of our own people. The sheer amount of money we’re spending on immigrants (while, simultaneously, and puzzlingly, making it very hard and expensive for immigrants from places like Canada). The sheer squalor of places like Cheetham Hill. The depression of wages.
But that very much isn’t to say I have an aversion to all immigrants or all immigration. I recognise the benefits. What I want is for immigrants to buy into Britishness. This is what most of the immigrants I know do. My daughter’s football and cricket clubs are peppered with immigrants and their families. For immigrants – like this guy in Britsol, willing to don silly British clothes – who want to buy into Britishness: this is absolutely brilliant. I love it. It’s not only great for Britain, but great that Britishness is something that people like this want to adopt. I think my views on this are perfectly mainstream.
A perfectly good case could have been made opposing ‘bad’ immigration while welcoming ‘good’. I’d say it would have been popular. Once again, Reform had an electoral open goal which they’ve judiciously aimed a good 45 degrees right of.
Somewhat melodramatic but this guy is supposed to be a patriot but was glugging well known Spanish beer, Madri, before an England game
Ask him
Please be sure to report back
But yes, a lot of it is handing out awards, unveiling plaques and representing the town. All good Somewhere things.
You said it far more eloquently than I could but you hit the nail on the head.
This man has done what is expected of migrants. He’s come here, trained, got a job, integrated and participated and that’s not enough !!!
I bet he’s done more for his community than most
He should be lauded not abused
For at least part of Reform’s coalition, the objection isn’t just illegal immigration or failed integration. It’s demographic and cultural change itself. From that perspective, Goodwin’s post isn’t a blunder at all. It’s entirely consistent.
It does seem a shame as - although I did not always agree with him - he had some interesting and challenging perspectives (at least when he was more of an academic than failed Reform candidate.
The current one, Shaukat Ali, was born in Pakistan, so I'm guessing Goodwin isn't a fan: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cn0pk58ndggo
I should add that the length of his sentence indicates that this was way, way, beyond the norm, even for this kind of revolting behaviour.
At that point the issue clearly isn’t failed integration. It’s that integration has succeeded, and some people still don’t like the result. - If successful assimilation still counts as a problem, then assimilation was never really the test.