A rail company is offering one couple a chance to get married on a train
"I'll tell you a riddle: you're waiting for a train, a train that will take you far away. You know where you hope this train will take you, but you don't know for sure. But it doesn't matter. How can it not matter to you where the train will take you?"
If there are any non-US candidates for Fed Chair, surely Gordon Brown is one. We need someone who grasps how serious things are becoming.
Nice! Though I think he meant electric chair.
Good piece by Rafael Behr in the New Statesman btw. Touches on a subject which interests a lot of us: is there more to Ed Miliband than meets the eye or will he to end up a loser, like Kinnock. It is a tough one to call. The maths say he'll be a winner, but like Behr says, it is so, so easy not to believe it.
Gavin Hastings has rather emphatically come out against Scottish Independence.
Hope he has a good glazier.
“If we were independent would we not be doing everything in our power to find the benefits of joining up with England, Wales and Northern Ireland? Why, if we have that, would we be looking to divide it?”
A rail company is offering one couple a chance to get married on a train
"I'll tell you a riddle: you're waiting for a train, a train that will take you far away. You know where you hope this train will take you, but you don't know for sure. But it doesn't matter. How can it not matter to you where the train will take you?"
A rail company is offering one couple a chance to get married on a train
"I'll tell you a riddle: you're waiting for a train, a train that will take you far away. You know where you hope this train will take you, but you don't know for sure. But it doesn't matter. How can it not matter to you where the train will take you?"
Are you at the end of the line? So any train is the right direction, even if it is not a direct service?
Hmm...I wish I had 16 hours of my life to spare on such frivolities.
Al Kazeem helped replenish the coffers today after yesterday's bloodbath and a nice SP too.
Politics - well, Obama was at his best in Berlin today. There seems to be something about the place that resonates with US presidents. Very pro-EU and emphasising the benefits of the US-EU relationship so one for some on here to ponder.
Interesting that Syria wasn't mentioned - I suspect for all the bluster, the G8 have effectively agreed a policy of collective inaction. Putin will be happy about this and for all some claimed he looked "uncomfortable" you have to remember the tough guy image is for the folks back home. Just as we like Cameron to be tough with the rest of the EU, the Russians like Putin to look tough on the world stage.
The realpolitik is that as far as Syria is concerned, the G8 want this to end as quickly as possible and while that won't in and of itself end the violence, it would calm things down in an area of the world that for all the comments from the pro-fracking lobby, remains an area of critical economic and geopolitical significance for the West.
A rail company is offering one couple a chance to get married on a train
"I'll tell you a riddle: you're waiting for a train, a train that will take you far away. You know where you hope this train will take you, but you don't know for sure. But it doesn't matter. How can it not matter to you where the train will take you?"
Are you at the end of the line? So any train is the right direction, even if it is not a direct service?
Nope. The correct answer is: "Because you'll be together."
Twitter Harry Smith @stvharry 1m Which part of Alec feels British or is this a Telegraph trick - tmorrow's front Scottish page pic.twitter.com/8vxEtDh1n8
Twitter Harry Smith @stvharry 1m Which part of Alec feels British or is this a Telegraph trick - tmorrow's front Scottish page pic.twitter.com/8vxEtDh1n8
Probably in the same way Norweigans feel Scandinavian
Gavin Hastings has rather emphatically come out against Scottish Independence.
Does he think it would mean Scottish players being ineligible for the Lions?
The Scottish sport system is doing that by default. Eck's team went into admin today - good stuff.
Why would you want any football club to go into administration?
He could be a Hibs fan
Why on earth would anyone want their arch rivals to go into administration?
Especially rivals who humiliated Hibs 5-1 in the biggest Edinburgh Derby of all time! Still I'm sure we'll be fine - a few interested parties already! And to be fair we've got supporters from Labour, the Tories and the Lib dems as well.
re: US and EU, Americans tend to be reflexive pro-Euro? Why? Because we think in terms of "United States of Europe".
Not only do we believe that imitation is sincerest form of flattery, we tend to assume that a united (or even semi-unted) Europe = less war. We think that not only good for us, but also for our distant relations from Moscow to Madera whose immediate ancestors were NOT smart/lucky enough to immigrate to this side of the Atlantic (and Pacific).
re: football (nonUS-style) attended my first pro soccer game last week. And Seattle Sounders won - my aura (or is that odor?) is strong!
BTW, while I was strolling from the bus to the stadium (Qwest Field > Century Link Field aka "The Clink" or as I prefer "Taxpayers Park") there was a group of obviously English fans singing "You Are My Sunshine" at top of their lugs. Was touched (as LSU grad) because that song was written by former Louisiana Governor the late Jimmy Davis. Even if t Brits do NOT know the proper tune!
I see George Osborne has declared that the economy is out of the danger zone. Again. He's in danger of predicting 7 of the last 2 recoveries.
George Osborne was the victim of an unlikely case of mistaken identity at this week’s G8 summit, after US President Barack Obama confused the chancellor with a black soul singer.
Anyone still think it was a bad idea to get rid of Hester? He has fought these ideas tooth and nail for years now. RBS was terminally sick and if there were not a crop of Labour seats at risk in Scotland it would have been wound down at the time. Better late than never.
re: football (nonUS-style) attended my first pro soccer game last week. And Seattle Sounders won - my aura (or is that odor?) is strong!
BTW, while I was strolling from the bus to the stadium (Qwest Field > Century Link Field aka "The Clink" or as I prefer "Taxpayers Park") there was a group of obviously English fans singing "You Are My Sunshine" at top of their lugs. Was touched (as LSU grad) because that song was written by former Louisiana Governor the late Jimmy Davis. Even if t Brits do NOT know the proper tune!
You almost certainly encountered a Timbers Army splinter group ;
I dont wish ill but Hearts have been bust for months - the owner is on the run in Moscow.
The SFA have allowed another fine club to be pillaged by crooks.
The Scottish government are hiding again on the governance of the game.
I don't honestly think that Hearts and Rangers have anyone but themselves to blame. I loved parts of the Romanov years but it's come back to bite us. A CVA looks a distinct possibility now and it'll be one of the best things to happen to the club in years if it goes through.
There's been a little discussion on here recently about the new gaming consoles, and especially MS's restrictions on their new XBox One.
Well, they appear to have backed down from some of the worst items. In particular, there will be no need for an Internet connection: http://news.xbox.com/2013/06/update
Possibly too little, too late. It's been terrible PR for MS.
To me it shows how demoralised and despairing the party is becomming despite the poll leads. The article is essentially an acknowledgement that Osborne has won the argument. The suggestion that additional capital spending of £10bn (comfortably less than 1 week's spending) is going to make a measurable difference to the economy is frankly pitiful.
And they still haven't even begun to say where their cuts (so much nicer than George's of course) are actually going to fall.
Random's analysis is so accurate it deserves repeating:
" Perhaps, if you genuinely believe that the best way of getting a referendum is voting for a Conservative government led by David Cameron. If you do not - if you believe that Cameron is carefully phrasing his promises now so that he can renege on the spirit of them while honouring the letter (like he did over Lisbon) - then voting Conservative would be a major mistake. All it will do is encourage the likes of Cameron to believe that "I support a referendum in principle, but now is not the right time/this is not the right issue" is a viable strategy. If you want an actual referendum, then (assuming a UKIP majority is impractical) then Cameron needs to be beaten, and more so he needs to be beaten in such a way that the Conservative party understands they will never win again until they give us a leader who gets it. Yes, this means that we won't get a referendum before the 2020 election, sadly. But if we enable Cameron and his "yes, but" style we will never get one because we will alternate between prime ministers who are opposed in principle to a referendum and prime ministers who believe that the right time for a referendum is always some years in the future.
Now it's possible I'm completely wrong on this and misjudging Cameron's character, but I would venture to suggest that his track record so far is a better fit for my position than it is for yours. "
The chances of a Cameron government ever allowing a British exit from the EU is nil.
In the highly unlikely event of a Cameron government (which itself is unlikely enough after 2015) allowing an EU referendum there would be zero chance of it following through on a No vote (assuming that was the result).
Instead we'd have a weasel-words fest of 'clarification' and 'negotiation' and 'interpretation' and 'confirmation' which would be dragged along until the following general election.
The only way in which Britain would leave the EU would be under a government of Conservatives purged of the chumocracy, a UKIP government or a coalition of the two.
This can only be achieved by the Conservatives losing in 2015 and the Cameroons being seen to have failed.
Reluctant admission by Newsnight that Osborne is changing the shape and size of government and already setting the agenda beyond the next election. This is part of what Labour Uncut are talking about.
I must say I was amused to be described by Avery as a 'Lincolnshire misanthrope'.
It seems that Charles is not the only posh boy with a dodgy knowledge of English geography.
Further down the intellectual foodchain Perdix had a go at me.
Anyone who attempts some original analysis runs that risk from one group of cheerleaders or another. I suspect its not a risk Perdix will ever need to concern himself with here though.
There's been a little discussion on here recently about the new gaming consoles, and especially MS's restrictions on their new XBox One.
Well, they appear to have backed down from some of the worst items. In particular, there will be no need for an Internet connection: http://news.xbox.com/2013/06/update
Possibly too little, too late. It's been terrible PR for MS.
Mattrick's job was on the line. He had very little option as the PS4 pre-orders piled up and Sony had basically sold out it's first initial production run for end of Q4 beginning of Q1:14
Even more mad than 'always on' and the rented/used issue (hard to believe something could be, but it was) Microsoft had actually announced putting in a region lock that would have shut out almost half of the EU, many other countries and a truly massive potential user base. That too has now been reversed after baffled incredulity from the industry that it was ever planned in the first place.
It may indeed be too little too late since even after this they are still well behind Sony on the crucial retail price point. The momentum Sony now have also matters hugely as the rise of online gaming means console gamers tend to have social groupings they play online with, so they will go where their friends are going, which right now is still Sony.
I'm waiting for the complaints of BBC bias - a Tory, a rightwinger and a Labourite? This lack of balance would normally have people foaming at the mouth here!
I must say I was amused to be described by Avery as a 'Lincolnshire misanthrope'.
It seems that Charles is not the only posh boy with a dodgy knowledge of English geography.
Further down the intellectual foodchain Perdix had a go at me.
Anyone who attempts some original analysis runs that risk from one group of cheerleaders or another. I suspect its not a risk Perdix will ever need to concern himself with here though.
Random's analysis is so accurate it deserves repeating:
" Perhaps, if you genuinely believe that the best way of getting a referendum is voting for a Conservative government led by David Cameron. If you do not - if you believe that Cameron is carefully phrasing his promises now so that he can renege on the spirit of them while honouring the letter (like he did over Lisbon) - then voting Conservative would be a major mistake. All it will do is encourage the likes of Cameron to believe that "I support a referendum in principle, but now is not the right time/this is not the right issue" is a viable strategy. If you want an actual referendum, then (assuming a UKIP majority is impractical) then Cameron needs to be beaten, and more so he needs to be beaten in such a way that the Conservative party understands they will never win again until they give us a leader who gets it. Yes, this means that we won't get a referendum before the 2020 election, sadly. But if we enable Cameron and his "yes, but" style we will never get one because we will alternate between prime ministers who are opposed in principle to a referendum and prime ministers who believe that the right time for a referendum is always some years in the future.
Now it's possible I'm completely wrong on this and misjudging Cameron's character, but I would venture to suggest that his track record so far is a better fit for my position than it is for yours. "
The chances of a Cameron government ever allowing a British exit from the EU is nil.
In the highly unlikely event of a Cameron government (which itself is unlikely enough after 2015) allowing an EU referendum there would be zero chance of it following through on a No vote (assuming that was the result).
Instead we'd have a weasel-words fest of 'clarification' and 'negotiation' and 'interpretation' and 'confirmation' which would be dragged along until the following general election.
The only way in which Britain would leave the EU would be under a government of Conservatives purged of the chumocracy, a UKIP government or a coalition of the two.
This can only be achieved by the Conservatives losing in 2015 and the Cameroons being seen to have failed.
The downside is huge, the upside limited. But you are a true believer.
As an aside, reading a book I think you'd enjoy (I believe that Socrates may have recommended it originally?).
Called 'Deer Hunting with Jesus' - describes many of the same phenomena that you observe in the UK. The tone is a little sneery at time (disappointing - I guess the author can't quite help himself) but interesting & thought-provoking if you can get past that
Sadly the rightwinger on Newsnight isnt the cleverest - she thinks the Coalition's single-tier State Pension of 144 per week will cost money when it will save billions.
Sadly the rightwinger on Newsnight isnt the cleverest - she thinks the Coalition's single-tier State Pension of 144 per week will cost money when it will save billions.
another_richard would assume she knows, but is lying to the masses so they think the Tories care about them...
I must say I was amused to be described by Avery as a 'Lincolnshire misanthrope'.
It seems that Charles is not the only posh boy with a dodgy knowledge of English geography.
Further down the intellectual foodchain Perdix had a go at me.
Anyone who attempts some original analysis runs that risk from one group of cheerleaders or another. I suspect its not a risk Perdix will ever need to concern himself with here though.
I thought you were a Yorkshireman.
another richard was relocated to Lincolnshire on the grounds that a "Yorkshire misanthrope" would be tautological.
The choice of the fine county of Lincolnshire was influenced by ar's love of Cleethorpes.
Truth revealed in art always trumps geographical exactitude.
I must say I was amused to be described by Avery as a 'Lincolnshire misanthrope'.
It seems that Charles is not the only posh boy with a dodgy knowledge of English geography.
Further down the intellectual foodchain Perdix had a go at me.
Anyone who attempts some original analysis runs that risk from one group of cheerleaders or another. I suspect its not a risk Perdix will ever need to concern himself with here though.
I thought you were a Yorkshireman.
another richard was relocated to Lincolnshire on the grounds that a "Yorkshire misanthrope" would be tautological.
The choice of the fine county of Lincolnshire was influenced by ar's love of Cleethorpes.
Truth revealed in art always trumps geographical exactitude.
I'm the epitome of a Yorkshireman and I'm no misanthrope.
A rail company is offering one couple a chance to get married on a train
"I'll tell you a riddle: you're waiting for a train, a train that will take you far away. You know where you hope this train will take you, but you don't know for sure. But it doesn't matter. How can it not matter to you where the train will take you?"
Are you at the end of the line? So any train is the right direction, even if it is not a direct service?
Nope. The correct answer is: "Because you'll be together."
There is me thinking it just a description of Morden. Anywhere else is a good destination.
I'm waiting for the complaints of BBC bias - a Tory, a rightwinger and a Labourite? This lack of balance would normally have people foaming at the mouth here!
Did you get more on this after we moved to muppet Scotland?
The bit I saw talked about managed expenditure but didn't go into detail on pensions etc. The suggestions as to how this managed expenditure ( a highly misleading term of course) was going to be cut to save the poor departments was not gone into.
There are clearly going to be a lot of losers as well as gainers in the new fixed level pension, specifically higher wage earners who would previously have expected higher pensions from their additional contributions. Presumably there will be admin savings too. Are you sure the net effect will be billions of savings? Does that reflect the changes in the age of entitlement?
Are you sure the net effect will be billions of savings?
Yes - in the short, medium and long-term. And it's not a redistribute from high earners to low earners thing. It's redistribute from people with no pension provision to people in public service pension schemes. Exactly the kind of thing that pbers will just love when they find out the details!
Are you sure the net effect will be billions of savings?
Yes - in the short, medium and long-term. And it's not a redistribute from high earners to low earners thing. It's redistribute from people with no pension provision to people in public service pension schemes. Exactly the kind of thing that pbers will just love when they find out the details!
What's your prediction for the Lions match on Saturday?
Now that the vile cheat Cian Healy is out, I'm cheering for the Lions.
I must say I was amused to be described by Avery as a 'Lincolnshire misanthrope'.
It seems that Charles is not the only posh boy with a dodgy knowledge of English geography.
Further down the intellectual foodchain Perdix had a go at me.
Anyone who attempts some original analysis runs that risk from one group of cheerleaders or another. I suspect its not a risk Perdix will ever need to concern himself with here though.
I thought you were a Yorkshireman.
another richard was relocated to Lincolnshire on the grounds that a "Yorkshire misanthrope" would be tautological.
The choice of the fine county of Lincolnshire was influenced by ar's love of Cleethorpes.
Truth revealed in art always trumps geographical exactitude.
I'm the epitome of a Yorkshireman and I'm no misanthrope.
You and Morris Dancer are exceptions to the rule, TSE.
'EXCL: Barack Obama called George Osborne 'Jeffrey' by mistake 3 times at the G8 summit - a crushing blow to the Chancellor's ego.' tomnewtondunn
'Jeffrey'??? Is Cameron Bungle?
Geoffrey is the name of the English butler in Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.
Perhaps when Cameron and Osborne turned up at the White House in 2012 Obama thought that Osborne was Cameron's butler ?
Polishing shoes and pouring drinks being closer to Osborne's ability range than understanding national finances.
In the American psyche an English butler is associated with masterful figures like Jeeves or Sir John Gielgud. Obama may have been subconsciously complimenting Osborne.
Random's analysis is so accurate it deserves repeating:
" Perhaps, if you genuinely believe that the best way of getting a referendum is voting for a Conservative government led by David Cameron. If you do not - if you believe that Cameron is carefully phrasing his promises now so that he can renege on the spirit of them while honouring the letter (like he did over Lisbon) - then voting Conservative would be a major mistake. All it will do is encourage the likes of Cameron to believe that "I support a referendum in principle, but now is not the right time/this is not the right issue" is a viable strategy. If you want an actual referendum, then (assuming a UKIP majority is impractical) then Cameron needs to be beaten, and more so he needs to be beaten in such a way that the Conservative party understands they will never win again until they give us a leader who gets it. Yes, this means that we won't get a referendum before the 2020 election, sadly. But if we enable Cameron and his "yes, but" style we will never get one because we will alternate between prime ministers who are opposed in principle to a referendum and prime ministers who believe that the right time for a referendum is always some years in the future.
Now it's possible I'm completely wrong on this and misjudging Cameron's character, but I would venture to suggest that his track record so far is a better fit for my position than it is for yours. "
The chances of a Cameron government ever allowing a British exit from the EU is nil.
In the highly unlikely event of a Cameron government (which itself is unlikely enough after 2015) allowing an EU referendum there would be zero chance of it following through on a No vote (assuming that was the result).
Instead we'd have a weasel-words fest of 'clarification' and 'negotiation' and 'interpretation' and 'confirmation' which would be dragged along until the following general election.
The only way in which Britain would leave the EU would be under a government of Conservatives purged of the chumocracy, a UKIP government or a coalition of the two.
This can only be achieved by the Conservatives losing in 2015 and the Cameroons being seen to have failed.
The downside is huge, the upside limited. But you are a true believer.
What's the downside ?
A Labour government ?
We had one for 13 years - it was led by Tony Blair, the same Tony Blair Cameron saw himself as the natural heir to. It had Gordon Brown as Chancellor, the same Gordon Brown whose spending plans Osborne supported.
I'm sorry Charles but I see no possibility of integrity in government, economic responsibility or concern about increasing inequality from the Cameroons.
So I'm willing for EdM to become prime minister - things need to get worse before they can get better and I'd prefer that it was the Labour brand which was damaged as a consequence. And hopefully in the meantime the Conservatives can get a leadership of people who don't regard government as a puerile game.
Gavin Hastings has rather emphatically come out against Scottish Independence.
Does he think it would mean Scottish players being ineligible for the Lions?
The Scottish sport system is doing that by default. Eck's team went into admin today - good stuff.
Why would you want any football club to go into administration?
If you want to avoid administration, then just pay your f___ing debts !
Well they aren't the fans' debts, are they? Many clubs are being run into the ground by irresponsible megalomaniac owners and there's very little the supporters can do
Am I the only person who found the dress code at the G8 a bit sinister? Identical white shirts and black suits without ties for everyone (apart from Merkel).
Are you sure the net effect will be billions of savings?
Yes - in the short, medium and long-term. And it's not a redistribute from high earners to low earners thing. It's redistribute from people with no pension provision to people in public service pension schemes. Exactly the kind of thing that pbers will just love when they find out the details!
What's your prediction for the Lions match on Saturday?
Now that the vile cheat Cian Healy is out, I'm cheering for the Lions.
I like my rugby and I'll follow the tour, but I don't really see the logic of the British Lions - a sort of quasi-international exhibition side. It would be rather odd if the Aussies and Kiwis joined forces and toured here.
Sadly the rightwinger on Newsnight isnt the cleverest - she thinks the Coalition's single-tier State Pension of 144 per week will cost money when it will save billions.
another_richard would assume she knows, but is lying to the masses so they think the Tories care about them...
Charles, I've read that comment several times without being able to understand your meaning.
Now that can sometimes happen at PB but its a little disconcerting when you happen to be referenced in the comment.
Are you sure the net effect will be billions of savings?
Yes - in the short, medium and long-term. And it's not a redistribute from high earners to low earners thing. It's redistribute from people with no pension provision to people in public service pension schemes. Exactly the kind of thing that pbers will just love when they find out the details!
What's your prediction for the Lions match on Saturday?
Now that the vile cheat Cian Healy is out, I'm cheering for the Lions.
I like my rugby and I'll follow the tour, but I don't really see the logic of the British Lions - a sort of quasi-international exhibition side. It would be rather odd if the Aussies and Kiwis joined forces and toured here.
I suppose you're against the West Indies cricket team then ?
Are you sure the net effect will be billions of savings?
Yes - in the short, medium and long-term. And it's not a redistribute from high earners to low earners thing. It's redistribute from people with no pension provision to people in public service pension schemes. Exactly the kind of thing that pbers will just love when they find out the details!
What's your prediction for the Lions match on Saturday?
Now that the vile cheat Cian Healy is out, I'm cheering for the Lions.
I like my rugby and I'll follow the tour, but I don't really see the logic of the British Lions - a sort of quasi-international exhibition side. It would be rather odd if the Aussies and Kiwis joined forces and toured here.
The purpose of the British and Irish Lions is to allow the Irish, Scots and Welsh players to get some experience of playing alongside world class players that the English produce.
I must say I was amused to be described by Avery as a 'Lincolnshire misanthrope'.
It seems that Charles is not the only posh boy with a dodgy knowledge of English geography.
Further down the intellectual foodchain Perdix had a go at me.
Anyone who attempts some original analysis runs that risk from one group of cheerleaders or another. I suspect its not a risk Perdix will ever need to concern himself with here though.
I thought you were a Yorkshireman.
another richard was relocated to Lincolnshire on the grounds that a "Yorkshire misanthrope" would be tautological.
The choice of the fine county of Lincolnshire was influenced by ar's love of Cleethorpes.
Truth revealed in art always trumps geographical exactitude.
I'm the epitome of a Yorkshireman and I'm no misanthrope.
Recite in Monty Python Yorkshire accent:
See all, hear all, say nowt. Eat all, drink all, pay nowt. And if you ever do owt for nowt them make sure its for yourself.
Are you sure the net effect will be billions of savings?
Yes - in the short, medium and long-term. And it's not a redistribute from high earners to low earners thing. It's redistribute from people with no pension provision to people in public service pension schemes. Exactly the kind of thing that pbers will just love when they find out the details!
What's your prediction for the Lions match on Saturday?
Now that the vile cheat Cian Healy is out, I'm cheering for the Lions.
I like my rugby and I'll follow the tour, but I don't really see the logic of the British Lions - a sort of quasi-international exhibition side. It would be rather odd if the Aussies and Kiwis joined forces and toured here.
I suppose you're against the West Indies cricket team then ?
Not at all - the Windies are a tournament and Test side - their contingent parts don't split up to play internationals.
I should add that I am not "against" the Lions - merely that I find their existence illogical. That's quite a different thing...
Are you sure the net effect will be billions of savings?
Yes - in the short, medium and long-term. And it's not a redistribute from high earners to low earners thing. It's redistribute from people with no pension provision to people in public service pension schemes. Exactly the kind of thing that pbers will just love when they find out the details!
What's your prediction for the Lions match on Saturday?
Now that the vile cheat Cian Healy is out, I'm cheering for the Lions.
I like my rugby and I'll follow the tour, but I don't really see the logic of the British Lions - a sort of quasi-international exhibition side. It would be rather odd if the Aussies and Kiwis joined forces and toured here.
The purpose of the British and Irish Lions is to allow the Irish, Scots and Welsh players to get some experience of playing alongside world class players that the English produce.
Am I the only person who found the dress code at the G8 a bit sinister? Identical white shirts and black suits without ties for everyone (apart from Merkel).
Sadly the rightwinger on Newsnight isnt the cleverest - she thinks the Coalition's single-tier State Pension of 144 per week will cost money when it will save billions.
another_richard would assume she knows, but is lying to the masses so they think the Tories care about them...
Charles, I've read that comment several times without being able to understand your meaning.
Now that can sometimes happen at PB but its a little disconcerting when you happen to be referenced in the comment.
'EXCL: Barack Obama called George Osborne 'Jeffrey' by mistake 3 times at the G8 summit - a crushing blow to the Chancellor's ego.' tomnewtondunn
'Jeffrey'??? Is Cameron Bungle?
Geoffrey is the name of the English butler in Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.
Perhaps when Cameron and Osborne turned up at the White House in 2012 Obama thought that Osborne was Cameron's butler ?
Polishing shoes and pouring drinks being closer to Osborne's ability range than understanding national finances.
In the American psyche an English butler is associated with masterful figures like Jeeves or Sir John Gielgud. Obama may have been subconsciously complimenting Osborne.
If so then it suggests Obama holds Cameron in low regard.
I have remarked before on the similarities between Bertie, Barmy, Bingo, Tuppy and Gussy compared to Cammy, Ozzy, Ollie, Franny and Jez.
One lot are rather likeable though and the other isn't.
Are you sure the net effect will be billions of savings?
Yes - in the short, medium and long-term. And it's not a redistribute from high earners to low earners thing. It's redistribute from people with no pension provision to people in public service pension schemes. Exactly the kind of thing that pbers will just love when they find out the details!
What's your prediction for the Lions match on Saturday?
Now that the vile cheat Cian Healy is out, I'm cheering for the Lions.
I like my rugby and I'll follow the tour, but I don't really see the logic of the British Lions - a sort of quasi-international exhibition side. It would be rather odd if the Aussies and Kiwis joined forces and toured here.
The purpose of the British and Irish Lions is to allow the Irish, Scots and Welsh players to get some experience of playing alongside world class players that the English produce.
Are you sure the net effect will be billions of savings?
Yes - in the short, medium and long-term. And it's not a redistribute from high earners to low earners thing. It's redistribute from people with no pension provision to people in public service pension schemes. Exactly the kind of thing that pbers will just love when they find out the details!
What's your prediction for the Lions match on Saturday?
Now that the vile cheat Cian Healy is out, I'm cheering for the Lions.
I like my rugby and I'll follow the tour, but I don't really see the logic of the British Lions - a sort of quasi-international exhibition side. It would be rather odd if the Aussies and Kiwis joined forces and toured here.
The purpose of the British and Irish Lions is to allow the Irish, Scots and Welsh players to get some experience of playing alongside world class players that the English produce.
In the last 75 years, only two Englishman have ever been named captain of the Lions. (9 Irish, 5 Welsh, 4 Scots).
It's basically a nice way of getting English players front row seats to watch rugby, more recently it's a way for them to play on the same pitch as the Welsh players and still have a chance of winning.
Am I the only person who found the dress code at the G8 a bit sinister? Identical white shirts and black suits without ties for everyone (apart from Merkel).
Was Merkel told to wear a tie?
I thought it all rather naff, either wear a tie with your suit, or go properly dressed down.
It was perhaps a way to make Hollande look a fool, not that it takes much.
Wasn't it 'British Lions' until 10 years or so ago ?
I'm sure I never heard the painfully long name of 'British and Irish Lions' until then.
I've always known the team as the British and Irish Lions (I can remember the 1989 tour) but then I was raised in Ireland! I dont think it's as much painfully long as it is accurate, Irish players do make an important contribution.
Are you sure the net effect will be billions of savings?
Yes - in the short, medium and long-term. And it's not a redistribute from high earners to low earners thing. It's redistribute from people with no pension provision to people in public service pension schemes. Exactly the kind of thing that pbers will just love when they find out the details!
What's your prediction for the Lions match on Saturday?
Now that the vile cheat Cian Healy is out, I'm cheering for the Lions.
I like my rugby and I'll follow the tour, but I don't really see the logic of the British Lions - a sort of quasi-international exhibition side. It would be rather odd if the Aussies and Kiwis joined forces and toured here.
The purpose of the British and Irish Lions is to allow the Irish, Scots and Welsh players to get some experience of playing alongside world class players that the English produce.
Are you sure the net effect will be billions of savings?
Yes - in the short, medium and long-term. And it's not a redistribute from high earners to low earners thing. It's redistribute from people with no pension provision to people in public service pension schemes. Exactly the kind of thing that pbers will just love when they find out the details!
What's your prediction for the Lions match on Saturday?
Now that the vile cheat Cian Healy is out, I'm cheering for the Lions.
I like my rugby and I'll follow the tour, but I don't really see the logic of the British Lions - a sort of quasi-international exhibition side. It would be rather odd if the Aussies and Kiwis joined forces and toured here.
The purpose of the British and Irish Lions is to allow the Irish, Scots and Welsh players to get some experience of playing alongside world class players that the English produce.
In the last 75 years, only two Englishman have ever been named captain of the Lions. (9 Irish, 5 Welsh, 4 Scots).
It's basically a nice way of getting English players front row seats to watch rugby, more recently it's a way for them to play on the same pitch as the Welsh players and still have a chance of winning.
The last winning captain of the Lions was an Englishman of course, who went on to win the World Cup.
Random's analysis is so accurate it deserves repeating:
" Perhaps, if you genuinely believe that the best way of getting a referendum is voting for a Conservative government led by David Cameron. If you do not - if you believe that Cameron is carefully phrasing his promises now so that he can renege on the spirit of them while honouring the letter (like he did over Lisbon) - then voting Conservative would be a major mistake. All it will do is encourage the likes of Cameron to believe that "I support a referendum in principle, but now is not the right time/this is not the right issue" is a viable strategy. If you want an actual referendum, then (assuming a UKIP majority is impractical) then Cameron needs to be beaten, and more so he needs to be beaten in such a way that the Conservative party understands they will never win again until they give us a leader who gets it. Yes, this means that we won't get a referendum before the 2020 election, sadly. But if we enable Cameron and his "yes, but" style we will never get one because we will alternate between prime ministers who are opposed in principle to a referendum and prime ministers who believe that the right time for a referendum is always some years in the future.
Now it's possible I'm completely wrong on this and misjudging Cameron's character, but I would venture to suggest that his track record so far is a better fit for my position than it is for yours. "
The chances of a Cameron government ever allowing a British exit from the EU is nil.
In the highly unlikely event of a Cameron government (which itself is unlikely enough after 2015) allowing an EU referendum there would be zero chance of it following through on a No vote (assuming that was the result).
Instead we'd have a weasel-words fest of 'clarification' and 'negotiation' and 'interpretation' and 'confirmation' which would be dragged along until the following general election.
The only way in which Britain would leave the EU would be under a government of Conservatives purged of the chumocracy, a UKIP government or a coalition of the two.
This can only be achieved by the Conservatives losing in 2015 and the Cameroons being seen to have failed.
The downside is huge, the upside limited. But you are a true believer.
What's the downside ?
A Labour government ?
We had one for 13 years - it was led by Tony Blair, the same Tony Blair Cameron saw himself as the natural heir to. It had Gordon Brown as Chancellor, the same Gordon Brown whose spending plans Osborne supported.
I'm sorry Charles but I see no possibility of integrity in government, economic responsibility or concern about increasing inequality from the Cameroons.
So I'm willing for EdM to become prime minister - things need to get worse before they can get better and I'd prefer that it was the Labour brand which was damaged as a consequence. And hopefully in the meantime the Conservatives can get a leadership of people who don't regard government as a puerile game.
Why on earth don't you believe Cast Iron Cammie? You seem to be implying that tory eurosceptics are hilariously gullible fools.
Nothing could be further from the truth as this proves.
Expect a few word changes to IN/OUT referendum so that will then become his election broadcast for the 2014 EU elections too. And they'll fall for it yet again as they always do.
Are you sure the net effect will be billions of savings?
Yes - in the short, medium and long-term. And it's not a redistribute from high earners to low earners thing. It's redistribute from people with no pension provision to people in public service pension schemes. Exactly the kind of thing that pbers will just love when they find out the details!
What's your prediction for the Lions match on Saturday?
Now that the vile cheat Cian Healy is out, I'm cheering for the Lions.
I like my rugby and I'll follow the tour, but I don't really see the logic of the British Lions - a sort of quasi-international exhibition side. It would be rather odd if the Aussies and Kiwis joined forces and toured here.
The purpose of the British and Irish Lions is to allow the Irish, Scots and Welsh players to get some experience of playing alongside world class players that the English produce.
Are you sure the net effect will be billions of savings?
Yes - in the short, medium and long-term. And it's not a redistribute from high earners to low earners thing. It's redistribute from people with no pension provision to people in public service pension schemes. Exactly the kind of thing that pbers will just love when they find out the details!
What's your prediction for the Lions match on Saturday?
Now that the vile cheat Cian Healy is out, I'm cheering for the Lions.
I like my rugby and I'll follow the tour, but I don't really see the logic of the British Lions - a sort of quasi-international exhibition side. It would be rather odd if the Aussies and Kiwis joined forces and toured here.
The purpose of the British and Irish Lions is to allow the Irish, Scots and Welsh players to get some experience of playing alongside world class players that the English produce.
In the last 75 years, only two Englishman have ever been named captain of the Lions. (9 Irish, 5 Welsh, 4 Scots).
It's basically a nice way of getting English players front row seats to watch rugby, more recently it's a way for them to play on the same pitch as the Welsh players and still have a chance of winning.
The last winning captain of the Lions was an Englishman of course, who went on to win the World Cup.
Was also the last English captain to win a Six Nations grand slam. How fast a decade goes by.
Are you sure the net effect will be billions of savings?
Yes - in the short, medium and long-term. And it's not a redistribute from high earners to low earners thing. It's redistribute from people with no pension provision to people in public service pension schemes. Exactly the kind of thing that pbers will just love when they find out the details!
What's your prediction for the Lions match on Saturday?
Now that the vile cheat Cian Healy is out, I'm cheering for the Lions.
I like my rugby and I'll follow the tour, but I don't really see the logic of the British Lions - a sort of quasi-international exhibition side. It would be rather odd if the Aussies and Kiwis joined forces and toured here.
The purpose of the British and Irish Lions is to allow the Irish, Scots and Welsh players to get some experience of playing alongside world class players that the English produce.
Are you sure the net effect will be billions of savings?
Yes - in the short, medium and long-term. And it's not a redistribute from high earners to low earners thing. It's redistribute from people with no pension provision to people in public service pension schemes. Exactly the kind of thing that pbers will just love when they find out the details!
What's your prediction for the Lions match on Saturday?
Now that the vile cheat Cian Healy is out, I'm cheering for the Lions.
I like my rugby and I'll follow the tour, but I don't really see the logic of the British Lions - a sort of quasi-international exhibition side. It would be rather odd if the Aussies and Kiwis joined forces and toured here.
The purpose of the British and Irish Lions is to allow the Irish, Scots and Welsh players to get some experience of playing alongside world class players that the English produce.
In the last 75 years, only two Englishman have ever been named captain of the Lions. (9 Irish, 5 Welsh, 4 Scots).
It's basically a nice way of getting English players front row seats to watch rugby, more recently it's a way for them to play on the same pitch as the Welsh players and still have a chance of winning.
The last winning captain of the Lions was an Englishman of course, who went on to win the World Cup.
Was also the last English captain to win a Six Nations grand slam. How fast a decade goes by.
Bring back Jack Rowell, we used to win the Grand Slam under him every year.
Are you sure the net effect will be billions of savings?
Yes - in the short, medium and long-term. And it's not a redistribute from high earners to low earners thing. It's redistribute from people with no pension provision to people in public service pension schemes. Exactly the kind of thing that pbers will just love when they find out the details!
What's your prediction for the Lions match on Saturday?
Now that the vile cheat Cian Healy is out, I'm cheering for the Lions.
I like my rugby and I'll follow the tour, but I don't really see the logic of the British Lions - a sort of quasi-international exhibition side. It would be rather odd if the Aussies and Kiwis joined forces and toured here.
The purpose of the British and Irish Lions is to allow the Irish, Scots and Welsh players to get some experience of playing alongside world class players that the English produce.
Are you sure the net effect will be billions of savings?
Yes - in the short, medium and long-term. And it's not a redistribute from high earners to low earners thing. It's redistribute from people with no pension provision to people in public service pension schemes. Exactly the kind of thing that pbers will just love when they find out the details!
What's your prediction for the Lions match on Saturday?
Now that the vile cheat Cian Healy is out, I'm cheering for the Lions.
I like my rugby and I'll follow the tour, but I don't really see the logic of the British Lions - a sort of quasi-international exhibition side. It would be rather odd if the Aussies and Kiwis joined forces and toured here.
The purpose of the British and Irish Lions is to allow the Irish, Scots and Welsh players to get some experience of playing alongside world class players that the English produce.
In the last 75 years, only two Englishman have ever been named captain of the Lions. (9 Irish, 5 Welsh, 4 Scots).
It's basically a nice way of getting English players front row seats to watch rugby, more recently it's a way for them to play on the same pitch as the Welsh players and still have a chance of winning.
The last winning captain of the Lions was an Englishman of course, who went on to win the World Cup.
Was also the last English captain to win a Six Nations grand slam. How fast a decade goes by.
When was the last time Wales did this to the All Blacks ?
A rail company is offering one couple a chance to get married on a train
"I'll tell you a riddle: you're waiting for a train, a train that will take you far away. You know where you hope this train will take you, but you don't know for sure. But it doesn't matter. How can it not matter to you where the train will take you?"
Are you at the end of the line? So any train is the right direction, even if it is not a direct service?
Nope. The correct answer is: "Because you'll be together."
There is me thinking it just a description of Morden. Anywhere else is a good destination.
Comments
Damian McBride @DPMcBride 5m
If there are any non-US candidates for Fed Chair, surely Gordon Brown is one. We need someone who grasps how serious things are becoming.
"I'll tell you a riddle: you're waiting for a train, a train that will take you far away. You know where you hope this train will take you, but you don't know for sure. But it doesn't matter. How can it not matter to you where the train will take you?"
Good piece by Rafael Behr in the New Statesman btw. Touches on a subject which interests a lot of us: is there more to Ed Miliband than meets the eye or will he to end up a loser, like Kinnock. It is a tough one to call. The maths say he'll be a winner, but like Behr says, it is so, so easy not to believe it.
Lloyds to be sold off - with a retail sale of some shares later.
Finished The Last of Us. Bloody good game.
He did, however, fear for the future of Scotland’s rugby team, especially in the light of rugby sevens becoming an Olympic sport.
He believes this will see developing rugby nations enjoying increased investment, to Scotland’s disadvantage.
Generally, I back up a few inches.
Boom tish.
Al Kazeem helped replenish the coffers today after yesterday's bloodbath and a nice SP too.
Politics - well, Obama was at his best in Berlin today. There seems to be something about the place that resonates with US presidents. Very pro-EU and emphasising the benefits of the US-EU relationship so one for some on here to ponder.
Interesting that Syria wasn't mentioned - I suspect for all the bluster, the G8 have effectively agreed a policy of collective inaction. Putin will be happy about this and for all some claimed he looked "uncomfortable" you have to remember the tough guy image is for the folks back home. Just as we like Cameron to be tough with the rest of the EU, the Russians like Putin to look tough on the world stage.
The realpolitik is that as far as Syria is concerned, the G8 want this to end as quickly as possible and while that won't in and of itself end the violence, it would calm things down in an area of the world that for all the comments from the pro-fracking lobby, remains an area of critical economic and geopolitical significance for the West.
.@Aggerscricket on 5live earlier "No-one wants to lose a semi" Quite right Aggers, quite right. #cricketinginnuendo
Harry Smith @stvharry 1m
Which part of Alec feels British or is this a Telegraph trick - tmorrow's front Scottish page pic.twitter.com/8vxEtDh1n8
I knew a few Manchester United and Everton fans who were very upset that Liverpool didn't slip into administration a few years ago.
Edit: and I'm sure Celtic fans were really upset when Rangers went into administration/liquidation last year.
Not only do we believe that imitation is sincerest form of flattery, we tend to assume that a united (or even semi-unted) Europe = less war. We think that not only good for us, but also for our distant relations from Moscow to Madera whose immediate ancestors were NOT smart/lucky enough to immigrate to this side of the Atlantic (and Pacific).
BTW, while I was strolling from the bus to the stadium (Qwest Field > Century Link Field aka "The Clink" or as I prefer "Taxpayers Park") there was a group of obviously English fans singing "You Are My Sunshine" at top of their lugs. Was touched (as LSU grad) because that song was written by former Louisiana Governor the late Jimmy Davis. Even if t Brits do NOT know the proper tune!
'Jeffrey'??? Is Cameron Bungle?
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/cdc9b766-d90a-11e2-a6cf-00144feab7de.html#axzz2WhURKYA0
Poor George, he should let someone else do the Mansion House gig for him. Black or white tie is not a good look for him.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ezBx-ro5frg
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/conservative/10130132/The-Tories-will-never-triumph-with-five-chairmen-at-the-helm.html
Worst of the bunch is of course RBS which still needs between £10 and 12bn to cover bad loans. . Osborne admits that with the benefit of hindsight it should have been broken into good bank/bad bank in 2008. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/banksandfinance/10130925/Lloyds-privatisation-is-active-says-G
Anyone still think it was a bad idea to get rid of Hester? He has fought these ideas tooth and nail for years now. RBS was terminally sick and if there were not a crop of Labour seats at risk in Scotland it would have been wound down at the time. Better late than never.
I dont wish ill but Hearts have been bust for months - the owner is on the run in Moscow.
The SFA have allowed another fine club to be pillaged by crooks.
The Scottish government are hiding again on the governance of the game.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timbers_Army
There's been a little discussion on here recently about the new gaming consoles, and especially MS's restrictions on their new XBox One.
Well, they appear to have backed down from some of the worst items. In particular, there will be no need for an Internet connection:
http://news.xbox.com/2013/06/update
Possibly too little, too late. It's been terrible PR for MS.
To me it shows how demoralised and despairing the party is becomming despite the poll leads. The article is essentially an acknowledgement that Osborne has won the argument. The suggestion that additional capital spending of £10bn (comfortably less than 1 week's spending) is going to make a measurable difference to the economy is frankly pitiful.
And they still haven't even begun to say where their cuts (so much nicer than George's of course) are actually going to fall.
Minor but sloppy gaffe by Obama .
Nothing compared to this all time clanger ;
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fgG8nX58gnA
" Perhaps, if you genuinely believe that the best way of getting a referendum is voting for a Conservative government led by David Cameron. If you do not - if you believe that Cameron is carefully phrasing his promises now so that he can renege on the spirit of them while honouring the letter (like he did over Lisbon) - then voting Conservative would be a major mistake. All it will do is encourage the likes of Cameron to believe that "I support a referendum in principle, but now is not the right time/this is not the right issue" is a viable strategy. If you want an actual referendum, then (assuming a UKIP majority is impractical) then Cameron needs to be beaten, and more so he needs to be beaten in such a way that the Conservative party understands they will never win again until they give us a leader who gets it. Yes, this means that we won't get a referendum before the 2020 election, sadly. But if we enable Cameron and his "yes, but" style we will never get one because we will alternate between prime ministers who are opposed in principle to a referendum and prime ministers who believe that the right time for a referendum is always some years in the future.
Now it's possible I'm completely wrong on this and misjudging Cameron's character, but I would venture to suggest that his track record so far is a better fit for my position than it is for yours. "
The chances of a Cameron government ever allowing a British exit from the EU is nil.
In the highly unlikely event of a Cameron government (which itself is unlikely enough after 2015) allowing an EU referendum there would be zero chance of it following through on a No vote (assuming that was the result).
Instead we'd have a weasel-words fest of 'clarification' and 'negotiation' and 'interpretation' and 'confirmation' which would be dragged along until the following general election.
The only way in which Britain would leave the EU would be under a government of Conservatives purged of the chumocracy, a UKIP government or a coalition of the two.
This can only be achieved by the Conservatives losing in 2015 and the Cameroons being seen to have failed.
It seems that Charles is not the only posh boy with a dodgy knowledge of English geography.
Further down the intellectual foodchain Perdix had a go at me.
Anyone who attempts some original analysis runs that risk from one group of cheerleaders or another. I suspect its not a risk Perdix will ever need to concern himself with here though.
Even more mad than 'always on' and the rented/used issue (hard to believe something could be, but it was) Microsoft had actually announced putting in a region lock that would have shut out almost half of the EU, many other countries and a truly massive potential user base. That too has now been reversed after baffled incredulity from the industry that it was ever planned in the first place.
It may indeed be too little too late since even after this they are still well behind Sony on the crucial retail price point. The momentum Sony now have also matters hugely as the rise of online gaming means console gamers tend to have social groupings they play online with, so they will go where their friends are going, which right now is still Sony.
I'm waiting for the complaints of BBC bias - a Tory, a rightwinger and a Labourite? This lack of balance would normally have people foaming at the mouth here!
As an aside, reading a book I think you'd enjoy (I believe that Socrates may have recommended it originally?).
Called 'Deer Hunting with Jesus' - describes many of the same phenomena that you observe in the UK. The tone is a little sneery at time (disappointing - I guess the author can't quite help himself) but interesting & thought-provoking if you can get past that
http://www.amazon.com/Deer-Hunting-Jesus-Dispatches-Americas/dp/0307339378
The choice of the fine county of Lincolnshire was influenced by ar's love of Cleethorpes.
Truth revealed in art always trumps geographical exactitude.
The bit I saw talked about managed expenditure but didn't go into detail on pensions etc. The suggestions as to how this managed expenditure ( a highly misleading term of course) was going to be cut to save the poor departments was not gone into.
There are clearly going to be a lot of losers as well as gainers in the new fixed level pension, specifically higher wage earners who would previously have expected higher pensions from their additional contributions. Presumably there will be admin savings too. Are you sure the net effect will be billions of savings? Does that reflect the changes in the age of entitlement?
Perhaps when Cameron and Osborne turned up at the White House in 2012 Obama thought that Osborne was Cameron's butler ?
Polishing shoes and pouring drinks being closer to Osborne's ability range than understanding national finances.
Now that the vile cheat Cian Healy is out, I'm cheering for the Lions.
I think the Lions will do it. But I'm an optimistic guy!
A Labour government ?
We had one for 13 years - it was led by Tony Blair, the same Tony Blair Cameron saw himself as the natural heir to. It had Gordon Brown as Chancellor, the same Gordon Brown whose spending plans Osborne supported.
I'm sorry Charles but I see no possibility of integrity in government, economic responsibility or concern about increasing inequality from the Cameroons.
So I'm willing for EdM to become prime minister - things need to get worse before they can get better and I'd prefer that it was the Labour brand which was damaged as a consequence. And hopefully in the meantime the Conservatives can get a leadership of people who don't regard government as a puerile game.
Now that can sometimes happen at PB but its a little disconcerting when you happen to be referenced in the comment.
See all, hear all, say nowt.
Eat all, drink all, pay nowt.
And if you ever do owt for nowt them make sure its for yourself.
I should add that I am not "against" the Lions - merely that I find their existence illogical. That's quite a different thing...
I'm sure I never heard the painfully long name of 'British and Irish Lions' until then.
I have remarked before on the similarities between Bertie, Barmy, Bingo, Tuppy and Gussy compared to Cammy, Ozzy, Ollie, Franny and Jez.
One lot are rather likeable though and the other isn't.
It's basically a nice way of getting English players front row seats to watch rugby, more recently it's a way for them to play on the same pitch as the Welsh players and still have a chance of winning.
It was perhaps a way to make Hollande look a fool, not that it takes much.
Of course the first ever English captain of the Lions died on tour...
Nothing could be further from the truth as this proves.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sQ2n7oMcSi0
Expect a few word changes to IN/OUT referendum so that will then become his election broadcast for the 2014 EU elections too. And they'll fall for it yet again as they always do.
Was also the last English captain to win a Six Nations grand slam. How fast a decade goes by.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YiQur_Rehnc
In fact , when is the last time Wales beat the All Blacks ?