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politicalbetting.com » Blog Archive » In Greece the crisis over the Euro is set to become a Drach

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  • Richard_TyndallRichard_Tyndall Posts: 32,690

    welshowl said:

    Can anyone give ONE good reason why we're part of this (EU) mess? Exit please, ta.

    As a bulwark against the vile Vladimir Putin and his imperialist ambitions for Russia.
    That's NATO
    Both play a part.

    Remember the EU received a Nobel Peace Prize, NATO has never received such an award.
    That is hardly a ringing endorsement. Obama got a Nobel Peace Prize simply because he wasn't George W Bush. Al Gore got one for being a thick politician who understands nothing about science.

    The EU causes crisis and suffering, it doesn't solve it.
    Sorry Richard, it was a sarcastic reply to one of Putin's fanboys.

    Why is it we can put men on the moon, but we can't come up with a universal sign for sarcasm on the internet?
    No worries TSE. You are right, spotting sarcasm right on the internet is harder than getting Sheldon to understand it.
  • Luckyguy1983Luckyguy1983 Posts: 28,880

    welshowl said:

    Can anyone give ONE good reason why we're part of this (EU) mess? Exit please, ta.

    As a bulwark against the vile Vladimir Putin and his imperialist ambitions for Russia.
    That's NATO
    Both play a part.

    Remember the EU received a Nobel Peace Prize, NATO has never received such an award.
    That is hardly a ringing endorsement. Obama got a Nobel Peace Prize simply because he wasn't George W Bush. Al Gore got one for being a thick politician who understands nothing about science.

    The EU causes crisis and suffering, it doesn't solve it.
    Sorry Richard, it was a sarcastic reply to one of Putin's fanboys.

    Why is it we can put men on the moon, but we can't come up with a universal sign for sarcasm on the internet?
    You really don't get it do you? I'm not a 'fanboy' of anyone - you're describing yourself. I support what you call a 'joke' party, a party that is widely mocked and loathed, because in all good conscience I cannot support a party when I don't subscribe to their political direction of travel. I know that UKIP can be a joke sometimes - if I wanted to be a political gloryseeker I'd still be a Tory. Likewise I support a realistic, independent and pro-British position on Russia, as opposed to unjustified and undeserved US support and dangerous warmongering. That's the difference between our political positions - mine are consistent with my values and what I believe to be the truth, no matter how unpopular they may make me. Yours seem to be based entirely on a desire to belong.
  • TheScreamingEaglesTheScreamingEagles Posts: 119,984

    welshowl said:

    Can anyone give ONE good reason why we're part of this (EU) mess? Exit please, ta.

    As a bulwark against the vile Vladimir Putin and his imperialist ambitions for Russia.
    That's NATO
    Both play a part.

    Remember the EU received a Nobel Peace Prize, NATO has never received such an award.
    That is hardly a ringing endorsement. Obama got a Nobel Peace Prize simply because he wasn't George W Bush. Al Gore got one for being a thick politician who understands nothing about science.

    The EU causes crisis and suffering, it doesn't solve it.
    Sorry Richard, it was a sarcastic reply to one of Putin's fanboys.

    Why is it we can put men on the moon, but we can't come up with a universal sign for sarcasm on the internet?
    No worries TSE. You are right, spotting sarcasm right on the internet is harder than getting Sheldon to understand it.
    All sarcastic posts on PB should now be signed off with Bazinga.
  • viewcodeviewcode Posts: 22,424

    viewcode said:

    Can anyone give ONE good reason why we're part of this (EU) mess? Exit please, ta.

    Because Greece gives an object lesson on what happens if you go "lah, lah, we can go on our own, everything is peachy, nothing bad will happen...oh, shiiiit"

    And the award for most desperately tortured anti-logic goes to...
    You asked me for a reason. I gave you one.

  • welshowlwelshowl Posts: 4,464

    welshowl said:

    welshowl said:

    Can anyone give ONE good reason why we're part of this (EU) mess? Exit please, ta.

    As a bulwark against the vile Vladimir Putin and his imperialist ambitions for Russia.
    That's NATO
    Both play a part.

    Remember the EU received a Nobel Peace Prize, NATO has never received such an award.
    Bet Putin's really scared of a Nobel prize (!)

    Ok the EU helps but seriously what really matters is a US commitment of its armed forces in the event of Russian tanks rolling. Russia would lose (well we all would but he sure wouldn't win). Putin knows that. Waving Nobel prizes in his face or having the Commission issue a statement wouldn't matter a stuff.

    Fortunately I doubt Putin's that daft. Russia's got big problems itself and is probably weaker than it appears it is. As long as the U.S. remains ready to act as the cavalry that is.
    Putin is scared of the gays, I think he's all fart and no follow through, as we say in Yorkshire.
    Indeed.

    He has no " soft power " it's all hard cash or tanks. Ultimately their economy pretty much relies on digging or piping stuff out of the ground which is volatile at best - see oil price of late.
  • Luckyguy1983Luckyguy1983 Posts: 28,880
    viewcode said:

    viewcode said:

    Can anyone give ONE good reason why we're part of this (EU) mess? Exit please, ta.

    Because Greece gives an object lesson on what happens if you go "lah, lah, we can go on our own, everything is peachy, nothing bad will happen...oh, shiiiit"

    And the award for most desperately tortured anti-logic goes to...
    You asked me for a reason. I gave you one.

    Not that I noticed.
  • TheScreamingEaglesTheScreamingEagles Posts: 119,984
    edited June 2015

    welshowl said:

    Can anyone give ONE good reason why we're part of this (EU) mess? Exit please, ta.

    As a bulwark against the vile Vladimir Putin and his imperialist ambitions for Russia.
    That's NATO
    Both play a part.

    Remember the EU received a Nobel Peace Prize, NATO has never received such an award.
    That is hardly a ringing endorsement. Obama got a Nobel Peace Prize simply because he wasn't George W Bush. Al Gore got one for being a thick politician who understands nothing about science.

    The EU causes crisis and suffering, it doesn't solve it.
    Sorry Richard, it was a sarcastic reply to one of Putin's fanboys.

    Why is it we can put men on the moon, but we can't come up with a universal sign for sarcasm on the internet?
    You really don't get it do you? I'm not a 'fanboy' of anyone - you're describing yourself. I support what you call a 'joke' party, a party that is widely mocked and loathed, because in all good conscience I cannot support a party when I don't subscribe to their political direction of travel. I know that UKIP can be a joke sometimes - if I wanted to be a political gloryseeker I'd still be a Tory. Likewise I support a realistic, independent and pro-British position on Russia, as opposed to unjustified and undeserved US support and dangerous warmongering. That's the difference between our political positions - mine are consistent with my values and what I believe to be the truth, no matter how unpopular they may make me. Yours seem to be based entirely on a desire to belong.
    I was a Tory from 1997 onwards, for the first decade or so, the Tory party wasn't the optimal place for a glory seeker

    PS if a party that polls 37% is widely loathed, what about a party that polled 14%?
  • bigjohnowlsbigjohnowls Posts: 22,736
    DavidL said:

    "Turning a crisis into a drachma."

    Oh dear!

    Are you not supposed to be on holiday?
    A few problems with a terrorist
  • TSE - Why do you refer to George Osborne presenting his "emergency" budget. Has it ever been categorised elsewhere as such? Such a description is all the more surprising given all the positive aspects relating to the economy as reported by the same Chancellor barely 4 months ago and the protestations from just about every other political party as well as from such luminaries as Charlotte Church for far less austerity in fact?

    The Telegraph, inter alia, call it the emergency budget

    What is the emergency Budget? The emergency Budget will be held on July 8 2015

    http://bit.ly/1STga8J
    The self same Daily Telegraph piece to which you linked points out that that H.M Treaury is referring to instead as being the "Summer Budget"
  • Luckyguy1983Luckyguy1983 Posts: 28,880

    welshowl said:

    Can anyone give ONE good reason why we're part of this (EU) mess? Exit please, ta.

    As a bulwark against the vile Vladimir Putin and his imperialist ambitions for Russia.
    That's NATO
    Both play a part.

    Remember the EU received a Nobel Peace Prize, NATO has never received such an award.
    That is hardly a ringing endorsement. Obama got a Nobel Peace Prize simply because he wasn't George W Bush. Al Gore got one for being a thick politician who understands nothing about science.

    The EU causes crisis and suffering, it doesn't solve it.
    Sorry Richard, it was a sarcastic reply to one of Putin's fanboys.

    Why is it we can put men on the moon, but we can't come up with a universal sign for sarcasm on the internet?
    You really don't get it do you? I'm not a 'fanboy' of anyone - you're describing yourself. I support what you call a 'joke' party, a party that is widely mocked and loathed, because in all good conscience I cannot support a party when I don't subscribe to their political direction of travel. I know that UKIP can be a joke sometimes - if I wanted to be a political gloryseeker I'd still be a Tory. Likewise I support a realistic, independent and pro-British position on Russia, as opposed to unjustified and undeserved US support and dangerous warmongering. That's the difference between our political positions - mine are consistent with my values and what I believe to be the truth, no matter how unpopular they may make me. Yours seem to be based entirely on a desire to belong.
    I was a Tory from 1997 onwards, for the first decade or so, the Tory party wasn't the optimal place for a glory seeker
    No, but it was still our 'tribe' - and that's hard to let go of. But in my opinion when your Vicar stops believing in God, there's not much point in listening to his sermons, and when the Tory leadership stops believing in Britain, there's no point in the party. There's nothing left except blue rosettes and better cut suits than the other side. That's not democracy and it's not good enough.
  • PaulyPauly Posts: 897
    I think Greece signing on the dotted line for a third bailout will end their economic issues once and for all.
    Bazinga.
  • DavidLDavidL Posts: 54,038
    viewcode said:

    Pensions? Savings? What will salaries be worth in non euros?

    Zero? See below
    Moses_ said:

    I was just wondering why the Greeks could not carry on and just use the euro.

    Everybody in the news media has assumed that a Grexit will proceed like Argentina's devaluation did: president throws a snit, capital controls imposed, corralito, banks overstamp notes, etc. I've argued that an alternative is 90's Latvia (for the Eurogroup) and Russia (for Greece). Russia fell apart and printed ad absurdum, Latvia redenominated from rouble to whatever (lek? Lat?) on an emergency basis: it took them 18 months to convert.

    A currency is worth what people will pay for it, and that is dependent on demand and supply. Supply of New Drachma is difficult to predict, and I assume there are experts on here who can guess better than I. So let's look at demand: who wants a New Drachma? Tourists? No, they will just take Euros and spend Euros in the hotels and bars. Goods purchasers? Nope, because Greece suppliers will cheerfully take Euros. Plumbers, taxi drivers, screw manufacturers? No, no, and no again: they aren't using New Drachma, you can't make them use it, so....why would they?

    So my question, posed on PB recently, and posed here again is: who will need to buy a New Drachma to do something? What is the demand? And the answer may actually be...nobody.

    A New Drachma may be worth literally nothing.
    Civil servants and pensioners (more than half the Greek population combined) will be paid in them. Banks will only be allowed to issue them and those who are smart enough to have domestic overdrafts may come out ahead. The local populace will have little choice but to accept them.

    Where I think you are right is that it may be a considerable time until the New Drachma becomes internationally tradable. We are likely to have a situation such as we had with the old Soviet bloc where there was an official rate of exchange and a much more commonly used and much, much lower unofficial rate.

    Greece will need to find ways to get its population to repatriate their Euros over time. It will not be able to feed itself unless it does. I also suspect that, as in the old Soviet Union, there will be the equivalent of dollar shops where locals will be able to buy a range of imported goods not generally available for hard currency only, no questions asked.
  • Luckyguy1983Luckyguy1983 Posts: 28,880

    welshowl said:

    Can anyone give ONE good reason why we're part of this (EU) mess? Exit please, ta.

    As a bulwark against the vile Vladimir Putin and his imperialist ambitions for Russia.
    That's NATO
    Both play a part.

    Remember the EU received a Nobel Peace Prize, NATO has never received such an award.
    That is hardly a ringing endorsement. Obama got a Nobel Peace Prize simply because he wasn't George W Bush. Al Gore got one for being a thick politician who understands nothing about science.

    The EU causes crisis and suffering, it doesn't solve it.
    Sorry Richard, it was a sarcastic reply to one of Putin's fanboys.

    Why is it we can put men on the moon, but we can't come up with a universal sign for sarcasm on the internet?
    You really don't get it do you? I'm not a 'fanboy' of anyone - you're describing yourself. I support what you call a 'joke' party, a party that is widely mocked and loathed, because in all good conscience I cannot support a party when I don't subscribe to their political direction of travel. I know that UKIP can be a joke sometimes - if I wanted to be a political gloryseeker I'd still be a Tory. Likewise I support a realistic, independent and pro-British position on Russia, as opposed to unjustified and undeserved US support and dangerous warmongering. That's the difference between our political positions - mine are consistent with my values and what I believe to be the truth, no matter how unpopular they may make me. Yours seem to be based entirely on a desire to belong.
    I was a Tory from 1997 onwards, for the first decade or so, the Tory party wasn't the optimal place for a glory seeker

    PS if a party that polls 37% is widely loathed, what about a party that polled 14%?
    I don't think you understood - I'm saying UKIP are widely loathed.

  • TheScreamingEaglesTheScreamingEagles Posts: 119,984
    edited June 2015
    Front page of the Sunday Times says Boris is going call for a No vote.

    So Boris to lead the OUT campaign?

    Edit - Not quite

    BORIS JOHNSON is preparing to call for a “no” vote in Britain’s referendum on the European Union in an attempt to extract greater concessions from Brussels than David Cameron is demanding.

    In a stance that puts him on a collision course with the prime minister, the mayor of London believes Britain should reject any deal Cameron puts forward because the EU will not give enough ground.

    Johnson has told friends that a “no” vote is desirable because it would prompt Brussels to offer a much better deal, which the public could then support in a second referendum.

    Johnson said: “We need to be bold. You have to show them that you are serious.”

    The mayor’s views, shared with friends last week, will send shockwaves through Downing Street. Both the “yes” and “no” camps had assumed that he would support Cameron in arguing for Britain to vote yes.
  • viewcodeviewcode Posts: 22,424

    viewcode said:

    viewcode said:

    Can anyone give ONE good reason why we're part of this (EU) mess? Exit please, ta.

    Because Greece gives an object lesson on what happens if you go "lah, lah, we can go on our own, everything is peachy, nothing bad will happen...oh, shiiiit"

    And the award for most desperately tortured anti-logic goes to...
    You asked me for a reason. I gave you one.

    Not that I noticed.
    In (what passes for) my professional career, I have long ago become reconciled to the fact that my job ends when the information is provided: expecting people to act on it is a heartbreak waiting to happen.
  • williamglennwilliamglenn Posts: 52,308

    Front page of the Sunday Times says

    BORIS JOHNSON is preparing to call for a “no” vote in Britain’s referendum on the European Union in an attempt to extract greater concessions from Brussels than David Cameron is demanding.

    They're playing good toff, bad toff.
  • HYUFDHYUFD Posts: 123,988
    TSE Sounds like he is pursuing a Tsipras approach, could it be Boris v Cameron, Out v In!
  • TheScreamingEaglesTheScreamingEagles Posts: 119,984
    Cock.

    This means, I have to write a new morning thread.

    Bloody Boris.
  • viewcodeviewcode Posts: 22,424
    edited June 2015

    BORIS JOHNSON is preparing to call for a “no” vote in Britain’s referendum on the European Union...

    @Luckyguy1983, you know how you wanted a reason to stay in the EU...



  • Tissue_PriceTissue_Price Posts: 9,039

    welshowl said:

    Can anyone give ONE good reason why we're part of this (EU) mess? Exit please, ta.

    As a bulwark against the vile Vladimir Putin and his imperialist ambitions for Russia.
    That's NATO
    Both play a part.

    Remember the EU received a Nobel Peace Prize, NATO has never received such an award.
    That is hardly a ringing endorsement. Obama got a Nobel Peace Prize simply because he wasn't George W Bush. Al Gore got one for being a thick politician who understands nothing about science.

    The EU causes crisis and suffering, it doesn't solve it.
    Sorry Richard, it was a sarcastic reply to one of Putin's fanboys.

    Why is it we can put men on the moon, but we can't come up with a universal sign for sarcasm on the internet?
    Ah, so you're one of those who thinks we put men on the moon.
  • HYUFDHYUFD Posts: 123,988
    If Cameron does lead the In campaign expect Boris to be appointed cultural attache to Syria
  • TheScreamingEaglesTheScreamingEagles Posts: 119,984

    welshowl said:

    Can anyone give ONE good reason why we're part of this (EU) mess? Exit please, ta.

    As a bulwark against the vile Vladimir Putin and his imperialist ambitions for Russia.
    That's NATO
    Both play a part.

    Remember the EU received a Nobel Peace Prize, NATO has never received such an award.
    That is hardly a ringing endorsement. Obama got a Nobel Peace Prize simply because he wasn't George W Bush. Al Gore got one for being a thick politician who understands nothing about science.

    The EU causes crisis and suffering, it doesn't solve it.
    Sorry Richard, it was a sarcastic reply to one of Putin's fanboys.

    Why is it we can put men on the moon, but we can't come up with a universal sign for sarcasm on the internet?
    Ah, so you're one of those who thinks we put men on the moon.
    Having watched the Minions movie today, they also say the moon landings were faked.

    I'm so confused now
  • FlightpathlFlightpathl Posts: 1,243

    Front page of the Sunday Times says Boris is going call for a No vote.
    So Boris to lead the OUT campaign?
    Edit - Not quite
    BORIS JOHNSON is preparing to call for a “no” vote in Britain’s referendum on the European Union in an attempt to extract greater concessions from Brussels than David Cameron is demanding.
    ...
    Johnson has told friends that a “no” vote is desirable because it would prompt Brussels to offer a much better deal, which the public could then support in a second referendum.
    Johnson said: “We need to be bold. You have to show them that you are serious.”
    ...

    Going for the Oliver Twist vote?
    The flaw with this - assuming Boris is serious and actually would like to stay in - is that the EU would say bye bye.
    The other flaw is that the deal might actually be a good one when it arrives. But trying to decypher what Boris is really saying when its public is bad enough, let alone when it is retranslated from private conversations with friends.
  • PulpstarPulpstar Posts: 78,417
    edited June 2015

    Can anyone give ONE good reason why we're part of this (EU) mess? Exit please, ta.

    No customs duty on inter-country trade.
  • AndyJSAndyJS Posts: 29,395
    edited June 2015
    Pulpstar said:

    Can anyone give ONE good reason why we're part of this (EU) mess? Exit please, ta.

    Lack of customs duty on inter-country trade.
    That's probably the best way of getting British voters to stay in the EU: remind them of the cheap booze.
  • viewcodeviewcode Posts: 22,424

    BORIS JOHNSON is preparing to call for a “no” vote in Britain’s referendum on the European Union in an attempt to extract greater concessions from Brussels than David Cameron is demanding.

    Johnson has told friends that a “no” vote is desirable because it would prompt Brussels to offer a much better deal, which the public could then support in a second referendum

    So we have a first referendum to stay in the EU, we vote "No", we go to the EU and say "give us more or we leave", they say "No"...then what? We leave twice? Really, really leave?

  • Richard_TyndallRichard_Tyndall Posts: 32,690
    Pulpstar said:

    Can anyone give ONE good reason why we're part of this (EU) mess? Exit please, ta.

    No customs duty on inter-country trade.
    We could have that outside the EU.
  • FlightpathlFlightpathl Posts: 1,243

    welshowl said:

    Can anyone give ONE good reason why we're part of this (EU) mess? Exit please, ta.

    As a bulwark against the vile Vladimir Putin and his imperialist ambitions for Russia.
    That's NATO
    Both play a part.

    Remember the EU received a Nobel Peace Prize, NATO has never received such an award.
    That is hardly a ringing endorsement. Obama got a Nobel Peace Prize simply because he wasn't George W Bush. Al Gore got one for being a thick politician who understands nothing about science.

    The EU causes crisis and suffering, it doesn't solve it.
    Sorry Richard, it was a sarcastic reply to one of Putin's fanboys.

    Why is it we can put men on the moon, but we can't come up with a universal sign for sarcasm on the internet?
    You really don't get it do you? I'm not a 'fanboy' of anyone - you're describing yourself. I support what you call a 'joke' party, a party that is widely mocked and loathed, because in all good conscience I cannot support a party when I don't subscribe to their political direction of travel. I know that UKIP can be a joke sometimes - if I wanted to be a political gloryseeker I'd still be a Tory. Likewise I support a realistic, independent and pro-British position on Russia, as opposed to unjustified and undeserved US support and dangerous warmongering. That's the difference between our political positions - mine are consistent with my values and what I believe to be the truth, no matter how unpopular they may make me. Yours seem to be based entirely on a desire to belong.
    His is sane - yours is bonkers.
  • TheScreamingEaglesTheScreamingEagles Posts: 119,984
    viewcode said:

    BORIS JOHNSON is preparing to call for a “no” vote in Britain’s referendum on the European Union in an attempt to extract greater concessions from Brussels than David Cameron is demanding.

    Johnson has told friends that a “no” vote is desirable because it would prompt Brussels to offer a much better deal, which the public could then support in a second referendum

    So we have a first referendum to stay in the EU, we vote "No", we go to the EU and say "give us more or we leave", they say "No"...then what? We leave twice? Really, really leave?

    Quite frankly it is also undemocratic.

    I've said, were we to vote to leave, I would accept it, as should everyone else.
  • kle4kle4 Posts: 96,591

    rcs1000 said:

    It looks as if is the fact that the Euro, and perhaps not even European Union are "irreversible" may at last be too plain for anyone sane to deny. If so, this is a great day for the peoples of Europe.

    Nothing is irreversible.

    The EU, the Eurozone, Russia, the United Kingdom, Islam, Christianity, humanity and the sun.

    One day, all will be gone.

    At some point in the future, the last person to utter the words "the United Kingdom" (itself many many millenia after the UK is no more) will themselves die, and with it all knowledge of what we built.
    However there will still be an AV thread in the offing.
    If it wasn't for the Greek tragedy and your and Antifrank's guest pieces, I would have run my AV thread this week.

    But i can read between the lines, you want me to run it PDQ. I shall endeavour to meet everyone's desire for an AV thread in the next 72 hours.
    Hallelujah
  • GIN1138GIN1138 Posts: 22,388
    edited June 2015
    At least Greece will soon be able to start the recovery process once their outside the Euro.

    If they rise, like a Pheonix From The Ashes, in the next couple of years. watch out for Italy, Spain and Portugal all clamoring for the exit...


  • Richard_TyndallRichard_Tyndall Posts: 32,690

    welshowl said:

    Can anyone give ONE good reason why we're part of this (EU) mess? Exit please, ta.

    As a bulwark against the vile Vladimir Putin and his imperialist ambitions for Russia.
    That's NATO
    Both play a part.

    Remember the EU received a Nobel Peace Prize, NATO has never received such an award.
    That is hardly a ringing endorsement. Obama got a Nobel Peace Prize simply because he wasn't George W Bush. Al Gore got one for being a thick politician who understands nothing about science.

    The EU causes crisis and suffering, it doesn't solve it.
    Sorry Richard, it was a sarcastic reply to one of Putin's fanboys.

    Why is it we can put men on the moon, but we can't come up with a universal sign for sarcasm on the internet?
    Ah, so you're one of those who thinks we put men on the moon.
    Having watched the Minions movie today, they also say the moon landings were faked.

    I'm so confused now
    Watched the Minions film with the wife and kids this afternoon. First time in a long time I have heard such a consistently high level of laughter from the audience.

    Not a perfect film and maybe not as good as the Despicable Me films but it certainly plays to its strengths and deserves better than the critics have been giving it.
  • viewcodeviewcode Posts: 22,424

    BORIS JOHNSON is preparing to call for a “no” vote in Britain’s referendum on the European Union in an attempt to extract greater concessions from Brussels than David Cameron is demanding.

    Johnson has told friends that a “no” vote is desirable because it would prompt Brussels to offer a much better deal, which the public could then support in a second referendum

    Actually, I'll go to town on this if you'll forgive me. Could somebody give me a recent example of using a second referendum to try to extract a better deal after rejecting a long and painful renegotiation? Anybody? Anybody?

  • HYUFDHYUFD Posts: 123,988
    luckyguy1983 As far as I see it Cameron and Hammond/Hague have arguable been more aggressive to Russia than Obama/Kerry, especially when, Alaska apart, Russia is closer to our doorstep
  • TheScreamingEaglesTheScreamingEagles Posts: 119,984

    welshowl said:

    Can anyone give ONE good reason why we're part of this (EU) mess? Exit please, ta.

    As a bulwark against the vile Vladimir Putin and his imperialist ambitions for Russia.
    That's NATO
    Both play a part.

    Remember the EU received a Nobel Peace Prize, NATO has never received such an award.
    That is hardly a ringing endorsement. Obama got a Nobel Peace Prize simply because he wasn't George W Bush. Al Gore got one for being a thick politician who understands nothing about science.

    The EU causes crisis and suffering, it doesn't solve it.
    Sorry Richard, it was a sarcastic reply to one of Putin's fanboys.

    Why is it we can put men on the moon, but we can't come up with a universal sign for sarcasm on the internet?
    Ah, so you're one of those who thinks we put men on the moon.
    Having watched the Minions movie today, they also say the moon landings were faked.

    I'm so confused now
    Watched the Minions film with the wife and kids this afternoon. First time in a long time I have heard such a consistently high level of laughter from the audience.

    Not a perfect film and maybe not as good as the Despicable Me films but it certainly plays to its strengths and deserves better than the critics have been giving it.
    It was enjoyable, the critics were wrong, that said, I do feel the Minions work best when they are interacting with Gru.
  • Richard_TyndallRichard_Tyndall Posts: 32,690
    For all that I would love to see him campaign for OUT, Boris' idea is just plain daft.

    I can understand how a very narrow OUT result followed by a disastrous few years outside the EU could precipitate a fresh vote

    I can understand how a narrow IN followed by all Cameron's/EU's promises turning out o be so much do-do could precipitate a fresh vote.

    I simply can't envisage how we could go into a referendum saying we want an OUT vote and then we want you to vote again and vote IN.

    It is just not logical or reasonable.
  • kle4kle4 Posts: 96,591
    Pauly said:

    I think Greece signing on the dotted line for a third bailout will end their economic issues once and for all.
    Bazinga.

    The system works.

    Surely even on the Internet that one wouldn't be taken as serious though?
  • NickPalmerNickPalmer Posts: 21,571
    viewcode said:

    BORIS JOHNSON is preparing to call for a “no” vote in Britain’s referendum on the European Union in an attempt to extract greater concessions from Brussels than David Cameron is demanding.

    Johnson has told friends that a “no” vote is desirable because it would prompt Brussels to offer a much better deal, which the public could then support in a second referendum

    Actually, I'll go to town on this if you'll forgive me. Could somebody give me a recent example of using a second referendum to try to extract a better deal after rejecting a long and painful renegotiation? Anybody? Anybody?

    Fortunately, a field test of Boris's plan will be available this week. What lucky timing!
  • viewcodeviewcode Posts: 22,424
    edited June 2015
    GIN1138 said:

    At least Greece will soon be able to start the recovery process once their outside the Euro. If they rise, like a Pheonix From The Ashes, in the next couple of years. watch out for Italy, Spain and Portugal all clamoring for the exit...

    I hope that they do quickly recover. I fear that they will not. Their behavior does not inspire confidence
  • viewcodeviewcode Posts: 22,424

    viewcode said:

    BORIS JOHNSON is preparing to call for a “no” vote in Britain’s referendum on the European Union in an attempt to extract greater concessions from Brussels than David Cameron is demanding.

    Johnson has told friends that a “no” vote is desirable because it would prompt Brussels to offer a much better deal, which the public could then support in a second referendum

    So we have a first referendum to stay in the EU, we vote "No", we go to the EU and say "give us more or we leave", they say "No"...then what? We leave twice? Really, really leave?

    Quite frankly it is also undemocratic.

    I've said, were we to vote to leave, I would accept it, as should everyone else.
    It's also f****** around. Say what you like about Cameron (and I have serious disagreements with him wrt ECHR) he does have a good record in telling you what he wants to do, then going ahead and doing it unapologetically. Boris's approach involves lying to the other countries then lying to the voters.

  • Sunil_PrasannanSunil_Prasannan Posts: 52,157

    "It's been more than thirty years since the wolf and the winter cold. And now, as then, a beast approaches; patient and confident, savoring the meal to come. This beast is made of men and horses, swords and spears. An army of slaves vast beyond imagining, ready to devour tiny Greece, ready to snuff out the world's one hope for reason and justice. A beast approaches."

  • TheScreamingEaglesTheScreamingEagles Posts: 119,984

    For all that I would love to see him campaign for OUT, Boris' idea is just plain daft.

    I can understand how a very narrow OUT result followed by a disastrous few years outside the EU could precipitate a fresh vote

    I can understand how a narrow IN followed by all Cameron's/EU's promises turning out o be so much do-do could precipitate a fresh vote.

    I simply can't envisage how we could go into a referendum saying we want an OUT vote and then we want you to vote again and vote IN.

    It is just not logical or reasonable.

    According to the Sunday Times, Boris decided on this, after reading this (well the blog by Dominic Cummings contained herein)

    http://blogs.spectator.co.uk/coffeehouse/2015/06/no-campaign-chief-pushes-idea-of-two-referendums/
  • AlastairMeeksAlastairMeeks Posts: 30,340
    viewcode said:

    BORIS JOHNSON is preparing to call for a “no” vote in Britain’s referendum on the European Union in an attempt to extract greater concessions from Brussels than David Cameron is demanding.

    Johnson has told friends that a “no” vote is desirable because it would prompt Brussels to offer a much better deal, which the public could then support in a second referendum

    Actually, I'll go to town on this if you'll forgive me. Could somebody give me a recent example of using a second referendum to try to extract a better deal after rejecting a long and painful renegotiation? Anybody? Anybody?

    Denmark, over the Maastricht Treaty, would be the best example.
  • HYUFDHYUFD Posts: 123,988
    edited June 2015
    Kanye West just seems to have stopped dead at Glastonbury, oh no, now reappeared above the crowd
  • JEOJEO Posts: 3,656
    I'm pretty confident that the next Conservative leadership contest will be a continuity candidate versus the biggest beast that backs the Out campaign. It's hard to think of a bigger beast than Johnson that could fill the latter role.
  • viewcodeviewcode Posts: 22,424
    antifrank said:

    viewcode said:

    BORIS JOHNSON is preparing to call for a “no” vote in Britain’s referendum on the European Union in an attempt to extract greater concessions from Brussels than David Cameron is demanding.

    Johnson has told friends that a “no” vote is desirable because it would prompt Brussels to offer a much better deal, which the public could then support in a second referendum

    Actually, I'll go to town on this if you'll forgive me. Could somebody give me a recent example of using a second referendum to try to extract a better deal after rejecting a long and painful renegotiation? Anybody? Anybody?

    Denmark, over the Maastricht Treaty, would be the best example.
    Not, perhaps, the most recent...:-)

  • HYUFDHYUFD Posts: 123,988
    TSE That 'cunning plan' is why Cummings is a classic example of why some people are too clever for their own good!
  • HarryLimeHarryLime Posts: 11
    HYUFD said:

    TSE That 'cunning plan' is why Cummings is a classic example of why some people are too clever for their own good!

    Absolutely. I was laughing as I read it. He has overthought the whole thing on such a grand scale.

    Stark contrast with the Scottish nationalists, who were so much better informed than unionists for the IndyRef. The NO campaign just seem to be much better confused than their opponents.
  • HYUFDHYUFD Posts: 123,988
    JEO Could be Osborne v Boris then, not Osborne v Patterson/Hammond/Fox
  • HarryLimeHarryLime Posts: 11
    JEO said:

    I'm pretty confident that the next Conservative leadership contest will be a continuity candidate versus the biggest beast that backs the Out campaign. It's hard to think of a bigger beast than Johnson that could fill the latter role.

    But a combination of a defeat for Out, the fact that Boris is known to be pro-EU at heart, and his perceived disloyalty would surely be very damaging for his chances.
  • FlightpathlFlightpathl Posts: 1,243
    GIN1138 said:

    At least Greece will soon be able to start the recovery process once their outside the Euro.
    If they rise, like a Pheonix From The Ashes, in the next couple of years. watch out for Italy, Spain and Portugal all clamoring for the exit...

    It would be interesting to see who would lend them money and how many of them would pay their taxes.
  • HYUFDHYUFD Posts: 123,988
    HarryLimes Indeed, while the prospect of an Out might concentrate Brussels minds as it did in Westminster an actual Out would lead to Brexit for good
  • SouthamObserverSouthamObserver Posts: 39,672
    Pretty transparent positioning from Boris. And so therefore rather contemptible. He must realise his best chance of being Tory leader is being on the side Dave isn't on and winning, but he can't quite summon the courage to make a proper stand, just in case he calls it wrong, so has come up with this pretty pathetic wheeze. And all through "friends". They must be pretty close to him to make the front page on this weekend.
  • CarlottaVanceCarlottaVance Posts: 60,216

    viewcode said:

    BORIS JOHNSON is preparing to call for a “no” vote in Britain’s referendum on the European Union in an attempt to extract greater concessions from Brussels than David Cameron is demanding.

    Johnson has told friends that a “no” vote is desirable because it would prompt Brussels to offer a much better deal, which the public could then support in a second referendum

    So we have a first referendum to stay in the EU, we vote "No", we go to the EU and say "give us more or we leave", they say "No"...then what? We leave twice? Really, really leave?

    Quite frankly it is also undemocratic.

    I've said, were we to vote to leave, I would accept it, as should everyone else.
    Just like the Nats & 'once in a generation' SindyRef......?
  • AndyJSAndyJS Posts: 29,395
    Good luck to England vs Canada in Vancouver.

    http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/live/bbcone
  • RobDRobD Posts: 60,046

    Cock.

    This means, I have to write a new morning thread.

    Bloody Boris.

    No AV? :(
  • RobDRobD Posts: 60,046

    viewcode said:

    BORIS JOHNSON is preparing to call for a “no” vote in Britain’s referendum on the European Union in an attempt to extract greater concessions from Brussels than David Cameron is demanding.

    Johnson has told friends that a “no” vote is desirable because it would prompt Brussels to offer a much better deal, which the public could then support in a second referendum

    So we have a first referendum to stay in the EU, we vote "No", we go to the EU and say "give us more or we leave", they say "No"...then what? We leave twice? Really, really leave?

    Quite frankly it is also undemocratic.

    I've said, were we to vote to leave, I would accept it, as should everyone else.
    Just like the Nats & 'once in a generation' SindyRef......?
    To be fair to them, who could have predicted the fundamental change of Dave making a cup of tea with one sugar rather than two?
  • TheScreamingEaglesTheScreamingEagles Posts: 119,984
    RobD said:

    Cock.

    This means, I have to write a new morning thread.

    Bloody Boris.

    No AV? :(
    Monday or Tuesday. Depending on events.
  • TheScreamingEaglesTheScreamingEagles Posts: 119,984
    edited June 2015

    viewcode said:

    BORIS JOHNSON is preparing to call for a “no” vote in Britain’s referendum on the European Union in an attempt to extract greater concessions from Brussels than David Cameron is demanding.

    Johnson has told friends that a “no” vote is desirable because it would prompt Brussels to offer a much better deal, which the public could then support in a second referendum

    So we have a first referendum to stay in the EU, we vote "No", we go to the EU and say "give us more or we leave", they say "No"...then what? We leave twice? Really, really leave?

    Quite frankly it is also undemocratic.

    I've said, were we to vote to leave, I would accept it, as should everyone else.
    Just like the Nats & 'once in a generation' SindyRef......?
    You mean a generation isn't four or five years?
  • TheScreamingEaglesTheScreamingEagles Posts: 119,984
    Canucks = Ed Miliband
  • RobDRobD Posts: 60,046

    RobD said:

    Cock.

    This means, I have to write a new morning thread.

    Bloody Boris.

    No AV? :(
    Monday or Tuesday. Depending on events.
    Events, dear boy.

    :D
  • CarlottaVanceCarlottaVance Posts: 60,216
    RobD said:

    viewcode said:

    BORIS JOHNSON is preparing to call for a “no” vote in Britain’s referendum on the European Union in an attempt to extract greater concessions from Brussels than David Cameron is demanding.

    Johnson has told friends that a “no” vote is desirable because it would prompt Brussels to offer a much better deal, which the public could then support in a second referendum

    So we have a first referendum to stay in the EU, we vote "No", we go to the EU and say "give us more or we leave", they say "No"...then what? We leave twice? Really, really leave?

    Quite frankly it is also undemocratic.

    I've said, were we to vote to leave, I would accept it, as should everyone else.
    Just like the Nats & 'once in a generation' SindyRef......?
    To be fair to them, who could have predicted the fundamental change of Dave making a cup of tea with one sugar rather than two?
    It gets worse....he put the tea in before the milk......case for another SindyRef unanswerable.....
  • RobDRobD Posts: 60,046

    RobD said:

    viewcode said:

    BORIS JOHNSON is preparing to call for a “no” vote in Britain’s referendum on the European Union in an attempt to extract greater concessions from Brussels than David Cameron is demanding.

    Johnson has told friends that a “no” vote is desirable because it would prompt Brussels to offer a much better deal, which the public could then support in a second referendum

    So we have a first referendum to stay in the EU, we vote "No", we go to the EU and say "give us more or we leave", they say "No"...then what? We leave twice? Really, really leave?

    Quite frankly it is also undemocratic.

    I've said, were we to vote to leave, I would accept it, as should everyone else.
    Just like the Nats & 'once in a generation' SindyRef......?
    To be fair to them, who could have predicted the fundamental change of Dave making a cup of tea with one sugar rather than two?
    It gets worse....he put the tea in before the milk......case for another SindyRef unanswerable.....
    Two Indy refs. Surely?
  • AndyJSAndyJS Posts: 29,395
    England 2-0 up after 14 mins.
  • Sunil_PrasannanSunil_Prasannan Posts: 52,157
    RobD said:

    RobD said:

    Cock.

    This means, I have to write a new morning thread.

    Bloody Boris.

    No AV? :(
    Monday or Tuesday. Depending on events.
    Events, dear boy.

    :D
    Macmillan never said that! :lol:

    https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Harold_Macmillan#Disputed
  • RobDRobD Posts: 60,046
    edited June 2015

    RobD said:

    RobD said:

    Cock.

    This means, I have to write a new morning thread.

    Bloody Boris.

    No AV? :(
    Monday or Tuesday. Depending on events.
    Events, dear boy.

    :D
    Macmillan never said that! :lol:

    https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Harold_Macmillan#Disputed
    Disputed by whom? :p
  • TheScreamingEaglesTheScreamingEagles Posts: 119,984

    RobD said:

    RobD said:

    Cock.

    This means, I have to write a new morning thread.

    Bloody Boris.

    No AV? :(
    Monday or Tuesday. Depending on events.
    Events, dear boy.

    :D
    Macmillan never said that! :lol:

    https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Harold_Macmillan#Disputed
    Do you know who said "Events dear boy, events" ?

    Me. Just then :lol:
  • RobDRobD Posts: 60,046

    RobD said:

    RobD said:

    Cock.

    This means, I have to write a new morning thread.

    Bloody Boris.

    No AV? :(
    Monday or Tuesday. Depending on events.
    Events, dear boy.

    :D
    Macmillan never said that! :lol:

    https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Harold_Macmillan#Disputed
    Do you know who said "Events dear boy, events" ?

    Me. Just then :lol:
    And Macmillan definitely said it to me last weekend down the boozer.
  • Sunil_PrasannanSunil_Prasannan Posts: 52,157
    RobD said:

    RobD said:

    RobD said:

    Cock.

    This means, I have to write a new morning thread.

    Bloody Boris.

    No AV? :(
    Monday or Tuesday. Depending on events.
    Events, dear boy.

    :D
    Macmillan never said that! :lol:

    https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Harold_Macmillan#Disputed
    Disputed by whom? :p
    Well, where's the evidence he said it?
  • RobDRobD Posts: 60,046

    RobD said:

    RobD said:

    RobD said:

    Cock.

    This means, I have to write a new morning thread.

    Bloody Boris.

    No AV? :(
    Monday or Tuesday. Depending on events.
    Events, dear boy.

    :D
    Macmillan never said that! :lol:

    https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Harold_Macmillan#Disputed
    Disputed by whom? :p
    Well, where's the evidence he said it?
    See my previous post.... :p
  • Sunil_PrasannanSunil_Prasannan Posts: 52,157
    RobD said:

    RobD said:

    RobD said:

    RobD said:

    Cock.

    This means, I have to write a new morning thread.

    Bloody Boris.

    No AV? :(
    Monday or Tuesday. Depending on events.
    Events, dear boy.

    :D
    Macmillan never said that! :lol:

    https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Harold_Macmillan#Disputed
    Disputed by whom? :p
    Well, where's the evidence he said it?
    See my previous post.... :p
    The word you're looking for is "Apocryphal", meaning he never said it. (Just like Callaghan's alleged "Crisis? What Crisis?")
  • RobDRobD Posts: 60,046

    RobD said:

    RobD said:

    RobD said:

    RobD said:

    Cock.

    This means, I have to write a new morning thread.

    Bloody Boris.

    No AV? :(
    Monday or Tuesday. Depending on events.
    Events, dear boy.

    :D
    Macmillan never said that! :lol:

    https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Harold_Macmillan#Disputed
    Disputed by whom? :p
    Well, where's the evidence he said it?
    See my previous post.... :p
    The word you're looking for is "Apocryphal", meaning he never said it. (Just like Callaghan's alleged "Crisis? What Crisis?")
    Just teasing you! Shame for him if he didn't say it, it's quite the phrase
  • williamglennwilliamglenn Posts: 52,308
    Tsipras and Boris trying the same tactic:

    https://twitter.com/tsipras_eu/status/614936803603316736
  • RobDRobD Posts: 60,046

    Tsipras and Boris trying the same tactic:

    https://twitter.com/tsipras_eu/status/614936803603316736

    What is the referendum question?
  • williamglennwilliamglenn Posts: 52,308
    RobD said:

    Tsipras and Boris trying the same tactic:

    https://twitter.com/tsipras_eu/status/614936803603316736

    What is the referendum question?
    According to Bloomberg it will be:

    “Greek people are hereby asked to decide whether they accept a draft agreement document submitted by the European Commission, the European Central Bank and the International Monetary Fund, at the Eurogroup meeting held on on June 25 and which consists of two documents:

    ‘‘The first document is called Reforms for the Completion of the Current Program and Beyond and the second document is called Preliminary Debt Sustainability Analysis.

    ‘‘- Those citizens who reject the institutions’ proposal vote Not Approved / NO

    ‘‘- Those citizens who accept the institutions’ proposal vote Approved / YES.’’
  • IndigoIndigo Posts: 9,966
    viewcode said:

    viewcode said:

    BORIS JOHNSON is preparing to call for a “no” vote in Britain’s referendum on the European Union in an attempt to extract greater concessions from Brussels than David Cameron is demanding.

    Johnson has told friends that a “no” vote is desirable because it would prompt Brussels to offer a much better deal, which the public could then support in a second referendum

    So we have a first referendum to stay in the EU, we vote "No", we go to the EU and say "give us more or we leave", they say "No"...then what? We leave twice? Really, really leave?

    Quite frankly it is also undemocratic.

    I've said, were we to vote to leave, I would accept it, as should everyone else.
    It's also f****** around. Say what you like about Cameron (and I have serious disagreements with him wrt ECHR) he does have a good record in telling you what he wants to do, then going ahead and doing it unapologetically.
    The other one has bells on it...

    Is this Cast Iron Dave, him of the reducing immigration below 100,000 that we are talking about here ? No ifs, no buts ?
  • Comment seen in an in-game chat channel: " you just have to look a Greece to realize that reality and what people think have only a passing resemblance to each other"

    During the UK election, in the same chat channel, a particularly poor play was described as being performing nearly as incompetently as Miliband eating a bacon sandwich, to the confusion of the Americans present.

    Obviously, these comments aren't any more representative than random pub conversations, but they are a modern version of the same thing, giving some rough indication of popular mood in the appropriate demographic. When your sandwich eating is treated as the standard for incompetence by pretty non-political 20-somethings, that's a pretty good sign you've got an image problem.

    Likewise, the comment quoted above suggests a lot of normal people think Greece has lost touch with reality.
  • PlatoPlato Posts: 15,724
    Oh my. What a ridiculous *award*.

    I want one from Vulgaria.
    AndyJS said:
  • weejonnieweejonnie Posts: 3,820

    Comment seen in an in-game chat channel: " you just have to look a Greece to realize that reality and what people think have only a passing resemblance to each other"

    During the UK election, in the same chat channel, a particularly poor play was described as being performing nearly as incompetently as Miliband eating a bacon sandwich, to the confusion of the Americans present.

    Obviously, these comments aren't any more representative than random pub conversations, but they are a modern version of the same thing, giving some rough indication of popular mood in the appropriate demographic. When your sandwich eating is treated as the standard for incompetence by pretty non-political 20-somethings, that's a pretty good sign you've got an image problem.

    Likewise, the comment quoted above suggests a lot of normal people think Greece has lost touch with reality.

    Greece has lost its marbles.
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