Private Sunil: Hey RobD, don't worry. Me and my squad of ultimate Brexiteers will protect you! Check it out! Independently targeting particle beam phalanx. Vwap! Fry half a city with this puppy. We got tactical smart missiles, phased plasma pulse rifles, RPGs, we got sonic electronic ball breakers! We got nukes, we got knives, sharp sticks... RobD: Knock it off, Sunil. All right, gear up.
Most likely children would be unlikely to hold any religious views or extreme views like communism were they not indoctrinated with them by their parents and schoolteachers from an early age. One of the challenges of globalisation is integration of peoples. It is damned hard to integrate when we are assigning human beings to sectarian silos at age five.
I personally regard religion as one of the most divisive forces in human history.
So it is. But that's no bad thing. Passionate debate makes the world march.
There is no debate. There is no evidence for religion, so it is like having a debate over whether snowflakes can be green or magenta. Perhaps they can, but as neither green nor magenta snowflakes have ever been recorded by any of the world's meteorological scientists, their possible existence makes very poor grounds for a debate.
You don't wish there was debate.
That's a different matter from saying there is no debate.
No, there is no debate. Russell's teapot. If you are a Christian you are obliged to have faith, that is to believe in God on the sole grounds that you believe in God. It is therefore actually heretical of you to assert that there is a debate.
Nope. Your (and Russell's) vision of religion is too small.
Atheists and other people love telling Christians and other religious what they are required to believe to fit into those people's personal opinions. The funniest one is when the militant atheist tries to expel Christianity from some part of society or activity by claiming to be offended on behalf of some convenient straw-victim, whether it is Hindus or Muslims or whoever. Invariably the involuntary victim is not offended at all.
Religion is far deeper and broader than you (or Russell) wish to allow.
To take Christianity, there are excellent reasons why Ecclesiastes ("All is Vanity"), Job, and the story of Doubtiing Thomas are included as full parts of the Christian Scripture. The point is that doubt and lack of belief is acceptable, since Christianity recognises human frailty. There are even plenty of Christian movements which are almost atheistic in their doctrine (Sea of Faith, for example), or view religion through a humanist lens (Christian Socialists or Quakers tend to towards that); humanism is a part of theology.
(Not sure I have my blockquotes correct here, but the point is general).
Am I to take it that PB has fallen out of love with John Major?
I still rate him highly. Hopefully he is advising the May in private, as well as giving speeches.
Same here - people forget 'what was the alternative in 1992? Kinnock and a still un-reformed Labour. The Remoaner press have interpreted it as a highly personal attack on May - lets see how May responds....
Am I to take it that PB has fallen out of love with John Major?
I still rate him highly. Hopefully he is advising the May in private, as well as giving speeches.
Same here - people forget 'what was the alternative in 1992? Kinnock and a still un-reformed Labour. The Remoaner press have interpreted it as a highly personal attack on May - lets see how May responds....
Con turnout in the Lords tonight is really exceptional given the time of night.
The highest Con turnout I can remember was on the Tax Credits vote and that was under 220 - about 217 I think.
So to have 209 at this time of night is an absolutely massive effort.
Suggests that whilst they know they can reverse amendments in the Commons, they are very, very keen to win in the Lords in the first instance - presumably to diffuse the situation and prevent any adverse momentum building.
The biggest votes are expected at Report Stage next Tuesday - looks like they may well have 220 present then, at least during the afternoon.
Before then there is one more day of Committee - this Wednesday.
Wasn't the biggest turnout for the poll tax? I seem to recall the numbers were HUGE... over 300???
"Nigel Farage can be found wandering the lobby of the hotel with a large glass of red wine. His teeth are wine-stained, and the British politician is happily swaying and speaking with anyone who approaches him."
"Nigel Farage can be found wandering the lobby of the hotel with a large glass of red wine. His teeth are wine-stained, and the British politician is happily swaying and speaking with anyone who approaches him."
Am I to take it that PB has fallen out of love with John Major?
I still rate him highly. Hopefully he is advising the May in private, as well as giving speeches.
Same here - people forget 'what was the alternative in 1992? Kinnock and a still un-reformed Labour. The Remoaner press have interpreted it as a highly personal attack on May - lets see how May responds....
"The Remoaner press..." What, like the Telegraph ? And some of the more unreconstructed Leavites here ?
Sky back in full anti Brexit mode with Faisal Islam drooling over John Major's anti Brexit rant and Ed Conwy delighting in warnings about delaying Brexit until trade deals are in place.
The polarisation of the debate and the themes from both sides are so boring and predictable and everyone needs to let Theresa May serve A50 and get on with the process.
Blair, Heseltine, Mandleson, Major, Clarke, Gina Miller and the HOL's all doing their pro EU tirade are just confirming that the Metropolitan elite have not got the message and are likely to attrack anger from the vast majority who are weary of it all and just want the process to start
I am not sure what your point is, are you saying these politicians should be stopped from giving their opinions? All this "metropolitan elite" stuff is really childish sloganising. I would hazard at guess that more people would see Boris Johnson or Rees-Mogg as part of the "metropolitan elite" than John Major.
To be honest I would be more interested to read your critique if what John Major has said than just chanting "metropolitan elite" over and over.
It is because they are a clique of Metropolitan politicians who want to stop Brexit.
They are entitled to express an opiinion but a co-ordinated onslaught on the Government who are acting on the will of the people can only be seen as an attempt to say 'we know best' and the people got it wrong
There isn't a clique trying to stop Brexit.. Leavers like to fantasise that there as it gives them something to rant about. What you have is a number of experienced politicians from all parties expressing their opinion that Brexit is going to be problematic.
You don't have to accept their opinion but they are entitled to express them.
All goes back to the circumstances of the vote though. Cameron said that Article 50 would be triggered the next day after a leave vote. Parliament backed a referendum on the terms offered. The referendum was fought on these terms. And here we are 9 months on without Article 50 being triggered. In the meantime we have suspended reality where the markets etc adjust to the governments position and the full impacts of Brexit are not known or understood.
Despite being a loyal remoaner I have sympathy with people who fear they are going to be betrayed.
Sky back in full anti Brexit mode with Faisal Islam drooling over John Major's anti Brexit rant and Ed Conwy delighting in warnings about delaying Brexit until trade deals are in place.
The polarisation of the debate and the themes from both sides are so boring and predictable and everyone needs to let Theresa May serve A50 and get on with the process.
Blair, Heseltine, Mandleson, Major, Clarke, Gina Miller and the HOL's all doing their pro EU tirade are just confirming that the Metropolitan elite have not got the message and are likely to attrack anger from the vast majority who are weary of it all and just want the process to start
I am not sure what your point is, are you saying these politicians should be stopped from giving their opinions? All this "metropolitan elite" stuff is really childish sloganising. I would hazard at guess that more people would see Boris Johnson or Rees-Mogg as part of the "metropolitan elite" than John Major.
To be honest I would be more interested to read your critique if what John Major has said than just chanting "metropolitan elite" over and over.
It is because they are a clique of Metropolitan politicians who want to stop Brexit.
They are entitled to express an opiinion but a co-ordinated onslaught on the Government who are acting on the will of the people can only be seen as an attempt to say 'we know best' and the people got it wrong
There isn't a clique trying to stop Brexit.. Leavers like to fantasise that there as it gives them something to rant about. What you have is a number of experienced politicians from all parties expressing their opinion that Brexit is going to be problematic.
You don't have to accept their opinion but they are entitled to express them.
All goes back to the circumstances of the vote though. Cameron said that Article 50 would be triggered the next day after a leave vote. Parliament backed a referendum on the terms offered. The referendum was fought on these terms. And here we are 9 months on without Article 50 being triggered. In the meantime we have suspended reality where the markets etc adjust to the governments position and the full impacts of Brexit are not known or understood.
Despite being a loyal remoaner I have sympathy with people who fear they are going to be betrayed.
Only a bit over thirty days to go until May delivers that message to the European Council. Then the ball will be finally rolling (and I assume immediate economic collapse)
Sky back in full anti Brexit mode with Faisal Islam drooling over John Major's anti Brexit rant and Ed Conwy delighting in warnings about delaying Brexit until trade deals are in place.
The polarisation of the debate and the themes from both sides are so boring and predictable and everyone needs to let Theresa May serve A50 and get on with the process.
Blair, Heseltine, Mandleson, Major, Clarke, Gina Miller and the HOL's all doing their pro EU tirade are just confirming that the Metropolitan elite have not got the message and are likely to attrack anger from the vast majority who are weary of it all and just want the process to start
I am not sure what your point is, are you saying these politicians should be stopped from giving their opinions? All this "metropolitan elite" stuff is really childish sloganising. I would hazard at guess that more people would see Boris Johnson or Rees-Mogg as part of the "metropolitan elite" than John Major.
To be honest I would be more interested to read your critique if what John Major has said than just chanting "metropolitan elite" over and over.
It is because they are a clique of Metropolitan politicians who want to stop Brexit.
They are entitled to express an opiinion but a co-ordinated onslaught on the Government who are acting on the will of the people can only be seen as an attempt to say 'we know best' and the people got it wrong
There isn't a clique trying to stop Brexit.. Leavers like to fantasise that there as it gives them something to rant about. What you have is a number of experienced politicians from all parties expressing their opinion that Brexit is going to be problematic.
You don't have to accept their opinion but they are entitled to express them.
All goes back to the circumstances of the vote though. Cameron said that Article 50 would be triggered the next day after a leave vote. Parliament backed a referendum on the terms offered. The referendum was fought on these terms. And here we are 9 months on without Article 50 being triggered. In the meantime we have suspended reality where the markets etc adjust to the governments position and the full impacts of Brexit are not known or understood.
Despite being a loyal remoaner I have sympathy with people who fear they are going to be betrayed.
Only a bit over thirty days to go until May delivers that message to the European Council. Then the ball will be finally rolling (and I assume immediate economic collapse)
Nothing much will change until it the terms on which we leave start to become clearer. A50 is priced in.
You said that Cameron had 'opened the party up to individuals from many different backgrounds and walks of life'.
And I pointed that the Conservatives had previously had leaders who were female, Jewish, Born abroad and from 'down market' backgrounds so I'm not sure what these 'different backgrounds and walk of life' are.
It doesn't seem a random selection of people to me.
Liz Truss for example is the daughter of a university professor, is an Oxford PPE and was first a parliamentary candidate in 2001.
Sean Bailey certainly was someone of non-standard background but his career was snuffed out by the Cameroons, of whom he was critical.
Helen Grant was a defector from Labour - a smart career move.
And I pointed out that the party wasn't particularly diverse prior to Cameron's leadership, which was the context of my statement. You've said the party has had Jewish and female leaders - okay, that's not something I ever denied. But having one Jewish or a Female leader does not mean your party is particularly diverse, or even all that inclusive. You can have one person that happens to be leader that is 'different', but still tend to have a party that overall isn't that inclusive or diverse.
Regarding the A-List. Whenever did I say it was a random list? If it's a list that is aimed at making the party more diverse then it's not going to be a random list for a start.
Liz Truss went to a comprehensive. Her dad had a white-collar job, but she was hardly posh. Going to Oxford doesn't make someone posh.
I agree that it's sad the way Shaun Bailey was treated. I would have liked to have seen him in parliament.
Helen Grant defecting from Labour doesn't really change the fact that that she did not come from a posh background.
Anyway goodnight.
The A List had more people from Kensington & Chelsea than from Yorkshire & Lancashire combined.
Comments
RobD: Knock it off, Sunil. All right, gear up.
Started today, Tue 28 Feb, at 12.01am.
http://boundarycommissionforengland.independent.gov.uk/2018-boundary-review-second-public-consultation-begins/
Am I to take it that PB has fallen out of love with John Major?
http://ijr.com/2017/02/810965-trump-ditched-the-press-to-have-dinner-heres-how-the-president-acts-when-no-one-is-watching/
What, like the Telegraph ? And some of the more unreconstructed Leavites here ?
Despite being a loyal remoaner I have sympathy with people who fear they are going to be betrayed.