Got to think that the next Presidential Election is going to be one of the most dangerous points in recent American political history. When all the warnings about US voting systems come home to roost. The potential for legitimately querying the validity of the result is going to be enormous.
Dear Americans, we might use tiny pencils and vote in plywood booths in village halls, but we had the whole damned election wrapped up by 7am, and the result called.
This is why electronic voting is a bad idea folks.
Nothing wrong with the basic idea. It's the implementation which is rubbish. Strikes me someone has been too clever by half, as the saying goes.
Good ideas which have a high chance of being badly implemented are bad ideas.
It’s why conservatism (small c) is such an enduring political force.
What is really worrying is that the Democrats, who aspire to government in one of the most significant countries of the world, have made such a mess of things.
American elections are always a bit of a farce, with states being called on a fraction of votes, California taking forever, faithless electors etc, rampant voter suppression and gerrymandering. Not to mention an impeachment trial that refuses to examine witnesses or evidence.
Mind you our own system of democracy doesn't look very healthy either, with illegal prorogation and a refusal to debate a Withdrawal Agreement that seems not to have been read or understood by the Prime Minister.
Got to think that the next Presidential Election is going to be one of the most dangerous points in recent American political history. When all the warnings about US voting systems come home to roost. The potential for legitimately querying the validity of the result is going to be enormous.
Indeed. And if Trump loses he WILL 'query the legitimacy'. Loud and long!
It's amazing that the US claims to be a democracy and hold itself up as an example. No wonder they made such a bog of Iraq.
Got to think that the next Presidential Election is going to be one of the most dangerous points in recent American political history. When all the warnings about US voting systems come home to roost. The potential for legitimately querying the validity of the result is going to be enormous.
2000 was also a disaster, and there was reasonable evidence of discrepancies in Ohio in 2004 to favour Bush also. You could argue that Trump 2016 was the only 'fair' win the Republicans have had in 20+ years.
Dear Americans, we might use tiny pencils and vote in plywood booths in village halls, but we had the whole damned election wrapped up by 7am, and the result called.
Got to think that the next Presidential Election is going to be one of the most dangerous points in recent American political history. When all the warnings about US voting systems come home to roost. The potential for legitimately querying the validity of the result is going to be enormous.
Indeed. And if Trump loses he WILL 'query the legitimacy'. Loud and long!
It's amazing that the US claims to be a democracy and hold itself up as an example. No wonder they made such a bog of Iraq.
American elections are always a bit of a farce, with states being called on a fraction of votes, California taking forever, faithless electors etc, rampant voter suppression and gerrymandering. Not to mention an impeachment trial that refuses to examine witnesses or evidence.
Mind you our own system of democracy doesn't look very healthy either, with illegal prorogation and a refusal to debate a Withdrawal Agreement that seems not to have been read or understood by the Prime Minister.
Indeed. Brexit I can live with - it's the damage the Tories are doing to our democracy that's the real problem.
This is why electronic voting is a bad idea folks.
Nothing wrong with the basic idea. It's the implementation which is rubbish. Strikes me someone has been too clever by half, as the saying goes.
Good ideas which have a high chance of being badly implemented are bad ideas.
It’s why conservatism (small c) is such an enduring political force.
What is really worrying is that the Democrats, who aspire to government in one of the most significant countries of the world, have made such a mess of things.
American elections are always a bit of a farce, with states being called on a fraction of votes, California taking forever, faithless electors etc, rampant voter suppression and gerrymandering. Not to mention an impeachment trial that refuses to examine witnesses or evidence.
Mind you our own system of democracy doesn't look very healthy either, with illegal prorogation and a refusal to debate a Withdrawal Agreement that seems not to have been read or understood by the Prime Minister.
Agree. And a system which gave one party a considerable vote increase and a reduction in seats hasn't much to commend it. It'll be instructive to watch the Irish go about it. Might take them a bit longer to count than us, but at least the system will be seen to be fair and representative.
American elections are always a bit of a farce, with states being called on a fraction of votes, California taking forever, faithless electors etc, rampant voter suppression and gerrymandering. Not to mention an impeachment trial that refuses to examine witnesses or evidence.
Mind you our own system of democracy doesn't look very healthy either, with illegal prorogation and a refusal to debate a Withdrawal Agreement that seems not to have been read or understood by the Prime Minister.
Indeed. Brexit I can live with - it's the damage the Tories are doing to our democracy that's the real problem.
Yeah, them keep winning fair elections, it's a bitch for democracy.....
American elections are always a bit of a farce, with states being called on a fraction of votes, California taking forever, faithless electors etc, rampant voter suppression and gerrymandering. Not to mention an impeachment trial that refuses to examine witnesses or evidence.
Mind you our own system of democracy doesn't look very healthy either, with illegal prorogation and a refusal to debate a Withdrawal Agreement that seems not to have been read or understood by the Prime Minister.
Indeed. Brexit I can live with - it's the damage the Tories are doing to our democracy that's the real problem.
Yeah, them keep winning fair elections, it's a bitch for democracy.....
Plenty of dictators, despots, and tyrants have won elections. Of course you already know that.
American elections are always a bit of a farce, with states being called on a fraction of votes, California taking forever, faithless electors etc, rampant voter suppression and gerrymandering. Not to mention an impeachment trial that refuses to examine witnesses or evidence.
Mind you our own system of democracy doesn't look very healthy either, with illegal prorogation and a refusal to debate a Withdrawal Agreement that seems not to have been read or understood by the Prime Minister.
Indeed. Brexit I can live with - it's the damage the Tories are doing to our democracy that's the real problem.
Yeah, them keep winning fair elections, it's a bitch for democracy.....
Got to think that the next Presidential Election is going to be one of the most dangerous points in recent American political history. When all the warnings about US voting systems come home to roost. The potential for legitimately querying the validity of the result is going to be enormous.
2000 was also a disaster, and there was reasonable evidence of discrepancies in Ohio in 2004 to favour Bush also. You could argue that Trump 2016 was the only 'fair' win the Republicans have had in 20+ years.
If you rule out voting booths being "reworked" in Moscow.....
American elections are always a bit of a farce, with states being called on a fraction of votes, California taking forever, faithless electors etc, rampant voter suppression and gerrymandering. Not to mention an impeachment trial that refuses to examine witnesses or evidence.
Mind you our own system of democracy doesn't look very healthy either, with illegal prorogation and a refusal to debate a Withdrawal Agreement that seems not to have been read or understood by the Prime Minister.
Indeed. Brexit I can live with - it's the damage the Tories are doing to our democracy that's the real problem.
Yeah, them keep winning fair elections, it's a bitch for democracy.....
And increasing their vote share. 6 elections in a row.
American elections are always a bit of a farce, with states being called on a fraction of votes, California taking forever, faithless electors etc, rampant voter suppression and gerrymandering. Not to mention an impeachment trial that refuses to examine witnesses or evidence.
Mind you our own system of democracy doesn't look very healthy either, with illegal prorogation and a refusal to debate a Withdrawal Agreement that seems not to have been read or understood by the Prime Minister.
Indeed. Brexit I can live with - it's the damage the Tories are doing to our democracy that's the real problem.
Yeah, them keep winning fair elections, it's a bitch for democracy.....
Plenty of dictators, despots, and tyrants have won elections. Of course you already know that.
Yeah, those 99.9% and 100% wins are really "fair". Of course you already knew that......
American elections are always a bit of a farce, with states being called on a fraction of votes, California taking forever, faithless electors etc, rampant voter suppression and gerrymandering. Not to mention an impeachment trial that refuses to examine witnesses or evidence.
Mind you our own system of democracy doesn't look very healthy either, with illegal prorogation and a refusal to debate a Withdrawal Agreement that seems not to have been read or understood by the Prime Minister.
Indeed. Brexit I can live with - it's the damage the Tories are doing to our democracy that's the real problem.
Yeah, them keep winning fair elections, it's a bitch for democracy.....
Just got up and hearing about the chaos in Iowa. And the BF odds!
I`ve got a decent-sized interest in Buttigieg winning. Can someone advise me whether I should be laying some of this off, by simply backing Sanders (given that it appears to now be a two-horse race)?
American elections are always a bit of a farce, with states being called on a fraction of votes, California taking forever, faithless electors etc, rampant voter suppression and gerrymandering. Not to mention an impeachment trial that refuses to examine witnesses or evidence.
Mind you our own system of democracy doesn't look very healthy either, with illegal prorogation and a refusal to debate a Withdrawal Agreement that seems not to have been read or understood by the Prime Minister.
Indeed. Brexit I can live with - it's the damage the Tories are doing to our democracy that's the real problem.
Yeah, them keep winning fair elections, it's a bitch for democracy.....
Plenty of dictators, despots, and tyrants have won elections. Of course you already know that.
Yeah, those 99.9% and 100% wins are really "fair". Of course you already knew that......
American elections are always a bit of a farce, with states being called on a fraction of votes, California taking forever, faithless electors etc, rampant voter suppression and gerrymandering. Not to mention an impeachment trial that refuses to examine witnesses or evidence.
Mind you our own system of democracy doesn't look very healthy either, with illegal prorogation and a refusal to debate a Withdrawal Agreement that seems not to have been read or understood by the Prime Minister.
Indeed. Brexit I can live with - it's the damage the Tories are doing to our democracy that's the real problem.
Yeah, them keep winning fair elections, it's a bitch for democracy.....
Plenty of dictators, despots, and tyrants have won elections. Of course you already know that.
American elections are always a bit of a farce, with states being called on a fraction of votes, California taking forever, faithless electors etc, rampant voter suppression and gerrymandering. Not to mention an impeachment trial that refuses to examine witnesses or evidence.
Mind you our own system of democracy doesn't look very healthy either, with illegal prorogation and a refusal to debate a Withdrawal Agreement that seems not to have been read or understood by the Prime Minister.
Indeed. Brexit I can live with - it's the damage the Tories are doing to our democracy that's the real problem.
Yeah, them keep winning fair elections, it's a bitch for democracy.....
Plenty of dictators, despots, and tyrants have won elections. Of course you already know that.
Usually everyone knows that in advance.
My point was that winning elections doesn’t mean you’re immune from criticism of harming democracy.
For example Poland’s democratically elected government’s actions regarding an independent judiciary.
Of course Hugo Chavez was elected fairly the first time.
And the famous Austrian bloke...
I’m not saying that the current Government is any of these things, I’m just saying that @MarqueeMark ’s childish drivel is just that.
Got to think that the next Presidential Election is going to be one of the most dangerous points in recent American political history. When all the warnings about US voting systems come home to roost. The potential for legitimately querying the validity of the result is going to be enormous.
2000 was also a disaster, and there was reasonable evidence of discrepancies in Ohio in 2004 to favour Bush also. You could argue that Trump 2016 was the only 'fair' win the Republicans have had in 20+ years.
Yes, but any close election always has the potential for such issues. The difference next time will be the lack of any moderating force within the political and party establishments to rein the candidates back. The crazies control the show. And have a lot of guns.
This is why electronic voting is a bad idea folks.
Nothing wrong with the basic idea. It's the implementation which is rubbish. Strikes me someone has been too clever by half, as the saying goes.
Good ideas which have a high chance of being badly implemented are bad ideas.
It’s why conservatism (small c) is such an enduring political force.
What is really worrying is that the Democrats, who aspire to government in one of the most significant countries of the world, have made such a mess of things.
American elections are always a bit of a farce, with states being called on a fraction of votes, California taking forever, faithless electors etc, rampant voter suppression and gerrymandering. Not to mention an impeachment trial that refuses to examine witnesses or evidence.
Mind you our own system of democracy doesn't look very healthy either, with illegal prorogation and a refusal to debate a Withdrawal Agreement that seems not to have been read or understood by the Prime Minister.
Agree. And a system which gave one party a considerable vote increase and a reduction in seats hasn't much to commend it. It'll be instructive to watch the Irish go about it. Might take them a bit longer to count than us, but at least the system will be seen to be fair and representative.
American elections are always a bit of a farce, with states being called on a fraction of votes, California taking forever, faithless electors etc, rampant voter suppression and gerrymandering. Not to mention an impeachment trial that refuses to examine witnesses or evidence.
Mind you our own system of democracy doesn't look very healthy either, with illegal prorogation and a refusal to debate a Withdrawal Agreement that seems not to have been read or understood by the Prime Minister.
Indeed. Brexit I can live with - it's the damage the Tories are doing to our democracy that's the real problem.
Yeah, them keep winning fair elections, it's a bitch for democracy.....
Oh the last one was fair. It's the next one I'm worried about.
You know, when the Tories have redrawn the constituency maps (they're openly briefing they'll do this to shore up future majorities), scrapped broadcast rules on fair coverage and generally imported voter suppression tactics from the US.
Just draft Michelle Obama and make a contest of it.
Because, Democrats, at this point it ain't.....
Whereas it would look really good to have consecutive candidates who were the wives of previous Presidents...
Difference being, on would prove electable.
I mean, really America, Michelle Obama or Donald Trump. Who you gonna call?
The orangutan was unelectable the first time. He was still elected.
What has Michelle Obama actually done in her life to be a serious contender in her own right? Clinton had at least been a senator and cabinet minister.
Just draft Michelle Obama and make a contest of it.
Because, Democrats, at this point it ain't.....
Whereas it would look really good to have consecutive candidates who were the wives of previous Presidents...
Difference being, on would prove electable.
I mean, really America, Michelle Obama or Donald Trump. Who you gonna call?
The orangutan was unelectable the first time. He was still elected.
What has Michelle Obama actually done in her life to be a serious contender in her own right? Clinton had at least been a senator and cabinet minister.
Given that she has resisted every suggestion even to consider such a thing, the judgmental tone is a little unfair. And OTOH, she has at least not been a scofflaw and grifter all her life, which is one up on Trump.
I fully expect Jezza/RLB to call for electronic voter tweet hubs in Lidl within 48hrs..
It’s far too myopic to say that low tech/no tech solutions are anachronistic and high tech ones must be better/more efficient.
Democracy has to be seen to be believed. At its core that depends upon a secret physical vote being cast against a registered voter. It’s not all about speed. The ballot boxes and votes need to be seen being counted and tallied by all sides, so they are accepted. There also needs to be an audit trail of where the votes came (not who cast them) from that’s reviewable.
Our system works because it’s physical and transparent. We’re also pretty darn efficient at counting them too.
Just draft Michelle Obama and make a contest of it.
Because, Democrats, at this point it ain't.....
Whereas it would look really good to have consecutive candidates who were the wives of previous Presidents...
Difference being, on would prove electable.
I mean, really America, Michelle Obama or Donald Trump. Who you gonna call?
The orangutan was unelectable the first time. He was still elected.
What has Michelle Obama actually done in her life to be a serious contender in her own right? Clinton had at least been a senator and cabinet minister.
Given that she has resisted every suggestion even to consider such a thing, the judgmental tone is a little unfair. And OTOH, she has at least not been a scofflaw and grifter all her life, which is one up on Trump.
She's also written a book. That people have read....
Just draft Michelle Obama and make a contest of it.
Because, Democrats, at this point it ain't.....
Whereas it would look really good to have consecutive candidates who were the wives of previous Presidents...
Difference being, on would prove electable.
I mean, really America, Michelle Obama or Donald Trump. Who you gonna call?
The orangutan was unelectable the first time. He was still elected.
What has Michelle Obama actually done in her life to be a serious contender in her own right? Clinton had at least been a senator and cabinet minister.
Given that she has resisted every suggestion even to consider such a thing, the judgmental tone is a little unfair. And OTOH, she has at least not been a scofflaw and grifter all her life, which is one up on Trump.
I didn’t mean to sound judgemental. I was simply pointing out facts. Facts Michelle Obama clearly understands perfectly well herself because, as you say, she has always firmly rejected any idea that she should run.
She’s a lot more self aware than those who put her forward as some kind of panacea.
What the Democrats need is a credible candidate who isn’t a survivor from the Ark. Somehow, they’ve ended up without one. Where are the likes of Evan Bayh and Andrew Cuomo?
I fully expect Jezza/RLB to call for electronic voter tweet hubs in Lidl within 48hrs..
It’s far too myopic to say that low tech/no tech solutions are anachronistic and high tech ones must be better/more efficient.
Democracy has to be seen to be believed. At its core that depends upon a secret physical vote being cast against a registered voter. It’s not all about speed. The ballot boxes and votes need to be seen being counted and tallied by all sides, so they are accepted. There also needs to be an audit trail of where the votes came (not who cast them) from that’s reviewable.
Our system works because it’s physical and transparent. We’re also pretty darn efficient at counting them too.
It also has to be fair and you know full well there are serious problems with our system in this department.
Whether you think that the other factors outweigh this is of course a matter of opinion.
Does anyone know how integrated the Republic's Sinn Fein party is with Northern Ireland's Sinn Fein party?
And Sinn Fein signed the Good Friday Agreement 23 years ago agreeing to settle Ireland's future peacefully. Does the Republic's Sinn Fein stand by that? Does their manifesto and campaigning actually concentrate on constitutional issues [like the SNP] or does it concentrate on domestic matters?
Sinn Fein is organised on an all-Ireland basis. There is no "Northern Ireland" or "Republic" Sinn Fein.
Thanks what about the other questions?
Are they campaigning on constitutional change demanding a border poll while ignoring other issues, like the SNP? Or are they campaigning on more mundane domestic matters?
More ignorant comments about the SNP, look closer to home for ignoring democracy for an example, take too long to list everything. Why do they keep winning elections with increasing majorities after 13 years, use a brain cell and try not to let your bias blind you.
I fully expect Jezza/RLB to call for electronic voter tweet hubs in Lidl within 48hrs..
It’s far too myopic to say that low tech/no tech solutions are anachronistic and high tech ones must be better/more efficient.
Democracy has to be seen to be believed. At its core that depends upon a secret physical vote being cast against a registered voter. It’s not all about speed. The ballot boxes and votes need to be seen being counted and tallied by all sides, so they are accepted. There also needs to be an audit trail of where the votes came (not who cast them) from that’s reviewable.
Our system works because it’s physical and transparent. We’re also pretty darn efficient at counting them too.
It also has to be fair and you know full well there are serious problems with our system in this department.
Whether you think that the other factors outweigh this is of course a matter of opinion.
American elections are always a bit of a farce, with states being called on a fraction of votes, California taking forever, faithless electors etc, rampant voter suppression and gerrymandering. Not to mention an impeachment trial that refuses to examine witnesses or evidence.
Mind you our own system of democracy doesn't look very healthy either, with illegal prorogation and a refusal to debate a Withdrawal Agreement that seems not to have been read or understood by the Prime Minister.
Indeed. Brexit I can live with - it's the damage the Tories are doing to our democracy that's the real problem.
Yeah, them keep winning fair elections, it's a bitch for democracy.....
Plenty of dictators, despots, and tyrants have won elections. Of course you already know that.
Usually everyone knows that in advance.
My point was that winning elections doesn’t mean you’re immune from criticism of harming democracy.
For example Poland’s democratically elected government’s actions regarding an independent judiciary.
Of course Hugo Chavez was elected fairly the first time.
And the famous Austrian bloke...
I’m not saying that the current Government is any of these things, I’m just saying that @MarqueeMark ’s childish drivel is just that.
Someone else who doesn't have a good side of the bed to get out of.....
The consequences of permafrost thaw are likely worse than previously thought:
https://phys.org/news/2020-02-arctic-permafrost-greater-role-climate.html "The impacts from abrupt thaw are not represented in any existing global model and our findings indicate that this could amplify the permafrost climate-carbon feedback by up to a factor of two, thereby exacerbating the problem of permissible emissions to stay below specific climate change targets," said David Lawrence, of the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) and a coauthor of the study....
I fully expect Jezza/RLB to call for electronic voter tweet hubs in Lidl within 48hrs..
It’s far too myopic to say that low tech/no tech solutions are anachronistic and high tech ones must be better/more efficient.
Democracy has to be seen to be believed. At its core that depends upon a secret physical vote being cast against a registered voter. It’s not all about speed. The ballot boxes and votes need to be seen being counted and tallied by all sides, so they are accepted. There also needs to be an audit trail of where the votes came (not who cast them) from that’s reviewable.
Our system works because it’s physical and transparent. We’re also pretty darn efficient at counting them too.
It also has to be fair and you know full well there are serious problems with our system in this department.
Whether you think that the other factors outweigh this is of course a matter of opinion.
What serious problems?
I could have predicted this response. You know full well.
Does anyone know how integrated the Republic's Sinn Fein party is with Northern Ireland's Sinn Fein party?
And Sinn Fein signed the Good Friday Agreement 23 years ago agreeing to settle Ireland's future peacefully. Does the Republic's Sinn Fein stand by that? Does their manifesto and campaigning actually concentrate on constitutional issues [like the SNP] or does it concentrate on domestic matters?
Sinn Fein is organised on an all-Ireland basis. There is no "Northern Ireland" or "Republic" Sinn Fein.
Thanks what about the other questions?
Are they campaigning on constitutional change demanding a border poll while ignoring other issues, like the SNP? Or are they campaigning on more mundane domestic matters?
More ignorant comments about the SNP, look closer to home for ignoring democracy for an example, take too long to list everything. Why do they keep winning elections with increasing majorities after 13 years, use a brain cell and try not to let your bias blind you.
Because being ~10% of the nation they go for the only party that is dedicated to getting the most for that 10%. Labour and the Lib Dems took their Scottish voters for granted and offer nothing, the Tories offer sensible centre-right politics but there's not much call for that when Scotland isn't independent and is tied to Westminster.
If and when Scotland is independent then things will evolve differently.
Does anyone know how integrated the Republic's Sinn Fein party is with Northern Ireland's Sinn Fein party?
And Sinn Fein signed the Good Friday Agreement 23 years ago agreeing to settle Ireland's future peacefully. Does the Republic's Sinn Fein stand by that? Does their manifesto and campaigning actually concentrate on constitutional issues [like the SNP] or does it concentrate on domestic matters?
Sinn Fein is organised on an all-Ireland basis. There is no "Northern Ireland" or "Republic" Sinn Fein.
Thanks what about the other questions?
Are they campaigning on constitutional change demanding a border poll while ignoring other issues, like the SNP? Or are they campaigning on more mundane domestic matters?
More ignorant comments about the SNP, look closer to home for ignoring democracy for an example, take too long to list everything. Why do they keep winning elections with increasing majorities after 13 years, use a brain cell and try not to let your bias blind you.
Because being ~10% of the nation they go for the only party that is dedicated to getting the most for that 10%. Labour and the Lib Dems took their Scottish voters for granted and offer nothing, the Tories offer sensible centre-right politics but there's not much call for that when Scotland isn't independent and is tied to Westminster.
If and when Scotland is independent then things will evolve differently.
I fully expect Jezza/RLB to call for electronic voter tweet hubs in Lidl within 48hrs..
It’s far too myopic to say that low tech/no tech solutions are anachronistic and high tech ones must be better/more efficient.
Democracy has to be seen to be believed. At its core that depends upon a secret physical vote being cast against a registered voter. It’s not all about speed. The ballot boxes and votes need to be seen being counted and tallied by all sides, so they are accepted. There also needs to be an audit trail of where the votes came (not who cast them) from that’s reviewable.
Our system works because it’s physical and transparent. We’re also pretty darn efficient at counting them too.
It also has to be fair and you know full well there are serious problems with our system in this department.
Whether you think that the other factors outweigh this is of course a matter of opinion.
What serious problems?
I could have predicted this response. You know full well.
Peterborough ?
Votes should be cast on the day in the booth - unless you are dead.
Does anyone know how integrated the Republic's Sinn Fein party is with Northern Ireland's Sinn Fein party?
And Sinn Fein signed the Good Friday Agreement 23 years ago agreeing to settle Ireland's future peacefully. Does the Republic's Sinn Fein stand by that? Does their manifesto and campaigning actually concentrate on constitutional issues [like the SNP] or does it concentrate on domestic matters?
Sinn Fein is organised on an all-Ireland basis. There is no "Northern Ireland" or "Republic" Sinn Fein.
Thanks what about the other questions?
Are they campaigning on constitutional change demanding a border poll while ignoring other issues, like the SNP? Or are they campaigning on more mundane domestic matters?
More ignorant comments about the SNP, look closer to home for ignoring democracy for an example, take too long to list everything. Why do they keep winning elections with increasing majorities after 13 years, use a brain cell and try not to let your bias blind you.
Because being ~10% of the nation they go for the only party that is dedicated to getting the most for that 10%. Labour and the Lib Dems took their Scottish voters for granted and offer nothing, the Tories offer sensible centre-right politics but there's not much call for that when Scotland isn't independent and is tied to Westminster.
If and when Scotland is independent then things will evolve differently.
None of the London sock puppet parties offer anything for Scotland. The SNP are a Scottish party whose only interest is Scotland and making it a better place.
Seems to be an irregular verb on my train this morning - lady next to me blew her nose but starting googling the latest from China when she saw me doing the same:
I have a cold You have coronavirus We are all fucked
Does anyone know how integrated the Republic's Sinn Fein party is with Northern Ireland's Sinn Fein party?
And Sinn Fein signed the Good Friday Agreement 23 years ago agreeing to settle Ireland's future peacefully. Does the Republic's Sinn Fein stand by that? Does their manifesto and campaigning actually concentrate on constitutional issues [like the SNP] or does it concentrate on domestic matters?
Sinn Fein is organised on an all-Ireland basis. There is no "Northern Ireland" or "Republic" Sinn Fein.
Thanks what about the other questions?
Are they campaigning on constitutional change demanding a border poll while ignoring other issues, like the SNP? Or are they campaigning on more mundane domestic matters?
More ignorant comments about the SNP, look closer to home for ignoring democracy for an example, take too long to list everything. Why do they keep winning elections with increasing majorities after 13 years, use a brain cell and try not to let your bias blind you.
Because being ~10% of the nation they go for the only party that is dedicated to getting the most for that 10%. Labour and the Lib Dems took their Scottish voters for granted and offer nothing, the Tories offer sensible centre-right politics but there's not much call for that when Scotland isn't independent and is tied to Westminster.
If and when Scotland is independent then things will evolve differently.
None of the London sock puppet parties offer anything for Scotland. The SNP are a Scottish party whose only interest is Scotland and making it a better place.
That's basically what I said in my first sentence.
That's why I believe Scotland SHOULD go independent.
I fully expect Jezza/RLB to call for electronic voter tweet hubs in Lidl within 48hrs..
It’s far too myopic to say that low tech/no tech solutions are anachronistic and high tech ones must be better/more efficient.
Democracy has to be seen to be believed. At its core that depends upon a secret physical vote being cast against a registered voter. It’s not all about speed. The ballot boxes and votes need to be seen being counted and tallied by all sides, so they are accepted. There also needs to be an audit trail of where the votes came (not who cast them) from that’s reviewable.
Our system works because it’s physical and transparent. We’re also pretty darn efficient at counting them too.
It also has to be fair and you know full well there are serious problems with our system in this department.
Whether you think that the other factors outweigh this is of course a matter of opinion.
What serious problems?
I could have predicted this response. You know full well.
Does anyone know how integrated the Republic's Sinn Fein party is with Northern Ireland's Sinn Fein party?
And Sinn Fein signed the Good Friday Agreement 23 years ago agreeing to settle Ireland's future peacefully. Does the Republic's Sinn Fein stand by that? Does their manifesto and campaigning actually concentrate on constitutional issues [like the SNP] or does it concentrate on domestic matters?
Sinn Fein is organised on an all-Ireland basis. There is no "Northern Ireland" or "Republic" Sinn Fein.
Thanks what about the other questions?
Are they campaigning on constitutional change demanding a border poll while ignoring other issues, like the SNP? Or are they campaigning on more mundane domestic matters?
More ignorant comments about the SNP, look closer to home for ignoring democracy for an example, take too long to list everything. Why do they keep winning elections with increasing majorities after 13 years, use a brain cell and try not to let your bias blind you.
Because being ~10% of the nation they go for the only party that is dedicated to getting the most for that 10%. Labour and the Lib Dems took their Scottish voters for granted and offer nothing, the Tories offer sensible centre-right politics but there's not much call for that when Scotland isn't independent and is tied to Westminster.
If and when Scotland is independent then things will evolve differently.
None of the London sock puppet parties offer anything for Scotland. The SNP are a Scottish party whose only interest is Scotland and making it a better place.
That's basically what I said in my first sentence.
That's why I believe Scotland SHOULD go independent.
It also has to be fair and you know full well there are serious problems with our system in this department.
You don't just get to make that statement without being called out.
Within the past decade we had a nationwide vote on whether to change the voting system. (Admittedly, only because a party with 57 of the 650 seats - down 5 on their previous showing - insisted. Democracy, huh?)
The voters went away, thought about it - and said "Nah. You're alright. We'll stick with what we know." So that recently democratically-endorsed system is the one we use.
Excuse me, but I'm seeing fuck all unfairness there. Just a bad loser.
It also has to be fair and you know full well there are serious problems with our system in this department.
You don't just get to make that statement without being called out.
Within the past decade we had a nationwide vote on whether to change the voting system. (Admittedly, only because a party with 57 of the 650 seats - down 5 on their previous showing - insisted. Democracy, huh?)
The voters went away, thought about it - and said "Nah. You're alright. We'll stick with what we know." So that recently democratically-endorsed system is the one we use.
Excuse me, but I'm seeing fuck all unfairness there. Just a bad loser.
Indeed. Our system rewards parties which get more votes and not those that get fewer votes.
Rather than trying to get more votes we get poor losers whining about the voting system instead.
Here's food for thought for any complainants - take the beam out of your own eye and figure out why voters aren't backing your party.
I fully expect Jezza/RLB to call for electronic voter tweet hubs in Lidl within 48hrs..
It’s far too myopic to say that low tech/no tech solutions are anachronistic and high tech ones must be better/more efficient.
Democracy has to be seen to be believed. At its core that depends upon a secret physical vote being cast against a registered voter. It’s not all about speed. The ballot boxes and votes need to be seen being counted and tallied by all sides, so they are accepted. There also needs to be an audit trail of where the votes came (not who cast them) from that’s reviewable.
Our system works because it’s physical and transparent. We’re also pretty darn efficient at counting them too.
It also has to be fair and you know full well there are serious problems with our system in this department.
Whether you think that the other factors outweigh this is of course a matter of opinion.
What serious problems?
I could have predicted this response. You know full well.
I’m hoping I’m like Michael Burry in the Big Short, but I’m starting to worry I might end up more like Nick Leeson.
I feel your pain. Fortunately I only dipped my toe in that pool of mud.
Thanks. I got greedy.
So now comes the hubris.
Would you lay Bloomberg now (if you hadn`t already)?
Yes.
Thanks - by the way Mr Royale, I preferred your analysis of the Parliament Square Brexit celebrations over SeanT`s. I was there all afternoon until past midnight. I haven`t posted about it yet, but suffice it to say that my wife and I felt ashamed about what we saw.
Not quite enough to knock out any of the top five.
“Represent the results from nearly 40%....” - ie this statement is entirely self serving, and unlikely to represent an accurate result.
What it does strongly suggest is that Buttigieg did very well indeed. He's 10-1 on Betfair for the nomination - I suspect that will shorten when the official results appear.
Incidentally, I no longer think that most US voters don't think of the candidates mainly in moderate vs liberal terms. Nearly everyone interviewed on CNN (before I went to bed at 1) was doing exactly that, and voting accordingly.
I fully expect Jezza/RLB to call for electronic voter tweet hubs in Lidl within 48hrs..
It’s far too myopic to say that low tech/no tech solutions are anachronistic and high tech ones must be better/more efficient.
Democracy has to be seen to be believed. At its core that depends upon a secret physical vote being cast against a registered voter. It’s not all about speed. The ballot boxes and votes need to be seen being counted and tallied by all sides, so they are accepted. There also needs to be an audit trail of where the votes came (not who cast them) from that’s reviewable.
Our system works because it’s physical and transparent. We’re also pretty darn efficient at counting them too.
It also has to be fair and you know full well there are serious problems with our system in this department.
Whether you think that the other factors outweigh this is of course a matter of opinion.
What serious problems?
I could have predicted this response. You know full well.
Peterborough ?
Votes should be cast on the day in the booth - unless you are dead.
That would utterly screw the Tory party as the largest user of postal votes are (elderly) Tories.
Not quite enough to knock out any of the top five.
“Represent the results from nearly 40%....” - ie this statement is entirely self serving, and unlikely to represent an accurate result.
What it does strongly suggest is that Buttigieg did very well indeed. He's 10-1 on Betfair for the nomination - I suspect that will shorten when the official results appear.
Incidentally, I no longer think that most US voters don't think of the candidates mainly in moderate vs liberal terms. Nearly everyone interviewed on CNN (before I went to bed at 1) was doing exactly that, and voting accordingly.
Seems like that, although I guess the places where Bernie has a volunteer who's on top of things skew young and/or urban, which I think would favour Mayor Pete over the other moderates.
Just draft Michelle Obama and make a contest of it.
Because, Democrats, at this point it ain't.....
Whereas it would look really good to have consecutive candidates who were the wives of previous Presidents...
Difference being, on would prove electable.
I mean, really America, Michelle Obama or Donald Trump. Who you gonna call?
Seriously? Trump would even win the popular vote this time, if that happened.
And that's before considering the Sanders supporters who won't vote for anyone who's a registered Democrat on principle.
She'd win independents 3-1.
And she would re-energise the black vote, that stayed home for Hillary.
Not sure on the former, especially considering the circumstances that would be required to get her on the ballot paper. I can't see how that happens without her being forced to spend the whole campaign defending her legitimacy as the candidate.
And I just cannot see her winning the rust belt. To me, she comes across as an even more preachy version of Jo Swinson.
It also has to be fair and you know full well there are serious problems with our system in this department.
You don't just get to make that statement without being called out.
Within the past decade we had a nationwide vote on whether to change the voting system. (Admittedly, only because a party with 57 of the 650 seats - down 5 on their previous showing - insisted. Democracy, huh?)
The voters went away, thought about it - and said "Nah. You're alright. We'll stick with what we know." So that recently democratically-endorsed system is the one we use.
Excuse me, but I'm seeing fuck all unfairness there. Just a bad loser.
Indeed. Our system rewards parties which get more votes and not those that get fewer votes.
Rather than trying to get more votes we get poor losers whining about the voting system instead.
Here's food for thought for any complainants - take the beam out of your own eye and figure out why voters aren't backing your party.
Don’t be silly. The losers are generally part of the progressive majority. Just a majority where they don’t agree on anything. Except they are not Tories. Except those masquerading as being in the progressive majority that they disagree with.
Not quite enough to knock out any of the top five.
“Represent the results from nearly 40%....” - ie this statement is entirely self serving, and unlikely to represent an accurate result.
What it does strongly suggest is that Buttigieg did very well indeed. He's 10-1 on Betfair for the nomination - I suspect that will shorten when the official results appear.
Incidentally, I no longer think that most US voters don't think of the candidates mainly in moderate vs liberal terms. Nearly everyone interviewed on CNN (before I went to bed at 1) was doing exactly that, and voting accordingly.
Were those interviewed representative of 'most US voters', though ? If they were caucusgoers, then almost certainly not.
I’m hoping I’m like Michael Burry in the Big Short, but I’m starting to worry I might end up more like Nick Leeson.
I feel your pain. Fortunately I only dipped my toe in that pool of mud.
Thanks. I got greedy.
So now comes the hubris.
Would you lay Bloomberg now (if you hadn`t already)?
Yes.
Thanks - by the way Mr Royale, I preferred your analysis of the Parliament Square Brexit celebrations over SeanT`s. I was there all afternoon until past midnight. I haven`t posted about it yet, but suffice it to say that my wife and I felt ashamed about what we saw.
Comments
Rather cold.
Mind you our own system of democracy doesn't look very healthy either, with illegal prorogation and a refusal to debate a Withdrawal Agreement that seems not to have been read or understood by the Prime Minister.
It's amazing that the US claims to be a democracy and hold itself up as an example. No wonder they made such a bog of Iraq.
America is on course for its second foreign born Muslim President.
https://www.theonion.com/serbia-deploys-peacekeeping-forces-to-u-s-1819565829
This lot really couldn’t organise a pregnancy on a council estate.
It was the governor election, the first time that Schwarzenegger ended up winning.
I quite like the write-in system.
It'll be instructive to watch the Irish go about it. Might take them a bit longer to count than us, but at least the system will be seen to be fair and representative.
I'm loath to recommend short odds, long term bets... but the 1.14 on Red Bull to beat McLaren should be too good to be true.
I`ve got a decent-sized interest in Buttigieg winning. Can someone advise me whether I should be laying some of this off, by simply backing Sanders (given that it appears to now be a two-horse race)?
Not hard innit.
I fully expect Jezza/RLB to call for electronic voter tweet hubs in Lidl within 48hrs..
" I once received electoral support in the United States."
Unless Bill Clinton lurks here, that must be a one-off. Kudos.
The guy just keeps shortening.
I’m hoping I’m like Michael Burry in the Big Short, but I’m starting to worry I might end up more like Nick Leeson.
For example Poland’s democratically elected government’s actions regarding an independent judiciary.
Of course Hugo Chavez was elected fairly the first time.
And the famous Austrian bloke...
I’m not saying that the current Government is any of these things, I’m just saying that @MarqueeMark ’s childish drivel is just that.
I mean, really America, Michelle Obama or Donald Trump. Who you gonna call?
What in the Good Friday Agreement triggers a border poll on reunification of Ireland?
You know, when the Tories have redrawn the constituency maps (they're openly briefing they'll do this to shore up future majorities), scrapped broadcast rules on fair coverage and generally imported voter suppression tactics from the US.
What has Michelle Obama actually done in her life to be a serious contender in her own right? Clinton had at least been a senator and cabinet minister.
In which case, has Donald Trump become the first person in history to win the Iowa caucus for both parties on the same night?
https://twitter.com/stevepeers/status/1224325487452921857?s=21
And OTOH, she has at least not been a scofflaw and grifter all her life, which is one up on Trump.
Democracy has to be seen to be believed. At its core that depends upon a secret physical vote being cast against a registered voter. It’s not all about speed. The ballot boxes and votes need to be seen being counted and tallied by all sides, so they are accepted. There also needs to be an audit trail of where the votes came (not who cast them) from that’s reviewable.
Our system works because it’s physical and transparent. We’re also pretty darn efficient at counting them too.
She’s a lot more self aware than those who put her forward as some kind of panacea.
What the Democrats need is a credible candidate who isn’t a survivor from the Ark. Somehow, they’ve ended up without one. Where are the likes of Evan Bayh and Andrew Cuomo?
Whether you think that the other factors outweigh this is of course a matter of opinion.
And that's before considering the Sanders supporters who won't vote for anyone who's a registered Democrat on principle.
Why do they keep winning elections with increasing majorities after 13 years, use a brain cell and try not to let your bias blind you.
https://phys.org/news/2020-02-arctic-permafrost-greater-role-climate.html
"The impacts from abrupt thaw are not represented in any existing global model and our findings indicate that this could amplify the permafrost climate-carbon feedback by up to a factor of two, thereby exacerbating the problem of permissible emissions to stay below specific climate change targets," said David Lawrence, of the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) and a coauthor of the study....
So now comes the hubris.
If and when Scotland is independent then things will evolve differently.
https://twitter.com/ninaturner/status/1224590000089636866 Not quite enough to knock out any of the top five.
Votes should be cast on the day in the booth - unless you are dead.
I have a cold
You have coronavirus
We are all fucked
That's why I believe Scotland SHOULD go independent.
Parachute supplies in once a month.
Have you had your coffee this morning yet?
Within the past decade we had a nationwide vote on whether to change the voting system. (Admittedly, only because a party with 57 of the 650 seats - down 5 on their previous showing - insisted. Democracy, huh?)
The voters went away, thought about it - and said "Nah. You're alright. We'll stick with what we know." So that recently democratically-endorsed system is the one we use.
Excuse me, but I'm seeing fuck all unfairness there. Just a bad loser.
Bad for Biden, good for Mayor Pete, Bizzie Lizzie and Amy if those are correct.
And she would re-energise the black vote, that stayed home for Hillary.
Rather than trying to get more votes we get poor losers whining about the voting system instead.
Here's food for thought for any complainants - take the beam out of your own eye and figure out why voters aren't backing your party.
Have you had your coffee this morning yet?
Incidentally, I no longer think that most US voters don't think of the candidates mainly in moderate vs liberal terms. Nearly everyone interviewed on CNN (before I went to bed at 1) was doing exactly that, and voting accordingly.
And I just cannot see her winning the rust belt. To me, she comes across as an even more preachy version of Jo Swinson.
If they were caucusgoers, then almost certainly not.
I’ve shorted Biden down a few hundred and topped up on Pete.