Howdy, Stranger!

It looks like you're new here. Sign in or register to get started.

politicalbetting.com » Blog Archive » What’s the government going to do about the demand from the US

135678

Comments

  • FrancisUrquhartFrancisUrquhart Posts: 82,119

    kinabalu said:

    Nigelb said:

    Another small piece of evidence in favour of masks:

    Just back from Morrisons. Very high mask usage with women in there. Almost all of them in fact. But not so the men. A really quite striking gender split. So yet another instance, to join so many others, of Viva La Femme!
    And of course women much less likely to suffer badly from this.
    Two observations probably linked.
    Not sure in March and April many people of either gender were wearing masks.
  • SandyRentoolSandyRentool Posts: 22,036
    DavidL said:

    MaxPB said:

    Sean_F said:

    FPT:

    And those pulling down the statue were white.

    https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8396511/Moment-Black-Lives-Matter-protesters-tear-statue-17th-century-slave-trader.html

    Yep, everyoneone involved was white, yessirree.

    This lie is even more blatant than the "outside agitators" line they're using in the US.
    It really doesn't matter if they're green with purple polka dots. They should be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.
    And if people are prepared to put their values above the law and face up to the law then good for them.

    The law is not the be all and end all.
    Unfortunately, you're far too stubborn and obstinate to see the sewer you've crawled into (even though you're intelligent enough to recognise some the points are valid, and secretly fear you might not have called this wholly right).

    Once you adopt a position you refuse to move off it regardless of how the argument subsequently develops. That's a sign of weakness of character by the way, not strength.

    I have lost respect for you.
    My position is the same now as it always has been: People should do what they consider to be right.

    Nothings changed. How is that a sewer? I fundamentally believe in individuals making their own free choices.
    What if people have conflicting views of what is right? How should they be resolved?
    Everyone should make their own decisions on what they think is right. You do what you consider is right, I do what I consider to be right.

    The law is how we try to compel people to do what we want them to do, but if people really think the law is wrong and are prepared to face up to the consequences of breaking the law then so be it.
    That's a completely insane view point.

    People should be free to carry out extra judicial punishments of they feel the law is wrong?!

    Once again I feel vindicated leaving the Tory party. It didn't feel right being in the same party as you and HYFUD. I hope @Casino_Royale and @DavidL are beginning to see the party is no longer for people like us.
    Not a member. Never have been. Subcontracting the ability to think to a political party has rarely appealed (although I was an SDP founder member back in my youth).
    I don't think that is a fair characterisation. With the odd exception, those PBers who are party members do not uncritically follow the party line. Joining a party gives you a chance to influence policy. Not that I'm expecting advocating the extinction of Humankind to be adopted as Labour policy any time soon, mind.
  • BluestBlueBluestBlue Posts: 4,556

    RobC said:

    Smart politics from Starmer reaching across the tribal divide and no doubt upsetting a few on his left fringe. Talk of a boost for the Tories in the polls following the weekend is nonsense as law abiding voters will just as likely consider the weak response from supposed toughie Priti useless Patel and from dozy Boris, arriving as usual too late to the party on Sunday night, as wholly inadequate.

    As opposed to Labour MPs like Whittome explicitly 'celebrating' the vandalism, eh? I'd much prefer Boris and Patel to send in the heavies, but it's not hard to see how that could backfire in this climate.
    Nobody has ever heard of Whittome. Not even her constituents. How ever much you think it furthers your cause, her story is just lost in the haze.
    I wonder why the media Blob won't say one word about a Labour MP celebrating illegal vandalism. Hmmm....

    It's about time the public learned what these people really think, and what they would really do with power...
    I wholly disagree that historical artefacts should be wantonly destroyed by criminals posing as freedom fighters.

    The important response was the measured one from Starmer. Were Corbyn still in the driving seat we doubtless would have had some equivocal, rambling nonsense. He isn't thankfully.
    The fact that the Labour leader is no longer an insane nutjob is indeed immensely refreshing. But a lot of the crazies are still sitting behind him - literally so in some cases.
  • rottenboroughrottenborough Posts: 62,766
    TX falls to Dems.

    I'm on at 3 for the price of a pint. It was meant as a bit of a morale booster to feed my hope of the end of Trump rather than a prediction.
  • Dura_AceDura_Ace Posts: 13,677

    https://twitter.com/theappeal/status/1269726925238329344

    Looks like disruptive protesting is a lot more effective in producing change than voting blue. Who'd have thought?

    Father Lenin: We stand for organised terror. This should be frankly admitted. Terror is an absolute necessity during times of revolution.
  • StockyStocky Posts: 10,222
    kinabalu said:

    Nigelb said:

    kinabalu said:

    nunu2 said:

    But I was told by PB.com that the protests would lead to the suburbs turning on the Dems.....

    https://mobile.twitter.com/Nate_Cohn/status/1269934704532295681

    America is not far gone enough to give him another term. It will be so so ugly, this election, but he cannot win.

    Would you like to join me and @Alistair and @Stocky in the TrumpToast club?

    We've been stuck on 3 for too long. Criteria for joining - supreme confidence that he loses in November and a strong hunch it will not even be close.
    No.
    I don't want to jinx my Betfair book.
    :smile: - I get you.

    I've just closed mine out for quite a decent profit.

    But before you shout at me, here's the thinking. My USP has now become not so much Trump will lose - since I sense this dawning on people and about to become a clear consensus - but that it will NOT be close.

    So, I'm waiting for the spreads and hoping my expectation of a probable Dem landslide at that point is still niche.

    Then I sell his EC quote - 245? - for an eye-watering unit stake.
    Turnout is the big thing for me. Anyone anti-Trump will be voting this time. And some of Trump`s voters (who had never voted before) won`t bother this time. The result: a clear Dem win.
  • LostPasswordLostPassword Posts: 18,434
    edited June 2020

    Has anyone dredged Teddy Colston from the deeps yet – or is he still sleeping with the fishes?

    Surely someone dredged him up overnight and has sold him for scrap? Or did other commodity prices crash at the same time as oil?
  • Sunil_PrasannanSunil_Prasannan Posts: 51,878

    MaxPB said:

    MaxPB said:

    Sean_F said:

    FPT:

    And those pulling down the statue were white.

    https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8396511/Moment-Black-Lives-Matter-protesters-tear-statue-17th-century-slave-trader.html

    Yep, everyoneone involved was white, yessirree.

    This lie is even more blatant than the "outside agitators" line they're using in the US.
    It really doesn't matter if they're green with purple polka dots. They should be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.
    And if people are prepared to put their values above the law and face up to the law then good for them.

    The law is not the be all and end all.
    Unfortunately, you're far too stubborn and obstinate to see the sewer you've crawled into (even though you're intelligent enough to recognise some the points are valid, and secretly fear you might not have called this wholly right).

    Once you adopt a position you refuse to move off it regardless of how the argument subsequently develops. That's a sign of weakness of character by the way, not strength.

    I have lost respect for you.
    My position is the same now as it always has been: People should do what they consider to be right.

    Nothings changed. How is that a sewer? I fundamentally believe in individuals making their own free choices.
    What if people have conflicting views of what is right? How should they be resolved?
    Everyone should make their own decisions on what they think is right. You do what you consider is right, I do what I consider to be right.

    The law is how we try to compel people to do what we want them to do, but if people really think the law is wrong and are prepared to face up to the consequences of breaking the law then so be it.
    That's a completely insane view point.
    Its entirely sane and its a view we've had for hundreds of years.

    There is a noble history for hundreds of years of law breakers achieving progress. And this country isn't nor hasn't been an authoritarian dictatorship were the law must be obeyed. Nor should it be. I wouldn't support that.

    Some things are more important than the law.
    You've really gone off into the deep end to support your idiotic stance on Cummings. It's sad how one bad decision has led you down such an odd path that now you're advocating breaking the law if you feel like it. I feel like having the latest TV but I don't want to pay for it, should I go and rob John Lewis tomorrow?
    You think I support people taking responsibility for their own decision making because of Cummings? Not because that has always been my philosophy?

    I chose Jack Sparrow as my avatar last year because people kept using the term Libertarian Pirate Island as an insult and I said that sounded great to me. Was that because of Cummings?

    Perhaps my enjoyment of Atlas Shrugged in the 90s was because of Cummings?
    "You're forgetting one thing, mate: I'm CAPTAIN Philip Thompson! Savvy?"
  • BluestBlueBluestBlue Posts: 4,556

    TX falls to Dems.

    I'm on at 3 for the price of a pint. It was meant as a bit of a morale booster to feed my hope of the end of Trump rather than a prediction.
    Trump is in serious trouble. He's down 20 points with evangelicals since March, and if they stay away, it will take a mathematical miracle to save him.
  • williamglennwilliamglenn Posts: 51,708
    Curveball idea: Biden could choose himself for VP and instruct his delegates to pick Kamala Harris as the presidential nominee.
  • MattWMattW Posts: 23,250
    edited June 2020
    algarkirk said:

    MattW said:

    Question: how many Americans are oafs?

    Answer: choose your denominator.

    https://twitter.com/CosmicDanzo/status/1269729012408111105

    Wars have started with less provocation than this, which would be sad as they seem quite charming. Is it by any chance a spoof?
    I don't know, but I'm rethinking my opposition to capital punishment :-) .

    You would have better T from the Boston Tea Party by fishing it back out, and adding milk still in the cow.
  • TheScreamingEaglesTheScreamingEagles Posts: 119,675
    Andrew said:
    Ooft, we’re deep in dockside hooker territory.
  • algarkirkalgarkirk Posts: 12,555
    OllyT said:

    https://twitter.com/TheMendozaWoman/status/1269929202494705665

    It's miserable when you have become utterly irrelevant.

    Getting attacked by the loonies helps Starmer immensely. He has to marginalise the people who dragged the Labour party down, suspend anyone guilty of antisemitism and let the Kerry-Anne Mendozas slink back to the SWP or wherever it was they came from.

    The Tories have largely learned the lesson that you steer well clear of the Tommy Robinsons of this world. Labour needs to learn the same lesson with the hard left. Starmer gives every indication that he gets it.
    The Tories have some dim people on the back benches but I haven't noticed any Tommy Robinsons. Whereas Labour have quite a number of back benchers who are candidates for the left equivalent. SKS himself is clearly electable, but whether his party is so is a much trickier question.
  • rottenboroughrottenborough Posts: 62,766

    Has anyone dredged Teddy Colston from the deeps yet – or is he still sleeping with the fishes?

    I think the mayor has said he has other more pressing matters at the moment.
  • OllyTOllyT Posts: 5,006
    edited June 2020

    Scott_xP said:
    Not a word to say about the tens of thousands of 'protesters' engaging in massive super-spreader events then, and cheered on by Labour MPs?

    What a fucking surprise!
    There have crowds in parks and beaches for at least a fortnight now. Lets not pretend this id the first time lockdown has been breached. It all went tits up after Cummings, same as the Tory poll leads.

    Dura_Ace said:



    If there is a weak point then let us hear from the campaigners as to which statues and street names they'd like to see changed and why.

    https://twitter.com/RoRyxotic/status/1269698079000846340
    God, she stuffed your lot up good and proper, didn't she? Decades and decades later and the left are still stewing in impotent rage about the Iron Lady :lol:
    Then Blair "stuffed your lot up good and proper" in 3 successive elections, that's how it goes.
  • OnlyLivingBoyOnlyLivingBoy Posts: 15,798

    TOPPING said:

    Sean_F said:

    FPT:

    And those pulling down the statue were white.

    https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8396511/Moment-Black-Lives-Matter-protesters-tear-statue-17th-century-slave-trader.html

    Yep, everyoneone involved was white, yessirree.

    This lie is even more blatant than the "outside agitators" line they're using in the US.
    It really doesn't matter if they're green with purple polka dots. They should be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.
    And if people are prepared to put their values above the law and face up to the law then good for them.

    The law is not the be all and end all.
    Unfortunately, you're far too stubborn and obstinate to see the sewer you've crawled into (even though you're intelligent enough to recognise some the points are valid, and secretly fear you might not have called this wholly right).

    Once you adopt a position you refuse to move off it regardless of how the argument subsequently develops. That's a sign of weakness of character by the way, not strength.

    I have lost respect for you.
    My position is the same now as it always has been: People should do what they consider to be right.

    Nothings changed. How is that a sewer? I fundamentally believe in individuals making their own free choices.
    What if people have conflicting views of what is right? How should they be resolved?
    Everyone should make their own decisions on what they think is right. You do what you consider is right, I do what I consider to be right.

    The law is how we try to compel people to do what we want them to do, but if people really think the law is wrong and are prepared to face up to the consequences of breaking the law then so be it.
    You're okay with honour killings I take it. And terrorism.
    No I'm not. They're hurting others, not non-violent protest against inanimate objects, if you don't see the difference then I'm not sure how I can explain it to you.
    You'd be happy with a terrorist act though if, as the IRA used to do, a warning was issued and everyone was cleared out beforehand?
    Not a big Nelson Mandela fan either, I take it?
    I think the Mandela case is pretty clear cut: he was offering resistance to a hostile, occupying force in his own country.
    At the time Young Conservatives liked to sport "Hang Nelson Mandela" badges so it clearly wasn't clear cut at the time, unless you are suggesting that they were simply far right racist loons.
  • TheScreamingEaglesTheScreamingEagles Posts: 119,675

    Curveball idea: Biden could choose himself for VP and instruct his delegates to pick Kamala Harris as the presidential nominee.

    The electoral college might have something to say about that.
  • ydoethurydoethur Posts: 71,421

    TX falls to Dems.

    I'm on at 3 for the price of a pint. It was meant as a bit of a morale booster to feed my hope of the end of Trump rather than a prediction.
    £309 is not to be sneered at though (including the £100 fine for buying a pint under lockdown).
  • FrancisUrquhartFrancisUrquhart Posts: 82,119

    Has anyone dredged Teddy Colston from the deeps yet – or is he still sleeping with the fishes?

    I think the mayor has said he has other more pressing matters at the moment.
    What's the betting there are always more pressing matters.
  • Stark_DawningStark_Dawning Posts: 9,680

    Andrew said:
    Ooft, we’re deep in dockside hooker territory.
    Where does that leave Dan Hodges' proclamation that Trump will 'walk it' if the lawlessness continues?
  • OmniumOmnium Posts: 10,775

    Brom said:

    RobC said:

    Smart politics from Starmer reaching across the tribal divide and no doubt upsetting a few on his left fringe. Talk of a boost for the Tories in the polls following the weekend is nonsense as law abiding voters will just as likely consider the weak response from supposed toughie Priti useless Patel and from dozy Boris, arriving as usual too late to the party on Sunday night, as wholly inadequate.

    As opposed to Labour MPs like Whittome explicitly 'celebrating' the vandalism, eh? I'd much prefer Boris and Patel to send in the heavies, but it's not hard to see how that could backfire in this climate.
    Nobody has ever heard of Whittome. Not even her constituents. How ever much you think it furthers your cause, her story is just lost in the haze.
    It won't go unoticed over the time though. The problem is so many of the 2019 intake were on the far left and when you have sub 200 MPs the whacky ones like Whittome, Sultana, Gardiner and Clive Lewis are going to get their fair share of airtime. It's a problem for Starmer in terms of convicing the public that Labour are a party for the average voter. He's wisely ditched them from his shad cab at least.
    Clive Lewis doesn't strike me as 'whacky'. Has his moments, but mostly perfectly reasonable.
    In 'Ed Miliband is a dangerous Marxist' world, pretty much everyone can be called far left and whacky. Mysteriously the current bunch of state interventionists governing(sic) us seem to get a free pass.
    EdMill, who I'm sure is a nice guy, was dangerous because, as we saw, there was a nasty Corbyn lurking.

    Starmer's Labour won't have the Corbyns eventually. They'll be more like what we think of as the LDs - just with a degree of coherence and competency that has somehow escaped the the yellow peril.

  • ydoethurydoethur Posts: 71,421

    Andrew said:
    Ooft, we’re deep in dockside hooker territory.
    His whores tend to be absolute showers.

    Ah, my coat...
  • AlastairMeeksAlastairMeeks Posts: 30,340

    Curveball idea: Biden could choose himself for VP and instruct his delegates to pick Kamala Harris as the presidential nominee.

    She was completely underwhelming in the primaries. Why should she be gifted the top of the ticket?
  • GallowgateGallowgate Posts: 19,468
    Texas goes blue, baby. 😎
  • eristdooferistdoof Posts: 5,065

    Nigelb said:

    Another small piece of evidence in favour of masks:

    https://twitter.com/AbraarKaran/status/1269415464414973953

    Perhaps...or perhaps this idea that 80% of cases arisen from 20% of infected individuals is accurate.

    Not arguing masks a good idea, but also plenty of studies of cases that show extended close contact, even with no masks and people didn't catch it e.g. even the original super spreader, I seemed to remember only half the group got it, despite staying in the same chalet with the guy for a week. And he was one of these "super spreaders".
    He was a super spreader not because "only half" contracted the disease, but that he did infect half of those present, which is a really high transmission rate.

    There is a lot of randomness in spreading any disease. I remember once reading about the spread of HIV. A fairly common schenario is, where the partners of patients newly diagnosed with HIV were surprised to find out that they were HIV -ve, even though the patient was infected before the start of the current relationship. Then believing that they must be immune to HIV they carry on having sex without condoms, but are then "devastated" months later when they are then found to be HIV +ve.
  • williamglennwilliamglenn Posts: 51,708

    Curveball idea: Biden could choose himself for VP and instruct his delegates to pick Kamala Harris as the presidential nominee.

    The electoral college might have something to say about that.
    I mean as the Democratic nominee. I.e. the ticket would be Harris/Biden rather than Biden/Harris.
  • ydoethurydoethur Posts: 71,421

    Andrew said:
    Ooft, we’re deep in dockside hooker territory.
    Where does that leave Dan Hodges' proclamation that Trump will 'walk it' if the lawlessness continues?
    He’ll have to. He’ll lose access to the presidential car.
  • rottenboroughrottenborough Posts: 62,766
    MaxPB said:

    Nigelb said:
    I'm not sure that's as big a threat as they hope it is. If anything I'm sure ministers are relieved that they won't have to make that decision themselves and it gives them a great platform to invest in green technology and renewables.
    I thought we had already ruled them out of involvement in HS2?
  • FrancisUrquhartFrancisUrquhart Posts: 82,119
    eristdoof said:

    Nigelb said:

    Another small piece of evidence in favour of masks:

    https://twitter.com/AbraarKaran/status/1269415464414973953

    Perhaps...or perhaps this idea that 80% of cases arisen from 20% of infected individuals is accurate.

    Not arguing masks a good idea, but also plenty of studies of cases that show extended close contact, even with no masks and people didn't catch it e.g. even the original super spreader, I seemed to remember only half the group got it, despite staying in the same chalet with the guy for a week. And he was one of these "super spreaders".
    He was a super spreader not because "only half" contracted the disease, but that he did infect half of those present, which is a really high transmission rate.
    That was my point, but poorly worded.
  • BluestBlueBluestBlue Posts: 4,556
    OllyT said:

    Scott_xP said:
    Not a word to say about the tens of thousands of 'protesters' engaging in massive super-spreader events then, and cheered on by Labour MPs?

    What a fucking surprise!

    Dura_Ace said:



    If there is a weak point then let us hear from the campaigners as to which statues and street names they'd like to see changed and why.

    https://twitter.com/RoRyxotic/status/1269698079000846340
    God, she stuffed your lot up good and proper, didn't she? Decades and decades later and the left are still stewing in impotent rage about the Iron Lady :lol:
    Then Blair "stuffed your lot up good and proper" in 3 successive elections, that's how it goes.
    Electorally, but not politically. Taxes were never lower nor capitalism ever more thriving than under good old Tone. Thatcher and Major broke Old Labour so hard that most of the Tory programme remained or was expanded even when the Tories themselves were out of power. They actually did 'win the argument' - that's what the Corbynites were so angry about.
  • kinabalukinabalu Posts: 42,226
    MaxPB said:

    Sean_F said:

    FPT:

    And those pulling down the statue were white.

    https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8396511/Moment-Black-Lives-Matter-protesters-tear-statue-17th-century-slave-trader.html

    Yep, everyoneone involved was white, yessirree.

    This lie is even more blatant than the "outside agitators" line they're using in the US.
    It really doesn't matter if they're green with purple polka dots. They should be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.
    And if people are prepared to put their values above the law and face up to the law then good for them.

    The law is not the be all and end all.
    Unfortunately, you're far too stubborn and obstinate to see the sewer you've crawled into (even though you're intelligent enough to recognise some the points are valid, and secretly fear you might not have called this wholly right).

    Once you adopt a position you refuse to move off it regardless of how the argument subsequently develops. That's a sign of weakness of character by the way, not strength.

    I have lost respect for you.
    My position is the same now as it always has been: People should do what they consider to be right.

    Nothings changed. How is that a sewer? I fundamentally believe in individuals making their own free choices.
    What if people have conflicting views of what is right? How should they be resolved?
    Everyone should make their own decisions on what they think is right. You do what you consider is right, I do what I consider to be right.

    The law is how we try to compel people to do what we want them to do, but if people really think the law is wrong and are prepared to face up to the consequences of breaking the law then so be it.
    That's a completely insane view point.

    People should be free to carry out extra judicial punishments of they feel the law is wrong?!

    Once again I feel vindicated leaving the Tory party. It didn't feel right being in the same party as you and HYFUD. I hope @Casino_Royale and @DavidL are beginning to see the party is no longer for people like us.
    I don't normally agree with Philip - and I don't 100% agree with him here either - but I think he is just saying that where a person acts in a way that is unlawful but is iho morally correct he will be supportive of that person and the illegal act in question.

    He is not saying the law should be set aside and the "culprit" not prosecuted. Since this would clearly be a recipe for anarchy.

    Have I got that right, Philip?
  • OnlyLivingBoyOnlyLivingBoy Posts: 15,798

    kinabalu said:

    Nigelb said:

    Another small piece of evidence in favour of masks:

    Just back from Morrisons. Very high mask usage with women in there. Almost all of them in fact. But not so the men. A really quite striking gender split. So yet another instance, to join so many others, of Viva La Femme!
    And of course women much less likely to suffer badly from this.
    Two observations probably linked.
    Not sure in March and April many people of either gender were wearing masks.
    It's a measure of risk averse behaviour in general. The number of men who don't wash their hands even after visiting the toilet remains a disgusting reminder of the general vileness and stupidity of the human male.
  • ydoethurydoethur Posts: 71,421

    MaxPB said:

    Nigelb said:
    I'm not sure that's as big a threat as they hope it is. If anything I'm sure ministers are relieved that they won't have to make that decision themselves and it gives them a great platform to invest in green technology and renewables.
    I thought we had already ruled them out of involvement in HS2?
    Mostly French and German companies I think.

    A list is here:

    https://www.constructionnews.co.uk/hs2/hs2-civils-works-approved-to-start-15-04-2020/
  • Sunil_PrasannanSunil_Prasannan Posts: 51,878

    @Sunil_Prasannan

    I've woken up this morning to see you accused me of racism last night.

    I don't think that funny, and I take such accusations very seriously.

    I expect you to withdraw that this morning and apologise.

    I accused you of racism?? Did I? I think I used a question mark, didn't I?

    Here is the exchange last night:

    I take it the PB racists who object to the toppling of Colston also objected to the toppling of Saddam or Lenin?

    Who are the PB racists?
    You for example?

    *runs and hides*
    Looks like I most definitely did use a question mark.

    Now, if it appears I DIRECTLY accused you of being a racist, then I apologise for being somewhat in jest (you will note the "*runs and hides*"), but not making this clearer. For the record, bearing in mind we have met in person at a PB get together in London some years back, I do NOT think you are a racist.
  • williamglennwilliamglenn Posts: 51,708

    Curveball idea: Biden could choose himself for VP and instruct his delegates to pick Kamala Harris as the presidential nominee.

    She was completely underwhelming in the primaries. Why should she be gifted the top of the ticket?
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-viWdBhkCv0
  • malcolmgmalcolmg Posts: 43,357

    FPT:

    And those pulling down the statue were white.

    https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8396511/Moment-Black-Lives-Matter-protesters-tear-statue-17th-century-slave-trader.html

    Yep, everyoneone involved was white, yessirree.

    This lie is even more blatant than the "outside agitators" line they're using in the US.
    It really doesn't matter if they're green with purple polka dots. They should be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.
    And if people are prepared to put their values above the law and face up to the law then good for them.

    The law is not the be all and end all.
    Get the morons in jail then , give them time to reflect on their values
  • malcolmgmalcolmg Posts: 43,357
    kinabalu said:

    FPT:

    And those pulling down the statue were white.

    https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8396511/Moment-Black-Lives-Matter-protesters-tear-statue-17th-century-slave-trader.html

    Yep, everyoneone involved was white, yessirree.

    This lie is even more blatant than the "outside agitators" line they're using in the US.
    It really doesn't matter if they're green with purple polka dots. They should be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.
    "to the full extent of the law"

    Is this rhetorical flourish or do you mean something specific by it?
    Bring back public flogging and stocks.
  • StockyStocky Posts: 10,222
    kinabalu said:

    MaxPB said:

    Sean_F said:

    FPT:

    And those pulling down the statue were white.

    https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8396511/Moment-Black-Lives-Matter-protesters-tear-statue-17th-century-slave-trader.html

    Yep, everyoneone involved was white, yessirree.

    This lie is even more blatant than the "outside agitators" line they're using in the US.
    It really doesn't matter if they're green with purple polka dots. They should be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.
    And if people are prepared to put their values above the law and face up to the law then good for them.

    The law is not the be all and end all.
    Unfortunately, you're far too stubborn and obstinate to see the sewer you've crawled into (even though you're intelligent enough to recognise some the points are valid, and secretly fear you might not have called this wholly right).

    Once you adopt a position you refuse to move off it regardless of how the argument subsequently develops. That's a sign of weakness of character by the way, not strength.

    I have lost respect for you.
    My position is the same now as it always has been: People should do what they consider to be right.

    Nothings changed. How is that a sewer? I fundamentally believe in individuals making their own free choices.
    What if people have conflicting views of what is right? How should they be resolved?
    Everyone should make their own decisions on what they think is right. You do what you consider is right, I do what I consider to be right.

    The law is how we try to compel people to do what we want them to do, but if people really think the law is wrong and are prepared to face up to the consequences of breaking the law then so be it.
    That's a completely insane view point.

    People should be free to carry out extra judicial punishments of they feel the law is wrong?!

    Once again I feel vindicated leaving the Tory party. It didn't feel right being in the same party as you and HYFUD. I hope @Casino_Royale and @DavidL are beginning to see the party is no longer for people like us.
    I don't normally agree with Philip - and I don't 100% agree with him here either - but I think he is just saying that where a person acts in a way that is unlawful but is iho morally correct he will be supportive of that person and the illegal act in question.

    He is not saying the law should be set aside and the "culprit" not prosecuted. Since this would clearly be a recipe for anarchy.

    Have I got that right, Philip?
    Similar to my decision-making process in seeing my dad during lockdown (I didn`t in the end, but resolved to if lockdown hadn`t been loosened when it was). Many did the same. Rational choice - risk the car journey, accept the £100 fine if procecuted for an unecessary journey.
  • malcolmgmalcolmg Posts: 43,357


    The silliest one was Alex Salmon'd "melt in the sun" one at Heriot Watt, but I just found it hilarious as a monument to vanity.

    And has been removed because the people who pay for the University fee paying students objected to it.
    Is that English Tory fee paying students given Scottish students get free education.
  • ydoethurydoethur Posts: 71,421
    malcolmg said:


    The silliest one was Alex Salmon'd "melt in the sun" one at Heriot Watt, but I just found it hilarious as a monument to vanity.

    And has been removed because the people who pay for the University fee paying students objected to it.
    Is that English Tory fee paying students given Scottish students get free education.
    Malc, how many students anywhere are Tories right now?
  • malcolmgmalcolmg Posts: 43,357
    TOPPING said:

    Sean_F said:

    FPT:

    And those pulling down the statue were white.

    https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8396511/Moment-Black-Lives-Matter-protesters-tear-statue-17th-century-slave-trader.html

    Yep, everyoneone involved was white, yessirree.

    This lie is even more blatant than the "outside agitators" line they're using in the US.
    It really doesn't matter if they're green with purple polka dots. They should be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.
    And if people are prepared to put their values above the law and face up to the law then good for them.

    The law is not the be all and end all.
    Unfortunately, you're far too stubborn and obstinate to see the sewer you've crawled into (even though you're intelligent enough to recognise some the points are valid, and secretly fear you might not have called this wholly right).

    Once you adopt a position you refuse to move off it regardless of how the argument subsequently develops. That's a sign of weakness of character by the way, not strength.

    I have lost respect for you.
    My position is the same now as it always has been: People should do what they consider to be right.

    Nothings changed. How is that a sewer? I fundamentally believe in individuals making their own free choices.
    What if people have conflicting views of what is right? How should they be resolved?
    Everyone should make their own decisions on what they think is right. You do what you consider is right, I do what I consider to be right.

    The law is how we try to compel people to do what we want them to do, but if people really think the law is wrong and are prepared to face up to the consequences of breaking the law then so be it.
    You're okay with honour killings I take it. And terrorism.
    And you're ok with black people not being allowed to take the same public transport as white people?
    Like bald men fighting over a comb , get a grip nobody has segregated transport in this country not now and certainly not for hundreds of years.
  • TheWhiteRabbitTheWhiteRabbit Posts: 12,454

    Curveball idea: Biden could choose himself for VP and instruct his delegates to pick Kamala Harris as the presidential nominee.

    The electoral college might have something to say about that.
    I mean as the Democratic nominee. I.e. the ticket would be Harris/Biden rather than Biden/Harris.
    Aren't they bound on the first vote?

    But presumably the pres and VP noms can;t be the same person(!) so I don't know what would happen if Biden were voted for as both.
  • malcolmgmalcolmg Posts: 43,357

    Sean_F said:

    FPT:

    And those pulling down the statue were white.

    https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8396511/Moment-Black-Lives-Matter-protesters-tear-statue-17th-century-slave-trader.html

    Yep, everyoneone involved was white, yessirree.

    This lie is even more blatant than the "outside agitators" line they're using in the US.
    It really doesn't matter if they're green with purple polka dots. They should be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.
    And if people are prepared to put their values above the law and face up to the law then good for them.

    The law is not the be all and end all.
    Unfortunately, you're far too stubborn and obstinate to see the sewer you've crawled into (even though you're intelligent enough to recognise some the points are valid, and secretly fear you might not have called this wholly right).

    Once you adopt a position you refuse to move off it regardless of how the argument subsequently develops. That's a sign of weakness of character by the way, not strength.

    I have lost respect for you.
    My position is the same now as it always has been: People should do what they consider to be right.

    Nothings changed. How is that a sewer? I fundamentally believe in individuals making their own free choices.
    What if people have conflicting views of what is right? How should they be resolved?
    Everyone should make their own decisions on what they think is right. You do what you consider is right, I do what I consider to be right.

    The law is how we try to compel people to do what we want them to do, but if people really think the law is wrong and are prepared to face up to the consequences of breaking the law then so be it.
    That's a recipe for societal breakdown and anarchy.
    Too many mung beans affecting his sanity
  • Morris_DancerMorris_Dancer Posts: 61,805
    For those cheered by the Chinese ultimatum, I do worry that the PM's cowardice may mean he'll just accept the lot rather than rejecting it.
  • malcolmgmalcolmg Posts: 43,357
    Nigelb said:

    HYUFD said:

    nunu2 said:

    But I was told by PB.com that the protests would lead to the suburbs turning on the Dems.....

    https://mobile.twitter.com/Nate_Cohn/status/1269934704532295681

    If they turn violent they will

    https://twitter.com/Politics_Polls/status/1269843069974740992?s=20
    They have already turned violent. You keep trying to spin this poll into something it’s not to fit your narrative but it’s not working.
    The story from the US is as much (if not more) of police forces turning violent before protestors do.

    On the whole our police have done a vastly superior job of reacting proportionately.
    You mean standing back and letting yobbos break the law. Management and government or whoever gave orders (NOT) should be sacked.
  • CarlottaVanceCarlottaVance Posts: 60,216
    dixiedean said:

    NZ lifting all restrictions. Except air travel. Hmm.

    Guernsey (zero cases 39 days) has also lifted most restrictions (with tough track & trace measures - all restaurant visitors are logged with contact details and those have to be available 24/7 so tracing can be started within an hour of a positive diagnosis) has also said arrival quarantine will be last thing to go.
  • Philip_ThompsonPhilip_Thompson Posts: 65,826
    kinabalu said:

    MaxPB said:

    Sean_F said:

    FPT:

    And those pulling down the statue were white.

    https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8396511/Moment-Black-Lives-Matter-protesters-tear-statue-17th-century-slave-trader.html

    Yep, everyoneone involved was white, yessirree.

    This lie is even more blatant than the "outside agitators" line they're using in the US.
    It really doesn't matter if they're green with purple polka dots. They should be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.
    And if people are prepared to put their values above the law and face up to the law then good for them.

    The law is not the be all and end all.
    Unfortunately, you're far too stubborn and obstinate to see the sewer you've crawled into (even though you're intelligent enough to recognise some the points are valid, and secretly fear you might not have called this wholly right).

    Once you adopt a position you refuse to move off it regardless of how the argument subsequently develops. That's a sign of weakness of character by the way, not strength.

    I have lost respect for you.
    My position is the same now as it always has been: People should do what they consider to be right.

    Nothings changed. How is that a sewer? I fundamentally believe in individuals making their own free choices.
    What if people have conflicting views of what is right? How should they be resolved?
    Everyone should make their own decisions on what they think is right. You do what you consider is right, I do what I consider to be right.

    The law is how we try to compel people to do what we want them to do, but if people really think the law is wrong and are prepared to face up to the consequences of breaking the law then so be it.
    That's a completely insane view point.

    People should be free to carry out extra judicial punishments of they feel the law is wrong?!

    Once again I feel vindicated leaving the Tory party. It didn't feel right being in the same party as you and HYFUD. I hope @Casino_Royale and @DavidL are beginning to see the party is no longer for people like us.
    I don't normally agree with Philip - and I don't 100% agree with him here either - but I think he is just saying that where a person acts in a way that is unlawful but is iho morally correct he will be supportive of that person and the illegal act in question.

    He is not saying the law should be set aside and the "culprit" not prosecuted. Since this would clearly be a recipe for anarchy.

    Have I got that right, Philip?
    Basically. Not 100% but yes that's the essence of it.

    Some people put the law above right or wrong and make following the law a right in itself. I view right or wrong as being more important than the law.

    In Dungeons and Dragons there's a good way of defining this debate, there are two axes of Good, Neutral or Evil on the good or evil spectrum . . . and on law and order there is Chaotic, Neutral or Lawful. Leaving 9 different combinations you can end up with. You can be Lawful Evil or any other combination.

    On that basis I would class my philosophy as Chaotic Good. The right thing to do matters more than the law. In Superhero lore the most famous distinction between Lawful Good and Chaotic Good is Superman (Lawful Good) versus Batman (Chaotic Good).

    https://www.deviantart.com/spider-bat700/art/Nolanverse-Alignment-Chart-737635019
  • ydoethurydoethur Posts: 71,421
    malcolmg said:

    TOPPING said:

    Sean_F said:

    FPT:

    And those pulling down the statue were white.

    https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8396511/Moment-Black-Lives-Matter-protesters-tear-statue-17th-century-slave-trader.html

    Yep, everyoneone involved was white, yessirree.

    This lie is even more blatant than the "outside agitators" line they're using in the US.
    It really doesn't matter if they're green with purple polka dots. They should be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.
    And if people are prepared to put their values above the law and face up to the law then good for them.

    The law is not the be all and end all.
    Unfortunately, you're far too stubborn and obstinate to see the sewer you've crawled into (even though you're intelligent enough to recognise some the points are valid, and secretly fear you might not have called this wholly right).

    Once you adopt a position you refuse to move off it regardless of how the argument subsequently develops. That's a sign of weakness of character by the way, not strength.

    I have lost respect for you.
    My position is the same now as it always has been: People should do what they consider to be right.

    Nothings changed. How is that a sewer? I fundamentally believe in individuals making their own free choices.
    What if people have conflicting views of what is right? How should they be resolved?
    Everyone should make their own decisions on what they think is right. You do what you consider is right, I do what I consider to be right.

    The law is how we try to compel people to do what we want them to do, but if people really think the law is wrong and are prepared to face up to the consequences of breaking the law then so be it.
    You're okay with honour killings I take it. And terrorism.
    And you're ok with black people not being allowed to take the same public transport as white people?
    Like bald men fighting over a comb , get a grip nobody has segregated transport in this country not now and certainly not for hundreds of years.
    Well, not since 1965 anyway.

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bristol_Bus_Boycott
  • StereotomyStereotomy Posts: 4,092

    Curveball idea: Biden could choose himself for VP and instruct his delegates to pick Kamala Harris as the presidential nominee.

    She was completely underwhelming in the primaries. Why should she be gifted the top of the ticket?
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-viWdBhkCv0
    You don't see why this moment may not be particularly well suited for Kopmala?
  • contrariancontrarian Posts: 5,818
    Has that CNN poll moved the market much?
  • TheScreamingEaglesTheScreamingEagles Posts: 119,675
    Probably fake but did make me laugh.


  • malcolmgmalcolmg Posts: 43,357
    Shielding extended in Scotland till end of July.
  • CarlottaVanceCarlottaVance Posts: 60,216
    malcolmg said:


    The silliest one was Alex Salmon'd "melt in the sun" one at Heriot Watt, but I just found it hilarious as a monument to vanity.

    And has been removed because the people who pay for the University fee paying students objected to it.
    Is that English Tory fee paying students given Scottish students get free education.
    It's Scottish working class students not getting places because Scottish middle class ones are.
  • StereotomyStereotomy Posts: 4,092
    The reaction of some people on this site to the extremely basic, common-sense proposition that "legal" is not synonymous with "moral" is pretty eye-opening.
  • edmundintokyoedmundintokyo Posts: 17,708

    Curveball idea: Biden could choose himself for VP and instruct his delegates to pick Kamala Harris as the presidential nominee.

    She was completely underwhelming in the primaries. Why should she be gifted the top of the ticket?
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-viWdBhkCv0
    You don't see why this moment may not be particularly well suited for Kopmala?
    On the one hand yes, on the other hand this other video exists, I find it hard to call:

    https://twitter.com/WalkerBragman/status/1089831581030797312?ref_src=twsrc^tfw|twcamp^tweetembed|twterm^1089831581030797312|twgr^&ref_url=https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/jan/31/kamala-harris-laughed-jailing-parents-truancy
  • StereotomyStereotomy Posts: 4,092
    Not sure Sean has his finger on the pulse if he thinks Cromwell is going to be a top target for protesters.
  • rottenboroughrottenborough Posts: 62,766
    The 2020 Cake Is (Almost) Baked

    Biden has the biggest, most durable lead of any presidential challenger ever. He's more personally popular than Trump. The wrong-track number is at -38. And there are only 20 weekends left before Election Day.

    https://thebulwark.com/the-2020-cake-is-almost-baked/
  • bigjohnowlsbigjohnowls Posts: 22,676
    Matt Hancock seemingly unsure of number of black cabinet ministers, although he believes it has the capacity for several.

    If only there was one Hancock could count that as at least 10
  • rottenboroughrottenborough Posts: 62,766
    malcolmg said:

    Shielding extended in Scotland till end of July.

    Terrible for those concerned. If they live alone it is basically solitary confinement. Ridiculous decision.
  • FoxyFoxy Posts: 48,720
    ydoethur said:

    Andrew said:
    Ooft, we’re deep in dockside hooker territory.
    His whores tend to be absolute showers.

    Ah, my coat...
    We should Escort you off the premises...
  • PulpstarPulpstar Posts: 78,205
    Question - Is there a single British aristocratic family that wasn't tangentially involved in the slave trade ?
  • malcolmgmalcolmg Posts: 43,357
    ydoethur said:

    malcolmg said:


    The silliest one was Alex Salmon'd "melt in the sun" one at Heriot Watt, but I just found it hilarious as a monument to vanity.

    And has been removed because the people who pay for the University fee paying students objected to it.
    Is that English Tory fee paying students given Scottish students get free education.
    Malc, how many students anywhere are Tories right now?
    Ydoethur, there will be a few misguided fannies somewhere, given the state of Labour and Lib Dems there are probably more than usual.
  • NigelbNigelb Posts: 71,225
    MattW said:

    algarkirk said:

    MattW said:

    Question: how many Americans are oafs?

    Answer: choose your denominator.

    https://twitter.com/CosmicDanzo/status/1269729012408111105

    Wars have started with less provocation than this, which would be sad as they seem quite charming. Is it by any chance a spoof?
    I don't know, but I'm rethinking my opposition to capital punishment :-) .

    You would have better T from the Boston Tea Party by fishing it back out, and adding milk still in the cow.
    Easier to throw the cow in Boston harbour, and sip from the waves.
  • BluestBlueBluestBlue Posts: 4,556
    edited June 2020
    The Visigoths aren't just coming over the hills .. they're already inside the city.
  • Philip_ThompsonPhilip_Thompson Posts: 65,826
    Slippery slope arguments are the preserve of those with no better argument to use.

    If Rhodes should stay make the case for Rhodes.
    If Churchill should stay make the case for Churchill.
    If slavers should stay make the case for slavers.

    One is not the same as the other.
  • rottenboroughrottenborough Posts: 62,766

    Not sure Sean has his finger on the pulse if he thinks Cromwell is going to be a top target for protesters.
    I don't know what Thomas Cromwell is supposed to have done?
  • OmniumOmnium Posts: 10,775

    Matt Hancock seemingly unsure of number of black cabinet ministers, although he believes it has the capacity for several.

    If only there was one Hancock could count that as at least 10

    Being unsure of this is perhaps a good thing.

    Why are you counting your Jedi friends?
  • ydoethurydoethur Posts: 71,421
    Pulpstar said:

    Question - Is there a single British aristocratic family that wasn't tangentially involved in the slave trade ?
    There isn’t a single British family that wasn’t at some point in some way involved in slavery.

    How many of them have kept the profits from it to the present day is another question.
  • Stark_DawningStark_Dawning Posts: 9,680
    ydoethur said:

    malcolmg said:

    TOPPING said:

    Sean_F said:

    FPT:

    And those pulling down the statue were white.

    https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8396511/Moment-Black-Lives-Matter-protesters-tear-statue-17th-century-slave-trader.html

    Yep, everyoneone involved was white, yessirree.

    This lie is even more blatant than the "outside agitators" line they're using in the US.
    It really doesn't matter if they're green with purple polka dots. They should be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.
    And if people are prepared to put their values above the law and face up to the law then good for them.

    The law is not the be all and end all.
    Unfortunately, you're far too stubborn and obstinate to see the sewer you've crawled into (even though you're intelligent enough to recognise some the points are valid, and secretly fear you might not have called this wholly right).

    Once you adopt a position you refuse to move off it regardless of how the argument subsequently develops. That's a sign of weakness of character by the way, not strength.

    I have lost respect for you.
    My position is the same now as it always has been: People should do what they consider to be right.

    Nothings changed. How is that a sewer? I fundamentally believe in individuals making their own free choices.
    What if people have conflicting views of what is right? How should they be resolved?
    Everyone should make their own decisions on what they think is right. You do what you consider is right, I do what I consider to be right.

    The law is how we try to compel people to do what we want them to do, but if people really think the law is wrong and are prepared to face up to the consequences of breaking the law then so be it.
    You're okay with honour killings I take it. And terrorism.
    And you're ok with black people not being allowed to take the same public transport as white people?
    Like bald men fighting over a comb , get a grip nobody has segregated transport in this country not now and certainly not for hundreds of years.
    Well, not since 1965 anyway.

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bristol_Bus_Boycott
    Interesting that the TGWU had a hand in that. One of the refrains - it's just the working man protecting his wage level - has been doing the rounds more recently in relation to Brexit.
  • ydoethurydoethur Posts: 71,421
    Foxy said:

    ydoethur said:

    Andrew said:
    Ooft, we’re deep in dockside hooker territory.
    His whores tend to be absolute showers.

    Ah, my coat...
    We should Escort you off the premises...
    I Vaz expecting a comeback like that.
  • RobDRobD Posts: 59,935

    Slippery slope arguments are the preserve of those with no better argument to use.

    If Rhodes should stay make the case for Rhodes.
    If Churchill should stay make the case for Churchill.
    If slavers should stay make the case for slavers.

    One is not the same as the other.
    The case was made for Colston, yet the mob still tore it down anyway.
  • Philip_ThompsonPhilip_Thompson Posts: 65,826

    The reaction of some people on this site to the extremely basic, common-sense proposition that "legal" is not synonymous with "moral" is pretty eye-opening.

    Indeed.
  • Casino_RoyaleCasino_Royale Posts: 60,488

    @Sunil_Prasannan

    I've woken up this morning to see you accused me of racism last night.

    I don't think that funny, and I take such accusations very seriously.

    I expect you to withdraw that this morning and apologise.

    I accused you of racism?? Did I? I think I used a question mark, didn't I?

    Here is the exchange last night:

    I take it the PB racists who object to the toppling of Colston also objected to the toppling of Saddam or Lenin?

    Who are the PB racists?
    You for example?

    *runs and hides*
    Looks like I most definitely did use a question mark.

    Now, if it appears I DIRECTLY accused you of being a racist, then I apologise for being somewhat in jest (you will note the "*runs and hides*"), but not making this clearer. For the record, bearing in mind we have met in person at a PB get together in London some years back, I do NOT think you are a racist.
    Thank you.
  • contrariancontrarian Posts: 5,818
    Still only 5/4 for Trump, a bit mean considering Biden is now a shoo-in.
  • FoxyFoxy Posts: 48,720
    ydoethur said:

    Foxy said:

    ydoethur said:

    Andrew said:
    Ooft, we’re deep in dockside hooker territory.
    His whores tend to be absolute showers.

    Ah, my coat...
    We should Escort you off the premises...
    I Vaz expecting a comeback like that.
    Is it game on? Or on the game?
  • Casino_RoyaleCasino_Royale Posts: 60,488

    Curveball idea: Biden could choose himself for VP and instruct his delegates to pick Kamala Harris as the presidential nominee.

    She was completely underwhelming in the primaries. Why should she be gifted the top of the ticket?
    Laying her is currently my main play in the VP market.
  • kinabalukinabalu Posts: 42,226
    edited June 2020

    kinabalu said:

    FPT:

    And those pulling down the statue were white.

    https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8396511/Moment-Black-Lives-Matter-protesters-tear-statue-17th-century-slave-trader.html

    Yep, everyoneone involved was white, yessirree.

    This lie is even more blatant than the "outside agitators" line they're using in the US.
    It really doesn't matter if they're green with purple polka dots. They should be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.
    "to the full extent of the law"

    Is this rhetorical flourish or do you mean something specific by it?
    I mean what I say by it. There is a range of actions the police could take, from nothing, through a caution, to being prosecuted for all criminal acts for which there is evidence. Sometimes, understandably, the police are leniant. In this case I think that would be a mistake.
    OK thanks. Understood.

    My view on "Statue" -

    My visceral reaction to the event was to cheer. Took a look at the CV of the statueee and I find it hard to credit how anyone could think it an appropriate monument. Surprised and disappointed that something of that nature has survived in place this long.

    However, I only support law breaking where the law being broken is imo a grossly bad law - and the law against vandalism of public property is not imo one such.

    So I'm going with the old "do not condone but will not condemn" formulation.

    Great to see, though. Great to see.
  • MaxPBMaxPB Posts: 38,868

    The reaction of some people on this site to the extremely basic, common-sense proposition that "legal" is not synonymous with "moral" is pretty eye-opening.

    Of course it isn't. Morality is variable. Some cultures believe it moral to kill criminals and chop their hands off. The law is the same for everyone, which is why we have rule of law in this country.
  • Philip_ThompsonPhilip_Thompson Posts: 65,826
    RobD said:

    Slippery slope arguments are the preserve of those with no better argument to use.

    If Rhodes should stay make the case for Rhodes.
    If Churchill should stay make the case for Churchill.
    If slavers should stay make the case for slavers.

    One is not the same as the other.
    The case was made for Colston, yet the mob still tore it down anyway.
    Sometimes people have to stand up to the tyranny of the majority.

    If the majority want Colston back they can put him back. Lets see if it happens.
  • IshmaelZIshmaelZ Posts: 21,830
    ydoethur said:

    Pulpstar said:

    Question - Is there a single British aristocratic family that wasn't tangentially involved in the slave trade ?
    There isn’t a single British family that wasn’t at some point in some way involved in slavery.

    How many of them have kept the profits from it to the present day is another question.
    Mine has, to some extent. And I can promise you I am spending it a great deal less virtuously than Colston did.
  • contrariancontrarian Posts: 5,818
    edited June 2020
    MaxPB said:

    The reaction of some people on this site to the extremely basic, common-sense proposition that "legal" is not synonymous with "moral" is pretty eye-opening.

    Of course it isn't. Morality is variable. Some cultures believe it moral to kill criminals and chop their hands off. The law is the same for everyone, which is why we have rule of law in this country.
    And the only way to change the rule of law is to change the law - ie democratically.
  • Beibheirli_CBeibheirli_C Posts: 8,163

    The reaction of some people on this site to the extremely basic, common-sense proposition that "legal" is not synonymous with "moral" is pretty eye-opening.

    Indeed.
    Have we reached the "She's a witch! Burn her!!!" stage yet?
  • kinabalukinabalu Posts: 42,226
    MaxPB said:

    The reaction of some people on this site to the extremely basic, common-sense proposition that "legal" is not synonymous with "moral" is pretty eye-opening.

    Of course it isn't. Morality is variable. Some cultures believe it moral to kill criminals and chop their hands off. The law is the same for everyone, which is why we have rule of law in this country.
    But the law is also the same for everyone in countries that kill criminals and chop their hands off.

    So I don't quite see your point here.
  • PulpstarPulpstar Posts: 78,205
    ydoethur said:

    Pulpstar said:

    Question - Is there a single British aristocratic family that wasn't tangentially involved in the slave trade ?
    There isn’t a single British family that wasn’t at some point in some way involved in slavery.

    How many of them have kept the profits from it to the present day is another question.
    https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/taxpayers-still-paying-british-slave-12019829

    The map at the bottom shows the compensation paid out to slave owners (Which took the treasury 182 years to repay it's own borrowing....). Good argument to see if some of this can be reclaimed frankly seeing as we're in straitened times and all.
  • contrariancontrarian Posts: 5,818

    RobD said:

    Slippery slope arguments are the preserve of those with no better argument to use.

    If Rhodes should stay make the case for Rhodes.
    If Churchill should stay make the case for Churchill.
    If slavers should stay make the case for slavers.

    One is not the same as the other.
    The case was made for Colston, yet the mob still tore it down anyway.
    Sometimes people have to stand up to the tyranny of the majority.

    If the majority want Colston back they can put him back. Lets see if it happens.
    'Mob rule is good when the mob does something I want'
  • Philip_ThompsonPhilip_Thompson Posts: 65,826

    MaxPB said:

    The reaction of some people on this site to the extremely basic, common-sense proposition that "legal" is not synonymous with "moral" is pretty eye-opening.

    Of course it isn't. Morality is variable. Some cultures believe it moral to kill criminals and chop their hands off. The law is the same for everyone, which is why we have rule of law in this country.
    And the only way to change the rule of law is to change the law - ie democratically.
    But non-violent breaches of the law very frequently can and have led to showing where the law is an ass and led to it being changed.

    If we only ever waited until the law was changed then we'd be in a much worse situation.
  • RochdalePioneersRochdalePioneers Posts: 28,902

    The 2020 Cake Is (Almost) Baked

    Biden has the biggest, most durable lead of any presidential challenger ever. He's more personally popular than Trump. The wrong-track number is at -38. And there are only 20 weekends left before Election Day.

    https://thebulwark.com/the-2020-cake-is-almost-baked/

    Lets hope. In the closing stages of the campaign Trump will demand rifle-toting loons to defend the ballot boxes against liberals and the MSM. And having lost will tell them that they have just a few short weeks to stop their country taken away.

    Lets be honest about this. If he loses, Trump isn't going to depart quietly. He'll try and provoke an armed insurrection against the Powers That Be.
  • kamskikamski Posts: 5,191
    Andrew said:
    The last CNN poll a month ago had Biden 5 ahead.

    I still think the result in November will likely be close (where close means increasing the losing candidate's vote share by 3 per cent in every state would result in them winning in the electoral college). But if it isn't close, it's only going to be not close in one direction.

    A very big loss for Trump would of course be the best result.

    The reaction of some people on this site to the extremely basic, common-sense proposition that "legal" is not synonymous with "moral" is pretty eye-opening.

    Indeed.
    For once I'm in total agreement with you. Sure, if people are willing to break the law (without hurting anyone) for their beliefs then they can be prosecuted. But the very fact that nobody believes that this statue is going to be put back up shows that it's good that it's gone.

    If people managed to topple a statue of Churchill does anyone believe that it wouldn't be immediately restored?
  • Sean_FSean_F Posts: 37,378

    Slippery slope arguments are the preserve of those with no better argument to use.

    If Rhodes should stay make the case for Rhodes.
    If Churchill should stay make the case for Churchill.
    If slavers should stay make the case for slavers.

    One is not the same as the other.
    I'd view Rhodes as more of a grey hat than a black hat, and after all, the Rhodes scholarships do a lot of good. So, IMHO, his statute should stay.
  • AlanbrookeAlanbrooke Posts: 25,413
    ydoethur said:

    Pulpstar said:

    Question - Is there a single British aristocratic family that wasn't tangentially involved in the slave trade ?
    There isn’t a single British family that wasn’t at some point in some way involved in slavery.

    How many of them have kept the profits from it to the present day is another question.
    One of the striking things from the BBC programme Who do you think you are ? was just how widespread slavery was. Many of the black celebs expecting to find their ancestors as liberated slaves were shocked when it turned out they were slave owners instead.
  • Philip_ThompsonPhilip_Thompson Posts: 65,826

    RobD said:

    Slippery slope arguments are the preserve of those with no better argument to use.

    If Rhodes should stay make the case for Rhodes.
    If Churchill should stay make the case for Churchill.
    If slavers should stay make the case for slavers.

    One is not the same as the other.
    The case was made for Colston, yet the mob still tore it down anyway.
    Sometimes people have to stand up to the tyranny of the majority.

    If the majority want Colston back they can put him back. Lets see if it happens.
    'Mob rule is good when the mob does something I want'
    Mob rule is neither good nor bad.

    People should do what they think is right, people should vote based upon what they think is right. The law should be enforced within reason but if someone is willing to risk facing the consequences of the law that's their choice.

    Do you want to live in an authoritarian dictatorship where the law must be obeyed, no exceptions?
  • bigjohnowlsbigjohnowls Posts: 22,676
    Bristol police say there will be no further action after protesters explain they were unsure whether they were strong enough to pull down statues and were simply testing whether they were fit to do so.
This discussion has been closed.