Howdy, Stranger!

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

politicalbetting.com » Blog Archive » Deal or no deal

124»

Comments

  • Tim_BTim_B Posts: 7,669
    MaxPB said:

    Wait, the charger doesn't come with the correct cable? That's mad. I thought it was ridiculous that the fast charger didn't come with the £1100 phone, but that really takes the biscuit.
    When wireless charging first came in - which must be about 2 years ago at least - I got a Samsung fast charger for half price (about $25) and it came with a cable. Still works on the new Galaxys.

    But nobody knows how to gouge users more than Apple - and unlike Samsung they don't actually make any of what they sell.
  • MaxPBMaxPB Posts: 39,801
    Fucking hell, it's 59 and 39 here for the charger and a two metre cable. That's almost 100 francs for a bloody charger that I got for free with my XZ premium.
  • PongPong Posts: 4,693
    edited November 2017
    Pong said:

    Potentially awful.

    Non-criminal family cases, too.

    This is Randox's response;

    http://www.randox.com/rts-whistleblower/
    “We are now well-advanced in developing a fool-proof testing system which would enhance the security of our operations in the future, to provide the necessary level of confidence.”

    I find that really cynical PR.

    "a fool-proof testing system"

    Our legal system, presumably, considered your previous testing system to be "fool-proof" when it clearly it wasn't. Such "fool-proofing" is probably not possible. Why market it as such?

    How about some humility? And an apology.

    Grr
  • RobDRobD Posts: 60,336
    MaxPB said:

    Fucking hell, it's 59 and 39 here for the charger and a two metre cable. That's almost 100 francs for a bloody charger that I got for free with my XZ premium.

    I think one of the reasons they got rid of the jack is to stop the accessories that use it for free. Now they have to pay a license fee to Apple to use the proprietary connector.
  • RobD said:

    You know what makes a perfect evening? A nice pineapple pizza and a good AV thread. :smiley:
    You forgot Hull City winning at Millwall.
  • RobD said:

    I think one of the reasons they got rid of the jack is to stop the accessories that use it for free. Now they have to pay a license fee to Apple to use the proprietary connector.
    And the correct answer is....
  • MaxPBMaxPB Posts: 39,801
    RobD said:

    I think one of the reasons they got rid of the jack is to stop the accessories that use it for free. Now they have to pay a license fee to Apple to use the proprietary connector.
    Yes, that's probably the reason. Oddly Apple opted for QI wireless rather than trying to force their own proprietary standard which they could then force companies to licence.
  • IanB2 said:

    The fundamental problem is that many older leave voters didn't see Brexit as radical, assuming it would simply be a return to times past, overlooking the dramatic wrench that will be the transition to life outside the EU after more than forty five years of institutional and regulatory convergence.
    Agreed. It’s unbelievable how so many old people want to make my generation live in their past world. Economic issues aside, I like the modern world, and I really don’t fancy going back to 1950, or which ever past year Brexiteers want to go to.

    And btw, I must say that the posts by AlastairMeeks are fantastic. Him and Rochdale Pioneers for poster(s) of the year.
  • Big_G_NorthWalesBig_G_NorthWales Posts: 65,011
    edited November 2017

    Agreed. It’s unbelievable how so many old people want to make my generation live in their past world. Economic issues aside, I like the modern world, and I really don’t fancy going back to 1950, or which ever past year Brexiteers want to go to.

    And btw, I must say that the posts by AlastairMeeks are fantastic. Him and Rochdale Pioneers for poster(s) of the year.
    The person I think should be poster of the year is Nick Palmer.

    He contributes intelligent well thought through arguments and is consistantly fair.

    And this coming from a conservative member but someone who appreciates a well made argument
  • Sandpit said:

    TW split off the cable business a couple of years ago. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Time_Warner_Cable

    TW that’s left are purely content producers, AT&T are platform and infrastructure owners, so it’s very much a vertical acquisition and not quite as bad as might first have been thought. Still no good for consumers though.
    How is an investigation especially different to the investigation(s) into a merger between News Corp and Sky here?
  • Sean_FSean_F Posts: 38,450

    Agreed. It’s unbelievable how so many old people want to make my generation live in their past world. Economic issues aside, I like the modern world, and I really don’t fancy going back to 1950, or which ever past year Brexiteers want to go to.

    And btw, I must say that the posts by AlastairMeeks are fantastic. Him and Rochdale Pioneers for poster(s) of the year.
    I want to go back to 1850.
  • Sadly, Rodney Bewes is with us no more.
  • @Big_G_NorthWales You make some good points - Nick is much more laid back and calm when making his arguments than I could ever be.

    @Sean_F Like JRM then!
  • ydoethurydoethur Posts: 73,353

    Sadly, Rodney Bewes is with us no more.

    On 22nd November 1963, two giants of literature - Aldous Huxley and C. S. Lewis - died.

    The newspapers he following day were full of some unimportant political event or other and it is actually quite hard to find a meaningful obituary of either author in consequence.

    In light of Mugabe's defenestration I think the sad loss of A Likely Lad will be overshadowed by the much more cheerful loss of the Unlovely Lad. Which is a shame, but there we are.
  • SandpitSandpit Posts: 56,022

    The person I think should be poster of the year is Nick Palmer.

    He contributes intelligent well thought through arguments and is consistantly fair.

    And this coming from a conservative member but someone who appreciates a well made argument
    +1 for Nick. Like you, I disagree with almost everything he says politically, but he’s always polite and engages with an argument - and has some amazing insight from his time as an MP. A huge asset to the site.
  • welshowlwelshowl Posts: 4,464
    RobD said:
    Thing is it sort of works.

    Cut a wire coat hanger in two. Hold the ends loosely in each fist so they are sticking out in front of your body direction and walk over a water pipe ( try a known one to test it) and I’ve seen them curve inwards and cross as you cross the line of the pipe. Must be electrical or resistance or something. But it’s real.
  • Sandpit said:

    +1 for Nick. Like you, I disagree with almost everything he says politically, but he’s always polite and engages with an argument - and has some amazing insight from his time as an MP. A huge asset to the site.
    If he was standing in Broxtowe again and I had a vote I would vote for him
  • welshowlwelshowl Posts: 4,464
    edited November 2017
    RobD said:

    You know what makes a perfect evening? A nice pineapple pizza and a good AV thread. :smiley:
    With Radiohead on your wireless Apple
    earphones??
  • SandpitSandpit Posts: 56,022

    If he was standing in Broxtowe again and I had a vote I would vote for him
    Against Anna Sourpuss, certainly!
  • Big_G_NorthWalesBig_G_NorthWales Posts: 65,011
    edited November 2017
    Sandpit said:

    Against Anna Sourpuss, certainly!
    Does come into mind
  • StereotomyStereotomy Posts: 4,092
    welshowl said:

    Thing is it sort of works.

    Cut a wire coat hanger in two. Hold the ends loosely in each fist so they are sticking out in front of your body direction and walk over a water pipe ( try a known one to test it) and I’ve seen them curve inwards and cross as you cross the line of the pipe. Must be electrical or resistance or something. But it’s real.
    Well if you wanted to test it, you'd need to try it _without_ knowing if there's a pipe. Otherwise you'll just get the ouija board effect
  • I'm struggling to locate these markets on Ladbrokes' website - can anyone help please?
  • Sean_FSean_F Posts: 38,450

    @Big_G_NorthWales You make some good points - Nick is much more laid back and calm when making his arguments than I could ever be.

    @Sean_F Like JRM then!

    I think he'd prefer 1450.
  • I'm struggling to locate these markets on Ladbrokes' website - can anyone help please?

    https://sports.ladbrokes.com/en-gb/betting/politics/uk/uk-politics/eu-specials/225327493/
  • welshowlwelshowl Posts: 4,464

    Well if you wanted to test it, you'd need to try it _without_ knowing if there's a pipe. Otherwise you'll just get the ouija board effect
    See what you mean.

    But it’s an interesting effect.
  • JosiasJessopJosiasJessop Posts: 45,280
    Ignore Mr Meeks. It is vital you buy as much tech as possible.

    Nothing beats the feeling of being in a shop and seeing people buy products that you helped develop.

    In fact, some of you may have some of my code in your homes, and possibly have some tech developed by Mrs J in your pockets.

    WE OWN YOU !

    Mwhahahahaha
  • MikeLMikeL Posts: 7,771

    The latest Kantar Public poll also shows that Labour has the highest level of support among the general public (39% compared with 38% for the Conservatives). However, if we assume that turnout patterns are like the last two general elections, the Conservatives appear to currently have the upper hand (42%) ahead of Labour who are on 38%, the Lib Dems on 9% and UKIP on 5%

    https://test.kantar.com/public-opinion/economy/2017/british-households-under-pressure-and-gloomier-about-economy/

    But surely turnout pattern was massively different in 2017 compared to 2015.

    So which has Kantar used? An average of the two?
  • https://sports.ladbrokes.com/en-gb/betting/politics/uk/uk-politics/eu-specials/225327493/
    Many thanks TSE ... I've loaded onto your 6/4 shot.
  • welshowl said:

    See what you mean.

    But it’s an interesting effect.
    Archaeologists regularly use it, not to identify ancient remains but to pinpoint modern services so they don't end up chopping through an electricity cable or water pipe. No idea how it works but it does.
  • Agreed. It’s unbelievable how so many old people want to make my generation live in their past world. Economic issues aside, I like the modern world, and I really don’t fancy going back to 1950, or which ever past year Brexiteers want to go to.

    And btw, I must say that the posts by AlastairMeeks are fantastic. Him and Rochdale Pioneers for poster(s) of the year.
    Fantastic because you agree with them, and think they sock it to the Brexiteers.

    A true test of PoTY is picking someone objectively, who adds value and makes you think. I'd pick Southam Observer, Cyclefree, WilliamGlenn or Robert Smithson.
  • RobDRobD Posts: 60,336
    welshowl said:

    With Radiohead on your wireless Apple
    earphones??
    Could life get any better?
  • RobDRobD Posts: 60,336

    Ignore Mr Meeks. It is vital you buy as much tech as possible.

    Nothing beats the feeling of being in a shop and seeing people buy products that you helped develop.

    In fact, some of you may have some of my code in your homes, and possibly have some tech developed by Mrs J in your pockets.

    WE OWN YOU !

    Mwhahahahaha

    I assume you have some order 66-like piece of code buried in there? :D
  • PongPong Posts: 4,693
    edited November 2017
    Pong said:

    “We are now well-advanced in developing a fool-proof testing system which would enhance the security of our operations in the future, to provide the necessary level of confidence.”

    I find that really cynical PR.

    "a fool-proof testing system"

    Our legal system, presumably, considered your previous testing system to be "fool-proof" when it clearly it wasn't. Such "fool-proofing" is probably not possible. Why market it as such?

    How about some humility? And an apology.

    Grr
    I just googled "Randox"

    Above all the results, a prominent ad "Miscarriage of Justice? - You may be entitled to Appeal your conviction with substantial compensation"

    www.randoxclaims.co.uk

    This could well be bloody expensive.

    Freeze the company/directors assets, now. Protect the taxpayer.

    What is the government waiting for?
  • Fantastic because you agree with them, and think they sock it to the Brexiteers.

    A true test of PoTY is picking someone objectively, who adds value and makes you think. I'd pick Southam Observer, Cyclefree, WilliamGlenn or Robert Smithson.
    I am in the Nick Palmer camp. One of the most dignified posters on the site.
  • Sean_F said:

    I think he'd prefer 1450.
    1415.
  • stevefstevef Posts: 1,044
    The protection racket that is the EU will not allow a deal. It is quite amazing that anyone was in favour of the UK belonging to the Mafiosi (no one resigns from the Organisation) that is the European Union.
  • MikeL said:

    But surely turnout pattern was massively different in 2017 compared to 2015.

    So which has Kantar used? An average of the two?
    Closer to their 2017 methodology.

    Their final poll at the general election had the Tories on 43% and Labour on 38%, which was pretty good when compared to the final result.
  • SandraMcSandraMc Posts: 727
    ydoethur said:

    On 22nd November 1963, two giants of literature - Aldous Huxley and C. S. Lewis - died.

    The newspapers he following day were full of some unimportant political event or other and it is actually quite hard to find a meaningful obituary of either author in consequence.

    In light of Mugabe's defenestration I think the sad loss of A Likely Lad will be overshadowed by the much more cheerful loss of the Unlovely Lad. Which is a shame, but there we are.
    I was willing David Cassidy to hang on and not die the same day as Charles Manson as I couldn't face the thought of the tabloids with headlines "Monster Manson Dead" and then just a little piece at the bottom about the death of my teenage heartthrob.
  • welshowlwelshowl Posts: 4,464
    RobD said:

    Could life get any better?
    Pepper sausage and anchovies on the pizza next to the pineapple.
  • foxinsoxukfoxinsoxuk Posts: 23,548

    Fantastic because you agree with them, and think they sock it to the Brexiteers.

    A true test of PoTY is picking someone objectively, who adds value and makes you think. I'd pick Southam Observer, Cyclefree, WilliamGlenn or Robert Smithson.
    I would nominate David Herdson for his antepenultimate nocturnal post that TM had blown it.

    Chris_in_paris for his Macron tip about a year ago, making for my best night of winnings yet.
  • ydoethurydoethur Posts: 73,353
    edited November 2017
    SandraMc said:

    I was willing David Cassidy to hang on and not die the same day as Charles Manson as I couldn't face the thought of the tabloids with headlines "Monster Manson Dead" and then just a little piece at the bottom about the death of my teenage heartthrob.
    I have to say, on a somewhat unrelated topic, how strange I find it that everyone is having a good old Brexit slugfest instead of discussing Mugabe (one tweet from ScottP aside).

    Increasingly this site is resembling Gibbon's Christians in the dog days of the Roman Empire.
  • HYUFDHYUFD Posts: 126,879
    There is of course next to no chance a FTA will be agreed by April 2019, after all it took Canada 7 years to agree a FTA with the EU.

    However provided May agreed to pay a sufficient exit bill FTA talks will start in the next few months and the transition period May has already agreed will provide at least another 2 years post Brexit for talks to continue.
  • welshowlwelshowl Posts: 4,464

    1415.
    Is he in the Bow Group then?
  • The_ApocalypseThe_Apocalypse Posts: 7,830
    edited November 2017

    Fantastic because you agree with them, and think they sock it to the Brexiteers.

    A true test of PoTY is picking someone objectively, who adds value and makes you think. I'd pick Southam Observer, Cyclefree, WilliamGlenn or Robert Smithson.
    I agree with most of the Remainers/centre-left posters on here, so it’s not just pure agreement that makes me say him (AM) for poster of year. I don’t always agree with Rochdale Pioneers, I didn’t during the GE certainly, and he’s a Brexiteer (unlike Mr Meeks). However despite my disagreements with him, I believe he, like Alastair Meeks adds value to this site.

    For you, it seems objectivity implies picking someone who don’t agree with, that’s fine but I don’t neccessarily agree that that always has to be case.
  • AlistairAlistair Posts: 23,670

    Your defence of Dave is touching but I fear the verdict of history is likely to be that his spinelessness in not standing up to the ultras led to an unnecessary referendum which took what is shaping up to be the most damaging decision in modern British history.
    Holding the referendum early in the parliamentary term to give the Tory party time to come back together before 2020 was a classic party before country moment for Cameron. Compounding that by then half arsing the negotiation then lying to the house about his intentions post referendum will seriously mark him down.
  • Closer to their 2017 methodology.

    Their final poll at the general election had the Tories on 43% and Labour on 38%, which was pretty good when compared to the final result.
    Meh, Survation was better - YG model may have also been better than Kantar.
  • ydoethurydoethur Posts: 73,353
    welshowl said:

    Is he in the Bow Group then?
    Boom boom, one in a row.

    I would put up two fingers but I don't know how :smiley:
  • RobDRobD Posts: 60,336
    HYUFD said:

    There is of course next to no chance a FTA will be agreed by April 2019, after all it took Canada 7 years to agree a FTA with the EU.

    However provided May agreed to pay a sufficient exit bill FTA talks will start in the next few months and the transition period May has already agreed will provide at least another 2 years post Brexit for talks to continue.

    Unlike Canada, we are in complete regulatory alignment at the moment.
  • RobDRobD Posts: 60,336
    welshowl said:

    Pepper sausage and anchovies on the pizza next to the pineapple.
    Sausage maybe, anchovies? *heaves*
  • I agree with most of the Remainers/centre-left posters on here, so it’s not just pure agreement that makes me say him (AM) for poster of year. I don’t always agree with Rochdale Pioneers, I didn’t during the GE certainly, and he’s a Brexiteer (unlike Mr Meeks). However despite my disagreements with him, I believe he, like Alastair Meeks adds value to this site.

    For you, it seems objectivity implies picking someone who don’t agree with, that’s fine but I don’t neccessarily agree that that always has to be case.
    It's a bit of a giveaway when you precede such posts with tired cliches about Brexiteers wanting to take Britain back to 1950.
  • foxinsoxukfoxinsoxuk Posts: 23,548
    ydoethur said:

    I have to say, on a somewhat unrelated topic, how strange I find it that everyone is having a good old Brexit slugfest instead of discussing Mugabe (one tweet from ScottP aside).

    Increasingly this site is resembling Gibbon's Christians in the dog days of the Roman Empire.
    There was a thread on it earlier.

    On the whole though we do not seem to have anyone with particular insight into the situation in Zim.

    Perhaps an anecdote may help, from an old Rhodesian friend about 15 years ago.:

    "I never expected to see a time when Ian Smith was warmly greeted when out in Harare, and Mugabe needed a bulletproof vehicle, but that's the way it is now"

    He mocked an English "drought" too...
  • IanB2IanB2 Posts: 51,080

    Closer to their 2017 methodology.

    Their final poll at the general election had the Tories on 43% and Labour on 38%, which was pretty good when compared to the final result.
    Whilst the individual changes in Kantar aren't dramatic, it is intereresting that in aggregate it suggests a slip back for both main parties with the minor parties all recovering some support.
  • welshowlwelshowl Posts: 4,464
    Alistair said:

    Holding the referendum early in the parliamentary term to give the Tory party time to come back together before 2020 was a classic party before country moment for Cameron. Compounding that by then half arsing the negotiation then lying to the house about his intentions post referendum will seriously mark him down.
    Yes I’m sure that’s right, but I also have s sneaking suspicion that the rush to June 2016 was to avoid a rerun of migrants crossing Europe en masse like 2015 that could’ve filled the tv screens in the empty August news season, and made an Autumn 2016 date trickier. It didn’t transpire of course ironically.
  • Speaking of williamglenn, re that tweet he posted: that divide between younger and older voters symbolic of the culture war we are currently in at the moment. Paperchase saga today, just another example of that.
  • ydoethurydoethur Posts: 73,353

    There was a thread on it earlier.

    On the whole though we do not seem to have anyone with particular insight into the situation in Zim.

    Perhaps an anecdote may help, from an old Rhodesian friend about 15 years ago.:

    "I never expected to see a time when Ian Smith was warmly greeted when out in Harare, and Mugabe needed a bulletproof vehicle, but that's the way it is now"

    He mocked an English "drought" too...
    The thread in question rapidly degenerated into Brexit.

    I was just comparing it in my mind to the commentary we had to the abortive Turkish coup a couple of years ago.

    Mugabe resigning is far more significant and has the potential to destabilise much of sub-Saharan Africa - and we get one tweet on it.
  • welshowlwelshowl Posts: 4,464
    RobD said:

    Sausage maybe, anchovies? *heaves*
    Seasoning in a fishy form.

    Yum!
  • foxinsoxukfoxinsoxuk Posts: 23,548
    welshowl said:

    Yes I’m sure that’s right, but I also have s sneaking suspicion that the rush to June 2016 was to avoid a rerun of migrants crossing Europe en masse like 2015 that could’ve filled the tv screens in the empty August news season, and made an Autumn 2016 date trickier. It didn’t transpire of course ironically.
    It was the same reason that the renegotiation was so botched. At that summit the real agenda item was to prevent a rerun of the 2015 refugee crisis. Hence no one was keen on listening.
  • welshowlwelshowl Posts: 4,464
    ydoethur said:

    Boom boom, one in a row.

    I would put up two fingers but I don't know how :smiley:
    It’s the cuts.
  • It's a bit of a giveaway when you precede such posts with tired cliches about Brexiteers wanting to take Britain back to 1950.
    Well I’m sorry if your offended, but some of the research does suggest that many Brexiteers are in love with some past idea of Britain and want to return to that. LSE have done some interesting analysis on this, here’s one example: http://blogs.lse.ac.uk/brexit/2017/06/08/things-were-better-in-the-past-brexit-and-the-westminster-fallacy-of-democratic-nostalgia/
  • foxinsoxukfoxinsoxuk Posts: 23,548
    ydoethur said:

    The thread in question rapidly degenerated into Brexit.

    I was just comparing it in my mind to the commentary we had to the abortive Turkish coup a couple of years ago.

    Mugabe resigning is far more significant and has the potential to destabilise much of sub-Saharan Africa - and we get one tweet on it.
    I think it will only affect Zim.
  • I am in the Nick Palmer camp. One of the most dignified posters on the site.
    Dignified and informative.

    We're lucky to have had NP on the site.

    cyclefree, ydoethur and kle also deserve a mention.

    The Apocalypse should also not be forgotten in being outside the normal PB demographics.
  • welshowlwelshowl Posts: 4,464

    It was the same reason that the renegotiation was so botched. At that summit the real agenda item was to prevent a rerun of the 2015 refugee crisis. Hence no one was keen on listening.
    Sure. Nobody round the negotiation table circa Jan /Feb 2016, was, in my view, taking it really seriously. Cameron thought he was on a party management jaunt and do did everyone else.

    The memoirs will be interesting as the participants realised through Apr-June that it was all going pear shaped from their point of view, but could do nothing active about it or just watch helplessly.
  • welshowlwelshowl Posts: 4,464
    ydoethur said:

    Boom boom, one in a row.

    I would put up two fingers but I don't know how :smiley:
    Another thought: was it Yew Gov in those days?

    Gets coat...
  • Dignified and informative.

    We're lucky to have had NP on the site.

    cyclefree, ydoethur and kle also deserve a mention.

    The Apocalypse should also not be forgotten in being outside the normal PB demographics.
    Agree with all of those.
  • NEW THREAD

  • You've got to laugh at the Guardian's coverage of government borrowing.

    It's all bad news... until you get to the bit that says "The lower levels of borrowing mean the chancellor is likely to undershoot the OBR’s March forecast for £58.3bn of borrowing during the financial year ending March 2018."

    As in... it's actually good news...

    Indeed.

    Compare today's summary:

    ' •Public sector net borrowing (excluding public sector banks) decreased by £4.1 billion to £38.5 billion in the current financial year-to-date (April 2017 to October 2017), compared with the same period in 2016; this is the lowest year-to-date net borrowing since 2007. '

    https://www.ons.gov.uk/economy/governmentpublicsectorandtaxes/publicsectorfinance/bulletins/publicsectorfinances/october2017

    with that from last month:

    ' •Public sector net borrowing (excluding public sector banks) decreased by £2.5 billion to £32.5 billion in the current financial year-to-date (April 2017 to September 2017), compared with the same period in 2016; this is the lowest year-to-date net borrowing since 2007. '

    https://www.ons.gov.uk/economy/governmentpublicsectorandtaxes/publicsectorfinance/bulletins/publicsectorfinances/september2017

    So from a £2.5bn annual improvement to a £4.1bn annual improvement.

    It looks like government borrowing as a percentage of GDP will be lower in 2017 than in any year since 2002 or possibly even 2001.
  • Torby_FennelTorby_Fennel Posts: 438
    edited November 2017
    Re the comments earlier about Anna Soubry and Broxtowe:

    Anna Soubry is, by far, the MP of any political persuasion that I have the most respect for. On one hand I'd love it if she'd defect to my party (Lib Dems) but, on the other hand, an equal part of me thinks it's maybe more important on a national level that her particular strand of civilised Conservatism (of which she is the best spokesperson for) retains some kind of voice in her own party.

  • rcs1000rcs1000 Posts: 59,251
    I've been thinking long and hard about who should be poster of the year, and I think it's pretty obvious.

    This person is personally charming, and unfailingly polite on-line. His posts bring light where there was previously only heat. He is insightful, intelligent, and modest. His betting tips have been unfailingly profitable and his musical taste is unsurpassed.

    And he is, in short, me.

    rcs1000 for POTY. You know it makes sense. (And anyone who suggests otherwise is going to get banned.)
This discussion has been closed.