Should we be concerned at two worrying events in Asia (three if you count the mutated version of Covid-19 if true)?
First, escalating tension on the Korean peninsula. Kim-Jong-Un's sister seems to be the new power in the land and is taking a much harsher line including blowing up the inter-Korean liaison building in Kaesong. As always, there's very little clue as to the extent of covid-19 infections and deaths in North Korea.
Second, a shooting incident between Chinese and Indian forces on their disputed border. Those with long memories or Wikipedia will recall the 1962 conflict between the countries but neither is the country it was then. Both seem more self-confident and it may be a bit of sabre-rattling is part of that but hopefully this will be all as a major conflict in that part of the world would have global consequences.
Two flights from Shanghai and one from Beijing landing at Heathrow within the next hour....
Good job we have quarantine then
Not sure how robust it is..
*IF* there's an even worse strain of Covid doing the rounds in the Far East then I think we can wave goodbye to any reversal of the quarantine policy. The pressure then will be to make it more robust - i.e. to do a New Zealand and frogmarch most people entering the country into state-controlled accommodation for a fortnight.
The main problem then is going to be with truck drivers bringing in goods from Europe, though then again our neighbours won't be wanting any air travel from further afield under those circumstances either, which should help considerably.
A more infectious and dangerous mutation is just too depressing for words. I hope it IS a mad rumour made up by Xi Jinping
I shall go for a calming walk in the evening sun
Just when we think we have seen the back of a virus spreading fear and misery, it reappears.
There's was some speculation that we already have a worse strain than Wuhan, and that's why our fatality rate was worse. It is likely that this bad strain has got back to China, although who knows.
If our criteria for top jobs is 'never having made a mistake/overseen a disaster', then we will end up with inexperienced leaders.
I personally would distinguish between incompetence (people can learn from experience) and dishonesty (should be a bar).
Not just inexperienced, but unimaginative risk avoiders. Innovation and ambition would be lost.
The US military had to change its promotion policy to top levels from reserving these positions for those with spotless records towards those who had shown willingness to try new things and learn from failures. The former led to a leadership full of mediocrities.
Slightly missing the point, I feel. All the people mentioned had reached the top or near it - and when there displayed a level of incompetence and, more importantly, denial of responsibility which should really have justified no further rewards. And yet they were rewarded. Why?
I certainly agree that people should make mistakes and learn from them and this is an essential part of professional growth. But too often people make mistakes, do not learn, blame others, refuse to take responsibility and are still rewarded. This is very much not on, IMO.
And as for getting fresh blood into the top rank, I absolutely agree with this. Which is why it is so demoralising to see the same cast of characters being recycled into every role going.
It has been widely reported that the virus that hit Europe and then the Americas is a mutated more contagious form of the original virus that hit China and then Asia.
The best assumption must be that the mutated contagious form has now found its way back to China?
Should we be concerned at two worrying events in Asia (three if you count the mutated version of Covid-19 if true)?
First, escalating tension on the Korean peninsula. Kim-Jong-Un's sister seems to be the new power in the land and is taking a much harsher line including blowing up the inter-Korean liaison building in Kaesong. As always, there's very little clue as to the extent of covid-19 infections and deaths in North Korea.
Second, a shooting incident between Chinese and Indian forces on their disputed border. Those with long memories or Wikipedia will recall the 1962 conflict between the countries but neither is the country it was then. Both seem more self-confident and it may be a bit of sabre-rattling is part of that but hopefully this will be all as a major conflict in that part of the world would have global consequences.
Who would have thought global relations being managed by a series of trade wars, nationalism and lack of respect for multi national bodies or international norms might lead to wars?
It has been widely reported that the virus that hit Europe and then the Americas is a mutated more contagious form of the original virus that hit China and then Asia.
The best assumption must be that the mutated contagious form has now found its way back to China?
Could be. It has been posited that Japan has got off as lightly as it has (despite not having attempted a lockdown, and having the oldest population on Earth,) because the strain in circulation there is less contagious. But obviously this is all just speculation.
So long as the Beijing outbreak isn't actually a new strain of the virus that's significantly worse than anything seen previously, then the Chinese should be able to stamp it out without too much trouble. As has often been pointed out before, you wouldn't want to live under a police state but it does have certain advantages at a time like this.
Trump does not look likely to increase his electoral college count on those numbers.
Yet someone posted a Politico piece yesterday claiming state and local Republican Party officials were confident of victory and one even believed it would be a landslide for the President.
One or two pre-Covid elections (not polls) were not been as bad for the GOP as some of the recent polls but the language of the GOP state and county officials is truly amazing.
I remember similar before the 1997 election here - there were Conservatives even in April who said the polls were wrong and the vote was firming up.
If our criteria for top jobs is 'never having made a mistake/overseen a disaster', then we will end up with inexperienced leaders.
I personally would distinguish between incompetence (people can learn from experience) and dishonesty (should be a bar).
Not just inexperienced, but unimaginative risk avoiders. Innovation and ambition would be lost.
The US military had to change its promotion policy to top levels from reserving these positions for those with spotless records towards those who had shown willingness to try new things and learn from failures. The former led to a leadership full of mediocrities.
Slightly missing the point, I feel. All the people mentioned had reached the top or near it - and when there displayed a level of incompetence and, more importantly, denial of responsibility which should really have justified no further rewards. And yet they were rewarded. Why?
I certainly agree that people should make mistakes and learn from them and this is an essential part of professional growth. But too often people make mistakes, do not learn, blame others, refuse to take responsibility and are still rewarded. This is very much not on, IMO.
And as for getting fresh blood into the top rank, I absolutely agree with this. Which is why it is so demoralising to see the same cast of characters being recycled into every role going.
Many years ago, a friend of mine, an expert computer programmer working for the NHS, complained about her boss, who was a very weak, lazy and incompetent character who barely knew a Mac from a PC.
It has been widely reported that the virus that hit Europe and then the Americas is a mutated more contagious form of the original virus that hit China and then Asia.
The best assumption must be that the mutated contagious form has now found its way back to China?
Should we be concerned at two worrying events in Asia (three if you count the mutated version of Covid-19 if true)?
First, escalating tension on the Korean peninsula. Kim-Jong-Un's sister seems to be the new power in the land and is taking a much harsher line including blowing up the inter-Korean liaison building in Kaesong. As always, there's very little clue as to the extent of covid-19 infections and deaths in North Korea.
Second, a shooting incident between Chinese and Indian forces on their disputed border. Those with long memories or Wikipedia will recall the 1962 conflict between the countries but neither is the country it was then. Both seem more self-confident and it may be a bit of sabre-rattling is part of that but hopefully this will be all as a major conflict in that part of the world would have global consequences.
Who would have thought global relations being managed by a series of trade wars, nationalism and lack of respect for multi national bodies or international norms might lead to wars?
Has any one seem much of Kim Jung Un since his illness?
It has been widely reported that the virus that hit Europe and then the Americas is a mutated more contagious form of the original virus that hit China and then Asia.
The best assumption must be that the mutated contagious form has now found its way back to China?
Should we be concerned at two worrying events in Asia (three if you count the mutated version of Covid-19 if true)?
First, escalating tension on the Korean peninsula. Kim-Jong-Un's sister seems to be the new power in the land and is taking a much harsher line including blowing up the inter-Korean liaison building in Kaesong. As always, there's very little clue as to the extent of covid-19 infections and deaths in North Korea.
Second, a shooting incident between Chinese and Indian forces on their disputed border. Those with long memories or Wikipedia will recall the 1962 conflict between the countries but neither is the country it was then. Both seem more self-confident and it may be a bit of sabre-rattling is part of that but hopefully this will be all as a major conflict in that part of the world would have global consequences.
Who would have thought global relations being managed by a series of trade wars, nationalism and lack of respect for multi national bodies or international norms might lead to wars?
Has any one seem much of Kim Jung Un since his illness?
He’s made two public appearances. One of which was a video of him chairing the politburo.
It has been widely reported that the virus that hit Europe and then the Americas is a mutated more contagious form of the original virus that hit China and then Asia.
The best assumption must be that the mutated contagious form has now found its way back to China?
Should we be concerned at two worrying events in Asia (three if you count the mutated version of Covid-19 if true)?
First, escalating tension on the Korean peninsula. Kim-Jong-Un's sister seems to be the new power in the land and is taking a much harsher line including blowing up the inter-Korean liaison building in Kaesong. As always, there's very little clue as to the extent of covid-19 infections and deaths in North Korea.
Second, a shooting incident between Chinese and Indian forces on their disputed border. Those with long memories or Wikipedia will recall the 1962 conflict between the countries but neither is the country it was then. Both seem more self-confident and it may be a bit of sabre-rattling is part of that but hopefully this will be all as a major conflict in that part of the world would have global consequences.
Who would have thought global relations being managed by a series of trade wars, nationalism and lack of respect for multi national bodies or international norms might lead to wars?
Has any one seem much of Kim Jung Un since his illness?
I thought I saw him in Tescos last Saturday, but he was on the opposite side of the Fruit & Veg area which is quite big, so my eyes may have deceived me.
If I had to do an urgent vs. important matrix, where I could only assign one quartile to cure/treatment, vaccine, containment and immune system building, it would go: Urgent and Important: cure/treatment Urgent but not Important: containment Important but not urgent: immune system building Not urgent and not important: Vaccine
But I think the Government's, and indeed the world's is the polar opposite.
It has been widely reported that the virus that hit Europe and then the Americas is a mutated more contagious form of the original virus that hit China and then Asia.
The best assumption must be that the mutated contagious form has now found its way back to China?
Should we be concerned at two worrying events in Asia (three if you count the mutated version of Covid-19 if true)?
First, escalating tension on the Korean peninsula. Kim-Jong-Un's sister seems to be the new power in the land and is taking a much harsher line including blowing up the inter-Korean liaison building in Kaesong. As always, there's very little clue as to the extent of covid-19 infections and deaths in North Korea.
Second, a shooting incident between Chinese and Indian forces on their disputed border. Those with long memories or Wikipedia will recall the 1962 conflict between the countries but neither is the country it was then. Both seem more self-confident and it may be a bit of sabre-rattling is part of that but hopefully this will be all as a major conflict in that part of the world would have global consequences.
Who would have thought global relations being managed by a series of trade wars, nationalism and lack of respect for multi national bodies or international norms might lead to wars?
Has any one seem much of Kim Jung Un since his illness?
I thought I saw him in Tescos last Saturday, but he was on the opposite side of the Fruit & Veg area which is quite big, so my eyes may have deceived me.
It has been widely reported that the virus that hit Europe and then the Americas is a mutated more contagious form of the original virus that hit China and then Asia.
The best assumption must be that the mutated contagious form has now found its way back to China?
Should we be concerned at two worrying events in Asia (three if you count the mutated version of Covid-19 if true)?
First, escalating tension on the Korean peninsula. Kim-Jong-Un's sister seems to be the new power in the land and is taking a much harsher line including blowing up the inter-Korean liaison building in Kaesong. As always, there's very little clue as to the extent of covid-19 infections and deaths in North Korea.
Second, a shooting incident between Chinese and Indian forces on their disputed border. Those with long memories or Wikipedia will recall the 1962 conflict between the countries but neither is the country it was then. Both seem more self-confident and it may be a bit of sabre-rattling is part of that but hopefully this will be all as a major conflict in that part of the world would have global consequences.
Who would have thought global relations being managed by a series of trade wars, nationalism and lack of respect for multi national bodies or international norms might lead to wars?
Has any one seem much of Kim Jung Un since his illness?
I thought I saw him in Tescos last Saturday, but he was on the opposite side of the Fruit & Veg area which is quite big, so my eyes may have deceived me.
I find it maddening in stories of this ilk that they don’t cite the comments that triggered the resignation. I end up trawling the internet to find them, so I can judge the severity for myself.
Presumably they are truly offensive, hence the reluctance to republish. I imagine lots of naughty words
However unless he was inciting violence or rape or something disgusting like that, it is mad that anyone should resign for rude words said 12 years ago!
What's happened to apology, contrition, and forgiveness? These are civilised things.
Some Christian chap at Westminster Abbey was talking about the importance of forgiveness recently. I'm surprised to hear you mention it, though. I always had you down as more of an Old Testament sort of guy.
I find it maddening in stories of this ilk that they don’t cite the comments that triggered the resignation. I end up trawling the internet to find them, so I can judge the severity for myself.
Presumably they are truly offensive, hence the reluctance to republish. I imagine lots of naughty words
However unless he was inciting violence or rape or something disgusting like that, it is mad that anyone should resign for rude words said 12 years ago!
What's happened to apology, contrition, and forgiveness? These are civilised things.
Some Christian chap at Westminster Abbey was talking about the importance of forgiveness recently. I'm surprised to hear you mention it, though. I always had you down as more of an Old Testament sort of guy.
If I had to do an urgent vs. important matrix, where I could only assign one quartile to cure/treatment, vaccine, containment and immune system building, it would go: Urgent and Important: cure/treatment Urgent but not Important: containment Important but not urgent: immune system building Not urgent and not important: Vaccine
But I think the Government's, and indeed the world's is the polar opposite.
Rodney Connor was backed by the Unionist parties in FST Lady Hermon was the Ind Unionist in North Down
Rodney Connor was not an official Unionist candidate and Lady Hermon was opposed by the Ulster Conservatives and Unionists in 2010 and since by the DUP and most of her voters now vote Alliance
If our criteria for top jobs is 'never having made a mistake/overseen a disaster', then we will end up with inexperienced leaders.
I personally would distinguish between incompetence (people can learn from experience) and dishonesty (should be a bar).
Not just inexperienced, but unimaginative risk avoiders. Innovation and ambition would be lost.
The US military had to change its promotion policy to top levels from reserving these positions for those with spotless records towards those who had shown willingness to try new things and learn from failures. The former led to a leadership full of mediocrities.
Slightly missing the point, I feel. All the people mentioned had reached the top or near it - and when there displayed a level of incompetence and, more importantly, denial of responsibility which should really have justified no further rewards. And yet they were rewarded. Why?
I certainly agree that people should make mistakes and learn from them and this is an essential part of professional growth. But too often people make mistakes, do not learn, blame others, refuse to take responsibility and are still rewarded. This is very much not on, IMO.
And as for getting fresh blood into the top rank, I absolutely agree with this. Which is why it is so demoralising to see the same cast of characters being recycled into every role going.
Many years ago, a friend of mine, an expert computer programmer working for the NHS, complained about her boss, who was a very weak, lazy and incompetent character who barely knew a Mac from a PC.
She was simply told, ‘Scum floats to the top.’
My theory is that in most large organisations the skills and character needed to get to the top are vastly different from the skills and character needed once you are at the top.
Every so often a company will strike lucky and the boss will suddenly display hitherto unknown talents..... More often than not they will remain venal self-promoters!
What’s going on with local by elections? There must be a fair few vacancies right now. Is there a chance we might get a Super Thursday at some point in the not too distant future?
What’s going on with local by elections? There must be a fair few vacancies right now. Is there a chance we might get a Super Thursday at some point in the not too distant future?
There are to be no local elections until May, including no by elections
What’s going on with local by elections? There must be a fair few vacancies right now. Is there a chance we might get a Super Thursday at some point in the not too distant future?
I thought all by elections have been rolled forward to May 2021?
If our criteria for top jobs is 'never having made a mistake/overseen a disaster', then we will end up with inexperienced leaders.
I personally would distinguish between incompetence (people can learn from experience) and dishonesty (should be a bar).
Not just inexperienced, but unimaginative risk avoiders. Innovation and ambition would be lost.
The US military had to change its promotion policy to top levels from reserving these positions for those with spotless records towards those who had shown willingness to try new things and learn from failures. The former led to a leadership full of mediocrities.
Slightly missing the point, I feel. All the people mentioned had reached the top or near it - and when there displayed a level of incompetence and, more importantly, denial of responsibility which should really have justified no further rewards. And yet they were rewarded. Why?
I certainly agree that people should make mistakes and learn from them and this is an essential part of professional growth. But too often people make mistakes, do not learn, blame others, refuse to take responsibility and are still rewarded. This is very much not on, IMO.
And as for getting fresh blood into the top rank, I absolutely agree with this. Which is why it is so demoralising to see the same cast of characters being recycled into every role going.
This is exactly my criticism of certain ministers. Not that they have made mistakes, but the refusal to acknowledge them.
Trump does not look likely to increase his electoral college count on those numbers.
Yet someone posted a Politico piece yesterday claiming state and local Republican Party officials were confident of victory and one even believed it would be a landslide for the President.
One or two pre-Covid elections (not polls) were not been as bad for the GOP as some of the recent polls but the language of the GOP state and county officials is truly amazing.
I remember similar before the 1997 election here - there were Conservatives even in April who said the polls were wrong and the vote was firming up.
That would be me. I didn’t believe it either - but I thought it worth posting.
What’s going on with local by elections? There must be a fair few vacancies right now. Is there a chance we might get a Super Thursday at some point in the not too distant future?
I thought all by elections have been rolled forward to May 2021?
I missed that. So some poor buggers are currently lacking representation; I’m sure they’ll cope, though!
Rodney Connor was backed by the Unionist parties in FST Lady Hermon was the Ind Unionist in North Down
Rodney Connor was not an official Unionist candidate and Lady Hermon was opposed by the DUP and most of her voters now vote Alliance
Connor was the only Unionist candidate in FST! Hermon was no way a Nationalist!
Total Unionist vote in 2010 was 50%.
As I pointed out the Nationalist vote is just 38%, most of the gains since 2010 have gone to the Alliance Party from both Unionists and Nationalists.
Indeed the Alliance Party now hold North Down and most of their vote there is soft Unionist ie Hermon's old voters
As I pointed out, the Unionist vote just ten years ago was 50%, now it is only 43%. In 2010 they had half the NI Westminster seats, now they have less than half.
It has been widely reported that the virus that hit Europe and then the Americas is a mutated more contagious form of the original virus that hit China and then Asia.
The best assumption must be that the mutated contagious form has now found its way back to China?
Should we be concerned at two worrying events in Asia (three if you count the mutated version of Covid-19 if true)?
First, escalating tension on the Korean peninsula. Kim-Jong-Un's sister seems to be the new power in the land and is taking a much harsher line including blowing up the inter-Korean liaison building in Kaesong. As always, there's very little clue as to the extent of covid-19 infections and deaths in North Korea.
Second, a shooting incident between Chinese and Indian forces on their disputed border. Those with long memories or Wikipedia will recall the 1962 conflict between the countries but neither is the country it was then. Both seem more self-confident and it may be a bit of sabre-rattling is part of that but hopefully this will be all as a major conflict in that part of the world would have global consequences.
Who would have thought global relations being managed by a series of trade wars, nationalism and lack of respect for multi national bodies or international norms might lead to wars?
Has any one seem much of Kim Jung Un since his illness?
I thought I saw him in Tescos last Saturday, but he was on the opposite side of the Fruit & Veg area which is quite big, so my eyes may have deceived me.
What’s going on with local by elections? There must be a fair few vacancies right now. Is there a chance we might get a Super Thursday at some point in the not too distant future?
I thought all by elections have been rolled forward to May 2021?
I missed that. So some poor buggers are currently lacking representation; I’m sure they’ll cope, though!
I know in most areas the remaining councillors have taken on the case work for the great unrepresented.
Sadly it has deprived PB of some great Thursday night/Friday morning analysis and speculation.
What’s going on with local by elections? There must be a fair few vacancies right now. Is there a chance we might get a Super Thursday at some point in the not too distant future?
I thought all by elections have been rolled forward to May 2021?
I missed that. So some poor buggers are currently lacking representation; I’m sure they’ll cope, though!
I know in most areas the remaining councillors have taken on the case work for the great unrepresented.
Sadly it has deprived PB of some great Thursday night/Friday morning analysis and speculation.
I think local by elections aren’t particularly revealing, but it’s still fun to read far too much into them.
It has been widely reported that the virus that hit Europe and then the Americas is a mutated more contagious form of the original virus that hit China and then Asia.
The best assumption must be that the mutated contagious form has now found its way back to China?
Should we be concerned at two worrying events in Asia (three if you count the mutated version of Covid-19 if true)?
First, escalating tension on the Korean peninsula. Kim-Jong-Un's sister seems to be the new power in the land and is taking a much harsher line including blowing up the inter-Korean liaison building in Kaesong. As always, there's very little clue as to the extent of covid-19 infections and deaths in North Korea.
Second, a shooting incident between Chinese and Indian forces on their disputed border. Those with long memories or Wikipedia will recall the 1962 conflict between the countries but neither is the country it was then. Both seem more self-confident and it may be a bit of sabre-rattling is part of that but hopefully this will be all as a major conflict in that part of the world would have global consequences.
Who would have thought global relations being managed by a series of trade wars, nationalism and lack of respect for multi national bodies or international norms might lead to wars?
Has any one seem much of Kim Jung Un since his illness?
I thought I saw him in Tescos last Saturday, but he was on the opposite side of the Fruit & Veg area which is quite big, so my eyes may have deceived me.
Cheese counter I might have believed.
I spoke to him on Monday - he's borrowed Phil the Greek's old black cab and drives around London, taking fares. He was telling me about how he'd spun a yarn to a travel/airport novel writer about being Albanian....
Should we be concerned at two worrying events in Asia (three if you count the mutated version of Covid-19 if true)?
First, escalating tension on the Korean peninsula. Kim-Jong-Un's sister seems to be the new power in the land and is taking a much harsher line including blowing up the inter-Korean liaison building in Kaesong. As always, there's very little clue as to the extent of covid-19 infections and deaths in North Korea.
Second, a shooting incident between Chinese and Indian forces on their disputed border. Those with long memories or Wikipedia will recall the 1962 conflict between the countries but neither is the country it was then. Both seem more self-confident and it may be a bit of sabre-rattling is part of that but hopefully this will be all as a major conflict in that part of the world would have global consequences.
I thought that the bizarre thing about the China-India incident was that there was no shooting involved. To prevent escalation neither side carry guns in the disputed border area and so the deaths were caused by sticks, rocks and bare-handed fighting? Seems to be a lot of violence in the air at the moment!
What’s going on with local by elections? There must be a fair few vacancies right now. Is there a chance we might get a Super Thursday at some point in the not too distant future?
There are to be no local elections until May, including no by elections
I was BANNED. Yes, I know. For Speaking Truth to Power. Tho I am sorry if I offended anyone
I find that hard to believe. The only thing you ever did was tease that pompous fool IanB2, who thoroughly deserves it, otherwise I found your comments extremely acute, witty and prescient, almost up to my standard, TBH
Rodney Connor was backed by the Unionist parties in FST Lady Hermon was the Ind Unionist in North Down
Rodney Connor was not an official Unionist candidate and Lady Hermon was opposed by the DUP and most of her voters now vote Alliance
Connor was the only Unionist candidate in FST! Hermon was no way a Nationalist!
Total Unionist vote in 2010 was 50%.
As I pointed out the Nationalist vote is just 38%, most of the gains since 2010 have gone to the Alliance Party from both Unionists and Nationalists.
Indeed the Alliance Party now hold North Down and most of their vote there is soft Unionist ie Hermon's old voters
As I pointed out, the Unionist vote just ten years ago was 50%, now it is only 43%. In 2010 they had half the NI Westminster seats, now they have less than half.
It is a constant in NI that while the Unionist vote polls solidly for remaining in the UK, a substantial chunk of the Nationalist/Republican vote polls for remain as well.
Even during the time of the Armalite&Ballot Box strategy, a substantial chunk of Shinner votes stated their intention to vote against a United Ireland.
There has been little proper analysis of why this is. Anecdote suggests that the substantial difference in benefits plays a part. As does the issue of abortion.
I was BANNED. Yes, I know. For Speaking Truth to Power. Tho I am sorry if I offended anyone
I find that hard to believe. The only thing you ever did was tease that pompous fool IanB2, who thoroughly deserves it, otherwise I found your comments extremely acute, witty and prescient, almost up to my standard, TBH
You're never alone with schizophrenia right enough.
It has been widely reported that the virus that hit Europe and then the Americas is a mutated more contagious form of the original virus that hit China and then Asia.
The best assumption must be that the mutated contagious form has now found its way back to China?
Should we be concerned at two worrying events in Asia (three if you count the mutated version of Covid-19 if true)?
First, escalating tension on the Korean peninsula. Kim-Jong-Un's sister seems to be the new power in the land and is taking a much harsher line including blowing up the inter-Korean liaison building in Kaesong. As always, there's very little clue as to the extent of covid-19 infections and deaths in North Korea.
Second, a shooting incident between Chinese and Indian forces on their disputed border. Those with long memories or Wikipedia will recall the 1962 conflict between the countries but neither is the country it was then. Both seem more self-confident and it may be a bit of sabre-rattling is part of that but hopefully this will be all as a major conflict in that part of the world would have global consequences.
Who would have thought global relations being managed by a series of trade wars, nationalism and lack of respect for multi national bodies or international norms might lead to wars?
Has any one seem much of Kim Jung Un since his illness?
I thought I saw him in Tescos last Saturday, but he was on the opposite side of the Fruit & Veg area which is quite big, so my eyes may have deceived me.
I was BANNED. Yes, I know. For Speaking Truth to Power. Tho I am sorry if I offended anyone
I find that hard to believe. The only thing you ever did was tease that pompous fool IanB2, who thoroughly deserves it, otherwise I found your comments extremely acute, witty and prescient, almost up to my standard, TBH
Even during your period of mystic gender reassignment?
Well it got Jon Cruddas re elected in Dagenham last year by just 293 votes
On what was generally an excellent night for the Conservatives, was that one of the few that got away?
Yes I thought Dagenham would narrowly go Tory as the only Tory gain in London but instead Kensington was the only seat in the capital the Tories gained and Dagenham stayed Labour
I was BANNED. Yes, I know. For Speaking Truth to Power. Tho I am sorry if I offended anyone
I find that hard to believe. The only thing you ever did was tease that pompous fool IanB2, who thoroughly deserves it, otherwise I found your comments extremely acute, witty and prescient, almost up to my standard, TBH
Thanks. You don't realise how much that means to me. I've always been a huge fan of yours, but I tried to keep it quiet. Mysticrose and I have a secret fanclub dedicated to your brilliant books and renowned sexual power.
Oh please. I'd rather discuss modified d'Hondt voting systems and their possible replacements.
I was BANNED. Yes, I know. For Speaking Truth to Power. Tho I am sorry if I offended anyone
I find that hard to believe. The only thing you ever did was tease that pompous fool IanB2, who thoroughly deserves it, otherwise I found your comments extremely acute, witty and prescient, almost up to my standard, TBH
Thanks. You don't realise how much that means to me. I've always been a huge fan of yours, but I tried to keep it quiet. Mysticrose and I have a secret fanclub dedicated to your brilliant books and renowned sexual power.
Alright, lol. you better stop or people will think we're related
Rodney Connor was backed by the Unionist parties in FST Lady Hermon was the Ind Unionist in North Down
Rodney Connor was not an official Unionist candidate and Lady Hermon was opposed by the DUP and most of her voters now vote Alliance
Connor was the only Unionist candidate in FST! Hermon was no way a Nationalist!
Total Unionist vote in 2010 was 50%.
As I pointed out the Nationalist vote is just 38%, most of the gains since 2010 have gone to the Alliance Party from both Unionists and Nationalists.
Indeed the Alliance Party now hold North Down and most of their vote there is soft Unionist ie Hermon's old voters
As I pointed out, the Unionist vote just ten years ago was 50%, now it is only 43%. In 2010 they had half the NI Westminster seats, now they have less than half.
It is a constant in NI that while the Unionist vote polls solidly for remaining in the UK, a substantial chunk of the Nationalist/Republican vote polls for remain as well.
Even during the time of the Armalite&Ballot Box strategy, a substantial chunk of Shinner votes stated their intention to vote against a United Ireland.
There has been little proper analysis of why this is. Anecdote suggests that the substantial difference in benefits plays a part. As does the issue of abortion.
I was BANNED. Yes, I know. For Speaking Truth to Power. Tho I am sorry if I offended anyone
I find that hard to believe. The only thing you ever did was tease that pompous fool IanB2, who thoroughly deserves it, otherwise I found your comments extremely acute, witty and prescient, almost up to my standard, TBH
Thanks. You don't realise how much that means to me. I've always been a huge fan of yours, but I tried to keep it quiet. Mysticrose and I have a secret fanclub dedicated to your brilliant books and renowned sexual power.
Well it got Jon Cruddas re elected in Dagenham last year by just 293 votes
On what was generally an excellent night for the Conservatives, was that one of the few that got away?
Yes I thought Dagenham would narrowly go Tory as the only Tory gain in London but instead Kensington was the only seat in the capital the Tories gained and Dagenham stayed Labour
To be fair, you did gain Carshalton & Wallington from the LDs but lost Richmond Park to the LDs and Putney to Labour so the 2019 seat numbers for London were unchanged from 2017 - Labour 49, Conservative 21, Liberal Democrats 3.
Rodney Connor was backed by the Unionist parties in FST Lady Hermon was the Ind Unionist in North Down
Rodney Connor was not an official Unionist candidate and Lady Hermon was opposed by the DUP and most of her voters now vote Alliance
Connor was the only Unionist candidate in FST! Hermon was no way a Nationalist!
Total Unionist vote in 2010 was 50%.
As I pointed out the Nationalist vote is just 38%, most of the gains since 2010 have gone to the Alliance Party from both Unionists and Nationalists.
Indeed the Alliance Party now hold North Down and most of their vote there is soft Unionist ie Hermon's old voters
As I pointed out, the Unionist vote just ten years ago was 50%, now it is only 43%. In 2010 they had half the NI Westminster seats, now they have less than half.
It is a constant in NI that while the Unionist vote polls solidly for remaining in the UK, a substantial chunk of the Nationalist/Republican vote polls for remain as well.
Even during the time of the Armalite&Ballot Box strategy, a substantial chunk of Shinner votes stated their intention to vote against a United Ireland.
There has been little proper analysis of why this is. Anecdote suggests that the substantial difference in benefits plays a part. As does the issue of abortion.
Stockholm syndrome?
Given that, for most of the PIRA, living on benefits was the only money they got*... it seems quite sensible not to vote for a pay cut...
*Yes, a few godfathers made millions. Most were unemployed and unemployable.
I was BANNED. Yes, I know. For Speaking Truth to Power. Tho I am sorry if I offended anyone
I find that hard to believe. The only thing you ever did was tease that pompous fool IanB2, who thoroughly deserves it, otherwise I found your comments extremely acute, witty and prescient, almost up to my standard, TBH
Thanks. You don't realise how much that means to me. I've always been a huge fan of yours, but I tried to keep it quiet. Mysticrose and I have a secret fanclub dedicated to your brilliant books and renowned sexual power.
Oh please. I'd rather discuss modified d'Hondt voting systems and their possible replacements.
So you want me to do a thread on AV and other voting systems this weekend?
Trump does not look likely to increase his electoral college count on those numbers.
Yet someone posted a Politico piece yesterday claiming state and local Republican Party officials were confident of victory and one even believed it would be a landslide for the President.
One or two pre-Covid elections (not polls) were not been as bad for the GOP as some of the recent polls but the language of the GOP state and county officials is truly amazing.
I remember similar before the 1997 election here - there were Conservatives even in April who said the polls were wrong and the vote was firming up.
That would be me. I didn’t believe it either - but I thought it worth posting.
One reason might be the mood music right in the US might be extremely bad. We all know they don;t have the social cushion we do or the furlough scheme to kick the can down the road and so corona must have hit ordinary workers very hard indeed, and much earlier than in the UK.
The Federal Reserve was very downbeat in in latest comments and rates will be at zero for the next two and a half years at least. They recently announced some new bond buying measures to shore up liquidity, so they must still be very worried about overall economic health.
Plus, corona is still hanging around in some US states as it rolls through this vast country, and racial disharmony can't be helping
The polls could be picking up a general malaise, though I grant you the swing does seem to be too big for that.
I was BANNED. Yes, I know. For Speaking Truth to Power. Tho I am sorry if I offended anyone
I find that hard to believe. The only thing you ever did was tease that pompous fool IanB2, who thoroughly deserves it, otherwise I found your comments extremely acute, witty and prescient, almost up to my standard, TBH
Thanks. You don't realise how much that means to me. I've always been a huge fan of yours, but I tried to keep it quiet. Mysticrose and I have a secret fanclub dedicated to your brilliant books and renowned sexual power.
Oh please. I'd rather discuss modified d'Hondt voting systems and their possible replacements.
So you want me to do a thread on AV and other voting systems this weekend?
I was BANNED. Yes, I know. For Speaking Truth to Power. Tho I am sorry if I offended anyone
I find that hard to believe. The only thing you ever did was tease that pompous fool IanB2, who thoroughly deserves it, otherwise I found your comments extremely acute, witty and prescient, almost up to my standard, TBH
You're never alone with schizophrenia right enough.
I was BANNED. Yes, I know. For Speaking Truth to Power. Tho I am sorry if I offended anyone
I find that hard to believe. The only thing you ever did was tease that pompous fool IanB2, who thoroughly deserves it, otherwise I found your comments extremely acute, witty and prescient, almost up to my standard, TBH
Thanks. You don't realise how much that means to me. I've always been a huge fan of yours, but I tried to keep it quiet. Mysticrose and I have a secret fanclub dedicated to your brilliant books and renowned sexual power.
Oh please. I'd rather discuss modified d'Hondt voting systems and their possible replacements.
So you want me to do a thread on AV and other voting systems this weekend?
Comments
I wouldn’t have called it religious myself, but I can see what you mean.
Should we be concerned at two worrying events in Asia (three if you count the mutated version of Covid-19 if true)?
First, escalating tension on the Korean peninsula. Kim-Jong-Un's sister seems to be the new power in the land and is taking a much harsher line including blowing up the inter-Korean liaison building in Kaesong. As always, there's very little clue as to the extent of covid-19 infections and deaths in North Korea.
Second, a shooting incident between Chinese and Indian forces on their disputed border. Those with long memories or Wikipedia will recall the 1962 conflict between the countries but neither is the country it was then. Both seem more self-confident and it may be a bit of sabre-rattling is part of that but hopefully this will be all as a major conflict in that part of the world would have global consequences.
See:
https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2020.04.29.069054v2.full.pdf
That might (partially) explain Germany - they got the less bad strain earlier. As did some Asian countries.
BIDEN 2020
I certainly agree that people should make mistakes and learn from them and this is an essential part of professional growth. But too often people make mistakes, do not learn, blame others, refuse to take responsibility and are still rewarded. This is very much not on, IMO.
And as for getting fresh blood into the top rank, I absolutely agree with this. Which is why it is so demoralising to see the same cast of characters being recycled into every role going.
So long as the Beijing outbreak isn't actually a new strain of the virus that's significantly worse than anything seen previously, then the Chinese should be able to stamp it out without too much trouble. As has often been pointed out before, you wouldn't want to live under a police state but it does have certain advantages at a time like this.
One or two pre-Covid elections (not polls) were not been as bad for the GOP as some of the recent polls but the language of the GOP state and county officials is truly amazing.
I remember similar before the 1997 election here - there were Conservatives even in April who said the polls were wrong and the vote was firming up.
She was simply told, ‘Scum floats to the top.’
Urgent and Important: cure/treatment
Urgent but not Important: containment
Important but not urgent: immune system building
Not urgent and not important: Vaccine
But I think the Government's, and indeed the world's is the polar opposite.
The Nationalist vote has actually fallen since 2010, all the movement has been to the non sectarian Alliance which got 16% in 2019
On those numbers Pennsylvania and 1 of Wisconsin or North Carolina are the key states Biden must win to win the Electoral College and Presidency
Taxes? Healthcare? Defence? Law and order? Foreign policy?
Has Trump for that matter?
https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-britain-nireland-poll/poll-shows-northern-ireland-majority-against-united-ireland-idUKKBN20C0WF
That’s why I annoy the hell out of Labour members by comparing him to Corbyn.
(Yes, comparisons to Johnson are fair as well.)
Maybe affect the margin slightly.
Florida?
Maybe he will allow pubs to open soon too! A bit like Northern Ireland
DUP 25%
UCUNF (UUP/Tory) 15%
TUV 4%
Rodney Connor 3%
Sylvia Hermon 3%
Rodney Connor was backed by the Unionist parties in FST
Lady Hermon was the Ind Unionist in North Down
https://twitter.com/BlueYoungLabour/status/1272908903609753601?s=20
Travail, famille, patrie
Which is "Work, Family, Homeland".
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Travail,_famille,_patrie
Hermon was no way a Nationalist!
Total Unionist vote in 2010 was 50%.
We shall see.
But out of curiosity, how would being ‘middle-class racists, who then claim to be pro-proletariat’ be different from red Labour?
Indeed the Alliance Party now hold North Down and most of their vote there is soft Unionist ie Hermon's old voters
Every so often a company will strike lucky and the boss will suddenly display hitherto unknown talents..... More often than not they will remain venal self-promoters!
Not that they have made mistakes, but the refusal to acknowledge them.
https://www.express.co.uk/travel/articles/1296738/passport-uk-renewal-passports-brexit-blue-twitter-outrage
I didn’t believe it either - but I thought it worth posting.
Sadly it has deprived PB of some great Thursday night/Friday morning analysis and speculation.
Mindgames.
Opinion polls only.
Even during the time of the Armalite&Ballot Box strategy, a substantial chunk of Shinner votes stated their intention to vote against a United Ireland.
There has been little proper analysis of why this is. Anecdote suggests that the substantial difference in benefits plays a part. As does the issue of abortion.
https://twitter.com/BBCJonSopel/status/1272792231406157825
https://twitter.com/faizashaheen/status/1272972920785174529
*Yes, a few godfathers made millions. Most were unemployed and unemployable.
Well since you asked nicely.
The Federal Reserve was very downbeat in in latest comments and rates will be at zero for the next two and a half years at least. They recently announced some new bond buying measures to shore up liquidity, so they must still be very worried about overall economic health.
Plus, corona is still hanging around in some US states as it rolls through this vast country, and racial disharmony can't be helping
The polls could be picking up a general malaise, though I grant you the swing does seem to be too big for that.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/sportsnews/article-8427783/England-rugby-star-Courtney-Lawes-slammed-tweet-Marcus-Rashford.html