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How the Sunday Times made this grumpy old man (me) even grumpier – politicalbetting.com

SystemSystem Posts: 12,615
edited March 2021 in General
imageHow the Sunday Times made this grumpy old man (me) even grumpier – politicalbetting.com

I do not think that I am generally very pedantic but there is one issue that really gets under my skin and that is the incorrect use of the term “swing”.

Read the full story here

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Comments

  • LeonLeon Posts: 63,914
    ON topic

    Fucksake

    https://twitter.com/MrHarryCole/status/1373980332819644416?s=20
  • AlanbrookeAlanbrooke Posts: 25,943
    Sturgeon resigned yet ?
  • tlg86tlg86 Posts: 27,062
    FPT:
    FrancisUrquhart said:

    As an aside, is Bad Al ever not asked for his view on any matter at the moment? He seems to be on literally everything.

    Plugging his latest book, which the BBC were very happy to show on screen.
  • FishingFishing Posts: 5,773
    edited March 2021
    Death penalty or just life in prison for this writer do you think Mike?
  • eekeek Posts: 30,868
    FPT
    MaxPB said:

    eek said:

    In SNP and Green news as discussed earlier on

    https://twitter.com/cstross/status/1374003786289676293

    Which is merely them formalising what was previously informal.

    Where do people who hate Nicola and still want independence go now though? This feels like an error on the face of it as it will result in peoppe staying home.
    I think the point is that the Greens and SNP won't admit it until after the election but you may see it in actions with the Green party paying zero attention to constituency seats as shown by Jim Kelly complaining earlier that the Green party weren't standing.
  • TOPPINGTOPPING Posts: 44,214
    Chatting to a friend in NY. Anyone who wants a jab can have one. He had the moderna (has had both).

    Things there (NY) are "pretty open" - restaurants, museums, etc are open. Masks are v prevalent in most (but not all neighbourhoods).
  • FrancisUrquhartFrancisUrquhart Posts: 86,619
    Leon said:

    ON topic

    Fucksake

    https://twitter.com/MrHarryCole/status/1373980332819644416?s=20

    Build a wall...and make them pay for it.
  • williamglennwilliamglenn Posts: 56,314
    Trump-style democracy:
    https://twitter.com/nadiawhittomemp/status/1371907693858934785?s=21
  • CarlottaVanceCarlottaVance Posts: 60,422
    https://twitter.com/nickgutteridge/status/1374005252727398406?s=20
    https://twitter.com/nickgutteridge/status/1374006196731006976?s=20
  • williamglennwilliamglenn Posts: 56,314
    edited March 2021
    https://twitter.com/mehreenkhn/status/1374006396434460677?s=21
    https://twitter.com/mehreenkhn/status/1374007988399308815?s=21
  • eekeek Posts: 30,868
    And in other SNP news

    https://twitter.com/cstross/status/1374007274939813895

  • SelebianSelebian Posts: 9,565
    Had it gone the other way, 50-50 to 56-44 it could have legitimately been described as a +/-12% increase/decrease at least: (56-50)/50 and (50-44)/50.

    But going from 56-44 to 50-50 there's no defence (rounding: yes has 11% fall; no 14% rise)
  • RazedabodeRazedabode Posts: 3,117
    eek said:

    And in other SNP news

    https://twitter.com/cstross/status/1374007274939813895

    In the long list of bills Indy bills published by the SNP...
  • Philip_ThompsonPhilip_Thompson Posts: 65,826
    Leon said:

    ON topic

    Fucksake

    https://twitter.com/MrHarryCole/status/1373980332819644416?s=20

    What's he supposed to say, while trying to be diplomatic with an EU that is losing its mind?

    If he were to say "yes the EU is having another surge but we have no problems in this country" then how do you think that would go down?
  • AlanbrookeAlanbrooke Posts: 25,943
    eek said:

    And in other SNP news

    https://twitter.com/cstross/status/1374007274939813895

    They left out the bit that anyone they dont like cant vote

    Maybe theyre saving that for Indyref3
  • BurgessianBurgessian Posts: 3,085
    Razedabode said:

    eek said:

    And in other SNP news

    https://twitter.com/cstross/status/1374007274939813895

    In the long list of bills Indy bills published by the SNP...
    UK government source on Indy Bill: "This is a magpie standing on top of a squirrel."
  • RochdalePioneersRochdalePioneers Posts: 30,694
    Leon said:

    ON topic

    Fucksake

    https://twitter.com/MrHarryCole/status/1373980332819644416?s=20

    Well obviously - IF Euro pox is left to mutate then it threatens our vaccinated status. Don't worry - we will all be encouraged to go on holiday this summer and then attacked for being so stupid as to go on holiday as just because its government advice doesn't mean you should do it.

    As we were last summer.
  • SelebianSelebian Posts: 9,565
    DavidL said:

    williamglenn said:

    https://twitter.com/mehreenkhn/status/1374006396434460677?s=21
    https://twitter.com/mehreenkhn/status/1374007988399308815?s=21

    Thank god we are out. What a shower of twats they are.
    I just liked that. And I am/was a pretty convinced remainer.
  • TheuniondivvieTheuniondivvie Posts: 44,615
    Doubles all round

    https://twitter.com/BestForBritain/status/1374004146504880134
  • RobDRobD Posts: 60,634
    eek said:

    And in other SNP news

    https://twitter.com/cstross/status/1374007274939813895

    Giving foreign nationals the right to decide a country’s constitution seems a tad unusual.
  • MaxPBMaxPB Posts: 40,431
    Agreed, Mike. Swing is a really important electoral mechanic but people don't understand it at all. I actually think it might be worth getting one of our psephologists to go through the concept again for our newer members and the wider audience of readers.
  • FrancisUrquhartFrancisUrquhart Posts: 86,619
    williamglenn said:

    https://twitter.com/mehreenkhn/status/1374006396434460677?s=21
    https://twitter.com/mehreenkhn/status/1374007988399308815?s=21

    Isn't this how wars start?
  • RochdalePioneersRochdalePioneers Posts: 30,694
    williamglenn said:

    Trump-style democracy:
    https://twitter.com/nadiawhittomemp/status/1371907693858934785?s=21

    Actually the people responsible for the violence are the police actually. When innocent peaceful protesters swing their boot-covered foot they aren't actually expecting some police officer to be in their way. They have thick skulls these officers so won't someone think of the injuries that actually might have been sustained by these peaceful protesters?
  • LostPasswordLostPassword Posts: 19,719
    eek said:

    And in other SNP news

    https://twitter.com/cstross/status/1374007274939813895

    I'm tempted to look at the Scottish subsamples for the YouGov Brexit right/wrong polling.

    I know it would only be a subsample, but if you look at averages over time it should be okay, and would still pick up some changes.

    Before I waste my time digging through dozens of data tables, does anyone know if it's been done already?
  • TheuniondivvieTheuniondivvie Posts: 44,615
    Burgessian said:

    Razedabode said:

    eek said:

    And in other SNP news

    https://twitter.com/cstross/status/1374007274939813895

    In the long list of bills Indy bills published by the SNP...
    UK government source on Indy Bill: "This is a magpie standing on top of a squirrel."
    Another coded message from a Russian mole
  • RobDRobD Posts: 60,634
    DavidL said:

    williamglenn said:

    https://twitter.com/mehreenkhn/status/1374006396434460677?s=21
    https://twitter.com/mehreenkhn/status/1374007988399308815?s=21

    Thank god we are out. What a shower of twats they are.
    Unity my arse.
  • maaarshmaaarsh Posts: 3,602
    rcs1000 said:

    Leon said:

    ON topic

    Fucksake

    https://twitter.com/MrHarryCole/status/1373980332819644416?s=20

    Yet Israel is removing travel restrictions, and ending lockdown, and yet its case numbers (and positivity rate) continue to fall.

    I think it's really easy to miss how much mass vaccinations disrupt the spread of the virus, not just the severity of cases.
    Sadly we'll be much further from herd immunity than them given we've concentrated vaccination in the least social demographics. 52% coverage has very little benefit yet to the 18-35 year olds most likely to catch and spread. All the Israeli anti-vaxxers have helped them to get to lower ages much quicker and so hit the herd threshold
  • rcs1000rcs1000 Posts: 60,963
    williamglenn said:

    https://twitter.com/mehreenkhn/status/1374006396434460677?s=21
    https://twitter.com/mehreenkhn/status/1374007988399308815?s=21

    I hate to say anything positive about the EU and vaccines, but the initial complaint by the Eastern European countries was that the vaccine distribution strategy missed the fact that some countries were "older" than others. Therefore countries with lots of young people would get as many as people with those with very few, even though those countries were going to be much worse hit in terms of hospitalisations and deaths.

    Isn't this just a reshuffling based on age distributions, where Austria simply isn't as bad off as most of the former communist countries?
  • Philip_ThompsonPhilip_Thompson Posts: 65,826
    Brom said:

    williamglenn said:

    Trump-style democracy:
    https://twitter.com/nadiawhittomemp/status/1371907693858934785?s=21

    Safe seat, 24 years old. She could still be making Labour unelectable in 40 years time.
    Either that or she'll do a Pidcock.
  • DavidLDavidL Posts: 56,075
    Mike is of course completely correct but the real question is has this pendulum stopped swinging yet? Scotland would embarrass the average banana republic these days with a patent liar as FM who has used public funds in opposing a Judicial Review against external counsel's very blunt advice and the criminal justice system to attack her predecessor as well as anyone who tried to stand up for him and is being backed to the hilt by a civil service that has lost any scintilla of impartiality. The decision in the Craig Murray case, if confirmed, will be a very, very sad day for Scottish justice.

    Surely some Scots are starting to wonder if a country run by this mob is a place they really want to live. They must also be wondering if joining those arrogant, blundering buffoons in the EU is such a smart idea, especially given we were not treated as badly as most of the small countries when the UK was a largish member of the gang.

    We shall see but for the first time for a while I am hopeful.
  • LeonLeon Posts: 63,914
    TOPPING said:

    Chatting to a friend in NY. Anyone who wants a jab can have one. He had the moderna (has had both).

    Things there (NY) are "pretty open" - restaurants, museums, etc are open. Masks are v prevalent in most (but not all neighbourhoods).

    https://twitter.com/zerohedge/status/1374010330024665092?s=20
  • HYUFDHYUFD Posts: 129,405
    eek said:

    And in other SNP news

    https://twitter.com/cstross/status/1374007274939813895

    The SNP can what they want, legally and constitutionally the future of the Union is reserved to Westminster under the Scotland Act 1998 so what the SNP thinks is irrelevant
  • TheuniondivvieTheuniondivvie Posts: 44,615
    DavidL said:

    Mike is of course completely correct but the real question is has this pendulum stopped swinging yet? Scotland would embarrass the average banana republic these days with a patent liar as FM who has used public funds in opposing a Judicial Review against external counsel's very blunt advice and the criminal justice system to attack her predecessor as well as anyone who tried to stand up for him and is being backed to the hilt by a civil service that has lost any scintilla of impartiality. The decision in the Craig Murray case, if confirmed, will be a very, very sad day for Scottish justice.

    Surely some Scots are starting to wonder if a country run by this mob is a place they really want to live. They must also be wondering if joining those arrogant, blundering buffoons in the EU is such a smart idea, especially given we were not treated as badly as most of the small countries when the UK was a largish member of the gang.

    We shall see but for the first time for a while I am hopeful.

    I see your positive case for the Union thing is going well.
  • Morris_DancerMorris_Dancer Posts: 62,805
    Is the Scottish Green Party still playing the role of Reek to the SNP's Ramsy Bolton?
  • DavidLDavidL Posts: 56,075
    edited March 2021
    Theuniondivvie said:

    DavidL said:

    Mike is of course completely correct but the real question is has this pendulum stopped swinging yet? Scotland would embarrass the average banana republic these days with a patent liar as FM who has used public funds in opposing a Judicial Review against external counsel's very blunt advice and the criminal justice system to attack her predecessor as well as anyone who tried to stand up for him and is being backed to the hilt by a civil service that has lost any scintilla of impartiality. The decision in the Craig Murray case, if confirmed, will be a very, very sad day for Scottish justice.

    Surely some Scots are starting to wonder if a country run by this mob is a place they really want to live. They must also be wondering if joining those arrogant, blundering buffoons in the EU is such a smart idea, especially given we were not treated as badly as most of the small countries when the UK was a largish member of the gang.

    We shall see but for the first time for a while I am hopeful.

    I see your positive case for the Union thing is going well.
    It is a positive case for the Union. If we are to retain the rule of law and restore accountability we are going to need external help from the Union, from the Supreme Court and from a Parliament that is not cowed into silence by Crown Office.
  • DavidLDavidL Posts: 56,075
    Morris_Dancer said:

    Is the Scottish Green Party still playing the role of Reek to the SNP's Ramsy Bolton?

    Yes but without the essential dignity and self respect that analogy implies.
  • felixfelix Posts: 15,180
    Latest vaccine plan for Spain - complete over 80s by end April. 70+ to begin April and continue till end of July. Also youngers with serious health issues. AZN to continue only for under 55s. Not expected to achieve 70% of population jabbed before the end of the summer. Could be subject to further delays depending on vaccine deliveries and where in Spain you live. No specific information yet for the bulk of the healthy population under 70 years of age. Meanwhile in some parts cases are edging up and Germans are coming for Easter!
  • Andy_JSAndy_JS Posts: 36,798
    RochdalePioneers said:

    williamglenn said:

    Trump-style democracy:
    https://twitter.com/nadiawhittomemp/status/1371907693858934785?s=21

    Actually the people responsible for the violence are the police actually. When innocent peaceful protesters swing their boot-covered foot they aren't actually expecting some police officer to be in their way. They have thick skulls these officers so won't someone think of the injuries that actually might have been sustained by these peaceful protesters?
    It has to apply to everyone protesting, whether we agree with them or not.
  • CarlottaVanceCarlottaVance Posts: 60,422
    Interesting comment on the pattern we see in jabs:

    https://twitter.com/HugoGye/status/1374011854759026690?s=20
  • RochdalePioneersRochdalePioneers Posts: 30,694
    DavidL said:

    Theuniondivvie said:

    DavidL said:

    Mike is of course completely correct but the real question is has this pendulum stopped swinging yet? Scotland would embarrass the average banana republic these days with a patent liar as FM who has used public funds in opposing a Judicial Review against external counsel's very blunt advice and the criminal justice system to attack her predecessor as well as anyone who tried to stand up for him and is being backed to the hilt by a civil service that has lost any scintilla of impartiality. The decision in the Craig Murray case, if confirmed, will be a very, very sad day for Scottish justice.

    Surely some Scots are starting to wonder if a country run by this mob is a place they really want to live. They must also be wondering if joining those arrogant, blundering buffoons in the EU is such a smart idea, especially given we were not treated as badly as most of the small countries when the UK was a largish member of the gang.

    We shall see but for the first time for a while I am hopeful.

    I see your positive case for the Union thing is going well.
    It is a positive case for the Union. If we are to retain the rule of law and restore accountability we are going to need external help from the Union, from the Supreme Court and from a Parliament that is not cowed into silence by Crown Office.
    So what you're saying is that the SNP "Mob" is corrupt and so we need to bring in Tories from Westminster to restore some basics of integrity, the rule of law and high standards in public office.

    You do know how funny that sounds to anyone who isn't a Scottish Tory don't you? The campaign against Nippie on corruption grounds would have some credibility if it wasn't your party bringing it. Have already heard interviews with Douglas Ross where this screaming hypocrisy is pointed out and his "no no no" denials don't cut it.

    It isn't that what the SNP are doing is Good. Its that what the Tories in Westminster are doing is Worse.
  • DavidLDavidL Posts: 56,075
    rcs1000 said:

    williamglenn said:

    https://twitter.com/mehreenkhn/status/1374006396434460677?s=21
    https://twitter.com/mehreenkhn/status/1374007988399308815?s=21

    I hate to say anything positive about the EU and vaccines, but the initial complaint by the Eastern European countries was that the vaccine distribution strategy missed the fact that some countries were "older" than others. Therefore countries with lots of young people would get as many as people with those with very few, even though those countries were going to be much worse hit in terms of hospitalisations and deaths.

    Isn't this just a reshuffling based on age distributions, where Austria simply isn't as bad off as most of the former communist countries?
    It's just weird how these things work out, isn't it Robert?
  • Andy_JSAndy_JS Posts: 36,798
    TOPPING said:

    Chatting to a friend in NY. Anyone who wants a jab can have one. He had the moderna (has had both).

    Things there (NY) are "pretty open" - restaurants, museums, etc are open. Masks are v prevalent in most (but not all neighbourhoods).

    Based on money?
  • Philip_ThompsonPhilip_Thompson Posts: 65,826
    DavidL said:

    Theuniondivvie said:

    DavidL said:

    Mike is of course completely correct but the real question is has this pendulum stopped swinging yet? Scotland would embarrass the average banana republic these days with a patent liar as FM who has used public funds in opposing a Judicial Review against external counsel's very blunt advice and the criminal justice system to attack her predecessor as well as anyone who tried to stand up for him and is being backed to the hilt by a civil service that has lost any scintilla of impartiality. The decision in the Craig Murray case, if confirmed, will be a very, very sad day for Scottish justice.

    Surely some Scots are starting to wonder if a country run by this mob is a place they really want to live. They must also be wondering if joining those arrogant, blundering buffoons in the EU is such a smart idea, especially given we were not treated as badly as most of the small countries when the UK was a largish member of the gang.

    We shall see but for the first time for a while I am hopeful.

    I see your positive case for the Union thing is going well.
    It is a positive case for the Union. If we are to retain the rule of law and restore accountability we are going to need external help from the Union, from the Supreme Court and from a Parliament that is not cowed into silence by Crown Office.
    Or if you are to retain the rule of law then you need proper accountability, which means independence.

    For as long as the Scottish government has a blank cheque to blame London for any problems you have a government with power but no accountability. Independence will pull back the curtain and reveal the truth behind the Wizard of Oz.
  • TheuniondivvieTheuniondivvie Posts: 44,615
    I'm sure things will have got back to normal in the intervening 7 weeks

    https://twitter.com/GavNewlandsSNP/status/1374001783656361984?s=20
  • TOPPINGTOPPING Posts: 44,214
    Leon said:

    TOPPING said:

    Chatting to a friend in NY. Anyone who wants a jab can have one. He had the moderna (has had both).

    Things there (NY) are "pretty open" - restaurants, museums, etc are open. Masks are v prevalent in most (but not all neighbourhoods).

    https://twitter.com/zerohedge/status/1374010330024665092?s=20
    Interesting. The news item says they are going to "hold steady" at 50% restaurant capacity and 50 people outdoors.
  • Andy_JSAndy_JS Posts: 36,798
    Brom said:

    williamglenn said:

    Trump-style democracy:
    https://twitter.com/nadiawhittomemp/status/1371907693858934785?s=21

    Safe seat, 24 years old. She could still be making Labour unelectable in 40 years time.
    I like her personally, but her politics are never going to get anywhere.
  • TOPPINGTOPPING Posts: 44,214
    Andy_JS said:

    TOPPING said:

    Chatting to a friend in NY. Anyone who wants a jab can have one. He had the moderna (has had both).

    Things there (NY) are "pretty open" - restaurants, museums, etc are open. Masks are v prevalent in most (but not all neighbourhoods).

    Based on money?
    Neighbourhoods? My friend gave the example of a "Russian" neighbourhood.
  • LeonLeon Posts: 63,914
    TOPPING said:

    Leon said:

    TOPPING said:

    Chatting to a friend in NY. Anyone who wants a jab can have one. He had the moderna (has had both).

    Things there (NY) are "pretty open" - restaurants, museums, etc are open. Masks are v prevalent in most (but not all neighbourhoods).

    https://twitter.com/zerohedge/status/1374010330024665092?s=20
    Interesting. The news item says they are going to "hold steady" at 50% restaurant capacity and 50 people outdoors.
    Yes. Compared to our lockdown of EVERYTHING they have the good life, even with this

    I am so fucking bored of lockdowning
  • NigelbNigelb Posts: 79,984
    Splendid birthday thread for William Shatner, but not as we know him...

    https://twitter.com/i_am_mill_i_am/status/1373930160613949447
  • HYUFDHYUFD Posts: 129,405
    RochdalePioneers said:

    HYUFD said:

    eek said:

    And in other SNP news

    https://twitter.com/cstross/status/1374007274939813895

    The SNP can what they want, legally and constitutionally the future of the Union is reserved to Westminster under the Scotland Act 1998 so what the SNP thinks is irrelevant
    "so what the people of Scotland think is irrelevant".

    That was a party election broadcast on behalf of the Scottish Conservative Party.
    What the people of Scotland thought in 2014 was they did not want independence in a once in a generation vote, this Tory government will ensure no more appeasement of the SNP and a generation means exactly that!
  • LostPasswordLostPassword Posts: 19,719
    edited March 2021
    Cyclefree said:

    I am in the curious position of disliking Brexit, as implemented by this government. But at the same time being very glad that I am not living in the EU given the petulant and dangerous way the EU and some of its governments are behaving over Covid and vaccines.

    Not sure what group that puts me into.

    A pragmatic non-ideological group.

    "Tiny minority" is what it normally goes by these days.
  • No_Offence_AlanNo_Offence_Alan Posts: 5,151
    On topic. I crunch numbers for a living, and I despair at the handling of statistics and data in the media.
  • EndillionEndillion Posts: 4,976
    RochdalePioneers said:

    DavidL said:

    Theuniondivvie said:

    DavidL said:

    Mike is of course completely correct but the real question is has this pendulum stopped swinging yet? Scotland would embarrass the average banana republic these days with a patent liar as FM who has used public funds in opposing a Judicial Review against external counsel's very blunt advice and the criminal justice system to attack her predecessor as well as anyone who tried to stand up for him and is being backed to the hilt by a civil service that has lost any scintilla of impartiality. The decision in the Craig Murray case, if confirmed, will be a very, very sad day for Scottish justice.

    Surely some Scots are starting to wonder if a country run by this mob is a place they really want to live. They must also be wondering if joining those arrogant, blundering buffoons in the EU is such a smart idea, especially given we were not treated as badly as most of the small countries when the UK was a largish member of the gang.

    We shall see but for the first time for a while I am hopeful.

    I see your positive case for the Union thing is going well.
    It is a positive case for the Union. If we are to retain the rule of law and restore accountability we are going to need external help from the Union, from the Supreme Court and from a Parliament that is not cowed into silence by Crown Office.
    So what you're saying is that the SNP "Mob" is corrupt and so we need to bring in Tories from Westminster to restore some basics of integrity, the rule of law and high standards in public office.

    You do know how funny that sounds to anyone who isn't a Scottish Tory don't you? The campaign against Nippie on corruption grounds would have some credibility if it wasn't your party bringing it. Have already heard interviews with Douglas Ross where this screaming hypocrisy is pointed out and his "no no no" denials don't cut it.

    It isn't that what the SNP are doing is Good. Its that what the Tories in Westminster are doing is Worse.
    The Supreme Court aren't Tories. Quite the reverse, judging by their actions during 2019.

    Which is sort of the point, isn't it? That their approximate Scottish counterparts seem not have the independence (lol) demonstrated so ably by Baroness Hale et al that time Johnson tried to suspend Parliament?
  • sarissasarissa Posts: 2,216
    eek said:

    FPT

    MaxPB said:

    eek said:

    In SNP and Green news as discussed earlier on

    https://twitter.com/cstross/status/1374003786289676293

    Which is merely them formalising what was previously informal.

    Where do people who hate Nicola and still want independence go now though? This feels like an error on the face of it as it will result in peoppe staying home.
    I think the point is that the Greens and SNP won't admit it until after the election but you may see it in actions with the Green party paying zero attention to constituency seats as shown by Jim Kelly complaining earlier that the Green party weren't standing.
    AFAIK, the SGP are standing in ten constituencies compared with three in 2016. I’ve always assumed that the only reason was to get the free mail shot to boost their profile.
  • MaxPBMaxPB Posts: 40,431
    rcs1000 said:

    williamglenn said:

    https://twitter.com/mehreenkhn/status/1374006396434460677?s=21
    https://twitter.com/mehreenkhn/status/1374007988399308815?s=21

    I hate to say anything positive about the EU and vaccines, but the initial complaint by the Eastern European countries was that the vaccine distribution strategy missed the fact that some countries were "older" than others. Therefore countries with lots of young people would get as many as people with those with very few, even though those countries were going to be much worse hit in terms of hospitalisations and deaths.

    Isn't this just a reshuffling based on age distributions, where Austria simply isn't as bad off as most of the former communist countries?
    I think that's a fair bit of logic and reasoning. The issue here is that the EU isn't using logic and reasoning right now, it seems to be acting on instinct and Austria is being a "problem" nation just as we were and Greece was before that. It's plausible that Austria has been singled out because it is against the export ban mechanism. On the specific virus situation in Austria, it looks to me as if it's at the beginning of the exponential growth curve for cases and we know that deaths follow just a couple of weeks later where vaccination rates are low. Saying they don't specifically need extra doses isn't fair but maybe they have a lesser need than Czechia or somewhere like that.
  • MexicanpeteMexicanpete Posts: 33,441
    Leon said:

    ON topic

    Fucksake

    https://twitter.com/MrHarryCole/status/1373980332819644416?s=20

    It's good politicking from Johnson.

    IF we have a third wave it will be Johnny Foreigners fault for any excess mortality rates. If we don't get a third wave it will be down to Boris' vaccination procurement (and I quote LauraK.) "genius".
  • RazedabodeRazedabode Posts: 3,117
    felix said:

    Latest vaccine plan for Spain - complete over 80s by end April. 70+ to begin April and continue till end of July. Also youngers with serious health issues. AZN to continue only for under 55s. Not expected to achieve 70% of population jabbed before the end of the summer. Could be subject to further delays depending on vaccine deliveries and where in Spain you live. No specific information yet for the bulk of the healthy population under 70 years of age. Meanwhile in some parts cases are edging up and Germans are coming for Easter!

    That seems mightily slow - over 80s by end of April?!
  • RazedabodeRazedabode Posts: 3,117
    felix said:

    Latest vaccine plan for Spain - complete over 80s by end April. 70+ to begin April and continue till end of July. Also youngers with serious health issues. AZN to continue only for under 55s. Not expected to achieve 70% of population jabbed before the end of the summer. Could be subject to further delays depending on vaccine deliveries and where in Spain you live. No specific information yet for the bulk of the healthy population under 70 years of age. Meanwhile in some parts cases are edging up and Germans are coming for Easter!

    That seems mightily slow - over 80s by end of April?!
  • EndillionEndillion Posts: 4,976
    No_Offence_Alan said:

    On topic. I crunch numbers for a living, and I despair at the handling of statistics and data in the media.

    Silver lining: if they did it well, it might mean it was easy for liberal artsy types to get right. And your employability would suffer as a consequence.

    That's what I tell myself, anyway.
  • Andy_JSAndy_JS Posts: 36,798
    edited March 2021
    No_Offence_Alan said:

    On topic. I crunch numbers for a living, and I despair at the handling of statistics and data in the media.

    You ought to be prime minister.
  • CarlottaVanceCarlottaVance Posts: 60,422
    https://twitter.com/andrewlearmonth/status/1374008556828102659?s=20
  • Philip_ThompsonPhilip_Thompson Posts: 65,826
    Mexicanpete said:

    Leon said:

    ON topic

    Fucksake

    https://twitter.com/MrHarryCole/status/1373980332819644416?s=20

    It's good politicking from Johnson.

    IF we have a third wave it will be Johnny Foreigners fault for any excess mortality rates. If we don't get a third wave it will be down to Boris' vaccination procurement (and I quote LauraK.) "genius".
    That's true.
  • TOPPINGTOPPING Posts: 44,214
    Leon said:

    TOPPING said:

    Leon said:

    TOPPING said:

    Chatting to a friend in NY. Anyone who wants a jab can have one. He had the moderna (has had both).

    Things there (NY) are "pretty open" - restaurants, museums, etc are open. Masks are v prevalent in most (but not all neighbourhoods).

    https://twitter.com/zerohedge/status/1374010330024665092?s=20
    Interesting. The news item says they are going to "hold steady" at 50% restaurant capacity and 50 people outdoors.
    Yes. Compared to our lockdown of EVERYTHING they have the good life, even with this

    I am so fucking bored of lockdowning
    We have another three months lockdown as of yesterday. Of course things will change in the interim but to sit in a pub will be two months away.
  • DavidLDavidL Posts: 56,075
    RochdalePioneers said:

    DavidL said:

    Theuniondivvie said:

    DavidL said:

    Mike is of course completely correct but the real question is has this pendulum stopped swinging yet? Scotland would embarrass the average banana republic these days with a patent liar as FM who has used public funds in opposing a Judicial Review against external counsel's very blunt advice and the criminal justice system to attack her predecessor as well as anyone who tried to stand up for him and is being backed to the hilt by a civil service that has lost any scintilla of impartiality. The decision in the Craig Murray case, if confirmed, will be a very, very sad day for Scottish justice.

    Surely some Scots are starting to wonder if a country run by this mob is a place they really want to live. They must also be wondering if joining those arrogant, blundering buffoons in the EU is such a smart idea, especially given we were not treated as badly as most of the small countries when the UK was a largish member of the gang.

    We shall see but for the first time for a while I am hopeful.

    I see your positive case for the Union thing is going well.
    It is a positive case for the Union. If we are to retain the rule of law and restore accountability we are going to need external help from the Union, from the Supreme Court and from a Parliament that is not cowed into silence by Crown Office.
    So what you're saying is that the SNP "Mob" is corrupt and so we need to bring in Tories from Westminster to restore some basics of integrity, the rule of law and high standards in public office.

    You do know how funny that sounds to anyone who isn't a Scottish Tory don't you? The campaign against Nippie on corruption grounds would have some credibility if it wasn't your party bringing it. Have already heard interviews with Douglas Ross where this screaming hypocrisy is pointed out and his "no no no" denials don't cut it.

    It isn't that what the SNP are doing is Good. Its that what the Tories in Westminster are doing is Worse.
    I want the UK civil service to reimpose impartiality and a sense of public service to our civil service.
    I want the Supreme Court to make it clear that we don't lock up journalists in this country because we don't like what they say.
    I want Crown Office to be restored to an independent body that prosecutes in the public interest, not Nicola's interests.
    I want to be in a country where blatant lying by the FM is not just a matter for party loyalty.

    I am not an unqualified fan of the Tory government. I think the Crime bill, for example, is seriously deficient in a variety of ways. Williamson is presumably only kept in office to make Swinny feel less bad about himself and his performance, no easy task. But I do not accept that what is going on in Scotland right now is even close to Westminster. We have gone down the rabbit hole, we really have.
  • FrancisUrquhartFrancisUrquhart Posts: 86,619
    RobD said:

    DavidL said:

    williamglenn said:

    https://twitter.com/mehreenkhn/status/1374006396434460677?s=21
    https://twitter.com/mehreenkhn/status/1374007988399308815?s=21

    Thank god we are out. What a shower of twats they are.
    Unity my arse.
    Don't you mean UNIIITTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTY....
  • MalmesburyMalmesbury Posts: 56,229
    Endillion said:

    No_Offence_Alan said:

    On topic. I crunch numbers for a living, and I despair at the handling of statistics and data in the media.

    Silver lining: if they did it well, it might mean it was easy for liberal artsy types to get right. And your employability would suffer as a consequence.

    That's what I tell myself, anyway.
    That is exactly what I tell myself about coding....
  • FrancisUrquhartFrancisUrquhart Posts: 86,619
    Boris 'will offer to SHARE millions of doses of AstraZeneca's jab made at Dutch factory with the EU'

    https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-9387989/Boris-Johnson-call-EU-leaders-defuse-threats-blocking-Covid-vaccines.html
  • BurgessianBurgessian Posts: 3,085
    RochdalePioneers said:

    DavidL said:

    Theuniondivvie said:

    DavidL said:

    Mike is of course completely correct but the real question is has this pendulum stopped swinging yet? Scotland would embarrass the average banana republic these days with a patent liar as FM who has used public funds in opposing a Judicial Review against external counsel's very blunt advice and the criminal justice system to attack her predecessor as well as anyone who tried to stand up for him and is being backed to the hilt by a civil service that has lost any scintilla of impartiality. The decision in the Craig Murray case, if confirmed, will be a very, very sad day for Scottish justice.

    Surely some Scots are starting to wonder if a country run by this mob is a place they really want to live. They must also be wondering if joining those arrogant, blundering buffoons in the EU is such a smart idea, especially given we were not treated as badly as most of the small countries when the UK was a largish member of the gang.

    We shall see but for the first time for a while I am hopeful.

    I see your positive case for the Union thing is going well.
    It is a positive case for the Union. If we are to retain the rule of law and restore accountability we are going to need external help from the Union, from the Supreme Court and from a Parliament that is not cowed into silence by Crown Office.
    So what you're saying is that the SNP "Mob" is corrupt and so we need to bring in Tories from Westminster to restore some basics of integrity, the rule of law and high standards in public office.

    You do know how funny that sounds to anyone who isn't a Scottish Tory don't you? The campaign against Nippie on corruption grounds would have some credibility if it wasn't your party bringing it. Have already heard interviews with Douglas Ross where this screaming hypocrisy is pointed out and his "no no no" denials don't cut it.

    It isn't that what the SNP are doing is Good. Its that what the Tories in Westminster are doing is Worse.
    No. The SNP have suborned the civil service and much else. And they have a sense of entitlement and ownership which goes far beyond anything seen elsewhere. Sorry you can't see that. Those of us who are long-term residents here have watched the process with growing dismay over the years. Nationalism poisons everything.

    I should say - in parenthesis - how remarkable it is how Unionist Scots, ie, those who value their British identities, are routinely ignored and rubbished. Their feelings and loyalties count for nothing, have no value, apparently.
  • Sunil_PrasannanSunil_Prasannan Posts: 55,431
    Leon said:

    ON topic

    Fucksake

    https://twitter.com/MrHarryCole/status/1373980332819644416?s=20

    Could be a reference to those idiots booking holidays to hard-hit EU countries.
  • Andy_JSAndy_JS Posts: 36,798
    "A senior consultant accused of sexually assaulting a nurse by commenting on her “lovely biscuits” is suing one of Britain’s largest private healthcare chains for £2.7 million.

    Simon Payne was suspended and subsequently banned from working at Spire Healthcare over the alleged incident in which he is said to have made the comments as the anaesthetic practitioner lifted a box of biscuits from a shelf."

    https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/surgeon-sues-for-2-7m-over-lovely-biscuits-row-nc8xk2dx6
  • kinabalukinabalu Posts: 46,560
    Nigelb said:

    Splendid birthday thread for William Shatner, but not as we know him...

    https://twitter.com/i_am_mill_i_am/status/1373930160613949447

    And his cover of Mr Tambourine Man. He really made the song his own -

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_0hTtsqiFCc
  • Morris_DancerMorris_Dancer Posts: 62,805
    Mr. Urquhart, if the offer is too generous it will look like weakness.
  • LeonLeon Posts: 63,914
    TOPPING said:

    Leon said:

    TOPPING said:

    Leon said:

    TOPPING said:

    Chatting to a friend in NY. Anyone who wants a jab can have one. He had the moderna (has had both).

    Things there (NY) are "pretty open" - restaurants, museums, etc are open. Masks are v prevalent in most (but not all neighbourhoods).

    https://twitter.com/zerohedge/status/1374010330024665092?s=20
    Interesting. The news item says they are going to "hold steady" at 50% restaurant capacity and 50 people outdoors.
    Yes. Compared to our lockdown of EVERYTHING they have the good life, even with this

    I am so fucking bored of lockdowning
    We have another three months lockdown as of yesterday. Of course things will change in the interim but to sit in a pub will be two months away.
    Hence my cry of despair at the mere tiny possibility that lockdown might be extended due to a third wave (as Boris kinda vaguely hinted sorta).

    I am done. I can't do any more of this. I will grind out the rest of Lockdown 3 but if it we get a 10th wave and they want lockdowns 4-6 then fuck it. I'd rather we took the risk as a society, let us make our own choices. This is not life. It is existence. And a drab existence at that, despite the spring sunshine

    I am worn out. It is oddly exhausting, doing nothing, and going nowhere
  • MalmesburyMalmesbury Posts: 56,229
    Cyclefree said:

    I am in the curious position of disliking Brexit, as implemented by this government. But at the same time being very glad that I am not living in the EU given the petulant and dangerous way the EU and some of its governments are behaving over Covid and vaccines.

    Not sure what group that puts me into.

    I think there are alot more pragmatic remainers out there than the ideological types.

    I voted remain, but have no love whatsoever for the EU clown show - and never have.
  • PulpstarPulpstar Posts: 79,931
    LostPassword said:

    Cyclefree said:

    I am in the curious position of disliking Brexit, as implemented by this government. But at the same time being very glad that I am not living in the EU given the petulant and dangerous way the EU and some of its governments are behaving over Covid and vaccines.

    Not sure what group that puts me into.

    A pragmatic non-ideological group.

    "Tiny minority" is what it normally goes by these days.
    A rounding error in the polling surveys.
  • rcs1000rcs1000 Posts: 60,963
    felix said:

    Latest vaccine plan for Spain - complete over 80s by end April. 70+ to begin April and continue till end of July. Also youngers with serious health issues. AZN to continue only for under 55s. Not expected to achieve 70% of population jabbed before the end of the summer. Could be subject to further delays depending on vaccine deliveries and where in Spain you live. No specific information yet for the bulk of the healthy population under 70 years of age. Meanwhile in some parts cases are edging up and Germans are coming for Easter!

    So, in France AZN is only for the over 55s, while in Spain, it's only for the under 55s.

    Interesting choices...

  • RochdalePioneersRochdalePioneers Posts: 30,694
    Endillion said:

    RochdalePioneers said:

    DavidL said:

    Theuniondivvie said:

    DavidL said:

    Mike is of course completely correct but the real question is has this pendulum stopped swinging yet? Scotland would embarrass the average banana republic these days with a patent liar as FM who has used public funds in opposing a Judicial Review against external counsel's very blunt advice and the criminal justice system to attack her predecessor as well as anyone who tried to stand up for him and is being backed to the hilt by a civil service that has lost any scintilla of impartiality. The decision in the Craig Murray case, if confirmed, will be a very, very sad day for Scottish justice.

    Surely some Scots are starting to wonder if a country run by this mob is a place they really want to live. They must also be wondering if joining those arrogant, blundering buffoons in the EU is such a smart idea, especially given we were not treated as badly as most of the small countries when the UK was a largish member of the gang.

    We shall see but for the first time for a while I am hopeful.

    I see your positive case for the Union thing is going well.
    It is a positive case for the Union. If we are to retain the rule of law and restore accountability we are going to need external help from the Union, from the Supreme Court and from a Parliament that is not cowed into silence by Crown Office.
    So what you're saying is that the SNP "Mob" is corrupt and so we need to bring in Tories from Westminster to restore some basics of integrity, the rule of law and high standards in public office.

    You do know how funny that sounds to anyone who isn't a Scottish Tory don't you? The campaign against Nippie on corruption grounds would have some credibility if it wasn't your party bringing it. Have already heard interviews with Douglas Ross where this screaming hypocrisy is pointed out and his "no no no" denials don't cut it.

    It isn't that what the SNP are doing is Good. Its that what the Tories in Westminster are doing is Worse.
    The Supreme Court aren't Tories. Quite the reverse, judging by their actions during 2019.

    Which is sort of the point, isn't it? That their approximate Scottish counterparts seem not have the independence (lol) demonstrated so ably by Baroness Hale et al that time Johnson tried to suspend Parliament?
    Oh I get that. This isn't just political murk, there is something very odd going on in the workings of the Scottish government well away from the politicians. I just think that allegations of corruption from the Tories who want our votes to stop it is hilarious.
  • TheuniondivvieTheuniondivvie Posts: 44,615
    DavidL said:

    Morris_Dancer said:

    Is the Scottish Green Party still playing the role of Reek to the SNP's Ramsy Bolton?

    Yes but without the essential dignity and self respect that analogy implies.
    It's a truth that should be universally acknowledged that folk who still touch themselves inappropriately over the Con-LD coalition and made all sorts of accommodations of the Con-DUP agreemen aren't very happy at the prospect of parties they don't like doing it. Hypocrisy I think it's called...
  • NigelbNigelb Posts: 79,984
    Cyclefree said:

    I am in the curious position of disliking Brexit, as implemented by this government. But at the same time being very glad that I am not living in the EU given the petulant and dangerous way the EU and some of its governments are behaving over Covid and vaccines.

    Not sure what group that puts me into.

    No idea, but I'm there with you.
  • rcs1000rcs1000 Posts: 60,963
    Razedabode said:

    felix said:

    Latest vaccine plan for Spain - complete over 80s by end April. 70+ to begin April and continue till end of July. Also youngers with serious health issues. AZN to continue only for under 55s. Not expected to achieve 70% of population jabbed before the end of the summer. Could be subject to further delays depending on vaccine deliveries and where in Spain you live. No specific information yet for the bulk of the healthy population under 70 years of age. Meanwhile in some parts cases are edging up and Germans are coming for Easter!

    That seems mightily slow - over 80s by end of April?!
    It's because:

    (a) It's Pfizer only (for the over 55s)
    and
    (b) They're reserving second doses
    and
    (c) They're following the recommended three week gap between vaccinations

    It would, of course, be much smarter to get as many jabs of whatever type into peoples' arms as quickly as possible, and you can fill in second doses later when supply improves.
  • MaxPBMaxPB Posts: 40,431
    rcs1000 said:

    felix said:

    Latest vaccine plan for Spain - complete over 80s by end April. 70+ to begin April and continue till end of July. Also youngers with serious health issues. AZN to continue only for under 55s. Not expected to achieve 70% of population jabbed before the end of the summer. Could be subject to further delays depending on vaccine deliveries and where in Spain you live. No specific information yet for the bulk of the healthy population under 70 years of age. Meanwhile in some parts cases are edging up and Germans are coming for Easter!

    So, in France AZN is only for the over 55s, while in Spain, it's only for the under 55s.

    Interesting choices...

    After the US trial data there is absolutely no way these countries can continue to block use for over 65s. It was completely ridiculous from the start and now it's actively harmful and a complete misapplication of a very scarce resource.
  • DavidLDavidL Posts: 56,075
    kinabalu said:

    Nigelb said:

    Splendid birthday thread for William Shatner, but not as we know him...

    https://twitter.com/i_am_mill_i_am/status/1373930160613949447

    And his cover of Mr Tambourine Man. He really made the song his own -

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_0hTtsqiFCc
    I preferred his cover of Common People. It was....memorable.
  • FloaterFloater Posts: 14,207
    https://twitter.com/AFP/status/1374018128955518988

    Just China left as the EU's bestie now then
  • FloaterFloater Posts: 14,207
    https://twitter.com/AFP/status/1373989051817148420
  • LeonLeon Posts: 63,914
    rcs1000 said:

    Razedabode said:

    felix said:

    Latest vaccine plan for Spain - complete over 80s by end April. 70+ to begin April and continue till end of July. Also youngers with serious health issues. AZN to continue only for under 55s. Not expected to achieve 70% of population jabbed before the end of the summer. Could be subject to further delays depending on vaccine deliveries and where in Spain you live. No specific information yet for the bulk of the healthy population under 70 years of age. Meanwhile in some parts cases are edging up and Germans are coming for Easter!

    That seems mightily slow - over 80s by end of April?!
    It's because:

    (a) It's Pfizer only (for the over 55s)
    and
    (b) They're reserving second doses
    and
    (c) They're following the recommended three week gap between vaccinations

    It would, of course, be much smarter to get as many jabs of whatever type into peoples' arms as quickly as possible, and you can fill in second doses later when supply improves.
    Spain is doing OK tho. Cases and deaths well down (similar to UK levels). There are hints of a recent uptick, but only hints

    I wonder why they have fared better than France Germany et al. Better weather? But then Italy is also a bit crocked, and has a similar climate
  • RochdalePioneersRochdalePioneers Posts: 30,694
    DavidL said:

    RochdalePioneers said:

    DavidL said:

    Theuniondivvie said:

    DavidL said:

    Mike is of course completely correct but the real question is has this pendulum stopped swinging yet? Scotland would embarrass the average banana republic these days with a patent liar as FM who has used public funds in opposing a Judicial Review against external counsel's very blunt advice and the criminal justice system to attack her predecessor as well as anyone who tried to stand up for him and is being backed to the hilt by a civil service that has lost any scintilla of impartiality. The decision in the Craig Murray case, if confirmed, will be a very, very sad day for Scottish justice.

    Surely some Scots are starting to wonder if a country run by this mob is a place they really want to live. They must also be wondering if joining those arrogant, blundering buffoons in the EU is such a smart idea, especially given we were not treated as badly as most of the small countries when the UK was a largish member of the gang.

    We shall see but for the first time for a while I am hopeful.

    I see your positive case for the Union thing is going well.
    It is a positive case for the Union. If we are to retain the rule of law and restore accountability we are going to need external help from the Union, from the Supreme Court and from a Parliament that is not cowed into silence by Crown Office.
    So what you're saying is that the SNP "Mob" is corrupt and so we need to bring in Tories from Westminster to restore some basics of integrity, the rule of law and high standards in public office.

    You do know how funny that sounds to anyone who isn't a Scottish Tory don't you? The campaign against Nippie on corruption grounds would have some credibility if it wasn't your party bringing it. Have already heard interviews with Douglas Ross where this screaming hypocrisy is pointed out and his "no no no" denials don't cut it.

    It isn't that what the SNP are doing is Good. Its that what the Tories in Westminster are doing is Worse.
    I want the UK civil service to reimpose impartiality and a sense of public service to our civil service.
    I want the Supreme Court to make it clear that we don't lock up journalists in this country because we don't like what they say.
    I want Crown Office to be restored to an independent body that prosecutes in the public interest, not Nicola's interests.
    I want to be in a country where blatant lying by the FM is not just a matter for party loyalty.

    I am not an unqualified fan of the Tory government. I think the Crime bill, for example, is seriously deficient in a variety of ways. Williamson is presumably only kept in office to make Swinny feel less bad about himself and his performance, no easy task. But I do not accept that what is going on in Scotland right now is even close to Westminster. We have gone down the rabbit hole, we really have.
    I agree with your desire for an impartial machinery of government and for the rule of law. You MUST though recognise that such calls cannot with any credibility come from your party which actively acts to pervert the same institutions in England so that they operate in their own interests. When Scottish ministers are found to have acted illegally and aren't just accused of it, when Scottish senior law officers seek to bring the legal system into disrepute instead of just acting dubiously then Scotland will be on a par with England. You can't credibly call it the other way - its your partisan blinkers.

    The solution to SNP corruption is not to vote for Tory corruption. I'm about to take delivery of bagfuls of LibDem leaflets to deliver so I am hardly a fanboi of the SNP. But I have to say what I see and what I see more is Tory hypocricy.
  • williamglennwilliamglenn Posts: 56,314
    https://twitter.com/Mij_Europe/status/1374014231499137029
  • DavidLDavidL Posts: 56,075
    Theuniondivvie said:

    DavidL said:

    Morris_Dancer said:

    Is the Scottish Green Party still playing the role of Reek to the SNP's Ramsy Bolton?

    Yes but without the essential dignity and self respect that analogy implies.
    It's a truth that should be universally acknowledged that folk who still touch themselves inappropriately over the Con-LD coalition and made all sorts of accommodations of the Con-DUP agreemen aren't very happy at the prospect of parties they don't like doing it. Hypocrisy I think it's called...
    Still got just under 30 minutes to call out Nicola's dishonesty Divvie, since we are talking self respect and all.
  • contrariancontrarian Posts: 5,818
    Its great to see remainers finally seeing the EU for what it is.

    Only about decade after the average welder or hairdresser in the North of England, but there we are.
  • rcs1000rcs1000 Posts: 60,963
    TOPPING said:

    Leon said:

    TOPPING said:

    Chatting to a friend in NY. Anyone who wants a jab can have one. He had the moderna (has had both).

    Things there (NY) are "pretty open" - restaurants, museums, etc are open. Masks are v prevalent in most (but not all neighbourhoods).

    https://twitter.com/zerohedge/status/1374010330024665092?s=20
    Interesting. The news item says they are going to "hold steady" at 50% restaurant capacity and 50 people outdoors.
    You know, I'm going to say something very nice about California. After having been bloody useless early in the pandemic, they now have a very sensible set of tiers:

    - stay at home order
    - red tier
    - orange tier
    - yellow tier
    - green tier

    Essentially, "Stay at home" is full lockdown, "Red tier" is outdoor dining only, "Orange tier" is strict capacity limits on restaraunts, gyms and cinemas, "Yellow" is loose capacity limits, and "Green" is good to go.

    They (now) have clearly defined in and out conditions for each tier, and the State is broken up by county.

    I can therefore be reasonably confident that California will be exiting Red tier either this weekend or next, and will move to Yellow.

    It's very nicely done.
  • LeonLeon Posts: 63,914
    RochdalePioneers said:

    DavidL said:

    RochdalePioneers said:

    DavidL said:

    Theuniondivvie said:

    DavidL said:

    Mike is of course completely correct but the real question is has this pendulum stopped swinging yet? Scotland would embarrass the average banana republic these days with a patent liar as FM who has used public funds in opposing a Judicial Review against external counsel's very blunt advice and the criminal justice system to attack her predecessor as well as anyone who tried to stand up for him and is being backed to the hilt by a civil service that has lost any scintilla of impartiality. The decision in the Craig Murray case, if confirmed, will be a very, very sad day for Scottish justice.

    Surely some Scots are starting to wonder if a country run by this mob is a place they really want to live. They must also be wondering if joining those arrogant, blundering buffoons in the EU is such a smart idea, especially given we were not treated as badly as most of the small countries when the UK was a largish member of the gang.

    We shall see but for the first time for a while I am hopeful.

    I see your positive case for the Union thing is going well.
    It is a positive case for the Union. If we are to retain the rule of law and restore accountability we are going to need external help from the Union, from the Supreme Court and from a Parliament that is not cowed into silence by Crown Office.
    So what you're saying is that the SNP "Mob" is corrupt and so we need to bring in Tories from Westminster to restore some basics of integrity, the rule of law and high standards in public office.

    You do know how funny that sounds to anyone who isn't a Scottish Tory don't you? The campaign against Nippie on corruption grounds would have some credibility if it wasn't your party bringing it. Have already heard interviews with Douglas Ross where this screaming hypocrisy is pointed out and his "no no no" denials don't cut it.

    It isn't that what the SNP are doing is Good. Its that what the Tories in Westminster are doing is Worse.
    I want the UK civil service to reimpose impartiality and a sense of public service to our civil service.
    I want the Supreme Court to make it clear that we don't lock up journalists in this country because we don't like what they say.
    I want Crown Office to be restored to an independent body that prosecutes in the public interest, not Nicola's interests.
    I want to be in a country where blatant lying by the FM is not just a matter for party loyalty.

    I am not an unqualified fan of the Tory government. I think the Crime bill, for example, is seriously deficient in a variety of ways. Williamson is presumably only kept in office to make Swinny feel less bad about himself and his performance, no easy task. But I do not accept that what is going on in Scotland right now is even close to Westminster. We have gone down the rabbit hole, we really have.
    I agree with your desire for an impartial machinery of government and for the rule of law. You MUST though recognise that such calls cannot with any credibility come from your party which actively acts to pervert the same institutions in England so that they operate in their own interests. When Scottish ministers are found to have acted illegally and aren't just accused of it, when Scottish senior law officers seek to bring the legal system into disrepute instead of just acting dubiously then Scotland will be on a par with England. You can't credibly call it the other way - its your partisan blinkers.

    The solution to SNP corruption is not to vote for Tory corruption. I'm about to take delivery of bagfuls of LibDem leaflets to deliver so I am hardly a fanboi of the SNP. But I have to say what I see and what I see more is Tory hypocricy.
    When Boris Johnson conspires for several years to get David Cameron jailed for a decade for rape, and when Boris Johnson recruits the entire Tory party, the English legal system, and the English civil service to assist him in this, and the subsequent cover-up, and when Boris Johnson simply ignores a Westminster inquiry set up to uncover the truth which SAYS he lied, then I will agree England is down there in the gutter with Scotland
  • Andy_JSAndy_JS Posts: 36,798
    edited March 2021
    williamglenn said:

    https://twitter.com/Mij_Europe/status/1374014231499137029

    Let's hope reason prevails. (We sort of know it won't, but we can hope anyway).
  • RochdalePioneersRochdalePioneers Posts: 30,694
    Burgessian said:

    RochdalePioneers said:

    DavidL said:

    Theuniondivvie said:

    DavidL said:

    Mike is of course completely correct but the real question is has this pendulum stopped swinging yet? Scotland would embarrass the average banana republic these days with a patent liar as FM who has used public funds in opposing a Judicial Review against external counsel's very blunt advice and the criminal justice system to attack her predecessor as well as anyone who tried to stand up for him and is being backed to the hilt by a civil service that has lost any scintilla of impartiality. The decision in the Craig Murray case, if confirmed, will be a very, very sad day for Scottish justice.

    Surely some Scots are starting to wonder if a country run by this mob is a place they really want to live. They must also be wondering if joining those arrogant, blundering buffoons in the EU is such a smart idea, especially given we were not treated as badly as most of the small countries when the UK was a largish member of the gang.

    We shall see but for the first time for a while I am hopeful.

    I see your positive case for the Union thing is going well.
    It is a positive case for the Union. If we are to retain the rule of law and restore accountability we are going to need external help from the Union, from the Supreme Court and from a Parliament that is not cowed into silence by Crown Office.
    So what you're saying is that the SNP "Mob" is corrupt and so we need to bring in Tories from Westminster to restore some basics of integrity, the rule of law and high standards in public office.

    You do know how funny that sounds to anyone who isn't a Scottish Tory don't you? The campaign against Nippie on corruption grounds would have some credibility if it wasn't your party bringing it. Have already heard interviews with Douglas Ross where this screaming hypocrisy is pointed out and his "no no no" denials don't cut it.

    It isn't that what the SNP are doing is Good. Its that what the Tories in Westminster are doing is Worse.
    No. The SNP have suborned the civil service and much else. And they have a sense of entitlement and ownership which goes far beyond anything seen elsewhere. Sorry you can't see that. Those of us who are long-term residents here have watched the process with growing dismay over the years. Nationalism poisons everything.

    I should say - in parenthesis - how remarkable it is how Unionist Scots, ie, those who value their British identities, are routinely ignored and rubbished. Their feelings and loyalties count for nothing, have no value, apparently.
    I CAN see that. Unalloyed power corrupts regardless of the party and the SNP are neck deep in it. My point is that however bad things are in Scotland it is worse in England. In Scotland ministers stand accused of breaking the ministerial code and Must resign. In England ministers are convicted of breaking the ministerial code and stay in their jobs. As a Christian (albeit somewhat lapsed these days) the line about splinters and planks is prescient - Tories attacking the SNP for corruption really need to find a mirror.
  • rcs1000rcs1000 Posts: 60,963
    edited March 2021
    Leon said:

    rcs1000 said:

    Razedabode said:

    felix said:

    Latest vaccine plan for Spain - complete over 80s by end April. 70+ to begin April and continue till end of July. Also youngers with serious health issues. AZN to continue only for under 55s. Not expected to achieve 70% of population jabbed before the end of the summer. Could be subject to further delays depending on vaccine deliveries and where in Spain you live. No specific information yet for the bulk of the healthy population under 70 years of age. Meanwhile in some parts cases are edging up and Germans are coming for Easter!

    That seems mightily slow - over 80s by end of April?!
    It's because:

    (a) It's Pfizer only (for the over 55s)
    and
    (b) They're reserving second doses
    and
    (c) They're following the recommended three week gap between vaccinations

    It would, of course, be much smarter to get as many jabs of whatever type into peoples' arms as quickly as possible, and you can fill in second doses later when supply improves.
    Spain is doing OK tho. Cases and deaths well down (similar to UK levels). There are hints of a recent uptick, but only hints

    I wonder why they have fared better than France Germany et al. Better weather? But then Italy is also a bit crocked, and has a similar climate
    It's because the disease has a natural cycle, as people first lock themselves down and then as cases fall, they then relax. Spain (and Portugal) had really nasty times in the aftermath of Christmas, and people got really fearful.

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