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What makes an effective protest – politicalbetting.com

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  • Scott_xPScott_xP Posts: 38,151
    Fenman said:

    The NRA, after the latest mass shooting is quoting the second amendment, that enshrines the right to bear arms in order to ensure a well ordered militia. Right on NRA. So in order to have a gun the American government should call all gun owners up each year, for say two weeks, in other words their holidays, to serve in a well ordered militia. Their two weeks could have leisure element, for example by offering the opportunity to them to exercise their rights in, say, Afghanistan, Iraq or Yemen.

    https://twitter.com/PaulaChertok/status/1374419730501529606
  • Sunil_PrasannanSunil_Prasannan Posts: 53,688
    Yes Minister on BBC4 right now!
  • FrancisUrquhartFrancisUrquhart Posts: 83,550
    A grinning protester photographed giving a two-fingered salute while sprawled across the front of a torched police van at the height of the Bristol anarchy is the son of a senior civil servant working for the courts service, MailOnline can reveal.

    https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-9394319/Grinning-Bristol-protester-son-Courts-Service-civil-servant.html

    Only thing shocking is he doesn't have a posher first name...
  • kle4kle4 Posts: 98,601

    A grinning protester photographed giving a two-fingered salute while sprawled across the front of a torched police van at the height of the Bristol anarchy is the son of a senior civil servant working for the courts service, MailOnline can reveal.

    https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-9394319/Grinning-Bristol-protester-son-Courts-Service-civil-servant.html

    Only thing shocking is he doesn't have a posher first name...

    They guy's 27 - for some reason these 'child of a respectable person' rioter stories just don't seem as poignant unless they are some teenaged or university spod.
  • IanB2IanB2 Posts: 51,133

    Yes Minister on BBC4 right now!

    Reggie Perrin follows
  • stodgestodge Posts: 14,485


    My primary issue with it that it looks identical to what the unlocking roadmap would have looked like had we got to this point without vaccines. So the only thing the vaccines are doing is supposedly making it "irreversible", and such a thing cannot possibly be guaranteed without a crystal ball. And as others have said watch the scientists try to reverse that as we get towards the autumn anyway.

    At some point you have to say if the vaccines really are as good as we think they are that once you've vaccinated a certain proportion of people (plus 3 weeks for immunity to build) that you can unlock pretty much overnight, regardless of pretty much anything else.

    I don't know what that proportion is for sure but we cannot be far away from it in this country if we have over half the adult population jabbed once already.

    But in roadmap terms, we're still a long way from doing much meaningful unlocking.

    I think it very likely we will need booster vaccinations this autumn though I suspect the vaccines themselves will be improving rapidly so perhaps a high level of immediate immunity lasting a full year could be on offer by the autumn.

    There is a risk, IF the level of immunity from a second vaccination wears off more quickly than is imagined, we could rise a new push of cases but I think this improbable and the Government has secured enough vaccines for a second nationwide programme if and when required.

    We don't know how long high levels of efficacy will persist from a second vaccination - after all, we routinely vaccinate 15 million people every year against the flu so it seems reasonable we'll need to do something similar against Covid.
  • ydoethurydoethur Posts: 73,571
    kle4 said:

    You what? Making wild, false statements at the same time as promoting your or others' legal actions designed to achieve the same aim as those wild, false statements, and no one would conclude you actually meant it?

    From what little I know it is a very high bar to meet to prove defamation, but I hope to gods this lady crosses that bar.
    The Skwawkbox tried this defence as well, on the basis everyone knew that its author was a mad liar and Corbynite shill who will print any old rubbish if it showed his beloved Jez favourably.

    The judge was not totally impressed by this argument, although in a model of restraint he merely described it as ‘quite incredible.’

    And then awarded the case to the plaintiff...
  • stodgestodge Posts: 14,485
    HYUFD said:


    Britain would be permanently blown up if Scotland left

    As I explained to you last evening, the SNP leadership don't really want a second referendum. They'll talk about it, plan for it, claim they want it and will rely on Conservatives like you to ensure they never get it.

    They are the Union's and your biggest ally and you don't realise it.
  • FairlieredFairliered Posts: 5,609
    malcolmg said:

    Unfortunately all the dross from Labour are now in the SNP and they have made it even worse than labour was, going to be a poor 5 years if the current mob get a big majority, current leadership have corrupted the party totally. They don't want independence, they want to keep milking the system they have, all the gravy and Westminster to blame.
    Sadly true, Malc 😢
  • FrancisUrquhartFrancisUrquhart Posts: 83,550
    kle4 said:

    They guy's 27 - for some reason these 'child of a respectable person' rioter stories just don't seem as poignant unless they are some teenaged or university spod.
    One of my good friends at uni, her sister was one of the anti-capitalist twats who went round smashing shit it up every other week in the late 90s / 2000s...spod was bizarrely very happy for her lifestyle to bankrolled by daddy, including buying a house for cash in one of the wealthiest London commuter towns.

    Daddy of course could only afford all of this because he was very high up with a well know global corporation.
  • MexicanpeteMexicanpete Posts: 31,336
    Leon said:

    The proposed UK travel ban is a bit iffy. It exempts people with second homes which they need to visit for the purposes of rent, sale and maintenance (*waves at Stanley Johnson*)

    It ALSO exempts people who are considering buying property abroad and want to view it. I've been thinking of buying a little something in Portugal or Greece for a while.

    So I shall bring forward my vague plans and book a viewing in June and bingo, I'm off to the Med.

    Surely anyone could do this?

    I would hope fee paying membership of the Conservative Party was the minimum requirement for Western Europe. Then, the further the destination, the bigger the donation.
  • FrancisUrquhartFrancisUrquhart Posts: 83,550
    edited March 2021
    Leon said:

    The proposed UK travel ban is a bit iffy. It exempts people with second homes which they need to visit for the purposes of rent, sale and maintenance (*waves at Stanley Johnson*)

    It ALSO exempts people who are considering buying property abroad and want to view it. I've been thinking of buying a little something in Portugal or Greece for a while.

    So I shall bring forward my vague plans and book a viewing in June and bingo, I'm off to the Med.

    Surely anyone could do this?

    That's idiotic...its even worse than the vague "for work"...all the Instagram influencer idiots will be travelling the world claiming they are on the job... although to be fair, quite a lot of them probably were, sex work is work after all.

    I believe in Australia, you have to write to the government for a travel permit and if you leave and they find out your essential reason wasn't really that essential after all, very difficult to get another hall pass.
  • MexicanpeteMexicanpete Posts: 31,336
    IanB2 said:

    Reggie Perrin follows
    The BBC, time travel back to the 1970s and 80s and just for the price of a TV licence. Magic!
  • DavidLDavidL Posts: 55,191

    If Labour had done as Starmer asked the vote today would have been 58 v 65
    Sure, with her little green helpers and the fanatical loyalty of the SNP Sturgeon was never in any danger. But at least Labour would have engaged with the enemy that they want to take seats off in May. I struggle to think of a Tory seat in Scotland that Labour could realistically target. Every target is held by the SNP yet they still won't engage. Bizarre.
  • One of my good friends at uni, her sister was one of the anti-capitalist twats who went round smashing shit it up every other week in the late 90s / 2000s...spod was bizarrely very happy for her lifestyle to bankrolled by daddy, including buying a house for cash in one of the wealthiest London commuter towns.

    Daddy of course could only afford all of this because he was very high up with a well know global corporation.
    Sounds like the brother of someone I knew at university.

    He stopped smashing things up when he smashed up the wrong place and the owner of the establishment gave the rioters the hiding of their lives.

    I think he's on DLA whatever it is these days living in a council house, surrounded by the people he said he was protesting for. He hates it.
  • CatManCatMan Posts: 3,228

    Yes Minister on BBC4 right now!

    If only they had brought in the Euro Pass...
  • HYUFDHYUFD Posts: 127,113
    DavidL said:

    Sure, with her little green helpers and the fanatical loyalty of the SNP Sturgeon was never in any danger. But at least Labour would have engaged with the enemy that they want to take seats off in May. I struggle to think of a Tory seat in Scotland that Labour could realistically target. Every target is held by the SNP yet they still won't engage. Bizarre.
    Edlnburgh Central, which Labour needs a 4% swing to gain and which is currently Ruth Davidson's seat, is an easier SLab target than any SNP constituency seat, any gains SLab makes from the SNP are likely to mainly come on the list
  • dixiedeandixiedean Posts: 29,949
    CatMan said:

    If only they had brought in the Euro Pass...
    Appalled.
  • Did you parents not have a chat to you about the birds and the bees?
  • MexicanpeteMexicanpete Posts: 31,336
    edited March 2021
    malcolmg said:

    Unfortunately all the dross from Labour are now in the SNP and they have made it even worse than labour was, going to be a poor 5 years if the current mob get a big majority, current leadership have corrupted the party totally. They don't want independence, they want to keep milking the system they have, all the gravy and Westminster to blame.
    Just scratch the surface and the SCon beneath is revealed. Better to be done with it and vote for someone called D.Ross!
  • kle4kle4 Posts: 98,601
    "Prietty Patells new bill criminallising trespass is an attack on Traveller, Gypsy, Squatter and Homeless communities. The gov think being nomadick and free living makes your a crimainl. What do you think?"

    Looking past the spelling errors, which I can forgive, it seems a bit densely packed for a protest sign. I'd have gone with 'Being free thinking is not a crime...yet'.
  • FrancisUrquhartFrancisUrquhart Posts: 83,550
    kle4 said:

    "Prietty Patells new bill criminallising trespass is an attack on Traveller, Gypsy, Squatter and Homeless communities. The gov think being nomadick and free living makes your a crimainl. What do you think?"

    Looking past the spelling errors, which I can forgive, it seems a bit densely packed for a protest sign. I'd have gone with 'Being free thinking is not a crime...yet'.
    Not quite as easy a chant as what do we want....when do we want it...
  • Black_RookBlack_Rook Posts: 8,905

    I went to Asda today and it was heaving with few trollies available and near full car park.

    Same with B & Q now their garden centre is open

    Lots of vaccinated pensioners everywhere but also just lots of people acting as if covid is over
    People have had enough.

    On the broader topic of things Welsh - and apologies, because this is old news and has presumably already been done to death on PB - I just spotted the latest Welsh Barometer that came out yesterday. Now, I understand that Senedd polling is all about who gets to be Labour's junior partner, and is therefore almost as boring and monotonous a story as that for Holyrood, but I'm surprised just how weak Labour are becoming - especially since AIUI Welsh Labour has basically turned itself into a nationalist party and started selecting pro-independence candidates. Will it last?
  • LeonLeon Posts: 59,841
    MattW said:

    Credit to whoever it was on PB who read the whole thing, and to Jon Worth for pulling the plug on a questionable sounding story. Last thing we all need at the moment is more bushfires.

    https://twitter.com/jonworth/status/1374444408020463629

    Jon Worth is an absolute dick. Bad case of Strasbourg Syndrome. The other day he was exulting in the fact that the EU could steal all our vaccines AND impose No Deal Brexit, killing 8 million Brits and destroying what remains of our pathetic economy. Go Brussels!
  • bigjohnowlsbigjohnowls Posts: 22,924
    Bodes well for LE if not an outlier.

    I urge caution from SKS fans.

    My comrades who have been phone canvassing not reporting much of a swing from 2017 and if anything a worsening position in March calls

    Britain Elects
    @BritainElects
    ·
    2h
    Westminster voting intention:

    CON: 39% (-7)
    LAB: 37% (+8)
    LDEM: 9% (-1)

    via
    @BMGResearch
    , 16 - 19 Mar
  • felixfelix Posts: 15,180
    alex_ said:

    All in an Italian police station?
    In Sicily?
  • MexicanpeteMexicanpete Posts: 31,336

    Bodes well for LE if not an outlier.

    I urge caution from SKS fans.

    My comrades who have been phone canvassing not reporting much of a swing from 2017 and if anything a worsening position in March calls

    Britain Elects
    @BritainElects
    ·
    2h
    Westminster voting intention:

    CON: 39% (-7)
    LAB: 37% (+8)
    LDEM: 9% (-1)

    via
    @BMGResearch
    , 16 - 19 Mar

    That poll is about right for Labour but four or five points shy for the Tories.

    Don't forget Rishi's "free" money will be entering voter's bank accounts a week or two before the LEs. So for a while the double digit lead may well return.
  • Black_RookBlack_Rook Posts: 8,905
    HYUFD said:

    Britain would be permanently blown up if Scotland left
    Too late. Being British is a niche interest largely for Tories, ethnic minorities and very old people nowadays.

    Wait and see what comes out of the census results when they're published. The country is falling apart.
  • LeonLeon Posts: 59,841

    A grinning protester photographed giving a two-fingered salute while sprawled across the front of a torched police van at the height of the Bristol anarchy is the son of a senior civil servant working for the courts service, MailOnline can reveal.

    https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-9394319/Grinning-Bristol-protester-son-Courts-Service-civil-servant.html

    Only thing shocking is he doesn't have a posher first name...

    5 years in prison should wise him up, Do it. Do it like the Plasma Riots.
  • FishingFishing Posts: 5,511
    dixiedean said:

    Appalled.
    Yes Minister is of course fiction.

    No politician is ever as brave as Hacker, and we can only wish for civil servants as competent as Sir Humphrey.
  • LeonLeon Posts: 59,841
    kinabalu said:

    Yes I've noticed that. He's going for a kind of edgy patriotism.
    It works, well. Apparently he was very keen to take the portrait with him when he transferred department. I can see why
  • Sunil_PrasannanSunil_Prasannan Posts: 53,688
    kle4 said:

    "Prietty Patells new bill criminallising trespass is an attack on Traveller, Gypsy, Squatter and Homeless communities. The gov think being nomadick and free living makes your a crimainl. What do you think?"

    Looking past the spelling errors, which I can forgive, it seems a bit densely packed for a protest sign. I'd have gone with 'Being free thinking is not a crime...yet'.
    If she ever resigns, will Cressida become a Nomadick? :lol:
  • kle4kle4 Posts: 98,601
    Just finished reading Iain M Banks' Use of Weapons. With apologies to Malmesbury, there's just something about Banks I cannot get into. He was obviously creative and unconventional, but something in his works just doesn't click for me. It might in part be all the stream of consciousnes pontificating characters do, as despite being a fan of PB stream of consciousness is not my thing.
  • PulpstarPulpstar Posts: 79,235
    Big support for sharia below the Daily Mail line

    https://bit.ly/3vRDfm7
  • turbotubbsturbotubbs Posts: 18,630
    kle4 said:

    Just finished reading Iain M Banks' Use of Weapons. With apologies to Malmesbury, there's just something about Banks I cannot get into. He was obviously creative and unconventional, but something in his works just doesn't click for me. It might in part be all the stream of consciousnes pontificating characters do, as despite being a fan of PB stream of consciousness is not my thing.

    Have you tried his non-sci-fi? Loved the crow road when I first read it. Seem to recall it was filmed too.
  • Sunil_PrasannanSunil_Prasannan Posts: 53,688

    Too late. Being British is a niche interest largely for Tories, ethnic minorities and very old people nowadays.

    Wait and see what comes out of the census results when they're published. The country is falling apart.
    Racism! I put down British AND English on my Census!
  • IanB2IanB2 Posts: 51,133

    The BBC, time travel back to the 1970s and 80s and just for the price of a TV licence. Magic!
    Middle aged breakdown is a timeless subject
  • HYUFDHYUFD Posts: 127,113
    edited March 2021

    Too late. Being British is a niche interest largely for Tories, ethnic minorities and very old people nowadays.

    Wait and see what comes out of the census results when they're published. The country is falling apart.
    35% of English voters think of themselves as English and British, only 15% think of themselves as English not British

    https://blogs.lse.ac.uk/brexit/2019/02/14/is-it-the-english-question-or-the-british-question-the-three-strands-of-britishness/

    28% of Scots think they are Scottish not British, 29% think they are equally Scottish and British

    https://yougov.co.uk/topics/politics/articles-reports/2016/09/07/what-makes-person-scottish

    44% of Welsh voters say they are equally Welsh and British, 21% say they are Welsh not British

    https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-47475486
  • Sunil_PrasannanSunil_Prasannan Posts: 53,688
    Leon said:

    5 years in prison should wise him up, Do it. Do it like the Plasma Riots.
    EMA = Electrical Merchandise Allowance!
  • AnabobazinaAnabobazina Posts: 23,795
    Now the dust has settled, it’s clear that the irrepressible Sturgeon has pulled off yet another political win with this inquiry gubbins. Nobody understood it from the outset (and if you’re explaining, you’re losing) but the Tories up there seem to have blundered massively by jumping the gun.
  • kle4kle4 Posts: 98,601

    Have you tried his non-sci-fi? Loved the crow road when I first read it. Seem to recall it was filmed too.
    Not read his non-sci-fi yet. I did think Consider Phlebas was alright, but there's only so many chances I can give an author.
  • HYUFDHYUFD Posts: 127,113
    Fishing said:

    Yes Minister is of course fiction.

    No politician is ever as brave as Hacker, and we can only wish for civil servants as competent as Sir Humphrey.
    Sir Humphrey made a very shrewd observation in tonight's episode than the UK joined the Common Market precisely to ensure Europe remained disunited and to play the main European nations off against each other, the main British foreign policy objective of the last 500 years
  • algarkirkalgarkirk Posts: 14,012

    That poll is about right for Labour but four or five points shy for the Tories.

    Don't forget Rishi's "free" money will be entering voter's bank accounts a week or two before the LEs. So for a while the double digit lead may well return.
    With MoE every recent poll is consistent with the Tories being on 42 (all in the range 39-45).

    Ditto with MoE every poll is consistent with Labour on 35 or 36 (all in the range 33-38)
  • justin124justin124 Posts: 11,527
    Comres last week also had the main parties on 39% - 37% - implying a Hung Parliament similar to 2017. The Redfield & Wilton poll showing a 6% Tory lead would point to a Tory majority of circa 30. Neither poll prima facie appears to confirm the Wales Yougov poll.
  • IanB2IanB2 Posts: 51,133

    Now the dust has settled, it’s clear that the irrepressible Sturgeon has pulled off yet another political win with this inquiry gubbins. Nobody understood it from the outset (and if you’re explaining, you’re losing) but the Tories up there seem to have blundered massively by jumping the gun.

    They put the confidence vote before either of the inquiries had concluded, desperate to get in first, then found that they were on their own. Tragic tactics.
  • CatManCatMan Posts: 3,228

    Racism! I put down British AND English on my Census!
    I put English and French, despite my knowledge of French consisting mostly of Duolingo lessons, but I haven't felt British since I was a teenager.
  • kinabalu said:

    Any double decker works for me. I like to get the front seat on the top. Always a great day when that happens.
    Until the driver slams the brakes on.
  • People have had enough.

    On the broader topic of things Welsh - and apologies, because this is old news and has presumably already been done to death on PB - I just spotted the latest Welsh Barometer that came out yesterday. Now, I understand that Senedd polling is all about who gets to be Labour's junior partner, and is therefore almost as boring and monotonous a story as that for Holyrood, but I'm surprised just how weak Labour are becoming - especially since AIUI Welsh Labour has basically turned itself into a nationalist party and started selecting pro-independence candidates. Will it last?
    I assume this is the poll you refer to

    https://twitter.com/GuidoFawkes/status/1374436095153164288?s=19

    I have no idea where you get the idea labour in Wales has turned into a Nationalist party as there is no evidence I have seen for that observation and indeed Drakeford only a few days ago pledged his support for the union, and not for the first time

    Wales is not Scotland and Independence is not an issue
  • kle4kle4 Posts: 98,601
    Fishing said:

    Yes Minister is of course fiction.

    No politician is ever as brave as Hacker, and we can only wish for civil servants as competent as Sir Humphrey.
    I've always found it amusing that the ending 'triumph' of the series is the relative good guy of Hacker bullying and blackmailing an official into lying in order to cover a mistake Hacker made (albeit unintentionally), presented as a positive outcome. I know Humphrey was sinister at times, but that was harsh!
  • IanB2IanB2 Posts: 51,133
    HYUFD said:

    Sir Humphrey made a very shrewd observation in tonight's episode than the UK joined the Common Market precisely to ensure Europe remained disunited and to play the main European nations off against each other, the main British foreign policy objective of the last 500 years
    Trying the same from outside looks a tough proposition.
  • justin124justin124 Posts: 11,527
    alex_ said:

    Seems a bit unlikely. I can't think of too many things that would explain a 7pt swing in one month. More likely two outliers at opposite ends of the spectrum.
    The previous BMG poll was last April - 11 months ago!
  • LeonLeon Posts: 59,841

    Now the dust has settled, it’s clear that the irrepressible Sturgeon has pulled off yet another political win with this inquiry gubbins. Nobody understood it from the outset (and if you’re explaining, you’re losing) but the Tories up there seem to have blundered massively by jumping the gun.

    They didn't jump the gun. The Nats cleverly leaked the Holyrood report
  • MexicanpeteMexicanpete Posts: 31,336
    IanB2 said:

    Middle aged breakdown is a timeless subject
    Wasn't quite so timeless when Clunes reprised the role thirty years later.
  • kle4kle4 Posts: 98,601
    IanB2 said:

    Trying the same from outside looks a tough proposition.
    A point Sir Humphrey also made.
  • williamglennwilliamglenn Posts: 54,859

    I have no idea where you get the idea labour in Wales has turned into a Nationalist party as there is no evidence I have seen for that observation and indeed Drakeford only a few days ago pledged his support for the union, and not for the first time

    Wales is not Scotland and Independence is not an issue

    He keeps saying things like this:
    https://twitter.com/NationCymru/status/1374413553080311816
  • another_richardanother_richard Posts: 27,531
    Anyone know what the current situation is regarding:

    1) Pfizer available for second doses
    2) When Moderna will be delivered (April ?)
    3) When Novavax will be approved and what production levels will be

    With the big increase in first doses last week and this being AZN then they wont need the second doses to June.

    If AZN is being produced in the UK at a rate of 2m (or 3m ?) per week, and the possibility of another 5m from India, then there will be no shortage of those soon.
  • DavidLDavidL Posts: 55,191
    kle4 said:

    Not read his non-sci-fi yet. I did think Consider Phlebas was alright, but there's only so many chances I can give an author.
    Excession and Player of Games are probably his best 2 sci fi. On the non sci fi I would agree about the Crow Road and would also recommend the Business.

    But I'm a fan. When I finished Use of Weapons I was so gobsmacked that I went straight back to p1 and read it again.
  • kle4kle4 Posts: 98,601

    He keeps saying things like this:
    https://twitter.com/NationCymru/status/1374413553080311816
    Well that approach becomes a bit self fulfilling.
  • solarflaresolarflare Posts: 3,932
    kle4 said:

    Just finished reading Iain M Banks' Use of Weapons. With apologies to Malmesbury, there's just something about Banks I cannot get into. He was obviously creative and unconventional, but something in his works just doesn't click for me. It might in part be all the stream of consciousnes pontificating characters do, as despite being a fan of PB stream of consciousness is not my thing.

    I love Use of Weapons. If you want to persist with Banks and want the sci-fi without the Culture, try Against A Dark Background, which is awesome.

    For something else but still Scottish author sci-fi, try some Ken Macleod, is my other recommendation.
  • He keeps saying things like this:
    https://twitter.com/NationCymru/status/1374413553080311816
    That is not the same as supporting independence
  • RazedabodeRazedabode Posts: 3,106
    Leon said:

    They didn't jump the gun. The Nats cleverly leaked the Holyrood report
    Yup, this is probably what’s happened.

    Either way, I’m not necessarily convinced it is a bad thing Sturgeon continues on. I had thought she was extremely capable, but the whole saga is generally dodgy
  • LeonLeon Posts: 59,841
    kle4 said:

    "Prietty Patells new bill criminallising trespass is an attack on Traveller, Gypsy, Squatter and Homeless communities. The gov think being nomadick and free living makes your a crimainl. What do you think?"

    Looking past the spelling errors, which I can forgive, it seems a bit densely packed for a protest sign. I'd have gone with 'Being free thinking is not a crime...yet'.
    The phrase "Nomadick", ie "Noma dick" is.... historically quite exultantly inappropriate in almost every way

    I will take PB through the atrocities here

    First

    Dick? Really? Are they saying Roma, and travelling communities are a bit "dick"? I don't need to explain this. So I will let it go.It is trivial. But juxtaposing it in a new word with Noma such that you look at NOMA and say "what's that"?

    Noma is this. Be warned:

    https://www.google.com/search?q=noma+disease&rlz=1C1CHBF_en-GBGB880TH882&sxsrf=ALeKk00HU43dJ1DnvV6xJWZRVx4wgmZ8iQ:1616532530830&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjm-ZH6pMfvAhVzwuYKHfLqD9QQ_AUoAXoECBMQAw&biw=1504&bih=860&dpr=1.5

    It is a hideous, disfiguring facial disease. Quite appalling. 3 minutes of Googling this and you will never google it again.

    And, guess what?

    Noma, the disease, particularly infected Roma communities in the Nazi death camps. I do not joke

    https://www.mp.pl/auschwitz/journal/english/211091,noma-cases-among-the-roma-in-auschwitz-birkenau


    If I were a particularly mean but devious Daily Mail journalist (I am not) I could target the person who created this placard, cleverly insinuate that they intended to insult Roma people with a facial disease they suffered in death camps, at the same time as I called them "dicks". ..


    They would be so cancelled they would probably have to live on another planet
  • MexicanpeteMexicanpete Posts: 31,336
    justin124 said:

    Comres last week also had the main parties on 39% - 37% - implying a Hung Parliament similar to 2017. The Redfield & Wilton poll showing a 6% Tory lead would point to a Tory majority of circa 30. Neither poll prima facie appears to confirm the Wales Yougov poll.
    I think Wales is uniquely different. In Wales Johnson is rewarded for the vaccine rollout and Drakeford penalised for closing the pubs. In England Johnson's reward for vaccinations is tempered somewhat by his closing the pubs
  • another_richardanother_richard Posts: 27,531
    edited March 2021
    kle4 said:

    "Prietty Patells new bill criminallising trespass is an attack on Traveller, Gypsy, Squatter and Homeless communities. The gov think being nomadick and free living makes your a crimainl. What do you think?"

    Looking past the spelling errors, which I can forgive, it seems a bit densely packed for a protest sign. I'd have gone with 'Being free thinking is not a crime...yet'.
    It looks like they wanted a sign guaranteed to lose them working class support.
  • solarflaresolarflare Posts: 3,932
    DavidL said:

    Excession and Player of Games are probably his best 2 sci fi. On the non sci fi I would agree about the Crow Road and would also recommend the Business.

    But I'm a fan. When I finished Use of Weapons I was so gobsmacked that I went straight back to p1 and read it again.
    Have you read Dead Air? That's brilliant.
  • SeaShantyIrish2SeaShantyIrish2 Posts: 17,559

    Racism! I put down British AND English on my Census!
    Next time, add "North Cornish" to the list.

    Then see IF you can get a subsidy from the Duke of Cornwall's Very Special Fund for Fuq-all.
  • HYUFDHYUFD Posts: 127,113
    edited March 2021

    He keeps saying things like this:
    https://twitter.com/NationCymru/status/1374413553080311816
    As long as Drakeford remains in charge, Wales is actually 'sleepwalking' from Labour to the Tories on the latest Welsh polls today. The pro independence Plaid remain a distant third.

    https://twitter.com/BritainElects/status/1374139085061820416?s=20

    https://twitter.com/ElectionMapsUK/status/1374284453888024576?s=20
  • williamglennwilliamglenn Posts: 54,859
    edited March 2021
    France is having more data issues. They say that the results of 200,000 tests haven't been able to be integrated with their dataset, so they are unable to publish a figure for the number of positives today.
  • TheScreamingEaglesTheScreamingEagles Posts: 121,688
    edited March 2021
    Time for modern day Operations Husky, Avalanche, Baytown, and Slapstick.

    https://twitter.com/john_hooper/status/1374460029525356553
  • kle4kle4 Posts: 98,601
    edited March 2021

    I love Use of Weapons. If you want to persist with Banks and want the sci-fi without the Culture, try Against A Dark Background, which is awesome.

    For something else but still Scottish author sci-fi, try some Ken Macleod, is my other recommendation.
    Thanks, I may give it a try - I have read some MacLeod, as I picked up a couple of his books in Wigtown, as it happens, and quite enjoyed them. With Banks I feel like I should enjoy things more than I do, trying to figure out what I am missing that others are getting out of it, as it's clearly well written and well crafted.
  • justin124justin124 Posts: 11,527
    Andy_JS said:
    Andy_JS said:
    Rather sad. He has often commented on the Vote UK site.
  • MexicanpeteMexicanpete Posts: 31,336

    That is not the same as supporting independence
    Drakey may be as dull as dishwater, but he knows if Scotland jump the Union ship, there will be a domino effect in Wales.
  • Time for modern day Operations Husky, Baytown, and Slapstick.

    https://twitter.com/john_hooper/status/1374460029525356553

    To be honest you just could not make these stories up

    Looks as Europe has completely lost the plot
  • solarflaresolarflare Posts: 3,932
    kle4 said:

    Thanks, I may give it a try - I have read some MacLeod, as I picked up a couple of his books in Wigtown, as it happens, and quite enjoyed them. With Banks I feel like I should enjoy things more than I do, trying to figure out what I am missing that others are getting out of it, as it's clearly well written and well crafted.
    Oh, nice. What Macleod books were they?
  • another_richardanother_richard Posts: 27,531
    edited March 2021
    If we're recommending sci-fi novels then this is good and written in an interesting style:

    https://www.amazon.co.uk/Stand-Zanzibar-S-F-MASTERWORKS-Brunner/dp/1473206375/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=stand+on+zanzibar&qid=1616533402&sr=8-1

    There are seven billion-plus humans crowding the surface of 21st-century Earth. It is an age of intelligent computers, mass-market psychedelic drugs, politics conducted by assassination, scientists who burn incense to appease volcanoes ... all the hysteria of a dangerously overcrowded world, portrayed in a dazzlingly inventive style.

    Moving, sensory, impressionistic, as jagged as the times it portrays, this book is a real mind stretcher - and yet beautifully orchestrated to give a vivid picture of the whole.

  • RazedabodeRazedabode Posts: 3,106

    Drakey may be as dull as dishwater, but he knows if Scotland jump the Union ship, there will be a domino effect in Wales.
    Hey, while we’re at it, we may as well all go back to the constituent nations of the UK.

    Not sure where that would leave us. England as the largest (presumably most dominant) nation in the isles?
  • DavidLDavidL Posts: 55,191
    Stand on Zanzibar is an all time classic. One of the true greats of sci fi.
  • kle4kle4 Posts: 98,601
    edited March 2021

    Oh, nice. What Macleod books were they?
    Learning the World, and the Engines of Light trilogy (sadly I don't actually remember much about the latter, other than enjoying them at the time). I remember it distinctly as I completely mispronounced his name while purchasing them, in Scotland.

    On Banks, looking him up I see apparently his last book was about a fairly youngish man dying of cancer, written before he discovered he had terminal cancel. Jesus.
  • MexicanpeteMexicanpete Posts: 31,336
    algarkirk said:

    With MoE every recent poll is consistent with the Tories being on 42 (all in the range 39-45).

    Ditto with MoE every poll is consistent with Labour on 35 or 36 (all in the range 33-38)
    Yes, I think a six or seven point Tory lead is about right for the moment, that's where I am too.
  • Luckyguy1983Luckyguy1983 Posts: 30,846
  • LeonLeon Posts: 59,841

    Time for modern day Operations Husky, Baytown, and Slapstick.

    https://twitter.com/john_hooper/status/1374460029525356553

    I've no idea what those Operations are, but I hope they involve us flying in the Royal Marines and the SAS, with a side order of MI6, seizing these unused vax phials in their millions, a la Entebbe, and choppering them home to save millions of Brits, as the euroloons clearly have no obvious desire to utilise this vax, indeed they are oddly keen to throw the jabs in the bin yet prosecute anyone for emptying the bin
  • another_richardanother_richard Posts: 27,531

    Time for modern day Operations Husky, Avalanche, Baytown, and Slapstick.

    https://twitter.com/john_hooper/status/1374460029525356553

    So if someone dies because their vaccination was consequently cancelled will the prosecutor be charged with manslaughter ?
  • DavidLDavidL Posts: 55,191

    Have you read Dead Air? That's brilliant.
    I have but only once to be honest. It didn't really grab me.
  • justin124justin124 Posts: 11,527
    HYUFD said:

    As long as Drakeford remains in charge, Wales is actually 'sleepwalking' from Labour to the Tories on the latest Welsh polls today. The pro independence Plaid remain a distant third.

    https://twitter.com/BritainElects/status/1374139085061820416?s=20

    https://twitter.com/ElectionMapsUK/status/1374284453888024576?s=20
    It would be good to see a non-Yougov poll in Wales - given that their last two GB polls showed evidence of a pro-Tory skew with leads of 13% and 9%.
  • MexicanpeteMexicanpete Posts: 31,336

    Hey, while we’re at it, we may as well all go back to the constituent nations of the UK.

    Not sure where that would leave us. England as the largest (presumably most dominant) nation in the isles?
    I am expecting a united Ireland too.

    An independent Wales won't happen immediately, but the notion of subservience to our feudal landlord will start to grate.
  • solarflaresolarflare Posts: 3,932
    kle4 said:

    Learning the World, and the Engines of Light trilogy (sadly I don't actually remember much about the latter, other than enjoying them at the time). I remember it distinctly as I completely mispronounced his name while purchasing them, in Scotland.

    On Banks, looking him up I see apparently his last book was about a fairly youngish man dying of cancer, written before he discovered he had terminal cancel. Jesus.
    Those are good, but there are even better Macleod books in my opinion. The Fall Revolution series (The Star Fraction, The Stone Canal, The Cassini Division & The Sky Road), Intrusion, and The Execution Channel (my second favourite book ever) are my recommended reads.
  • Leon said:

    I've no idea what those Operations are, but I hope they involve us flying in the Royal Marines and the SAS, with a side order of MI6, seizing these unused vax phials in their millions, a la Entebbe, and choppering them home to save millions of Brits, as the euroloons clearly have no obvious desire to utilise this vax, indeed they are oddly keen to throw the jabs in the bin yet prosecute anyone for emptying the bin
    Operation Husky was the allied invasion of Sicily during WWII.

    Operations Avalanche, Baytown, and Slapstick were the allied invasion of mainland Italy during WWII.
  • HYUFDHYUFD Posts: 127,113
    edited March 2021

    Drakey may be as dull as dishwater, but he knows if Scotland jump the Union ship, there will be a domino effect in Wales.
    Scotland will not be going anywhere soon while we continue to have a PM committed to respect the once in a generation 2014 vote and with the SNP no longer even sure of a Holyrood majority.

    Scotland also voted to stay in the EU so has an alternative to the UK even if it did eventually leave the Union, Wales voted to Leave the EU, so if it left the UK too it would be completely alone, hence Plaid remains a poor third in Wales
  • Time_to_LeaveTime_to_Leave Posts: 2,547

    Time for modern day Operations Husky, Avalanche, Baytown, and Slapstick.

    https://twitter.com/john_hooper/status/1374460029525356553

    Jesus Christ. Who the fuck are these people?
  • Big_G_NorthWalesBig_G_NorthWales Posts: 65,031
    edited March 2021
    Every day seems to bring more and more controversy and no doubt tomorrow will be no different

    HMG to send in commissioners to take on the day to day management of Liverpool City

    Alex Salmond's press conference

    PMQ's though I expect that to be boring if it is like the last few
  • another_richardanother_richard Posts: 27,531
    Leon said:

    I've no idea what those Operations are, but I hope they involve us flying in the Royal Marines and the SAS, with a side order of MI6, seizing these unused vax phials in their millions, a la Entebbe, and choppering them home to save millions of Brits, as the euroloons clearly have no obvious desire to utilise this vax, indeed they are oddly keen to throw the jabs in the bin yet prosecute anyone for emptying the bin
    Its the Pfizer doses which are important for the UK not the AZN.

    And the number of deaths has already dropped like a stone and will continue to do so.
  • DavidLDavidL Posts: 55,191

    Jesus Christ. Who the fuck are these people?
    The great, great grandson of the last witchfinder general. Nothing else makes sense.
  • LeonLeon Posts: 59,841
    Fuck. Brazil.

    Nearly 80,000 cases. Nearly 3,000 deaths. Today. So far

    https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/#countries

    I might be wrong but I think that is their highest daily death rate so far, a year after they began. Awful. Awful.

    What is going on? New variants?
  • kle4kle4 Posts: 98,601

    Those are good, but there are even better Macleod books in my opinion. The Fall Revolution series (The Star Fraction, The Stone Canal, The Cassini Division & The Sky Road), Intrusion, and The Execution Channel (my second favourite book ever) are my recommended reads.
    In return I'd recommend Children of Time by Adrian Tchaikovsky. Took be genuinely by surprise and was moving and deep without seeming preachy or pretentious (mostly). It's followup Children of Ruin was not quite as good, but still very interesting.
  • Luckyguy1983Luckyguy1983 Posts: 30,846
    Leon said:

    Fuck. Brazil.

    Nearly 80,000 cases. Nearly 3,000 deaths. Today. So far

    https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/#countries

    I might be wrong but I think that is their highest daily death rate so far, a year after they began. Awful. Awful.

    What is going on? New variants?

    Don't see what they've done to deserve your ire.
  • FishingFishing Posts: 5,511
    IanB2 said:

    Trying the same from outside looks a tough proposition.
    Unfortunately it hasn't been realistic since the Single European Act - the creation of a single market, and giving the Commission the power to enforce it, has meant that Divide and Rule no longer really worked. Nor did vetoing, as Cameron found out in 2011.
  • TheScreamingEaglesTheScreamingEagles Posts: 121,688
    edited March 2021
    Leon said:

    Fuck. Brazil.

    Nearly 80,000 cases. Nearly 3,000 deaths. Today. So far

    https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/#countries

    I might be wrong but I think that is their highest daily death rate so far, a year after they began. Awful. Awful.

    What is going on? New variants?

    You have a Covid-19 denier in charge, see this thread.

    https://twitter.com/DrEricDing/status/1372005826383204353

    This is what happens when the health system gets overwhelmed by Covid-19.

    https://twitter.com/tomphillipsin/status/1372556730635288576
This discussion has been closed.