The Lib Dems look likely to give it a go in Chesham and Amersham – politicalbetting.com

IshmaelZ said:

CarlottaVance said:

The survey also found that most independence supporters agreed with other verifiably false statements relating to official Scottish Government figures. These are myths widely shared on social media which, to be blunt, imply that the Scottish Government’s economists are idiots.

- 54 per cent of independence supporters agree that 'Scottish tax revenues are understated because of Scottish exports leaving via English ports'

- 66 per cent agree that 'Scottish tax revenues are understated because taxes generated by the whisky industry are not properly allocated to Scotland'

- 55 per cent agree that 'Scotland is only seen to be running a deficit because some costs outside of Scotland, like HS2 and infrastructure spending in the South East, are charged to Scotland'

This denial of the Scottish Government’s economic data and belief in myths about how the figures are compiled is consistent with our survey’s finding that only 20 per cent of independence supporters are aware that total public spending in Scotland is more than the amount raised in taxes.

https://www.spectator.co.uk/article/independence-case-is-built-on-myths-denial-and-conspiracy-theories

All quite credible fallacies if you don't know the answer. And there is no reason to expect people to know the stats come from Edinburgh not Whitehall. The failure is on the part of the unionists for not rebutting all this.

Most staggering numbers in the article are the Scotch deficit of 5.7bn counting spending in Scotland alone, 13.1bn including overseas spending on their behalf.

The most telling fact with GERs is that when they were good, SNP used them to justify independence. Now awful, they are a made up unionist ploy that should be ignored

CarlottaVance said:

The survey also found that most independence supporters agreed with other verifiably false statements relating to official Scottish Government figures. These are myths widely shared on social media which, to be blunt, imply that the Scottish Government’s economists are idiots.

- 54 per cent of independence supporters agree that 'Scottish tax revenues are understated because of Scottish exports leaving via English ports'

- 66 per cent agree that 'Scottish tax revenues are understated because taxes generated by the whisky industry are not properly allocated to Scotland'

- 55 per cent agree that 'Scotland is only seen to be running a deficit because some costs outside of Scotland, like HS2 and infrastructure spending in the South East, are charged to Scotland'

This denial of the Scottish Government’s economic data and belief in myths about how the figures are compiled is consistent with our survey’s finding that only 20 per cent of independence supporters are aware that total public spending in Scotland is more than the amount raised in taxes.

https://www.spectator.co.uk/article/independence-case-is-built-on-myths-denial-and-conspiracy-theories

Spending FOR Scotland is not the same as spending IN Scotlanf.

IanB2 said:

Lion_of_Penarth said:

kinabalu said:

Lion_of_Penarth said:

An empty vessel makes the most noise, but a brick is more sound.

If something that one knows will cause much distress and confusion can be strangled at birth, should it be?

I do not question the wisdom of the Divine Author.

Funny sort of god, that hangs around bus station bookstands

To fully represent society, even a great artist must observe the tax collectors, harlots, and gamblers.

ydoethur said:

Incidentally, anyone who wants to drown in pure snooker geek can try this quiz.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/snooker/47883018

At risk of sounding like a sad person with no life, I got them all right with only one false move and not looking any of them up.

That’s impressive!

Anyone know of a non-BBC broadcaster of tonight’s match?

Sandpit said:

ydoethur said:

Incidentally, anyone who wants to drown in pure snooker geek can try this quiz.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/snooker/47883018

At risk of sounding like a sad person with no life, I got them all right with only one false move and not looking any of them up.

That’s impressive!

Anyone know of a non-BBC broadcaster of tonight’s match?

Eurosport have been broadcasting at least some of the matches.

Evening all

Just to note the latest INSA poll in Germany has the Union and the Greens tied at 24% so not much change.

A slightly more interesting poll from Austria where the OVP has its lowest number, 33% (-2) for some time. The big winners are their coalition partners, the Greens, who are up three to 13%. The SPD are on 25% and the FPO on 18% with NEOS on 9%.

Elsewhere, slight moves away from the governing parties in Portugal and Denmark but both remain in clear leads over their opposition.

Further north, Norway votes on 13th September and the ruling centre-right bloc looks in big trouble:

https://twitter.com/EuropeElects/status/1389126720415047681/photo/1

A coalition between the Social Democrats and the Farmers Party looks on the cards on those numbers.

Lion_of_Penarth said:

Wearing masks is a natural part of the human condition.

I can use Haiku generators too:

Shivering leaping
A hyberbolic SeanT rants
after the betting

Does the Lib Dems giving it a go mean not lose their deposit?

IanB2 said:

Lion_of_Penarth said:

kinabalu said:

Lion_of_Penarth said:

An empty vessel makes the most noise, but a brick is more sound.

If something that one knows will cause much distress and confusion can be strangled at birth, should it be?

I do not question the wisdom of the Divine Author.

Funny sort of god, that hangs around bus station bookstands

God IS a funny one, ain't she?

Simon & Garfunkel - The Sounds of Silence
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4fWyzwo1xg0

SOUNDS OF SILENCE
Paul Simon (and a huge hit for Simon and Garfunkel back in ancient times)

Hello darkness, my old friend
I've come to talk with you again
Because a vision softly creeping
Left its seeds while I was sleeping
And the vision that was planted in my brain
Still remains
Within the sound of silence

In restless dreams I walked alone
Narrow streets of cobblestone
'Neath the halo of a street lamp
I turned my collar to the cold and damp
When my eyes were stabbed by the flash of a neon light
That split the night
And touched the sound of silence

And in the naked light I saw
Ten thousand people, maybe more
People talking without speaking
People hearing without listening
People writing songs that voices never share
No one dared
Disturb the sound of silence

"Fools" said I, "You do not know
Silence like a cancer grows
Hear my words that I might teach you
Take my arms that I might reach you"
But my words like silent raindrops fell
And echoed in the wells of silence

And the people bowed and prayed
To the neon god they made
And the sign flashed out its warning
In the words that it was forming
And the sign said, "The words of the prophets
Are written on the subway walls
And tenement halls
And whispered in the sounds of silence"

Casino_Royale said:

Lion_of_Penarth said:

Wearing masks is a natural part of the human condition.

I can use Haiku generators too:

Shivering leaping
A hyberbolic SeanT rants
after the betting

Reviews are already in:

"The juxtaposition of "SeanT" and "betting" is truly inspired." - The Daily Tale

"I don't like short poems. So why am I reviewing a haiku, you may wonder? Well, I liked the title - 'SeanT'. It went down hill from there." - Enid Kibbler

"Amazing how so few words can set a scene so perfectly. I close my eyes and all I can see is the shivering leaping SeanT." - Hit the Spoof

"I felt that I was SeanT. It was spooky. I hope to read more by Casino Royale. Perhaps next time, something longer." - Zob Gloop

"I've always wanted to write a haiku about SeanT. I can't believe Casino Royale has beaten me to it." - Betty Borison

"Germany, INSA poll:

CDU/CSU-EPP: 24% (+1)
GRÜNE-G/EFA: 24% (+1)
SPD-S&D: 15% (-1)
AfD-ID: 12%
FDP-RE: 12%
LINKE-LEFT: 7% (-1)

+/- vs. 23-26 April 2021

Fieldwork: 30 April - 3 May 2021
Sample size: 2,075"

https://twitter.com/EuropeElects/status/1389281906513129477

Cyclefree said:

Nemtynakht said:

Cyclefree said:

Re what we were discussing the other day about Grenfell and the construction industry - https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/toxic-and-dysfunctional-industry-in-race-to-the-bottom-kmd8n7ct9

A summary: "“The largest of the many problems in the industry is the broken business model that promotes a race to the bottom in standards. Taken together that is a toxic equation.”

From an initial reading it sounds very similar to what happened in finance - the obsession with making money to the exclusion of all else has resulted in appalling risk management and a poor culture and nothing will change until the industry realises it has to change. Forcing it to pay up for Grenfell might have kickstarted that change. Instead it has been let off the hook.

Police
The construction industry
Finance
The Post Office
The NHS
The press
Charities
Churches

All of these and others have suffered repeated scandals over the years, in some cases, over decades. All of them have to a greater or lesser extent been in denial of the extent of the problems and what is really needed to effect real change for the better.

We are far too complacent, far too ready to accept the second and third rate, far too willing to pat ourselves on the back for past glories, far too willing to entrust our governance to fundamentally frivolous and unserious individuals, far too willing to sneer at the incompetences and failings of others instead of addressing the beams in our own eyes. Until we do, nothing much will change for the better.

The problem I saw regarding the cladding at Grenfell is that the official information looked fine. For me the comparison is VW emissions. The systems for design of buildings is now so complicated that detailed analysis need to be done by engineers. If the information they are using is wrong - design error, product fraud, incompatible designs - then the end result will not be correct. Even those employed to supervise these sort of standards for investors, and I used to work for such a consultant years ago, are reliant on the professional competence of others.

The best people to speak to are the site foremen. I remember my first time on a building site on work experience and the site foreman got into a row with the surveyor I was with because the drawings whilst attractive, were impossible to build!

I am quite interested in construction, partly as a result of building a house for the last few years, partly because one of my children's godparents was a builder who taught me quite a lot about how houses work, materials, how to build things etc and partly because of much husband's profession. The builder learnt the old-fashioned way, through a proper apprenticeship and his big beef was that too many people called themselves builders but simply did not have the skills to build houses properly. His other beef was with clients who concentrated on the look and decoration but did not want to spend money on stuff like roofs, plumbing, proper insulation - all the stuff you can't see but which makes a house work well. He said that meant they tended to go for cheap quotes and also made them prey to every type of conman going.

Having stripped two houses back to the bare bones, it is fascinating to see how they are built and when you see what is involved you realise why it costs - if you want to do it properly. But, curiously, for a property-mad country, we focus too much on the superficial - kitchens and wallpaper - and not enough on the structural stuff. It might even serve as a metaphor for our attitude to many other things as well.

@cyclefree I am the opposite really of what you describe latterly. I don't really have many pictures on the walls and prefer plain good quality paints and carpets rather than fashionably expensive wallpaper. I prefer a sturdy well made piece of furniture!

I can recommend the course book from my building surveying qualification 'The construction of houses' by Duncan Marshall. You can get a second hand copy for a tenner on eBay and it shows how houses are put together. Not everyone's cup of tea I know but even our resident fiction writer could learn where to hide the bodies!!

Stocky said:

state_go_away said:

Anabobazina said:

Sandpit said:

Cyclefree said:

another_richard said:

Cookie said:

another_richard said:

SouthamObserver said:

I am not convinced by the poll shifts we are seeing. If you look at the below the line numbers, Johnson's own favourability levels have hardly dropped at all (except with Opinium). That says to me that we are not hearing anything other than a bit of mood music. All the political fundamentals heavily favour the Tories: the vaccine roll-out trucking, lockdown easing, house prices rising, economic confidence soaring, the triple lock as firm as ever. Nothing has really changed. We could well be back to double digit Tory leads pretty quickly.

Possibly.

But its a warning to Boris.

His slack personal management causes him problems and the Carrie Antoinette stuff does rile voters.

If he's sensible (yes, I know) and learns from events then he's been given another piece of luck.

I couldn't really care less about his wife or his wallpaper. I'm more concerned that he is reverse ferreting on the end of restrictions on June 21st.

I think if he'd brought forward the May 17th restriction ending by one week it would have given some space for keeping other restrictions in July.

But it seems that restrictions can only be changed in one direction.

If journalists were doing their job properly, they would be asking Ministers this: if any restrictions continue beyond June, will the support for business affected by those restrictions continue getting support? And if there is no support then surely there should be no restrictions. You cannot have one without the other.

Masks in pubs and restaurants is not normal. They have to go and if they don't such businesses cannot stand on their own two feet.

So which is it: normality and no support or continuing restrictions and continuing support?

Maybe I’m the only one on here who, having compulsorily worn a mask everywhere outside my own house for more than a year, doesn’t think too much about it any more.

Masks in pub toilets and worn by staff is an insignificant restriction, compared to pubs having to take half their chairs out, sign people in and stop groups mixing. I agree that taking chairs out by order of government needs to come with financial support attached.

Wrong. Nobody wants to go to a nice restaurant and be confronted with the masked hordes. My wife doesn’t even like going shopping when people are wearing masks, never mind going out on the town. @Cyclefree is right: they are not normal.

Watching the snooker over the weekend is weird and creepy .Nice to see audiences in but I would not go if I had to wear a mask . Even if they do prevent spread (unproven ) there is no serious disease to spread anymore. In most elections I normally vote tory . Would have this one as well given the vaccine roll out success. I will not be doing so though because they are far too slow in lifting restrictions this year

And, there are some people who are happy to keep wearing masks to reduce cold and flu transmission. Before Covid this sort of oddness was very fringe.

I seriously wonder what sort of world these people want to live in.

As polite as Japan?

Philip_Thompson said:

TheScreamingEagles said:

Andy_JS said:

SeaShantyIrish2 said:

Stocky said:

state_go_away said:

Anabobazina said:

Sandpit said:

Cyclefree said:

another_richard said:

Cookie said:

another_richard said:

SouthamObserver said:

I am not convinced by the poll shifts we are seeing. If you look at the below the line numbers, Johnson's own favourability levels have hardly dropped at all (except with Opinium). That says to me that we are not hearing anything other than a bit of mood music. All the political fundamentals heavily favour the Tories: the vaccine roll-out trucking, lockdown easing, house prices rising, economic confidence soaring, the triple lock as firm as ever. Nothing has really changed. We could well be back to double digit Tory leads pretty quickly.

Possibly.

But its a warning to Boris.

His slack personal management causes him problems and the Carrie Antoinette stuff does rile voters.

If he's sensible (yes, I know) and learns from events then he's been given another piece of luck.

I couldn't really care less about his wife or his wallpaper. I'm more concerned that he is reverse ferreting on the end of restrictions on June 21st.

I think if he'd brought forward the May 17th restriction ending by one week it would have given some space for keeping other restrictions in July.

But it seems that restrictions can only be changed in one direction.

If journalists were doing their job properly, they would be asking Ministers this: if any restrictions continue beyond June, will the support for business affected by those restrictions continue getting support? And if there is no support then surely there should be no restrictions. You cannot have one without the other.

Masks in pubs and restaurants is not normal. They have to go and if they don't such businesses cannot stand on their own two feet.

So which is it: normality and no support or continuing restrictions and continuing support?

Maybe I’m the only one on here who, having compulsorily worn a mask everywhere outside my own house for more than a year, doesn’t think too much about it any more.

Masks in pub toilets and worn by staff is an insignificant restriction, compared to pubs having to take half their chairs out, sign people in and stop groups mixing. I agree that taking chairs out by order of government needs to come with financial support attached.

Wrong. Nobody wants to go to a nice restaurant and be confronted with the masked hordes. My wife doesn’t even like going shopping when people are wearing masks, never mind going out on the town. @Cyclefree is right: they are not normal.

Watching the snooker over the weekend is weird and creepy .Nice to see audiences in but I would not go if I had to wear a mask . Even if they do prevent spread (unproven ) there is no serious disease to spread anymore. In most elections I normally vote tory . Would have this one as well given the vaccine roll out success. I will not be doing so though because they are far too slow in lifting restrictions this year

And, there are some people who are happy to keep wearing masks to reduce cold and flu transmission. Before Covid this sort of oddness was very fringe.

I seriously wonder what sort of world these people want to live in.

A world where they're free to wear a mask for health reasons without social pressure or stigma IF they want to?

Here's a prediction: people will continue wearing masks in the puritan United States for a lot longer than they will here in Europe.

Considering mask usage in America is much lower than in Europe that's a bad prediction.

It'll linger longer there for the same reason it isn't as high there in the first place. Because the whole thing has been so politicised.

Some GOPers have been refusing to wear a mask, because of politics.
Some Democrats will continue to wear one long after its unnecessary, because of politics.

Yes. Though as per usual, the Republicans will tend to display more internal discipline and cohesion.

YBarddCwsc said:

ydoethur said:

Sandpit said:

ydoethur said:

Incidentally, anyone who wants to drown in pure snooker geek can try this quiz.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/snooker/47883018

At risk of sounding like a sad person with no life, I got them all right with only one false move and not looking any of them up.

That’s impressive!

Anyone know of a non-BBC broadcaster of tonight’s match?

Eurosport have been broadcasting at least some of the matches.

I trust you successfully made it to the bracing Welsh coast.

Well - yes and no. I made it to the coastal path between Llanaber and Llanbedr, but I didn’t get as far as the actual shore. Too damn windy and wet, and like a fool I had forgotten my waterproof trousers.

Traffic wasn’t great, which hopefully is a sign lots of money got spent over the last two days. Took an hour to drive from Bala to Llangollen.

TheScreamingEagles said:

This might be the greatest pun in human history.

They do it all by pricking the lawns.

dixiedean said:

Sandpit said:

ydoethur said:

Sandpit said:

ydoethur said:

Incidentally, anyone who wants to drown in pure snooker geek can try this quiz.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/snooker/47883018

At risk of sounding like a sad person with no life, I got them all right with only one false move and not looking any of them up.

That’s impressive!

Anyone know of a non-BBC broadcaster of tonight’s match?

Eurosport have been broadcasting at least some of the matches.

Thanks, will try and find that.

Another night when the BBC would rather screw their potential overseas audience by shutting down a bunch more VPN providers, while still not allowing them to subscribe - PAY THEM MONEY -to the legitimate iPlayer site.

I believe the WST has sold the overseas rights. So they couldn't.

Yeah you’re right, from the link above. Trying to get WST online stream working now, for some reason it prefers you to be on a phone rather than a 65” TV.

squareroot2 said:

Does the Lib Dems giving it a go mean not lose their deposit?

In the case of seats where they were in second place to the Tories at the preceding general election it means winning. Go check it.

That's one of the best clearances under pressure I've ever seen.

MikeSmithson said:

squareroot2 said:

Does the Lib Dems giving it a go mean not lose their deposit?

In the case of seats where they were in second place to the Tories at the preceding general election it means winning. Go check it.

But are the LibDems of THIS decade, made of the same stuff as past editions?

Isn't THAT the £64,000 question?

kinabalu said:

That's one of the best clearances under pressure I've ever seen.

Is that West Brom v. Wolves? Which defender?

MikeSmithson said:

squareroot2 said:

Does the Lib Dems giving it a go mean not lose their deposit?

In the case of seats where they were in second place to the Tories at the preceding general election it means winning. Go check it.

I didn't think you would bite Mr Smithson....

Casino_Royale said:

Casino_Royale said:

Lion_of_Penarth said:

Wearing masks is a natural part of the human condition.

I can use Haiku generators too:

Shivering leaping
A hyberbolic SeanT rants
after the betting

Reviews are already in:

"The juxtaposition of "SeanT" and "betting" is truly inspired." - The Daily Tale

"I don't like short poems. So why am I reviewing a haiku, you may wonder? Well, I liked the title - 'SeanT'. It went down hill from there." - Enid Kibbler

"Amazing how so few words can set a scene so perfectly. I close my eyes and all I can see is the shivering leaping SeanT." - Hit the Spoof

"I felt that I was SeanT. It was spooky. I hope to read more by Casino Royale. Perhaps next time, something longer." - Zob Gloop

"I've always wanted to write a haiku about SeanT. I can't believe Casino Royale has beaten me to it." - Betty Borison

I deny being "Enid Kibbler".

Mexicanpete said:

Northern_Al said:

Just checking I've got this right:

1. Starmer is far too serious, dull, boring, competent, intelligent and staid to warm the hearts of the British public. Especially against BJ, that fount of entertaining charisma, he faces electoral oblivion.

2. The last thing that Starmer should do is damage his reputation for being serious, boring, intelligent etc. etc. by trying to show that he also has a lighter, more whimsical side to his personality. That would lead to electoral oblivion.

I am batting for Starmer, but I really think he should avoid the silly stunts. If it's whimsy you are after, Blair played guitar or did "keepy uppies". It was cool. I am not suggesting Starmer tries keepy-uppies, that would be a recipe for disaster, but you know what I mean.Being a smart arse in John Lewis or a boxing club isn't big or clever.

He's a lawyer. He could do some lawyery stuff. How about this? Go to Tehran on the QT and come back with Mrs Ratcliffe.

Jesse Jackson once went and brought back a shot-down US Air Force pilot from Syria.

Can still remember my mother's reaction. She was thrilled, and VERY pro-Jesse that day.

She'd passed away before his major campaign for the presidency in 1988, but she was a Democrat, and am sure that she'd have given him her serious consideration.

TheScreamingEagles said:

MikeSmithson said:

What was the last by-election where the LDs had been second to the Tories at the general election that they failed to win?

Henley 2008?

Thanks for the warning. I went to take a look at an apartment in Henley. But it didn't feel very Lib Demmy.

YBarddCwsc said:

ydoethur said:

YBarddCwsc said:

I trust you successfully made it to the bracing Welsh coast.

Well - yes and no. I made it to the coastal path between Llanaber and Llanbedr, but I didn’t get as far as the actual shore. Too damn windy and wet, and like a fool I had forgotten my waterproof trousers.

Traffic wasn’t great, which hopefully is a sign lots of money got spent over the last two days. Took an hour to drive from Bala to Llangollen.

Llanaber to Llanbedr. One of my favourite haunts.

I also like the eerie, tiny chapel in the dunes at Llandanwg, just north of Llanbedr. And the coastal walk from Llandanwg to the orchid-rich dunes in Morfa Harlech.

Oddly, not an area I know very well despite my years in Aber, which is why I was exploring it.

Will be going back though, I rather took to it.

Chesham and Amersham be a Conservative hold but if the LDs matched the 28% swing they got in Newbury and the 38% swing they got in Christchurch in the 1993 by elections or the 19% swing they got in Winchester in 1997 or the 23% swing they got in Richmond Park in 2016 it would be a LD gain

How has the weather been for most people today? Her in Buchan its been mostly overcast with sunny spells - but dry and warm enough for short sleeves.

SeaShantyIrish2 said:

ydoethur said:

YBarddCwsc said:

ydoethur said:

YBarddCwsc said:

I trust you successfully made it to the bracing Welsh coast.

Well - yes and no. I made it to the coastal path between Llanaber and Llanbedr, but I didn’t get as far as the actual shore. Too damn windy and wet, and like a fool I had forgotten my waterproof trousers.

Traffic wasn’t great, which hopefully is a sign lots of money got spent over the last two days. Took an hour to drive from Bala to Llangollen.

Llanaber to Llanbedr. One of my favourite haunts.

I also like the eerie, tiny chapel in the dunes at Llandanwg, just north of Llanbedr. And the coastal walk from Llandanwg to the orchid-rich dunes in Morfa Harlech.

Oddly, not an area I know very well despite my years in Aber, which is why I was exploring it.

Will be going back though, I rather took to it.

Could the Welsh perhaps give some of your excess Ls to the Hawaiians?

None of our Ls are excessive.

It’s the Fs you’ve got to watch for. Those little bastards get everywhere.

Theuniondivvie said:

It's the 'chuckled for several seconds' that's really disturbing. Presumably that's Plan B if Alba are a complete bust.

https://twitter.com/paulhutcheon/status/1389222621028421637?s=20

There is a worryingly high (for her) number of people with the a 'destroy Sturgeon' red button. Salmond is no doubt one of them, and I think the UK Government has the means too. She's completely compromised.

Northern_Al said:

Mexicanpete said:

Northern_Al said:

TheScreamingEagles said:

This might be the greatest pun in human history.

Probably too well known, but my favourite was the shop that sold cheap camping gear and was called:

Now is the Winter of our Discount Tent

There is a dog groomer in Brierley Hill called "Doggy Style".

My favourite however is an estate agent in Kidderminster, and no word of a lie, the names are genuine. "Doolittle and Dalley".

Our dog groomer is Bone Idol, which is pretty good.

You have a dog groomer?!!

I thought they were fictional things from the movies.

People actually pay money for someone to groom their dog?

Bonkers

Mexicanpete said:

Northern_Al said:

Just checking I've got this right:

1. Starmer is far too serious, dull, boring, competent, intelligent and staid to warm the hearts of the British public. Especially against BJ, that fount of entertaining charisma, he faces electoral oblivion.

2. The last thing that Starmer should do is damage his reputation for being serious, boring, intelligent etc. etc. by trying to show that he also has a lighter, more whimsical side to his personality. That would lead to electoral oblivion.

I am batting for Starmer, but I really think he should avoid the silly stunts. If it's whimsy you are after, Blair played guitar or did "keepy uppies". It was cool. I am not suggesting Starmer tries keepy-uppies, that would be a recipe for disaster, but you know what I mean.Being a smart arse in John Lewis or a boxing club isn't big or clever.

He's a lawyer. He could do some lawyery stuff. How about this? Go to Tehran on the QT and come back with Mrs Ratcliffe.

I fear your Tehran suggestion may be more appropriate for the SAS than for a North London lawyer.

rcs1000 said:

algarkirk said:

Leon said:

Quincel said:

Leon said:

Man arrested in the streets of London.... simply for preaching Christianity

Meanwhile, professional football matches stop for the breaking of the Ramadan fast: because, "respect"


https://twitter.com/one_jason/status/1388760623081721856?s=20

The video doesn't show what he was saying before the police arrest him following what they can be heard to describe as 'Complaints from members of the public that [you] have caused them harm and distress by making [homophobic statements]'. Since we don't hear what he said, I really don't see how we can conclude if their behaviour is justified.

There's a longer video (I'll try and link) where you can hear him preaching that marriage is for "a man and a woman only"

This is basic Christian doctrine, I believe? Besides, this is a matter of opinion, and he is entitled to his opinion and entitled to speak it. He does not stir up hatred or violence

Absolutely. It may seem strange to modern and younger ears but marriage is for life and only between one man and one woman is the basic doctrine of Anglicans, Roman Catholics, the Orthodox churches, Methodists, Baptists and lots of others. Most of these people are tolerant, ordinary members of the public. Many of them are MPs.

As Mitt Romney said:

"I believe marriage is a sacred institution between a man and a woman... and a woman... and a woman"

Yeah but that was a while ago.

Last week Romney said something along the lines of 'you can boo all you like, I am a Republican.'

In response to a huge outburst of abuse at.....er.....a Republican convention.

In Utah

His own backyard.

RochdalePioneers said:

How has the weather been for most people today? Her in Buchan its been mostly overcast with sunny spells - but dry and warm enough for short sleeves.

High winds and sandstorms here, low visibility but 35°C.

RochdalePioneers said:

How has the weather been for most people today? Her in Buchan its been mostly overcast with sunny spells - but dry and warm enough for short sleeves.

Cool and overcast here in Seattle. Normal for this time of year.

CarlottaVance said:

algarkirk said:

Theuniondivvie said:

It's the 'chuckled for several seconds' that's really disturbing. Presumably that's Plan B if Alba are a complete bust.

https://twitter.com/paulhutcheon/status/1389222621028421637?s=20

I don't support Nicola politically at all, but greatly admire her. I hope and think that in any contest between her and Salmond she will come first (by a mile); and that in any contest between her and Boris she will come an honourable second.

Salmond is rated as less trustworthy than Boris Johnson in Scotland!

The former King Fish has not just burned his bridges, he's torched his turf.

ydoethur said:

Sandpit said:

RochdalePioneers said:

How has the weather been for most people today? Her in Buchan its been mostly overcast with sunny spells - but dry and warm enough for short sleeves.

High winds and sandstorms here, low visibility but 35°C.

Wet, windy and cold pretty well all over Wales and the Midlands AFAICS.

Sounds like one (or more) of the cabinet ministers Margaret Thatcher sacked after the Falklands.

contrarian said:

rcs1000 said:

algarkirk said:

Leon said:

Quincel said:

Leon said:

Man arrested in the streets of London.... simply for preaching Christianity

Meanwhile, professional football matches stop for the breaking of the Ramadan fast: because, "respect"


https://twitter.com/one_jason/status/1388760623081721856?s=20

The video doesn't show what he was saying before the police arrest him following what they can be heard to describe as 'Complaints from members of the public that [you] have caused them harm and distress by making [homophobic statements]'. Since we don't hear what he said, I really don't see how we can conclude if their behaviour is justified.

There's a longer video (I'll try and link) where you can hear him preaching that marriage is for "a man and a woman only"

This is basic Christian doctrine, I believe? Besides, this is a matter of opinion, and he is entitled to his opinion and entitled to speak it. He does not stir up hatred or violence

Absolutely. It may seem strange to modern and younger ears but marriage is for life and only between one man and one woman is the basic doctrine of Anglicans, Roman Catholics, the Orthodox churches, Methodists, Baptists and lots of others. Most of these people are tolerant, ordinary members of the public. Many of them are MPs.

As Mitt Romney said:

"I believe marriage is a sacred institution between a man and a woman... and a woman... and a woman"

Yeah but that was a while ago.

Last week Romney said something along the lines of 'you can boo all you like, I am a Republican.'

In response to a huge outburst of abuse at.....er.....a Republican convention.

In Utah

His own backyard.

Trump has well and truly wrecked the GOP

RochdalePioneers said:

How has the weather been for most people today? Her in Buchan its been mostly overcast with sunny spells - but dry and warm enough for short sleeves.

Lashing it down for most of the day, but the rain stopped and the sun came out at around 7 o'clock.

dixiedean said:

Mexicanpete said:

Northern_Al said:

TheScreamingEagles said:

This might be the greatest pun in human history.

Probably too well known, but my favourite was the shop that sold cheap camping gear and was called:

Now is the Winter of our Discount Tent

There is a dog groomer in Brierley Hill called "Doggy Style".

My favourite however is an estate agent in Kidderminster, and no word of a lie, the names are genuine. "Doolittle and Dalley".

The local sandwich shop in Bolton was called "Nice Buns, Big Baps".

That reminds me there is a longstanding estate agent in Newport - Crook & Blight.

ping said:

contrarian said:

rcs1000 said:

algarkirk said:

Leon said:

Quincel said:

Leon said:

Man arrested in the streets of London.... simply for preaching Christianity

Meanwhile, professional football matches stop for the breaking of the Ramadan fast: because, "respect"


https://twitter.com/one_jason/status/1388760623081721856?s=20

The video doesn't show what he was saying before the police arrest him following what they can be heard to describe as 'Complaints from members of the public that [you] have caused them harm and distress by making [homophobic statements]'. Since we don't hear what he said, I really don't see how we can conclude if their behaviour is justified.

There's a longer video (I'll try and link) where you can hear him preaching that marriage is for "a man and a woman only"

This is basic Christian doctrine, I believe? Besides, this is a matter of opinion, and he is entitled to his opinion and entitled to speak it. He does not stir up hatred or violence

Absolutely. It may seem strange to modern and younger ears but marriage is for life and only between one man and one woman is the basic doctrine of Anglicans, Roman Catholics, the Orthodox churches, Methodists, Baptists and lots of others. Most of these people are tolerant, ordinary members of the public. Many of them are MPs.

As Mitt Romney said:

"I believe marriage is a sacred institution between a man and a woman... and a woman... and a woman"

Yeah but that was a while ago.

Last week Romney said something along the lines of 'you can boo all you like, I am a Republican.'

In response to a huge outburst of abuse at.....er.....a Republican convention.

In Utah

His own backyard.

Trump has well and truly wrecked the GOP

The GOP have been circling the drain for decades.

Tomorrow is the 21st anniversary of the last time the LibDems won a Westminster seat from the Conservatives (Romsey).

UK case summary

UK Hospitals

UK R