Johnson’s failure to apologise for party-gate is making matters worse – politicalbetting.com

Taz said:

solarflare said:

darkage said:

JosiasJessop said:

It appears someone might be flagging my posts criticising Stop The War's position on the Ukraine war.

It'd be good if the anonymous coward could actually come forward and say why they're flagging it...

And yes, I feel strongly about this. StW are morally and intellectually wrong on this. They are excusing evil.

It isn't just stop the war. The Green Party want to reduce defence spending to the minimum to achieve adequate security, and abolish the nuclear deterrent. This is a popular political party, particularly with young people. I've got friends who have stood for this party, otherwise smart academics.

https://policy.greenparty.org.uk/pd.html

All very well, but what would the Green Party about Ukraine? Nothing. Absolutely fuck all. Have a protest. Make impassioned speeches at the UN whilst getting ignored by the rest of the world. That's it.

Putin is an absolute gift to those of us who want a decent military and maintain nuclear bombs. He has done far more than we could ever do to persuade people of the naivety of much left/liberal thinking on matters of defence.

Maybe it's just my own political bias/leanings showing but I tend to find the problem with the Green party/parties in the UK is that all the other leading political parties have essentially caught up with them on having green policies (perhaps not quite so radical, but green policies nevertheless), but the Greens haven't caught up with the other parties on having sensible policies on everything else.

They're still largely living off the notion that they're occupying some important but relatively niche political space noone else is considering, which isn't really true any more.

What they are doing is becoming effective local campaigners and are gradually taking more and more council seats. Their NIMBYism is perfect for local elections. I expect them to do well in May.

SandyRentool said:

solarflare said:

darkage said:

JosiasJessop said:

It appears someone might be flagging my posts criticising Stop The War's position on the Ukraine war.

It'd be good if the anonymous coward could actually come forward and say why they're flagging it...

And yes, I feel strongly about this. StW are morally and intellectually wrong on this. They are excusing evil.

It isn't just stop the war. The Green Party want to reduce defence spending to the minimum to achieve adequate security, and abolish the nuclear deterrent. This is a popular political party, particularly with young people. I've got friends who have stood for this party, otherwise smart academics.

https://policy.greenparty.org.uk/pd.html

All very well, but what would the Green Party about Ukraine? Nothing. Absolutely fuck all. Have a protest. Make impassioned speeches at the UN whilst getting ignored by the rest of the world. That's it.

Putin is an absolute gift to those of us who want a decent military and maintain nuclear bombs. He has done far more than we could ever do to persuade people of the naivety of much left/liberal thinking on matters of defence.

Maybe it's just my own political bias/leanings showing but I tend to find the problem with the Green party/parties in the UK is that all the other leading political parties have essentially caught up with them on having green policies (perhaps not quite so radical, but green policies nevertheless), but the Greens haven't caught up with the other parties on having sensible policies on everything else.

They're still largely living off the notion that they're occupying some important but relatively niche political space noone else is considering, which isn't really true any more.

My problem with them is that they spend far too much time wibbling on about whatever handwringing, woke topic is flavour of the month instead of being 100% focused on Environmentalism. Too many watermelons, not enough greengages.

Carnyx said:

MoonRabbit said:

Carnyx said:

MoonRabbit said:

Scott_xP said:

Watch it with the sound off. You can see his soul seeping out of his eyes. They’re sacrificing everything that made us the mother of all Parliaments on the altar of Boris Johnson’s utter depravity. https://twitter.com/itvpeston/status/1509232250730295304

It’s looking like a fine, staying on for locals, bad set of results blamed on the fine, forced out?
Just to clear up one bit, no FPN for Boris whilst others get them all around him is an even bigger poll drop than actually sharing the telling off?

As I recall, the attendees at illicit student parties, etc. got FPN. But the organisers/hosts got much more substantial charges with (if convicted) fines in the £K range and upwards. It would be, erm, distinctive if Mr Johnson, the Cabinet Office head, etc., got let off with FPNs rather than at least being charged (whatever the actual result in court). The comparison would be made.

I think he is just the dear ambushed attendee isn’t he, it’s his wife who arranged them? But no worries, they could flog that spare roll of wallpaper they pushed under the bed to pay for what she’s got coming.

You just know the details on this are leaking out at some point.

That excuse is only useable more than once or twice if he had seven plus birthdays a year, or whatever the current figure is (can't keep up). Can't quite see how that works.

Gallowgate said:

The snow is belting down here on Tyneside

rcs1000 said:

theelephant said:

rcs1000 said:

theelephant said:

rcs1000 said:

theelephant said:

tlg86 said:

theelephant said:

Cookie said:

theelephant said:

Stark_Dawning said:

theelephant said:

Leon said:

FrankBooth said:

rcs1000 said:

Leon said:

another_richard said:

TimT said:

TheScreamingEagles said:

Andy_JS said:

Carnyx said:

Andy_JS said:

This is disturbing. Young people less likely to support Ukraine and more likely to be pro-Russian in some countries.

"Our polling reveals a striking generational divide on Ukraine
Young people in America and Europe are less sympathetic towards it"

https://www.economist.com/graphic-detail/2022/03/29/our-polling-reveals-a-striking-generational-divide-on-ukraine

Isn't some at least of that a matter of youngsters not bothering to keep iup with the news/have an opinion?

Maybe, but there's no excuse for "accidentally" supporting Russia because you haven't been taking an interest in the news.

Nah, for this century America has been led by Bush 43 and Trump, you can see why people aren't enamoured by America.

For some there's no difference between the invasion of Ukraine and the liberation of Iraq in 2003.

I wonder if the yoof also think more globally than we old farts. Despite the fact I have lived most my life outside Britain (46/17 years out/in), I tend to think about Ukraine being a European war and hence 'our' problem, whereas Syria, Iraq, Libya, Yemen, Burma, Nagorny-Karabakh, etc... are really other peoples' problems (until we made them ours, where we did). So they are fundamentally different in my mind.

But for many of the younger generation, it appears that what is front and centre for them is the contrast in how the West has reacted to 'like' situations, and hence for them the hypocrisy in our actions.

I doubt they care any more about other places.

I suspect its more some embittered resentment of the western world which manifests itself in supporting anything opposed to it.

Also, young people are just a lot more stupid than us oldsters. IQs are declining across the West

https://www.nbcnews.com/think/opinion/iq-rates-are-dropping-many-developed-countries-doesn-t-bode-ncna1008576

And they really obviously ARE stupider. You can see it all around you. Less questioning. Sheeplike. Idiotic. Look at @CorrectHorseBattery and @Gallowgate on here. Fucking morons

It's actually a bit more complicated than that.

Today's 21 years olds are not scoring as well as those born in 1974 (for example) and testing in 1995.

However, we all suffer from cognitive decline as we get older, particularly if we're gin-riddled. This mean that a 21 year old today will score more highly on an IQ test (on average) than a 54 year old.

I wonder why you chose 1974? My limited understanding of the latest research is that the peak was sometime in the 70s. I have no idea whether this is having a noticeable affect on the workplace.

I have heard from several people - not given to trolling like me - that their younger employees are noticeably dimmer, and more annoying and simultaneously more sensitive and entitled. But definitely dimmer

I'm not entirely making this up to irritate (tho that too)

This article blames environmental causes


https://time.com/5311672/iq-scores-decline-environment/


On the evidence here, it looks like Absolute Peak Human IQ was achieved by people born in the mid 1960s, and then measured in the mid 1970s, which makes total sense

Interesting that the decline in IQ coincides with the start of the almost dysgenic breeding programme we now have in the west whereby low iq women and men have been allowed by the benefits system to breed to their hearts content. At the same time many intelligent women prioritise their career and may have put off having a family to the last minute often having one or zero children. We are now seeing the effects of this which will only get worse and will cause much of the economy to start operating at 3rd world levels

Sterilize the poor!

My point made....its impossible to have a sensible conversation about things such as this. Might as well put your feet up and enjoy the decline

theelephant said:

Stark_Dawning said:

theelephant said:

Leon said:

FrankBooth said:

rcs1000 said:

Leon said:

another_richard said:

TimT said:

TheScreamingEagles said:

Andy_JS said:

Carnyx said:

Andy_JS said:

This is disturbing. Young people less likely to support Ukraine and more likely to be pro-Russian in some countries.

"Our polling reveals a striking generational divide on Ukraine
Young people in America and Europe are less sympathetic towards it"

https://www.economist.com/graphic-detail/2022/03/29/our-polling-reveals-a-striking-generational-divide-on-ukraine

Isn't some at least of that a matter of youngsters not bothering to keep iup with the news/have an opinion?

Maybe, but there's no excuse for "accidentally" supporting Russia because you haven't been taking an interest in the news.

Nah, for this century America has been led by Bush 43 and Trump, you can see why people aren't enamoured by America.

For some there's no difference between the invasion of Ukraine and the liberation of Iraq in 2003.

I wonder if the yoof also think more globally than we old farts. Despite the fact I have lived most my life outside Britain (46/17 years out/in), I tend to think about Ukraine being a European war and hence 'our' problem, whereas Syria, Iraq, Libya, Yemen, Burma, Nagorny-Karabakh, etc... are really other peoples' problems (until we made them ours, where we did). So they are fundamentally different in my mind.

But for many of the younger generation, it appears that what is front and centre for them is the contrast in how the West has reacted to 'like' situations, and hence for them the hypocrisy in our actions.

I doubt they care any more about other places.

I suspect its more some embittered resentment of the western world which manifests itself in supporting anything opposed to it.

Also, young people are just a lot more stupid than us oldsters. IQs are declining across the West

https://www.nbcnews.com/think/opinion/iq-rates-are-dropping-many-developed-countries-doesn-t-bode-ncna1008576

And they really obviously ARE stupider. You can see it all around you. Less questioning. Sheeplike. Idiotic. Look at @CorrectHorseBattery and @Gallowgate on here. Fucking morons

It's actually a bit more complicated than that.

Today's 21 years olds are not scoring as well as those born in 1974 (for example) and testing in 1995.

However, we all suffer from cognitive decline as we get older, particularly if we're gin-riddled. This mean that a 21 year old today will score more highly on an IQ test (on average) than a 54 year old.

I wonder why you chose 1974? My limited understanding of the latest research is that the peak was sometime in the 70s. I have no idea whether this is having a noticeable affect on the workplace.

I have heard from several people - not given to trolling like me - that their younger employees are noticeably dimmer, and more annoying and simultaneously more sensitive and entitled. But definitely dimmer

I'm not entirely making this up to irritate (tho that too)

This article blames environmental causes


https://time.com/5311672/iq-scores-decline-environment/


On the evidence here, it looks like Absolute Peak Human IQ was achieved by people born in the mid 1960s, and then measured in the mid 1970s, which makes total sense

Interesting that the decline in IQ coincides with the start of the almost dysgenic breeding programme we now have in the west whereby low iq women and men have been allowed by the benefits system to breed to their hearts content. At the same time many intelligent women prioritise their career and may have put off having a family to the last minute often having one or zero children. We are now seeing the effects of this which will only get worse and will cause much of the economy to start operating at 3rd world levels

Sterilize the poor!

My point made....its impossible to have a sensible conversation about things such as this. Might as well put your feet up and enjoy the decline

My understanding - and I don't have the stats to hand - is that in general the rich have more kids than the poor, and that the balance of rich kids/poor kids is currently more skewed towards rich kids than at any time in British history. I may be wrong and am too cold to look up the details.

mmm if you are talking about jacob rees mogg...hedge fund level of wealth yes that might be true....these families can afford nannies and or a stay at home wife....im talking more about the broad middle class saddled with mortgage debt

Nope, I reckon it’s those unable to get a mortgage who are having fewer kids.

exactly...the middle class renters priced out by high house prices....not the people living on welfare on council estates

You're making a lot of assumptions, and you haven't really backed it up with data.

Now, it may be true. It may not be true. But right now it's just an assertion.

im not dogmatic in my thinking.....but if there has been a reversal of the trend in the last 10 years as Foxy says that is too soon to show up in iq stats so even if foxy is correct on the last 10 years my argument on dysgenic breeding still stands as an explanation for declining iq over the last 30 years or so

I don't know if there's a trend, because we don't have proper data.

I can certainly posit a trend, and I can certainly tell a plausible story.

But the danger is that the story and the data might not match up. And then we're arguing based on something that sure sounds plausible... but might not actually be... you know... true.

As I say to my employees: "give me data, guys"

i think charles murray in the bell curve gave some decent data for the argument im persuing.....

I read the bell curve a long time ago, but I'm 99.9% sure he doesn't address your fundamental point about birth rates.

It's also an extremely complicated topic: for example only children score significantly higher on IQ tests than those who have siblings. Indeed, a lot of the data on rising IQs historically may simply be a consequence of family sizes diminishing.

rcs1000 said:

MoonRabbit said:

Sunil_Prasannan said:

MoonRabbit said:

CorrectHorseBattery said:

The left of Labour have been utterly horrendous on Russia. Just appalling.

When you have people who think 93% of Giraffe’s are gay, getting position on Putin’s invasion right was always going to be way beyond them. Extremists have too much bias, they walk around seeing the world through a prism of their own misconceptions and self fulfilling prophecies. The right place for grown ups is be a moderate around the centre, the extremes is student age politics.

"Those giraffes you sold me, they won't mate. They just walk around eating and not mating. You sold me... queer giraffes. I want my money back!"

Apparently male giraffes use rape as bullying and control, possibly without any concept of queer.

Really? I've often seen giraffes carrying the old rainbow flag, which suggests they are rather more woke that you give them credit.

Luckyguy1983 said:

SandyRentool said:

solarflare said:

darkage said:

JosiasJessop said:

It appears someone might be flagging my posts criticising Stop The War's position on the Ukraine war.

It'd be good if the anonymous coward could actually come forward and say why they're flagging it...

And yes, I feel strongly about this. StW are morally and intellectually wrong on this. They are excusing evil.

It isn't just stop the war. The Green Party want to reduce defence spending to the minimum to achieve adequate security, and abolish the nuclear deterrent. This is a popular political party, particularly with young people. I've got friends who have stood for this party, otherwise smart academics.

https://policy.greenparty.org.uk/pd.html

All very well, but what would the Green Party about Ukraine? Nothing. Absolutely fuck all. Have a protest. Make impassioned speeches at the UN whilst getting ignored by the rest of the world. That's it.

Putin is an absolute gift to those of us who want a decent military and maintain nuclear bombs. He has done far more than we could ever do to persuade people of the naivety of much left/liberal thinking on matters of defence.

Maybe it's just my own political bias/leanings showing but I tend to find the problem with the Green party/parties in the UK is that all the other leading political parties have essentially caught up with them on having green policies (perhaps not quite so radical, but green policies nevertheless), but the Greens haven't caught up with the other parties on having sensible policies on everything else.

They're still largely living off the notion that they're occupying some important but relatively niche political space noone else is considering, which isn't really true any more.

My problem with them is that they spend far too much time wibbling on about whatever handwringing, woke topic is flavour of the month instead of being 100% focused on Environmentalism. Too many watermelons, not enough greengages.

I had a rare listen to R4 on Sunday night, and Natalie the Australian Green lady was on -

MoonRabbit said:

IshmaelZ said:

MoonRabbit said:

CorrectHorseBattery said:

The left of Labour have been utterly horrendous on Russia. Just appalling.

When you have people who think 93% of Giraffe’s are gay, getting position on Putin’s invasion right was always going to be way beyond them. Extremists have too much bias, they walk around seeing the world through a prism of their own misconceptions and self fulfilling prophecies. The right place for grown ups is be a moderate around the centre, the extremes is student age politics.

I hate to rain on your parade, but you do need to verify your facts. It is incontrovertibly true that male homosexuality is highly prevalent among giraffes, lions and sheep. Ten percent of rams are exclusively gay. Don't like to be the one to break it to you, but there it is.

I refer the honourable gentleman to the reply I gave to Sunil some moments ago.

Leon said:

Incidentally, I have just been to a DELIGHTFUL SOCIAL FUNCTION with excellent free food and booze and lovely friendly people and absolutely no hint of Covid. No masks, no nothing, no faff, not even a face covering in the Uber

It was a Knappers Gazette industry gig in King's Cross (which was absolutely buzzing, and looking stunningly beautiful, despite horrible sleety weather)

It was - is - the closest I have felt to normal since January 2020

It would be SOOOOOOO nice if Vlad Putin didn't totally fuck this up. We are nearly there

Sunil_Prasannan said:

Luckyguy1983 said:

SandyRentool said:

solarflare said:

darkage said:

JosiasJessop said:

It appears someone might be flagging my posts criticising Stop The War's position on the Ukraine war.

It'd be good if the anonymous coward could actually come forward and say why they're flagging it...

And yes, I feel strongly about this. StW are morally and intellectually wrong on this. They are excusing evil.

It isn't just stop the war. The Green Party want to reduce defence spending to the minimum to achieve adequate security, and abolish the nuclear deterrent. This is a popular political party, particularly with young people. I've got friends who have stood for this party, otherwise smart academics.

https://policy.greenparty.org.uk/pd.html

All very well, but what would the Green Party about Ukraine? Nothing. Absolutely fuck all. Have a protest. Make impassioned speeches at the UN whilst getting ignored by the rest of the world. That's it.

Putin is an absolute gift to those of us who want a decent military and maintain nuclear bombs. He has done far more than we could ever do to persuade people of the naivety of much left/liberal thinking on matters of defence.

Maybe it's just my own political bias/leanings showing but I tend to find the problem with the Green party/parties in the UK is that all the other leading political parties have essentially caught up with them on having green policies (perhaps not quite so radical, but green policies nevertheless), but the Greens haven't caught up with the other parties on having sensible policies on everything else.

They're still largely living off the notion that they're occupying some important but relatively niche political space noone else is considering, which isn't really true any more.

My problem with them is that they spend far too much time wibbling on about whatever handwringing, woke topic is flavour of the month instead of being 100% focused on Environmentalism. Too many watermelons, not enough greengages.

I had a rare listen to R4 on Sunday night, and Natalie the Australian Green lady was on -

Isn't she now PM of Israel?

Sunil_Prasannan said:

MoonRabbit said:

IshmaelZ said:

MoonRabbit said:

CorrectHorseBattery said:

The left of Labour have been utterly horrendous on Russia. Just appalling.

When you have people who think 93% of Giraffe’s are gay, getting position on Putin’s invasion right was always going to be way beyond them. Extremists have too much bias, they walk around seeing the world through a prism of their own misconceptions and self fulfilling prophecies. The right place for grown ups is be a moderate around the centre, the extremes is student age politics.

I hate to rain on your parade, but you do need to verify your facts. It is incontrovertibly true that male homosexuality is highly prevalent among giraffes, lions and sheep. Ten percent of rams are exclusively gay. Don't like to be the one to break it to you, but there it is.

I refer the honourable gentleman to the reply I gave to Sunil some moments ago.

"What do you want, hmmm? Girl...? Boy...?"

Carnyx said:

Sunil_Prasannan said:

MoonRabbit said:

CorrectHorseBattery said:

The left of Labour have been utterly horrendous on Russia. Just appalling.

When you have people who think 93% of Giraffe’s are gay, getting position on Putin’s invasion right was always going to be way beyond them. Extremists have too much bias, they walk around seeing the world through a prism of their own misconceptions and self fulfilling prophecies. The right place for grown ups is be a moderate around the centre, the extremes is student age politics.

"Those giraffes you sold me, they won't mate. They just walk around eating and not mating. You sold me... queer giraffes. I want my money back!"

That's asexual giraffes. Different kind altogether.

Foxy said:

Leon said:

Incidentally, I have just been to a DELIGHTFUL SOCIAL FUNCTION with excellent free food and booze and lovely friendly people and absolutely no hint of Covid. No masks, no nothing, no faff, not even a face covering in the Uber

It was a Knappers Gazette industry gig in King's Cross (which was absolutely buzzing, and looking stunningly beautiful, despite horrible sleety weather)

It was - is - the closest I have felt to normal since January 2020

It would be SOOOOOOO nice if Vlad Putin didn't totally fuck this up. We are nearly there

Bit different at my gaff:




https://twitter.com/COVID19actuary/status/1509189942676709382?t=N6Dk0Tq62UbyIDOyStR5TQ&s=19

MoonRabbit said:

rcs1000 said:

Hi @theelephant

While we obviously love having you here, can you let me know why your IP address is listed with Spamhaus ZEN and with UCEPROTECTL2 as being a compromised open proxy?

Thanks, rcs1000

I sense a trunk being packed.

kle4 said:

MoonRabbit said:

Sunil_Prasannan said:

MoonRabbit said:

IshmaelZ said:

MoonRabbit said:

CorrectHorseBattery said:

The left of Labour have been utterly horrendous on Russia. Just appalling.

When you have people who think 93% of Giraffe’s are gay, getting position on Putin’s invasion right was always going to be way beyond them. Extremists have too much bias, they walk around seeing the world through a prism of their own misconceptions and self fulfilling prophecies. The right place for grown ups is be a moderate around the centre, the extremes is student age politics.

I hate to rain on your parade, but you do need to verify your facts. It is incontrovertibly true that male homosexuality is highly prevalent among giraffes, lions and sheep. Ten percent of rams are exclusively gay. Don't like to be the one to break it to you, but there it is.

I refer the honourable gentleman to the reply I gave to Sunil some moments ago.

"What do you want, hmmm? Girl...? Boy...?"

You are doing some skit here, arn’t you? pythons gay Giraffe Sketch? 🤔.

I believe it's a Gladiator quote.

Foxy said:

kle4 said:

solarflare said:

darkage said:

JosiasJessop said:

It appears someone might be flagging my posts criticising Stop The War's position on the Ukraine war.

It'd be good if the anonymous coward could actually come forward and say why they're flagging it...

And yes, I feel strongly about this. StW are morally and intellectually wrong on this. They are excusing evil.

It isn't just stop the war. The Green Party want to reduce defence spending to the minimum to achieve adequate security, and abolish the nuclear deterrent. This is a popular political party, particularly with young people. I've got friends who have stood for this party, otherwise smart academics.

https://policy.greenparty.org.uk/pd.html

All very well, but what would the Green Party about Ukraine? Nothing. Absolutely fuck all. Have a protest. Make impassioned speeches at the UN whilst getting ignored by the rest of the world. That's it.

Putin is an absolute gift to those of us who want a decent military and maintain nuclear bombs. He has done far more than we could ever do to persuade people of the naivety of much left/liberal thinking on matters of defence.

Maybe it's just my own political bias/leanings showing but I tend to find the problem with the Green party/parties in the UK is that all the other leading political parties have essentially caught up with them on having green policies (perhaps not quite so radical, but green policies nevertheless), but the Greens haven't caught up with the other parties on having sensible policies on everything else.

They're still largely living off the notion that they're occupying some important but relatively niche political space noone else is considering, which isn't really true any more.

I believe its been stated many countries essentially have two green partiy options, so they can cater to a more radical left position or be more centrist or even on the right.

But I'd agree I think that is the main problem, that most parties are various shades of green now. Certainly you will find anti-green policies more on the right, but plenty of Conservatives (and conservatives) are very keen on green issues. So what can the Greens do? Become even greener? Or differentiate in different ways, which requires they remain non mainstream, even as their core policy does become mainstream?

It's a shame as I have a lot of time for many local Greens. They organise very effectively, are very passionate, typically polite, and work damn hard even between elections (which ususally don't go well for them despite their effort).

I think it wrong to suggest they become mainstream and more coherent. That isn't their role. They are more counter-cultural than aiming at conventional power. Like UKIP they have a big effect without big political success, at least in FPTP elections. Being a ferment of ideas, often incoherent or contradictory is a useful contribution to British politics.

williamglenn said:

Taz said:

Sally Gunnell puts her head above the parapet on trans sports people.

https://twitter.com/sallygunnell/status/1509176194440347654?s=21&t=mJtrPtWqKlhQ-yY7dYRqsg

“Us females passed and present” is a good unintentional pun.

Sunil_Prasannan said:

Luckyguy1983 said:

SandyRentool said:

solarflare said:

darkage said:

JosiasJessop said:

It appears someone might be flagging my posts criticising Stop The War's position on the Ukraine war.

It'd be good if the anonymous coward could actually come forward and say why they're flagging it...

And yes, I feel strongly about this. StW are morally and intellectually wrong on this. They are excusing evil.

It isn't just stop the war. The Green Party want to reduce defence spending to the minimum to achieve adequate security, and abolish the nuclear deterrent. This is a popular political party, particularly with young people. I've got friends who have stood for this party, otherwise smart academics.

https://policy.greenparty.org.uk/pd.html

All very well, but what would the Green Party about Ukraine? Nothing. Absolutely fuck all. Have a protest. Make impassioned speeches at the UN whilst getting ignored by the rest of the world. That's it.

Putin is an absolute gift to those of us who want a decent military and maintain nuclear bombs. He has done far more than we could ever do to persuade people of the naivety of much left/liberal thinking on matters of defence.

Maybe it's just my own political bias/leanings showing but I tend to find the problem with the Green party/parties in the UK is that all the other leading political parties have essentially caught up with them on having green policies (perhaps not quite so radical, but green policies nevertheless), but the Greens haven't caught up with the other parties on having sensible policies on everything else.

They're still largely living off the notion that they're occupying some important but relatively niche political space noone else is considering, which isn't really true any more.

My problem with them is that they spend far too much time wibbling on about whatever handwringing, woke topic is flavour of the month instead of being 100% focused on Environmentalism. Too many watermelons, not enough greengages.

I had a rare listen to R4 on Sunday night, and Natalie the Australian Green lady was on -

Isn't she now PM of Israel?

Foxy said:

Luckyguy1983 said:

Foxy said:

I have just been inspired to read the Green Party Peace and Defence Policy.

https://policy.greenparty.org.uk/pd.html

I rather like it.

Who knew white flags could be made from unbleached fairtrade hemp?

Scrapping Trident is a big plus for me, and SNP don't stand locally.

williamglenn said:

Taz said:

Sally Gunnell puts her head above the parapet on trans sports people.

https://twitter.com/sallygunnell/status/1509176194440347654?s=21&t=mJtrPtWqKlhQ-yY7dYRqsg

“Us females passed and present” is a good unintentional pun.

ydoethur said:

biggles said:

JosiasJessop said:

It appears someone might be flagging my posts criticising Stop The War's position on the Ukraine war.

It'd be good if the anonymous coward could actually come forward and say why they're flagging it...

And yes, I feel strongly about this. StW are morally and intellectually wrong on this. They are excusing evil.

What does the “flag” mean? Is it new? Not sure I’d seen or thought about it before.

Strictly speaking, it is a way of alerting the mods to spam posters by Russian bots.

In practice, it's generally used to signal disagreement or suggest the mods need to look at a post.

In further practice, it usually drives @rcs1000 up the wall because he gets an email every time somebody does it and frequent use clogs his inbox.

rcs1000 said:

My son has just read Animal Farm, and he asked me: did Napoleon become leader because he was corrupt and ruthless or did he become that way because he became leader?

Any thoughts?

rcs1000 said:

My son has just read Animal Farm, and he asked me: did Napoleon become leader because he was corrupt and ruthless or did he become that way because he became leader?

Any thoughts?

Luckyguy1983 said:

Foxy said:

I have just been inspired to read the Green Party Peace and Defence Policy.

https://policy.greenparty.org.uk/pd.html

I rather like it.

Who knew white flags could be made from unbleached fairtrade hemp?

rcs1000 said:

My son has just read Animal Farm, and he asked me: did Napoleon become leader because he was corrupt and ruthless or did he become that way because he became leader?

Any thoughts?

turbotubbs said:

rcs1000 said:

My son has just read Animal Farm, and he asked me: did Napoleon become leader because he was corrupt and ruthless or did he become that way because he became leader?

Any thoughts?

Not read it for thirty years, but that’s a great question. I’m not sure there is enough in the text to say, but given that he was modelled on Stalin (I think) I’d say the corruption was there all along. But great question.

Gallowgate said:

The snow is belting down here on Tyneside

Leon said:

Foxy said:

Leon said:

Incidentally, I have just been to a DELIGHTFUL SOCIAL FUNCTION with excellent free food and booze and lovely friendly people and absolutely no hint of Covid. No masks, no nothing, no faff, not even a face covering in the Uber

It was a Knappers Gazette industry gig in King's Cross (which was absolutely buzzing, and looking stunningly beautiful, despite horrible sleety weather)

It was - is - the closest I have felt to normal since January 2020

It would be SOOOOOOO nice if Vlad Putin didn't totally fuck this up. We are nearly there

Bit different at my gaff:




https://twitter.com/COVID19actuary/status/1509189942676709382?t=N6Dk0Tq62UbyIDOyStR5TQ&s=19

Yeah, but fuck it

We need to move on. Look at the excess deaths, they are actually DOWN

We have to cope with a new, nasty, endemic, potentially dangerous respiratory disease with unpredictable sequelae and no cure. That's it. Otherwise we end all human social life, and, basically, life

Cf China

Anabobazina said:

Leon said:

Foxy said:

Leon said:

Incidentally, I have just been to a DELIGHTFUL SOCIAL FUNCTION with excellent free food and booze and lovely friendly people and absolutely no hint of Covid. No masks, no nothing, no faff, not even a face covering in the Uber

It was a Knappers Gazette industry gig in King's Cross (which was absolutely buzzing, and looking stunningly beautiful, despite horrible sleety weather)

It was - is - the closest I have felt to normal since January 2020

It would be SOOOOOOO nice if Vlad Putin didn't totally fuck this up. We are nearly there

Bit different at my gaff:




https://twitter.com/COVID19actuary/status/1509189942676709382?t=N6Dk0Tq62UbyIDOyStR5TQ&s=19

Yeah, but fuck it

We need to move on. Look at the excess deaths, they are actually DOWN

We have to cope with a new, nasty, endemic, potentially dangerous respiratory disease with unpredictable sequelae and no cure. That's it. Otherwise we end all human social life, and, basically, life

Cf China

Covid is now less dangerous than influenza. At some point we have to live our lives rather than obsessing over daily numbers in a way we never have over the flu.

Foxy said:

rcs1000 said:

turbotubbs said:

rcs1000 said:

My son has just read Animal Farm, and he asked me: did Napoleon become leader because he was corrupt and ruthless or did he become that way because he became leader?

Any thoughts?

Not read it for thirty years, but that’s a great question. I’m not sure there is enough in the text to say, but given that he was modelled on Stalin (I think) I’d say the corruption was there all along. But great question.

He's moved onto 1984. I've warned him that it's an extremely depressing book.

No, it's quite a cheerful ending. Winston loves Big Brother.

BigRich said:

Andy_JS said:

This is disturbing. Young people less likely to support Ukraine and more likely to be pro-Russian in some countries.

"Our polling reveals a striking generational divide on Ukraine
Young people in America and Europe are less sympathetic towards it"

https://www.economist.com/graphic-detail/2022/03/29/our-polling-reveals-a-striking-generational-divide-on-ukraine

I cant read the article paywall, (unless somebody has a good workaround?)

but it is interesting how its much more pronounced in the USA middling in France and very small in UK.

Leaving the contrary's defences aside, is this mostly a difference of weather you have a memory of the cold war? maybe?

rcs1000 said:

My son has just read Animal Farm, and he asked me: did Napoleon become leader because he was corrupt and ruthless or did he become that way because he became leader?

Any thoughts?

turbotubbs said:

rcs1000 said:

My son has just read Animal Farm, and he asked me: did Napoleon become leader because he was corrupt and ruthless or did he become that way because he became leader?

Any thoughts?

Not read it for thirty years, but that’s a great question. I’m not sure there is enough in the text to say, but given that he was modelled on Stalin (I think) I’d say the corruption was there all along. But great question.

FrancisUrquhart said:

turbotubbs said:

rcs1000 said:

My son has just read Animal Farm, and he asked me: did Napoleon become leader because he was corrupt and ruthless or did he become that way because he became leader?

Any thoughts?

Not read it for thirty years, but that’s a great question. I’m not sure there is enough in the text to say, but given that he was modelled on Stalin (I think) I’d say the corruption was there all along. But great question.

I am sure somebody told us all youngsters were thickies these days ;-)

Cyclefree said:

FPT from @Leon

"AIUI rugby is one of the few sports that has shown some backbone and said No, trans athletes can’t compete in women’s rugby

For obvious reasons. There would be deaths quite quickly"

Not true anymore. The Australians are apparently about to allow a transwoman player join a womens rugby competition. Let's hope it does not end as you fear.

Lia Thomas and Emily Bridges are, bluntly, cheats. The advantages of male puberty do not disappear even if you transition surgically. And they certainly do not disappear if you retain your male body as both of these do. Nor does reducing testosterone help. This does nothing to counter the other advantages of male puberty - for instance: a male's height, limb length, rib cage and lung volume, fast twitch muscle mass, shoulder width, centre of gravity, ligament strength, hip-knee angle etc.

Still, if you create loopholes expect people to game them. Only the soft-headed and naive would expect anything different.

Anabobazina said:

Foxy said:

Anabobazina said:

Leon said:

Foxy said:

Leon said:

Incidentally, I have just been to a DELIGHTFUL SOCIAL FUNCTION with excellent free food and booze and lovely friendly people and absolutely no hint of Covid. No masks, no nothing, no faff, not even a face covering in the Uber

It was a Knappers Gazette industry gig in King's Cross (which was absolutely buzzing, and looking stunningly beautiful, despite horrible sleety weather)

It was - is - the closest I have felt to normal since January 2020

It would be SOOOOOOO nice if Vlad Putin didn't totally fuck this up. We are nearly there

Bit different at my gaff:




https://twitter.com/COVID19actuary/status/1509189942676709382?t=N6Dk0Tq62UbyIDOyStR5TQ&s=19

Yeah, but fuck it

We need to move on. Look at the excess deaths, they are actually DOWN

We have to cope with a new, nasty, endemic, potentially dangerous respiratory disease with unpredictable sequelae and no cure. That's it. Otherwise we end all human social life, and, basically, life

Cf China

Covid is now less dangerous than influenza. At some point we have to live our lives rather than obsessing over daily numbers in a way we never have over the flu.

Thats as mebbe, but when prevalence rates are as high as 1 in 11 adults in a week, even something less dangerous than influenza is quite some headache for a health care system.

I don’t doubt it. But what do you advise?

Foxy said:

rcs1000 said:

turbotubbs said:

rcs1000 said:

My son has just read Animal Farm, and he asked me: did Napoleon become leader because he was corrupt and ruthless or did he become that way because he became leader?

Any thoughts?

Not read it for thirty years, but that’s a great question. I’m not sure there is enough in the text to say, but given that he was modelled on Stalin (I think) I’d say the corruption was there all along. But great question.

He's moved onto 1984. I've warned him that it's an extremely depressing book.

No, it's quite a cheerful ending. Winston loves Big Brother.

ydoethur said:

Foxy said:

MarqueeMark said:

Taz said:

The NYT puts forward a view. What if Putin didn’t miscalculate and was just after East Ukraine all along

https://twitter.com/drpippam/status/1509189718994558976?s=21&t=mJtrPtWqKlhQ-yY7dYRqsg

He could have sent all his troops there and smashed the Ukrainian forces.

I don't for one minute believe he wasn't going for regime change in Kyiv. He got smacked upside the head by the shit nature of his military's planning, their kit being woefully unready to face the Ukrainian defenders - and a world that said "No!"

The Russian Army used to be the second best in the world. Now it is the second best in Ukraine.

Aren't you rating the Chechens a bit low there?

kle4 said:

Cyclefree said:

FPT from @Leon

"AIUI rugby is one of the few sports that has shown some backbone and said No, trans athletes can’t compete in women’s rugby

For obvious reasons. There would be deaths quite quickly"

Not true anymore. The Australians are apparently about to allow a transwoman player join a womens rugby competition. Let's hope it does not end as you fear.

Lia Thomas and Emily Bridges are, bluntly, cheats. The advantages of male puberty do not disappear even if you transition surgically. And they certainly do not disappear if you retain your male body as both of these do. Nor does reducing testosterone help. This does nothing to counter the other advantages of male puberty - for instance: a male's height, limb length, rib cage and lung volume, fast twitch muscle mass, shoulder width, centre of gravity, ligament strength, hip-knee angle etc.

Still, if you create loopholes expect people to game them. Only the soft-headed and naive would expect anything different.

People pretended to have mental disabilities in order to win medals in a sport, never mind all the other cheating that has gone on with so many sports, people will try anything.

The sheet facts of physicality in some sports means it has become a real lynchpin to this whole issue, one where people cannot simply pretend it makes no difference, and so something a lot of people who do not feel strongly other than not wanting to be a dick about things, feel has to require the drawing of lines.

Eabhal said:

Anabobazina said:

Jonathan said:

Foxy said:

Anabobazina said:

Leon said:

Foxy said:

Leon said:

Incidentally, I have just been to a DELIGHTFUL SOCIAL FUNCTION with excellent free food and booze and lovely friendly people and absolutely no hint of Covid. No masks, no nothing, no faff, not even a face covering in the Uber

It was a Knappers Gazette industry gig in King's Cross (which was absolutely buzzing, and looking stunningly beautiful, despite horrible sleety weather)

It was - is - the closest I have felt to normal since January 2020

It would be SOOOOOOO nice if Vlad Putin didn't totally fuck this up. We are nearly there

Bit different at my gaff:




https://twitter.com/COVID19actuary/status/1509189942676709382?t=N6Dk0Tq62UbyIDOyStR5TQ&s=19

Yeah, but fuck it

We need to move on. Look at the excess deaths, they are actually DOWN

We have to cope with a new, nasty, endemic, potentially dangerous respiratory disease with unpredictable sequelae and no cure. That's it. Otherwise we end all human social life, and, basically, life

Cf China

Covid is now less dangerous than influenza. At some point we have to live our lives rather than obsessing over daily numbers in a way we never have over the flu.

Thats as mebbe, but when prevalence rates are as high as 1 in 11 adults in a week, even something less dangerous than influenza is quite some headache for a health care system.

Day 8 of mild covid says covid is worse than flu. An insidious bug.

Best wishes for a speedy recovery. Yet influenza is now more serious than flu, statistically, empirically, in terms of risk.

The original justification for restrictions was "protect the NHS". On that basis, it's still problematic.

OTOH, not convinced our extended restrictions in Scotland will make any difference whatsoever. You either have comprehensive measures, or none at all.

MarqueeMark said:

Theuniondivvie said:

There you go lads, that's what a proper gaylord ponceyboots pm looks like.

Tom Baker stole that look as Dr Who.....

Foxy said:

kle4 said:

Cyclefree said:

FPT from @Leon

"AIUI rugby is one of the few sports that has shown some backbone and said No, trans athletes can’t compete in women’s rugby

For obvious reasons. There would be deaths quite quickly"

Not true anymore. The Australians are apparently about to allow a transwoman player join a womens rugby competition. Let's hope it does not end as you fear.

Lia Thomas and Emily Bridges are, bluntly, cheats. The advantages of male puberty do not disappear even if you transition surgically. And they certainly do not disappear if you retain your male body as both of these do. Nor does reducing testosterone help. This does nothing to counter the other advantages of male puberty - for instance: a male's height, limb length, rib cage and lung volume, fast twitch muscle mass, shoulder width, centre of gravity, ligament strength, hip-knee angle etc.

Still, if you create loopholes expect people to game them. Only the soft-headed and naive would expect anything different.

People pretended to have mental disabilities in order to win medals in a sport, never mind all the other cheating that has gone on with so many sports, people will try anything.

The sheet facts of physicality in some sports means it has become a real lynchpin to this whole issue, one where people cannot simply pretend it makes no difference, and so something a lot of people who do not feel strongly other than not wanting to be a dick about things, feel has to require the drawing of lines.

Do you think people transition purely so they can win a sporting medal?

turbotubbs said:

Eabhal said:

Anabobazina said:

Jonathan said:

Foxy said:

Anabobazina said:

Leon said:

Foxy said:

Leon said:

Incidentally, I have just been to a DELIGHTFUL SOCIAL FUNCTION with excellent free food and booze and lovely friendly people and absolutely no hint of Covid. No masks, no nothing, no faff, not even a face covering in the Uber

It was a Knappers Gazette industry gig in King's Cross (which was absolutely buzzing, and looking stunningly beautiful, despite horrible sleety weather)

It was - is - the closest I have felt to normal since January 2020

It would be SOOOOOOO nice if Vlad Putin didn't totally fuck this up. We are nearly there

Bit different at my gaff:




https://twitter.com/COVID19actuary/status/1509189942676709382?t=N6Dk0Tq62UbyIDOyStR5TQ&s=19

Yeah, but fuck it

We need to move on. Look at the excess deaths, they are actually DOWN

We have to cope with a new, nasty, endemic, potentially dangerous respiratory disease with unpredictable sequelae and no cure. That's it. Otherwise we end all human social life, and, basically, life

Cf China

Covid is now less dangerous than influenza. At some point we have to live our lives rather than obsessing over daily numbers in a way we never have over the flu.

Thats as mebbe, but when prevalence rates are as high as 1 in 11 adults in a week, even something less dangerous than influenza is quite some headache for a health care system.

Day 8 of mild covid says covid is worse than flu. An insidious bug.

Best wishes for a speedy recovery. Yet influenza is now more serious than flu, statistically, empirically, in terms of risk.

The original justification for restrictions was "protect the NHS". On that basis, it's still problematic.

OTOH, not convinced our extended restrictions in Scotland will make any difference whatsoever. You either have comprehensive measures, or none at all.

Quite frankly I think omicron BA2 is so infectious it would be hard to achieve anything short of genuine lock down (I.e the enforced by police, don5 leave your home unless you have permission kind). I don’t really understand why the Scottish government is still pissing about with light touch frustrations restrictions on people’s lives. It can’t be achieving anything.

Anabobazina said:

Eabhal said:

Anabobazina said:

Jonathan said:

Foxy said:

Anabobazina said:

Leon said:

Foxy said:

Leon said:

Incidentally, I have just been to a DELIGHTFUL SOCIAL FUNCTION with excellent free food and booze and lovely friendly people and absolutely no hint of Covid. No masks, no nothing, no faff, not even a face covering in the Uber

It was a Knappers Gazette industry gig in King's Cross (which was absolutely buzzing, and looking stunningly beautiful, despite horrible sleety weather)

It was - is - the closest I have felt to normal since January 2020

It would be SOOOOOOO nice if Vlad Putin didn't totally fuck this up. We are nearly there

Bit different at my gaff:




https://twitter.com/COVID19actuary/status/1509189942676709382?t=N6Dk0Tq62UbyIDOyStR5TQ&s=19

Yeah, but fuck it

We need to move on. Look at the excess deaths, they are actually DOWN

We have to cope with a new, nasty, endemic, potentially dangerous respiratory disease with unpredictable sequelae and no cure. That's it. Otherwise we end all human social life, and, basically, life

Cf China

Covid is now less dangerous than influenza. At some point we have to live our lives rather than obsessing over daily numbers in a way we never have over the flu.

Thats as mebbe, but when prevalence rates are as high as 1 in 11 adults in a week, even something less dangerous than influenza is quite some headache for a health care system.

Day 8 of mild covid says covid is worse than flu. An insidious bug.

Best wishes for a speedy recovery. Yet influenza is now more serious than flu, statistically, empirically, in terms of risk.

The original justification for restrictions was "protect the NHS". On that basis, it's still problematic.

OTOH, not convinced our extended restrictions in Scotland will make any difference whatsoever. You either have comprehensive measures, or none at all.

What would these ‘comprehensive’ measures look like? My sense is that beyond closing everything down and banning people from leaving their homes - no exceptions - any other restrictions make sod all difference against the modern-day milder, fast-spreading strains. Misery heaped on the public for no benefit.

kle4 said:

Foxy said:

kle4 said:

Cyclefree said:

FPT from @Leon

"AIUI rugby is one of the few sports that has shown some backbone and said No, trans athletes can’t compete in women’s rugby

For obvious reasons. There would be deaths quite quickly"

Not true anymore. The Australians are apparently about to allow a transwoman player join a womens rugby competition. Let's hope it does not end as you fear.

Lia Thomas and Emily Bridges are, bluntly, cheats. The advantages of male puberty do not disappear even if you transition surgically. And they certainly do not disappear if you retain your male body as both of these do. Nor does reducing testosterone help. This does nothing to counter the other advantages of male puberty - for instance: a male's height, limb length, rib cage and lung volume, fast twitch muscle mass, shoulder width, centre of gravity, ligament strength, hip-knee angle etc.

Still, if you create loopholes expect people to game them. Only the soft-headed and naive would expect anything different.

People pretended to have mental disabilities in order to win medals in a sport, never mind all the other cheating that has gone on with so many sports, people will try anything.

The sheet facts of physicality in some sports means it has become a real lynchpin to this whole issue, one where people cannot simply pretend it makes no difference, and so something a lot of people who do not feel strongly other than not wanting to be a dick about things, feel has to require the drawing of lines.

Do you think people transition purely so they can win a sporting medal?

I think the numbers who would do that for that sole reason are vanishingly small, practically inconsequential, but how interesting that was your sole takeaway from the uncontroversial point that people cheat in any manner of shocking ways, and that broader point that physicality in many sports does make a difference, which makes the motivation irrelevant if it would mean an unfair contest.