I think this is a very useful perspective; it goes to the question "what next"?
And if Russia attempts to lower the intensity of the war, does Ukraine follow? Or do their allies continue to supply them with weapons to maintain their aggressive defence?
Terminal 8. It’s like an aspiring provincial airport in South Africa
Ah yes. Same crap.
Terrible airport and terrible to get to. In keeping with terrible American airlines.
As for South Africa, I've flown from most of them. King Shaka International at Durban is probably my pick: not a bad airport at all. You can fly there direct from the UAE with Emirates which adds an arguably better option than Jo'burg.
I'm not sure that the Russians will reduce the intensity of the conflict. I think that is up to Putin - short of him getting kicked out.
In turn he seems to have gone Full Extra Tonto - and I see little sign of rationality in what he is doing.
If he actually believes that he is in an existential fight - why give up? why not go further and further?
There is some speculation that, in the absence of victory by May 9th, the date will instead serve as the time when war is formally declared and a full mobilisation ordered. This has the potential to provide Russia with sufficient manpower to sustain the war for some considerable time.
Leon, if you haven't yet done so get yourself onto a Q-Suite Business with Qatar Airways.
Nothing, not even Singapore Airlines, will ever be quite the same for you again. Dodgy country, utterly outstanding airline.
(And both amusing and irritating that despite being in OneWorld, Qatar won't let riff raff business passengers from other airlines use their top Business lounges. Only their own true business pax are allowed in.)
I was listening to a Finnish Social Democratic MP on the radio earlier. He was in Stockholm to inform the ongoing Swedish parliamentary enquiry into NATO membership (incidentally, now being hurried through and reporting mid-May not end-May).
He is personally skeptical about Finnish membership, but he said that it is pretty much a foregone conclusion that Finland will apply to join in the very near future. He said parliamentary support there is overwhelming. That will almost certainly heavily affect the debate in Sweden.
I'm not sure that the Russians will reduce the intensity of the conflict. I think that is up to Putin - short of him getting kicked out.
In turn he seems to have gone Full Extra Tonto - and I see little sign of rationality in what he is doing.
If he actually believes that he is in an existential fight - why give up? why not go further and further?
There is some speculation that, in the absence of victory by May 9th, the date will instead serve as the time when war is formally declared and a full mobilisation ordered. This has the potential to provide Russia with sufficient manpower to sustain the war for some considerable time.
Large number of untrained conscripts to Die! Gloriously! For! The! Motherland!....
Yeah - Full Tonto Squared.
Funny how in a few weeks, that comment has gone from "Defence Sec. loses plot, needs to be fired" to "Called it".
Would be interesting to see how the smaller nations of the EU view the performance of France and Germany in 'defending' Europe. Both seem to have been fairly useless so far.
R4 PM was a nightmare for the Conservative Party today. The embarrassment of Conservative MPs is palpable: they are hating every minute of this. Governing should be fun, but it is clearly torture for them. Breaking point must be close.
R4 PM was a nightmare for the Conservative Party today. The embarrassment of Conservative MPs is palpable: they are hating every minute of this. Governing should be fun, but it is clearly torture for them. Breaking point must be close.
They deserve it. They could and should have dealt with this in the winter.
What were they thinking? Just hoping that “something will turn up”? It rarely does. Politicians shape their own destinies.
R4 PM was a nightmare for the Conservative Party today. The embarrassment of Conservative MPs is palpable: they are hating every minute of this. Governing should be fun, but it is clearly torture for them. Breaking point must be close.
Surely they must see now that Johnson has served his purpose from their narrow perspective: Brexit got done; Corbyn was kept out of power; decent majority achieved.
We are constantly told that the relationship between Johnson and Tory party is entirely transactional. Time to realise the terms of trade have changed?
I think this is a very useful perspective; it goes to the question "what next"?
And if Russia attempts to lower the intensity of the war, does Ukraine follow? Or do their allies continue to supply them with weapons to maintain their aggressive defence?
Good questions. I suspect one key factor will be if Russia is holding any land gained this year. The additional perspective is the state of the Russian economy and also whether any attempt is made to remove Putin.
I was listening to a Finnish Social Democratic MP on the radio earlier. He was in Stockholm to inform the ongoing Swedish parliamentary enquiry into NATO membership (incidentally, now being hurried through and reporting mid-May not end-May).
He is personally skeptical about Finnish membership, but he said that it is pretty much a foregone conclusion that Finland will apply to join in the very near future. He said parliamentary support there is overwhelming. That will almost certainly heavily affect the debate in Sweden.
Then why is he skeptical about Finnish membership?
I was listening to a Finnish Social Democratic MP on the radio earlier. He was in Stockholm to inform the ongoing Swedish parliamentary enquiry into NATO membership (incidentally, now being hurried through and reporting mid-May not end-May).
He is personally skeptical about Finnish membership, but he said that it is pretty much a foregone conclusion that Finland will apply to join in the very near future. He said parliamentary support there is overwhelming. That will almost certainly heavily affect the debate in Sweden.
Then why is he skeptical about Finnish membership?
Overwhelming support does not equal unanimous support. Parliamentary unanimity in any legislature is rare. He did not expound his own reservations, but Nordic media is full of Pros n Cons type articles and shows. It’s a hot topic.
I'm not sure that the Russians will reduce the intensity of the conflict. I think that is up to Putin - short of him getting kicked out.
In turn he seems to have gone Full Extra Tonto - and I see little sign of rationality in what he is doing.
If he actually believes that he is in an existential fight - why give up? why not go further and further?
There is some speculation that, in the absence of victory by May 9th, the date will instead serve as the time when war is formally declared and a full mobilisation ordered. This has the potential to provide Russia with sufficient manpower to sustain the war for some considerable time.
Large number of untrained conscripts to Die! Gloriously! For! The! Motherland!....
Yeah - Full Tonto Squared.
Funny how in a few weeks, that comment has gone from "Defence Sec. loses plot, needs to be fired" to "Called it".
Well, Russia does have a semblance of a reserve force, formed of people who have previous military experience, and presumably a larger number of people who have been conscripts in previous years and could be conscripted again. So there is quite a lot of manpower potential with some degree of previous military experience.
Probably enough to work through all of their usable equipment stockpiles. No idea what sort of dent it would make in their stocks of artillery shells - but a lot of dying to be done, on both sides, if the will is there.
R4 PM was a nightmare for the Conservative Party today. The embarrassment of Conservative MPs is palpable: they are hating every minute of this. Governing should be fun, but it is clearly torture for them. Breaking point must be close.
They deserve it. They could and should have dealt with this in the winter.
What were they thinking? Just hoping that “something will turn up”? It rarely does. Politicians shape their own destinies.
They worried too much about who would win the contest to replace Johnson. One problem at a time.
R4 PM was a nightmare for the Conservative Party today. The embarrassment of Conservative MPs is palpable: they are hating every minute of this. Governing should be fun, but it is clearly torture for them. Breaking point must be close.
They deserve it. They could and should have dealt with this in the winter.
What were they thinking? Just hoping that “something will turn up”? It rarely does. Politicians shape their own destinies.
They worried too much about who would win the contest to replace Johnson. One problem at a time.
I can see that Rees-Mogg would be a fire/frying pan scenario, but leaving aside the obvious morons, most of the top 20 names would be infinitely better than the winner of England’s Biggest Fattest Liar Contest.
Although Macron's odds have shortened phenomenally, there might still be some value. More shortly.
55-59.99% is now the favourite at 4/6. That's in from the 7/4 I got at the start of this week. 60-64.99% has come in from 14/1 to 7/2. Blimey!!!
But, whereas 65%+ was 40/1 that has now drifted out to 50/1. Do I think this is likely? Not really. But 50/1 when today he polled 57.5%? Might be worth a flutter. It's really not likely but it's not 50/1 unlikely.
I win above 55% and I think he is going to be close to 60% which was my forecast all through.
R4 PM was a nightmare for the Conservative Party today. The embarrassment of Conservative MPs is palpable: they are hating every minute of this. Governing should be fun, but it is clearly torture for them. Breaking point must be close.
They deserve it. They could and should have dealt with this in the winter.
What were they thinking? Just hoping that “something will turn up”? It rarely does. Politicians shape their own destinies.
They worried too much about who would win the contest to replace Johnson. One problem at a time.
I can see that Rees-Mogg would be a fire/frying pan scenario, but leaving aside the obvious morons, most of the top 20 names would be infinitely better than the winner of England’s Biggest Fattest Liar Contest.
Though I guess if Sunak had become leader in January only to be fined in April, it would have been somewhat unfortunate for the Tories, so you can envisage scenarios that are worse than the status quo.
R4 PM was a nightmare for the Conservative Party today. The embarrassment of Conservative MPs is palpable: they are hating every minute of this. Governing should be fun, but it is clearly torture for them. Breaking point must be close.
They deserve it. They could and should have dealt with this in the winter.
What were they thinking? Just hoping that “something will turn up”? It rarely does. Politicians shape their own destinies.
They worried too much about who would win the contest to replace Johnson. One problem at a time.
I can see that Rees-Mogg would be a fire/frying pan scenario, but leaving aside the obvious morons, most of the top 20 names would be infinitely better than the winner of England’s Biggest Fattest Liar Contest.
Though I guess if Sunak had become leader in January only to be fined in April, it would have been somewhat unfortunate for the Tories, so you can envisage scenarios that are worse than the status quo.
Did he fib to Pmt? But the green cards would have been red cards, so to speak.
Agree. Unless you can compile a list of 126-130 seats that Labour will win and don't currently hold, + be sure they will keep all their current seats, + be sure that Labour's left won't succeed in losing the election again, + be sure that neither can Boris reconstruct himself nor the Tories find out the Jeremy Hunt/Tom Tugendhat can win the odds for Labour getting 326 seats are nearer 20/1.
Although Macron's odds have shortened phenomenally, there might still be some value. More shortly.
55-59.99% is now the favourite at 4/6. That's in from the 7/4 I got at the start of this week. 60-64.99% has come in from 14/1 to 7/2. Blimey!!!
But, whereas 65%+ was 40/1 that has now drifted out to 50/1. Do I think this is likely? Not really. But 50/1 when today he polled 57.5%? Might be worth a flutter. It's really not likely but it's not 50/1 unlikely.
I win above 55% and I think he is going to be close to 60% which was my forecast all through.
I do like 'betting posts'. I can't recall quite who it was that used to make them years ago - in the early days for me on PB.
I'm not sure about the detail (well I am sure and being polite), but the intent is first class.
I was listening to a Finnish Social Democratic MP on the radio earlier. He was in Stockholm to inform the ongoing Swedish parliamentary enquiry into NATO membership (incidentally, now being hurried through and reporting mid-May not end-May).
He is personally skeptical about Finnish membership, but he said that it is pretty much a foregone conclusion that Finland will apply to join in the very near future. He said parliamentary support there is overwhelming. That will almost certainly heavily affect the debate in Sweden.
Then why is he skeptical about Finnish membership?
Rishi Sunak drifting again: now 13/1 for Next Con Leader.
Shortening: Zahawi 22/1 Baker 40/1
All three are impossible at any odds. Leading the field is Truss, Hunt and Tugendhat. Truss is very unlikely as the time will come when, as Sunak has discovered, being in this current government is a handicap; + she is lightweight. Hunt and Tugendhat are the real favourites.
Given that we are now (finally) into the endgame, I think it’s become considerably less likely than it was when it looked as though Johnson might make it to 2024.
Rishi Sunak drifting again: now 13/1 for Next Con Leader.
Shortening: Zahawi 22/1 Baker 40/1
All three are impossible at any odds. Leading the field is Truss, Hunt and Tugendhat. Truss is very unlikely as the time will come when, as Sunak has discovered, being in this current government is a handicap; + she is lightweight. Hunt and Tugendhat are the real favourites.
Not Hunt. The party won't vote for him unless JRM is the alternative. Whoever gets to the final two, it will be who is the better TV performer.
I was listening to a Finnish Social Democratic MP on the radio earlier. He was in Stockholm to inform the ongoing Swedish parliamentary enquiry into NATO membership (incidentally, now being hurried through and reporting mid-May not end-May).
He is personally skeptical about Finnish membership, but he said that it is pretty much a foregone conclusion that Finland will apply to join in the very near future. He said parliamentary support there is overwhelming. That will almost certainly heavily affect the debate in Sweden.
Then why is he skeptical about Finnish membership?
Overwhelming support does not equal unanimous support. Parliamentary unanimity in any legislature is rare. He did not expound his own reservations, but Nordic media is full of Pros n Cons type articles and shows. It’s a hot topic.
And also (pls correct if wrong) this is a HUGE sea change for Finns and Swedes, esp. on left side of spectrum.
And NOT just for lefties. But like the man sang, the times they are a'changing.
R4 PM was a nightmare for the Conservative Party today. The embarrassment of Conservative MPs is palpable: they are hating every minute of this. Governing should be fun, but it is clearly torture for them. Breaking point must be close.
They deserve it. They could and should have dealt with this in the winter.
What were they thinking? Just hoping that “something will turn up”? It rarely does. Politicians shape their own destinies.
They were thinking that Covid would be over and there would be a period of economic recovery when the government could reset. Then Putin did his thing and one of the World's largest oil and gas exporters attacked one of the World's largest food exporters. No government would be having a fun time at the moment.
Christ the Gary Gibbon interview on C4 News is painful.
Yep. "Let them have their enquiry if they want". "But you don't want. You tried to block it"
And then the clip of Chris Bryant. "He's toast [long pause] - he knows he's toast"
This does feel now like the narrative. Bluster all you like, you're toast. And when he goes in the bin, think what happens to the amoral lickspittles who have defended him.
Christ the Gary Gibbon interview on C4 News is painful.
Yep. "Let them have their enquiry if they want". "But you don't want. You tried to block it"
And then the clip of Chris Bryant. "He's toast [long pause] - he knows he's toast"
This does feel now like the narrative. Bluster all you like, you're toast. And when he goes in the bin, think what happens to the amoral lickspittles who have defended him.
Something seems to have changed today. On here as much as in the media.
I'm still not sure he won't cling on until 2024 but something shifted today.
My carafe of utterly exquisite English white wine - in the fucking prunier caviar house FFS - in lovely gleaming LHR T5 - cost me less than 2 average glasses of Chilean cab sauv in a flaky badly run drinks bar in JFK T8
I'm imagining being a Tory MP. I really, really think Boris should go, and that the lustre has gone, probably for good. But for the life of me I can't think who could replace him who has a chance in hell of making a great impression in time for the next general election. I've been through every possible alternative, and they all fall fundamentally short for one reason or another. So, although I think Boris must go, I also think he should stay. I'm going to cross my fingers and hope he has a revival, somehow.
I reckon that's what quite a lot of Tory MPs are going through at the moment.
I'm imagining being a Tory MP. I really, really think Boris should go, and that the lustre has gone, probably for good. But for the life of me I can't think who could replace him who has a chance in hell of making a great impression in time for the next general election. I've been through every possible alternative, and they all fall fundamentally short for one reason or another. So, although I think Boris must go, I also think he should stay. I'm going to cross my fingers and hope he has a revival, somehow.
I reckon that's what quite a lot of Tory MPs are going through at the moment.
If they had any integrity they'd prefer a truthful loser than a liar.
My carafe of utterly exquisite English white wine - in the fucking prunier caviar house FFS - in lovely gleaming LHR T5 - cost me less than 2 average glasses of Chilean cab sauv in a flaky badly run drinks bar in JFK T8
Just so you know. we're all rooting for you; your bravery in facing up to a life of unimaginable hardship is truly impressive.
I'm imagining being a Tory MP. I really, really think Boris should go, and that the lustre has gone, probably for good. But for the life of me I can't think who could replace him who has a chance in hell of making a great impression in time for the next general election. I've been through every possible alternative, and they all fall fundamentally short for one reason or another. So, although I think Boris must go, I also think he should stay. I'm going to cross my fingers and hope he has a revival, somehow.
I reckon that's what quite a lot of Tory MPs are going through at the moment.
Omnium, are you still on look out for Korean War books? Some I can recommend, in no particular order:
> Battle for Korea: The Associated Press History of the Korean Conflict ed. by Robert J Dvorchak > Korean War: An Oral History - Pusan to Chosen by Donald Knox [also at least one other volume] > The Coldest Winter: America and the Korean War by David Halberstam > Odd Man Out: Truman, Stalin, Mao, and the Origins of the Korean War by Richard C. Thornton > Truman and MacArthur: Policy, Politics and the Hunger for Honor and Renown by Michael D. Pearlman > Enter the Dragon: China's Undeclared War Against the US in Korea 1950-51 by Russell Spurr > Chosin: Heroic Ordeal of the Korean War by Eric Hammel > Give Me Tomorrow: The Korean War's Greatest Untold Story - The Epic Stand of the Marines of Charlie Company by Patrick K O'Donnell > Korean War Almanac ed by Harry G Summers > Encyclopedia of the Korean War: A Political, Social and Military History ed. by Spencer C Tucker Several Osprey monographs, only one I can vouch for is > Inchon: the Last Great Amphibious Assault by Gordon L Rottman
You will note this list is quite American-centric, also oriented to the first year of the war in general, and the Chosen Reservoir campaign featuring US Marine Corps, albeit with strong supporting role by Royal Marines (Task Force Drysdale). PLUS bravura performance by the People's Volunteer Army.
I'm imagining being a Tory MP. I really, really think Boris should go, and that the lustre has gone, probably for good. But for the life of me I can't think who could replace him who has a chance in hell of making a great impression in time for the next general election. I've been through every possible alternative, and they all fall fundamentally short for one reason or another. So, although I think Boris must go, I also think he should stay. I'm going to cross my fingers and hope he has a revival, somehow.
I reckon that's what quite a lot of Tory MPs are going through at the moment.
If they had any integrity they'd prefer a truthful loser than a liar.
My carafe of utterly exquisite English white wine - in the fucking prunier caviar house FFS - in lovely gleaming LHR T5 - cost me less than 2 average glasses of Chilean cab sauv in a flaky badly run drinks bar in JFK T8
Just so you know. we're all rooting for you; your bravery in facing up to a life of unimaginable hardship is truly impressive.
Thanks. I feel I’m gonna need this moral support in the coming days of hellish quasi-freebies
It's very simple - they want to maintain interest but more importantly they will not take any risk at all of suggesting someone will win and then being wrong.
Even when Blair was winning easily Andrew Marr was talking on BBC News the night before about "uncertainty", "stories of unusual movements in marginals", "nobody knows for sure what's going on" etc.
It's basically a standard script recycled every single election.
I'm imagining being a Tory MP. I really, really think Boris should go, and that the lustre has gone, probably for good. But for the life of me I can't think who could replace him who has a chance in hell of making a great impression in time for the next general election. I've been through every possible alternative, and they all fall fundamentally short for one reason or another. So, although I think Boris must go, I also think he should stay. I'm going to cross my fingers and hope he has a revival, somehow.
I reckon that's what quite a lot of Tory MPs are going through at the moment.
That's the Catch-22 the Conservatives sleepwalked into.
They can't win again with Boris. And whilst this fiasco wasn't forseeable in 2019, something like this was pretty much inevitable, given the character of the man.
Equally, they can't easily win with a not-Boris. Partly because Boris in unique and talented (as in Mr Ripley). Specifically, nobody connects with many new Conservatives the way he does. And that's not just down to the shameless fluency of his lies. It's a lot of it, but not just that.
But also because any potential tall poppies have been cut down by Bozza, because he's afraid of alternatives. Which is a bit of a bugger when an alternative is needed.
It's very simple - they want to maintain interest but more importantly they will not take any risk at all of suggesting someone will win and then being wrong.
Even when Blair was winning easily Andrew Marr was talking on BBC News the night before about "uncertainty", "stories of unusual movements in marginals", "nobody knows for sure what's going on" etc.
It's basically a standard script recycled every single election.
It’s ridiculously unenlightening. The BBC doesn’t need to take sides, but it could at least provide an informed view.
I’ve had a few hours of preliminary wandering around Barcelona, and a few stops for beers on the way of course. Now having dinner in a lovely little restaurant just around the corner from George Orwell Place.
I had Esqueixada to start, now eating their beach squid with black allioli. And a nice glass or two of garnacha to wash it down.
I was listening to a Finnish Social Democratic MP on the radio earlier. He was in Stockholm to inform the ongoing Swedish parliamentary enquiry into NATO membership (incidentally, now being hurried through and reporting mid-May not end-May).
He is personally skeptical about Finnish membership, but he said that it is pretty much a foregone conclusion that Finland will apply to join in the very near future. He said parliamentary support there is overwhelming. That will almost certainly heavily affect the debate in Sweden.
Then why is he skeptical about Finnish membership?
Overwhelming support does not equal unanimous support. Parliamentary unanimity in any legislature is rare. He did not expound his own reservations, but Nordic media is full of Pros n Cons type articles and shows. It’s a hot topic.
And also (pls correct if wrong) this is a HUGE sea change for Finns and Swedes, esp. on left side of spectrum.
And NOT just for lefties. But like the man sang, the times they are a'changing.
Yes. I don’t think I’m over-egging it to say that many Swedes are profoundly uncomfortable with NATO membership because it just seems so damned “un-Swedish”. We haven’t been at war for 200 years, and folks aren’t super-keen to change that record. This is not a left/right issue (all politics in Sweden is “left” anyway, even the so-called “conservatives”; nothing is more conservative in Sweden than social democracy).
My carafe of utterly exquisite English white wine - in the fucking prunier caviar house FFS - in lovely gleaming LHR T5 - cost me less than 2 average glasses of Chilean cab sauv in a flaky badly run drinks bar in JFK T8
Just so you know. we're all rooting for you; your bravery in facing up to a life of unimaginable hardship is truly impressive.
Thanks. I feel I’m gonna need this moral support in the coming days of hellish quasi-freebies
It doesn’t get any cheaper when you leave the airport.
Family meal (2X adults, 2X kids) at family restaurant.
London, £40-£60* New York, $80-$120
*I am starting to forget the price of things in London which is perhaps merciful.
My carafe of utterly exquisite English white wine - in the fucking prunier caviar house FFS - in lovely gleaming LHR T5 - cost me less than 2 average glasses of Chilean cab sauv in a flaky badly run drinks bar in JFK T8
Just so you know. we're all rooting for you; your bravery in facing up to a life of unimaginable hardship is truly impressive.
Thanks. I feel I’m gonna need this moral support in the coming days of hellish quasi-freebies
It doesn’t get any cheaper when you leave the airport.
Family meal (2X adults, 2X kids) at family restaurant.
London, £40-£60* New York, $80-$120
*I am starting to forget the price of things in London which is perhaps merciful.
The hilarity is New York is cheap compared to Boston.
My carafe of utterly exquisite English white wine - in the fucking prunier caviar house FFS - in lovely gleaming LHR T5 - cost me less than 2 average glasses of Chilean cab sauv in a flaky badly run drinks bar in JFK T8
Just so you know. we're all rooting for you; your bravery in facing up to a life of unimaginable hardship is truly impressive.
Thanks. I feel I’m gonna need this moral support in the coming days of hellish quasi-freebies
It doesn’t get any cheaper when you leave the airport.
Family meal (2X adults, 2X kids) at family restaurant.
London, £40-£60* New York, $80-$120
*I am starting to forget the price of things in London which is perhaps merciful.
The hilarity is New York is cheap compared to Boston.
I can remember a time when New York was cheap for travellers with the pound. Sigh.
I’ve had a few hours of preliminary wandering around Barcelona, and a few stops for beers on the way of course. Now having dinner in a lovely little restaurant just around the corner from George Orwell Place.
I had Esqueixada to start, now eating their beach squid with black allioli. And a nice glass or two of garnacha to wash it down.
Man, you should get local tourist boards to bankroll your expedition.
That meal looks very yummy.
However, please assure me you will NOT eat any tiny tortoises, regardless of sauce. At least not before you cavort with them!
Tories suspend candidate over anti-Catholic comments
Greg Turner, who is standing to become a councillor in East Renfrewshire referred to a local Catholic high school as a "bigot factory," and described Catholics as "papes".
According to the Daily Record, The Tory was behind a profile known as "MearnsUnionist".
Omnium, are you still on look out for Korean War books? Some I can recommend, in no particular order:
> Battle for Korea: The Associated Press History of the Korean Conflict ed. by Robert J Dvorchak > Korean War: An Oral History - Pusan to Chosen by Donald Knox [also at least one other volume] > The Coldest Winter: America and the Korean War by David Halberstam > Odd Man Out: Truman, Stalin, Mao, and the Origins of the Korean War by Richard C. Thornton > Truman and MacArthur: Policy, Politics and the Hunger for Honor and Renown by Michael D. Pearlman > Enter the Dragon: China's Undeclared War Against the US in Korea 1950-51 by Russell Spurr > Chosin: Heroic Ordeal of the Korean War by Eric Hammel > Give Me Tomorrow: The Korean War's Greatest Untold Story - The Epic Stand of the Marines of Charlie Company by Patrick K O'Donnell > Korean War Almanac ed by Harry G Summers > Encyclopedia of the Korean War: A Political, Social and Military History ed. by Spencer C Tucker Several Osprey monographs, only one I can vouch for is > Inchon: the Last Great Amphibious Assault by Gordon L Rottman
You will note this list is quite American-centric, also oriented to the first year of the war in general, and the Chosen Reservoir campaign featuring US Marine Corps, albeit with strong supporting role by Royal Marines (Task Force Drysdale). PLUS bravura performance by the People's Volunteer Army.
Thanks very much.
( Iwon't pick up on all of these, but some certainly. Just finishing Max Hastings' tome currently.)
Rishi Sunak drifting again: now 13/1 for Next Con Leader.
Shortening: Zahawi 22/1 Baker 40/1
All three are impossible at any odds. Leading the field is Truss, Hunt and Tugendhat. Truss is very unlikely as the time will come when, as Sunak has discovered, being in this current government is a handicap; + she is lightweight. Hunt and Tugendhat are the real favourites.
My carafe of utterly exquisite English white wine - in the fucking prunier caviar house FFS - in lovely gleaming LHR T5 - cost me less than 2 average glasses of Chilean cab sauv in a flaky badly run drinks bar in JFK T8
Just so you know. we're all rooting for you; your bravery in facing up to a life of unimaginable hardship is truly impressive.
Thanks. I feel I’m gonna need this moral support in the coming days of hellish quasi-freebies
It doesn’t get any cheaper when you leave the airport.
Family meal (2X adults, 2X kids) at family restaurant.
London, £40-£60* New York, $80-$120
*I am starting to forget the price of things in London which is perhaps merciful.
The hilarity is New York is cheap compared to Boston.
I can remember a time when New York was cheap for travellers with the pound. Sigh.
Under the Cheney-Bush administration, right (and correct)?
I’ve had a few hours of preliminary wandering around Barcelona, and a few stops for beers on the way of course. Now having dinner in a lovely little restaurant just around the corner from George Orwell Place.
I had Esqueixada to start, now eating their beach squid with black allioli. And a nice glass or two of garnacha to wash it down.
Man, you should get local tourist boards to bankroll your expedition.
That meal looks very yummy.
However, please assure me you will NOT eat any tiny tortoises, regardless of sauce. At least not before you cavort with them!
"the despicable propaganda and the utter hate now being poured over the entire civilised world".
wow, it is a surprisingly honest summary of how the conflict is being covered by Western media.
If you actually watch and understand Russian media, you will realise how totally inappropriate this sarky comment truly is.
oh, yes, of course, only the self-appointed Western 'democracies' possess the remarkable privilege of always being right. This should be written in stone in the Charter of the United Nations.
Wow.
You're back. And with a different IP address that's also (amazingly) blacklisted.
So either:
(a) Your computer is compromised by hackers, and you should wipe it and start over with better security protocols
or
(b) You are actually sitting in a windowless room someone and being paid to post.
So far - about an hour - America is also stupidly expensive. I just had two glasses of OK Chilean red wine. £35 including tip
Wtf.
And this is in a significantly shit airport terminal
The same at Luton would have been half the price. And served with greater skill and speed
America you need to shape up or I’m gonna have a word
F*ck me, not another travel-writing jolly that you'll moan about endlessly on here before producing a glowing puff-piece in the Torygraph, Times, Speccie or wherever?
Comments
I think this is a very useful perspective; it goes to the question "what next"?
And if Russia attempts to lower the intensity of the war, does Ukraine follow? Or do their allies continue to supply them with weapons to maintain their aggressive defence?
But it is a good thread header, as all @Cicero 's comments have been.
In turn he seems to have gone Full Extra Tonto - and I see little sign of rationality in what he is doing.
If he actually believes that he is in an existential fight - why give up? why not go further and further?
Terrible airport and terrible to get to. In keeping with terrible American airlines.
As for South Africa, I've flown from most of them. King Shaka International at Durban is probably my pick: not a bad airport at all. You can fly there direct from the UAE with Emirates which adds an arguably better option than Jo'burg.
Nothing, not even Singapore Airlines, will ever be quite the same for you again. Dodgy country, utterly outstanding airline.
(And both amusing and irritating that despite being in OneWorld, Qatar won't let riff raff business passengers from other airlines use their top Business lounges. Only their own true business pax are allowed in.)
He is personally skeptical about Finnish membership, but he said that it is pretty much a foregone conclusion that Finland will apply to join in the very near future. He said parliamentary support there is overwhelming. That will almost certainly heavily affect the debate in Sweden.
Yeah - Full Tonto Squared.
Funny how in a few weeks, that comment has gone from "Defence Sec. loses plot, needs to be fired" to "Called it".
Would be interesting to see how the smaller nations of the EU view the performance of France and Germany in 'defending' Europe. Both seem to have been fairly useless so far.
We are constantly told that the relationship between Johnson and Tory party is entirely transactional. Time to realise the terms of trade have changed?
Like a stone today.
Labour majority surely underpriced now
There was some seriously good value. At least, I think so
Probably enough to work through all of their usable equipment stockpiles. No idea what sort of dent it would make in their stocks of artillery shells - but a lot of dying to be done, on both sides, if the will is there.
Although Macron's odds have shortened phenomenally, there might still be some value. More shortly.
55-59.99% is now the favourite at 4/6. That's in from the 7/4 I got at the start of this week.
60-64.99% has come in from 14/1 to 7/2. Blimey!!!
But, whereas 65%+ was 40/1 that has now drifted out to 50/1. Do I think this is likely? Not really. But 50/1 when today he polled 57.5%? Might be worth a flutter. It's really not likely but it's not 50/1 unlikely.
I win above 55% and I think he is going to be close to 60% which was my forecast all through.
Shortening:
Zahawi 22/1
Baker 40/1
I'm not sure about the detail (well I am sure and being polite), but the intent is first class.
And NOT just for lefties. But like the man sang, the times they are a'changing.
Macron was his usual arrogant self but I don't think that will dissuade people from voting for him in a two horse race.
Am I way behind the curve?
What's also become clear is the quite substantial number of ghasts that the Tory parliamentary party have in their ranks.
(That'll flush out the folks from Nottingham.)
And then the clip of Chris Bryant. "He's toast [long pause] - he knows he's toast"
This does feel now like the narrative. Bluster all you like, you're toast. And when he goes in the bin, think what happens to the amoral lickspittles who have defended him.
I'm still not sure he won't cling on until 2024 but something shifted today.
Wtf.
And this is in a significantly shit airport terminal
The same at Luton would have been half the price. And served with greater skill and speed
America you need to shape up or I’m gonna have a word
It means the opposite of what you think it means.
I think 🤔
Surely it's only a fiver a glass?
I reckon that's what quite a lot of Tory MPs are going through at the moment.
And yet, some of the loveliest people around.
Cicero: what's the explanation for your superb English?
> Battle for Korea: The Associated Press History of the Korean Conflict ed. by Robert J Dvorchak
> Korean War: An Oral History - Pusan to Chosen by Donald Knox [also at least one other volume]
> The Coldest Winter: America and the Korean War by David Halberstam
> Odd Man Out: Truman, Stalin, Mao, and the Origins of the Korean War by Richard C. Thornton
> Truman and MacArthur: Policy, Politics and the Hunger for Honor and Renown by Michael D. Pearlman
> Enter the Dragon: China's Undeclared War Against the US in Korea 1950-51 by Russell Spurr
> Chosin: Heroic Ordeal of the Korean War by Eric Hammel
> Give Me Tomorrow: The Korean War's Greatest Untold Story - The Epic Stand of the Marines of Charlie Company by Patrick K O'Donnell
> Korean War Almanac ed by Harry G Summers
> Encyclopedia of the Korean War: A Political, Social and Military History ed. by Spencer C Tucker
Several Osprey monographs, only one I can vouch for is
> Inchon: the Last Great Amphibious Assault by Gordon L Rottman
You will note this list is quite American-centric, also oriented to the first year of the war in general, and the Chosen Reservoir campaign featuring US Marine Corps, albeit with strong supporting role by Royal Marines (Task Force Drysdale). PLUS bravura performance by the People's Volunteer Army.
Yes, I’m looking at you @NickPalmer
It's very simple - they want to maintain interest but more importantly they will not take any risk at all of suggesting someone will win and then being wrong.
Even when Blair was winning easily Andrew Marr was talking on BBC News the night before about "uncertainty", "stories of unusual movements in marginals", "nobody knows for sure what's going on" etc.
It's basically a standard script recycled every single election.
They can't win again with Boris. And whilst this fiasco wasn't forseeable in 2019, something like this was pretty much inevitable, given the character of the man.
Equally, they can't easily win with a not-Boris. Partly because Boris in unique and talented (as in Mr Ripley). Specifically, nobody connects with many new Conservatives the way he does. And that's not just down to the shameless fluency of his lies. It's a lot of it, but not just that.
But also because any potential tall poppies have been cut down by Bozza, because he's afraid of alternatives. Which is a bit of a bugger when an alternative is needed.
The BBC doesn’t need to take sides, but it could at least provide an informed view.
I had Esqueixada to start, now eating their beach squid with black allioli. And a nice glass or two of garnacha to wash it down.
Family meal (2X adults, 2X kids) at family restaurant.
London, £40-£60*
New York, $80-$120
*I am starting to forget the price of things in London which is perhaps merciful.
Though might want to start with charm offensive before embarking on offensive offensive.
Anyway, have fun on the road to Mar-a-Lardo!
That meal looks very yummy.
However, please assure me you will NOT eat any tiny tortoises, regardless of sauce. At least not before you cavort with them!
Greg Turner, who is standing to become a councillor in East Renfrewshire referred to a local Catholic high school as a "bigot factory," and described Catholics as "papes".
According to the Daily Record, The Tory was behind a profile known as "MearnsUnionist".
https://www.heraldscotland.com/politics/20085178.tories-suspend-candidate-anti-catholic-comments/
( Iwon't pick up on all of these, but some certainly. Just finishing Max Hastings' tome currently.)
You're back. And with a different IP address that's also (amazingly) blacklisted.
So either:
(a) Your computer is compromised by hackers, and you should wipe it and start over with better security protocols
or
(b) You are actually sitting in a windowless room someone and being paid to post.
Which one is it?