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Huge blow for Sunak as Supreme Court flings out his Rwanda plan – politicalbetting.com

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  • JosiasJessopJosiasJessop Posts: 45,128
    So, in other news, a tower block in Bristol was evacuated yesterday as it is believed to be potentially dangerous.

    Now it turns out it was not built according to its plans.

    In 1958.

    The problems we see all too often nowadays, are not new.

    https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-bristol-67413984
  • Scott_xPScott_xP Posts: 37,669
    @steverichards14
    Johnson announced the Rwanda policy as part of ‘operation save big dog’..it was even briefed as such… rushed through in an attempt to save him and fuel the fantasies of Braverman etc..The more forensic Sunak must have known the fatal flaws but too weak to declare a rethink when he became PM…Damning on so many fronts.
  • TazTaz Posts: 17,222
    viewcode said:

    Is he trying to be an influencer now?
    Just still trying to be relevant.
  • FrankBoothFrankBooth Posts: 10,022
    Did Sunak and Braverman have dinner at Granita?

    On inflation Sunak's main contribution would seem to be sending Storm Shadow missiles to Ukraine. Wheat prices nearly doubled in the early part of the war in 2022 and when Putin pulled out of the grain deal there must have been fears of a new blockade or at least commercial ships being unprepared to risk it. The Russian navy having its arse handed to itself in Sevastopol* was a triumph.

    *no room for complacency
  • Andy_JSAndy_JS Posts: 34,162
    Bit of confusion at the cricket match.
  • JosiasJessopJosiasJessop Posts: 45,128

    The vast majority of people would be honest in that scenario. Very few would deliberately steal from a local swimming pool, they’re simply forgetting is a more likely risk.

    In any case, you are rumbled. You once claimed you always kept a £20 note in your wallet/phone case. Gotcha!
    Yeah, I used that the other day. Oddly enough, because the Co-op (again) had no electronic payments. At the bake sale at my son's school on Friday, I had to use my emergency locker-room pound coin to buy two cupcakes.

    I need to make a trip to the cashpoint.
  • SandpitSandpit Posts: 56,022
    No, you can’t knock the bails off before the ball arrives.
  • nico679nico679 Posts: 6,277
    edited November 2023

    That's not true. There is no international sovereign.
    What’s sovereign got to do with it . It’s a matter of fact , international law trumps domestic law.

    To give you an example during the Brexit wars . The no dealers said the government shouldn’t lay the statutory instruments needed to extend the transition period and therefore by their idiotic logic the UK would leave without a deal . It had to be explained to them that in international law terms the UK hadn’t left as the PM had already signed the agreement .

    The UK can of course do what it likes if it pulls out of the ECHR and all the other conventions in relation to refugees as they would no longer have any bearing on domestic laws . Good luck with getting that through the Commons, the UK government cannot remove the rights of citizens without a parliamentary vote .

    That was the impact of the Article 50 case and anyone who wants to live in a democratic country should be eternally thankful the SC ruled in that way .

  • malcolmgmalcolmg Posts: 44,009

    The vast majority of people would be honest in that scenario. Very few would deliberately steal from a local swimming pool, they’re simply forgetting is a more likely risk.

    In any case, you are rumbled. You once claimed you always kept a £20 note in your wallet/phone case. Gotcha!
    You are a dreamer if you think majority would pay
  • Suella claims she had taken legal advice and done the preliminary work on her policy submissions to Sunak. I see no reason to doubt her on that.
    Give over. She published the illegal Illegal Migration Bill. Written in crayon. To fix the things that she claimed the previous year's migration bill had already fixed.

    Rwanda is a "policy" drawn in red crayon to entertain morons. It isn't remotely practical no matter how much Leon crosses his arms and stamps his foot insisting that it should be.
  • williamglennwilliamglenn Posts: 54,533
    Social media has managed to produce an awful hybrid of Jeremy Vine and pet-based self-promotion.

    There's an American who endangers his cat by riding around London with it on his bike so he can post videos online. This one shows the cat being knocked off in a collision:

    https://x.com/sigirides/status/1724088969267191987
  • viewcode said:

    Is he trying to be an influencer now?
    Rory is trying to sell his book, out in time for Christmas. Rory is a travel writer who opines on politics. He might even have eaten a ant.
  • Yeah, I used that the other day. Oddly enough, because the Co-op (again) had no electronic payments. At the bake sale at my son's school on Friday, I had to use my emergency locker-room pound coin to buy two cupcakes.

    I need to make a trip to the cashpoint.
    Cash? Our shop took 2/3rds of its takings in cash on day 1 - unexpected. It costs twice as much to process cash as it does card payments, so will now try and burn cash where we can. As an example, wifey took a pile of it off to the wholesaler to restock various items. Surprised they take cash, but whatever. As long as we have invoices for everything it is fine.
  • MightyAlexMightyAlex Posts: 1,750
    TOPPING said:

    What is it with a Gaza vote anyway. WTF are we opining on a distant war in a faraway land. In parliament. With MPs threatening to resign over the outcome of the vote.

    Madness.

    The country our PM promised to unequivocally support? The faraway land with at least 5 RN ships hanging around it? The distant war we're flying surveillance planes over?

    Clearly this matter affects the UK enough for parliament to be involved.
  • FrankBoothFrankBooth Posts: 10,022
    Not looked at the SC ruling yet. I presume it was because Rwanda is not deemed a safe country? Do we have their evidence for that?
  • turbotubbsturbotubbs Posts: 18,442

    So, in other news, a tower block in Bristol was evacuated yesterday as it is believed to be potentially dangerous.

    Now it turns out it was not built according to its plans.

    In 1958.

    The problems we see all too often nowadays, are not new.

    https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-bristol-67413984

    This was on my local news this morning. Now I may be stupid but its been standing since 1958 without issue, so why did they need to evacuate everyone last night?
  • malcolmgmalcolmg Posts: 44,009

    Asylum claims are pretty simple. Dont wait three years to process a claim because you ideologically want to skimp on staff and court costs. Process them in weeks rather than years, which means the vast majority can work rather than rely on the state.
    Build one wherever you like and ship all who arrive here to that centre and process, if successful they are allowed to come back if not they can do as they wish.
  • The country our PM promised to unequivocally support? The faraway land with at least 5 RN ships hanging around it? The distant war we're flying surveillance planes over?

    Clearly this matter affects the UK enough for parliament to be involved.
    Also, there is Labour discontent. So the SNP want to stoke this as much as possible to neuter likely Labour gains in the central belt. And the Tories still think "yebbut Jezbollah" will work despite Boris! Truss, Braverman etc
  • malcolmgmalcolmg Posts: 44,009
    DavidL said:

    Are you sure it wasn't an aunt? That would be more interesting.
    Need to be pretty hungry though.
  • DavidLDavidL Posts: 54,963
    TOPPING said:

    What is it with a Gaza vote anyway. WTF are we opining on a distant war in a faraway land. In parliament. With MPs threatening to resign over the outcome of the vote.

    Madness.

    It is indeed. It is the delusion of relevance. We think people still care what we think. They don't.
  • DavidLDavidL Posts: 54,963
    malcolmg said:

    Need to be pretty hungry though.
    My remaining aunts, much diminished in recent years, would be a little on the tough side for sure.
  • malcolmg said:

    Build one wherever you like and ship all who arrive here to that centre and process, if successful they are allowed to come back if not they can do as they wish.
    How is that going to be cheaper or faster than doing it without the shipping/flying?

    If what people really mean is they dont want to offer asylum to all but a very limited and capped number rather than lets process them somewhere else, then the answer is to withdraw from the ECHR and change the criteria, not faffing around with third countries.
  • williamglennwilliamglenn Posts: 54,533
    nico679 said:

    What’s sovereign got to do with it . It’s a matter of fact , international law trumps domestic law.

    To give you an example during the Brexit wars . The no dealers said the government shouldn’t lay the statutory instruments needed to extend the transition period and therefore by their idiotic logic the UK would leave without a deal . It had to be explained to them that in international law terms the UK hadn’t left as the PM had already signed the agreement .

    The UK can of course do what it likes if it pulls out of the ECHR and all the other conventions in relation to refugees as they would no longer have any bearing on domestic laws . Good luck with getting that through the Commons, the UK government cannot remove the rights of citizens without a parliamentary vote .

    That was the impact of the Article 50 case and anyone who wants to live in a democratic country should be eternally thankful the SC ruled in that way .

    Your argument is self-contradictory on multiple levels.

    Can a country be considered democratic if its people are prevented from voting for things that go against the wishes of an external body?
  • AnabobazinaAnabobazina Posts: 23,795

    Yeah, I used that the other day. Oddly enough, because the Co-op (again) had no electronic payments. At the bake sale at my son's school on Friday, I had to use my emergency locker-room pound coin to buy two cupcakes.

    I need to make a trip to the cashpoint.
    You must live in a weird backwater. I haven't needed to use cash for anything in the UK for years. The bake sale needs to get SumUp. £19.99 and they will make more money. We use it for sales at the rugby club barbecue. Revenues quickly rose. Absolute winner.

    Your local Co-Op sounds farcically shit.
  • nico679 said:

    International law trumps domestic law .
    Not in a domestic court it doesn't.
  • AnabobazinaAnabobazina Posts: 23,795

    Cash? Our shop took 2/3rds of its takings in cash on day 1 - unexpected. It costs twice as much to process cash as it does card payments, so will now try and burn cash where we can. As an example, wifey took a pile of it off to the wholesaler to restock various items. Surprised they take cash, but whatever. As long as we have invoices for everything it is fine.
    Yes, cash is shit. As discussed ad infinitum. An outdated, pointless, risky, expensive, dirty and therefore stupid system of trade.
  • DavidLDavidL Posts: 54,963
    Sandpit said:

    No, you can’t knock the bails off before the ball arrives.

    Williamson needs to speed up. He is putting serious pressure on Mitchell to do risky things.
  • malcolmgmalcolmg Posts: 44,009
    DavidL said:

    It is indeed. It is the delusion of relevance. We think people still care what we think. They don't.
    SNP are the worst for it, bunch of sad losers. Whingefest every day about anything other than Scotland which they ignor etotally.
  • Those inflation figures are nowhere near as good as the government are making out.
    Sunak doing a victory dance is very premature when you take out the energy cap fudge. It ain't over yet.
  • FoxyFoxy Posts: 50,829
    edited November 2023
    TOPPING said:

    What is it with a Gaza vote anyway. WTF are we opining on a distant war in a faraway land. In parliament. With MPs threatening to resign over the outcome of the vote.

    Madness.

    Completely daft. Outside Irael/Palestine only the USA can put pressure on.

    It's student union level politics making the university a nuclear free zone.
  • Yes, cash is shit. As discussed ad infinitum. An outdated, pointless, risky, expensive, dirty and therefore stupid system of trade.
    There is something satisfying about doing a cashup at the end of a day's trading. Especially when there are 4 different bank note issuers to look at.
  • TOPPINGTOPPING Posts: 43,647

    The country our PM promised to unequivocally support? The faraway land with at least 5 RN ships hanging around it? The distant war we're flying surveillance planes over?

    Clearly this matter affects the UK enough for parliament to be involved.
    Yeah. But it's ridiculous. We unequivocally support lots of countries without sending warships there.
  • CarnyxCarnyx Posts: 44,617

    There is something satisfying about doing a cashup at the end of a day's trading. Especially when there are 4 different bank note issuers to look at.
    Now, now, don't get Anabob excited, even if it's so difficult to get him interested in the topic of cash, from iron oxhides and cowries down to bits of plastic sheeting.
  • Andy_JSAndy_JS Posts: 34,162

    Yes, cash is shit. As discussed ad infinitum. An outdated, pointless, risky, expensive, dirty and therefore stupid system of trade.
    Cash is freedom.
  • AnabobazinaAnabobazina Posts: 23,795

    There is something satisfying about doing a cashup at the end of a day's trading. Especially when there are 4 different bank note issuers to look at.
    Having worked in retail in the 1990s, you will very soon tire of it. I can assure you of that.
  • Just how Wack is anti-Woke?

    NYT (via Seattle Times) - In Texas, a fight over gender and school theater takes an unexpected turn

    SHERMAN, Texas — A school district in the conservative town of Sherman, Texas, made national headlines last week when it put a stop to a high school production of the musical “Oklahoma!” after a transgender student was cast in a lead role.

    The district’s administrators decided, and communicated to parents, that the school would cast only students “born as females in female roles and students born as males in male roles.” Not only did several transgender and nonbinary students lose their parts, but so too did girls cast in male roles. Publicly, the district said the problem was the profane and sexual content of the 1943 musical.

    At one point, the theater teacher, who objected to the decision, was escorted out of the school by the principal. The set, a sturdy mock-up of a settler’s house that took students two months to build, was demolished.

    But then something even more unusual happened in Sherman, a rural college town that has been rapidly drawn into the expanding orbit of Dallas to its south. The school district reversed course. In a late-night vote Monday, the school board voted unanimously to restore the original casting. The decision rebuked efforts to bring the fight over transgender participation in student activities into the world of theater, which has long provided a haven for gay, lesbian and transgender students, and it reflected just how deeply the controversy had unsettled the town.

    The district’s restriction had been exceptional. Fights have erupted over the kinds of plays students can present, but few if any school districts appear to have attempted to restrict gender roles in theater. And while legislatures across the country, including in Texas, have adopted laws restricting transgender students’ participation in sports, no such legislation has been introduced to restrict theater roles, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.

    The board’s vote came after students and outraged parents began organizing. In recent days, the district’s administrators, seeking a compromise, offered to recast the students in a version of the musical meant for middle schoolers or younger that omitted solos and included roles as cattle and birds. Students balked.

    After the vote, the school board announced a special meeting for Friday to open an investigation and to consider taking action against the district superintendent, Tyson Bennett, who oversaw the district’s handling of “Oklahoma!,” including “possible administrative leave.”

    Suddenly, improbably, the students had won. . . .

    SSI - To millions of Americans, for whom student productions of "Oklahoma" have been a staple of high school theater for over a half-century, banning this much-beloved musical truly exposes the wackiness of the ideologically-inspired, politically-motivated War on Woke.

  • AnabobazinaAnabobazina Posts: 23,795
    Andy_JS said:

    Cash is freedom.
    Cash is being bound to cash machines, pointless bank branches, and counting out change. The opposite of freedom. A pointless time sink.
  • JosiasJessopJosiasJessop Posts: 45,128

    You must live in a weird backwater. I haven't needed to use cash for anything in the UK for years. The bake sale needs to get SumUp. £19.99 and they will make more money. We use it for sales at the rugby club barbecue. Revenues quickly rose. Absolute winner.

    Your local Co-Op sounds farcically shit.
    LOL. No. Need pound coins for lockers at the pool and for the supermarket trolleys. As for the Co-Op; it's noting to do with them. As I've mentioned before, scrotes keep on nicking the telecoms cables. (I've no idea why they can't/don't use 5G or whatever.)

    Perhaps because you and I have different needs, interests and hobbies, our need for cash is different?
  • .
    TOPPING said:

    What is it with a Gaza vote anyway. WTF are we opining on a distant war in a faraway land. In parliament. With MPs threatening to resign over the outcome of the vote.

    Madness.

    I feel the same, but I didn't want to say anything because I'd have shown my antisemitic/islamaphobic (delete as appropriate) tendencies, and I can't be bothered to get involved.
  • nico679nico679 Posts: 6,277

    Your argument is self-contradictory on multiple levels.

    Can a country be considered democratic if its people are prevented from voting for things that go against the wishes of an external body?
    It’s not self-contradictory . Remind me who voted for the Rwandan policy . If a party wants to run on leaving all the international agreements re refugees and people vote for it then the government can do whatever it likes . Please show me the section of the Tory manifesto where they said they’d do that !
  • NigelbNigelb Posts: 76,018

    Being snarled at by Joe Biden, and being able to deflect such an attack politely, generously, diplomatically, and firmly, without creating an ongoing rift, is what I want to see in a future PM.

    Liz Truss was bold enough to piss him off but unable or unwilling to defend her policy when he attacked it. Rishi Sunak would never have the stones even to differ politely. Boris said 'fuck the Americans' - but after he left office. Nobody can just be normal. We know the USA is a hugely dominant force, yet other countries seem to carry on without cravenly acquiescing on every single issue. How does Ireland keep a 12% Corporation Tax level against what must be huge US pressure in its campaign to force everyone else to raise it?
    It doesn't ?
    https://www.irishtimes.com/business/2023/10/19/new-15-tax-rate-for-big-multinationals-forms-cornerstone-of-finance-bill/
  • JosiasJessopJosiasJessop Posts: 45,128

    This was on my local news this morning. Now I may be stupid but its been standing since 1958 without issue, so why did they need to evacuate everyone last night?
    I don't know, and it'll be interesting to see. From something I read yesterday, they suddenly realised it would not be structurally safe in a fire or explosion (think Ronan Point). My loose understanding was that the building was nearing the end of its life, and they sent surveyors in to see if its lifetime could be extended, or whether it should be demolished. Whilst doing so, they discovered it is not as shown on the plans, and is unsafe.

    Also, materials degrade over time. A BBC article shows large, long-standing cracks in the building. Perhaps they're not structural; but they never look good in a big building.
  • TimSTimS Posts: 14,729
    Labour's Gaza rebellion (front bench intifada?) is getting very little coverage in the press, even the Tory press. I can only conclude that's because Tory infighting is more box office. More personal, more scrappy, more Machiavellian.

    Starmer's a lucky general if that relative lack of focus continues. He gets to clear out potential troublemakers from their tunnels under the shadow ministries team without too much collateral damage.
  • DavidLDavidL Posts: 54,963

    Those inflation figures are nowhere near as good as the government are making out.
    Sunak doing a victory dance is very premature when you take out the energy cap fudge. It ain't over yet.

    Core inflation is down a chunk, although not as much as the headline rate. I don't see inflation going up again anytime soon but it will probably be stickier after this. Interest rates have probably peaked now. That will help the mortgage market a bit.

    And it sure beats talking about a 5-0 thumping.
  • AnabobazinaAnabobazina Posts: 23,795

    LOL. No. Need pound coins for lockers at the pool and for the supermarket trolleys. As for the Co-Op; it's noting to do with them. As I've mentioned before, scrotes keep on nicking the telecoms cables. (I've no idea why they can't/don't use 5G or whatever.)

    Perhaps because you and I have different needs, interests and hobbies, our need for cash is different?
    Do people still carry around 'pound coins'? FFS.
  • PulpstarPulpstar Posts: 79,098

    Do people still carry around 'pound coins'? FFS.
    It's the one coin you do actually need for swimming bath lockers and trolleys.
  • SandpitSandpit Posts: 56,022

    I don't know, and it'll be interesting to see. From something I read yesterday, they suddenly realised it would not be structurally safe in a fire or explosion (think Ronan Point). My loose understanding was that the building was nearing the end of its life, and they sent surveyors in to see if its lifetime could be extended, or whether it should be demolished. Whilst doing so, they discovered it is not as shown on the plans, and is unsafe.

    Also, materials degrade over time. A BBC article shows large, long-standing cracks in the building. Perhaps they're not structural; but they never look good in a big building.
    Yes, they found something not right that, if disclosed to the insurance company, would make the building uninsurable. With that disclosure being mandatory.
  • JosiasJessopJosiasJessop Posts: 45,128

    Do people still carry around 'pound coins'? FFS.
    Well, yes. If you want to use the lockers. Or the local Mozzie's supermarket trolleys.

    So yeah.
  • TimSTimS Posts: 14,729
    Nigelb said:

    It doesn't ?
    https://www.irishtimes.com/business/2023/10/19/new-15-tax-rate-for-big-multinationals-forms-cornerstone-of-finance-bill/
    Though note the US is one of the least enthusiastic about the global minimum tax and GOP congressmen are still moaning about how it's unamerican and shouldn't be introduced.

    The main driving force behind pillar 2 by far is the EU (plus, at least until very recently, the UK).
  • turbotubbsturbotubbs Posts: 18,442

    I don't know, and it'll be interesting to see. From something I read yesterday, they suddenly realised it would not be structurally safe in a fire or explosion (think Ronan Point). My loose understanding was that the building was nearing the end of its life, and they sent surveyors in to see if its lifetime could be extended, or whether it should be demolished. Whilst doing so, they discovered it is not as shown on the plans, and is unsafe.

    Also, materials degrade over time. A BBC article shows large, long-standing cracks in the building. Perhaps they're not structural; but they never look good in a big building.
    I totally get the buildings degrade and clearly no-one should be left in an unsafe building. And you can point to Aberfan and say that it had never been an issue until it was. It just seems that it may have been a bit of an over reaction. Happy to be wrong.
  • SandpitSandpit Posts: 56,022

    Do people still carry around 'pound coins'? FFS.
    Can you get a shopping trolley with a card deposit?
  • AnabobazinaAnabobazina Posts: 23,795
    Pulpstar said:

    It's the one coin you do actually need for swimming bath lockers and trolleys.
    No, you don't...
  • AnabobazinaAnabobazina Posts: 23,795

    Well, yes. If you want to use the lockers. Or the local Mozzie's supermarket trolleys.

    So yeah.
    You don't need coins... FFS
  • williamglennwilliamglenn Posts: 54,533
    nico679 said:

    It’s not self-contradictory . Remind me who voted for the Rwandan policy . If a party wants to run on leaving all the international agreements re refugees and people vote for it then the government can do whatever it likes . Please show me the section of the Tory manifesto where they said they’d do that !
    That's the contradiction. If a government can change the law to do what it likes, then in what sense are they trumped by international law?
  • TOPPINGTOPPING Posts: 43,647
    edited November 2023

    You don't need coins... FFS
    I mean look I don't have any coins on me right now and I don't know when I last did. But pulling into the Aldi car park to load up on Monsigny Champagne I can tell you that you absolutely do need a pound coin for the trolley.
  • viewcodeviewcode Posts: 23,973
    edited November 2023

    ... Publicly, the district said the problem was the profane and sexual content of the 1943 musical...

    Oklahoma!??? Fuck. Just wait until they get to Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, the dorty perverts... :)
  • FrankBoothFrankBooth Posts: 10,022
    DavidL said:

    It is indeed. It is the delusion of relevance. We think people still care what we think. They don't.
    Isn't it the SNP inflicting this on us?

    Opposition and minorities ought to get some voice in Parliament however annoying they are. Does it reflect the mess the SNP are in? That they can't find something more relevant to their own cause?
  • JosiasJessopJosiasJessop Posts: 45,128

    You don't need coins... FFS
    Look, a word to the wise. If you're going to troll, never push things too far.
  • AnabobazinaAnabobazina Posts: 23,795
    TOPPING said:

    I mean look I don't have any coins on me right now and I don't know when I last did. But pulling into the Aldi car park to load up on Monsigny Champagne I can tell you that you absolutely do need a pound coin for the trolley.
    No, you don't...
  • PulpstarPulpstar Posts: 79,098
    edited November 2023

    You don't need coins... FFS
    This is technically true, but carting a pound coin about no more or less convenient than carting a Euro coin (They also work) or a token which does the same job.

    Is this the hill you're dying on :) ?
  • viewcodeviewcode Posts: 23,973
    Pulpstar said:

    It's the one coin you do actually need for swimming bath lockers and trolleys.
    The Home Bargains trolleys use pound coins.
  • kinabalukinabalu Posts: 44,550
    Pulpstar said:

    It's the one coin you do actually need for swimming bath lockers and trolleys.
    I found one on the pavement today.
  • LostPasswordLostPassword Posts: 19,135

    Not looked at the SC ruling yet. I presume it was because Rwanda is not deemed a safe country? Do we have their evidence for that?

    Why would you presume anything about the ruling when you could simply find it online and read it for yourself, or find any number of news articles summarising it through the prism of your preferred bias?
  • ChrisChris Posts: 11,877

    That's the contradiction. If a government can change the law to do what it likes, then in what sense are they trumped by international law?
    Obviously any country can renegue on international agreements. Equally obviously there will be consequences of reneguing on international agreements. Because agreements involve two parties, and no two parties would make agreements unless they both benefitted.

    It's all pretty obvious, and it's a mystery why it needs to be explained to anyone of average intelligence. But maybe too many people here are of less than average intelligence?
  • JosiasJessopJosiasJessop Posts: 45,128

    I totally get the buildings degrade and clearly no-one should be left in an unsafe building. And you can point to Aberfan and say that it had never been an issue until it was. It just seems that it may have been a bit of an over reaction. Happy to be wrong.
    I don't know enough about it, and I daresay more information will come out soon. But I expect the issue is that it hasn't been 'safe' for some years, and they've only just realised..

    "Not being built to plan" may well be one of the things that contributed to the Miami condo collapse a couple of years ago. Or, more stunningly, the Korean shopping centre collapse that killed hundreds of people.
  • CarnyxCarnyx Posts: 44,617

    Just how Wack is anti-Woke?

    NYT (via Seattle Times) - In Texas, a fight over gender and school theater takes an unexpected turn

    SHERMAN, Texas — A school district in the conservative town of Sherman, Texas, made national headlines last week when it put a stop to a high school production of the musical “Oklahoma!” after a transgender student was cast in a lead role.

    The district’s administrators decided, and communicated to parents, that the school would cast only students “born as females in female roles and students born as males in male roles.” Not only did several transgender and nonbinary students lose their parts, but so too did girls cast in male roles. Publicly, the district said the problem was the profane and sexual content of the 1943 musical.

    At one point, the theater teacher, who objected to the decision, was escorted out of the school by the principal. The set, a sturdy mock-up of a settler’s house that took students two months to build, was demolished.

    But then something even more unusual happened in Sherman, a rural college town that has been rapidly drawn into the expanding orbit of Dallas to its south. The school district reversed course. In a late-night vote Monday, the school board voted unanimously to restore the original casting. The decision rebuked efforts to bring the fight over transgender participation in student activities into the world of theater, which has long provided a haven for gay, lesbian and transgender students, and it reflected just how deeply the controversy had unsettled the town.

    The district’s restriction had been exceptional. Fights have erupted over the kinds of plays students can present, but few if any school districts appear to have attempted to restrict gender roles in theater. And while legislatures across the country, including in Texas, have adopted laws restricting transgender students’ participation in sports, no such legislation has been introduced to restrict theater roles, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.

    The board’s vote came after students and outraged parents began organizing. In recent days, the district’s administrators, seeking a compromise, offered to recast the students in a version of the musical meant for middle schoolers or younger that omitted solos and included roles as cattle and birds. Students balked.

    After the vote, the school board announced a special meeting for Friday to open an investigation and to consider taking action against the district superintendent, Tyson Bennett, who oversaw the district’s handling of “Oklahoma!,” including “possible administrative leave.”

    Suddenly, improbably, the students had won. . . .

    SSI - To millions of Americans, for whom student productions of "Oklahoma" have been a staple of high school theater for over a half-century, banning this much-beloved musical truly exposes the wackiness of the ideologically-inspired, politically-motivated War on Woke.

    I shudder to think what they'd make of a primary school outing to a Christmas pantomime.

    I know our Tories like to claim we have lots in common with the USA, but this really does show such sentiments are a lot of nonsense.
  • AnabobazinaAnabobazina Posts: 23,795
    Pulpstar said:

    This is technically true, but carting a pound coin about no more or less convenient than carting a Euro coin (They also work) or a token which does the same job.

    Is this the hill you're dying on :) ?
    Just get a keyring token if your local supermarket is so outdated it still demands 'pound coins'. They are peanuts on Amazon and you just put it on your keyring and never lose it.

    PB makes me laugh at times, the "you really do need cash honest guv" examples get thinner and thinner with each passing day.

    Only on PB.
  • AnabobazinaAnabobazina Posts: 23,795

    Look, a word to the wise. If you're going to troll, never push things too far.
    I'm not trolling. How is pointing out the truth to a load of cash-fetishist nostalgics trolling?
  • CarnyxCarnyx Posts: 44,617

    I don't know enough about it, and I daresay more information will come out soon. But I expect the issue is that it hasn't been 'safe' for some years, and they've only just realised..

    "Not being built to plan" may well be one of the things that contributed to the Miami condo collapse a couple of years ago. Or, more stunningly, the Korean shopping centre collapse that killed hundreds of people.
    Wasn't Ronan Point also not properly stuck together? Though I don't know how far that contributed to the collapse. I see that the current problem block is also a large panel system design, but it sounds as if duff assembly is much more of an issue than actual basic design in this case.
  • Had to Google 'Bellfield's Wedding'. Didn't the same happen with Peter Sutcliffe? What is the mentality?
    The ability of prisoners to marry was introduced by the Marriage Act 1983, many years before the Human Rights Act 1998 incorporated the ECHR into UK law.

    Also, I believe the Bellfield matter never came to court as prison officials simply accepted that they had no case to go against the Thatcher government's explicit intention when they put the Marriage Act through Parliament, give the Act does not include a carve-out for the absolute worst of the worst like Bellfield.

    So Cummings is, as per usual, talking absolute sh1te.
  • CarnyxCarnyx Posts: 44,617

    I'm not trolling. How is pointing out the truth to a load of cash-fetishist nostalgics trolling?
    Who's trolling? Remember that shiny bits of metal dangled on hooks make excellent bait.
  • ChrisChris Posts: 11,877
    I would just say, though - although I've always thought that it would be madness for the Tories to ditch yet another leader at this stage - if Sunak is really so stupid that his reaction to the Braverman saga in general and the Supreme Court rulling in particular is that he is going to move heaven and earth to get the Rwanda scheme to work despite everything - then maybe the Tories would do better to get rid of him and throw the dice yet again.
  • TOPPINGTOPPING Posts: 43,647
    "just get a keyring token from Amazon" is supposed to be easier than having a tin of coins in the car.

    Righty ho.
  • CarnyxCarnyx Posts: 44,617
    Chris said:

    Obviously any country can renegue on international agreements. Equally obviously there will be consequences of reneguing on international agreements. Because agreements involve two parties, and no two parties would make agreements unless they both benefitted.

    It's all pretty obvious, and it's a mystery why it needs to be explained to anyone of average intelligence. But maybe too many people here are of less than average intelligence?
    To give an impression of even more intelligence, it does help to spell 'renege' properly.

    Just helping.
  • SandpitSandpit Posts: 56,022

    I don't know enough about it, and I daresay more information will come out soon. But I expect the issue is that it hasn't been 'safe' for some years, and they've only just realised..

    "Not being built to plan" may well be one of the things that contributed to the Miami condo collapse a couple of years ago. Or, more stunningly, the Korean shopping centre collapse that killed hundreds of people.
    A building found out not to have been built to plan, is going to be uninhabitable until everyone agrees that it’s habitable. There’s been plenty of buildings that have fallen down over the years, to know that bulding codes are important.

    I always used to laugh at Mythbusters, and their “house”, built to California building code, that was a single-storey structure made of wood.
  • viewcodeviewcode Posts: 23,973
    kinabalu said:

    I found one on the pavement today.
    You're rich!
  • PulpstarPulpstar Posts: 79,098
    Credit to New Zealand they've turned the chase into a big 20-20 hunt. Probably still unlikely to make it but half a sniff.
  • Andy_JSAndy_JS Posts: 34,162
    Great effort by NZ.
  • kinabalukinabalu Posts: 44,550
    As so often the truth is in the middle of the 2 extremes. I do need a pound coin for a Tesco trolley but I don't need one for the locker at the pool. I use a padlock for that. A combination lock so as not to be troubled with a key secreted in my trunks while I'm swimming. The combination is ... ha what sort of fool do you think I am. Only I know the combination and we'll keep it that way if you don't mind.
  • williamglennwilliamglenn Posts: 54,533
    Chris said:

    Obviously any country can renegue on international agreements. Equally obviously there will be consequences of reneguing on international agreements. Because agreements involve two parties, and no two parties would make agreements unless they both benefitted.

    It's all pretty obvious, and it's a mystery why it needs to be explained to anyone of average intelligence. But maybe too many people here are of less than average intelligence?
    As someone of above average intelligence, how do you explain the existence of refugees from countries that are party to these international agreements?
  • DavidLDavidL Posts: 54,963
    So, NZ at 199 from 30 overs. In the old days you doubled that score which would give them 398 and victory. Not sure that applies anymore but this is the first time India's fabulous bowling attack has been under serious pressure.
  • I’m going to stick some money on the Black Caps.

    Well now.
  • ChrisChris Posts: 11,877

    Suella claims she had taken legal advice and done the preliminary work on her policy submissions to Sunak. I see no reason to doubt her on that.
    I know it's not usually a good idea to sue a lawyer, but if Sue Ellen Braverman took advice on the Rwanda scheme and proceeded with it on the basis of that advice, then in the light of the unanimous ruling of five Supreme Court judges maybe she has a case against her advisors.
  • SandpitSandpit Posts: 56,022
    Hmm, 199/2 after 30 ovs. Can this actually be chased?
  • kinabalukinabalu Posts: 44,550
    viewcode said:

    You're rich!
    Yep. When I was 17 that was a night out, £1. 4 pints and a bag of chips.
  • algarkirkalgarkirk Posts: 13,849
    Remarkably the government, instead of being quietly grateful for a SC judgement which puts a policy that cannot work to a well deserved rest, is making the mistake of stirring the embers.

    If it produces something then, unavoidably and at our expense, most of the same +30 barristers and their solicitors will be employed on ensuring that a challenge goes through the same 3 courts (Divisional, Appeal, SU) as the last lot.

    This means, of course, that the next election will be on us or close by the time Lord Pannick KC stands up in the SC to represent the government in this futile cause.

    While Rishi will want to set traps for Labour, this one is too costly.
  • viewcode said:

    Oklahoma!??? Fuck. Just wait until they get to Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, the dorty perverts... :)
    Since it's been a while since yours truly last attended a performance of "Oklahoma!" can some kind soul with a theatrical bent (in literal sense) please tell me, what precisely is the "profane and sexual content" of this allegedly proto-Woke musical?

    BTW, it was MANY years ago, when I recited "The Cremation of Sam McGee" by Robert W. Service at a school function, which caused a (very minor) uproar when one teacher objected to the tag line of the following stanza:

    Now Sam McGee was from Tennessee, where the cotton blooms and blows.
    Why he left his home in the South to roam 'round the Pole, God only knows.
    He was always cold, but the land of gold seemed to hold him like a spell;
    Though he'd often say in his homely way that "he'd sooner live in hell."
  • ChrisChris Posts: 11,877
    edited November 2023

    As someone of above average intelligence, how do you explain the existence of refugees from countries that are party to these international agreements?
    That's about as stupid as asking why - if murder is against the law - people still get murdered.

    Try to think.
  • mwadamsmwadams Posts: 3,771
    kinabalu said:

    As so often the truth is in the middle of the 2 extremes. I do need a pound coin for a Tesco trolley but I don't need one for the locker at the pool. I use a padlock for that. A combination lock so as not to be troubled with a key secreted in my trunks while I'm swimming. The combination is ... ha what sort of fool do you think I am. Only I know the combination and we'll keep it that way if you don't mind.

    The only thing I can think of is the local Arcade with my daughter. We have to get a tenner out of the cash point at the Sainsbo's opposite, then turn it into pound coins which we immediately feed into the machines.

    Now they're ten, they're going to start practicing getting the bus to school, and I'll stick and emergency 2 quid in their school bag in case their "Rooster" contactless card fails for some reason.

    Aside from that the last hold out was school fetes, and they've long since switched to SumUp.
  • williamglennwilliamglenn Posts: 54,533
    Chris said:

    That's about as stupid as asking why - if murder is against the law - why people still get murdered.

    Try to think.
    Murderers haven't voluntarily entered into a contract saying that they won't commit murder. It's a law imposed on them by society, so not at all comparable to international treaties.
  • Andy_JSAndy_JS Posts: 34,162
    Looking forward to the next opinion polls to see if the Tories are sub-20% again.
  • Carnyx said:

    Wasn't Ronan Point also not properly stuck together? Though I don't know how far that contributed to the collapse. I see that the current problem block is also a large panel system design, but it sounds as if duff assembly is much more of an issue than actual basic design in this case.
    Ronan Point was a gas explosion. I thought they'd stopped using gas in tower blocks after this.
  • algarkirk said:

    Remarkably the government, instead of being quietly grateful for a SC judgement which puts a policy that cannot work to a well deserved rest, is making the mistake of stirring the embers.

    If it produces something then, unavoidably and at our expense, most of the same +30 barristers and their solicitors will be employed on ensuring that a challenge goes through the same 3 courts (Divisional, Appeal, SU) as the last lot.

    This means, of course, that the next election will be on us or close by the time Lord Pannick KC stands up in the SC to represent the government in this futile cause.

    While Rishi will want to set traps for Labour, this one is too costly.

    They won't care about the cost.

    As traps go though, it's a crap one. Everyone but the bonkers GBNews lot can see that the policy doesn't work, is hugely expensive, and cruel.

    Sort out safe routes, get an agreement with Europe (and especially France), and try to sort some of the problems at source.
  • kinabalukinabalu Posts: 44,550
    TOPPING said:

    "just get a keyring token from Amazon" is supposed to be easier than having a tin of coins in the car.

    Righty ho.

    You don't need a tin of coins, you only need the one since you get it back each time. I keep mine in the ashtray.
  • EndillionEndillion Posts: 4,976

    Murderers haven't voluntarily entered into a contract saying that they won't commit murder. It's a law imposed on them by society, so not at all comparable to international treaties.
    It's probably just the countries that are below average intelligence that have refugees. Half of all countries must be below average, after all.
  • Bugger.
  • DavidL said:

    Core inflation is down a chunk, although not as much as the headline rate. I don't see inflation going up again anytime soon but it will probably be stickier after this. Interest rates have probably peaked now. That will help the mortgage market a bit.

    And it sure beats talking about a 5-0 thumping.
    Absolutely a long way to go until the CPI will return to the 2% target. We still have high core inflation and rapid wage growth at least for some..We will hopefully see a gentle drift down during 2024 and may be at 3% at end 2024.

    2% unlikely to be reached on a sustained basis until 2026.

    So the pound coin in your pocket will continue to lose real value for some time to come!
  • TOPPINGTOPPING Posts: 43,647

    Absolutely a long way to go until the CPI will return to the 2% target. We still have high core inflation and rapid wage growth at least for some..We will hopefully see a gentle drift down during 2024 and may be at 3% at end 2024.

    2% unlikely to be reached on a sustained basis until 2026.

    So the pound coin in your pocket will continue to lose real value for some time to come!
    You can't put a price on being able to use a shopping trolley whenever you want to.
  • AnabobazinaAnabobazina Posts: 23,795
    TOPPING said:

    "just get a keyring token from Amazon" is supposed to be easier than having a tin of coins in the car.

    Righty ho.

    I mean they are available everywhere and you need to buy them once. Supermarkets etc often given them away. FFS.
This discussion has been closed.