Will a Labour government want to rejoin an EU with Le Pen as President of France?
Her niece describes it as a failed project that has left Europe a digital colony of America, an economic colony of China, and on the way to becoming a demographic colony of Africa and religious and cultural colony of Islam.
Mmm, let's take it back to how it was in the 1930s. All those proud independent sovereign states looking out for their own proud independent people.
It was proud independent states like the UK and the USA that defeated Nazi Germany, while internationalist Lord Halifax types wanted to make accommodations.
Well the question was, would we want to rejoin the EU if it veered strongly to the populist right? To which the answer is No. However it's a flawed question. If lots of countries in Europe embrace national populism, elect parties espousing that mindset into government, there won't be an EU to rejoin. And that would be a tragedy.
An alliance of nation states is far superior to having a single critical control point.
Trump should be proof of that.
Would you want Europe led by a European Trump? Better only one nation is, than a whole continent is.
I was considering the impact on the EU (which is an alliance of nation states) of its members succumbing to right wing national populism.
Though even Le Pen no longer advocates leaving the EU, so unlikely to break it up.
Indeed having more nationalist leaders may lead to a more variable federation, with quite different local rules, but free trade and movement.
It might well be more to our taste when we Rejoin.
You’re a “states’ rights” man in American terms?
British people do not understand Federalism, so see federal countries through the prism of Central control.
The whole point of Federalism is local variations in law, or "states rights". So yes I do support States Rights as long as they do not impinge on the powers reserved to the central government.
Interestingly, the Republican/anti-slavery people had their own belief in States Rights in the run up to the Civil War.
They believed that they had the right to keep the Peculiar Institution out of their states. They deeply resented the slave catching laws and saw Southern use of federal law to extend the rights of slave holders, interstate, as a creeping attempt to impose on their States Rights. Bleeding Kansas was, to them, an armed attack on the right of a free territory to remain free of slavery.
Dredd Scott was, to these people, the final assault. If a slave could be bought into a Free State and remain a slave, then the Rights of the Free States were being ended. Between this and the slave catching laws, the entire US was a slave state, by *Federal* mandate.
It was a good day. The sun came out, I shopped well, I had a nice relaxing lunch in the pub, I walked to the bus stop courtesy of bus times.org and got on to a clean friendly bus with no nutters, sat down and relaxed...
...as the bus turned in the wrong direction. Wrong bus.
In a kerfuffle I dinged the bell, got off, ran back but could not get back in time for the right bus. And then realised I had left half the shopping on the bus.
True story.
👿
Sympathies. Sounds like the start of an interesting novel!
Honestly? Could be worse. I've lost about £40 of various stuff from Boots and I do feel sorry for the faithful shampoo and toothpaste stuck on a bus waiting for their owner to return (I can be unbearably sentimental), but if I grit my teeth and be rational about it it's not so bad. Although bear in mind I apologise to socks when I throw them out and tell them that they were good socks and shouldn't feel bad. Plus I was bought up on the it's a sin to waste good food principle, so leaving shopping behind does not sit well.
Damn
I'll phone the company.
No sorry, that won't do.
Your shopping needed to be picked up by a mysterious loner, who soon after calls the police from a public phone box saying he has knowledge of a planned assassination attempt on a leading public figure... The police quickly track the stranger down but he flees leaving the shopping bag with a receipt for your shopping in it, which the police trace back to you. Since you bear a passing resemblance to the stranger, and have no alibi for the time of the call or the near capture of the stranger, it takes you 24 hours in police custody to convince them they're mistaken.
Meanwhile, a leading public figure (not the one the stranger identified, but similar) is assassinated...
..and so on.
You may find someone on social media is trying to find you to give it back. It can restore your faith in human nature sometimes.
The Opinium poll tonight is interesting. Two weeks since the last and no change in the major party shares, unlike in polls from many other firms recently.
Sorry, haven't seen the numbers, do you have a link?
Will a Labour government want to rejoin an EU with Le Pen as President of France?
Her niece describes it as a failed project that has left Europe a digital colony of America, an economic colony of China, and on the way to becoming a demographic colony of Africa and religious and cultural colony of Islam.
Mmm, let's take it back to how it was in the 1930s. All those proud independent sovereign states looking out for their own proud independent people.
It was proud independent states like the UK and the USA that defeated Nazi Germany, while internationalist Lord Halifax types wanted to make accommodations.
What was the role of Canada, Australia and India?
And the Poles and Norwegians and quite a few French and Africans and Australians and ...
Indeed FDR and WSC were quite big on internationalism even during the war.
Poland, Norway etc were proud independent states.
And remained them, with governments in exile and armed forces embodied.
Currently, the world's longest serving Government-in-exile is from which country?
The Opinium poll tonight is interesting. Two weeks since the last and no change in the major party shares, unlike in polls from many other firms recently.
Sorry, haven't seen the numbers, do you have a link?
There's Tory and Labour shares here for different Tories leaders, but I don't know about the full figures:
In the last contested Con leadership election the general public regarded Kemi Badenoch as their second least favourite, ahead only of the hapless Liz Truss.
Current polling by a top quality polling company shows that of the possible Con leaders going into the election the worst regarded is one Kemi Badenoch, narrowly behind the notoriously inept and unpopular Suella Braverman.
Seems to be a pattern emerging. It is Mr Sunak's tragedy that he can spot unpopular Ministers who he apparently considers out of their depth but he lacks the courage to sack them.
The Opinium poll tonight is interesting. Two weeks since the last and no change in the major party shares, unlike in polls from many other firms recently.
Sorry, haven't seen the numbers, do you have a link?
There's Tory and Labour shares here for different Tories leaders, but I don't know about the full figures:
On your area of expertise, I don’t see many adverts these days however I’ve seen an advert recently for BA premium economy which has had a huge effect on me but maybe not what they aimed for!
It has not not made me want to fly BA premium economy however it has made me decide I want children, seriously, so I’m laughing to myself that it’s actually a cunning psy-ops effort to boost the national birth rate. Well done Mad Men.
"Overall, when asked which party they intended to vote for, without citing current or potential leaders, Labour’s lead remained unchanged from a fortnight ago at 16 points. Labour is on 41%, the Conservatives 25%, Reform 11%, the Liberal Democrats 10%, and the Greens 8%."
It was a good day. The sun came out, I shopped well, I had a nice relaxing lunch in the pub, I walked to the bus stop courtesy of bus times.org and got on to a clean friendly bus with no nutters, sat down and relaxed...
...as the bus turned in the wrong direction. Wrong bus.
In a kerfuffle I dinged the bell, got off, ran back but could not get back in time for the right bus. And then realised I had left half the shopping on the bus.
True story.
👿
Sympathies. Sounds like the start of an interesting novel!
Honestly? Could be worse. I've lost about £40 of various stuff from Boots and I do feel sorry for the faithful shampoo and toothpaste stuck on a bus waiting for their owner to return (I can be unbearably sentimental), but if I grit my teeth and be rational about it it's not so bad. Although bear in mind I apologise to socks when I throw them out and tell them that they were good socks and shouldn't feel bad. Plus I was bought up on the it's a sin to waste good food principle, so leaving shopping behind does not sit well.
Damn
I'll phone the company.
No sorry, that won't do.
Your shopping needed to be picked up by a mysterious loner, who soon after calls the police from a public phone box saying he has knowledge of a planned assassination attempt on a leading public figure... The police quickly track the stranger down but he flees leaving the shopping bag with a receipt for your shopping in it, which the police trace back to you. Since you bear a passing resemblance to the stranger, and have no alibi for the time of the call or the near capture of the stranger, it takes you 24 hours in police custody to convince them they're mistaken.
Meanwhile, a leading public figure (not the one the stranger identified, but similar) is assassinated...
..and so on.
...and then escape from the cops to try to prevent the next assassination, and am pursued by a dogged police officer. During his investigation he becomes increasingly suspicious and in the final confrontation he makes me realise that I was the assassin all along and the innocent persona was a postraumatic overlay imposed by the guilt over the lost toothpaste. I put down the snipers rifle and, reunited with the bag, am led away sobbing.
…In the second ending, after the false ending, it is revealed that your best friend and old comrade in the Intelligence Support Activity* was the one who actually used advanced mind control techniques to program you to commit the assassination. This is revealed when he mentions the brand of toothpaste in the bag in a casual remark. Since you had changed your toothpaste to symbolise leaving the ISA, this reveals he is mastermind. In an intense action scene, you finally kill him with the… shampoo.
The Opinium poll tonight is interesting. Two weeks since the last and no change in the major party shares, unlike in polls from many other firms recently.
Sorry, haven't seen the numbers, do you have a link?
There's Tory and Labour shares here for different Tories leaders, but I don't know about the full figures:
Comparable with the usual poll figures further down the linked article;
Overall, when asked which party they intended to vote for, without citing current or potential leaders, Labour’s lead remained unchanged from a fortnight ago at 16 points. Labour is on 41%, the Conservatives 25%, Reform 11%, the Liberal Democrats 10%, and the Greens 8%.
Shame they don't have figures for the two implausible leaders who might make a difference- Boris and Nigel. I suspect that it would attract and repulse potential Conservative voters in roughly equal measure. But it would be good to have data.
Otherwise- can Conservatives please accept that the face on the label isn't the only problem, or even the main one?
No googling - who is this, and why is he interesting?
Blackadder
No, it’s the pilot of the plane who crashed on the Ukraine/Republic of China border.
C'mon! Give him a chance.
Well, I thought my first-ever post was quite witty, but now I can see that I have been ‘outed’ within minutes as a reincarnation of Truman or one of the other suspicious Russophiles who turn up on PB from time to time. (Though was Truman really Leon? Or am I really Sean T etc? Only Leon and I know the answer to that.)
I can understand why, in our world of aliases, suspicions arise. So here’s the truth (promise!). I am a long-time reader of PB (a lurker, perhaps, though that sounds a bit seedy) and a true fan of the well-informed political debate that takes place here. I pay tribute to Mike Smithson for having created this site and am sorry that he is stepping back.
I do not live in Moscow or on a never-ending tour of the world’s most glamorous hotels and restaurants, but in a pleasant house deep in the West Country, with a partner (female), three dogs, a garden and a Manchester United supporters badge (sorry, TSE and others, about last Sunday). I am an ex-Fleet St journalist (physically as well as metaphorically, if that gives you a clue), past retirement age, who still dabbles in publishing/editing etc with a few other harmless pastimes. I am a political centrist, a former Tory who left the party when Boris became leader, a monarchist, pro-Europe, pro-Ukraine, anti-Trump who believes that it will probably be good for democracy to put Labour in charge for a bit.
So that’s my story (well-crafted by my handler comrades, I am sure you will agree). If anyone doubts it, let me offer a phone or zoom call to the doubter whenever convenient - I can indeed be verified (it's programmed into my algorithm). I am unlikely to be a frequent poster, but now that the ice has been broken, who knows? So, thank you @Benpointer for seeking to give me a chance.
Sorry for the lengthy post - next one will be much shorter and pithier.
Really insightful piece by Danny Finkelstein on Israel/Palestine.
'Aware that Israel’s supporters and its critics have been talking past each other, I decided to write an article for The Times in which I set out some of the things critics had been saying that I had heard, understood and might be willing to accept.
I restated my belief in the need for Israel to exist and be secure, I repeated that it was unthinkable that Hamas be allowed to continue governing territory adjacent to Israel, I admitted that my view wasn’t the same as that of every Jew. And then I made my list of concessions.
I won’t repeat everything I wrote, but the thrust was that I accepted that there had been an emerging Palestinian nationalism at the same time as Zionist migration. I understood why Palestinian Arabs hadn’t wanted to share the land, even though I regretted it. I acknowledged that in the war they then launched, some Palestinians had been driven from their homes and still felt a sense of injustice.
And I agreed they needed still to have their own state, an outcome which settlements and the attitude of the Israeli government impedes. And here is what happened when I wrote this.
Nothing. Nothing happened. I had written that I was trying to establish a dialogue in which all of us showed we were listening to each other, that while some issues were ones that were about right and wrong (the horrific Hamas attack, the need for half the world’s Jews to feel secure), others were about competing rights.
But I didn’t get the dialogue I had been asking for. Not from one person. Not in a single email. Not in a single letter. Not in a single tweet. Not one person matched my concessions with concessions of their own. The only replies I got were to tell me I was right to concede and demand more.
I tried again. I wrote another column and repeated the arguments I had heard the critics make. I was even more explicit this time about seeking a response. But still, I got nothing.'
Firstly, Danny Finkelstein has no power over the matter, so this is talk.
Secondly the briefing of his position says clearly and without conditions that a two state solution in the proper answer, and this involves compromise. On the whole 'Two State' solution people (including me) will agree with him, so game over. Sadly the relevant audiences he addresses, Israeli and Palestinian, unconditionally support a one state solution; so what would there be to discuss?
The Opinium poll tonight is interesting. Two weeks since the last and no change in the major party shares, unlike in polls from many other firms recently.
Sorry, haven't seen the numbers, do you have a link?
There's Tory and Labour shares here for different Tories leaders, but I don't know about the full figures:
Comparable with the usual poll figures further down the linked article;
Overall, when asked which party they intended to vote for, without citing current or potential leaders, Labour’s lead remained unchanged from a fortnight ago at 16 points. Labour is on 41%, the Conservatives 25%, Reform 11%, the Liberal Democrats 10%, and the Greens 8%.
Shame they don't have figures for the two implausible leaders who might make a difference- Boris and Nigel. I suspect that it would attract and repulse potential Conservative voters in roughly equal measure. But it would be good to have data.
Otherwise- can Conservatives please accept that the face on the label isn't the only problem, or even the main one?
The Tories real problem is that the changes they have already made which have led to where they are now are deeply unpopular, and any changes they threaten to make are deeply unpopular too. Both status quo and change are deeply unpopular. There is a message for them in this, and it is not easy to hear.
The Opinium poll tonight is interesting. Two weeks since the last and no change in the major party shares, unlike in polls from many other firms recently.
We can expect reprisals against Ukrainian civilians in Russian-occupied areas of Ukraine. It's what has happened in response to every other previous situation where propaganda has been used to heap blame for a terror attack in the past. The Cromwellian attacks on Catholics in Ireland, for example, followed propaganda about Catholics attacking Protestants in Ireland.
It's this sort of propaganda which gives permission for bestial acts of revenge.
Sorry, @LostPassword I’ve now seen the poll. Not really that surprising though. Basically as you were with Penny (okay, a tiny MOE improvement). But even worse with Bad Enoch who was bizarrely seen by some as a ‘star’ despite being invisible as BizSec, then cack-handed, the purported appeal of her lost on all but the true believers.
We can expect reprisals against Ukrainian civilians in Russian-occupied areas of Ukraine. It's what has happened in response to every other previous situation where propaganda has been used to heap blame for a terror attack in the past. The Cromwellian attacks on Catholics in Ireland, for example, followed propaganda about Catholics attacking Protestants in Ireland.
It's this sort of propaganda which gives permission for bestial acts of revenge.
Then the Ukrainians might think “might as well be hanged for a sheep as for a lamb” and really take the war into Russia. Russian reprisals might not have the effect they enjoy in Moscow and St P which have been largely spared the horrors that their government have inflicted until now.
We can expect reprisals against Ukrainian civilians in Russian-occupied areas of Ukraine. It's what has happened in response to every other previous situation where propaganda has been used to heap blame for a terror attack in the past. The Cromwellian attacks on Catholics in Ireland, for example, followed propaganda about Catholics attacking Protestants in Ireland.
It's this sort of propaganda which gives permission for bestial acts of revenge.
It’s far too late on that score.
There was an interview with a psychiatrist (non Ukrainian, working in Ukraine)
She’d been working with Ukrainians who’d been captured by the Russians and castrated. Yes. Castrated.
She was concerned by the fact that they wanted to return to the front and what they would do there.
Just watching the news and Putin has got himself in a right old pickle with this ISIS attack in Moscow. Blaming Ukraine is dangerous. People might wonder if attacking Ukraine was all that smart.
The Opinium poll tonight is interesting. Two weeks since the last and no change in the major party shares, unlike in polls from many other firms recently.
Interesting in what sense?
In the sense I have in my comment. Almost every other recent poll has shown a marked deterioration in the Tory position, but Opinium does not.
Could just be chance, or it might be a sign that the change in the headline numbers is due to more Tory don't knows, which wouldn't affect Opinium results. They're rather standing against the tide.
Though the Opinium poll would still give a Labour majority of 220 and only 129 Tory seats if replicated at the GE. The Tories are in such a deep hole.
Sorry, @LostPassword I’ve now seen the poll. Not really that surprising though. Basically as you were with Penny (okay, a tiny MOE improvement). But even worse with Bad Enoch who was bizarrely seen by some as a ‘star’ despite being invisible as BizSec, then cack-handed, the purported appeal of her lost on all but the true believers.
I don't really find the hypothetical question interesting. It's hard for voters to imagine what a different leader would do differently, so how would they predict how it would affect their vote?
These hypothetical polls are more a question of name recognition and personal popularity, so they should ask those questions instead of hypothetical ones.
Just watching the news and Putin has got himself in a right old pickle with this ISIS attack in Moscow. Blaming Ukraine is dangerous. People might wonder if attacking Ukraine was all that smart.
He could study Tony Blair's speeches regarding the Iraq war to find some arguments for why invading an unrelated country is the right thing to do in response to terror.
We can expect reprisals against Ukrainian civilians in Russian-occupied areas of Ukraine. It's what has happened in response to every other previous situation where propaganda has been used to heap blame for a terror attack in the past. The Cromwellian attacks on Catholics in Ireland, for example, followed propaganda about Catholics attacking Protestants in Ireland.
It's this sort of propaganda which gives permission for bestial acts of revenge.
Then the Ukrainians might think “might as well be hanged for a sheep as for a lamb” and really take the war into Russia. Russian reprisals might not have the effect they enjoy in Moscow and St P which have been largely spared the horrors that their government have inflicted until now.
I hope not. And given what the Russians have already done in Bucha and Mariupol, it would seem unlikely.
The Ukrainians have been admirably focused on winning the war, and getting their people back safely - so we see the choice of militarily-relevant targets, and Russian soldiers are captured for prisoner exchanges, rather than summarily executed.
No googling - who is this, and why is he interesting?
Blackadder
No, it’s the pilot of the plane who crashed on the Ukraine/Republic of China border.
C'mon! Give him a chance.
Well, I thought my first-ever post was quite witty, but now I can see that I have been ‘outed’ within minutes as a reincarnation of Truman or one of the other suspicious Russophiles who turn up on PB from time to time. (Though was Truman really Leon? Or am I really Sean T etc? Only Leon and I know the answer to that.)
I can understand why, in our world of aliases, suspicions arise. So here’s the truth (promise!). I am a long-time reader of PB (a lurker, perhaps, though that sounds a bit seedy) and a true fan of the well-informed political debate that takes place here. I pay tribute to Mike Smithson for having created this site and am sorry that he is stepping back.
I do not live in Moscow or on a never-ending tour of the world’s most glamorous hotels and restaurants, but in a pleasant house deep in the West Country, with a partner (female), three dogs, a garden and a Manchester United supporters badge (sorry, TSE and others, about last Sunday). I am an ex-Fleet St journalist (physically as well as metaphorically, if that gives you a clue), past retirement age, who still dabbles in publishing/editing etc with a few other harmless pastimes. I am a political centrist, a former Tory who left the party when Boris became leader, a monarchist, pro-Europe, pro-Ukraine, anti-Trump who believes that it will probably be good for democracy to put Labour in charge for a bit.
So that’s my story (well-crafted by my handler comrades, I am sure you will agree). If anyone doubts it, let me offer a phone or zoom call to the doubter whenever convenient - I can indeed be verified (it's programmed into my algorithm). I am unlikely to be a frequent poster, but now that the ice has been broken, who knows? So, thank you @Benpointer for seeking to give me a chance.
Sorry for the lengthy post - next one will be much shorter and pithier.
The Opinium poll tonight is interesting. Two weeks since the last and no change in the major party shares, unlike in polls from many other firms recently.
Sorry, haven't seen the numbers, do you have a link?
There's Tory and Labour shares here for different Tories leaders, but I don't know about the full figures:
Comparable with the usual poll figures further down the linked article;
Overall, when asked which party they intended to vote for, without citing current or potential leaders, Labour’s lead remained unchanged from a fortnight ago at 16 points. Labour is on 41%, the Conservatives 25%, Reform 11%, the Liberal Democrats 10%, and the Greens 8%.
Shame they don't have figures for the two implausible leaders who might make a difference- Boris and Nigel. I suspect that it would attract and repulse potential Conservative voters in roughly equal measure. But it would be good to have data.
Otherwise- can Conservatives please accept that the face on the label isn't the only problem, or even the main one?
If it was just a 'change of face' I'd agree 100%. The reason that I want a change of leader is because a change of leader is the only credible way to change the policy direction and relaunch the party. Sunak is clapped out - he could have the most amazing new programme for the remainder of his time in power and the most amazing manifesto for the next parliament (obviously he has neither), but he couldn't sell it because he has zero credibility - he'd have to convince people why he did none of this stuff whilst Chancellor and then PM up until now.
No googling - who is this, and why is he interesting?
Blackadder
No, it’s the pilot of the plane who crashed on the Ukraine/Republic of China border.
C'mon! Give him a chance.
Well, I thought my first-ever post was quite witty, but now I can see that I have been ‘outed’ within minutes as a reincarnation of Truman or one of the other suspicious Russophiles who turn up on PB from time to time. (Though was Truman really Leon? Or am I really Sean T etc? Only Leon and I know the answer to that.)
I can understand why, in our world of aliases, suspicions arise. So here’s the truth (promise!). I am a long-time reader of PB (a lurker, perhaps, though that sounds a bit seedy) and a true fan of the well-informed political debate that takes place here. I pay tribute to Mike Smithson for having created this site and am sorry that he is stepping back.
I do not live in Moscow or on a never-ending tour of the world’s most glamorous hotels and restaurants, but in a pleasant house deep in the West Country, with a partner (female), three dogs, a garden and a Manchester United supporters badge (sorry, TSE and others, about last Sunday). I am an ex-Fleet St journalist (physically as well as metaphorically, if that gives you a clue), past retirement age, who still dabbles in publishing/editing etc with a few other harmless pastimes. I am a political centrist, a former Tory who left the party when Boris became leader, a monarchist, pro-Europe, pro-Ukraine, anti-Trump who believes that it will probably be good for democracy to put Labour in charge for a bit.
So that’s my story (well-crafted by my handler comrades, I am sure you will agree). If anyone doubts it, let me offer a phone or zoom call to the doubter whenever convenient - I can indeed be verified (it's programmed into my algorithm). I am unlikely to be a frequent poster, but now that the ice has been broken, who knows? So, thank you @Benpointer for seeking to give me a chance.
Sorry for the lengthy post - next one will be much shorter and pithier.
Why not write a header?
I would love to. I thought TSE was in charge of headers? Or do you have commissioning duties as well?
The Opinium poll tonight is interesting. Two weeks since the last and no change in the major party shares, unlike in polls from many other firms recently.
Interesting in what sense?
In the sense I have in my comment. Almost every other recent poll has shown a marked deterioration in the Tory position, but Opinium does not.
Could just be chance, or it might be a sign that the change in the headline numbers is due to more Tory don't knows, which wouldn't affect Opinium results. They're rather standing against the tide.
Though the Opinium poll would still give a Labour majority of 220 and only 129 Tory seats if replicated at the GE. The Tories are in such a deep hole.
Opinium generally don't poll the Conservatives below 25% - there's one poll from October 2022 which had a Conservative share of 23% but oddly enought their polling is quite consistent as @GIN1138 has commented. The split between the dreadful, naive so called progressives and the sensible, pragmatic, common sense parties is at 59-36 which is far from out of place. The swing from Labour to Conservative is 14.5% which would still deliver a comfortable Labour majority but not quite thr extinction event of other pollsters for all, as I said earlier, the true swings in provincial England may be greater than UNS.
The Opinium poll tonight is interesting. Two weeks since the last and no change in the major party shares, unlike in polls from many other firms recently.
Interesting in what sense?
In the sense I have in my comment. Almost every other recent poll has shown a marked deterioration in the Tory position, but Opinium does not.
Could just be chance, or it might be a sign that the change in the headline numbers is due to more Tory don't knows, which wouldn't affect Opinium results. They're rather standing against the tide.
Though the Opinium poll would still give a Labour majority of 220 and only 129 Tory seats if replicated at the GE. The Tories are in such a deep hole.
Opinium said in their revision to methodology that their new system of allocating DKs to their former party may well make for a swing to Labour when DKs do decide. It may well be that their methodology may well still be allocating them to the Tories, while other pollsters generally ignore the DKs.
No googling - who is this, and why is he interesting?
Blackadder
No, it’s the pilot of the plane who crashed on the Ukraine/Republic of China border.
C'mon! Give him a chance.
Well, I thought my first-ever post was quite witty, but now I can see that I have been ‘outed’ within minutes as a reincarnation of Truman or one of the other suspicious Russophiles who turn up on PB from time to time. (Though was Truman really Leon? Or am I really Sean T etc? Only Leon and I know the answer to that.)
I can understand why, in our world of aliases, suspicions arise. So here’s the truth (promise!). I am a long-time reader of PB (a lurker, perhaps, though that sounds a bit seedy) and a true fan of the well-informed political debate that takes place here. I pay tribute to Mike Smithson for having created this site and am sorry that he is stepping back.
I do not live in Moscow or on a never-ending tour of the world’s most glamorous hotels and restaurants, but in a pleasant house deep in the West Country, with a partner (female), three dogs, a garden and a Manchester United supporters badge (sorry, TSE and others, about last Sunday). I am an ex-Fleet St journalist (physically as well as metaphorically, if that gives you a clue), past retirement age, who still dabbles in publishing/editing etc with a few other harmless pastimes. I am a political centrist, a former Tory who left the party when Boris became leader, a monarchist, pro-Europe, pro-Ukraine, anti-Trump who believes that it will probably be good for democracy to put Labour in charge for a bit.
So that’s my story (well-crafted by my handler comrades, I am sure you will agree). If anyone doubts it, let me offer a phone or zoom call to the doubter whenever convenient - I can indeed be verified (it's programmed into my algorithm). I am unlikely to be a frequent poster, but now that the ice has been broken, who knows? So, thank you @Benpointer for seeking to give me a chance.
Sorry for the lengthy post - next one will be much shorter and pithier.
Why not write a header?
I would love to. I thought TSE was in charge of headers? Or do you have commissioning duties as well?
He is, but they have been very good at publishing editorial submissions from below the line commenters.
No googling - who is this, and why is he interesting?
Blackadder
No, it’s the pilot of the plane who crashed on the Ukraine/Republic of China border.
C'mon! Give him a chance.
Well, I thought my first-ever post was quite witty, but now I can see that I have been ‘outed’ within minutes as a reincarnation of Truman or one of the other suspicious Russophiles who turn up on PB from time to time. (Though was Truman really Leon? Or am I really Sean T etc? Only Leon and I know the answer to that.)
I can understand why, in our world of aliases, suspicions arise. So here’s the truth (promise!). I am a long-time reader of PB (a lurker, perhaps, though that sounds a bit seedy) and a true fan of the well-informed political debate that takes place here. I pay tribute to Mike Smithson for having created this site and am sorry that he is stepping back.
I do not live in Moscow or on a never-ending tour of the world’s most glamorous hotels and restaurants, but in a pleasant house deep in the West Country, with a partner (female), three dogs, a garden and a Manchester United supporters badge (sorry, TSE and others, about last Sunday). I am an ex-Fleet St journalist (physically as well as metaphorically, if that gives you a clue), past retirement age, who still dabbles in publishing/editing etc with a few other harmless pastimes. I am a political centrist, a former Tory who left the party when Boris became leader, a monarchist, pro-Europe, pro-Ukraine, anti-Trump who believes that it will probably be good for democracy to put Labour in charge for a bit.
So that’s my story (well-crafted by my handler comrades, I am sure you will agree). If anyone doubts it, let me offer a phone or zoom call to the doubter whenever convenient - I can indeed be verified (it's programmed into my algorithm). I am unlikely to be a frequent poster, but now that the ice has been broken, who knows? So, thank you @Benpointer for seeking to give me a chance.
Sorry for the lengthy post - next one will be much shorter and pithier.
Why not write a header?
I would love to. I thought TSE was in charge of headers? Or do you have commissioning duties as well?
He is, but they have been very good at publishing editorial submissions from below the line commenters.
No googling - who is this, and why is he interesting?
Blackadder
No, it’s the pilot of the plane who crashed on the Ukraine/Republic of China border.
C'mon! Give him a chance.
Well, I thought my first-ever post was quite witty, but now I can see that I have been ‘outed’ within minutes as a reincarnation of Truman or one of the other suspicious Russophiles who turn up on PB from time to time. (Though was Truman really Leon? Or am I really Sean T etc? Only Leon and I know the answer to that.)
I can understand why, in our world of aliases, suspicions arise. So here’s the truth (promise!). I am a long-time reader of PB (a lurker, perhaps, though that sounds a bit seedy) and a true fan of the well-informed political debate that takes place here. I pay tribute to Mike Smithson for having created this site and am sorry that he is stepping back.
I do not live in Moscow or on a never-ending tour of the world’s most glamorous hotels and restaurants, but in a pleasant house deep in the West Country, with a partner (female), three dogs, a garden and a Manchester United supporters badge (sorry, TSE and others, about last Sunday). I am an ex-Fleet St journalist (physically as well as metaphorically, if that gives you a clue), past retirement age, who still dabbles in publishing/editing etc with a few other harmless pastimes. I am a political centrist, a former Tory who left the party when Boris became leader, a monarchist, pro-Europe, pro-Ukraine, anti-Trump who believes that it will probably be good for democracy to put Labour in charge for a bit.
So that’s my story (well-crafted by my handler comrades, I am sure you will agree). If anyone doubts it, let me offer a phone or zoom call to the doubter whenever convenient - I can indeed be verified (it's programmed into my algorithm). I am unlikely to be a frequent poster, but now that the ice has been broken, who knows? So, thank you @Benpointer for seeking to give me a chance.
Sorry for the lengthy post - next one will be much shorter and pithier.
Why not write a header?
I would love to. I thought TSE was in charge of headers? Or do you have commissioning duties as well?
If you email it to TSE, he will format it and publish it, generally within a few days.
Now that OGH has retired, there is a need for headers, and while few can match @MikeSmithson punchy style and betting tips, the site does benefit from a variety of voices.
Yes the mood is the voters want change and Starmer is trusted enough for now to deliver a new government.
Also from the focus group 'For many, another new leader would simply be farcical: “They’ve been through everyone. They’re running out of people. How many leaders are we on since the election?”; “They need dislodging because they’re just handing the baton on from one person to another. ‘I’m out of favour today so you take over and if you go out of favour, pass it on to her. Then who? The cleaner, have you had a go yet?”
@Bodysatnav Liz Truss on CNBC News has sought to clarify what she means by the deep state: "It's deep, meaning a very long way down. We know it's there but obviously not exactly what it is because it's so deep. I mean really deep. But it's dangerous and working all the time to destabilise."
No googling - who is this, and why is he interesting?
Blackadder
No, it’s the pilot of the plane who crashed on the Ukraine/Republic of China border.
C'mon! Give him a chance.
Well, I thought my first-ever post was quite witty, but now I can see that I have been ‘outed’ within minutes as a reincarnation of Truman or one of the other suspicious Russophiles who turn up on PB from time to time. (Though was Truman really Leon? Or am I really Sean T etc? Only Leon and I know the answer to that.)
I can understand why, in our world of aliases, suspicions arise. So here’s the truth (promise!). I am a long-time reader of PB (a lurker, perhaps, though that sounds a bit seedy) and a true fan of the well-informed political debate that takes place here. I pay tribute to Mike Smithson for having created this site and am sorry that he is stepping back.
I do not live in Moscow or on a never-ending tour of the world’s most glamorous hotels and restaurants, but in a pleasant house deep in the West Country, with a partner (female), three dogs, a garden and a Manchester United supporters badge (sorry, TSE and others, about last Sunday). I am an ex-Fleet St journalist (physically as well as metaphorically, if that gives you a clue), past retirement age, who still dabbles in publishing/editing etc with a few other harmless pastimes. I am a political centrist, a former Tory who left the party when Boris became leader, a monarchist, pro-Europe, pro-Ukraine, anti-Trump who believes that it will probably be good for democracy to put Labour in charge for a bit.
So that’s my story (well-crafted by my handler comrades, I am sure you will agree). If anyone doubts it, let me offer a phone or zoom call to the doubter whenever convenient - I can indeed be verified (it's programmed into my algorithm). I am unlikely to be a frequent poster, but now that the ice has been broken, who knows? So, thank you @Benpointer for seeking to give me a chance.
Sorry for the lengthy post - next one will be much shorter and pithier.
Why not write a header?
I would love to. I thought TSE was in charge of headers? Or do you have commissioning duties as well?
If you email it to TSE, he will format it and publish it, generally within a few days.
Now that OGH has retired, there is a need for headers, and while few can match @MikeSmithson punchy style and betting tips, the site does benefit from a variety of voices.
Thanks. Where do I find TSE's email address? Bear in mind that while I have been reading PB for many years, I have only signed on to an account a few hours ago and am learning how Vanilla works.
@Bodysatnav Liz Truss on CNBC News has sought to clarify what she means by the deep state: "It's deep, meaning a very long way down. We know it's there but obviously not exactly what it is because it's so deep. I mean really deep. But it's dangerous and working all the time to destabilise."
No googling - who is this, and why is he interesting?
Blackadder
No, it’s the pilot of the plane who crashed on the Ukraine/Republic of China border.
C'mon! Give him a chance.
Well, I thought my first-ever post was quite witty, but now I can see that I have been ‘outed’ within minutes as a reincarnation of Truman or one of the other suspicious Russophiles who turn up on PB from time to time. (Though was Truman really Leon? Or am I really Sean T etc? Only Leon and I know the answer to that.)
I can understand why, in our world of aliases, suspicions arise. So here’s the truth (promise!). I am a long-time reader of PB (a lurker, perhaps, though that sounds a bit seedy) and a true fan of the well-informed political debate that takes place here. I pay tribute to Mike Smithson for having created this site and am sorry that he is stepping back.
I do not live in Moscow or on a never-ending tour of the world’s most glamorous hotels and restaurants, but in a pleasant house deep in the West Country, with a partner (female), three dogs, a garden and a Manchester United supporters badge (sorry, TSE and others, about last Sunday). I am an ex-Fleet St journalist (physically as well as metaphorically, if that gives you a clue), past retirement age, who still dabbles in publishing/editing etc with a few other harmless pastimes. I am a political centrist, a former Tory who left the party when Boris became leader, a monarchist, pro-Europe, pro-Ukraine, anti-Trump who believes that it will probably be good for democracy to put Labour in charge for a bit.
So that’s my story (well-crafted by my handler comrades, I am sure you will agree). If anyone doubts it, let me offer a phone or zoom call to the doubter whenever convenient - I can indeed be verified (it's programmed into my algorithm). I am unlikely to be a frequent poster, but now that the ice has been broken, who knows? So, thank you @Benpointer for seeking to give me a chance.
Sorry for the lengthy post - next one will be much shorter and pithier.
@Bodysatnav Liz Truss on CNBC News has sought to clarify what she means by the deep state: "It's deep, meaning a very long way down. We know it's there but obviously not exactly what it is because it's so deep. I mean really deep. But it's dangerous and working all the time to destabilise."
No googling - who is this, and why is he interesting?
Blackadder
No, it’s the pilot of the plane who crashed on the Ukraine/Republic of China border.
C'mon! Give him a chance.
Well, I thought my first-ever post was quite witty, but now I can see that I have been ‘outed’ within minutes as a reincarnation of Truman or one of the other suspicious Russophiles who turn up on PB from time to time. (Though was Truman really Leon? Or am I really Sean T etc? Only Leon and I know the answer to that.)
I can understand why, in our world of aliases, suspicions arise. So here’s the truth (promise!). I am a long-time reader of PB (a lurker, perhaps, though that sounds a bit seedy) and a true fan of the well-informed political debate that takes place here. I pay tribute to Mike Smithson for having created this site and am sorry that he is stepping back.
I do not live in Moscow or on a never-ending tour of the world’s most glamorous hotels and restaurants, but in a pleasant house deep in the West Country, with a partner (female), three dogs, a garden and a Manchester United supporters badge (sorry, TSE and others, about last Sunday). I am an ex-Fleet St journalist (physically as well as metaphorically, if that gives you a clue), past retirement age, who still dabbles in publishing/editing etc with a few other harmless pastimes. I am a political centrist, a former Tory who left the party when Boris became leader, a monarchist, pro-Europe, pro-Ukraine, anti-Trump who believes that it will probably be good for democracy to put Labour in charge for a bit.
So that’s my story (well-crafted by my handler comrades, I am sure you will agree). If anyone doubts it, let me offer a phone or zoom call to the doubter whenever convenient - I can indeed be verified (it's programmed into my algorithm). I am unlikely to be a frequent poster, but now that the ice has been broken, who knows? So, thank you @Benpointer for seeking to give me a chance.
Sorry for the lengthy post - next one will be much shorter and pithier.
Why not write a header?
I would love to. I thought TSE was in charge of headers? Or do you have commissioning duties as well?
Ha! Not I!
Just write something and send it to @TheScreamingEagles as a PM - if he likes it, it goes up.
You’ve just spent a day complaining that I am a sick weirdo for watching terrible videos when they are on the news, so 1. How did you find that if you always strenuously avoid these things and 2. Why the fuck would you link to it given you are supposed to abhor them as some kind of perversity?
If there is one thing I’ve learned in this long and richly coloured life, it is, ultimately and quite profoundly, also this: never try to cross the lower Andes to a Stone Age village in a “Suzuki Swift”
@Bodysatnav Liz Truss on CNBC News has sought to clarify what she means by the deep state: "It's deep, meaning a very long way down. We know it's there but obviously not exactly what it is because it's so deep. I mean really deep. But it's dangerous and working all the time to destabilise."
No googling - who is this, and why is he interesting?
Blackadder
No, it’s the pilot of the plane who crashed on the Ukraine/Republic of China border.
C'mon! Give him a chance.
Well, I thought my first-ever post was quite witty, but now I can see that I have been ‘outed’ within minutes as a reincarnation of Truman or one of the other suspicious Russophiles who turn up on PB from time to time. (Though was Truman really Leon? Or am I really Sean T etc? Only Leon and I know the answer to that.)
I can understand why, in our world of aliases, suspicions arise. So here’s the truth (promise!). I am a long-time reader of PB (a lurker, perhaps, though that sounds a bit seedy) and a true fan of the well-informed political debate that takes place here. I pay tribute to Mike Smithson for having created this site and am sorry that he is stepping back.
I do not live in Moscow or on a never-ending tour of the world’s most glamorous hotels and restaurants, but in a pleasant house deep in the West Country, with a partner (female), three dogs, a garden and a Manchester United supporters badge (sorry, TSE and others, about last Sunday). I am an ex-Fleet St journalist (physically as well as metaphorically, if that gives you a clue), past retirement age, who still dabbles in publishing/editing etc with a few other harmless pastimes. I am a political centrist, a former Tory who left the party when Boris became leader, a monarchist, pro-Europe, pro-Ukraine, anti-Trump who believes that it will probably be good for democracy to put Labour in charge for a bit.
So that’s my story (well-crafted by my handler comrades, I am sure you will agree). If anyone doubts it, let me offer a phone or zoom call to the doubter whenever convenient - I can indeed be verified (it's programmed into my algorithm). I am unlikely to be a frequent poster, but now that the ice has been broken, who knows? So, thank you @Benpointer for seeking to give me a chance.
Sorry for the lengthy post - next one will be much shorter and pithier.
Why not write a header?
I would love to. I thought TSE was in charge of headers? Or do you have commissioning duties as well?
If you email it to TSE, he will format it and publish it, generally within a few days.
Now that OGH has retired, there is a need for headers, and while few can match @MikeSmithson punchy style and betting tips, the site does benefit from a variety of voices.
Thanks. Where do I find TSE's email address? Bear in mind that while I have been reading PB for many years, I have only signed on to an account a few hours ago and am learning how Vanilla works.
@Bodysatnav Liz Truss on CNBC News has sought to clarify what she means by the deep state: "It's deep, meaning a very long way down. We know it's there but obviously not exactly what it is because it's so deep. I mean really deep. But it's dangerous and working all the time to destabilise."
@Bodysatnav Liz Truss on CNBC News has sought to clarify what she means by the deep state: "It's deep, meaning a very long way down. We know it's there but obviously not exactly what it is because it's so deep. I mean really deep. But it's dangerous and working all the time to destabilise."
You’ve just spent a day complaining that I am a sick weirdo for watching terrible videos when they are on the news, so 1. How did you find that if you always strenuously avoid these things and 2. Why the fuck would you link to it given you are supposed to abhor them as some kind of perversity?
Regardless, it shows how the Russians are a backwards, uncivilized people. The West are indisputably the good guys in this contest, and those that seek to sell out the West to prop up Putin and his orcs are losers.
You’ve just spent a day complaining that I am a sick weirdo for watching terrible videos when they are on the news, so 1. How did you find that if you always strenuously avoid these things and 2. Why the fuck would you link to it given you are supposed to abhor them as some kind of perversity?
Regardless, it shows how the Russians are a backwards, uncivilized people. The West are indisputably the good guys in this contest, and those that seek to sell out the West to prop up Putin and his orcs are losers.
“I think people who watch videos of men having sex with fruit are depraved perverts who spend their days wanking over papayas being molested they make me puke anyway today I was on a special website for men who love sex with fruit and I found this video of someone putting a yellow dragon fruit up his bottom and obviously I haven’t watched it because these things are hideous and I bet it’s disgusting but here’s a link to it if anyone else wants to watch it but honestly don’t it’s disgusting or so I imagine
@Bodysatnav Liz Truss on CNBC News has sought to clarify what she means by the deep state: "It's deep, meaning a very long way down. We know it's there but obviously not exactly what it is because it's so deep. I mean really deep. But it's dangerous and working all the time to destabilise."
How, I wonder, does the deep state brief a new PM on the various truths that only the illuminati know when, like Truss, they clearly are not already in the magic circle?
No googling - who is this, and why is he interesting?
Blackadder
No, it’s the pilot of the plane who crashed on the Ukraine/Republic of China border.
C'mon! Give him a chance.
Well, I thought my first-ever post was quite witty, but now I can see that I have been ‘outed’ within minutes as a reincarnation of Truman or one of the other suspicious Russophiles who turn up on PB from time to time. (Though was Truman really Leon? Or am I really Sean T etc? Only Leon and I know the answer to that.)
I can understand why, in our world of aliases, suspicions arise. So here’s the truth (promise!). I am a long-time reader of PB (a lurker, perhaps, though that sounds a bit seedy) and a true fan of the well-informed political debate that takes place here. I pay tribute to Mike Smithson for having created this site and am sorry that he is stepping back.
I do not live in Moscow or on a never-ending tour of the world’s most glamorous hotels and restaurants, but in a pleasant house deep in the West Country, with a partner (female), three dogs, a garden and a Manchester United supporters badge (sorry, TSE and others, about last Sunday). I am an ex-Fleet St journalist (physically as well as metaphorically, if that gives you a clue), past retirement age, who still dabbles in publishing/editing etc with a few other harmless pastimes. I am a political centrist, a former Tory who left the party when Boris became leader, a monarchist, pro-Europe, pro-Ukraine, anti-Trump who believes that it will probably be good for democracy to put Labour in charge for a bit.
So that’s my story (well-crafted by my handler comrades, I am sure you will agree). If anyone doubts it, let me offer a phone or zoom call to the doubter whenever convenient - I can indeed be verified (it's programmed into my algorithm). I am unlikely to be a frequent poster, but now that the ice has been broken, who knows? So, thank you @Benpointer for seeking to give me a chance.
Sorry for the lengthy post - next one will be much shorter and pithier.
Why not write a header?
I would love to. I thought TSE was in charge of headers? Or do you have commissioning duties as well?
Ha! Not I!
Just write something and send it to @TheScreamingEagles as a PM - if he likes it, it goes up.
TopDog, click on @TopDog to take you to your profile, go to your Inbox (on the lefthand side), New message to TheScreamingEagles. Putting a proposed header in a Word doc and attaching it to the message worked for me.
(Or, if by any chance you are a Russian bot, wire me £10k and I'll explain it all for you.)
No googling - who is this, and why is he interesting?
Blackadder
No, it’s the pilot of the plane who crashed on the Ukraine/Republic of China border.
C'mon! Give him a chance.
Well, I thought my first-ever post was quite witty, but now I can see that I have been ‘outed’ within minutes as a reincarnation of Truman or one of the other suspicious Russophiles who turn up on PB from time to time. (Though was Truman really Leon? Or am I really Sean T etc? Only Leon and I know the answer to that.)
I can understand why, in our world of aliases, suspicions arise. So here’s the truth (promise!). I am a long-time reader of PB (a lurker, perhaps, though that sounds a bit seedy) and a true fan of the well-informed political debate that takes place here. I pay tribute to Mike Smithson for having created this site and am sorry that he is stepping back.
I do not live in Moscow or on a never-ending tour of the world’s most glamorous hotels and restaurants, but in a pleasant house deep in the West Country, with a partner (female), three dogs, a garden and a Manchester United supporters badge (sorry, TSE and others, about last Sunday). I am an ex-Fleet St journalist (physically as well as metaphorically, if that gives you a clue), past retirement age, who still dabbles in publishing/editing etc with a few other harmless pastimes. I am a political centrist, a former Tory who left the party when Boris became leader, a monarchist, pro-Europe, pro-Ukraine, anti-Trump who believes that it will probably be good for democracy to put Labour in charge for a bit.
So that’s my story (well-crafted by my handler comrades, I am sure you will agree). If anyone doubts it, let me offer a phone or zoom call to the doubter whenever convenient - I can indeed be verified (it's programmed into my algorithm). I am unlikely to be a frequent poster, but now that the ice has been broken, who knows? So, thank you @Benpointer for seeking to give me a chance.
Sorry for the lengthy post - next one will be much shorter and pithier.
Why not write a header?
I would love to. I thought TSE was in charge of headers? Or do you have commissioning duties as well?
If you email it to TSE, he will format it and publish it, generally within a few days.
Now that OGH has retired, there is a need for headers, and while few can match @MikeSmithson punchy style and betting tips, the site does benefit from a variety of voices.
Thanks. Where do I find TSE's email address? Bear in mind that while I have been reading PB for many years, I have only signed on to an account a few hours ago and am learning how Vanilla works.
If you use the format @TSE he will get a notification, so let him know on here.
@Bodysatnav Liz Truss on CNBC News has sought to clarify what she means by the deep state: "It's deep, meaning a very long way down. We know it's there but obviously not exactly what it is because it's so deep. I mean really deep. But it's dangerous and working all the time to destabilise."
How, I wonder, does the deep state brief a new PM on the various truths that only the illuminati know when, like Truss, they clearly are not already in the magic circle?
Presumably Truss' point is they don't. Clearly she never got the Deep State briefing when she was PM...
No googling - who is this, and why is he interesting?
Blackadder
No, it’s the pilot of the plane who crashed on the Ukraine/Republic of China border.
C'mon! Give him a chance.
Well, I thought my first-ever post was quite witty, but now I can see that I have been ‘outed’ within minutes as a reincarnation of Truman or one of the other suspicious Russophiles who turn up on PB from time to time. (Though was Truman really Leon? Or am I really Sean T etc? Only Leon and I know the answer to that.)
I can understand why, in our world of aliases, suspicions arise. So here’s the truth (promise!). I am a long-time reader of PB (a lurker, perhaps, though that sounds a bit seedy) and a true fan of the well-informed political debate that takes place here. I pay tribute to Mike Smithson for having created this site and am sorry that he is stepping back.
I do not live in Moscow or on a never-ending tour of the world’s most glamorous hotels and restaurants, but in a pleasant house deep in the West Country, with a partner (female), three dogs, a garden and a Manchester United supporters badge (sorry, TSE and others, about last Sunday). I am an ex-Fleet St journalist (physically as well as metaphorically, if that gives you a clue), past retirement age, who still dabbles in publishing/editing etc with a few other harmless pastimes. I am a political centrist, a former Tory who left the party when Boris became leader, a monarchist, pro-Europe, pro-Ukraine, anti-Trump who believes that it will probably be good for democracy to put Labour in charge for a bit.
So that’s my story (well-crafted by my handler comrades, I am sure you will agree). If anyone doubts it, let me offer a phone or zoom call to the doubter whenever convenient - I can indeed be verified (it's programmed into my algorithm). I am unlikely to be a frequent poster, but now that the ice has been broken, who knows? So, thank you @Benpointer for seeking to give me a chance.
Sorry for the lengthy post - next one will be much shorter and pithier.
Why not write a header?
I would love to. I thought TSE was in charge of headers? Or do you have commissioning duties as well?
If you email it to TSE, he will format it and publish it, generally within a few days.
Now that OGH has retired, there is a need for headers, and while few can match @MikeSmithson punchy style and betting tips, the site does benefit from a variety of voices.
Thanks. Where do I find TSE's email address? Bear in mind that while I have been reading PB for many years, I have only signed on to an account a few hours ago and am learning how Vanilla works.
If you use the format @TSE he will get a notification, so let him know on here.
You’ve just spent a day complaining that I am a sick weirdo for watching terrible videos when they are on the news, so 1. How did you find that if you always strenuously avoid these things and 2. Why the fuck would you link to it given you are supposed to abhor them as some kind of perversity?
Regardless, it shows how the Russians are a backwards, uncivilized people. The West are indisputably the good guys in this contest, and those that seek to sell out the West to prop up Putin and his orcs are losers.
“I think people who watch videos of men having sex with fruit are depraved perverts who spend their days wanking over papayas being molested they make me puke anyway today I was on a special website for men who love sex with fruit and I found this video of someone putting a yellow dragon fruit up his bottom and obviously I haven’t watched it because these things are hideous and I bet it’s disgusting but here’s a link to it if anyone else wants to watch it but honestly don’t it’s disgusting or so I imagine
I don't particularly care whether one particular social media user on a political betting forum is consistent or not. It doesn't matter. But the fact that the Russian police and armies are subhuman savages does matter for political debate.
Strange how people clutch their pearls at press intrusion and gossip about the Waleses, yet revel in it into the Sussexes. Its almost as if Harry had a point.
@Bodysatnav Liz Truss on CNBC News has sought to clarify what she means by the deep state: "It's deep, meaning a very long way down. We know it's there but obviously not exactly what it is because it's so deep. I mean really deep. But it's dangerous and working all the time to destabilise."
How, I wonder, does the deep state brief a new PM on the various truths that only the illuminati know when, like Truss, they clearly are not already in the magic circle?
It's a weird turn she has taken. Despite the humiliation of her ousting she seemed to have dealt with it with some admirable dignity and restraint given the circumstances, not constantly leaking bitter remarks etc, but she seems now to be going full conspiracy loon.
It's one thing to rail againt 'the blob', or whatever institutional inertia or cultural forces you think are hindering what might be necessary changes and policies, it's quite another to adopt right wing american talking points about deep states.
@Bodysatnav Liz Truss on CNBC News has sought to clarify what she means by the deep state: "It's deep, meaning a very long way down. We know it's there but obviously not exactly what it is because it's so deep. I mean really deep. But it's dangerous and working all the time to destabilise."
Terrible slur on cheese. Nor does it make any sense. 'Nutty as a fruitcake' - most fruitcakes have nuts in. 'Mad as a box of frogs' - I imagine frogs in a box get pretty mad.
But mad as cheese? You cantal me that one makes any sense.
You’ve just spent a day complaining that I am a sick weirdo for watching terrible videos when they are on the news, so 1. How did you find that if you always strenuously avoid these things and 2. Why the fuck would you link to it given you are supposed to abhor them as some kind of perversity?
Regardless, it shows how the Russians are a backwards, uncivilized people. The West are indisputably the good guys in this contest, and those that seek to sell out the West to prop up Putin and his orcs are losers.
“I think people who watch videos of men having sex with fruit are depraved perverts who spend their days wanking over papayas being molested they make me puke anyway today I was on a special website for men who love sex with fruit and I found this video of someone putting a yellow dragon fruit up his bottom and obviously I haven’t watched it because these things are hideous and I bet it’s disgusting but here’s a link to it if anyone else wants to watch it but honestly don’t it’s disgusting or so I imagine
I don't particularly care whether one particular social media user on a political betting forum is consistent or not. It doesn't matter. But the fact that the Russian police and armies are subhuman savages does matter for political debate.
It’s a different issue. The incoherence just amuses me
The Russians are barbaric soldiers. The Ukrainians can also be barbaric - shooting prisoners in cold blood etc. But in this instance the Russians started it and they surely have done the bulk of it
So I wouldn’t really disagree tho “subhuman” is a dangerous word I would not use. Evil bastards is sufficient
Strange how people clutch their pearls at press intrusion and gossip about the Waleses, yet revel in it into the Sussexes. Its almost as if Harry had a point.
@Bodysatnav Liz Truss on CNBC News has sought to clarify what she means by the deep state: "It's deep, meaning a very long way down. We know it's there but obviously not exactly what it is because it's so deep. I mean really deep. But it's dangerous and working all the time to destabilise."
@Bodysatnav Liz Truss on CNBC News has sought to clarify what she means by the deep state: "It's deep, meaning a very long way down. We know it's there but obviously not exactly what it is because it's so deep. I mean really deep. But it's dangerous and working all the time to destabilise."
You’ve just spent a day complaining that I am a sick weirdo for watching terrible videos when they are on the news, so 1. How did you find that if you always strenuously avoid these things and 2. Why the fuck would you link to it given you are supposed to abhor them as some kind of perversity?
Regardless, it shows how the Russians are a backwards, uncivilized people. The West are indisputably the good guys in this contest, and those that seek to sell out the West to prop up Putin and his orcs are losers.
The act described (it's quite disgusting enough to hear about it without seeing it) is indescribably violent - despicable.
But it's then a little ironical that you're touting our moral superiority whilst at the same time declaring the enemy to be less than human. We know where regarding your enemies as less than human leads. We may be superior morally, but your post isn't.
@Bodysatnav Liz Truss on CNBC News has sought to clarify what she means by the deep state: "It's deep, meaning a very long way down. We know it's there but obviously not exactly what it is because it's so deep. I mean really deep. But it's dangerous and working all the time to destabilise."
You’ve just spent a day complaining that I am a sick weirdo for watching terrible videos when they are on the news, so 1. How did you find that if you always strenuously avoid these things and 2. Why the fuck would you link to it given you are supposed to abhor them as some kind of perversity?
Regardless, it shows how the Russians are a backwards, uncivilized people. The West are indisputably the good guys in this contest, and those that seek to sell out the West to prop up Putin and his orcs are losers.
The act described (it's quite disgusting enough to hear about it without seeing it) is indescribably violent - despicable.
But it's then a little ironical that you're touting our moral superiority whilst at the same time declaring the enemy to be less than human. We know where regarding your enemies as less than human leads. We may be superior morally, but your post isn't.
Indeed. Well said. “it shows how the Russians are a backwards, uncivilized people”: that is just racism, pure and simple. Substitute Russian for any other ethnicity and see how the sentence holds up.
Strange how people clutch their pearls at press intrusion and gossip about the Waleses, yet revel in it into the Sussexes. Its almost as if Harry had a point.
The same Meghan and Harry who have a flipping TV series bleating on about their secrets? That couple? Harry just wants to monetise and control the intrusion.
New tropical tree puzzle. Right next to the last tree
Close up of fruit. Is that avocado? Just realised I’ve.not ever seen avocados growing
It can't be an avocado, there's no toast.
Presumably you grow it alongside breadfruit, and set it on fire.
Incidentally avocado toast is best grilled with some cheese grated over the avo. I was introduced to this 30 years ago in Australia and have been eating it since, and still managed to buy a house. Maybe it's because I don't like latte much.
New tropical tree puzzle. Right next to the last tree
Close up of fruit. Is that avocado? Just realised I’ve.not ever seen avocados growing
It can't be an avocado, there's no toast.
Presumably you grow it alongside breadfruit, and set it on fire.
Incidentally avocado toast is best grilled with some cheese grated over the avo. I was introduced to this 30 years ago in Australia and have been eating it since, and still managed to buy a house. Maybe it's because I don't like latte much.
What do the Aussies know about food?
If you must gild the lily, try it with buffalo mozzarella, sundried tomatoes and drizzled with a good homemade chilli oil. Crispy streaky bacon bits optional. Don’t grate standard cheese on it.
Strange how people clutch their pearls at press intrusion and gossip about the Waleses, yet revel in it into the Sussexes. Its almost as if Harry had a point.
The same Meghan and Harry who have a flipping TV series bleating on about their secrets? That couple? Harry just wants to monetise and control the intrusion.
Indeed, talking about what they are publicly doing is not gossiping.
Strange how people clutch their pearls at press intrusion and gossip about the Waleses, yet revel in it into the Sussexes. Its almost as if Harry had a point.
The same Meghan and Harry who have a flipping TV series bleating on about their secrets? That couple? Harry just wants to monetise and control the intrusion.
It's not intrusion if you commission it. It's about taking back control.
New tropical tree puzzle. Right next to the last tree
Close up of fruit. Is that avocado? Just realised I’ve.not ever seen avocados growing
It can't be an avocado, there's no toast.
Presumably you grow it alongside breadfruit, and set it on fire.
Incidentally avocado toast is best grilled with some cheese grated over the avo. I was introduced to this 30 years ago in Australia and have been eating it since, and still managed to buy a house. Maybe it's because I don't like latte much.
What do the Aussies know about food?
If you must gild the lily, try it with buffalo mozzarella, sundried tomatoes and drizzled with a good homemade chilli oil. Crispy streaky bacon bits optional. Don’t grate standard cheese on it.
Strange how people clutch their pearls at press intrusion and gossip about the Waleses, yet revel in it into the Sussexes. Its almost as if Harry had a point.
The same Meghan and Harry who have a flipping TV series bleating on about their secrets? That couple? Harry just wants to monetise and control the intrusion.
It's not intrusion if you commission it. It's about taking back control.
@Bodysatnav Liz Truss on CNBC News has sought to clarify what she means by the deep state: "It's deep, meaning a very long way down. We know it's there but obviously not exactly what it is because it's so deep. I mean really deep. But it's dangerous and working all the time to destabilise."
How, I wonder, does the deep state brief a new PM on the various truths that only the illuminati know when, like Truss, they clearly are not already in the magic circle?
It's a weird turn she has taken. Despite the humiliation of her ousting she seemed to have dealt with it with some admirable dignity and restraint given the circumstances, not constantly leaking bitter remarks etc, but she seems now to be going full conspiracy loon.
It's one thing to rail againt 'the blob', or whatever institutional inertia or cultural forces you think are hindering what might be necessary changes and policies, it's quite another to adopt right wing american talking points about deep states.
Is it just a career move?
I think she should have introduced the CPAC audience to the phrase 'the Blob' - it would have gone down well in the room; it's assimilable, and frankly true. I can understand why she chose to call it the deep state, to use a concept known to the audience, but it wasn't great comms. But hey, that's our Liz.
New tropical tree puzzle. Right next to the last tree
Close up of fruit. Is that avocado? Just realised I’ve.not ever seen avocados growing
It can't be an avocado, there's no toast.
Presumably you grow it alongside breadfruit, and set it on fire.
Incidentally avocado toast is best grilled with some cheese grated over the avo. I was introduced to this 30 years ago in Australia and have been eating it since, and still managed to buy a house. Maybe it's because I don't like latte much.
What do the Aussies know about food?
If you must gild the lily, try it with buffalo mozzarella, sundried tomatoes and drizzled with a good homemade chilli oil. Crispy streaky bacon bits optional. Don’t grate standard cheese on it.
The Aussies INVENTED the smashed avo on toast breakfast genre. And they also had the brilliant idea of adding vegemite (or marmite). And it really works for reasons I do not know
Comments
"Russian police have cut the ear off a suspect and made him eat it, on camera and posted it online."
https://www.reddit.com/r/UkrainianConflict/comments/1blxw8l/russian_police_have_cut_the_ear_off_a_suspect_and/
It seems that the Kremlin is going to use the Moscow terror attack as its own Reichstag Fire. All state media and now Putin pointing at #Ukraine 🇺🇦. This is bad.
https://twitter.com/dpatrikarakos/status/1771582613532119329
They believed that they had the right to keep the Peculiar Institution out of their states. They deeply resented the slave catching laws and saw Southern use of federal law to extend the rights of slave holders, interstate, as a creeping attempt to impose on their States Rights. Bleeding Kansas was, to them, an armed attack on the right of a free territory to remain free of slavery.
Dredd Scott was, to these people, the final assault. If a slave could be bought into a Free State and remain a slave, then the Rights of the Free States were being ended. Between this and the slave catching laws, the entire US was a slave state, by *Federal* mandate.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rada_of_the_Belarusian_Democratic_Republic
https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2024/mar/23/swapping-tory-leader-labour-lead-bigger-poll-opinium
https://www.thejc.com/lets-talk/israels-critics-arent-interested-in-dialogue-or-compromise-they-just-want-to-hate-w6fnmjqg
Current polling by a top quality polling company shows that of the possible Con leaders going into the election the worst regarded is one Kemi Badenoch, narrowly behind the notoriously inept and unpopular Suella Braverman.
Seems to be a pattern emerging. It is Mr Sunak's tragedy that he can spot unpopular Ministers who he apparently considers out of their depth but he lacks the courage to sack them.
It has not not made me want to fly BA premium economy however it has made me decide I want children, seriously, so I’m laughing to myself that it’s actually a cunning psy-ops effort to boost the national birth rate. Well done Mad Men.
"Overall, when asked which party they intended to vote for, without citing current or potential leaders, Labour’s lead remained unchanged from a fortnight ago at 16 points. Labour is on 41%, the Conservatives 25%, Reform 11%, the Liberal Democrats 10%, and the Greens 8%."
*way cooler than “you were in the CIA”
Overall, when asked which party they intended to vote for, without citing current or potential leaders, Labour’s lead remained unchanged from a fortnight ago at 16 points. Labour is on 41%, the Conservatives 25%, Reform 11%, the Liberal Democrats 10%, and the Greens 8%.
Shame they don't have figures for the two implausible leaders who might make a difference- Boris and Nigel. I suspect that it would attract and repulse potential Conservative voters in roughly equal measure. But it would be good to have data.
Otherwise- can Conservatives please accept that the face on the label isn't the only problem, or even the main one?
It's a total wipeout with Badenoch or Braverman.
Whilst Mordaunt is only a maginal improvement - which I supsect would be offset by uproar re another unelected PM.
Best bet is clearly to stick with Sunak.
That’s a bit OTT. That’s like 23 out of 10 on the Metropolitan Police scale of behaviour.
Firstly, Danny Finkelstein has no power over the matter, so this is talk.
Secondly the briefing of his position says clearly and without conditions that a two state solution in the proper answer, and this involves compromise. On the whole 'Two State' solution people (including me) will agree with him, so game over. Sadly the relevant audiences he addresses, Israeli and Palestinian, unconditionally support a one state solution; so what would there be to discuss?
It's this sort of propaganda which gives permission for bestial acts of revenge.
https://x.com/OpiniumResearch/status/1771627990088126694?s=20
There was an interview with a psychiatrist (non Ukrainian, working in Ukraine)
She’d been working with Ukrainians who’d been captured by the Russians and castrated. Yes. Castrated.
She was concerned by the fact that they wanted to return to the front and what they would do there.
Could just be chance, or it might be a sign that the change in the headline numbers is due to more Tory don't knows, which wouldn't affect Opinium results. They're rather standing against the tide.
Though the Opinium poll would still give a Labour majority of 220 and only 129 Tory seats if replicated at the GE. The Tories are in such a deep hole.
These hypothetical polls are more a question of name recognition and personal popularity, so they should ask those questions instead of hypothetical ones.
The Ukrainians have been admirably focused on winning the war, and getting their people back safely - so we see the choice of militarily-relevant targets, and Russian soldiers are captured for prisoner exchanges, rather than summarily executed.
"No single issue stands out after the economy. Nearly three-quarters of Americans (73%) rate strengthening the economy as a top priority. That is considerably larger than the shares citing any other policy goal."
https://www.pewresearch.org/politics/2024/02/29/americans-top-policy-priority-for-2024-strengthening-the-economy/
At a guess, perhaps half of the issues would be found in a similar study of UK voters. (I'd love to see whether I am right about that.)
I discussed this in my header in Dec.
https://www1.politicalbetting.com/index.php/archives/2023/12/02/sweet-swingbacks-baadasssss-song/
Now that OGH has retired, there is a need for headers, and while few can match @MikeSmithson punchy style and betting tips, the site does benefit from a variety of voices.
Also from the focus group 'For many, another new leader would simply be farcical: “They’ve been through everyone. They’re running out of people. How many leaders are we on since the election?”; “They need dislodging because they’re just handing the baton on from one person to another. ‘I’m out of favour today so you take over and if you go out of favour, pass it on to her. Then who? The cleaner, have you had a go yet?”
“The two leading parties, you’ve got Sir Keir Starmer and then you’ve got multi-billionaire Rishi Sunak. Neither of them have a clue what it’s like to go to Sainsbury’s. And neither did Boris, but at least Boris had a bit of balls.”
https://conservativehome.com/2024/03/22/lord-ashcroft-it-feels-like-weve-got-alcoholic-parents-my-latest-focus-group-in-east-thanet-and-portsmouth-north/
I have been out all day... Did I miss anything?
Like this, perhaps
@Bodysatnav
Liz Truss on CNBC News has sought to clarify what she means by the deep state: "It's deep, meaning a very long way down. We know it's there but obviously not exactly what it is because it's so deep. I mean really deep. But it's dangerous and working all the time to destabilise."
@gavinesler
“Is it in the room with you now?”
Just write something and send it to @TheScreamingEagles as a PM - if he likes it, it goes up.
It's all about MEEEEEEEEE....
https://babylonbee.com/news/meghan-markle-announces-netflix-show-about-how-hard-its-been-dealing-with-kate-middletons-cancer-diagnosis?fbclid=IwAR1lCujk7UHHU43HfTjhv_B0LPRUhOz0EkicQv3ob795p3bQQnfXdi_uz4w
(A parody but had me fooled ...)
The bit she has missed is that it isn’t a conspiracy. It’s a confederacy of dunces, all slapping each others backs, in a circle.
And she is one of them.
Why else would she be getting 6 figures for after diner speaking?
Jesus wept.
Yours sincerely @JosiasJessop (aged 12 and a half)
(Or, if by any chance you are a Russian bot, wire me £10k and I'll explain it all for you.)
Close up of fruit. Is that avocado? Just realised I’ve.not ever seen avocados growing
Send your proposed article to me via a Vanilla message using this profile as I seldom check the @TSE handle.
I will conduct some background checks on you before I publish it such as do you think pineapple is an acceptable topping on pizza.
And despite previous discord, we are all now in concert.
It’s time.
Her time.
Step forward Elizabeth Truss.
The lady of our lives.
TRUSS.
Strange how people clutch their pearls at press intrusion and gossip about the Waleses, yet revel in it into the Sussexes. Its almost as if Harry had a point.
It's one thing to rail againt 'the blob', or whatever institutional inertia or cultural forces you think are hindering what might be necessary changes and policies, it's quite another to adopt right wing american talking points about deep states.
Is it just a career move?
'Nutty as a fruitcake' - most fruitcakes have nuts in.
'Mad as a box of frogs' - I imagine frogs in a box get pretty mad.
But mad as cheese? You cantal me that one makes any sense.
The Russians are barbaric soldiers. The Ukrainians can also be barbaric - shooting prisoners in cold blood etc. But in this instance the Russians started it and they surely have done the bulk of it
So I wouldn’t really disagree tho “subhuman” is a dangerous word I would not use. Evil bastards is sufficient
NOW.
But it's then a little ironical that you're touting our moral superiority whilst at the same time declaring the enemy to be less than human. We know where regarding your enemies as less than human leads. We may be superior morally, but your post isn't.
NOW. Indeed. Well said. “it shows how the Russians are a backwards, uncivilized people”: that is just racism, pure and simple. Substitute Russian for any other ethnicity and see how the sentence holds up.
Yay
ChatGPT is crap at this
Incidentally avocado toast is best grilled with some cheese grated over the avo. I was introduced to this 30 years ago in Australia and have been eating it since, and still managed to buy a house. Maybe it's because I don't like latte much.
If you must gild the lily, try it with buffalo mozzarella, sundried tomatoes and drizzled with a good homemade chilli oil. Crispy streaky bacon bits optional. Don’t grate standard cheese on it.
Utterly gutted that I didn't come up with that innuendo.He will win, then be gone in months. That's the SOP.
I think the Tories will take that as a plus.