Trump makes a late intervention to ensure a Liberal landslide – politicalbetting.com

System · April 28

Trump makes a late intervention to ensure a Liberal landslide – politicalbetting.com

Mark Carney must thank his lucky stars whilst Pierre Poilievre must have spent the last 6 months smashing every mirror in Canada. It was no coincidence that lead in Canada narrowed whilst Trump stopped talking about Canada becoming the 51st state.

Read the full story here

eek · April 28

First as the liberals will be

Lennon · April 28

Second (like the Canadian Conservatives)

Casino_Royale · April 28

Too late but that die has already been cast

Nigelb · April 28

Leon, as ever, could not be more wrong.

Leon said:

MattW said:

Leon said:

rcs1000 said:
On the subject of bread: you guys have no idea how lucky you are. Whether it's Germany, France or the UK, your bread is lightyears better than the crap that is sold in every supermarket in the US.

Now, sure, can you get decent bread in the US? Of course. But it's not widely available. Most supermarkets don't have their own bakery in the way Tesco's and Sainsbury's do in the UK.
The disjunct between the affluence of the USA and the shiteness of its food is quite astonishing

I’ve never seen a really good explanation for it

If the USA was a desolate tundra or mainly desert it might make some sense, but it contains much of the most fertile land in the world, and has every possible climate. It is surrounded by magnificent seas, it ranges from frozen Alaska to tropical Florida….

WEIRD
That would mainly be that they don't believe in regulation for the benefit of the public, perhaps?

If I were in the USA I'd have a bread machine, and buy flour once a year when I passed an independent mill.
Lack of regulation is a partial explanation but not enough. There are other things at work: psychosocial, cultural and more

Eg beer. For decades American beer was laughable despite them inheriting an epic beer making tradition from, especially, millions of English and German immigrants. Plus Czechs etc

Then suddenly about 40 years ago something changed, Samuel Adams was a thing, America had a beer revolution, and now they have some of the best beer in the world, marvellous variety, and you can get it everywhere. Even the local gas station will have a very decent craft ipa or lager in the fridge

That was nothing to do with regulation. That was a change in culture and taste

"In 1978, Carter signed H.R. 1337 into law, lifting the federal ban on homebrewing that had been in place since Prohibition. By allowing individuals to brew beer at home, this decision unlocked a world of experimentation and creativity, empowering people to craft unique and flavorful brews on their own terms..."
https://thecasualpint.com/cheers-to-jimmy-carter-the-president-who-sparked-a-craft-beer-revolution/

FF43 · April 28

Trump is trying to make the Canadian premiership into a poisoned chalice. He doesn't care who drinks from it.

dixiedean · April 28

What exactly are these subsidies?
And. What happens if they elect the Cons?

bondegezou · April 28

Sixth, like, er… the People’s Party?

TheScreamingEagles · April 28

The original headline was going to be ‘Confused Florida pensioner is posting nonsense on social media.’

dixiedean · April 28

Nigelb said:
Leon, as ever, could not be more wrong.

Leon said:

MattW said:

Leon said:

rcs1000 said:
On the subject of bread: you guys have no idea how lucky you are. Whether it's Germany, France or the UK, your bread is lightyears better than the crap that is sold in every supermarket in the US.

Now, sure, can you get decent bread in the US? Of course. But it's not widely available. Most supermarkets don't have their own bakery in the way Tesco's and Sainsbury's do in the UK.
The disjunct between the affluence of the USA and the shiteness of its food is quite astonishing

I’ve never seen a really good explanation for it

If the USA was a desolate tundra or mainly desert it might make some sense, but it contains much of the most fertile land in the world, and has every possible climate. It is surrounded by magnificent seas, it ranges from frozen Alaska to tropical Florida….

WEIRD
That would mainly be that they don't believe in regulation for the benefit of the public, perhaps?

If I were in the USA I'd have a bread machine, and buy flour once a year when I passed an independent mill.
Lack of regulation is a partial explanation but not enough. There are other things at work: psychosocial, cultural and more

Eg beer. For decades American beer was laughable despite them inheriting an epic beer making tradition from, especially, millions of English and German immigrants. Plus Czechs etc

Then suddenly about 40 years ago something changed, Samuel Adams was a thing, America had a beer revolution, and now they have some of the best beer in the world, marvellous variety, and you can get it everywhere. Even the local gas station will have a very decent craft ipa or lager in the fridge

That was nothing to do with regulation. That was a change in culture and taste
"In 1978, Carter signed H.R. 1337 into law, lifting the federal ban on homebrewing that had been in place since Prohibition. By allowing individuals to brew beer at home, this decision unlocked a world of experimentation and creativity, empowering people to craft unique and flavorful brews on their own terms..."
https://thecasualpint.com/cheers-to-jimmy-carter-the-president-who-sparked-a-craft-beer-revolution/

Also.
The breweries established by German immigrants were all closed during Prohibition. The equipment and skills lost.

Scott_xP · April 28

I think Mark Carney's campaign will have to declare this post as a gift.

TOPPING · April 28

Nigelb said:
Leon, as ever, could not be more wrong.

Leon said:

MattW said:

Leon said:

rcs1000 said:
On the subject of bread: you guys have no idea how lucky you are. Whether it's Germany, France or the UK, your bread is lightyears better than the crap that is sold in every supermarket in the US.

Now, sure, can you get decent bread in the US? Of course. But it's not widely available. Most supermarkets don't have their own bakery in the way Tesco's and Sainsbury's do in the UK.
The disjunct between the affluence of the USA and the shiteness of its food is quite astonishing

I’ve never seen a really good explanation for it

If the USA was a desolate tundra or mainly desert it might make some sense, but it contains much of the most fertile land in the world, and has every possible climate. It is surrounded by magnificent seas, it ranges from frozen Alaska to tropical Florida….

WEIRD
That would mainly be that they don't believe in regulation for the benefit of the public, perhaps?

If I were in the USA I'd have a bread machine, and buy flour once a year when I passed an independent mill.
Lack of regulation is a partial explanation but not enough. There are other things at work: psychosocial, cultural and more

Eg beer. For decades American beer was laughable despite them inheriting an epic beer making tradition from, especially, millions of English and German immigrants. Plus Czechs etc

Then suddenly about 40 years ago something changed, Samuel Adams was a thing, America had a beer revolution, and now they have some of the best beer in the world, marvellous variety, and you can get it everywhere. Even the local gas station will have a very decent craft ipa or lager in the fridge

That was nothing to do with regulation. That was a change in culture and taste
"In 1978, Carter signed H.R. 1337 into law, lifting the federal ban on homebrewing that had been in place since Prohibition. By allowing individuals to brew beer at home, this decision unlocked a world of experimentation and creativity, empowering people to craft unique and flavorful brews on their own terms..."
https://thecasualpint.com/cheers-to-jimmy-carter-the-president-who-sparked-a-craft-beer-revolution/

A bit like us and gin. You can't, or couldn't effing well move without your mate creating a new gin (no idea if it was taste or regulation - I think the latter but I can't find details) from his five or five thousand acres.

TOPPING · April 28

fpt and vaguely on topic politically

Dura_Ace said:

noneoftheabove said:

bondegezou said:

williamglenn said:
Interesting report from Runcorn:

https://x.com/aaronbastani/status/1916816439593340952

Only spoke to 80 people, perhaps, so totally unscientific, but I met more people planning to vote Green than Tory.

Essentially zero of the discontent with Labour (of which there is a lot!) is being channeled towards the Tory party….
You can get 125/1 on the Tories winning, which is consistent with Bastani's observation.

I suggest the Tories need to attack Reform UK relentlessly if they want to beat them anywhere.
The starting point for a Tory recovery is them deciding what they are for, not what they are against. Then they need to start explaining how Joe and Jane Average benefit from it.

Incessant moaning about modernity is not policy, and anyway that is Reforms bag now.
The contemporary iteration of the tory part is just being AliExpress Fukkers. I have no idea where they go next nor, I suspect, do they. Some brexit contrition and re-engagement on environmental matters might be a start. Or it might make things even worse. Lol.

I am able to bring this site the unique (actually there are zillions of us) insight of a sickened ex-Tory who believes the party became toxic which believed it could out-Reform Reform only to find, as small children in Hartlepool could have told you, that you can never out-extreme the extremes.

I would like, from the Tories, some "Europe is our closest and largest trading partner, therefore..." and some "we understand the trans issue and then [Nick Herbert's excellent piece]" and some "Party of economic stability" and also some "public sector vital for the nation but shouldn't be immune to reform" and then, ofc, naming me President for Life with a free (as I googled it, tyvm) Toyota Century plus driver.

Then I would take a second look.

nico67 · April 28

Can you imagine the furore in the USA if a world leader interfered in their election .

twistedfirestopper3 · April 28

What is Trump's plan with the "We must own Canada/Greenland" guff? He can't really think that Canada/Denmark will agree, so is it just red meat to keep his gang happy, a call to make MAGA think he's a strong man?

LostPassword · April 28

nico67 said:
Can you imagine the furore in the USA if a world leader interfered in their election .

Everyone believes they and their country are different. Hypocrisy is an inevitable part of the human condition.

rcs1000 · April 28

New Substack from me!

https://open.substack.com/pub/robertsmithson1/p/a-radical-plan-to-end-income-tax?r=2a9ngu&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=false

LostPassword · April 28

twistedfirestopper3 said:
What is Trump's plan with the "We must own Canada/Greenland" guff? He can't really think that Canada/Denmark will agree, so is it just red meat to keep his gang happy, a call to make MAGA think he's a strong man?

Yes. That's mainly it.

Though with Greenland I do wonder if he will actually go for it if he decides he needs a distraction. What would the Danes do to stop him?

Stuartinromford · April 28

TheScreamingEagles said:
The original headline was going to be ‘Confused Florida pensioner is posting nonsense on social media.’

Up there with "Dog bites man" as a headline.

Andy_JS · April 28

Any suggestion the power outages are foul play?

TheScreamingEagles · April 28

twistedfirestopper3 said:
What is Trump's plan with the "We must own Canada/Greenland" guff? He can't really think that Canada/Denmark will agree, so is it just red meat to keep his gang happy, a call to make MAGA think he's a strong man?

Canada - They are convinced Canada is stealing money from the USA via trade, and stealing American natural resources, whilst sending illegals and drugs over the border. There’s some guff in the Far Right Federalist Wing that says America will never be safe whilst North America isn’t one contiguous state.

As for Greenland, fuck knows.

Nigelb · April 28

twistedfirestopper3 said:
What is Trump's plan with the "We must own Canada/Greenland" guff? He can't really think that Canada/Denmark will agree, so is it just red meat to keep his gang happy, a call to make MAGA think he's a strong man?

He's an elderly narcissist, with a limited grasp on reality, who has been handed almost unlimited power.
"Plan" dignifies what's really just an expression of id.

Theuniondivvie · April 28

nico67 said:
Can you imagine the furore in the USA if a world leader interfered in their election .

Other than Putin.

Nigelb · April 28

Pakistan starts amassing 155 mm self-propelled howitzers near the Line of Control in Kashmir
https://x.com/visegrad24/status/1916563131536494851

kjh · April 28

Nigelb said:
Leon, as ever, could not be more wrong.

Leon said:

MattW said:

Leon said:

rcs1000 said:
On the subject of bread: you guys have no idea how lucky you are. Whether it's Germany, France or the UK, your bread is lightyears better than the crap that is sold in every supermarket in the US.

Now, sure, can you get decent bread in the US? Of course. But it's not widely available. Most supermarkets don't have their own bakery in the way Tesco's and Sainsbury's do in the UK.
The disjunct between the affluence of the USA and the shiteness of its food is quite astonishing

I’ve never seen a really good explanation for it

If the USA was a desolate tundra or mainly desert it might make some sense, but it contains much of the most fertile land in the world, and has every possible climate. It is surrounded by magnificent seas, it ranges from frozen Alaska to tropical Florida….

WEIRD
That would mainly be that they don't believe in regulation for the benefit of the public, perhaps?

If I were in the USA I'd have a bread machine, and buy flour once a year when I passed an independent mill.
Lack of regulation is a partial explanation but not enough. There are other things at work: psychosocial, cultural and more

Eg beer. For decades American beer was laughable despite them inheriting an epic beer making tradition from, especially, millions of English and German immigrants. Plus Czechs etc

Then suddenly about 40 years ago something changed, Samuel Adams was a thing, America had a beer revolution, and now they have some of the best beer in the world, marvellous variety, and you can get it everywhere. Even the local gas station will have a very decent craft ipa or lager in the fridge

That was nothing to do with regulation. That was a change in culture and taste
"In 1978, Carter signed H.R. 1337 into law, lifting the federal ban on homebrewing that had been in place since Prohibition. By allowing individuals to brew beer at home, this decision unlocked a world of experimentation and creativity, empowering people to craft unique and flavorful brews on their own terms..."
https://thecasualpint.com/cheers-to-jimmy-carter-the-president-who-sparked-a-craft-beer-revolution/

Been wrong at least 3 times today on 3 different topics and it is only lunch time. @Leon is definitely getting worse.

Oh and Cask beer is as rare as hen's teeth in America. It exists but practically impossible to find.

dixiedean · April 28

Here's a contender for the mental health debate.
https://www.theguardian.com/society/2025/apr/28/being-shouted-at-by-parents-can-alter-childs-brain-experts-tell-uk-mps

No coincidence that screaming at kids is all the "rage" in schools.

BartholomewRoberts · April 28

twistedfirestopper3 said:
What is Trump's plan with the "We must own Canada/Greenland" guff? He can't really think that Canada/Denmark will agree, so is it just red meat to keep his gang happy, a call to make MAGA think he's a strong man?

No, he's just an egotist who loves to be the centre of any story and knows that this will get the media talking about his favourite subject: him.

Kids can be like this sometimes, some crave attention so will act however will get them attention - whether it be positive or negative. So if positive attention is missing, they will act badly as that gets them negative attention, which is still attention so meeting that craving.

Daveyboy1961 · April 28

kjh said:

Nigelb said:
Leon, as ever, could not be more wrong.

Leon said:

MattW said:

Leon said:

rcs1000 said:
On the subject of bread: you guys have no idea how lucky you are. Whether it's Germany, France or the UK, your bread is lightyears better than the crap that is sold in every supermarket in the US.

Now, sure, can you get decent bread in the US? Of course. But it's not widely available. Most supermarkets don't have their own bakery in the way Tesco's and Sainsbury's do in the UK.
The disjunct between the affluence of the USA and the shiteness of its food is quite astonishing

I’ve never seen a really good explanation for it

If the USA was a desolate tundra or mainly desert it might make some sense, but it contains much of the most fertile land in the world, and has every possible climate. It is surrounded by magnificent seas, it ranges from frozen Alaska to tropical Florida….

WEIRD
That would mainly be that they don't believe in regulation for the benefit of the public, perhaps?

If I were in the USA I'd have a bread machine, and buy flour once a year when I passed an independent mill.
Lack of regulation is a partial explanation but not enough. There are other things at work: psychosocial, cultural and more

Eg beer. For decades American beer was laughable despite them inheriting an epic beer making tradition from, especially, millions of English and German immigrants. Plus Czechs etc

Then suddenly about 40 years ago something changed, Samuel Adams was a thing, America had a beer revolution, and now they have some of the best beer in the world, marvellous variety, and you can get it everywhere. Even the local gas station will have a very decent craft ipa or lager in the fridge

That was nothing to do with regulation. That was a change in culture and taste
"In 1978, Carter signed H.R. 1337 into law, lifting the federal ban on homebrewing that had been in place since Prohibition. By allowing individuals to brew beer at home, this decision unlocked a world of experimentation and creativity, empowering people to craft unique and flavorful brews on their own terms..."
https://thecasualpint.com/cheers-to-jimmy-carter-the-president-who-sparked-a-craft-beer-revolution/
Been wrong at least 3 times today on 3 different topics and it is only lunch time. @Leon is definitely getting worse.

Oh and Cask beer is as rare as hen's teeth in America. It exists but practically impossible to find.

I think Leon suffers from early imbibing cask ale or otherwise.

scampi25 · April 28

Any thoughts about the Runcorn result?

Scott_xP · April 28

Meanwhile...

https://x.com/alexmassie/status/1916843279024345156

Nigelb · April 28

Andy_JS said:
Any suggestion the power outages are foul play?

There's some talk of a fire in France damaging a high voltage line that connects into Spain, and subsequent power surge oscillations lead to the Spanish grid being shut down.

I think with the growth in solar, there's been a big rise in cross border power flows - French nuclear vs Spanish renewables - and the peninsular and European grids are far from integrated, despite plans to move in that direction.
So I guess it's a possible explanation ?

HYUFD · April 28

Despite Trump's protestations he is not on the ballot in Canada and Poilevre opposes his tariffs and threats to make Canada the 51st US state as much as Carney does.

The only party leader who is full MAGA is Barnier of the PPC but his party is down from 4% last time to 1% now.

Trump even called Poilievre 'not a MAGA guy'
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OyM87fN2OS0&pp=0gcJCdgAo7VqN5tD

HYUFD · April 28

scampi25 said:
Any thoughts about the Runcorn result?

Will be watching with 2 pints of lager and a packet of crisps I expect!

BartholomewRoberts · April 28

HYUFD said:
Despite Trump's protestations he is not on the ballot in Canada and Poilevre opposes his tariffs and threats to make Canada the 51st US state as much as Carney does.

The only party leader who is full MAGA is Barnier of the PPC but his party is down from 4% last time to 1% now.

Trump even called Poilievre 'not a MAGA guy'
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OyM87fN2OS0&pp=0gcJCdgAo7VqN5tD

I think many Canadians will be voting MAGA today.

Make America Go Away.

bondegezou · April 28

scampi25 said:
Any thoughts about the Runcorn result?

I think it will have a very different top 2 parties to the Canadian election.

glw · April 28

TheScreamingEagles said:

twistedfirestopper3 said:
What is Trump's plan with the "We must own Canada/Greenland" guff? He can't really think that Canada/Denmark will agree, so is it just red meat to keep his gang happy, a call to make MAGA think he's a strong man?
Canada - They are convinced Canada is stealing money from the USA via trade, and stealing American natural resources, whilst sending illegals and drugs over the border. There’s some guff in the Far Right Federalist Wing that says America will never be safe whilst North America isn’t one contiguous state.

As for Greenland, fuck knows.

Greenland and Canada are important for contesting Arctic waters in the future, as they would massively increase the US territorial claims.

Sean_F · April 28

Those Truth Social posts are pure word salad.

Scott_xP · April 28

Sean_F said:
Those Truth Social posts are pure word salad.

he's a senile old man

Roger · April 28

TheScreamingEagles said:
The original headline was going to be ‘Confused Florida pensioner is posting nonsense on social media.’

Friend of Jeffrey Epstein proposes to Canada

Roger · April 28

Press Photo of the Year

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/crm347kpljko

kjh · April 28

HYUFD said:

scampi25 said:
Any thoughts about the Runcorn result?
Will be watching with 2 pints of lager and a packet of crisps I expect!

Well you learn something everyday.

I saw your post @hyufd and thought 'eh?'. Then I looked it up. How did you know as I can't imagine you being a fan?

DecrepiterJohnL · April 28

Nigelb said:
Pakistan starts amassing 155 mm self-propelled howitzers near the Line of Control in Kashmir
https://x.com/visegrad24/status/1916563131536494851

Attlee looks back and suggests perhaps Indian independence could have gone differently had a federal state been formed.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SHJYLB-5fmE&t=39s

Leon · April 28

Nigelb said:
Leon, as ever, could not be more wrong.

Leon said:

MattW said:

Leon said:

rcs1000 said:
On the subject of bread: you guys have no idea how lucky you are. Whether it's Germany, France or the UK, your bread is lightyears better than the crap that is sold in every supermarket in the US.

Now, sure, can you get decent bread in the US? Of course. But it's not widely available. Most supermarkets don't have their own bakery in the way Tesco's and Sainsbury's do in the UK.
The disjunct between the affluence of the USA and the shiteness of its food is quite astonishing

I’ve never seen a really good explanation for it

If the USA was a desolate tundra or mainly desert it might make some sense, but it contains much of the most fertile land in the world, and has every possible climate. It is surrounded by magnificent seas, it ranges from frozen Alaska to tropical Florida….

WEIRD
That would mainly be that they don't believe in regulation for the benefit of the public, perhaps?

If I were in the USA I'd have a bread machine, and buy flour once a year when I passed an independent mill.
Lack of regulation is a partial explanation but not enough. There are other things at work: psychosocial, cultural and more

Eg beer. For decades American beer was laughable despite them inheriting an epic beer making tradition from, especially, millions of English and German immigrants. Plus Czechs etc

Then suddenly about 40 years ago something changed, Samuel Adams was a thing, America had a beer revolution, and now they have some of the best beer in the world, marvellous variety, and you can get it everywhere. Even the local gas station will have a very decent craft ipa or lager in the fridge

That was nothing to do with regulation. That was a change in culture and taste
"In 1978, Carter signed H.R. 1337 into law, lifting the federal ban on homebrewing that had been in place since Prohibition. By allowing individuals to brew beer at home, this decision unlocked a world of experimentation and creativity, empowering people to craft unique and flavorful brews on their own terms..."
https://thecasualpint.com/cheers-to-jimmy-carter-the-president-who-sparked-a-craft-beer-revolution/

Hah. Fair enough

On this I do stand partly corrected

However in this case it seems to be DEregulation, rather than regulation

I don’t think American food needs DEregulation, which is where the argument began

nico67 · April 28

These two ridings in New Brunswick could give an early indication of the direction of travel . They’re very competitive seats between the LPC and CPC.

Miramichi-Grand Lake, and Fredericton-Oromocto,

And we should get these results relatively early .

Andy_JS · April 28

Nigelb said:

Andy_JS said:
Any suggestion the power outages are foul play?
There's some talk of a fire in France damaging a high voltage line that connects into Spain, and subsequent power surge oscillations lead to the Spanish grid being shut down.

I think with the growth in solar, there's been a big rise in cross border power flows - French nuclear vs Spanish renewables - and the peninsular and European grids are far from integrated, despite plans to move in that direction.
So I guess it's a possible explanation ?

Yes bit of a coincidence that today is one of the first warmer days this year in that part of the world.

Roger · April 28

Roger said:

TheScreamingEagles said:
The original headline was going to be ‘Confused Florida pensioner is posting nonsense on social media.’

Friend of Jeffrey Epstein proposes to Canada

Friend Of Jeffrey Epstein tries to procure Canada

Andy_JS · April 28

scampi25 said:
Any thoughts about the Runcorn result?

Reform are probably narrow favourites.

Scott_xP · April 28

@Reuters

India signs $7.4 billion deal to buy 26 Rafale fighter jets

https://x.com/Reuters/status/1916856221501477037

HYUFD · April 28

kjh said:

HYUFD said:

scampi25 said:
Any thoughts about the Runcorn result?
Will be watching with 2 pints of lager and a packet of crisps I expect!
Well you learn something everyday.

I saw your post @hyufd and thought 'eh?'. Then I looked it up. How did you know as I can't imagine you being a fan?

I have been known occasionally to watch if nothing else on, it is easy comedy

Leon · April 28

kjh said:

Nigelb said:
Leon, as ever, could not be more wrong.

Leon said:

MattW said:

Leon said:

rcs1000 said:
On the subject of bread: you guys have no idea how lucky you are. Whether it's Germany, France or the UK, your bread is lightyears better than the crap that is sold in every supermarket in the US.

Now, sure, can you get decent bread in the US? Of course. But it's not widely available. Most supermarkets don't have their own bakery in the way Tesco's and Sainsbury's do in the UK.
The disjunct between the affluence of the USA and the shiteness of its food is quite astonishing

I’ve never seen a really good explanation for it

If the USA was a desolate tundra or mainly desert it might make some sense, but it contains much of the most fertile land in the world, and has every possible climate. It is surrounded by magnificent seas, it ranges from frozen Alaska to tropical Florida….

WEIRD
That would mainly be that they don't believe in regulation for the benefit of the public, perhaps?

If I were in the USA I'd have a bread machine, and buy flour once a year when I passed an independent mill.
Lack of regulation is a partial explanation but not enough. There are other things at work: psychosocial, cultural and more

Eg beer. For decades American beer was laughable despite them inheriting an epic beer making tradition from, especially, millions of English and German immigrants. Plus Czechs etc

Then suddenly about 40 years ago something changed, Samuel Adams was a thing, America had a beer revolution, and now they have some of the best beer in the world, marvellous variety, and you can get it everywhere. Even the local gas station will have a very decent craft ipa or lager in the fridge

That was nothing to do with regulation. That was a change in culture and taste
"In 1978, Carter signed H.R. 1337 into law, lifting the federal ban on homebrewing that had been in place since Prohibition. By allowing individuals to brew beer at home, this decision unlocked a world of experimentation and creativity, empowering people to craft unique and flavorful brews on their own terms..."
https://thecasualpint.com/cheers-to-jimmy-carter-the-president-who-sparked-a-craft-beer-revolution/
Been wrong at least 3 times today on 3 different topics and it is only lunch time. @Leon is definitely getting worse.

Oh and Cask beer is as rare as hen's teeth in America. It exists but practically impossible to find.

Not quite true. Americans are now making English style craft beers, I met some last year. Indeed they believe we are neglecting our own cask ale tradition

https://www.beervanablog.com/beervana/2022/3/7/cask-ale-surging-in-america

It was actually quite flattering to stand in a foreign country (in a brewery) and hear someone enthuse wildly about England and English beer (“you have the greatest brewing tradition in the world!” Etc)

Scott_xP · April 28

‪Oops

@dennycarter.bsky.social‬

It sounds like a joke but a very real factor in whether to draft Shedeur Sanders is the prospect of the president calling for a team to bench the starter or fire the coach if Sanders isn’t getting sufficient playing time. No one is gonna sign up for that.

@atrupar.com‬

Leavitt on Shedeur Sanders: "All I will say is the president put out a statement, and a few rounds later he was drafted, so I think the facts speak for themselves."

@jaydpauley.bsky.social‬

So we are two days post-draft and Shedeur Sanders is being talked about in a Whitehouse briefing. While Denny’s comment below doesn’t address this specific scenario, his theme is on point, and it’s already happening. This is going to be a nightmare for the Browns.

DM_Andy · April 28

Not the most exciting bet but backed my gut on CPC to win the popular vote at 13/8

Cookie · April 28

Leon said:

kjh said:

Nigelb said:
Leon, as ever, could not be more wrong.

Leon said:

MattW said:

Leon said:

rcs1000 said:
On the subject of bread: you guys have no idea how lucky you are. Whether it's Germany, France or the UK, your bread is lightyears better than the crap that is sold in every supermarket in the US.

Now, sure, can you get decent bread in the US? Of course. But it's not widely available. Most supermarkets don't have their own bakery in the way Tesco's and Sainsbury's do in the UK.
The disjunct between the affluence of the USA and the shiteness of its food is quite astonishing

I’ve never seen a really good explanation for it

If the USA was a desolate tundra or mainly desert it might make some sense, but it contains much of the most fertile land in the world, and has every possible climate. It is surrounded by magnificent seas, it ranges from frozen Alaska to tropical Florida….

WEIRD
That would mainly be that they don't believe in regulation for the benefit of the public, perhaps?

If I were in the USA I'd have a bread machine, and buy flour once a year when I passed an independent mill.
Lack of regulation is a partial explanation but not enough. There are other things at work: psychosocial, cultural and more

Eg beer. For decades American beer was laughable despite them inheriting an epic beer making tradition from, especially, millions of English and German immigrants. Plus Czechs etc

Then suddenly about 40 years ago something changed, Samuel Adams was a thing, America had a beer revolution, and now they have some of the best beer in the world, marvellous variety, and you can get it everywhere. Even the local gas station will have a very decent craft ipa or lager in the fridge

That was nothing to do with regulation. That was a change in culture and taste
"In 1978, Carter signed H.R. 1337 into law, lifting the federal ban on homebrewing that had been in place since Prohibition. By allowing individuals to brew beer at home, this decision unlocked a world of experimentation and creativity, empowering people to craft unique and flavorful brews on their own terms..."
https://thecasualpint.com/cheers-to-jimmy-carter-the-president-who-sparked-a-craft-beer-revolution/
Been wrong at least 3 times today on 3 different topics and it is only lunch time. @Leon is definitely getting worse.

Oh and Cask beer is as rare as hen's teeth in America. It exists but practically impossible to find.
Not quite true. Americans are now making English style craft beers, I met some last year. Indeed they believe we are neglecting our own cask ale tradition

https://www.beervanablog.com/beervana/2022/3/7/cask-ale-surging-in-america

It was actually quite flattering to stand in a foreign country (in a brewery) and hear someone enthuse wildly about England and English beer (“you have the greatest brewing tradition in the world!” Etc)

Americans do brew some excellent beers, and export more and more of them. If I have one trifling complaint it is that they are over-hoppers. I like an intense hoppy flavour as much as the next man, but there is something to be said for the gentle subtlety of British real ale. Not every product has to be the most exciting flavour in the world.

Big_G_NorthWales · April 28

Good afternoon

Sky reporting that a rare atmospheric event has taken out the electrics in Portugal and Spain and it could take upto a week to restore all the supply

https://news.sky.com/story/spain-portugal-power-outage-latest-large-parts-of-countries-affected-with-traffic-lights-not-working-and-phone-lines-down-13357538

RochdalePioneers · April 28

I was wondering why my client hadn't joined the meeting he scheduled. Then I remembered he's in Madrid...

I was reading a subreddit yesterday talking about US preppers, with the commentary that people in Europe have also been told by their governments to have a few days of emergency supplies at home.

Looks like that is a good idea...

Jim_Miller · April 28

FPT: rcs1000 - Your grocery bakery experience is different from mine. In the last two weeks, I shopped in five different grocery stores. Four of the five, Fred Meyer, Metropolitan, QFC, and Safeway all have bakeries. Trader Joe's -- owned by Aldi -- does not. (Fred Meyer and QFC are both part of the Kroger national family; Safeway has been a national chain for many decades.)

Could different state and local regulations explain our different experiences? Possibly.

carnforth · April 28

Iberian grid

DM_Andy · April 28

Big_G_NorthWales said:
Good afternoon

Sky reporting that a rare atmospheric event has taken out the electrics in Portugal and Spain and it could take upto a week to restore all the supply

https://news.sky.com/story/spain-portugal-power-outage-latest-large-parts-of-countries-affected-with-traffic-lights-not-working-and-phone-lines-down-13357538

What kind of rare atmospheric event? Nimbo Cumulos?

Foxy · April 28

Roger said:

TheScreamingEagles said:
The original headline was going to be ‘Confused Florida pensioner is posting nonsense on social media.’

Friend of Jeffrey Epstein proposes to Canada

I saw at the weekend that Jennifer Giuffre was recruited by Maxwell and Epstein whilst working at Mar A Lago.

What an extraordinary co-incidence!

Jim_Miller · April 28

Again: State and local rules on alcohol vary greatly in the US: For example: "Forced forfeiture of a plane used to transport a six-pack of beer to a dry village does not violate the excessive fines clause in the U.S. Constitution, according to the Alaska Supreme Court."

Pending further appeals, Friday's decision means Fairbanks pilot Kenneth Jouppi must give up his Cessna 206 as punishment for ignoring beer loaded onto a flight routed to the dry village of Beaver in 2012.
https://alaskapublic.org/news/public-safety/2025-04-23/6-beers-1-plane-alaska-supreme-court-upholds-aircraft-forfeiture-in-bootlegging-case

williamglenn · April 28

The Chinese have cracked making cars with personality. Can European manufacturers compete with this?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KCd23domMg4

RochdalePioneers · April 28

Zero Day in Spain and Portugal.

Omnium · April 28

DM_Andy said:

Big_G_NorthWales said:
Good afternoon

Sky reporting that a rare atmospheric event has taken out the electrics in Portugal and Spain and it could take upto a week to restore all the supply

https://news.sky.com/story/spain-portugal-power-outage-latest-large-parts-of-countries-affected-with-traffic-lights-not-working-and-phone-lines-down-13357538
What kind of rare atmospheric event? Nimbo Cumulos?

Wrong kind of scorchio.

rottenborough · April 28

Another item of evidence for the 25th?

Big_G_NorthWales · April 28

DM_Andy said:

Big_G_NorthWales said:
Good afternoon

Sky reporting that a rare atmospheric event has taken out the electrics in Portugal and Spain and it could take upto a week to restore all the supply

https://news.sky.com/story/spain-portugal-power-outage-latest-large-parts-of-countries-affected-with-traffic-lights-not-working-and-phone-lines-down-13357538
What kind of rare atmospheric event? Nimbo Cumulos?

Something called induced atmospheric vibrations

rottenborough · April 28

carnforth said:

Iberian grid

Net zero!!!

Foss · April 28

RochdalePioneers said:
I was wondering why my client hadn't joined the meeting he scheduled. Then I remembered he's in Madrid...

I was reading a subreddit yesterday talking about US preppers, with the commentary that people in Europe have also been told by their governments to have a few days of emergency supplies at home.

Looks like that is a good idea...

I'm beginning to regret having the water tank removed.

Razedabode · April 28

Big_G_NorthWales said:

DM_Andy said:

Big_G_NorthWales said:
Good afternoon

Sky reporting that a rare atmospheric event has taken out the electrics in Portugal and Spain and it could take upto a week to restore all the supply

https://news.sky.com/story/spain-portugal-power-outage-latest-large-parts-of-countries-affected-with-traffic-lights-not-working-and-phone-lines-down-13357538
What kind of rare atmospheric event? Nimbo Cumulos?

Something called induced atmospheric vibrations

Ah yes. That makes total sense. 🤷‍♂️

Roger · April 28

Manchester Grammar School boy hints that the Trump trade war is soon to end in ignominious defeat

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c4g45zp77y5o

Dura_Ace · April 28

Scott_xP said:
@Reuters

India signs $7.4 billion deal to buy 26 Rafale fighter jets

https://x.com/Reuters/status/1916856221501477037

The tweet is not specific but it's 26 x Rafale M for the Indian Navy. They will end up in the slightly bizarre situation where the Vikrant has a Rafale air wing and the Vikramaditya has MiG-29K (for now).

Luckyguy1983 · April 28

Razedabode said:

Big_G_NorthWales said:

DM_Andy said:

Big_G_NorthWales said:
Good afternoon

Sky reporting that a rare atmospheric event has taken out the electrics in Portugal and Spain and it could take upto a week to restore all the supply

https://news.sky.com/story/spain-portugal-power-outage-latest-large-parts-of-countries-affected-with-traffic-lights-not-working-and-phone-lines-down-13357538
What kind of rare atmospheric event? Nimbo Cumulos?

Something called induced atmospheric vibrations
Ah yes. That makes total sense. 🤷‍♂️

By induced, do we mean some sort of man made process?

Leon · April 28

In the next 48 hours I have to write about

Travel in Uzbekistan
The weirdness of being in a young country: Kyrgyzstan
The interface between Technology and kids
The state of luxury travel in the Philippines
Would we ever consume intoxicants if they weren’t intoxicating
Cheese

All of this while flying from Bishkek to London. And knapping an enormous flint

carnforth · April 28

https://www.politico.eu/article/india-visa-new-rules-pave-way-uk-trade-deal/

"India blinks on visas to pave way for UK trade deal"

Looks like we're almost across the line.

Malmesbury · April 28

Have we done this -

https://www.parallelparliament.co.uk/mp/bridget-phillipson/debate/2025-04-22/commons/written-statements/oxford-business-college-franchised-provision

Short version - fake “private college” used to do fraudulent student loan applications on an epic scale.

The links to various real universities are interesting.

Big_G_NorthWales · April 28

carnforth said:
https://www.politico.eu/article/india-visa-new-rules-pave-way-uk-trade-deal/

"India blinks on visas to pave way for UK trade deal"

Looks like we're almost across the line.

A trade deal with India would end UK rejoining the EU

Jim_Miller · April 28

Now, for a more pleasant story of cross-border cooperation. Years ago, coats were considerably more expensive in Canada than the US. So Canadians would drive across the border in Washington state to shop for coats at malls. However, if they kept their old coats, they might face legal consequences when they crossed back into Canada. They discarded enough coats in the malls so that the mall owners began providing bins for them. (Presumably, the malls donated the coats to the Salvation Army, or some similar group.)

Peter_the_Punter · April 28

Andy_JS said:

scampi25 said:
Any thoughts about the Runcorn result?
Reform are probably narrow favourites.

As long as Trump keeps qquiet and doesn't expressany support for them.

RochdalePioneers · April 28

Of course the problem with the smug "see I told you to use cash" people is that in a general power cut the tills are off anyway. Same with the "how will you charge your car in a power cut" morons who seem to think that fuel pumps and tills at Shell don't use electricity

rottenborough · April 28

scampi25 said:
Any thoughts about the Runcorn result?

Far too much of it will be made by the media.

Mortimer · April 28

Big_G_NorthWales said:

carnforth said:
https://www.politico.eu/article/india-visa-new-rules-pave-way-uk-trade-deal/

"India blinks on visas to pave way for UK trade deal"

Looks like we're almost across the line.
A trade deal with India would end UK rejoining the EU

The UK is not going to be rejoining the EU. Though I see there are both 'Liberal' and 'Rejoin EU' candidates in the Runcorn by election to help dilute the LD vote....

Big_G_NorthWales · April 28

RochdalePioneers said:
Of course the problem with the smug "see I told you to use cash" people is that in a general power cut the tills are off anyway. Same with the "how will you charge your car in a power cut" morons who seem to think that fuel pumps and tills at Shell don't use electricity

Listening to the coverage from Spain and Portugal most everything we take for granted ends with unforeseen consequences and not being able to use cash is one of them but so are many other things as well which you only miss when suddenly it's not there

Roger · April 28

Peter_the_Punter said:

Andy_JS said:

scampi25 said:
Any thoughts about the Runcorn result?
Reform are probably narrow favourites.
As long as Trump keeps qquiet and doesn't expressany support for them.

Are there any Reform supporters on PB? I thought maybe Isam

twistedfirestopper3 · April 28

.

RochdalePioneers said:
Of course the problem with the smug "see I told you to use cash" people is that in a general power cut the tills are off anyway. Same with the "how will you charge your car in a power cut" morons who seem to think that fuel pumps and tills at Shell don't use electricity

But with a fuel pump, we can shoot the locks off the tank covers and syphon what we want out. Then rob the kiosk for candy bars and beer.🤪

rcs1000 · April 28

nico67 said:
These two ridings in New Brunswick could give an early indication of the direction of travel . They’re very competitive seats between the LPC and CPC.

Miramichi-Grand Lake, and Fredericton-Oromocto,

And we should get these results relatively early .

When you say "relatively early", how early are we talking about?

Leon · April 28

Roger said:

Peter_the_Punter said:

Andy_JS said:

scampi25 said:
Any thoughts about the Runcorn result?
Reform are probably narrow favourites.
As long as Trump keeps qquiet and doesn't expressany support for them.
Are there any Reform supporters on PB? I thought maybe Isam

Me

TOPPING · April 28

wrong thread

turbotubbs said:

bondegezou said:

Malmesbury said:

bondegezou said:

Malmesbury said:

turbotubbs said:

HYUFD said:

Mexicanpete said:

Dura_Ace said:

IanB2 said:

rkrkrk said:
Govts get the blame. Suspect numbers are so low in part because Lab supporters also feel gloomy thanks to Trump. The saving grace for Labour might be recent memories of Tory incompetence...
The latter simply means unhappy voters will go to Reform, or LibDem/Green, instead of turning to Kemi's lot.
What I find notable about the rise of the Fukkers is how unarsed the pb.com tories are about it as Mrs Badenough drives the tory charabanc off Beach Head and sends their polling to Trussian levels. Even HYUFD seems to be chill with it because apparently KB might get a job as Welsh Secretary in Farage's cabinet.
I suspect they are comfortable with Aunty Nige because Nige promises those gifts they desire but dare not ask for, like sending Johnny Foreigner home, selling off the NHS for tax cuts, reintroducing selective education at aged 11 and (although Nigel isn't on board yet) hanging Lucy Letby.
Albeit many Reform voters think Letby is innocent
How do we know that? I suspect quite a lot of people across the spectrum believe there is doubt in the case, at the least (I am one). But I don't recall a specific survey of voting intentions plus Letby beliefs...
There seems to be a desire to turn the Letby case into a culture war symbol. I come from the point of view that

1) There are questions.
2) Asking and answering such questions is a fundamental part of the justice system
3) There have been many miscarriages of justice in the past.
4) Anyone who tries the "But it will damage the system" argument for not asking questions is an idiot.
What does "Asking and answering such questions" entail? The main case took nearly a year, so plenty of asking and answering questions took place. There was then the second case. Both cases have since gone to multiple appeals. Letby's lawyers have now gone to the Criminal Cases Review Commission and we await the Commission's response. That's how the justice system works. (There's also been the Thirlwall Inquiry, asking further questions, but outside of the justice system.)

It is very hard to look at all that and claim that questions have not been asked. More questions have been asked in the Letby case than in most cases. I'm struggling to see a deficit in question asking?

Miscarriages of justice do occur. That's why we allow multiple appeals and why the Criminal Cases Review Commission was created. But Letby has been able to make multiple appeals and has now gone to the Criminal Cases Review Commission. Do you think something more should be done to avoid miscarriages of justice?
I'm talking about the people who have been going "Found guilty, should be the end of. Questioning the courts bad."

The legal proceedings and appeals are what should happen. We should celebrate them.

@SeanT in his cell in El Salvador would applaud that (All suspects are guilty. Period. Otherwise they wouldn't be suspect!)
I don’t see many people saying Letby shouldn’t be allowed to appeal. I see far more convinced she’s innocent and who think a year long trial, a second trial and multiple appeals must have missed the obvious thing they just thought of that proves that.
"missed the obvious thing they just thought of that proves that" - apart from the fact that the killer chart is not quite what it seems and that some of the evidence given in the trials is obviously suspect (witnesses telling a different story to what they said in emails much closer to the time of the event) are pretty strong reasons to think that all is NOT right with the conviction. People have a tendency to distort their memories. Years ago I became ill with leukemia (around sept 2012). After that people recollected seeing me at a BBQ in early summer 2012 when we had to go home because of illness and they said "yes, he was already ill in June 2012". Except it was my wife that was ill, not me.
Historians prefer primary sources, ideally ones written at the time of events, as they are likely untainted by false memories. I loved Lyn Macdonalds Great War histories, which relied heavily on oral accounts as told to her by men and women in their 80's and 90's. Looking back its quite clear how suspect some of this testimony might be.

Not to shoehorn my pet interests into every thread - I am of the opinion that it is entirely likely, possible, probable, even, that those involved institutionally in the Letby case are lying like cheap NAAFI watches and it is hugely in the interests of the NHS to blame a bad actor than admit its many, many institutional failings, but I digress - one of the reasons that "Warfare" is such a good film imo is that, by the filmmakers' own admission, it is based upon the memories of those involved which are imperfect and the subject of disagreement.

In such a way does the film achieve a transcendence of reality and is thereby able to deal with the subject at hand - warfare - in a uniquely insightful way.

Casino_Royale · April 28

For all sorts of reasons, I really don't feel like I'm missing out by not living in "the greatest country in the world".

dixiedean · April 28

Jim_Miller said:
Again: State and local rules on alcohol vary greatly in the US: For example: "Forced forfeiture of a plane used to transport a six-pack of beer to a dry village does not violate the excessive fines clause in the U.S. Constitution, according to the Alaska Supreme Court."

Pending further appeals, Friday's decision means Fairbanks pilot Kenneth Jouppi must give up his Cessna 206 as punishment for ignoring beer loaded onto a flight routed to the dry village of Beaver in 2012.
https://alaskapublic.org/news/public-safety/2025-04-23/6-beers-1-plane-alaska-supreme-court-upholds-aircraft-forfeiture-in-bootlegging-case

A dry Beaver is always a disappointment.

Roger · April 28

Leon said:
In the next 48 hours I have to write about

Travel in Uzbekistan
The weirdness of being in a young country: Kyrgyzstan
The interface between Technology and kids
The state of luxury travel in the Philippines
Would we ever consume intoxicants if they weren’t intoxicating
Cheese

All of this while flying from Bishkek to London. And knapping an enormous flint

Well you better up your game. You've become pretty unreadable these last several months

kjh · April 28

Leon said:

kjh said:

Nigelb said:
Leon, as ever, could not be more wrong.

Leon said:

MattW said:

Leon said:

rcs1000 said:
On the subject of bread: you guys have no idea how lucky you are. Whether it's Germany, France or the UK, your bread is lightyears better than the crap that is sold in every supermarket in the US.

Now, sure, can you get decent bread in the US? Of course. But it's not widely available. Most supermarkets don't have their own bakery in the way Tesco's and Sainsbury's do in the UK.
The disjunct between the affluence of the USA and the shiteness of its food is quite astonishing

I’ve never seen a really good explanation for it

If the USA was a desolate tundra or mainly desert it might make some sense, but it contains much of the most fertile land in the world, and has every possible climate. It is surrounded by magnificent seas, it ranges from frozen Alaska to tropical Florida….

WEIRD
That would mainly be that they don't believe in regulation for the benefit of the public, perhaps?

If I were in the USA I'd have a bread machine, and buy flour once a year when I passed an independent mill.
Lack of regulation is a partial explanation but not enough. There are other things at work: psychosocial, cultural and more

Eg beer. For decades American beer was laughable despite them inheriting an epic beer making tradition from, especially, millions of English and German immigrants. Plus Czechs etc

Then suddenly about 40 years ago something changed, Samuel Adams was a thing, America had a beer revolution, and now they have some of the best beer in the world, marvellous variety, and you can get it everywhere. Even the local gas station will have a very decent craft ipa or lager in the fridge

That was nothing to do with regulation. That was a change in culture and taste
"In 1978, Carter signed H.R. 1337 into law, lifting the federal ban on homebrewing that had been in place since Prohibition. By allowing individuals to brew beer at home, this decision unlocked a world of experimentation and creativity, empowering people to craft unique and flavorful brews on their own terms..."
https://thecasualpint.com/cheers-to-jimmy-carter-the-president-who-sparked-a-craft-beer-revolution/
Been wrong at least 3 times today on 3 different topics and it is only lunch time. @Leon is definitely getting worse.

Oh and Cask beer is as rare as hen's teeth in America. It exists but practically impossible to find.
Not quite true. Americans are now making English style craft beers, I met some last year. Indeed they believe we are neglecting our own cask ale tradition

https://www.beervanablog.com/beervana/2022/3/7/cask-ale-surging-in-america

It was actually quite flattering to stand in a foreign country (in a brewery) and hear someone enthuse wildly about England and English beer (“you have the greatest brewing tradition in the world!” Etc)

I did say it exists, but is practically impossible to find. If you ask an American in America about Cask ale they invariably have no idea what you are talking about. But then that is true of most of Europe as well I guess.

Is it pretty unique to the UK and Ireland? Do you get it commonly elsewhere? Love to know.

I found American beer better than I was expecting. I've done several brewery trips, but they only seem to have a handful of varieties of tastes. There were just several common flavours. I got bored pretty quickly and it is too cold and too fizzy.

And twice I had cinnamon sugar put around the rim of my glass. Whoever thought that was a good idea needs shooting.

TOPPING · April 28

Casino_Royale said:
For all sorts of reasons, I really don't feel like I'm missing out by not living in "the greatest country in the world".

Interesting. This is presumably what our colonies told themselves at the height of the British Empire. Who would want to live in Mayfair/the Cotswolds anyway. I'd prefer to live in the slums of Khanpur.

If indeed Khanpur is a place.

carnforth · April 28

"President Trump, stay out of our election. The only people who will decide the future of Canada are Canadians at the ballot box.

Canada will always be proud, sovereign and independent and we will NEVER be the 51st state.

Today Canadians can vote for change so we can strengthen our country, stand on our own two feet and stand up to America from a position of strength."

Poilievre. I would have gone with shorter words, but there we are.

On balance looks like we aren't going to have to learn how to spell his name though.

kamski · April 28

RochdalePioneers said:
Of course the problem with the smug "see I told you to use cash" people is that in a general power cut the tills are off anyway. Same with the "how will you charge your car in a power cut" morons who seem to think that fuel pumps and tills at Shell don't use electricity

I'm maybe the only person on here who actually works at a till.

Yes we have accepted cash on more than one occasion when *everything* was down. Using technology known as "pen and paper". Luckily in Germany most everyone carries cash.

rcs1000 · April 28

Cookie said:

Leon said:

kjh said:

Nigelb said:
Leon, as ever, could not be more wrong.

Leon said:

MattW said:

Leon said:

rcs1000 said:
On the subject of bread: you guys have no idea how lucky you are. Whether it's Germany, France or the UK, your bread is lightyears better than the crap that is sold in every supermarket in the US.

Now, sure, can you get decent bread in the US? Of course. But it's not widely available. Most supermarkets don't have their own bakery in the way Tesco's and Sainsbury's do in the UK.
The disjunct between the affluence of the USA and the shiteness of its food is quite astonishing

I’ve never seen a really good explanation for it

If the USA was a desolate tundra or mainly desert it might make some sense, but it contains much of the most fertile land in the world, and has every possible climate. It is surrounded by magnificent seas, it ranges from frozen Alaska to tropical Florida….

WEIRD
That would mainly be that they don't believe in regulation for the benefit of the public, perhaps?

If I were in the USA I'd have a bread machine, and buy flour once a year when I passed an independent mill.
Lack of regulation is a partial explanation but not enough. There are other things at work: psychosocial, cultural and more

Eg beer. For decades American beer was laughable despite them inheriting an epic beer making tradition from, especially, millions of English and German immigrants. Plus Czechs etc

Then suddenly about 40 years ago something changed, Samuel Adams was a thing, America had a beer revolution, and now they have some of the best beer in the world, marvellous variety, and you can get it everywhere. Even the local gas station will have a very decent craft ipa or lager in the fridge

That was nothing to do with regulation. That was a change in culture and taste
"In 1978, Carter signed H.R. 1337 into law, lifting the federal ban on homebrewing that had been in place since Prohibition. By allowing individuals to brew beer at home, this decision unlocked a world of experimentation and creativity, empowering people to craft unique and flavorful brews on their own terms..."
https://thecasualpint.com/cheers-to-jimmy-carter-the-president-who-sparked-a-craft-beer-revolution/
Been wrong at least 3 times today on 3 different topics and it is only lunch time. @Leon is definitely getting worse.

Oh and Cask beer is as rare as hen's teeth in America. It exists but practically impossible to find.
Not quite true. Americans are now making English style craft beers, I met some last year. Indeed they believe we are neglecting our own cask ale tradition

https://www.beervanablog.com/beervana/2022/3/7/cask-ale-surging-in-america

It was actually quite flattering to stand in a foreign country (in a brewery) and hear someone enthuse wildly about England and English beer (“you have the greatest brewing tradition in the world!” Etc)
Americans do brew some excellent beers, and export more and more of them. If I have one trifling complaint it is that they are over-hoppers. I like an intense hoppy flavour as much as the next man, but there is something to be said for the gentle subtlety of British real ale. Not every product has to be the most exciting flavour in the world.

100% this.

The excessive over-hopping of American IPAs makes some of them undrinkable.

glw · April 28

RochdalePioneers said:
Of course the problem with the smug "see I told you to use cash" people is that in a general power cut the tills are off anyway. Same with the "how will you charge your car in a power cut" morons who seem to think that fuel pumps and tills at Shell don't use electricity

I saw some chump suggesting the shops make up paper receipts by hand. Imagine Tesco having to do that? And that doesn't deal with stock control, ordering, or logistics knock on effects.

TOPPING · April 28

kjh said:

Leon said:

kjh said:

Nigelb said:
Leon, as ever, could not be more wrong.

Leon said:

MattW said:

Leon said:

rcs1000 said:
On the subject of bread: you guys have no idea how lucky you are. Whether it's Germany, France or the UK, your bread is lightyears better than the crap that is sold in every supermarket in the US.

Now, sure, can you get decent bread in the US? Of course. But it's not widely available. Most supermarkets don't have their own bakery in the way Tesco's and Sainsbury's do in the UK.
The disjunct between the affluence of the USA and the shiteness of its food is quite astonishing

I’ve never seen a really good explanation for it

If the USA was a desolate tundra or mainly desert it might make some sense, but it contains much of the most fertile land in the world, and has every possible climate. It is surrounded by magnificent seas, it ranges from frozen Alaska to tropical Florida….

WEIRD
That would mainly be that they don't believe in regulation for the benefit of the public, perhaps?

If I were in the USA I'd have a bread machine, and buy flour once a year when I passed an independent mill.
Lack of regulation is a partial explanation but not enough. There are other things at work: psychosocial, cultural and more

Eg beer. For decades American beer was laughable despite them inheriting an epic beer making tradition from, especially, millions of English and German immigrants. Plus Czechs etc

Then suddenly about 40 years ago something changed, Samuel Adams was a thing, America had a beer revolution, and now they have some of the best beer in the world, marvellous variety, and you can get it everywhere. Even the local gas station will have a very decent craft ipa or lager in the fridge

That was nothing to do with regulation. That was a change in culture and taste
"In 1978, Carter signed H.R. 1337 into law, lifting the federal ban on homebrewing that had been in place since Prohibition. By allowing individuals to brew beer at home, this decision unlocked a world of experimentation and creativity, empowering people to craft unique and flavorful brews on their own terms..."
https://thecasualpint.com/cheers-to-jimmy-carter-the-president-who-sparked-a-craft-beer-revolution/
Been wrong at least 3 times today on 3 different topics and it is only lunch time. @Leon is definitely getting worse.

Oh and Cask beer is as rare as hen's teeth in America. It exists but practically impossible to find.
Not quite true. Americans are now making English style craft beers, I met some last year. Indeed they believe we are neglecting our own cask ale tradition

https://www.beervanablog.com/beervana/2022/3/7/cask-ale-surging-in-america

It was actually quite flattering to stand in a foreign country (in a brewery) and hear someone enthuse wildly about England and English beer (“you have the greatest brewing tradition in the world!” Etc)
I did say it exists, but is practically impossible to find. If you ask an American in America about Cask ale they invariably have no idea what you are talking about. But then that is true of most of Europe as well I guess.

Is it pretty unique to the UK and Ireland? Do you get it commonly elsewhere? Love to know.

I found American beer better than I was expecting. I've done several brewery trips, but they only seem to have a handful of varieties of tastes. There were just several common flavours. I got bored pretty quickly and it is too cold and too fizzy.

And twice I had cinnamon sugar put around the rim of my glass. Whoever thought that was a good idea needs shooting.

If you ask most Brits about "Cask ale" they would invariably have no idea what you are talking about.

What is "Cask ale".

Leon · April 28

Roger said:

Leon said:
In the next 48 hours I have to write about

Travel in Uzbekistan
The weirdness of being in a young country: Kyrgyzstan
The interface between Technology and kids
The state of luxury travel in the Philippines
Would we ever consume intoxicants if they weren’t intoxicating
Cheese

All of this while flying from Bishkek to London. And knapping an enormous flint
Well you better up your game. You've become pretty unreadable these last several months

Interesting. This comment presumes that

1. There was a time when you found me “readable”. Don’t remember that. Did you forget to mention it?

2. All the combined editors of various well-known American, UK and German magazine are lunatics

And

3. I give a fuck what you think

I submit that all are untenable, given the evidence available

kamski · April 28

glw said:

RochdalePioneers said:
Of course the problem with the smug "see I told you to use cash" people is that in a general power cut the tills are off anyway. Same with the "how will you charge your car in a power cut" morons who seem to think that fuel pumps and tills at Shell don't use electricity
I saw some chump suggesting the shops make up paper receipts by hand. Imagine Tesco having to do that? And that doesn't deal with stock control, ordering, or logistics knock on effects.

I actually work on a till. Do you? Not every business is Tescos.

kjh · April 28

twistedfirestopper3 said:
.
RochdalePioneers said:
Of course the problem with the smug "see I told you to use cash" people is that in a general power cut the tills are off anyway. Same with the "how will you charge your car in a power cut" morons who seem to think that fuel pumps and tills at Shell don't use electricity
But with a fuel pump, we can shoot the locks off the tank covers and syphon what we want out. Then rob the kiosk for candy bars and beer.🤪

Pedant alert: How do you syphon from a tank underground?

nico67 · April 28

rcs1000 said:

nico67 said:
These two ridings in New Brunswick could give an early indication of the direction of travel . They’re very competitive seats between the LPC and CPC.

Miramichi-Grand Lake, and Fredericton-Oromocto,

And we should get these results relatively early .
When you say "relatively early", how early are we talking about?

Results there should start coming in after 12.30 am .

Here’s a list of polling times across Canada .

https://www.elections.ca/content2.aspx?section=faq&dir=votinghours&document=index&lang=e

kjh · April 28

TOPPING said:

kjh said:

Leon said:

kjh said:

Nigelb said:
Leon, as ever, could not be more wrong.

Leon said:

MattW said:

Leon said:

rcs1000 said:
On the subject of bread: you guys have no idea how lucky you are. Whether it's Germany, France or the UK, your bread is lightyears better than the crap that is sold in every supermarket in the US.

Now, sure, can you get decent bread in the US? Of course. But it's not widely available. Most supermarkets don't have their own bakery in the way Tesco's and Sainsbury's do in the UK.
The disjunct between the affluence of the USA and the shiteness of its food is quite astonishing

I’ve never seen a really good explanation for it

If the USA was a desolate tundra or mainly desert it might make some sense, but it contains much of the most fertile land in the world, and has every possible climate. It is surrounded by magnificent seas, it ranges from frozen Alaska to tropical Florida….

WEIRD
That would mainly be that they don't believe in regulation for the benefit of the public, perhaps?

If I were in the USA I'd have a bread machine, and buy flour once a year when I passed an independent mill.
Lack of regulation is a partial explanation but not enough. There are other things at work: psychosocial, cultural and more

Eg beer. For decades American beer was laughable despite them inheriting an epic beer making tradition from, especially, millions of English and German immigrants. Plus Czechs etc

Then suddenly about 40 years ago something changed, Samuel Adams was a thing, America had a beer revolution, and now they have some of the best beer in the world, marvellous variety, and you can get it everywhere. Even the local gas station will have a very decent craft ipa or lager in the fridge

That was nothing to do with regulation. That was a change in culture and taste
"In 1978, Carter signed H.R. 1337 into law, lifting the federal ban on homebrewing that had been in place since Prohibition. By allowing individuals to brew beer at home, this decision unlocked a world of experimentation and creativity, empowering people to craft unique and flavorful brews on their own terms..."
https://thecasualpint.com/cheers-to-jimmy-carter-the-president-who-sparked-a-craft-beer-revolution/
Been wrong at least 3 times today on 3 different topics and it is only lunch time. @Leon is definitely getting worse.

Oh and Cask beer is as rare as hen's teeth in America. It exists but practically impossible to find.
Not quite true. Americans are now making English style craft beers, I met some last year. Indeed they believe we are neglecting our own cask ale tradition

https://www.beervanablog.com/beervana/2022/3/7/cask-ale-surging-in-america

It was actually quite flattering to stand in a foreign country (in a brewery) and hear someone enthuse wildly about England and English beer (“you have the greatest brewing tradition in the world!” Etc)
I did say it exists, but is practically impossible to find. If you ask an American in America about Cask ale they invariably have no idea what you are talking about. But then that is true of most of Europe as well I guess.

Is it pretty unique to the UK and Ireland? Do you get it commonly elsewhere? Love to know.

I found American beer better than I was expecting. I've done several brewery trips, but they only seem to have a handful of varieties of tastes. There were just several common flavours. I got bored pretty quickly and it is too cold and too fizzy.

And twice I had cinnamon sugar put around the rim of my glass. Whoever thought that was a good idea needs shooting.
If you ask most Brits about "Cask ale" they would invariably have no idea what you are talking about.

What is "Cask ale".

Fair point. I'm in my own echo chamber I see.

The beer is live in the barrel. The limited amount of CO2 is generated from fermentation in the barrel. No CO2 is added and it is pumped up from the barrel (handpump for instance). Keg is dead pressurised by adding CO2.

Keg is easy to look after and lasts. Cask takes skill and will go off. Hence the move to keg and then back with the campaign for real ale.

Trump makes a late intervention to ensure a Liberal landslide – politicalbetting.com

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