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It’s a DOGE eat DOGE world – politicalbetting.com

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Comments

  • LeonLeon Posts: 61,619
    edited June 8
    Pagan2 said:

    Leon said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Leon said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    rcs1000 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    RobD said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    On topic -

    The tragedy of DOGE style slashing goes beyond the damage it will do, in the short term.

    For a political generation or two, all reasonable attempts to increase productivity in government will be tarred with this shite.

    The main saving the US DOGE seems to have made is the shuttering of USAID.

    That can't be done in the UK as between the asylum bills, Sunak’s cut, and Starmer’s cut, UK aid has already been shuttered.

    Good.

    The corrupt circlejerk of "charities" hiring the likes of David Miliband, who then lobby for taxpayers money to go to those charities, should never return.

    Taxpayers money should go on public services.

    Charity should be something people choose to donate to, not get taxed to go towards.

    If you donate to Water Aid, or World Vision, or Comic Relief, or CAFOD or anything else then all power to your elbow. I regularly do too. But that's a choice, it shouldn't be compelled by the State, and those donations shouldn't be funding ex-
    politicians who exist to lobby for more taxpayers money.
    International development is not charity

    Correctly implemented it address our strategic objectives, increases international security (by downregulating radicalism), builds alliances and creates new markets for commercial activities.
    As third world countries get richer the people in them are more able to afford people smugglers
    But the incentive for economic migration decreases.
    No, it doesn't.

    All economic data shows emigration increases as countries develop, until past the point they're classed as a developed country.

    Because migration is higher up the order of needs. It's a want to have, not a need to have. People who are too poor to afford food, shelter, travel or tourism aren't booking trips abroad.
    At some point it must. Why would I be an economic migrant to a poorer country?
    Pensioners move to spain all the time
    They are not 'economic migrants'.

    Edit: And they don't now, at least not from the UK since Brexit - it's not allowed for mere mortals.
    The has been no migration of retirees from the UK to Spain since Brexit?
    Ben is talking absolute bollocks, people went to settle in spain before the eu, they still do because countries like spain and portugal have put in place schemes to encourage them to do so.
    To be fair, a lot of them went to settle in Spain before the EU because Spain was (a) poor, (b) was desperate for people to come and bring their savings, and (c) didn't have an extradition treaty with the UK.
    Yes and only c has changed
    I’m in the Canary Islands right now and it doesn’t feel poor
    Nowhere feels poor when you stick to the tourist areas....I was in casablance morroco a few years back...didnt feel poor till I wandered of the tourist areas and got lost in the slums where the poverty was totally apparent
    When I was staying in Rabat, a number of years ago, the family put us up in the old house in the Old Town. They told all the neighbours about us - was a unique experience, since we were living, for a few days in the heart of a really ancient district. We were quite safe - but noticed family & friends keeping an eye on us.
    I will say I never felt in danger in those slum lands of either casablanca or vegas,,,,when residents realised you werent on some sort of poverty tour they were quite welcoming. In casablanca for example ended up drinking hot mint tea in a cafe with a load of mad islamics, mad in the sense they were a hoot rather than mad in the sense they wanted to cut my head off. Vegas did get a gun pointed at me but when they realised I wasn't american got invited back for a few smokes and a party
    Rabat was safe because we were protected as known friends of the family. I wouldn't have set foot in the area otherwise.

    I think the most unsafe I've felt was in New Orleans (pre-flood). Some idiot said to go a few blocks out of the tourist area in the Quarter. We ended up in a bar that was seriously edgy and had the vibe of a clubhouse that we weren't invited to.
    Precisely what I mean by going off the tourist area, new orleans the french quarter you are pretty safe, wander off and you need to know how to handle yourself
    Sadly even the French Quarter is no longer safe. In truth it was never “that” safe - but now the danger is overt almost everywhere

    A good friend of mine has lived in Nawlins for 15 years - and has now moved away for that reason

    The closest I’ve come to being shot - outside actual warzones - was NOLA. It is an extremely hostile place if you are unlucky

    Such a shame. It should be marvellous
    I have friends from new orleans that came over last year they would disagree with you, had more guns pointed at me in the uk by far than abroad....6 times in the uk once in vegas
    Ok I’ll tell my friend he’s simply wrong. Even though

    1 he lives in New Orleans (or did)

    and also

    2. I’ve been to the city many times. It’s my favourite city in all the Americas - no joke - but on my last visit (2023) it felt obviously more dangerous than any other time
    I am currently chatting on discord with my friend from new orleans, she is laughing at you
    by chatting I mean voice chat we are watching a movie
    New Orelans is the 7th most dangerous city in the USA (for 2023)

    Given that the top 6 are total shitholes that no one foreign will ever visit (with the possible exception of Memphis for weirdos), that makes Nawlins the most dangerous American city that any European will likely encounter

    1 St. Louis, Missouri
    2 Birmingham, Alabama
    3 Baltimore, Maryland
    4 Memphis, Tennessee
    5 Detroit, Michigan
    6 Cleveland, Ohio
    7 New Orleans, Louisiana


    https://www.forbes.com/sites/laurabegleybloom/2023/01/31/report-ranks-americas-15-safest-and-most-dangerous-cities-for-2023/
  • PulpstarPulpstar Posts: 79,529
    Noone wants Sinner to win this
  • Pagan2Pagan2 Posts: 11,868
    Leon said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Leon said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Leon said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    rcs1000 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    RobD said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    On topic -

    The tragedy of DOGE style slashing goes beyond the damage it will do, in the short term.

    For a political generation or two, all reasonable attempts to increase productivity in government will be tarred with this shite.

    The main saving the US DOGE seems to have made is the shuttering of USAID.

    That can't be done in the UK as between the asylum bills, Sunak’s cut, and Starmer’s cut, UK aid has already been shuttered.

    Good.

    The corrupt circlejerk of "charities" hiring the likes of David Miliband, who then lobby for taxpayers money to go to those charities, should never return.

    Taxpayers money should go on public services.

    Charity should be something people choose to donate to, not get taxed to go towards.

    If you donate to Water Aid, or World Vision, or Comic Relief, or CAFOD or anything else then all power to your elbow. I regularly do too. But that's a choice, it shouldn't be compelled by the State, and those donations shouldn't be funding ex-
    politicians who exist to lobby for more taxpayers money.
    International development is not charity

    Correctly implemented it address our strategic objectives, increases international security (by downregulating radicalism), builds alliances and creates new markets for commercial activities.
    As third world countries get richer the people in them are more able to afford people smugglers
    But the incentive for economic migration decreases.
    No, it doesn't.

    All economic data shows emigration increases as countries develop, until past the point they're classed as a developed country.

    Because migration is higher up the order of needs. It's a want to have, not a need to have. People who are too poor to afford food, shelter, travel or tourism aren't booking trips abroad.
    At some point it must. Why would I be an economic migrant to a poorer country?
    Pensioners move to spain all the time
    They are not 'economic migrants'.

    Edit: And they don't now, at least not from the UK since Brexit - it's not allowed for mere mortals.
    The has been no migration of retirees from the UK to Spain since Brexit?
    Ben is talking absolute bollocks, people went to settle in spain before the eu, they still do because countries like spain and portugal have put in place schemes to encourage them to do so.
    To be fair, a lot of them went to settle in Spain before the EU because Spain was (a) poor, (b) was desperate for people to come and bring their savings, and (c) didn't have an extradition treaty with the UK.
    Yes and only c has changed
    I’m in the Canary Islands right now and it doesn’t feel poor
    Nowhere feels poor when you stick to the tourist areas....I was in casablance morroco a few years back...didnt feel poor till I wandered of the tourist areas and got lost in the slums where the poverty was totally apparent
    When I was staying in Rabat, a number of years ago, the family put us up in the old house in the Old Town. They told all the neighbours about us - was a unique experience, since we were living, for a few days in the heart of a really ancient district. We were quite safe - but noticed family & friends keeping an eye on us.
    I will say I never felt in danger in those slum lands of either casablanca or vegas,,,,when residents realised you werent on some sort of poverty tour they were quite welcoming. In casablanca for example ended up drinking hot mint tea in a cafe with a load of mad islamics, mad in the sense they were a hoot rather than mad in the sense they wanted to cut my head off. Vegas did get a gun pointed at me but when they realised I wasn't american got invited back for a few smokes and a party
    Rabat was safe because we were protected as known friends of the family. I wouldn't have set foot in the area otherwise.

    I think the most unsafe I've felt was in New Orleans (pre-flood). Some idiot said to go a few blocks out of the tourist area in the Quarter. We ended up in a bar that was seriously edgy and had the vibe of a clubhouse that we weren't invited to.
    Precisely what I mean by going off the tourist area, new orleans the french quarter you are pretty safe, wander off and you need to know how to handle yourself
    Sadly even the French Quarter is no longer safe. In truth it was never “that” safe - but now the danger is overt almost everywhere

    A good friend of mine has lived in Nawlins for 15 years - and has now moved away for that reason

    The closest I’ve come to being shot - outside actual warzones - was NOLA. It is an extremely hostile place if you are unlucky

    Such a shame. It should be marvellous
    I have friends from new orleans that came over last year they would disagree with you, had more guns pointed at me in the uk by far than abroad....6 times in the uk once in vegas
    Ok I’ll tell my friend he’s simply wrong. Even though

    1 he lives in New Orleans (or did)

    and also

    2. I’ve been to the city many times. It’s my favourite city in all the Americas - no joke - but on my last visit (2023) it felt obviously more dangerous than any other time
    I am currently chatting on discord with my friend from new orleans, she is laughing at you
    by chatting I mean voice chat we are watching a movie
    New Orelans is the 7th most dangerous city in the USA (for 2023)

    Given that the top 6 are total shitholes that no one foreign will ever visit (with the possible exception of Memphis for weirdos), that makes Nawlins the most dangerous American city that any European will likely encounter

    1 St. Louis, Missouri
    2 Birmingham, Alabama
    3 Baltimore, Maryland
    4 Memphis, Tennessee
    5 Detroit, Michigan
    6 Cleveland, Ohio
    7 New Orleans, Louisiana


    https://www.forbes.com/sites/laurabegleybloom/2023/01/31/report-ranks-americas-15-safest-and-most-dangerous-cities-for-2023/
    Well been to st louis, baltimore , memphis and detroit and survived and I am someone that wanders off piste a lot
  • RogerRoger Posts: 20,662
    edited June 8
    Must be one of the great tennis finals of all time......

    4.5 hours and into the 5th set....
  • rcs1000rcs1000 Posts: 60,109
    Leon said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Leon said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    rcs1000 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    RobD said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    On topic -

    The tragedy of DOGE style slashing goes beyond the damage it will do, in the short term.

    For a political generation or two, all reasonable attempts to increase productivity in government will be tarred with this shite.

    The main saving the US DOGE seems to have made is the shuttering of USAID.

    That can't be done in the UK as between the asylum bills, Sunak’s cut, and Starmer’s cut, UK aid has already been shuttered.

    Good.

    The corrupt circlejerk of "charities" hiring the likes of David Miliband, who then lobby for taxpayers money to go to those charities, should never return.

    Taxpayers money should go on public services.

    Charity should be something people choose to donate to, not get taxed to go towards.

    If you donate to Water Aid, or World Vision, or Comic Relief, or CAFOD or anything else then all power to your elbow. I regularly do too. But that's a choice, it shouldn't be compelled by the State, and those donations shouldn't be funding ex-
    politicians who exist to lobby for more taxpayers money.
    International development is not charity

    Correctly implemented it address our strategic objectives, increases international security (by downregulating radicalism), builds alliances and creates new markets for commercial activities.
    As third world countries get richer the people in them are more able to afford people smugglers
    But the incentive for economic migration decreases.
    No, it doesn't.

    All economic data shows emigration increases as countries develop, until past the point they're classed as a developed country.

    Because migration is higher up the order of needs. It's a want to have, not a need to have. People who are too poor to afford food, shelter, travel or tourism aren't booking trips abroad.
    At some point it must. Why would I be an economic migrant to a poorer country?
    Pensioners move to spain all the time
    They are not 'economic migrants'.

    Edit: And they don't now, at least not from the UK since Brexit - it's not allowed for mere mortals.
    The has been no migration of retirees from the UK to Spain since Brexit?
    Ben is talking absolute bollocks, people went to settle in spain before the eu, they still do because countries like spain and portugal have put in place schemes to encourage them to do so.
    To be fair, a lot of them went to settle in Spain before the EU because Spain was (a) poor, (b) was desperate for people to come and bring their savings, and (c) didn't have an extradition treaty with the UK.
    Yes and only c has changed
    I’m in the Canary Islands right now and it doesn’t feel poor
    Nowhere feels poor when you stick to the tourist areas....I was in casablance morroco a few years back...didnt feel poor till I wandered of the tourist areas and got lost in the slums where the poverty was totally apparent
    When I was staying in Rabat, a number of years ago, the family put us up in the old house in the Old Town. They told all the neighbours about us - was a unique experience, since we were living, for a few days in the heart of a really ancient district. We were quite safe - but noticed family & friends keeping an eye on us.
    I will say I never felt in danger in those slum lands of either casablanca or vegas,,,,when residents realised you werent on some sort of poverty tour they were quite welcoming. In casablanca for example ended up drinking hot mint tea in a cafe with a load of mad islamics, mad in the sense they were a hoot rather than mad in the sense they wanted to cut my head off. Vegas did get a gun pointed at me but when they realised I wasn't american got invited back for a few smokes and a party
    Rabat was safe because we were protected as known friends of the family. I wouldn't have set foot in the area otherwise.

    I think the most unsafe I've felt was in New Orleans (pre-flood). Some idiot said to go a few blocks out of the tourist area in the Quarter. We ended up in a bar that was seriously edgy and had the vibe of a clubhouse that we weren't invited to.
    Precisely what I mean by going off the tourist area, new orleans the french quarter you are pretty safe, wander off and you need to know how to handle yourself
    Sadly even the French Quarter is no longer safe. In truth it was never “that” safe - but now the danger is overt almost everywhere

    A good friend of mine has lived in Nawlins for 15 years - and has now moved away for that reason

    The closest I’ve come to being shot - outside actual warzones - was NOLA. It is an extremely hostile place if you are unlucky

    Such a shame. It should be marvellous
    I have friends from new orleans that came over last year they would disagree with you, had more guns pointed at me in the uk by far than abroad....6 times in the uk once in vegas
    Ok I’ll tell my friend he’s simply wrong. Even though

    1 he lives in New Orleans (or did)

    and also

    2. I’ve been to the city many times. It’s my favourite city in all the Americas - no joke - but on my last visit (2023) it felt obviously more dangerous than any other time
    New Orleans has been among the least safe places in the US for a long time: is it noticably worse than previously? I'd say it's worsened (just like SF worsened noticeably between 2020 and 2024) due to the Covid hangover. But I'd also say that (late 2024) I didn't feel unsafe around Bourbon Street beyond the usual risk of standing in other peoples' vomit or getting your pocket picked.
  • LeonLeon Posts: 61,619
    Pagan2 said:

    Leon said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Leon said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Leon said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    rcs1000 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    RobD said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    On topic -

    The tragedy of DOGE style slashing goes beyond the damage it will do, in the short term.

    For a political generation or two, all reasonable attempts to increase productivity in government will be tarred with this shite.

    The main saving the US DOGE seems to have made is the shuttering of USAID.

    That can't be done in the UK as between the asylum bills, Sunak’s cut, and Starmer’s cut, UK aid has already been shuttered.

    Good.

    The corrupt circlejerk of "charities" hiring the likes of David Miliband, who then lobby for taxpayers money to go to those charities, should never return.

    Taxpayers money should go on public services.

    Charity should be something people choose to donate to, not get taxed to go towards.

    If you donate to Water Aid, or World Vision, or Comic Relief, or CAFOD or anything else then all power to your elbow. I regularly do too. But that's a choice, it shouldn't be compelled by the State, and those donations shouldn't be funding ex-
    politicians who exist to lobby for more taxpayers money.
    International development is not charity

    Correctly implemented it address our strategic objectives, increases international security (by downregulating radicalism), builds alliances and creates new markets for commercial activities.
    As third world countries get richer the people in them are more able to afford people smugglers
    But the incentive for economic migration decreases.
    No, it doesn't.

    All economic data shows emigration increases as countries develop, until past the point they're classed as a developed country.

    Because migration is higher up the order of needs. It's a want to have, not a need to have. People who are too poor to afford food, shelter, travel or tourism aren't booking trips abroad.
    At some point it must. Why would I be an economic migrant to a poorer country?
    Pensioners move to spain all the time
    They are not 'economic migrants'.

    Edit: And they don't now, at least not from the UK since Brexit - it's not allowed for mere mortals.
    The has been no migration of retirees from the UK to Spain since Brexit?
    Ben is talking absolute bollocks, people went to settle in spain before the eu, they still do because countries like spain and portugal have put in place schemes to encourage them to do so.
    To be fair, a lot of them went to settle in Spain before the EU because Spain was (a) poor, (b) was desperate for people to come and bring their savings, and (c) didn't have an extradition treaty with the UK.
    Yes and only c has changed
    I’m in the Canary Islands right now and it doesn’t feel poor
    Nowhere feels poor when you stick to the tourist areas....I was in casablance morroco a few years back...didnt feel poor till I wandered of the tourist areas and got lost in the slums where the poverty was totally apparent
    When I was staying in Rabat, a number of years ago, the family put us up in the old house in the Old Town. They told all the neighbours about us - was a unique experience, since we were living, for a few days in the heart of a really ancient district. We were quite safe - but noticed family & friends keeping an eye on us.
    I will say I never felt in danger in those slum lands of either casablanca or vegas,,,,when residents realised you werent on some sort of poverty tour they were quite welcoming. In casablanca for example ended up drinking hot mint tea in a cafe with a load of mad islamics, mad in the sense they were a hoot rather than mad in the sense they wanted to cut my head off. Vegas did get a gun pointed at me but when they realised I wasn't american got invited back for a few smokes and a party
    Rabat was safe because we were protected as known friends of the family. I wouldn't have set foot in the area otherwise.

    I think the most unsafe I've felt was in New Orleans (pre-flood). Some idiot said to go a few blocks out of the tourist area in the Quarter. We ended up in a bar that was seriously edgy and had the vibe of a clubhouse that we weren't invited to.
    Precisely what I mean by going off the tourist area, new orleans the french quarter you are pretty safe, wander off and you need to know how to handle yourself
    Sadly even the French Quarter is no longer safe. In truth it was never “that” safe - but now the danger is overt almost everywhere

    A good friend of mine has lived in Nawlins for 15 years - and has now moved away for that reason

    The closest I’ve come to being shot - outside actual warzones - was NOLA. It is an extremely hostile place if you are unlucky

    Such a shame. It should be marvellous
    I have friends from new orleans that came over last year they would disagree with you, had more guns pointed at me in the uk by far than abroad....6 times in the uk once in vegas
    Ok I’ll tell my friend he’s simply wrong. Even though

    1 he lives in New Orleans (or did)

    and also

    2. I’ve been to the city many times. It’s my favourite city in all the Americas - no joke - but on my last visit (2023) it felt obviously more dangerous than any other time
    I am currently chatting on discord with my friend from new orleans, she is laughing at you
    by chatting I mean voice chat we are watching a movie
    New Orelans is the 7th most dangerous city in the USA (for 2023)

    Given that the top 6 are total shitholes that no one foreign will ever visit (with the possible exception of Memphis for weirdos), that makes Nawlins the most dangerous American city that any European will likely encounter

    1 St. Louis, Missouri
    2 Birmingham, Alabama
    3 Baltimore, Maryland
    4 Memphis, Tennessee
    5 Detroit, Michigan
    6 Cleveland, Ohio
    7 New Orleans, Louisiana


    https://www.forbes.com/sites/laurabegleybloom/2023/01/31/report-ranks-americas-15-safest-and-most-dangerous-cities-for-2023/
    Well been to st louis, baltimore , memphis and detroit and survived and I am someone that wanders off piste a lot
    Seriously?!

    I am genuinely impressed. I've only been to the outskirts of Detroit, of those top 6
  • rcs1000rcs1000 Posts: 60,109
    Leon said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Leon said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Leon said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    rcs1000 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    RobD said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    On topic -

    The tragedy of DOGE style slashing goes beyond the damage it will do, in the short term.

    For a political generation or two, all reasonable attempts to increase productivity in government will be tarred with this shite.

    The main saving the US DOGE seems to have made is the shuttering of USAID.

    That can't be done in the UK as between the asylum bills, Sunak’s cut, and Starmer’s cut, UK aid has already been shuttered.

    Good.

    The corrupt circlejerk of "charities" hiring the likes of David Miliband, who then lobby for taxpayers money to go to those charities, should never return.

    Taxpayers money should go on public services.

    Charity should be something people choose to donate to, not get taxed to go towards.

    If you donate to Water Aid, or World Vision, or Comic Relief, or CAFOD or anything else then all power to your elbow. I regularly do too. But that's a choice, it shouldn't be compelled by the State, and those donations shouldn't be funding ex-
    politicians who exist to lobby for more taxpayers money.
    International development is not charity

    Correctly implemented it address our strategic objectives, increases international security (by downregulating radicalism), builds alliances and creates new markets for commercial activities.
    As third world countries get richer the people in them are more able to afford people smugglers
    But the incentive for economic migration decreases.
    No, it doesn't.

    All economic data shows emigration increases as countries develop, until past the point they're classed as a developed country.

    Because migration is higher up the order of needs. It's a want to have, not a need to have. People who are too poor to afford food, shelter, travel or tourism aren't booking trips abroad.
    At some point it must. Why would I be an economic migrant to a poorer country?
    Pensioners move to spain all the time
    They are not 'economic migrants'.

    Edit: And they don't now, at least not from the UK since Brexit - it's not allowed for mere mortals.
    The has been no migration of retirees from the UK to Spain since Brexit?
    Ben is talking absolute bollocks, people went to settle in spain before the eu, they still do because countries like spain and portugal have put in place schemes to encourage them to do so.
    To be fair, a lot of them went to settle in Spain before the EU because Spain was (a) poor, (b) was desperate for people to come and bring their savings, and (c) didn't have an extradition treaty with the UK.
    Yes and only c has changed
    I’m in the Canary Islands right now and it doesn’t feel poor
    Nowhere feels poor when you stick to the tourist areas....I was in casablance morroco a few years back...didnt feel poor till I wandered of the tourist areas and got lost in the slums where the poverty was totally apparent
    When I was staying in Rabat, a number of years ago, the family put us up in the old house in the Old Town. They told all the neighbours about us - was a unique experience, since we were living, for a few days in the heart of a really ancient district. We were quite safe - but noticed family & friends keeping an eye on us.
    I will say I never felt in danger in those slum lands of either casablanca or vegas,,,,when residents realised you werent on some sort of poverty tour they were quite welcoming. In casablanca for example ended up drinking hot mint tea in a cafe with a load of mad islamics, mad in the sense they were a hoot rather than mad in the sense they wanted to cut my head off. Vegas did get a gun pointed at me but when they realised I wasn't american got invited back for a few smokes and a party
    Rabat was safe because we were protected as known friends of the family. I wouldn't have set foot in the area otherwise.

    I think the most unsafe I've felt was in New Orleans (pre-flood). Some idiot said to go a few blocks out of the tourist area in the Quarter. We ended up in a bar that was seriously edgy and had the vibe of a clubhouse that we weren't invited to.
    Precisely what I mean by going off the tourist area, new orleans the french quarter you are pretty safe, wander off and you need to know how to handle yourself
    Sadly even the French Quarter is no longer safe. In truth it was never “that” safe - but now the danger is overt almost everywhere

    A good friend of mine has lived in Nawlins for 15 years - and has now moved away for that reason

    The closest I’ve come to being shot - outside actual warzones - was NOLA. It is an extremely hostile place if you are unlucky

    Such a shame. It should be marvellous
    I have friends from new orleans that came over last year they would disagree with you, had more guns pointed at me in the uk by far than abroad....6 times in the uk once in vegas
    Ok I’ll tell my friend he’s simply wrong. Even though

    1 he lives in New Orleans (or did)

    and also

    2. I’ve been to the city many times. It’s my favourite city in all the Americas - no joke - but on my last visit (2023) it felt obviously more dangerous than any other time
    I am currently chatting on discord with my friend from new orleans, she is laughing at you
    by chatting I mean voice chat we are watching a movie
    New Orelans is the 7th most dangerous city in the USA (for 2023)

    Given that the top 6 are total shitholes that no one foreign will ever visit (with the possible exception of Memphis for weirdos), that makes Nawlins the most dangerous American city that any European will likely encounter

    1 St. Louis, Missouri
    2 Birmingham, Alabama
    3 Baltimore, Maryland
    4 Memphis, Tennessee
    5 Detroit, Michigan
    6 Cleveland, Ohio
    7 New Orleans, Louisiana


    https://www.forbes.com/sites/laurabegleybloom/2023/01/31/report-ranks-americas-15-safest-and-most-dangerous-cities-for-2023/
    Birmingham is on a big upswing right now. I think it was in the top three cities in the US for economic growth last year.
  • Pagan2Pagan2 Posts: 11,868
    Leon said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Leon said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Leon said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Leon said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    rcs1000 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    RobD said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    On topic -

    The tragedy of DOGE style slashing goes beyond the damage it will do, in the short term.

    For a political generation or two, all reasonable attempts to increase productivity in government will be tarred with this shite.

    The main saving the US DOGE seems to have made is the shuttering of USAID.

    That can't be done in the UK as between the asylum bills, Sunak’s cut, and Starmer’s cut, UK aid has already been shuttered.

    Good.

    The corrupt circlejerk of "charities" hiring the likes of David Miliband, who then lobby for taxpayers money to go to those charities, should never return.

    Taxpayers money should go on public services.

    Charity should be something people choose to donate to, not get taxed to go towards.

    If you donate to Water Aid, or World Vision, or Comic Relief, or CAFOD or anything else then all power to your elbow. I regularly do too. But that's a choice, it shouldn't be compelled by the State, and those donations shouldn't be funding ex-
    politicians who exist to lobby for more taxpayers money.
    International development is not charity

    Correctly implemented it address our strategic objectives, increases international security (by downregulating radicalism), builds alliances and creates new markets for commercial activities.
    As third world countries get richer the people in them are more able to afford people smugglers
    But the incentive for economic migration decreases.
    No, it doesn't.

    All economic data shows emigration increases as countries develop, until past the point they're classed as a developed country.

    Because migration is higher up the order of needs. It's a want to have, not a need to have. People who are too poor to afford food, shelter, travel or tourism aren't booking trips abroad.
    At some point it must. Why would I be an economic migrant to a poorer country?
    Pensioners move to spain all the time
    They are not 'economic migrants'.

    Edit: And they don't now, at least not from the UK since Brexit - it's not allowed for mere mortals.
    The has been no migration of retirees from the UK to Spain since Brexit?
    Ben is talking absolute bollocks, people went to settle in spain before the eu, they still do because countries like spain and portugal have put in place schemes to encourage them to do so.
    To be fair, a lot of them went to settle in Spain before the EU because Spain was (a) poor, (b) was desperate for people to come and bring their savings, and (c) didn't have an extradition treaty with the UK.
    Yes and only c has changed
    I’m in the Canary Islands right now and it doesn’t feel poor
    Nowhere feels poor when you stick to the tourist areas....I was in casablance morroco a few years back...didnt feel poor till I wandered of the tourist areas and got lost in the slums where the poverty was totally apparent
    When I was staying in Rabat, a number of years ago, the family put us up in the old house in the Old Town. They told all the neighbours about us - was a unique experience, since we were living, for a few days in the heart of a really ancient district. We were quite safe - but noticed family & friends keeping an eye on us.
    I will say I never felt in danger in those slum lands of either casablanca or vegas,,,,when residents realised you werent on some sort of poverty tour they were quite welcoming. In casablanca for example ended up drinking hot mint tea in a cafe with a load of mad islamics, mad in the sense they were a hoot rather than mad in the sense they wanted to cut my head off. Vegas did get a gun pointed at me but when they realised I wasn't american got invited back for a few smokes and a party
    Rabat was safe because we were protected as known friends of the family. I wouldn't have set foot in the area otherwise.

    I think the most unsafe I've felt was in New Orleans (pre-flood). Some idiot said to go a few blocks out of the tourist area in the Quarter. We ended up in a bar that was seriously edgy and had the vibe of a clubhouse that we weren't invited to.
    Precisely what I mean by going off the tourist area, new orleans the french quarter you are pretty safe, wander off and you need to know how to handle yourself
    Sadly even the French Quarter is no longer safe. In truth it was never “that” safe - but now the danger is overt almost everywhere

    A good friend of mine has lived in Nawlins for 15 years - and has now moved away for that reason

    The closest I’ve come to being shot - outside actual warzones - was NOLA. It is an extremely hostile place if you are unlucky

    Such a shame. It should be marvellous
    I have friends from new orleans that came over last year they would disagree with you, had more guns pointed at me in the uk by far than abroad....6 times in the uk once in vegas
    Ok I’ll tell my friend he’s simply wrong. Even though

    1 he lives in New Orleans (or did)

    and also

    2. I’ve been to the city many times. It’s my favourite city in all the Americas - no joke - but on my last visit (2023) it felt obviously more dangerous than any other time
    I am currently chatting on discord with my friend from new orleans, she is laughing at you
    by chatting I mean voice chat we are watching a movie
    New Orelans is the 7th most dangerous city in the USA (for 2023)

    Given that the top 6 are total shitholes that no one foreign will ever visit (with the possible exception of Memphis for weirdos), that makes Nawlins the most dangerous American city that any European will likely encounter

    1 St. Louis, Missouri
    2 Birmingham, Alabama
    3 Baltimore, Maryland
    4 Memphis, Tennessee
    5 Detroit, Michigan
    6 Cleveland, Ohio
    7 New Orleans, Louisiana


    https://www.forbes.com/sites/laurabegleybloom/2023/01/31/report-ranks-americas-15-safest-and-most-dangerous-cities-for-2023/
    Well been to st louis, baltimore , memphis and detroit and survived and I am someone that wanders off piste a lot
    Seriously?!

    I am genuinely impressed. I've only been to the outskirts of Detroit, of those top 6
    I visit friends a lot
  • PulpstarPulpstar Posts: 79,529
    Amazing that people want inefficient government departments tbh.
  • SonofContrarianSonofContrarian Posts: 177
    https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c3d4349gdx4o

    Most ridiculously authoritarian legislation yet? 🧐🥴
  • LeonLeon Posts: 61,619
    rcs1000 said:

    Leon said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Leon said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    rcs1000 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    RobD said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    On topic -

    The tragedy of DOGE style slashing goes beyond the damage it will do, in the short term.

    For a political generation or two, all reasonable attempts to increase productivity in government will be tarred with this shite.

    The main saving the US DOGE seems to have made is the shuttering of USAID.

    That can't be done in the UK as between the asylum bills, Sunak’s cut, and Starmer’s cut, UK aid has already been shuttered.

    Good.

    The corrupt circlejerk of "charities" hiring the likes of David Miliband, who then lobby for taxpayers money to go to those charities, should never return.

    Taxpayers money should go on public services.

    Charity should be something people choose to donate to, not get taxed to go towards.

    If you donate to Water Aid, or World Vision, or Comic Relief, or CAFOD or anything else then all power to your elbow. I regularly do too. But that's a choice, it shouldn't be compelled by the State, and those donations shouldn't be funding ex-
    politicians who exist to lobby for more taxpayers money.
    International development is not charity

    Correctly implemented it address our strategic objectives, increases international security (by downregulating radicalism), builds alliances and creates new markets for commercial activities.
    As third world countries get richer the people in them are more able to afford people smugglers
    But the incentive for economic migration decreases.
    No, it doesn't.

    All economic data shows emigration increases as countries develop, until past the point they're classed as a developed country.

    Because migration is higher up the order of needs. It's a want to have, not a need to have. People who are too poor to afford food, shelter, travel or tourism aren't booking trips abroad.
    At some point it must. Why would I be an economic migrant to a poorer country?
    Pensioners move to spain all the time
    They are not 'economic migrants'.

    Edit: And they don't now, at least not from the UK since Brexit - it's not allowed for mere mortals.
    The has been no migration of retirees from the UK to Spain since Brexit?
    Ben is talking absolute bollocks, people went to settle in spain before the eu, they still do because countries like spain and portugal have put in place schemes to encourage them to do so.
    To be fair, a lot of them went to settle in Spain before the EU because Spain was (a) poor, (b) was desperate for people to come and bring their savings, and (c) didn't have an extradition treaty with the UK.
    Yes and only c has changed
    I’m in the Canary Islands right now and it doesn’t feel poor
    Nowhere feels poor when you stick to the tourist areas....I was in casablance morroco a few years back...didnt feel poor till I wandered of the tourist areas and got lost in the slums where the poverty was totally apparent
    When I was staying in Rabat, a number of years ago, the family put us up in the old house in the Old Town. They told all the neighbours about us - was a unique experience, since we were living, for a few days in the heart of a really ancient district. We were quite safe - but noticed family & friends keeping an eye on us.
    I will say I never felt in danger in those slum lands of either casablanca or vegas,,,,when residents realised you werent on some sort of poverty tour they were quite welcoming. In casablanca for example ended up drinking hot mint tea in a cafe with a load of mad islamics, mad in the sense they were a hoot rather than mad in the sense they wanted to cut my head off. Vegas did get a gun pointed at me but when they realised I wasn't american got invited back for a few smokes and a party
    Rabat was safe because we were protected as known friends of the family. I wouldn't have set foot in the area otherwise.

    I think the most unsafe I've felt was in New Orleans (pre-flood). Some idiot said to go a few blocks out of the tourist area in the Quarter. We ended up in a bar that was seriously edgy and had the vibe of a clubhouse that we weren't invited to.
    Precisely what I mean by going off the tourist area, new orleans the french quarter you are pretty safe, wander off and you need to know how to handle yourself
    Sadly even the French Quarter is no longer safe. In truth it was never “that” safe - but now the danger is overt almost everywhere

    A good friend of mine has lived in Nawlins for 15 years - and has now moved away for that reason

    The closest I’ve come to being shot - outside actual warzones - was NOLA. It is an extremely hostile place if you are unlucky

    Such a shame. It should be marvellous
    I have friends from new orleans that came over last year they would disagree with you, had more guns pointed at me in the uk by far than abroad....6 times in the uk once in vegas
    Ok I’ll tell my friend he’s simply wrong. Even though

    1 he lives in New Orleans (or did)

    and also

    2. I’ve been to the city many times. It’s my favourite city in all the Americas - no joke - but on my last visit (2023) it felt obviously more dangerous than any other time
    New Orleans has been among the least safe places in the US for a long time: is it noticably worse than previously? I'd say it's worsened (just like SF worsened noticeably between 2020 and 2024) due to the Covid hangover. But I'd also say that (late 2024) I didn't feel unsafe around Bourbon Street beyond the usual risk of standing in other peoples' vomit or getting your pocket picked.
    Of course this is anecdata, but yes I felt a new edginess (might have been post Covid jitters?) - even in the French Quarter

    But then my friend - who has lived there since 2008 - said Yeah, it's got a lot worse. He lived in a "nice" neighborhood but he told he was hearing gunshots almost every night - an entirely new development. That's quite scary and I would get the fuck out of there - as indeed he did
  • rcs1000rcs1000 Posts: 60,109

    Pagan2 said:

    Leon said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    rcs1000 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    RobD said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    On topic -

    The tragedy of DOGE style slashing goes beyond the damage it will do, in the short term.

    For a political generation or two, all reasonable attempts to increase productivity in government will be tarred with this shite.

    The main saving the US DOGE seems to have made is the shuttering of USAID.

    That can't be done in the UK as between the asylum bills, Sunak’s cut, and Starmer’s cut, UK aid has already been shuttered.

    Good.

    The corrupt circlejerk of "charities" hiring the likes of David Miliband, who then lobby for taxpayers money to go to those charities, should never return.

    Taxpayers money should go on public services.

    Charity should be something people choose to donate to, not get taxed to go towards.

    If you donate to Water Aid, or World Vision, or Comic Relief, or CAFOD or anything else then all power to your elbow. I regularly do too. But that's a choice, it shouldn't be compelled by the State, and those donations shouldn't be funding ex-
    politicians who exist to lobby for more taxpayers money.
    International development is not charity

    Correctly implemented it address our strategic objectives, increases international security (by downregulating radicalism), builds alliances and creates new markets for commercial activities.
    As third world countries get richer the people in them are more able to afford people smugglers
    But the incentive for economic migration decreases.
    No, it doesn't.

    All economic data shows emigration increases as countries develop, until past the point they're classed as a developed country.

    Because migration is higher up the order of needs. It's a want to have, not a need to have. People who are too poor to afford food, shelter, travel or tourism aren't booking trips abroad.
    At some point it must. Why would I be an economic migrant to a poorer country?
    Pensioners move to spain all the time
    They are not 'economic migrants'.

    Edit: And they don't now, at least not from the UK since Brexit - it's not allowed for mere mortals.
    The has been no migration of retirees from the UK to Spain since Brexit?
    Ben is talking absolute bollocks, people went to settle in spain before the eu, they still do because countries like spain and portugal have put in place schemes to encourage them to do so.
    To be fair, a lot of them went to settle in Spain before the EU because Spain was (a) poor, (b) was desperate for people to come and bring their savings, and (c) didn't have an extradition treaty with the UK.
    Yes and only c has changed
    I’m in the Canary Islands right now and it doesn’t feel poor
    Nowhere feels poor when you stick to the tourist areas....I was in casablance morroco a few years back...didnt feel poor till I wandered of the tourist areas and got lost in the slums where the poverty was totally apparent
    When I was staying in Rabat, a number of years ago, the family put us up in the old house in the Old Town. They told all the neighbours about us - was a unique experience, since we were living, for a few days in the heart of a really ancient district. We were quite safe - but noticed family & friends keeping an eye on us.
    I will say I never felt in danger in those slum lands of either casablanca or vegas,,,,when residents realised you werent on some sort of poverty tour they were quite welcoming. In casablanca for example ended up drinking hot mint tea in a cafe with a load of mad islamics, mad in the sense they were a hoot rather than mad in the sense they wanted to cut my head off. Vegas did get a gun pointed at me but when they realised I wasn't american got invited back for a few smokes and a party
    Rabat was safe because we were protected as known friends of the family. I wouldn't have set foot in the area otherwise.

    I think the most unsafe I've felt was in New Orleans (pre-flood). Some idiot said to go a few blocks out of the tourist area in the Quarter. We ended up in a bar that was seriously edgy and had the vibe of a clubhouse that we weren't invited to.
    Precisely what I mean by going off the tourist area, new orleans the french quarter you are pretty safe, wander off and you need to know how to handle yourself
    Sadly even the French Quarter is no longer safe. In truth it was never “that” safe - but now the danger is overt almost everywhere

    A good friend of mine has lived in Nawlins for 15 years - and has now moved away for that reason

    The closest I’ve come to being shot - outside actual warzones - was NOLA. It is an extremely hostile place if you are unlucky

    Such a shame. It should be marvellous
    I have friends from new orleans that came over last year they would disagree with you, had more guns pointed at me in the uk by far than abroad....6 times in the uk once in vegas
    How on earth have you managed to have guns pointed at you 6 times in the UK?

    Laserquest?
    @Pagan2 is an armed robber, and it was the police who were pointing the guns at him.
  • Pagan2Pagan2 Posts: 11,868
    rcs1000 said:

    Leon said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Leon said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    rcs1000 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    RobD said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    On topic -

    The tragedy of DOGE style slashing goes beyond the damage it will do, in the short term.

    For a political generation or two, all reasonable attempts to increase productivity in government will be tarred with this shite.

    The main saving the US DOGE seems to have made is the shuttering of USAID.

    That can't be done in the UK as between the asylum bills, Sunak’s cut, and Starmer’s cut, UK aid has already been shuttered.

    Good.

    The corrupt circlejerk of "charities" hiring the likes of David Miliband, who then lobby for taxpayers money to go to those charities, should never return.

    Taxpayers money should go on public services.

    Charity should be something people choose to donate to, not get taxed to go towards.

    If you donate to Water Aid, or World Vision, or Comic Relief, or CAFOD or anything else then all power to your elbow. I regularly do too. But that's a choice, it shouldn't be compelled by the State, and those donations shouldn't be funding ex-
    politicians who exist to lobby for more taxpayers money.
    International development is not charity

    Correctly implemented it address our strategic objectives, increases international security (by downregulating radicalism), builds alliances and creates new markets for commercial activities.
    As third world countries get richer the people in them are more able to afford people smugglers
    But the incentive for economic migration decreases.
    No, it doesn't.

    All economic data shows emigration increases as countries develop, until past the point they're classed as a developed country.

    Because migration is higher up the order of needs. It's a want to have, not a need to have. People who are too poor to afford food, shelter, travel or tourism aren't booking trips abroad.
    At some point it must. Why would I be an economic migrant to a poorer country?
    Pensioners move to spain all the time
    They are not 'economic migrants'.

    Edit: And they don't now, at least not from the UK since Brexit - it's not allowed for mere mortals.
    The has been no migration of retirees from the UK to Spain since Brexit?
    Ben is talking absolute bollocks, people went to settle in spain before the eu, they still do because countries like spain and portugal have put in place schemes to encourage them to do so.
    To be fair, a lot of them went to settle in Spain before the EU because Spain was (a) poor, (b) was desperate for people to come and bring their savings, and (c) didn't have an extradition treaty with the UK.
    Yes and only c has changed
    I’m in the Canary Islands right now and it doesn’t feel poor
    Nowhere feels poor when you stick to the tourist areas....I was in casablance morroco a few years back...didnt feel poor till I wandered of the tourist areas and got lost in the slums where the poverty was totally apparent
    When I was staying in Rabat, a number of years ago, the family put us up in the old house in the Old Town. They told all the neighbours about us - was a unique experience, since we were living, for a few days in the heart of a really ancient district. We were quite safe - but noticed family & friends keeping an eye on us.
    I will say I never felt in danger in those slum lands of either casablanca or vegas,,,,when residents realised you werent on some sort of poverty tour they were quite welcoming. In casablanca for example ended up drinking hot mint tea in a cafe with a load of mad islamics, mad in the sense they were a hoot rather than mad in the sense they wanted to cut my head off. Vegas did get a gun pointed at me but when they realised I wasn't american got invited back for a few smokes and a party
    Rabat was safe because we were protected as known friends of the family. I wouldn't have set foot in the area otherwise.

    I think the most unsafe I've felt was in New Orleans (pre-flood). Some idiot said to go a few blocks out of the tourist area in the Quarter. We ended up in a bar that was seriously edgy and had the vibe of a clubhouse that we weren't invited to.
    Precisely what I mean by going off the tourist area, new orleans the french quarter you are pretty safe, wander off and you need to know how to handle yourself
    Sadly even the French Quarter is no longer safe. In truth it was never “that” safe - but now the danger is overt almost everywhere

    A good friend of mine has lived in Nawlins for 15 years - and has now moved away for that reason

    The closest I’ve come to being shot - outside actual warzones - was NOLA. It is an extremely hostile place if you are unlucky

    Such a shame. It should be marvellous
    I have friends from new orleans that came over last year they would disagree with you, had more guns pointed at me in the uk by far than abroad....6 times in the uk once in vegas
    Ok I’ll tell my friend he’s simply wrong. Even though

    1 he lives in New Orleans (or did)

    and also

    2. I’ve been to the city many times. It’s my favourite city in all the Americas - no joke - but on my last visit (2023) it felt obviously more dangerous than any other time
    New Orleans has been among the least safe places in the US for a long time: is it noticably worse than previously? I'd say it's worsened (just like SF worsened noticeably between 2020 and 2024) due to the Covid hangover. But I'd also say that (late 2024) I didn't feel unsafe around Bourbon Street beyond the usual risk of standing in other peoples' vomit or getting your pocket picked.
    Don't get me wrong I am not arguing new orleans is safe, but would also say no urban area is actually safe. As I said had guns in my face in slough, windsor, london and milton keynes here. only time in america was in vegas and then they took me to a party
  • Pagan2Pagan2 Posts: 11,868
    rcs1000 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Leon said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    rcs1000 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    RobD said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    On topic -

    The tragedy of DOGE style slashing goes beyond the damage it will do, in the short term.

    For a political generation or two, all reasonable attempts to increase productivity in government will be tarred with this shite.

    The main saving the US DOGE seems to have made is the shuttering of USAID.

    That can't be done in the UK as between the asylum bills, Sunak’s cut, and Starmer’s cut, UK aid has already been shuttered.

    Good.

    The corrupt circlejerk of "charities" hiring the likes of David Miliband, who then lobby for taxpayers money to go to those charities, should never return.

    Taxpayers money should go on public services.

    Charity should be something people choose to donate to, not get taxed to go towards.

    If you donate to Water Aid, or World Vision, or Comic Relief, or CAFOD or anything else then all power to your elbow. I regularly do too. But that's a choice, it shouldn't be compelled by the State, and those donations shouldn't be funding ex-
    politicians who exist to lobby for more taxpayers money.
    International development is not charity

    Correctly implemented it address our strategic objectives, increases international security (by downregulating radicalism), builds alliances and creates new markets for commercial activities.
    As third world countries get richer the people in them are more able to afford people smugglers
    But the incentive for economic migration decreases.
    No, it doesn't.

    All economic data shows emigration increases as countries develop, until past the point they're classed as a developed country.

    Because migration is higher up the order of needs. It's a want to have, not a need to have. People who are too poor to afford food, shelter, travel or tourism aren't booking trips abroad.
    At some point it must. Why would I be an economic migrant to a poorer country?
    Pensioners move to spain all the time
    They are not 'economic migrants'.

    Edit: And they don't now, at least not from the UK since Brexit - it's not allowed for mere mortals.
    The has been no migration of retirees from the UK to Spain since Brexit?
    Ben is talking absolute bollocks, people went to settle in spain before the eu, they still do because countries like spain and portugal have put in place schemes to encourage them to do so.
    To be fair, a lot of them went to settle in Spain before the EU because Spain was (a) poor, (b) was desperate for people to come and bring their savings, and (c) didn't have an extradition treaty with the UK.
    Yes and only c has changed
    I’m in the Canary Islands right now and it doesn’t feel poor
    Nowhere feels poor when you stick to the tourist areas....I was in casablance morroco a few years back...didnt feel poor till I wandered of the tourist areas and got lost in the slums where the poverty was totally apparent
    When I was staying in Rabat, a number of years ago, the family put us up in the old house in the Old Town. They told all the neighbours about us - was a unique experience, since we were living, for a few days in the heart of a really ancient district. We were quite safe - but noticed family & friends keeping an eye on us.
    I will say I never felt in danger in those slum lands of either casablanca or vegas,,,,when residents realised you werent on some sort of poverty tour they were quite welcoming. In casablanca for example ended up drinking hot mint tea in a cafe with a load of mad islamics, mad in the sense they were a hoot rather than mad in the sense they wanted to cut my head off. Vegas did get a gun pointed at me but when they realised I wasn't american got invited back for a few smokes and a party
    Rabat was safe because we were protected as known friends of the family. I wouldn't have set foot in the area otherwise.

    I think the most unsafe I've felt was in New Orleans (pre-flood). Some idiot said to go a few blocks out of the tourist area in the Quarter. We ended up in a bar that was seriously edgy and had the vibe of a clubhouse that we weren't invited to.
    Precisely what I mean by going off the tourist area, new orleans the french quarter you are pretty safe, wander off and you need to know how to handle yourself
    Sadly even the French Quarter is no longer safe. In truth it was never “that” safe - but now the danger is overt almost everywhere

    A good friend of mine has lived in Nawlins for 15 years - and has now moved away for that reason

    The closest I’ve come to being shot - outside actual warzones - was NOLA. It is an extremely hostile place if you are unlucky

    Such a shame. It should be marvellous
    I have friends from new orleans that came over last year they would disagree with you, had more guns pointed at me in the uk by far than abroad....6 times in the uk once in vegas
    How on earth have you managed to have guns pointed at you 6 times in the UK?

    Laserquest?
    @Pagan2 is an armed robber, and it was the police who were pointing the guns at him.
    Usually it was drug dealers or biker gangs
  • Pagan2Pagan2 Posts: 11,868
    Pagan2 said:

    rcs1000 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Leon said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    rcs1000 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    RobD said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    On topic -

    The tragedy of DOGE style slashing goes beyond the damage it will do, in the short term.

    For a political generation or two, all reasonable attempts to increase productivity in government will be tarred with this shite.

    The main saving the US DOGE seems to have made is the shuttering of USAID.

    That can't be done in the UK as between the asylum bills, Sunak’s cut, and Starmer’s cut, UK aid has already been shuttered.

    Good.

    The corrupt circlejerk of "charities" hiring the likes of David Miliband, who then lobby for taxpayers money to go to those charities, should never return.

    Taxpayers money should go on public services.

    Charity should be something people choose to donate to, not get taxed to go towards.

    If you donate to Water Aid, or World Vision, or Comic Relief, or CAFOD or anything else then all power to your elbow. I regularly do too. But that's a choice, it shouldn't be compelled by the State, and those donations shouldn't be funding ex-
    politicians who exist to lobby for more taxpayers money.
    International development is not charity

    Correctly implemented it address our strategic objectives, increases international security (by downregulating radicalism), builds alliances and creates new markets for commercial activities.
    As third world countries get richer the people in them are more able to afford people smugglers
    But the incentive for economic migration decreases.
    No, it doesn't.

    All economic data shows emigration increases as countries develop, until past the point they're classed as a developed country.

    Because migration is higher up the order of needs. It's a want to have, not a need to have. People who are too poor to afford food, shelter, travel or tourism aren't booking trips abroad.
    At some point it must. Why would I be an economic migrant to a poorer country?
    Pensioners move to spain all the time
    They are not 'economic migrants'.

    Edit: And they don't now, at least not from the UK since Brexit - it's not allowed for mere mortals.
    The has been no migration of retirees from the UK to Spain since Brexit?
    Ben is talking absolute bollocks, people went to settle in spain before the eu, they still do because countries like spain and portugal have put in place schemes to encourage them to do so.
    To be fair, a lot of them went to settle in Spain before the EU because Spain was (a) poor, (b) was desperate for people to come and bring their savings, and (c) didn't have an extradition treaty with the UK.
    Yes and only c has changed
    I’m in the Canary Islands right now and it doesn’t feel poor
    Nowhere feels poor when you stick to the tourist areas....I was in casablance morroco a few years back...didnt feel poor till I wandered of the tourist areas and got lost in the slums where the poverty was totally apparent
    When I was staying in Rabat, a number of years ago, the family put us up in the old house in the Old Town. They told all the neighbours about us - was a unique experience, since we were living, for a few days in the heart of a really ancient district. We were quite safe - but noticed family & friends keeping an eye on us.
    I will say I never felt in danger in those slum lands of either casablanca or vegas,,,,when residents realised you werent on some sort of poverty tour they were quite welcoming. In casablanca for example ended up drinking hot mint tea in a cafe with a load of mad islamics, mad in the sense they were a hoot rather than mad in the sense they wanted to cut my head off. Vegas did get a gun pointed at me but when they realised I wasn't american got invited back for a few smokes and a party
    Rabat was safe because we were protected as known friends of the family. I wouldn't have set foot in the area otherwise.

    I think the most unsafe I've felt was in New Orleans (pre-flood). Some idiot said to go a few blocks out of the tourist area in the Quarter. We ended up in a bar that was seriously edgy and had the vibe of a clubhouse that we weren't invited to.
    Precisely what I mean by going off the tourist area, new orleans the french quarter you are pretty safe, wander off and you need to know how to handle yourself
    Sadly even the French Quarter is no longer safe. In truth it was never “that” safe - but now the danger is overt almost everywhere

    A good friend of mine has lived in Nawlins for 15 years - and has now moved away for that reason

    The closest I’ve come to being shot - outside actual warzones - was NOLA. It is an extremely hostile place if you are unlucky

    Such a shame. It should be marvellous
    I have friends from new orleans that came over last year they would disagree with you, had more guns pointed at me in the uk by far than abroad....6 times in the uk once in vegas
    How on earth have you managed to have guns pointed at you 6 times in the UK?

    Laserquest?
    @Pagan2 is an armed robber, and it was the police who were pointing the guns at him.
    Usually it was drug dealers or biker gangs
    Though have to admit in 95 two of us burst into slough police station in full combat camo with balaclava's on armed with water pistols and mugged them for charity....wouldn't do it these days
  • Daveyboy1961Daveyboy1961 Posts: 4,662
    Pagan2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Leon said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    rcs1000 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    RobD said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    On topic -

    The tragedy of DOGE style slashing goes beyond the damage it will do, in the short term.

    For a political generation or two, all reasonable attempts to increase productivity in government will be tarred with this shite.

    The main saving the US DOGE seems to have made is the shuttering of USAID.

    That can't be done in the UK as between the asylum bills, Sunak’s cut, and Starmer’s cut, UK aid has already been shuttered.

    Good.

    The corrupt circlejerk of "charities" hiring the likes of David Miliband, who then lobby for taxpayers money to go to those charities, should never return.

    Taxpayers money should go on public services.

    Charity should be something people choose to donate to, not get taxed to go towards.

    If you donate to Water Aid, or World Vision, or Comic Relief, or CAFOD or anything else then all power to your elbow. I regularly do too. But that's a choice, it shouldn't be compelled by the State, and those donations shouldn't be funding ex-
    politicians who exist to lobby for more taxpayers money.
    International development is not charity

    Correctly implemented it address our strategic objectives, increases international security (by downregulating radicalism), builds alliances and creates new markets for commercial activities.
    As third world countries get richer the people in them are more able to afford people smugglers
    But the incentive for economic migration decreases.
    No, it doesn't.

    All economic data shows emigration increases as countries develop, until past the point they're classed as a developed country.

    Because migration is higher up the order of needs. It's a want to have, not a need to have. People who are too poor to afford food, shelter, travel or tourism aren't booking trips abroad.
    At some point it must. Why would I be an economic migrant to a poorer country?
    Pensioners move to spain all the time
    They are not 'economic migrants'.

    Edit: And they don't now, at least not from the UK since Brexit - it's not allowed for mere mortals.
    The has been no migration of retirees from the UK to Spain since Brexit?
    Ben is talking absolute bollocks, people went to settle in spain before the eu, they still do because countries like spain and portugal have put in place schemes to encourage them to do so.
    To be fair, a lot of them went to settle in Spain before the EU because Spain was (a) poor, (b) was desperate for people to come and bring their savings, and (c) didn't have an extradition treaty with the UK.
    Yes and only c has changed
    I’m in the Canary Islands right now and it doesn’t feel poor
    Nowhere feels poor when you stick to the tourist areas....I was in casablance morroco a few years back...didnt feel poor till I wandered of the tourist areas and got lost in the slums where the poverty was totally apparent
    When I was staying in Rabat, a number of years ago, the family put us up in the old house in the Old Town. They told all the neighbours about us - was a unique experience, since we were living, for a few days in the heart of a really ancient district. We were quite safe - but noticed family & friends keeping an eye on us.
    I will say I never felt in danger in those slum lands of either casablanca or vegas,,,,when residents realised you werent on some sort of poverty tour they were quite welcoming. In casablanca for example ended up drinking hot mint tea in a cafe with a load of mad islamics, mad in the sense they were a hoot rather than mad in the sense they wanted to cut my head off. Vegas did get a gun pointed at me but when they realised I wasn't american got invited back for a few smokes and a party
    Rabat was safe because we were protected as known friends of the family. I wouldn't have set foot in the area otherwise.

    I think the most unsafe I've felt was in New Orleans (pre-flood). Some idiot said to go a few blocks out of the tourist area in the Quarter. We ended up in a bar that was seriously edgy and had the vibe of a clubhouse that we weren't invited to.
    Precisely what I mean by going off the tourist area, new orleans the french quarter you are pretty safe, wander off and you need to know how to handle yourself
    Sadly even the French Quarter is no longer safe. In truth it was never “that” safe - but now the danger is overt almost everywhere

    A good friend of mine has lived in Nawlins for 15 years - and has now moved away for that reason

    The closest I’ve come to being shot - outside actual warzones - was NOLA. It is an extremely hostile place if you are unlucky

    Such a shame. It should be marvellous
    I have friends from new orleans that came over last year they would disagree with you, had more guns pointed at me in the uk by far than abroad....6 times in the uk once in vegas
    How on earth have you managed to have guns pointed at you 6 times in the UK?

    Laserquest?
    I used to hang out with a lot of very dodgy people (*dodgy being defined as people most here would think dodgy)
    So...dodgy...then.
  • MarqueeMarkMarqueeMark Posts: 55,046
    rcs1000 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Leon said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    rcs1000 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    RobD said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    On topic -

    The tragedy of DOGE style slashing goes beyond the damage it will do, in the short term.

    For a political generation or two, all reasonable attempts to increase productivity in government will be tarred with this shite.

    The main saving the US DOGE seems to have made is the shuttering of USAID.

    That can't be done in the UK as between the asylum bills, Sunak’s cut, and Starmer’s cut, UK aid has already been shuttered.

    Good.

    The corrupt circlejerk of "charities" hiring the likes of David Miliband, who then lobby for taxpayers money to go to those charities, should never return.

    Taxpayers money should go on public services.

    Charity should be something people choose to donate to, not get taxed to go towards.

    If you donate to Water Aid, or World Vision, or Comic Relief, or CAFOD or anything else then all power to your elbow. I regularly do too. But that's a choice, it shouldn't be compelled by the State, and those donations shouldn't be funding ex-
    politicians who exist to lobby for more taxpayers money.
    International development is not charity

    Correctly implemented it address our strategic objectives, increases international security (by downregulating radicalism), builds alliances and creates new markets for commercial activities.
    As third world countries get richer the people in them are more able to afford people smugglers
    But the incentive for economic migration decreases.
    No, it doesn't.

    All economic data shows emigration increases as countries develop, until past the point they're classed as a developed country.

    Because migration is higher up the order of needs. It's a want to have, not a need to have. People who are too poor to afford food, shelter, travel or tourism aren't booking trips abroad.
    At some point it must. Why would I be an economic migrant to a poorer country?
    Pensioners move to spain all the time
    They are not 'economic migrants'.

    Edit: And they don't now, at least not from the UK since Brexit - it's not allowed for mere mortals.
    The has been no migration of retirees from the UK to Spain since Brexit?
    Ben is talking absolute bollocks, people went to settle in spain before the eu, they still do because countries like spain and portugal have put in place schemes to encourage them to do so.
    To be fair, a lot of them went to settle in Spain before the EU because Spain was (a) poor, (b) was desperate for people to come and bring their savings, and (c) didn't have an extradition treaty with the UK.
    Yes and only c has changed
    I’m in the Canary Islands right now and it doesn’t feel poor
    Nowhere feels poor when you stick to the tourist areas....I was in casablance morroco a few years back...didnt feel poor till I wandered of the tourist areas and got lost in the slums where the poverty was totally apparent
    When I was staying in Rabat, a number of years ago, the family put us up in the old house in the Old Town. They told all the neighbours about us - was a unique experience, since we were living, for a few days in the heart of a really ancient district. We were quite safe - but noticed family & friends keeping an eye on us.
    I will say I never felt in danger in those slum lands of either casablanca or vegas,,,,when residents realised you werent on some sort of poverty tour they were quite welcoming. In casablanca for example ended up drinking hot mint tea in a cafe with a load of mad islamics, mad in the sense they were a hoot rather than mad in the sense they wanted to cut my head off. Vegas did get a gun pointed at me but when they realised I wasn't american got invited back for a few smokes and a party
    Rabat was safe because we were protected as known friends of the family. I wouldn't have set foot in the area otherwise.

    I think the most unsafe I've felt was in New Orleans (pre-flood). Some idiot said to go a few blocks out of the tourist area in the Quarter. We ended up in a bar that was seriously edgy and had the vibe of a clubhouse that we weren't invited to.
    Precisely what I mean by going off the tourist area, new orleans the french quarter you are pretty safe, wander off and you need to know how to handle yourself
    Sadly even the French Quarter is no longer safe. In truth it was never “that” safe - but now the danger is overt almost everywhere

    A good friend of mine has lived in Nawlins for 15 years - and has now moved away for that reason

    The closest I’ve come to being shot - outside actual warzones - was NOLA. It is an extremely hostile place if you are unlucky

    Such a shame. It should be marvellous
    I have friends from new orleans that came over last year they would disagree with you, had more guns pointed at me in the uk by far than abroad....6 times in the uk once in vegas
    How on earth have you managed to have guns pointed at you 6 times in the UK?

    Laserquest?
    @Pagan2 is an armed robber, and it was the police who were pointing the guns at him.
    @Pagan2 is an adrenaline junky?
  • bondegezoubondegezou Posts: 14,601
    IanB2 said:

    FPT: If you want to live to a healthy old age, you might want to take a look at Eric Topol's latest book: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eric_Topol

    (FWIW: So far, I seem to have been following his advice, without ever having heard of him. I'll be 82 in August and have no serious health problems.

    I am not joking when I say that cross country skiing has been a big benefit for me, but will add that swimming is, as far as I know, just as good an exercise.

    I suspect that the clean air achievements under GHWB and, to a lesser extent, GWB, have benefited me, too.)

    The two most correlated things with eventual longevity are, apparently, the number of times you can sit down and get up, from a chair without using your arms, in thirty seconds, and whether you can sit down and then get up off the floor without using your arms.
    Oh f***.
  • Pagan2Pagan2 Posts: 11,868

    Pagan2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Leon said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    rcs1000 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    RobD said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    On topic -

    The tragedy of DOGE style slashing goes beyond the damage it will do, in the short term.

    For a political generation or two, all reasonable attempts to increase productivity in government will be tarred with this shite.

    The main saving the US DOGE seems to have made is the shuttering of USAID.

    That can't be done in the UK as between the asylum bills, Sunak’s cut, and Starmer’s cut, UK aid has already been shuttered.

    Good.

    The corrupt circlejerk of "charities" hiring the likes of David Miliband, who then lobby for taxpayers money to go to those charities, should never return.

    Taxpayers money should go on public services.

    Charity should be something people choose to donate to, not get taxed to go towards.

    If you donate to Water Aid, or World Vision, or Comic Relief, or CAFOD or anything else then all power to your elbow. I regularly do too. But that's a choice, it shouldn't be compelled by the State, and those donations shouldn't be funding ex-
    politicians who exist to lobby for more taxpayers money.
    International development is not charity

    Correctly implemented it address our strategic objectives, increases international security (by downregulating radicalism), builds alliances and creates new markets for commercial activities.
    As third world countries get richer the people in them are more able to afford people smugglers
    But the incentive for economic migration decreases.
    No, it doesn't.

    All economic data shows emigration increases as countries develop, until past the point they're classed as a developed country.

    Because migration is higher up the order of needs. It's a want to have, not a need to have. People who are too poor to afford food, shelter, travel or tourism aren't booking trips abroad.
    At some point it must. Why would I be an economic migrant to a poorer country?
    Pensioners move to spain all the time
    They are not 'economic migrants'.

    Edit: And they don't now, at least not from the UK since Brexit - it's not allowed for mere mortals.
    The has been no migration of retirees from the UK to Spain since Brexit?
    Ben is talking absolute bollocks, people went to settle in spain before the eu, they still do because countries like spain and portugal have put in place schemes to encourage them to do so.
    To be fair, a lot of them went to settle in Spain before the EU because Spain was (a) poor, (b) was desperate for people to come and bring their savings, and (c) didn't have an extradition treaty with the UK.
    Yes and only c has changed
    I’m in the Canary Islands right now and it doesn’t feel poor
    Nowhere feels poor when you stick to the tourist areas....I was in casablance morroco a few years back...didnt feel poor till I wandered of the tourist areas and got lost in the slums where the poverty was totally apparent
    When I was staying in Rabat, a number of years ago, the family put us up in the old house in the Old Town. They told all the neighbours about us - was a unique experience, since we were living, for a few days in the heart of a really ancient district. We were quite safe - but noticed family & friends keeping an eye on us.
    I will say I never felt in danger in those slum lands of either casablanca or vegas,,,,when residents realised you werent on some sort of poverty tour they were quite welcoming. In casablanca for example ended up drinking hot mint tea in a cafe with a load of mad islamics, mad in the sense they were a hoot rather than mad in the sense they wanted to cut my head off. Vegas did get a gun pointed at me but when they realised I wasn't american got invited back for a few smokes and a party
    Rabat was safe because we were protected as known friends of the family. I wouldn't have set foot in the area otherwise.

    I think the most unsafe I've felt was in New Orleans (pre-flood). Some idiot said to go a few blocks out of the tourist area in the Quarter. We ended up in a bar that was seriously edgy and had the vibe of a clubhouse that we weren't invited to.
    Precisely what I mean by going off the tourist area, new orleans the french quarter you are pretty safe, wander off and you need to know how to handle yourself
    Sadly even the French Quarter is no longer safe. In truth it was never “that” safe - but now the danger is overt almost everywhere

    A good friend of mine has lived in Nawlins for 15 years - and has now moved away for that reason

    The closest I’ve come to being shot - outside actual warzones - was NOLA. It is an extremely hostile place if you are unlucky

    Such a shame. It should be marvellous
    I have friends from new orleans that came over last year they would disagree with you, had more guns pointed at me in the uk by far than abroad....6 times in the uk once in vegas
    How on earth have you managed to have guns pointed at you 6 times in the UK?

    Laserquest?
    I used to hang out with a lot of very dodgy people (*dodgy being defined as people most here would think dodgy)
    So...dodgy...then.
    No just they interpret the law differently, mostly nice guys....they didn't rape or burgle or kill civillians
  • Pagan2Pagan2 Posts: 11,868

    rcs1000 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Leon said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    rcs1000 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    RobD said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    On topic -

    The tragedy of DOGE style slashing goes beyond the damage it will do, in the short term.

    For a political generation or two, all reasonable attempts to increase productivity in government will be tarred with this shite.

    The main saving the US DOGE seems to have made is the shuttering of USAID.

    That can't be done in the UK as between the asylum bills, Sunak’s cut, and Starmer’s cut, UK aid has already been shuttered.

    Good.

    The corrupt circlejerk of "charities" hiring the likes of David Miliband, who then lobby for taxpayers money to go to those charities, should never return.

    Taxpayers money should go on public services.

    Charity should be something people choose to donate to, not get taxed to go towards.

    If you donate to Water Aid, or World Vision, or Comic Relief, or CAFOD or anything else then all power to your elbow. I regularly do too. But that's a choice, it shouldn't be compelled by the State, and those donations shouldn't be funding ex-
    politicians who exist to lobby for more taxpayers money.
    International development is not charity

    Correctly implemented it address our strategic objectives, increases international security (by downregulating radicalism), builds alliances and creates new markets for commercial activities.
    As third world countries get richer the people in them are more able to afford people smugglers
    But the incentive for economic migration decreases.
    No, it doesn't.

    All economic data shows emigration increases as countries develop, until past the point they're classed as a developed country.

    Because migration is higher up the order of needs. It's a want to have, not a need to have. People who are too poor to afford food, shelter, travel or tourism aren't booking trips abroad.
    At some point it must. Why would I be an economic migrant to a poorer country?
    Pensioners move to spain all the time
    They are not 'economic migrants'.

    Edit: And they don't now, at least not from the UK since Brexit - it's not allowed for mere mortals.
    The has been no migration of retirees from the UK to Spain since Brexit?
    Ben is talking absolute bollocks, people went to settle in spain before the eu, they still do because countries like spain and portugal have put in place schemes to encourage them to do so.
    To be fair, a lot of them went to settle in Spain before the EU because Spain was (a) poor, (b) was desperate for people to come and bring their savings, and (c) didn't have an extradition treaty with the UK.
    Yes and only c has changed
    I’m in the Canary Islands right now and it doesn’t feel poor
    Nowhere feels poor when you stick to the tourist areas....I was in casablance morroco a few years back...didnt feel poor till I wandered of the tourist areas and got lost in the slums where the poverty was totally apparent
    When I was staying in Rabat, a number of years ago, the family put us up in the old house in the Old Town. They told all the neighbours about us - was a unique experience, since we were living, for a few days in the heart of a really ancient district. We were quite safe - but noticed family & friends keeping an eye on us.
    I will say I never felt in danger in those slum lands of either casablanca or vegas,,,,when residents realised you werent on some sort of poverty tour they were quite welcoming. In casablanca for example ended up drinking hot mint tea in a cafe with a load of mad islamics, mad in the sense they were a hoot rather than mad in the sense they wanted to cut my head off. Vegas did get a gun pointed at me but when they realised I wasn't american got invited back for a few smokes and a party
    Rabat was safe because we were protected as known friends of the family. I wouldn't have set foot in the area otherwise.

    I think the most unsafe I've felt was in New Orleans (pre-flood). Some idiot said to go a few blocks out of the tourist area in the Quarter. We ended up in a bar that was seriously edgy and had the vibe of a clubhouse that we weren't invited to.
    Precisely what I mean by going off the tourist area, new orleans the french quarter you are pretty safe, wander off and you need to know how to handle yourself
    Sadly even the French Quarter is no longer safe. In truth it was never “that” safe - but now the danger is overt almost everywhere

    A good friend of mine has lived in Nawlins for 15 years - and has now moved away for that reason

    The closest I’ve come to being shot - outside actual warzones - was NOLA. It is an extremely hostile place if you are unlucky

    Such a shame. It should be marvellous
    I have friends from new orleans that came over last year they would disagree with you, had more guns pointed at me in the uk by far than abroad....6 times in the uk once in vegas
    How on earth have you managed to have guns pointed at you 6 times in the UK?

    Laserquest?
    @Pagan2 is an armed robber, and it was the police who were pointing the guns at him.
    @Pagan2 is an adrenaline junky?
    Nope just lived the life with the hands I was dealt
  • RogerRoger Posts: 20,662
    edited June 8
    Leon said:

    rcs1000 said:

    Leon said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Leon said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    rcs1000 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    RobD said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    On topic -

    The tragedy of DOGE style slashing goes beyond the damage it will do, in the short term.

    For a political generation or two, all reasonable attempts to increase productivity in government will be tarred with this shite.

    The main saving the US DOGE seems to have made is the shuttering of USAID.

    That can't be done in the UK as between the asylum bills, Sunak’s cut, and Starmer’s cut, UK aid has already been shuttered.

    Good.

    The corrupt circlejerk of "charities" hiring the likes of David Miliband, who then lobby for taxpayers money to go to those charities, should never return.

    Taxpayers money should go on public services.

    Charity should be something people choose to donate to, not get taxed to go towards.

    If you donate to Water Aid, or World Vision, or Comic Relief, or CAFOD or anything else then all power to your elbow. I regularly do too. But that's a choice, it shouldn't be compelled by the State, and those donations shouldn't be funding ex-
    politicians who exist to lobby for more taxpayers money.
    International development is not charity

    Correctly implemented it address our strategic objectives, increases international security (by downregulating radicalism), builds alliances and creates new markets for commercial activities.
    As third world countries get richer the people in them are more able to afford people smugglers
    But the incentive for economic migration decreases.
    No, it doesn't.

    All economic data shows emigration increases as countries develop, until past the point they're classed as a developed country.

    Because migration is higher up the order of needs. It's a want to have, not a need to have. People who are too poor to afford food, shelter, travel or tourism aren't booking trips abroad.
    At some point it must. Why would I be an economic migrant to a poorer country?
    Pensioners move to spain all the time
    They are not 'economic migrants'.

    Edit: And they don't now, at least not from the UK since Brexit - it's not allowed for mere mortals.
    The has been no migration of retirees from the UK to Spain since Brexit?
    Ben is talking absolute bollocks, people went to settle in spain before the eu, they still do because countries like spain and portugal have put in place schemes to encourage them to do so.
    To be fair, a lot of them went to settle in Spain before the EU because Spain was (a) poor, (b) was desperate for people to come and bring their savings, and (c) didn't have an extradition treaty with the UK.
    Yes and only c has changed
    I’m in the Canary Islands right now and it doesn’t feel poor
    Nowhere feels poor when you stick to the tourist areas....I was in casablance morroco a few years back...didnt feel poor till I wandered of the tourist areas and got lost in the slums where the poverty was totally apparent
    When I was staying in Rabat, a number of years ago, the family put us up in the old house in the Old Town. They told all the neighbours about us - was a unique experience, since we were living, for a few days in the heart of a really ancient district. We were quite safe - but noticed family & friends keeping an eye on us.
    I will say I never felt in danger in those slum lands of either casablanca or vegas,,,,when residents realised you werent on some sort of poverty tour they were quite welcoming. In casablanca for example ended up drinking hot mint tea in a cafe with a load of mad islamics, mad in the sense they were a hoot rather than mad in the sense they wanted to cut my head off. Vegas did get a gun pointed at me but when they realised I wasn't american got invited back for a few smokes and a party
    Rabat was safe because we were protected as known friends of the family. I wouldn't have set foot in the area otherwise.

    I think the most unsafe I've felt was in New Orleans (pre-flood). Some idiot said to go a few blocks out of the tourist area in the Quarter. We ended up in a bar that was seriously edgy and had the vibe of a clubhouse that we weren't invited to.
    Precisely what I mean by going off the tourist area, new orleans the french quarter you are pretty safe, wander off and you need to know how to handle yourself
    Sadly even the French Quarter is no longer safe. In truth it was never “that” safe - but now the danger is overt almost everywhere

    A good friend of mine has lived in Nawlins for 15 years - and has now moved away for that reason

    The closest I’ve come to being shot - outside actual warzones - was NOLA. It is an extremely hostile place if you are unlucky

    Such a shame. It should be marvellous
    I have friends from new orleans that came over last year they would disagree with you, had more guns pointed at me in the uk by far than abroad....6 times in the uk once in vegas
    Ok I’ll tell my friend he’s simply wrong. Even though

    1 he lives in New Orleans (or did)

    and also

    2. I’ve been to the city many times. It’s my favourite city in all the Americas - no joke - but on my last visit (2023) it felt obviously more dangerous than any other time
    New Orleans has been among the least safe places in the US for a long time: is it noticably worse than previously? I'd say it's worsened (just like SF worsened noticeably between 2020 and 2024) due to the Covid hangover. But I'd also say that (late 2024) I didn't feel unsafe around Bourbon Street beyond the usual risk of standing in other peoples' vomit or getting your pocket picked.
    Of course this is anecdata, but yes I felt a new edginess (might have been post Covid jitters?) - even in the French Quarter

    But then my friend - who has lived there since 2008 - said Yeah, it's got a lot worse. He lived in a "nice" neighborhood but he told he was hearing gunshots almost every night - an entirely new development. That's quite scary and I would get the fuck out of there - as indeed he did
    New Orleans was a great placce when I did a job there 25 years ago but it's recently gone off to such an extent that a relative who was driving cabs there for 20 years gave up and moved lock stock and barrel to Sciathos where he now lives!
  • Stark_DawningStark_Dawning Posts: 10,102
    Pagan2 said:

    rcs1000 said:

    Leon said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Leon said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    rcs1000 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    RobD said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    On topic -

    The tragedy of DOGE style slashing goes beyond the damage it will do, in the short term.

    For a political generation or two, all reasonable attempts to increase productivity in government will be tarred with this shite.

    The main saving the US DOGE seems to have made is the shuttering of USAID.

    That can't be done in the UK as between the asylum bills, Sunak’s cut, and Starmer’s cut, UK aid has already been shuttered.

    Good.

    The corrupt circlejerk of "charities" hiring the likes of David Miliband, who then lobby for taxpayers money to go to those charities, should never return.

    Taxpayers money should go on public services.

    Charity should be something people choose to donate to, not get taxed to go towards.

    If you donate to Water Aid, or World Vision, or Comic Relief, or CAFOD or anything else then all power to your elbow. I regularly do too. But that's a choice, it shouldn't be compelled by the State, and those donations shouldn't be funding ex-
    politicians who exist to lobby for more taxpayers money.
    International development is not charity

    Correctly implemented it address our strategic objectives, increases international security (by downregulating radicalism), builds alliances and creates new markets for commercial activities.
    As third world countries get richer the people in them are more able to afford people smugglers
    But the incentive for economic migration decreases.
    No, it doesn't.

    All economic data shows emigration increases as countries develop, until past the point they're classed as a developed country.

    Because migration is higher up the order of needs. It's a want to have, not a need to have. People who are too poor to afford food, shelter, travel or tourism aren't booking trips abroad.
    At some point it must. Why would I be an economic migrant to a poorer country?
    Pensioners move to spain all the time
    They are not 'economic migrants'.

    Edit: And they don't now, at least not from the UK since Brexit - it's not allowed for mere mortals.
    The has been no migration of retirees from the UK to Spain since Brexit?
    Ben is talking absolute bollocks, people went to settle in spain before the eu, they still do because countries like spain and portugal have put in place schemes to encourage them to do so.
    To be fair, a lot of them went to settle in Spain before the EU because Spain was (a) poor, (b) was desperate for people to come and bring their savings, and (c) didn't have an extradition treaty with the UK.
    Yes and only c has changed
    I’m in the Canary Islands right now and it doesn’t feel poor
    Nowhere feels poor when you stick to the tourist areas....I was in casablance morroco a few years back...didnt feel poor till I wandered of the tourist areas and got lost in the slums where the poverty was totally apparent
    When I was staying in Rabat, a number of years ago, the family put us up in the old house in the Old Town. They told all the neighbours about us - was a unique experience, since we were living, for a few days in the heart of a really ancient district. We were quite safe - but noticed family & friends keeping an eye on us.
    I will say I never felt in danger in those slum lands of either casablanca or vegas,,,,when residents realised you werent on some sort of poverty tour they were quite welcoming. In casablanca for example ended up drinking hot mint tea in a cafe with a load of mad islamics, mad in the sense they were a hoot rather than mad in the sense they wanted to cut my head off. Vegas did get a gun pointed at me but when they realised I wasn't american got invited back for a few smokes and a party
    Rabat was safe because we were protected as known friends of the family. I wouldn't have set foot in the area otherwise.

    I think the most unsafe I've felt was in New Orleans (pre-flood). Some idiot said to go a few blocks out of the tourist area in the Quarter. We ended up in a bar that was seriously edgy and had the vibe of a clubhouse that we weren't invited to.
    Precisely what I mean by going off the tourist area, new orleans the french quarter you are pretty safe, wander off and you need to know how to handle yourself
    Sadly even the French Quarter is no longer safe. In truth it was never “that” safe - but now the danger is overt almost everywhere

    A good friend of mine has lived in Nawlins for 15 years - and has now moved away for that reason

    The closest I’ve come to being shot - outside actual warzones - was NOLA. It is an extremely hostile place if you are unlucky

    Such a shame. It should be marvellous
    I have friends from new orleans that came over last year they would disagree with you, had more guns pointed at me in the uk by far than abroad....6 times in the uk once in vegas
    Ok I’ll tell my friend he’s simply wrong. Even though

    1 he lives in New Orleans (or did)

    and also

    2. I’ve been to the city many times. It’s my favourite city in all the Americas - no joke - but on my last visit (2023) it felt obviously more dangerous than any other time
    New Orleans has been among the least safe places in the US for a long time: is it noticably worse than previously? I'd say it's worsened (just like SF worsened noticeably between 2020 and 2024) due to the Covid hangover. But I'd also say that (late 2024) I didn't feel unsafe around Bourbon Street beyond the usual risk of standing in other peoples' vomit or getting your pocket picked.
    Don't get me wrong I am not arguing new orleans is safe, but would also say no urban area is actually safe. As I said had guns in my face in slough, windsor, london and milton keynes here. only time in america was in vegas and then they took me to a party
    Windsor? Ascot weekend presumably.
  • StuartinromfordStuartinromford Posts: 18,860
    Pulpstar said:

    Amazing that people want inefficient government departments tbh.

    Two possible explanations. There may be others.

    One is that people do want efficient government, but don't trust the DOGE process to deliver it. Which is probably fair enough.

    The other is that the public want efficient government in the same way that St Augustine wanted chastity. Improving government efficiency is great, as long as it doesn't involve any upfront expense or temporary inconvenience. Which is absolutely understandable human nature-wise, but doesn't help in the medium term.
  • Pagan2Pagan2 Posts: 11,868
    Roger not visiting is a plus for going there. I plan to visit new orleans as have an invite from my friend I have no qualms about doing so whatsoever
  • Pagan2Pagan2 Posts: 11,868

    Pagan2 said:

    rcs1000 said:

    Leon said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Leon said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    rcs1000 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    RobD said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    On topic -

    The tragedy of DOGE style slashing goes beyond the damage it will do, in the short term.

    For a political generation or two, all reasonable attempts to increase productivity in government will be tarred with this shite.

    The main saving the US DOGE seems to have made is the shuttering of USAID.

    That can't be done in the UK as between the asylum bills, Sunak’s cut, and Starmer’s cut, UK aid has already been shuttered.

    Good.

    The corrupt circlejerk of "charities" hiring the likes of David Miliband, who then lobby for taxpayers money to go to those charities, should never return.

    Taxpayers money should go on public services.

    Charity should be something people choose to donate to, not get taxed to go towards.

    If you donate to Water Aid, or World Vision, or Comic Relief, or CAFOD or anything else then all power to your elbow. I regularly do too. But that's a choice, it shouldn't be compelled by the State, and those donations shouldn't be funding ex-
    politicians who exist to lobby for more taxpayers money.
    International development is not charity

    Correctly implemented it address our strategic objectives, increases international security (by downregulating radicalism), builds alliances and creates new markets for commercial activities.
    As third world countries get richer the people in them are more able to afford people smugglers
    But the incentive for economic migration decreases.
    No, it doesn't.

    All economic data shows emigration increases as countries develop, until past the point they're classed as a developed country.

    Because migration is higher up the order of needs. It's a want to have, not a need to have. People who are too poor to afford food, shelter, travel or tourism aren't booking trips abroad.
    At some point it must. Why would I be an economic migrant to a poorer country?
    Pensioners move to spain all the time
    They are not 'economic migrants'.

    Edit: And they don't now, at least not from the UK since Brexit - it's not allowed for mere mortals.
    The has been no migration of retirees from the UK to Spain since Brexit?
    Ben is talking absolute bollocks, people went to settle in spain before the eu, they still do because countries like spain and portugal have put in place schemes to encourage them to do so.
    To be fair, a lot of them went to settle in Spain before the EU because Spain was (a) poor, (b) was desperate for people to come and bring their savings, and (c) didn't have an extradition treaty with the UK.
    Yes and only c has changed
    I’m in the Canary Islands right now and it doesn’t feel poor
    Nowhere feels poor when you stick to the tourist areas....I was in casablance morroco a few years back...didnt feel poor till I wandered of the tourist areas and got lost in the slums where the poverty was totally apparent
    When I was staying in Rabat, a number of years ago, the family put us up in the old house in the Old Town. They told all the neighbours about us - was a unique experience, since we were living, for a few days in the heart of a really ancient district. We were quite safe - but noticed family & friends keeping an eye on us.
    I will say I never felt in danger in those slum lands of either casablanca or vegas,,,,when residents realised you werent on some sort of poverty tour they were quite welcoming. In casablanca for example ended up drinking hot mint tea in a cafe with a load of mad islamics, mad in the sense they were a hoot rather than mad in the sense they wanted to cut my head off. Vegas did get a gun pointed at me but when they realised I wasn't american got invited back for a few smokes and a party
    Rabat was safe because we were protected as known friends of the family. I wouldn't have set foot in the area otherwise.

    I think the most unsafe I've felt was in New Orleans (pre-flood). Some idiot said to go a few blocks out of the tourist area in the Quarter. We ended up in a bar that was seriously edgy and had the vibe of a clubhouse that we weren't invited to.
    Precisely what I mean by going off the tourist area, new orleans the french quarter you are pretty safe, wander off and you need to know how to handle yourself
    Sadly even the French Quarter is no longer safe. In truth it was never “that” safe - but now the danger is overt almost everywhere

    A good friend of mine has lived in Nawlins for 15 years - and has now moved away for that reason

    The closest I’ve come to being shot - outside actual warzones - was NOLA. It is an extremely hostile place if you are unlucky

    Such a shame. It should be marvellous
    I have friends from new orleans that came over last year they would disagree with you, had more guns pointed at me in the uk by far than abroad....6 times in the uk once in vegas
    Ok I’ll tell my friend he’s simply wrong. Even though

    1 he lives in New Orleans (or did)

    and also

    2. I’ve been to the city many times. It’s my favourite city in all the Americas - no joke - but on my last visit (2023) it felt obviously more dangerous than any other time
    New Orleans has been among the least safe places in the US for a long time: is it noticably worse than previously? I'd say it's worsened (just like SF worsened noticeably between 2020 and 2024) due to the Covid hangover. But I'd also say that (late 2024) I didn't feel unsafe around Bourbon Street beyond the usual risk of standing in other peoples' vomit or getting your pocket picked.
    Don't get me wrong I am not arguing new orleans is safe, but would also say no urban area is actually safe. As I said had guns in my face in slough, windsor, london and milton keynes here. only time in america was in vegas and then they took me to a party
    Windsor? Ascot weekend presumably.
    Nope just in the old trout before it shut down
  • Pro_RataPro_Rata Posts: 5,635

    IanB2 said:

    FPT: If you want to live to a healthy old age, you might want to take a look at Eric Topol's latest book: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eric_Topol

    (FWIW: So far, I seem to have been following his advice, without ever having heard of him. I'll be 82 in August and have no serious health problems.

    I am not joking when I say that cross country skiing has been a big benefit for me, but will add that swimming is, as far as I know, just as good an exercise.

    I suspect that the clean air achievements under GHWB and, to a lesser extent, GWB, have benefited me, too.)

    The two most correlated things with eventual longevity are, apparently, the number of times you can sit down and get up, from a chair without using your arms, in thirty seconds, and whether you can sit down and then get up off the floor without using your arms.
    Oh f***.
    Ah, there's technique to getting off the floor like that. Don't do directly from cross legged, move your legs towards the back underneath you and get up via a "taking the knee" type position.
  • Pagan2Pagan2 Posts: 11,868
    Pagan2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    rcs1000 said:

    Leon said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Leon said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    rcs1000 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    RobD said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    On topic -

    The tragedy of DOGE style slashing goes beyond the damage it will do, in the short term.

    For a political generation or two, all reasonable attempts to increase productivity in government will be tarred with this shite.

    The main saving the US DOGE seems to have made is the shuttering of USAID.

    That can't be done in the UK as between the asylum bills, Sunak’s cut, and Starmer’s cut, UK aid has already been shuttered.

    Good.

    The corrupt circlejerk of "charities" hiring the likes of David Miliband, who then lobby for taxpayers money to go to those charities, should never return.

    Taxpayers money should go on public services.

    Charity should be something people choose to donate to, not get taxed to go towards.

    If you donate to Water Aid, or World Vision, or Comic Relief, or CAFOD or anything else then all power to your elbow. I regularly do too. But that's a choice, it shouldn't be compelled by the State, and those donations shouldn't be funding ex-
    politicians who exist to lobby for more taxpayers money.
    International development is not charity

    Correctly implemented it address our strategic objectives, increases international security (by downregulating radicalism), builds alliances and creates new markets for commercial activities.
    As third world countries get richer the people in them are more able to afford people smugglers
    But the incentive for economic migration decreases.
    No, it doesn't.

    All economic data shows emigration increases as countries develop, until past the point they're classed as a developed country.

    Because migration is higher up the order of needs. It's a want to have, not a need to have. People who are too poor to afford food, shelter, travel or tourism aren't booking trips abroad.
    At some point it must. Why would I be an economic migrant to a poorer country?
    Pensioners move to spain all the time
    They are not 'economic migrants'.

    Edit: And they don't now, at least not from the UK since Brexit - it's not allowed for mere mortals.
    The has been no migration of retirees from the UK to Spain since Brexit?
    Ben is talking absolute bollocks, people went to settle in spain before the eu, they still do because countries like spain and portugal have put in place schemes to encourage them to do so.
    To be fair, a lot of them went to settle in Spain before the EU because Spain was (a) poor, (b) was desperate for people to come and bring their savings, and (c) didn't have an extradition treaty with the UK.
    Yes and only c has changed
    I’m in the Canary Islands right now and it doesn’t feel poor
    Nowhere feels poor when you stick to the tourist areas....I was in casablance morroco a few years back...didnt feel poor till I wandered of the tourist areas and got lost in the slums where the poverty was totally apparent
    When I was staying in Rabat, a number of years ago, the family put us up in the old house in the Old Town. They told all the neighbours about us - was a unique experience, since we were living, for a few days in the heart of a really ancient district. We were quite safe - but noticed family & friends keeping an eye on us.
    I will say I never felt in danger in those slum lands of either casablanca or vegas,,,,when residents realised you werent on some sort of poverty tour they were quite welcoming. In casablanca for example ended up drinking hot mint tea in a cafe with a load of mad islamics, mad in the sense they were a hoot rather than mad in the sense they wanted to cut my head off. Vegas did get a gun pointed at me but when they realised I wasn't american got invited back for a few smokes and a party
    Rabat was safe because we were protected as known friends of the family. I wouldn't have set foot in the area otherwise.

    I think the most unsafe I've felt was in New Orleans (pre-flood). Some idiot said to go a few blocks out of the tourist area in the Quarter. We ended up in a bar that was seriously edgy and had the vibe of a clubhouse that we weren't invited to.
    Precisely what I mean by going off the tourist area, new orleans the french quarter you are pretty safe, wander off and you need to know how to handle yourself
    Sadly even the French Quarter is no longer safe. In truth it was never “that” safe - but now the danger is overt almost everywhere

    A good friend of mine has lived in Nawlins for 15 years - and has now moved away for that reason

    The closest I’ve come to being shot - outside actual warzones - was NOLA. It is an extremely hostile place if you are unlucky

    Such a shame. It should be marvellous
    I have friends from new orleans that came over last year they would disagree with you, had more guns pointed at me in the uk by far than abroad....6 times in the uk once in vegas
    Ok I’ll tell my friend he’s simply wrong. Even though

    1 he lives in New Orleans (or did)

    and also

    2. I’ve been to the city many times. It’s my favourite city in all the Americas - no joke - but on my last visit (2023) it felt obviously more dangerous than any other time
    New Orleans has been among the least safe places in the US for a long time: is it noticably worse than previously? I'd say it's worsened (just like SF worsened noticeably between 2020 and 2024) due to the Covid hangover. But I'd also say that (late 2024) I didn't feel unsafe around Bourbon Street beyond the usual risk of standing in other peoples' vomit or getting your pocket picked.
    Don't get me wrong I am not arguing new orleans is safe, but would also say no urban area is actually safe. As I said had guns in my face in slough, windsor, london and milton keynes here. only time in america was in vegas and then they took me to a party
    Windsor? Ascot weekend presumably.
    Nope just in the old trout before it shut down
    Was a john otway gig as I remember
  • Casino_RoyaleCasino_Royale Posts: 63,531
    Leon said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Leon said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Leon said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    rcs1000 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    RobD said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    On topic -

    The tragedy of DOGE style slashing goes beyond the damage it will do, in the short term.

    For a political generation or two, all reasonable attempts to increase productivity in government will be tarred with this shite.

    The main saving the US DOGE seems to have made is the shuttering of USAID.

    That can't be done in the UK as between the asylum bills, Sunak’s cut, and Starmer’s cut, UK aid has already been shuttered.

    Good.

    The corrupt circlejerk of "charities" hiring the likes of David Miliband, who then lobby for taxpayers money to go to those charities, should never return.

    Taxpayers money should go on public services.

    Charity should be something people choose to donate to, not get taxed to go towards.

    If you donate to Water Aid, or World Vision, or Comic Relief, or CAFOD or anything else then all power to your elbow. I regularly do too. But that's a choice, it shouldn't be compelled by the State, and those donations shouldn't be funding ex-
    politicians who exist to lobby for more taxpayers money.
    International development is not charity

    Correctly implemented it address our strategic objectives, increases international security (by downregulating radicalism), builds alliances and creates new markets for commercial activities.
    As third world countries get richer the people in them are more able to afford people smugglers
    But the incentive for economic migration decreases.
    No, it doesn't.

    All economic data shows emigration increases as countries develop, until past the point they're classed as a developed country.

    Because migration is higher up the order of needs. It's a want to have, not a need to have. People who are too poor to afford food, shelter, travel or tourism aren't booking trips abroad.
    At some point it must. Why would I be an economic migrant to a poorer country?
    Pensioners move to spain all the time
    They are not 'economic migrants'.

    Edit: And they don't now, at least not from the UK since Brexit - it's not allowed for mere mortals.
    The has been no migration of retirees from the UK to Spain since Brexit?
    Ben is talking absolute bollocks, people went to settle in spain before the eu, they still do because countries like spain and portugal have put in place schemes to encourage them to do so.
    To be fair, a lot of them went to settle in Spain before the EU because Spain was (a) poor, (b) was desperate for people to come and bring their savings, and (c) didn't have an extradition treaty with the UK.
    Yes and only c has changed
    I’m in the Canary Islands right now and it doesn’t feel poor
    Nowhere feels poor when you stick to the tourist areas....I was in casablance morroco a few years back...didnt feel poor till I wandered of the tourist areas and got lost in the slums where the poverty was totally apparent
    When I was staying in Rabat, a number of years ago, the family put us up in the old house in the Old Town. They told all the neighbours about us - was a unique experience, since we were living, for a few days in the heart of a really ancient district. We were quite safe - but noticed family & friends keeping an eye on us.
    I will say I never felt in danger in those slum lands of either casablanca or vegas,,,,when residents realised you werent on some sort of poverty tour they were quite welcoming. In casablanca for example ended up drinking hot mint tea in a cafe with a load of mad islamics, mad in the sense they were a hoot rather than mad in the sense they wanted to cut my head off. Vegas did get a gun pointed at me but when they realised I wasn't american got invited back for a few smokes and a party
    Rabat was safe because we were protected as known friends of the family. I wouldn't have set foot in the area otherwise.

    I think the most unsafe I've felt was in New Orleans (pre-flood). Some idiot said to go a few blocks out of the tourist area in the Quarter. We ended up in a bar that was seriously edgy and had the vibe of a clubhouse that we weren't invited to.
    Precisely what I mean by going off the tourist area, new orleans the french quarter you are pretty safe, wander off and you need to know how to handle yourself
    Sadly even the French Quarter is no longer safe. In truth it was never “that” safe - but now the danger is overt almost everywhere

    A good friend of mine has lived in Nawlins for 15 years - and has now moved away for that reason

    The closest I’ve come to being shot - outside actual warzones - was NOLA. It is an extremely hostile place if you are unlucky

    Such a shame. It should be marvellous
    I have friends from new orleans that came over last year they would disagree with you, had more guns pointed at me in the uk by far than abroad....6 times in the uk once in vegas
    Ok I’ll tell my friend he’s simply wrong. Even though

    1 he lives in New Orleans (or did)

    and also

    2. I’ve been to the city many times. It’s my favourite city in all the Americas - no joke - but on my last visit (2023) it felt obviously more dangerous than any other time
    I am currently chatting on discord with my friend from new orleans, she is laughing at you
    by chatting I mean voice chat we are watching a movie
    New Orelans is the 7th most dangerous city in the USA (for 2023)

    Given that the top 6 are total shitholes that no one foreign will ever visit (with the possible exception of Memphis for weirdos), that makes Nawlins the most dangerous American city that any European will likely encounter

    1 St. Louis, Missouri
    2 Birmingham, Alabama
    3 Baltimore, Maryland
    4 Memphis, Tennessee
    5 Detroit, Michigan
    6 Cleveland, Ohio
    7 New Orleans, Louisiana


    https://www.forbes.com/sites/laurabegleybloom/2023/01/31/report-ranks-americas-15-safest-and-most-dangerous-cities-for-2023/
    My wife and I had a dream of a music tour down the mississipi from Memphis to New Orleans.

    Maybe we're naive but safety didn't occur to us.

    We simply don't have to worry about that in the UK.
  • MarqueeMarkMarqueeMark Posts: 55,046
    Pagan2 said:

    rcs1000 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Leon said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    rcs1000 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    RobD said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    On topic -

    The tragedy of DOGE style slashing goes beyond the damage it will do, in the short term.

    For a political generation or two, all reasonable attempts to increase productivity in government will be tarred with this shite.

    The main saving the US DOGE seems to have made is the shuttering of USAID.

    That can't be done in the UK as between the asylum bills, Sunak’s cut, and Starmer’s cut, UK aid has already been shuttered.

    Good.

    The corrupt circlejerk of "charities" hiring the likes of David Miliband, who then lobby for taxpayers money to go to those charities, should never return.

    Taxpayers money should go on public services.

    Charity should be something people choose to donate to, not get taxed to go towards.

    If you donate to Water Aid, or World Vision, or Comic Relief, or CAFOD or anything else then all power to your elbow. I regularly do too. But that's a choice, it shouldn't be compelled by the State, and those donations shouldn't be funding ex-
    politicians who exist to lobby for more taxpayers money.
    International development is not charity

    Correctly implemented it address our strategic objectives, increases international security (by downregulating radicalism), builds alliances and creates new markets for commercial activities.
    As third world countries get richer the people in them are more able to afford people smugglers
    But the incentive for economic migration decreases.
    No, it doesn't.

    All economic data shows emigration increases as countries develop, until past the point they're classed as a developed country.

    Because migration is higher up the order of needs. It's a want to have, not a need to have. People who are too poor to afford food, shelter, travel or tourism aren't booking trips abroad.
    At some point it must. Why would I be an economic migrant to a poorer country?
    Pensioners move to spain all the time
    They are not 'economic migrants'.

    Edit: And they don't now, at least not from the UK since Brexit - it's not allowed for mere mortals.
    The has been no migration of retirees from the UK to Spain since Brexit?
    Ben is talking absolute bollocks, people went to settle in spain before the eu, they still do because countries like spain and portugal have put in place schemes to encourage them to do so.
    To be fair, a lot of them went to settle in Spain before the EU because Spain was (a) poor, (b) was desperate for people to come and bring their savings, and (c) didn't have an extradition treaty with the UK.
    Yes and only c has changed
    I’m in the Canary Islands right now and it doesn’t feel poor
    Nowhere feels poor when you stick to the tourist areas....I was in casablance morroco a few years back...didnt feel poor till I wandered of the tourist areas and got lost in the slums where the poverty was totally apparent
    When I was staying in Rabat, a number of years ago, the family put us up in the old house in the Old Town. They told all the neighbours about us - was a unique experience, since we were living, for a few days in the heart of a really ancient district. We were quite safe - but noticed family & friends keeping an eye on us.
    I will say I never felt in danger in those slum lands of either casablanca or vegas,,,,when residents realised you werent on some sort of poverty tour they were quite welcoming. In casablanca for example ended up drinking hot mint tea in a cafe with a load of mad islamics, mad in the sense they were a hoot rather than mad in the sense they wanted to cut my head off. Vegas did get a gun pointed at me but when they realised I wasn't american got invited back for a few smokes and a party
    Rabat was safe because we were protected as known friends of the family. I wouldn't have set foot in the area otherwise.

    I think the most unsafe I've felt was in New Orleans (pre-flood). Some idiot said to go a few blocks out of the tourist area in the Quarter. We ended up in a bar that was seriously edgy and had the vibe of a clubhouse that we weren't invited to.
    Precisely what I mean by going off the tourist area, new orleans the french quarter you are pretty safe, wander off and you need to know how to handle yourself
    Sadly even the French Quarter is no longer safe. In truth it was never “that” safe - but now the danger is overt almost everywhere

    A good friend of mine has lived in Nawlins for 15 years - and has now moved away for that reason

    The closest I’ve come to being shot - outside actual warzones - was NOLA. It is an extremely hostile place if you are unlucky

    Such a shame. It should be marvellous
    I have friends from new orleans that came over last year they would disagree with you, had more guns pointed at me in the uk by far than abroad....6 times in the uk once in vegas
    How on earth have you managed to have guns pointed at you 6 times in the UK?

    Laserquest?
    @Pagan2 is an armed robber, and it was the police who were pointing the guns at him.
    @Pagan2 is an adrenaline junky?
    Nope just lived the life with the hands I was dealt
    I've been to some interesting places - Algeria in their civil war, Somalia, Colombia, Yemen, Equatorial Guinea after the "Wonga" coup attempt, where the President who took power reputedly ate his deposed uncle's bollocks - but I have had ex SAS/ex French Foreign Legion Special Forces as close protection. So no real risk.
  • Casino_RoyaleCasino_Royale Posts: 63,531
    Pagan2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    rcs1000 said:

    Leon said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Leon said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    rcs1000 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    RobD said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    On topic -

    The tragedy of DOGE style slashing goes beyond the damage it will do, in the short term.

    For a political generation or two, all reasonable attempts to increase productivity in government will be tarred with this shite.

    The main saving the US DOGE seems to have made is the shuttering of USAID.

    That can't be done in the UK as between the asylum bills, Sunak’s cut, and Starmer’s cut, UK aid has already been shuttered.

    Good.

    The corrupt circlejerk of "charities" hiring the likes of David Miliband, who then lobby for taxpayers money to go to those charities, should never return.

    Taxpayers money should go on public services.

    Charity should be something people choose to donate to, not get taxed to go towards.

    If you donate to Water Aid, or World Vision, or Comic Relief, or CAFOD or anything else then all power to your elbow. I regularly do too. But that's a choice, it shouldn't be compelled by the State, and those donations shouldn't be funding ex-
    politicians who exist to lobby for more taxpayers money.
    International development is not charity

    Correctly implemented it address our strategic objectives, increases international security (by downregulating radicalism), builds alliances and creates new markets for commercial activities.
    As third world countries get richer the people in them are more able to afford people smugglers
    But the incentive for economic migration decreases.
    No, it doesn't.

    All economic data shows emigration increases as countries develop, until past the point they're classed as a developed country.

    Because migration is higher up the order of needs. It's a want to have, not a need to have. People who are too poor to afford food, shelter, travel or tourism aren't booking trips abroad.
    At some point it must. Why would I be an economic migrant to a poorer country?
    Pensioners move to spain all the time
    They are not 'economic migrants'.

    Edit: And they don't now, at least not from the UK since Brexit - it's not allowed for mere mortals.
    The has been no migration of retirees from the UK to Spain since Brexit?
    Ben is talking absolute bollocks, people went to settle in spain before the eu, they still do because countries like spain and portugal have put in place schemes to encourage them to do so.
    To be fair, a lot of them went to settle in Spain before the EU because Spain was (a) poor, (b) was desperate for people to come and bring their savings, and (c) didn't have an extradition treaty with the UK.
    Yes and only c has changed
    I’m in the Canary Islands right now and it doesn’t feel poor
    Nowhere feels poor when you stick to the tourist areas....I was in casablance morroco a few years back...didnt feel poor till I wandered of the tourist areas and got lost in the slums where the poverty was totally apparent
    When I was staying in Rabat, a number of years ago, the family put us up in the old house in the Old Town. They told all the neighbours about us - was a unique experience, since we were living, for a few days in the heart of a really ancient district. We were quite safe - but noticed family & friends keeping an eye on us.
    I will say I never felt in danger in those slum lands of either casablanca or vegas,,,,when residents realised you werent on some sort of poverty tour they were quite welcoming. In casablanca for example ended up drinking hot mint tea in a cafe with a load of mad islamics, mad in the sense they were a hoot rather than mad in the sense they wanted to cut my head off. Vegas did get a gun pointed at me but when they realised I wasn't american got invited back for a few smokes and a party
    Rabat was safe because we were protected as known friends of the family. I wouldn't have set foot in the area otherwise.

    I think the most unsafe I've felt was in New Orleans (pre-flood). Some idiot said to go a few blocks out of the tourist area in the Quarter. We ended up in a bar that was seriously edgy and had the vibe of a clubhouse that we weren't invited to.
    Precisely what I mean by going off the tourist area, new orleans the french quarter you are pretty safe, wander off and you need to know how to handle yourself
    Sadly even the French Quarter is no longer safe. In truth it was never “that” safe - but now the danger is overt almost everywhere

    A good friend of mine has lived in Nawlins for 15 years - and has now moved away for that reason

    The closest I’ve come to being shot - outside actual warzones - was NOLA. It is an extremely hostile place if you are unlucky

    Such a shame. It should be marvellous
    I have friends from new orleans that came over last year they would disagree with you, had more guns pointed at me in the uk by far than abroad....6 times in the uk once in vegas
    Ok I’ll tell my friend he’s simply wrong. Even though

    1 he lives in New Orleans (or did)

    and also

    2. I’ve been to the city many times. It’s my favourite city in all the Americas - no joke - but on my last visit (2023) it felt obviously more dangerous than any other time
    New Orleans has been among the least safe places in the US for a long time: is it noticably worse than previously? I'd say it's worsened (just like SF worsened noticeably between 2020 and 2024) due to the Covid hangover. But I'd also say that (late 2024) I didn't feel unsafe around Bourbon Street beyond the usual risk of standing in other peoples' vomit or getting your pocket picked.
    Don't get me wrong I am not arguing new orleans is safe, but would also say no urban area is actually safe. As I said had guns in my face in slough, windsor, london and milton keynes here. only time in america was in vegas and then they took me to a party
    Windsor? Ascot weekend presumably.
    Nope just in the old trout before it shut down
    Is this how your last relationship ended?
  • Pagan2Pagan2 Posts: 11,868

    Pagan2 said:

    rcs1000 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Leon said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    rcs1000 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    RobD said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    On topic -

    The tragedy of DOGE style slashing goes beyond the damage it will do, in the short term.

    For a political generation or two, all reasonable attempts to increase productivity in government will be tarred with this shite.

    The main saving the US DOGE seems to have made is the shuttering of USAID.

    That can't be done in the UK as between the asylum bills, Sunak’s cut, and Starmer’s cut, UK aid has already been shuttered.

    Good.

    The corrupt circlejerk of "charities" hiring the likes of David Miliband, who then lobby for taxpayers money to go to those charities, should never return.

    Taxpayers money should go on public services.

    Charity should be something people choose to donate to, not get taxed to go towards.

    If you donate to Water Aid, or World Vision, or Comic Relief, or CAFOD or anything else then all power to your elbow. I regularly do too. But that's a choice, it shouldn't be compelled by the State, and those donations shouldn't be funding ex-
    politicians who exist to lobby for more taxpayers money.
    International development is not charity

    Correctly implemented it address our strategic objectives, increases international security (by downregulating radicalism), builds alliances and creates new markets for commercial activities.
    As third world countries get richer the people in them are more able to afford people smugglers
    But the incentive for economic migration decreases.
    No, it doesn't.

    All economic data shows emigration increases as countries develop, until past the point they're classed as a developed country.

    Because migration is higher up the order of needs. It's a want to have, not a need to have. People who are too poor to afford food, shelter, travel or tourism aren't booking trips abroad.
    At some point it must. Why would I be an economic migrant to a poorer country?
    Pensioners move to spain all the time
    They are not 'economic migrants'.

    Edit: And they don't now, at least not from the UK since Brexit - it's not allowed for mere mortals.
    The has been no migration of retirees from the UK to Spain since Brexit?
    Ben is talking absolute bollocks, people went to settle in spain before the eu, they still do because countries like spain and portugal have put in place schemes to encourage them to do so.
    To be fair, a lot of them went to settle in Spain before the EU because Spain was (a) poor, (b) was desperate for people to come and bring their savings, and (c) didn't have an extradition treaty with the UK.
    Yes and only c has changed
    I’m in the Canary Islands right now and it doesn’t feel poor
    Nowhere feels poor when you stick to the tourist areas....I was in casablance morroco a few years back...didnt feel poor till I wandered of the tourist areas and got lost in the slums where the poverty was totally apparent
    When I was staying in Rabat, a number of years ago, the family put us up in the old house in the Old Town. They told all the neighbours about us - was a unique experience, since we were living, for a few days in the heart of a really ancient district. We were quite safe - but noticed family & friends keeping an eye on us.
    I will say I never felt in danger in those slum lands of either casablanca or vegas,,,,when residents realised you werent on some sort of poverty tour they were quite welcoming. In casablanca for example ended up drinking hot mint tea in a cafe with a load of mad islamics, mad in the sense they were a hoot rather than mad in the sense they wanted to cut my head off. Vegas did get a gun pointed at me but when they realised I wasn't american got invited back for a few smokes and a party
    Rabat was safe because we were protected as known friends of the family. I wouldn't have set foot in the area otherwise.

    I think the most unsafe I've felt was in New Orleans (pre-flood). Some idiot said to go a few blocks out of the tourist area in the Quarter. We ended up in a bar that was seriously edgy and had the vibe of a clubhouse that we weren't invited to.
    Precisely what I mean by going off the tourist area, new orleans the french quarter you are pretty safe, wander off and you need to know how to handle yourself
    Sadly even the French Quarter is no longer safe. In truth it was never “that” safe - but now the danger is overt almost everywhere

    A good friend of mine has lived in Nawlins for 15 years - and has now moved away for that reason

    The closest I’ve come to being shot - outside actual warzones - was NOLA. It is an extremely hostile place if you are unlucky

    Such a shame. It should be marvellous
    I have friends from new orleans that came over last year they would disagree with you, had more guns pointed at me in the uk by far than abroad....6 times in the uk once in vegas
    How on earth have you managed to have guns pointed at you 6 times in the UK?

    Laserquest?
    @Pagan2 is an armed robber, and it was the police who were pointing the guns at him.
    @Pagan2 is an adrenaline junky?
    Nope just lived the life with the hands I was dealt
    I've been to some interesting places - Algeria in their civil war, Somalia, Colombia, Yemen, Equatorial Guinea after the "Wonga" coup attempt, where the President who took power reputedly ate his deposed uncle's bollocks - but I have had ex SAS/ex French Foreign Legion Special Forces as close protection. So no real risk.
    It may sound strange but never felt at risk, if someone is pointing a gun at you but hasn't pulled the trigger they don't really want to shoot you
  • Pagan2Pagan2 Posts: 11,868

    Pagan2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    rcs1000 said:

    Leon said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Leon said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    rcs1000 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    RobD said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    On topic -

    The tragedy of DOGE style slashing goes beyond the damage it will do, in the short term.

    For a political generation or two, all reasonable attempts to increase productivity in government will be tarred with this shite.

    The main saving the US DOGE seems to have made is the shuttering of USAID.

    That can't be done in the UK as between the asylum bills, Sunak’s cut, and Starmer’s cut, UK aid has already been shuttered.

    Good.

    The corrupt circlejerk of "charities" hiring the likes of David Miliband, who then lobby for taxpayers money to go to those charities, should never return.

    Taxpayers money should go on public services.

    Charity should be something people choose to donate to, not get taxed to go towards.

    If you donate to Water Aid, or World Vision, or Comic Relief, or CAFOD or anything else then all power to your elbow. I regularly do too. But that's a choice, it shouldn't be compelled by the State, and those donations shouldn't be funding ex-
    politicians who exist to lobby for more taxpayers money.
    International development is not charity

    Correctly implemented it address our strategic objectives, increases international security (by downregulating radicalism), builds alliances and creates new markets for commercial activities.
    As third world countries get richer the people in them are more able to afford people smugglers
    But the incentive for economic migration decreases.
    No, it doesn't.

    All economic data shows emigration increases as countries develop, until past the point they're classed as a developed country.

    Because migration is higher up the order of needs. It's a want to have, not a need to have. People who are too poor to afford food, shelter, travel or tourism aren't booking trips abroad.
    At some point it must. Why would I be an economic migrant to a poorer country?
    Pensioners move to spain all the time
    They are not 'economic migrants'.

    Edit: And they don't now, at least not from the UK since Brexit - it's not allowed for mere mortals.
    The has been no migration of retirees from the UK to Spain since Brexit?
    Ben is talking absolute bollocks, people went to settle in spain before the eu, they still do because countries like spain and portugal have put in place schemes to encourage them to do so.
    To be fair, a lot of them went to settle in Spain before the EU because Spain was (a) poor, (b) was desperate for people to come and bring their savings, and (c) didn't have an extradition treaty with the UK.
    Yes and only c has changed
    I’m in the Canary Islands right now and it doesn’t feel poor
    Nowhere feels poor when you stick to the tourist areas....I was in casablance morroco a few years back...didnt feel poor till I wandered of the tourist areas and got lost in the slums where the poverty was totally apparent
    When I was staying in Rabat, a number of years ago, the family put us up in the old house in the Old Town. They told all the neighbours about us - was a unique experience, since we were living, for a few days in the heart of a really ancient district. We were quite safe - but noticed family & friends keeping an eye on us.
    I will say I never felt in danger in those slum lands of either casablanca or vegas,,,,when residents realised you werent on some sort of poverty tour they were quite welcoming. In casablanca for example ended up drinking hot mint tea in a cafe with a load of mad islamics, mad in the sense they were a hoot rather than mad in the sense they wanted to cut my head off. Vegas did get a gun pointed at me but when they realised I wasn't american got invited back for a few smokes and a party
    Rabat was safe because we were protected as known friends of the family. I wouldn't have set foot in the area otherwise.

    I think the most unsafe I've felt was in New Orleans (pre-flood). Some idiot said to go a few blocks out of the tourist area in the Quarter. We ended up in a bar that was seriously edgy and had the vibe of a clubhouse that we weren't invited to.
    Precisely what I mean by going off the tourist area, new orleans the french quarter you are pretty safe, wander off and you need to know how to handle yourself
    Sadly even the French Quarter is no longer safe. In truth it was never “that” safe - but now the danger is overt almost everywhere

    A good friend of mine has lived in Nawlins for 15 years - and has now moved away for that reason

    The closest I’ve come to being shot - outside actual warzones - was NOLA. It is an extremely hostile place if you are unlucky

    Such a shame. It should be marvellous
    I have friends from new orleans that came over last year they would disagree with you, had more guns pointed at me in the uk by far than abroad....6 times in the uk once in vegas
    Ok I’ll tell my friend he’s simply wrong. Even though

    1 he lives in New Orleans (or did)

    and also

    2. I’ve been to the city many times. It’s my favourite city in all the Americas - no joke - but on my last visit (2023) it felt obviously more dangerous than any other time
    New Orleans has been among the least safe places in the US for a long time: is it noticably worse than previously? I'd say it's worsened (just like SF worsened noticeably between 2020 and 2024) due to the Covid hangover. But I'd also say that (late 2024) I didn't feel unsafe around Bourbon Street beyond the usual risk of standing in other peoples' vomit or getting your pocket picked.
    Don't get me wrong I am not arguing new orleans is safe, but would also say no urban area is actually safe. As I said had guns in my face in slough, windsor, london and milton keynes here. only time in america was in vegas and then they took me to a party
    Windsor? Ascot weekend presumably.
    Nope just in the old trout before it shut down
    Is this how your last relationship ended?
    No that one ended I suspect in our kitchen
  • Pagan2Pagan2 Posts: 11,868
    Pagan2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    rcs1000 said:

    Leon said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Leon said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    rcs1000 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    RobD said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    On topic -

    The tragedy of DOGE style slashing goes beyond the damage it will do, in the short term.

    For a political generation or two, all reasonable attempts to increase productivity in government will be tarred with this shite.

    The main saving the US DOGE seems to have made is the shuttering of USAID.

    That can't be done in the UK as between the asylum bills, Sunak’s cut, and Starmer’s cut, UK aid has already been shuttered.

    Good.

    The corrupt circlejerk of "charities" hiring the likes of David Miliband, who then lobby for taxpayers money to go to those charities, should never return.

    Taxpayers money should go on public services.

    Charity should be something people choose to donate to, not get taxed to go towards.

    If you donate to Water Aid, or World Vision, or Comic Relief, or CAFOD or anything else then all power to your elbow. I regularly do too. But that's a choice, it shouldn't be compelled by the State, and those donations shouldn't be funding ex-
    politicians who exist to lobby for more taxpayers money.
    International development is not charity

    Correctly implemented it address our strategic objectives, increases international security (by downregulating radicalism), builds alliances and creates new markets for commercial activities.
    As third world countries get richer the people in them are more able to afford people smugglers
    But the incentive for economic migration decreases.
    No, it doesn't.

    All economic data shows emigration increases as countries develop, until past the point they're classed as a developed country.

    Because migration is higher up the order of needs. It's a want to have, not a need to have. People who are too poor to afford food, shelter, travel or tourism aren't booking trips abroad.
    At some point it must. Why would I be an economic migrant to a poorer country?
    Pensioners move to spain all the time
    They are not 'economic migrants'.

    Edit: And they don't now, at least not from the UK since Brexit - it's not allowed for mere mortals.
    The has been no migration of retirees from the UK to Spain since Brexit?
    Ben is talking absolute bollocks, people went to settle in spain before the eu, they still do because countries like spain and portugal have put in place schemes to encourage them to do so.
    To be fair, a lot of them went to settle in Spain before the EU because Spain was (a) poor, (b) was desperate for people to come and bring their savings, and (c) didn't have an extradition treaty with the UK.
    Yes and only c has changed
    I’m in the Canary Islands right now and it doesn’t feel poor
    Nowhere feels poor when you stick to the tourist areas....I was in casablance morroco a few years back...didnt feel poor till I wandered of the tourist areas and got lost in the slums where the poverty was totally apparent
    When I was staying in Rabat, a number of years ago, the family put us up in the old house in the Old Town. They told all the neighbours about us - was a unique experience, since we were living, for a few days in the heart of a really ancient district. We were quite safe - but noticed family & friends keeping an eye on us.
    I will say I never felt in danger in those slum lands of either casablanca or vegas,,,,when residents realised you werent on some sort of poverty tour they were quite welcoming. In casablanca for example ended up drinking hot mint tea in a cafe with a load of mad islamics, mad in the sense they were a hoot rather than mad in the sense they wanted to cut my head off. Vegas did get a gun pointed at me but when they realised I wasn't american got invited back for a few smokes and a party
    Rabat was safe because we were protected as known friends of the family. I wouldn't have set foot in the area otherwise.

    I think the most unsafe I've felt was in New Orleans (pre-flood). Some idiot said to go a few blocks out of the tourist area in the Quarter. We ended up in a bar that was seriously edgy and had the vibe of a clubhouse that we weren't invited to.
    Precisely what I mean by going off the tourist area, new orleans the french quarter you are pretty safe, wander off and you need to know how to handle yourself
    Sadly even the French Quarter is no longer safe. In truth it was never “that” safe - but now the danger is overt almost everywhere

    A good friend of mine has lived in Nawlins for 15 years - and has now moved away for that reason

    The closest I’ve come to being shot - outside actual warzones - was NOLA. It is an extremely hostile place if you are unlucky

    Such a shame. It should be marvellous
    I have friends from new orleans that came over last year they would disagree with you, had more guns pointed at me in the uk by far than abroad....6 times in the uk once in vegas
    Ok I’ll tell my friend he’s simply wrong. Even though

    1 he lives in New Orleans (or did)

    and also

    2. I’ve been to the city many times. It’s my favourite city in all the Americas - no joke - but on my last visit (2023) it felt obviously more dangerous than any other time
    New Orleans has been among the least safe places in the US for a long time: is it noticably worse than previously? I'd say it's worsened (just like SF worsened noticeably between 2020 and 2024) due to the Covid hangover. But I'd also say that (late 2024) I didn't feel unsafe around Bourbon Street beyond the usual risk of standing in other peoples' vomit or getting your pocket picked.
    Don't get me wrong I am not arguing new orleans is safe, but would also say no urban area is actually safe. As I said had guns in my face in slough, windsor, london and milton keynes here. only time in america was in vegas and then they took me to a party
    Windsor? Ascot weekend presumably.
    Nope just in the old trout before it shut down
    Is this how your last relationship ended?
    No that one ended I suspect in our kitchen
    Well to be absolutely honest it ended because I bought a 4' tall statue of buddha apparently but still dont understand that
  • JohnLilburneJohnLilburne Posts: 6,748
    Pagan2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    rcs1000 said:

    Leon said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Leon said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    rcs1000 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    RobD said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    On topic -

    The tragedy of DOGE style slashing goes beyond the damage it will do, in the short term.

    For a political generation or two, all reasonable attempts to increase productivity in government will be tarred with this shite.

    The main saving the US DOGE seems to have made is the shuttering of USAID.

    That can't be done in the UK as between the asylum bills, Sunak’s cut, and Starmer’s cut, UK aid has already been shuttered.

    Good.

    The corrupt circlejerk of "charities" hiring the likes of David Miliband, who then lobby for taxpayers money to go to those charities, should never return.

    Taxpayers money should go on public services.

    Charity should be something people choose to donate to, not get taxed to go towards.

    If you donate to Water Aid, or World Vision, or Comic Relief, or CAFOD or anything else then all power to your elbow. I regularly do too. But that's a choice, it shouldn't be compelled by the State, and those donations shouldn't be funding ex-
    politicians who exist to lobby for more taxpayers money.
    International development is not charity

    Correctly implemented it address our strategic objectives, increases international security (by downregulating radicalism), builds alliances and creates new markets for commercial activities.
    As third world countries get richer the people in them are more able to afford people smugglers
    But the incentive for economic migration decreases.
    No, it doesn't.

    All economic data shows emigration increases as countries develop, until past the point they're classed as a developed country.

    Because migration is higher up the order of needs. It's a want to have, not a need to have. People who are too poor to afford food, shelter, travel or tourism aren't booking trips abroad.
    At some point it must. Why would I be an economic migrant to a poorer country?
    Pensioners move to spain all the time
    They are not 'economic migrants'.

    Edit: And they don't now, at least not from the UK since Brexit - it's not allowed for mere mortals.
    The has been no migration of retirees from the UK to Spain since Brexit?
    Ben is talking absolute bollocks, people went to settle in spain before the eu, they still do because countries like spain and portugal have put in place schemes to encourage them to do so.
    To be fair, a lot of them went to settle in Spain before the EU because Spain was (a) poor, (b) was desperate for people to come and bring their savings, and (c) didn't have an extradition treaty with the UK.
    Yes and only c has changed
    I’m in the Canary Islands right now and it doesn’t feel poor
    Nowhere feels poor when you stick to the tourist areas....I was in casablance morroco a few years back...didnt feel poor till I wandered of the tourist areas and got lost in the slums where the poverty was totally apparent
    When I was staying in Rabat, a number of years ago, the family put us up in the old house in the Old Town. They told all the neighbours about us - was a unique experience, since we were living, for a few days in the heart of a really ancient district. We were quite safe - but noticed family & friends keeping an eye on us.
    I will say I never felt in danger in those slum lands of either casablanca or vegas,,,,when residents realised you werent on some sort of poverty tour they were quite welcoming. In casablanca for example ended up drinking hot mint tea in a cafe with a load of mad islamics, mad in the sense they were a hoot rather than mad in the sense they wanted to cut my head off. Vegas did get a gun pointed at me but when they realised I wasn't american got invited back for a few smokes and a party
    Rabat was safe because we were protected as known friends of the family. I wouldn't have set foot in the area otherwise.

    I think the most unsafe I've felt was in New Orleans (pre-flood). Some idiot said to go a few blocks out of the tourist area in the Quarter. We ended up in a bar that was seriously edgy and had the vibe of a clubhouse that we weren't invited to.
    Precisely what I mean by going off the tourist area, new orleans the french quarter you are pretty safe, wander off and you need to know how to handle yourself
    Sadly even the French Quarter is no longer safe. In truth it was never “that” safe - but now the danger is overt almost everywhere

    A good friend of mine has lived in Nawlins for 15 years - and has now moved away for that reason

    The closest I’ve come to being shot - outside actual warzones - was NOLA. It is an extremely hostile place if you are unlucky

    Such a shame. It should be marvellous
    I have friends from new orleans that came over last year they would disagree with you, had more guns pointed at me in the uk by far than abroad....6 times in the uk once in vegas
    Ok I’ll tell my friend he’s simply wrong. Even though

    1 he lives in New Orleans (or did)

    and also

    2. I’ve been to the city many times. It’s my favourite city in all the Americas - no joke - but on my last visit (2023) it felt obviously more dangerous than any other time
    New Orleans has been among the least safe places in the US for a long time: is it noticably worse than previously? I'd say it's worsened (just like SF worsened noticeably between 2020 and 2024) due to the Covid hangover. But I'd also say that (late 2024) I didn't feel unsafe around Bourbon Street beyond the usual risk of standing in other peoples' vomit or getting your pocket picked.
    Don't get me wrong I am not arguing new orleans is safe, but would also say no urban area is actually safe. As I said had guns in my face in slough, windsor, london and milton keynes here. only time in america was in vegas and then they took me to a party
    Windsor? Ascot weekend presumably.
    Nope just in the old trout before it shut down
    Was a john otway gig as I remember
    I thought the only people who went to John Otway gigs were CAMRA members
  • MarqueeMarkMarqueeMark Posts: 55,046
    Pagan2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    rcs1000 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Leon said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    rcs1000 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    RobD said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    On topic -

    The tragedy of DOGE style slashing goes beyond the damage it will do, in the short term.

    For a political generation or two, all reasonable attempts to increase productivity in government will be tarred with this shite.

    The main saving the US DOGE seems to have made is the shuttering of USAID.

    That can't be done in the UK as between the asylum bills, Sunak’s cut, and Starmer’s cut, UK aid has already been shuttered.

    Good.

    The corrupt circlejerk of "charities" hiring the likes of David Miliband, who then lobby for taxpayers money to go to those charities, should never return.

    Taxpayers money should go on public services.

    Charity should be something people choose to donate to, not get taxed to go towards.

    If you donate to Water Aid, or World Vision, or Comic Relief, or CAFOD or anything else then all power to your elbow. I regularly do too. But that's a choice, it shouldn't be compelled by the State, and those donations shouldn't be funding ex-
    politicians who exist to lobby for more taxpayers money.
    International development is not charity

    Correctly implemented it address our strategic objectives, increases international security (by downregulating radicalism), builds alliances and creates new markets for commercial activities.
    As third world countries get richer the people in them are more able to afford people smugglers
    But the incentive for economic migration decreases.
    No, it doesn't.

    All economic data shows emigration increases as countries develop, until past the point they're classed as a developed country.

    Because migration is higher up the order of needs. It's a want to have, not a need to have. People who are too poor to afford food, shelter, travel or tourism aren't booking trips abroad.
    At some point it must. Why would I be an economic migrant to a poorer country?
    Pensioners move to spain all the time
    They are not 'economic migrants'.

    Edit: And they don't now, at least not from the UK since Brexit - it's not allowed for mere mortals.
    The has been no migration of retirees from the UK to Spain since Brexit?
    Ben is talking absolute bollocks, people went to settle in spain before the eu, they still do because countries like spain and portugal have put in place schemes to encourage them to do so.
    To be fair, a lot of them went to settle in Spain before the EU because Spain was (a) poor, (b) was desperate for people to come and bring their savings, and (c) didn't have an extradition treaty with the UK.
    Yes and only c has changed
    I’m in the Canary Islands right now and it doesn’t feel poor
    Nowhere feels poor when you stick to the tourist areas....I was in casablance morroco a few years back...didnt feel poor till I wandered of the tourist areas and got lost in the slums where the poverty was totally apparent
    When I was staying in Rabat, a number of years ago, the family put us up in the old house in the Old Town. They told all the neighbours about us - was a unique experience, since we were living, for a few days in the heart of a really ancient district. We were quite safe - but noticed family & friends keeping an eye on us.
    I will say I never felt in danger in those slum lands of either casablanca or vegas,,,,when residents realised you werent on some sort of poverty tour they were quite welcoming. In casablanca for example ended up drinking hot mint tea in a cafe with a load of mad islamics, mad in the sense they were a hoot rather than mad in the sense they wanted to cut my head off. Vegas did get a gun pointed at me but when they realised I wasn't american got invited back for a few smokes and a party
    Rabat was safe because we were protected as known friends of the family. I wouldn't have set foot in the area otherwise.

    I think the most unsafe I've felt was in New Orleans (pre-flood). Some idiot said to go a few blocks out of the tourist area in the Quarter. We ended up in a bar that was seriously edgy and had the vibe of a clubhouse that we weren't invited to.
    Precisely what I mean by going off the tourist area, new orleans the french quarter you are pretty safe, wander off and you need to know how to handle yourself
    Sadly even the French Quarter is no longer safe. In truth it was never “that” safe - but now the danger is overt almost everywhere

    A good friend of mine has lived in Nawlins for 15 years - and has now moved away for that reason

    The closest I’ve come to being shot - outside actual warzones - was NOLA. It is an extremely hostile place if you are unlucky

    Such a shame. It should be marvellous
    I have friends from new orleans that came over last year they would disagree with you, had more guns pointed at me in the uk by far than abroad....6 times in the uk once in vegas
    How on earth have you managed to have guns pointed at you 6 times in the UK?

    Laserquest?
    @Pagan2 is an armed robber, and it was the police who were pointing the guns at him.
    @Pagan2 is an adrenaline junky?
    Nope just lived the life with the hands I was dealt
    I've been to some interesting places - Algeria in their civil war, Somalia, Colombia, Yemen, Equatorial Guinea after the "Wonga" coup attempt, where the President who took power reputedly ate his deposed uncle's bollocks - but I have had ex SAS/ex French Foreign Legion Special Forces as close protection. So no real risk.
    It may sound strange but never felt at risk, if someone is pointing a gun at you but hasn't pulled the trigger they don't really want to shoot you
    Or they want some information before they shoot you!
  • Pagan2Pagan2 Posts: 11,868

    Pagan2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    rcs1000 said:

    Leon said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Leon said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    rcs1000 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    RobD said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    On topic -

    The tragedy of DOGE style slashing goes beyond the damage it will do, in the short term.

    For a political generation or two, all reasonable attempts to increase productivity in government will be tarred with this shite.

    The main saving the US DOGE seems to have made is the shuttering of USAID.

    That can't be done in the UK as between the asylum bills, Sunak’s cut, and Starmer’s cut, UK aid has already been shuttered.

    Good.

    The corrupt circlejerk of "charities" hiring the likes of David Miliband, who then lobby for taxpayers money to go to those charities, should never return.

    Taxpayers money should go on public services.

    Charity should be something people choose to donate to, not get taxed to go towards.

    If you donate to Water Aid, or World Vision, or Comic Relief, or CAFOD or anything else then all power to your elbow. I regularly do too. But that's a choice, it shouldn't be compelled by the State, and those donations shouldn't be funding ex-
    politicians who exist to lobby for more taxpayers money.
    International development is not charity

    Correctly implemented it address our strategic objectives, increases international security (by downregulating radicalism), builds alliances and creates new markets for commercial activities.
    As third world countries get richer the people in them are more able to afford people smugglers
    But the incentive for economic migration decreases.
    No, it doesn't.

    All economic data shows emigration increases as countries develop, until past the point they're classed as a developed country.

    Because migration is higher up the order of needs. It's a want to have, not a need to have. People who are too poor to afford food, shelter, travel or tourism aren't booking trips abroad.
    At some point it must. Why would I be an economic migrant to a poorer country?
    Pensioners move to spain all the time
    They are not 'economic migrants'.

    Edit: And they don't now, at least not from the UK since Brexit - it's not allowed for mere mortals.
    The has been no migration of retirees from the UK to Spain since Brexit?
    Ben is talking absolute bollocks, people went to settle in spain before the eu, they still do because countries like spain and portugal have put in place schemes to encourage them to do so.
    To be fair, a lot of them went to settle in Spain before the EU because Spain was (a) poor, (b) was desperate for people to come and bring their savings, and (c) didn't have an extradition treaty with the UK.
    Yes and only c has changed
    I’m in the Canary Islands right now and it doesn’t feel poor
    Nowhere feels poor when you stick to the tourist areas....I was in casablance morroco a few years back...didnt feel poor till I wandered of the tourist areas and got lost in the slums where the poverty was totally apparent
    When I was staying in Rabat, a number of years ago, the family put us up in the old house in the Old Town. They told all the neighbours about us - was a unique experience, since we were living, for a few days in the heart of a really ancient district. We were quite safe - but noticed family & friends keeping an eye on us.
    I will say I never felt in danger in those slum lands of either casablanca or vegas,,,,when residents realised you werent on some sort of poverty tour they were quite welcoming. In casablanca for example ended up drinking hot mint tea in a cafe with a load of mad islamics, mad in the sense they were a hoot rather than mad in the sense they wanted to cut my head off. Vegas did get a gun pointed at me but when they realised I wasn't american got invited back for a few smokes and a party
    Rabat was safe because we were protected as known friends of the family. I wouldn't have set foot in the area otherwise.

    I think the most unsafe I've felt was in New Orleans (pre-flood). Some idiot said to go a few blocks out of the tourist area in the Quarter. We ended up in a bar that was seriously edgy and had the vibe of a clubhouse that we weren't invited to.
    Precisely what I mean by going off the tourist area, new orleans the french quarter you are pretty safe, wander off and you need to know how to handle yourself
    Sadly even the French Quarter is no longer safe. In truth it was never “that” safe - but now the danger is overt almost everywhere

    A good friend of mine has lived in Nawlins for 15 years - and has now moved away for that reason

    The closest I’ve come to being shot - outside actual warzones - was NOLA. It is an extremely hostile place if you are unlucky

    Such a shame. It should be marvellous
    I have friends from new orleans that came over last year they would disagree with you, had more guns pointed at me in the uk by far than abroad....6 times in the uk once in vegas
    Ok I’ll tell my friend he’s simply wrong. Even though

    1 he lives in New Orleans (or did)

    and also

    2. I’ve been to the city many times. It’s my favourite city in all the Americas - no joke - but on my last visit (2023) it felt obviously more dangerous than any other time
    New Orleans has been among the least safe places in the US for a long time: is it noticably worse than previously? I'd say it's worsened (just like SF worsened noticeably between 2020 and 2024) due to the Covid hangover. But I'd also say that (late 2024) I didn't feel unsafe around Bourbon Street beyond the usual risk of standing in other peoples' vomit or getting your pocket picked.
    Don't get me wrong I am not arguing new orleans is safe, but would also say no urban area is actually safe. As I said had guns in my face in slough, windsor, london and milton keynes here. only time in america was in vegas and then they took me to a party
    Windsor? Ascot weekend presumably.
    Nope just in the old trout before it shut down
    Was a john otway gig as I remember
    I thought the only people who went to John Otway gigs were CAMRA members
    I like real ale but I try not to join anything
  • MarqueeMarkMarqueeMark Posts: 55,046
    5 games all, fifth set....
  • FoxyFoxy Posts: 51,875
    I lived in Atlanta from 74-79, a city with a population similar to Northern Ireland, then heavily busy with "the Troubles". Atlanta had the higher murder tate, yet where I lived in the Northern Suburbs people would often leave their houses unlocked.

    Any city can change within a few blocks, and can be dangerous for those without local knowledge. Deaths of tourists are very rare though, not just in the USA but also in South Africa etc.
  • Pagan2Pagan2 Posts: 11,868
    Pagan2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    rcs1000 said:

    Leon said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Leon said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    rcs1000 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    RobD said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    On topic -

    The tragedy of DOGE style slashing goes beyond the damage it will do, in the short term.

    For a political generation or two, all reasonable attempts to increase productivity in government will be tarred with this shite.

    The main saving the US DOGE seems to have made is the shuttering of USAID.

    That can't be done in the UK as between the asylum bills, Sunak’s cut, and Starmer’s cut, UK aid has already been shuttered.

    Good.

    The corrupt circlejerk of "charities" hiring the likes of David Miliband, who then lobby for taxpayers money to go to those charities, should never return.

    Taxpayers money should go on public services.

    Charity should be something people choose to donate to, not get taxed to go towards.

    If you donate to Water Aid, or World Vision, or Comic Relief, or CAFOD or anything else then all power to your elbow. I regularly do too. But that's a choice, it shouldn't be compelled by the State, and those donations shouldn't be funding ex-
    politicians who exist to lobby for more taxpayers money.
    International development is not charity

    Correctly implemented it address our strategic objectives, increases international security (by downregulating radicalism), builds alliances and creates new markets for commercial activities.
    As third world countries get richer the people in them are more able to afford people smugglers
    But the incentive for economic migration decreases.
    No, it doesn't.

    All economic data shows emigration increases as countries develop, until past the point they're classed as a developed country.

    Because migration is higher up the order of needs. It's a want to have, not a need to have. People who are too poor to afford food, shelter, travel or tourism aren't booking trips abroad.
    At some point it must. Why would I be an economic migrant to a poorer country?
    Pensioners move to spain all the time
    They are not 'economic migrants'.

    Edit: And they don't now, at least not from the UK since Brexit - it's not allowed for mere mortals.
    The has been no migration of retirees from the UK to Spain since Brexit?
    Ben is talking absolute bollocks, people went to settle in spain before the eu, they still do because countries like spain and portugal have put in place schemes to encourage them to do so.
    To be fair, a lot of them went to settle in Spain before the EU because Spain was (a) poor, (b) was desperate for people to come and bring their savings, and (c) didn't have an extradition treaty with the UK.
    Yes and only c has changed
    I’m in the Canary Islands right now and it doesn’t feel poor
    Nowhere feels poor when you stick to the tourist areas....I was in casablance morroco a few years back...didnt feel poor till I wandered of the tourist areas and got lost in the slums where the poverty was totally apparent
    When I was staying in Rabat, a number of years ago, the family put us up in the old house in the Old Town. They told all the neighbours about us - was a unique experience, since we were living, for a few days in the heart of a really ancient district. We were quite safe - but noticed family & friends keeping an eye on us.
    I will say I never felt in danger in those slum lands of either casablanca or vegas,,,,when residents realised you werent on some sort of poverty tour they were quite welcoming. In casablanca for example ended up drinking hot mint tea in a cafe with a load of mad islamics, mad in the sense they were a hoot rather than mad in the sense they wanted to cut my head off. Vegas did get a gun pointed at me but when they realised I wasn't american got invited back for a few smokes and a party
    Rabat was safe because we were protected as known friends of the family. I wouldn't have set foot in the area otherwise.

    I think the most unsafe I've felt was in New Orleans (pre-flood). Some idiot said to go a few blocks out of the tourist area in the Quarter. We ended up in a bar that was seriously edgy and had the vibe of a clubhouse that we weren't invited to.
    Precisely what I mean by going off the tourist area, new orleans the french quarter you are pretty safe, wander off and you need to know how to handle yourself
    Sadly even the French Quarter is no longer safe. In truth it was never “that” safe - but now the danger is overt almost everywhere

    A good friend of mine has lived in Nawlins for 15 years - and has now moved away for that reason

    The closest I’ve come to being shot - outside actual warzones - was NOLA. It is an extremely hostile place if you are unlucky

    Such a shame. It should be marvellous
    I have friends from new orleans that came over last year they would disagree with you, had more guns pointed at me in the uk by far than abroad....6 times in the uk once in vegas
    Ok I’ll tell my friend he’s simply wrong. Even though

    1 he lives in New Orleans (or did)

    and also

    2. I’ve been to the city many times. It’s my favourite city in all the Americas - no joke - but on my last visit (2023) it felt obviously more dangerous than any other time
    New Orleans has been among the least safe places in the US for a long time: is it noticably worse than previously? I'd say it's worsened (just like SF worsened noticeably between 2020 and 2024) due to the Covid hangover. But I'd also say that (late 2024) I didn't feel unsafe around Bourbon Street beyond the usual risk of standing in other peoples' vomit or getting your pocket picked.
    Don't get me wrong I am not arguing new orleans is safe, but would also say no urban area is actually safe. As I said had guns in my face in slough, windsor, london and milton keynes here. only time in america was in vegas and then they took me to a party
    Windsor? Ascot weekend presumably.
    Nope just in the old trout before it shut down
    Was a john otway gig as I remember
    I thought the only people who went to John Otway gigs were CAMRA members
    I like real ale but I try not to join anything
    Besides you went to the old trout you bought a ticket you rarely knew who would be on

    Was a venue that held 300

    Saw there

    Faith no more
    Creaming jesus
    Zodiac mindwarp
    Sexgang children

    etc

    Many bands played there as a warm up before playing wembley
  • rcs1000rcs1000 Posts: 60,109
    Pagan2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    rcs1000 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Leon said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    rcs1000 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    RobD said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    On topic -

    The tragedy of DOGE style slashing goes beyond the damage it will do, in the short term.

    For a political generation or two, all reasonable attempts to increase productivity in government will be tarred with this shite.

    The main saving the US DOGE seems to have made is the shuttering of USAID.

    That can't be done in the UK as between the asylum bills, Sunak’s cut, and Starmer’s cut, UK aid has already been shuttered.

    Good.

    The corrupt circlejerk of "charities" hiring the likes of David Miliband, who then lobby for taxpayers money to go to those charities, should never return.

    Taxpayers money should go on public services.

    Charity should be something people choose to donate to, not get taxed to go towards.

    If you donate to Water Aid, or World Vision, or Comic Relief, or CAFOD or anything else then all power to your elbow. I regularly do too. But that's a choice, it shouldn't be compelled by the State, and those donations shouldn't be funding ex-
    politicians who exist to lobby for more taxpayers money.
    International development is not charity

    Correctly implemented it address our strategic objectives, increases international security (by downregulating radicalism), builds alliances and creates new markets for commercial activities.
    As third world countries get richer the people in them are more able to afford people smugglers
    But the incentive for economic migration decreases.
    No, it doesn't.

    All economic data shows emigration increases as countries develop, until past the point they're classed as a developed country.

    Because migration is higher up the order of needs. It's a want to have, not a need to have. People who are too poor to afford food, shelter, travel or tourism aren't booking trips abroad.
    At some point it must. Why would I be an economic migrant to a poorer country?
    Pensioners move to spain all the time
    They are not 'economic migrants'.

    Edit: And they don't now, at least not from the UK since Brexit - it's not allowed for mere mortals.
    The has been no migration of retirees from the UK to Spain since Brexit?
    Ben is talking absolute bollocks, people went to settle in spain before the eu, they still do because countries like spain and portugal have put in place schemes to encourage them to do so.
    To be fair, a lot of them went to settle in Spain before the EU because Spain was (a) poor, (b) was desperate for people to come and bring their savings, and (c) didn't have an extradition treaty with the UK.
    Yes and only c has changed
    I’m in the Canary Islands right now and it doesn’t feel poor
    Nowhere feels poor when you stick to the tourist areas....I was in casablance morroco a few years back...didnt feel poor till I wandered of the tourist areas and got lost in the slums where the poverty was totally apparent
    When I was staying in Rabat, a number of years ago, the family put us up in the old house in the Old Town. They told all the neighbours about us - was a unique experience, since we were living, for a few days in the heart of a really ancient district. We were quite safe - but noticed family & friends keeping an eye on us.
    I will say I never felt in danger in those slum lands of either casablanca or vegas,,,,when residents realised you werent on some sort of poverty tour they were quite welcoming. In casablanca for example ended up drinking hot mint tea in a cafe with a load of mad islamics, mad in the sense they were a hoot rather than mad in the sense they wanted to cut my head off. Vegas did get a gun pointed at me but when they realised I wasn't american got invited back for a few smokes and a party
    Rabat was safe because we were protected as known friends of the family. I wouldn't have set foot in the area otherwise.

    I think the most unsafe I've felt was in New Orleans (pre-flood). Some idiot said to go a few blocks out of the tourist area in the Quarter. We ended up in a bar that was seriously edgy and had the vibe of a clubhouse that we weren't invited to.
    Precisely what I mean by going off the tourist area, new orleans the french quarter you are pretty safe, wander off and you need to know how to handle yourself
    Sadly even the French Quarter is no longer safe. In truth it was never “that” safe - but now the danger is overt almost everywhere

    A good friend of mine has lived in Nawlins for 15 years - and has now moved away for that reason

    The closest I’ve come to being shot - outside actual warzones - was NOLA. It is an extremely hostile place if you are unlucky

    Such a shame. It should be marvellous
    I have friends from new orleans that came over last year they would disagree with you, had more guns pointed at me in the uk by far than abroad....6 times in the uk once in vegas
    How on earth have you managed to have guns pointed at you 6 times in the UK?

    Laserquest?
    @Pagan2 is an armed robber, and it was the police who were pointing the guns at him.
    @Pagan2 is an adrenaline junky?
    Nope just lived the life with the hands I was dealt
    I've been to some interesting places - Algeria in their civil war, Somalia, Colombia, Yemen, Equatorial Guinea after the "Wonga" coup attempt, where the President who took power reputedly ate his deposed uncle's bollocks - but I have had ex SAS/ex French Foreign Legion Special Forces as close protection. So no real risk.
    It may sound strange but never felt at risk, if someone is pointing a gun at you but hasn't pulled the trigger they don't really want to shoot you
    Or they want to extract your Bitcoin password from you, before they shoot you.
  • Pagan2Pagan2 Posts: 11,868
    Foxy said:

    I lived in Atlanta from 74-79, a city with a population similar to Northern Ireland, then heavily busy with "the Troubles". Atlanta had the higher murder tate, yet where I lived in the Northern Suburbs people would often leave their houses unlocked.

    Any city can change within a few blocks, and can be dangerous for those without local knowledge. Deaths of tourists are very rare though, not just in the USA but also in South Africa etc.

    Killing tourists is bad for business....as I noted in my vegas encounter...when they realised I was not american I was invited to a party....if i was american who knows
  • MexicanpeteMexicanpete Posts: 32,189

    Pagan2 said:

    rcs1000 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Leon said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    rcs1000 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    RobD said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    On topic -

    The tragedy of DOGE style slashing goes beyond the damage it will do, in the short term.

    For a political generation or two, all reasonable attempts to increase productivity in government will be tarred with this shite.

    The main saving the US DOGE seems to have made is the shuttering of USAID.

    That can't be done in the UK as between the asylum bills, Sunak’s cut, and Starmer’s cut, UK aid has already been shuttered.

    Good.

    The corrupt circlejerk of "charities" hiring the likes of David Miliband, who then lobby for taxpayers money to go to those charities, should never return.

    Taxpayers money should go on public services.

    Charity should be something people choose to donate to, not get taxed to go towards.

    If you donate to Water Aid, or World Vision, or Comic Relief, or CAFOD or anything else then all power to your elbow. I regularly do too. But that's a choice, it shouldn't be compelled by the State, and those donations shouldn't be funding ex-
    politicians who exist to lobby for more taxpayers money.
    International development is not charity

    Correctly implemented it address our strategic objectives, increases international security (by downregulating radicalism), builds alliances and creates new markets for commercial activities.
    As third world countries get richer the people in them are more able to afford people smugglers
    But the incentive for economic migration decreases.
    No, it doesn't.

    All economic data shows emigration increases as countries develop, until past the point they're classed as a developed country.

    Because migration is higher up the order of needs. It's a want to have, not a need to have. People who are too poor to afford food, shelter, travel or tourism aren't booking trips abroad.
    At some point it must. Why would I be an economic migrant to a poorer country?
    Pensioners move to spain all the time
    They are not 'economic migrants'.

    Edit: And they don't now, at least not from the UK since Brexit - it's not allowed for mere mortals.
    The has been no migration of retirees from the UK to Spain since Brexit?
    Ben is talking absolute bollocks, people went to settle in spain before the eu, they still do because countries like spain and portugal have put in place schemes to encourage them to do so.
    To be fair, a lot of them went to settle in Spain before the EU because Spain was (a) poor, (b) was desperate for people to come and bring their savings, and (c) didn't have an extradition treaty with the UK.
    Yes and only c has changed
    I’m in the Canary Islands right now and it doesn’t feel poor
    Nowhere feels poor when you stick to the tourist areas....I was in casablance morroco a few years back...didnt feel poor till I wandered of the tourist areas and got lost in the slums where the poverty was totally apparent
    When I was staying in Rabat, a number of years ago, the family put us up in the old house in the Old Town. They told all the neighbours about us - was a unique experience, since we were living, for a few days in the heart of a really ancient district. We were quite safe - but noticed family & friends keeping an eye on us.
    I will say I never felt in danger in those slum lands of either casablanca or vegas,,,,when residents realised you werent on some sort of poverty tour they were quite welcoming. In casablanca for example ended up drinking hot mint tea in a cafe with a load of mad islamics, mad in the sense they were a hoot rather than mad in the sense they wanted to cut my head off. Vegas did get a gun pointed at me but when they realised I wasn't american got invited back for a few smokes and a party
    Rabat was safe because we were protected as known friends of the family. I wouldn't have set foot in the area otherwise.

    I think the most unsafe I've felt was in New Orleans (pre-flood). Some idiot said to go a few blocks out of the tourist area in the Quarter. We ended up in a bar that was seriously edgy and had the vibe of a clubhouse that we weren't invited to.
    Precisely what I mean by going off the tourist area, new orleans the french quarter you are pretty safe, wander off and you need to know how to handle yourself
    Sadly even the French Quarter is no longer safe. In truth it was never “that” safe - but now the danger is overt almost everywhere

    A good friend of mine has lived in Nawlins for 15 years - and has now moved away for that reason

    The closest I’ve come to being shot - outside actual warzones - was NOLA. It is an extremely hostile place if you are unlucky

    Such a shame. It should be marvellous
    I have friends from new orleans that came over last year they would disagree with you, had more guns pointed at me in the uk by far than abroad....6 times in the uk once in vegas
    How on earth have you managed to have guns pointed at you 6 times in the UK?

    Laserquest?
    @Pagan2 is an armed robber, and it was the police who were pointing the guns at him.
    @Pagan2 is an adrenaline junky?
    Nope just lived the life with the hands I was dealt
    I've been to some interesting places - Algeria in their civil war, Somalia, Colombia, Yemen, Equatorial Guinea after the "Wonga" coup attempt, where the President who took power reputedly ate his deposed uncle's bollocks - but I have had ex SAS/ex French Foreign Legion Special Forces as close protection. So no real risk.
    My most "interesting" journey was between the Nairobi Club and the Lilian Towers hotel. The taxi was called for us by this very odd old colonial gentleman with who we had a meeting (for a legitimate business arrangement). The car that picked us up (this is circa 1985) was late 1960s Toyota Corona with a driver who when we got back into Nairobi didn't know the way to the Hotel (there weren't many Western Hotels in Nairobi in 1985). So the driver wanted to stop to pick up a random guy on a random street corner to help him with directions. My boss was a lot more worldly wiser than me and grabbed the driver around the neck calmly explaining if he stopped and let the guy in he would snap his neck. Remarkably the driver remembered the directions to the hotel. My boss released him from the neck hold only on arrival.

    I treated myself to a beer. My boss treated himself to a hooker.
  • Pagan2Pagan2 Posts: 11,868
    rcs1000 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    rcs1000 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Leon said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    rcs1000 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    RobD said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    On topic -

    The tragedy of DOGE style slashing goes beyond the damage it will do, in the short term.

    For a political generation or two, all reasonable attempts to increase productivity in government will be tarred with this shite.

    The main saving the US DOGE seems to have made is the shuttering of USAID.

    That can't be done in the UK as between the asylum bills, Sunak’s cut, and Starmer’s cut, UK aid has already been shuttered.

    Good.

    The corrupt circlejerk of "charities" hiring the likes of David Miliband, who then lobby for taxpayers money to go to those charities, should never return.

    Taxpayers money should go on public services.

    Charity should be something people choose to donate to, not get taxed to go towards.

    If you donate to Water Aid, or World Vision, or Comic Relief, or CAFOD or anything else then all power to your elbow. I regularly do too. But that's a choice, it shouldn't be compelled by the State, and those donations shouldn't be funding ex-
    politicians who exist to lobby for more taxpayers money.
    International development is not charity

    Correctly implemented it address our strategic objectives, increases international security (by downregulating radicalism), builds alliances and creates new markets for commercial activities.
    As third world countries get richer the people in them are more able to afford people smugglers
    But the incentive for economic migration decreases.
    No, it doesn't.

    All economic data shows emigration increases as countries develop, until past the point they're classed as a developed country.

    Because migration is higher up the order of needs. It's a want to have, not a need to have. People who are too poor to afford food, shelter, travel or tourism aren't booking trips abroad.
    At some point it must. Why would I be an economic migrant to a poorer country?
    Pensioners move to spain all the time
    They are not 'economic migrants'.

    Edit: And they don't now, at least not from the UK since Brexit - it's not allowed for mere mortals.
    The has been no migration of retirees from the UK to Spain since Brexit?
    Ben is talking absolute bollocks, people went to settle in spain before the eu, they still do because countries like spain and portugal have put in place schemes to encourage them to do so.
    To be fair, a lot of them went to settle in Spain before the EU because Spain was (a) poor, (b) was desperate for people to come and bring their savings, and (c) didn't have an extradition treaty with the UK.
    Yes and only c has changed
    I’m in the Canary Islands right now and it doesn’t feel poor
    Nowhere feels poor when you stick to the tourist areas....I was in casablance morroco a few years back...didnt feel poor till I wandered of the tourist areas and got lost in the slums where the poverty was totally apparent
    When I was staying in Rabat, a number of years ago, the family put us up in the old house in the Old Town. They told all the neighbours about us - was a unique experience, since we were living, for a few days in the heart of a really ancient district. We were quite safe - but noticed family & friends keeping an eye on us.
    I will say I never felt in danger in those slum lands of either casablanca or vegas,,,,when residents realised you werent on some sort of poverty tour they were quite welcoming. In casablanca for example ended up drinking hot mint tea in a cafe with a load of mad islamics, mad in the sense they were a hoot rather than mad in the sense they wanted to cut my head off. Vegas did get a gun pointed at me but when they realised I wasn't american got invited back for a few smokes and a party
    Rabat was safe because we were protected as known friends of the family. I wouldn't have set foot in the area otherwise.

    I think the most unsafe I've felt was in New Orleans (pre-flood). Some idiot said to go a few blocks out of the tourist area in the Quarter. We ended up in a bar that was seriously edgy and had the vibe of a clubhouse that we weren't invited to.
    Precisely what I mean by going off the tourist area, new orleans the french quarter you are pretty safe, wander off and you need to know how to handle yourself
    Sadly even the French Quarter is no longer safe. In truth it was never “that” safe - but now the danger is overt almost everywhere

    A good friend of mine has lived in Nawlins for 15 years - and has now moved away for that reason

    The closest I’ve come to being shot - outside actual warzones - was NOLA. It is an extremely hostile place if you are unlucky

    Such a shame. It should be marvellous
    I have friends from new orleans that came over last year they would disagree with you, had more guns pointed at me in the uk by far than abroad....6 times in the uk once in vegas
    How on earth have you managed to have guns pointed at you 6 times in the UK?

    Laserquest?
    @Pagan2 is an armed robber, and it was the police who were pointing the guns at him.
    @Pagan2 is an adrenaline junky?
    Nope just lived the life with the hands I was dealt
    I've been to some interesting places - Algeria in their civil war, Somalia, Colombia, Yemen, Equatorial Guinea after the "Wonga" coup attempt, where the President who took power reputedly ate his deposed uncle's bollocks - but I have had ex SAS/ex French Foreign Legion Special Forces as close protection. So no real risk.
    It may sound strange but never felt at risk, if someone is pointing a gun at you but hasn't pulled the trigger they don't really want to shoot you
    Or they want to extract your Bitcoin password from you, before they shoot you.
    Well good luck as I dont have one, nor I expect do about 90 percent of people
  • MarqueeMarkMarqueeMark Posts: 55,046
    Pagan2 said:

    rcs1000 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    rcs1000 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Leon said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    rcs1000 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    RobD said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    On topic -

    The tragedy of DOGE style slashing goes beyond the damage it will do, in the short term.

    For a political generation or two, all reasonable attempts to increase productivity in government will be tarred with this shite.

    The main saving the US DOGE seems to have made is the shuttering of USAID.

    That can't be done in the UK as between the asylum bills, Sunak’s cut, and Starmer’s cut, UK aid has already been shuttered.

    Good.

    The corrupt circlejerk of "charities" hiring the likes of David Miliband, who then lobby for taxpayers money to go to those charities, should never return.

    Taxpayers money should go on public services.

    Charity should be something people choose to donate to, not get taxed to go towards.

    If you donate to Water Aid, or World Vision, or Comic Relief, or CAFOD or anything else then all power to your elbow. I regularly do too. But that's a choice, it shouldn't be compelled by the State, and those donations shouldn't be funding ex-
    politicians who exist to lobby for more taxpayers money.
    International development is not charity

    Correctly implemented it address our strategic objectives, increases international security (by downregulating radicalism), builds alliances and creates new markets for commercial activities.
    As third world countries get richer the people in them are more able to afford people smugglers
    But the incentive for economic migration decreases.
    No, it doesn't.

    All economic data shows emigration increases as countries develop, until past the point they're classed as a developed country.

    Because migration is higher up the order of needs. It's a want to have, not a need to have. People who are too poor to afford food, shelter, travel or tourism aren't booking trips abroad.
    At some point it must. Why would I be an economic migrant to a poorer country?
    Pensioners move to spain all the time
    They are not 'economic migrants'.

    Edit: And they don't now, at least not from the UK since Brexit - it's not allowed for mere mortals.
    The has been no migration of retirees from the UK to Spain since Brexit?
    Ben is talking absolute bollocks, people went to settle in spain before the eu, they still do because countries like spain and portugal have put in place schemes to encourage them to do so.
    To be fair, a lot of them went to settle in Spain before the EU because Spain was (a) poor, (b) was desperate for people to come and bring their savings, and (c) didn't have an extradition treaty with the UK.
    Yes and only c has changed
    I’m in the Canary Islands right now and it doesn’t feel poor
    Nowhere feels poor when you stick to the tourist areas....I was in casablance morroco a few years back...didnt feel poor till I wandered of the tourist areas and got lost in the slums where the poverty was totally apparent
    When I was staying in Rabat, a number of years ago, the family put us up in the old house in the Old Town. They told all the neighbours about us - was a unique experience, since we were living, for a few days in the heart of a really ancient district. We were quite safe - but noticed family & friends keeping an eye on us.
    I will say I never felt in danger in those slum lands of either casablanca or vegas,,,,when residents realised you werent on some sort of poverty tour they were quite welcoming. In casablanca for example ended up drinking hot mint tea in a cafe with a load of mad islamics, mad in the sense they were a hoot rather than mad in the sense they wanted to cut my head off. Vegas did get a gun pointed at me but when they realised I wasn't american got invited back for a few smokes and a party
    Rabat was safe because we were protected as known friends of the family. I wouldn't have set foot in the area otherwise.

    I think the most unsafe I've felt was in New Orleans (pre-flood). Some idiot said to go a few blocks out of the tourist area in the Quarter. We ended up in a bar that was seriously edgy and had the vibe of a clubhouse that we weren't invited to.
    Precisely what I mean by going off the tourist area, new orleans the french quarter you are pretty safe, wander off and you need to know how to handle yourself
    Sadly even the French Quarter is no longer safe. In truth it was never “that” safe - but now the danger is overt almost everywhere

    A good friend of mine has lived in Nawlins for 15 years - and has now moved away for that reason

    The closest I’ve come to being shot - outside actual warzones - was NOLA. It is an extremely hostile place if you are unlucky

    Such a shame. It should be marvellous
    I have friends from new orleans that came over last year they would disagree with you, had more guns pointed at me in the uk by far than abroad....6 times in the uk once in vegas
    How on earth have you managed to have guns pointed at you 6 times in the UK?

    Laserquest?
    @Pagan2 is an armed robber, and it was the police who were pointing the guns at him.
    @Pagan2 is an adrenaline junky?
    Nope just lived the life with the hands I was dealt
    I've been to some interesting places - Algeria in their civil war, Somalia, Colombia, Yemen, Equatorial Guinea after the "Wonga" coup attempt, where the President who took power reputedly ate his deposed uncle's bollocks - but I have had ex SAS/ex French Foreign Legion Special Forces as close protection. So no real risk.
    It may sound strange but never felt at risk, if someone is pointing a gun at you but hasn't pulled the trigger they don't really want to shoot you
    Or they want to extract your Bitcoin password from you, before they shoot you.
    Well good luck as I dont have one, nor I expect do about 90 percent of people
    BANG...
  • bondegezoubondegezou Posts: 14,601
    rcs1000 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    rcs1000 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Leon said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    rcs1000 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    RobD said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    On topic -

    The tragedy of DOGE style slashing goes beyond the damage it will do, in the short term.

    For a political generation or two, all reasonable attempts to increase productivity in government will be tarred with this shite.

    The main saving the US DOGE seems to have made is the shuttering of USAID.

    That can't be done in the UK as between the asylum bills, Sunak’s cut, and Starmer’s cut, UK aid has already been shuttered.

    Good.

    The corrupt circlejerk of "charities" hiring the likes of David Miliband, who then lobby for taxpayers money to go to those charities, should never return.

    Taxpayers money should go on public services.

    Charity should be something people choose to donate to, not get taxed to go towards.

    If you donate to Water Aid, or World Vision, or Comic Relief, or CAFOD or anything else then all power to your elbow. I regularly do too. But that's a choice, it shouldn't be compelled by the State, and those donations shouldn't be funding ex-
    politicians who exist to lobby for more taxpayers money.
    International development is not charity

    Correctly implemented it address our strategic objectives, increases international security (by downregulating radicalism), builds alliances and creates new markets for commercial activities.
    As third world countries get richer the people in them are more able to afford people smugglers
    But the incentive for economic migration decreases.
    No, it doesn't.

    All economic data shows emigration increases as countries develop, until past the point they're classed as a developed country.

    Because migration is higher up the order of needs. It's a want to have, not a need to have. People who are too poor to afford food, shelter, travel or tourism aren't booking trips abroad.
    At some point it must. Why would I be an economic migrant to a poorer country?
    Pensioners move to spain all the time
    They are not 'economic migrants'.

    Edit: And they don't now, at least not from the UK since Brexit - it's not allowed for mere mortals.
    The has been no migration of retirees from the UK to Spain since Brexit?
    Ben is talking absolute bollocks, people went to settle in spain before the eu, they still do because countries like spain and portugal have put in place schemes to encourage them to do so.
    To be fair, a lot of them went to settle in Spain before the EU because Spain was (a) poor, (b) was desperate for people to come and bring their savings, and (c) didn't have an extradition treaty with the UK.
    Yes and only c has changed
    I’m in the Canary Islands right now and it doesn’t feel poor
    Nowhere feels poor when you stick to the tourist areas....I was in casablance morroco a few years back...didnt feel poor till I wandered of the tourist areas and got lost in the slums where the poverty was totally apparent
    When I was staying in Rabat, a number of years ago, the family put us up in the old house in the Old Town. They told all the neighbours about us - was a unique experience, since we were living, for a few days in the heart of a really ancient district. We were quite safe - but noticed family & friends keeping an eye on us.
    I will say I never felt in danger in those slum lands of either casablanca or vegas,,,,when residents realised you werent on some sort of poverty tour they were quite welcoming. In casablanca for example ended up drinking hot mint tea in a cafe with a load of mad islamics, mad in the sense they were a hoot rather than mad in the sense they wanted to cut my head off. Vegas did get a gun pointed at me but when they realised I wasn't american got invited back for a few smokes and a party
    Rabat was safe because we were protected as known friends of the family. I wouldn't have set foot in the area otherwise.

    I think the most unsafe I've felt was in New Orleans (pre-flood). Some idiot said to go a few blocks out of the tourist area in the Quarter. We ended up in a bar that was seriously edgy and had the vibe of a clubhouse that we weren't invited to.
    Precisely what I mean by going off the tourist area, new orleans the french quarter you are pretty safe, wander off and you need to know how to handle yourself
    Sadly even the French Quarter is no longer safe. In truth it was never “that” safe - but now the danger is overt almost everywhere

    A good friend of mine has lived in Nawlins for 15 years - and has now moved away for that reason

    The closest I’ve come to being shot - outside actual warzones - was NOLA. It is an extremely hostile place if you are unlucky

    Such a shame. It should be marvellous
    I have friends from new orleans that came over last year they would disagree with you, had more guns pointed at me in the uk by far than abroad....6 times in the uk once in vegas
    How on earth have you managed to have guns pointed at you 6 times in the UK?

    Laserquest?
    @Pagan2 is an armed robber, and it was the police who were pointing the guns at him.
    @Pagan2 is an adrenaline junky?
    Nope just lived the life with the hands I was dealt
    I've been to some interesting places - Algeria in their civil war, Somalia, Colombia, Yemen, Equatorial Guinea after the "Wonga" coup attempt, where the President who took power reputedly ate his deposed uncle's bollocks - but I have had ex SAS/ex French Foreign Legion Special Forces as close protection. So no real risk.
    It may sound strange but never felt at risk, if someone is pointing a gun at you but hasn't pulled the trigger they don't really want to shoot you
    Or they want to extract your Bitcoin password from you, before they shoot you.
    Bitcoin password? Surely you mean PB moderation password.
  • rcs1000rcs1000 Posts: 60,109
    Pagan2 said:

    rcs1000 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    rcs1000 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Leon said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    rcs1000 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    RobD said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    On topic -

    The tragedy of DOGE style slashing goes beyond the damage it will do, in the short term.

    For a political generation or two, all reasonable attempts to increase productivity in government will be tarred with this shite.

    The main saving the US DOGE seems to have made is the shuttering of USAID.

    That can't be done in the UK as between the asylum bills, Sunak’s cut, and Starmer’s cut, UK aid has already been shuttered.

    Good.

    The corrupt circlejerk of "charities" hiring the likes of David Miliband, who then lobby for taxpayers money to go to those charities, should never return.

    Taxpayers money should go on public services.

    Charity should be something people choose to donate to, not get taxed to go towards.

    If you donate to Water Aid, or World Vision, or Comic Relief, or CAFOD or anything else then all power to your elbow. I regularly do too. But that's a choice, it shouldn't be compelled by the State, and those donations shouldn't be funding ex-
    politicians who exist to lobby for more taxpayers money.
    International development is not charity

    Correctly implemented it address our strategic objectives, increases international security (by downregulating radicalism), builds alliances and creates new markets for commercial activities.
    As third world countries get richer the people in them are more able to afford people smugglers
    But the incentive for economic migration decreases.
    No, it doesn't.

    All economic data shows emigration increases as countries develop, until past the point they're classed as a developed country.

    Because migration is higher up the order of needs. It's a want to have, not a need to have. People who are too poor to afford food, shelter, travel or tourism aren't booking trips abroad.
    At some point it must. Why would I be an economic migrant to a poorer country?
    Pensioners move to spain all the time
    They are not 'economic migrants'.

    Edit: And they don't now, at least not from the UK since Brexit - it's not allowed for mere mortals.
    The has been no migration of retirees from the UK to Spain since Brexit?
    Ben is talking absolute bollocks, people went to settle in spain before the eu, they still do because countries like spain and portugal have put in place schemes to encourage them to do so.
    To be fair, a lot of them went to settle in Spain before the EU because Spain was (a) poor, (b) was desperate for people to come and bring their savings, and (c) didn't have an extradition treaty with the UK.
    Yes and only c has changed
    I’m in the Canary Islands right now and it doesn’t feel poor
    Nowhere feels poor when you stick to the tourist areas....I was in casablance morroco a few years back...didnt feel poor till I wandered of the tourist areas and got lost in the slums where the poverty was totally apparent
    When I was staying in Rabat, a number of years ago, the family put us up in the old house in the Old Town. They told all the neighbours about us - was a unique experience, since we were living, for a few days in the heart of a really ancient district. We were quite safe - but noticed family & friends keeping an eye on us.
    I will say I never felt in danger in those slum lands of either casablanca or vegas,,,,when residents realised you werent on some sort of poverty tour they were quite welcoming. In casablanca for example ended up drinking hot mint tea in a cafe with a load of mad islamics, mad in the sense they were a hoot rather than mad in the sense they wanted to cut my head off. Vegas did get a gun pointed at me but when they realised I wasn't american got invited back for a few smokes and a party
    Rabat was safe because we were protected as known friends of the family. I wouldn't have set foot in the area otherwise.

    I think the most unsafe I've felt was in New Orleans (pre-flood). Some idiot said to go a few blocks out of the tourist area in the Quarter. We ended up in a bar that was seriously edgy and had the vibe of a clubhouse that we weren't invited to.
    Precisely what I mean by going off the tourist area, new orleans the french quarter you are pretty safe, wander off and you need to know how to handle yourself
    Sadly even the French Quarter is no longer safe. In truth it was never “that” safe - but now the danger is overt almost everywhere

    A good friend of mine has lived in Nawlins for 15 years - and has now moved away for that reason

    The closest I’ve come to being shot - outside actual warzones - was NOLA. It is an extremely hostile place if you are unlucky

    Such a shame. It should be marvellous
    I have friends from new orleans that came over last year they would disagree with you, had more guns pointed at me in the uk by far than abroad....6 times in the uk once in vegas
    How on earth have you managed to have guns pointed at you 6 times in the UK?

    Laserquest?
    @Pagan2 is an armed robber, and it was the police who were pointing the guns at him.
    @Pagan2 is an adrenaline junky?
    Nope just lived the life with the hands I was dealt
    I've been to some interesting places - Algeria in their civil war, Somalia, Colombia, Yemen, Equatorial Guinea after the "Wonga" coup attempt, where the President who took power reputedly ate his deposed uncle's bollocks - but I have had ex SAS/ex French Foreign Legion Special Forces as close protection. So no real risk.
    It may sound strange but never felt at risk, if someone is pointing a gun at you but hasn't pulled the trigger they don't really want to shoot you
    Or they want to extract your Bitcoin password from you, before they shoot you.
    Well good luck as I dont have one, nor I expect do about 90 percent of people
    Good luck persuading the guys.

    And - if they refer to you as "Satoshi" - my apologies. I needed to get out of a tight jam, and it seemed like the easiest way out.
  • Pagan2Pagan2 Posts: 11,868

    Pagan2 said:

    rcs1000 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Leon said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    rcs1000 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    RobD said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    On topic -

    The tragedy of DOGE style slashing goes beyond the damage it will do, in the short term.

    For a political generation or two, all reasonable attempts to increase productivity in government will be tarred with this shite.

    The main saving the US DOGE seems to have made is the shuttering of USAID.

    That can't be done in the UK as between the asylum bills, Sunak’s cut, and Starmer’s cut, UK aid has already been shuttered.

    Good.

    The corrupt circlejerk of "charities" hiring the likes of David Miliband, who then lobby for taxpayers money to go to those charities, should never return.

    Taxpayers money should go on public services.

    Charity should be something people choose to donate to, not get taxed to go towards.

    If you donate to Water Aid, or World Vision, or Comic Relief, or CAFOD or anything else then all power to your elbow. I regularly do too. But that's a choice, it shouldn't be compelled by the State, and those donations shouldn't be funding ex-
    politicians who exist to lobby for more taxpayers money.
    International development is not charity

    Correctly implemented it address our strategic objectives, increases international security (by downregulating radicalism), builds alliances and creates new markets for commercial activities.
    As third world countries get richer the people in them are more able to afford people smugglers
    But the incentive for economic migration decreases.
    No, it doesn't.

    All economic data shows emigration increases as countries develop, until past the point they're classed as a developed country.

    Because migration is higher up the order of needs. It's a want to have, not a need to have. People who are too poor to afford food, shelter, travel or tourism aren't booking trips abroad.
    At some point it must. Why would I be an economic migrant to a poorer country?
    Pensioners move to spain all the time
    They are not 'economic migrants'.

    Edit: And they don't now, at least not from the UK since Brexit - it's not allowed for mere mortals.
    The has been no migration of retirees from the UK to Spain since Brexit?
    Ben is talking absolute bollocks, people went to settle in spain before the eu, they still do because countries like spain and portugal have put in place schemes to encourage them to do so.
    To be fair, a lot of them went to settle in Spain before the EU because Spain was (a) poor, (b) was desperate for people to come and bring their savings, and (c) didn't have an extradition treaty with the UK.
    Yes and only c has changed
    I’m in the Canary Islands right now and it doesn’t feel poor
    Nowhere feels poor when you stick to the tourist areas....I was in casablance morroco a few years back...didnt feel poor till I wandered of the tourist areas and got lost in the slums where the poverty was totally apparent
    When I was staying in Rabat, a number of years ago, the family put us up in the old house in the Old Town. They told all the neighbours about us - was a unique experience, since we were living, for a few days in the heart of a really ancient district. We were quite safe - but noticed family & friends keeping an eye on us.
    I will say I never felt in danger in those slum lands of either casablanca or vegas,,,,when residents realised you werent on some sort of poverty tour they were quite welcoming. In casablanca for example ended up drinking hot mint tea in a cafe with a load of mad islamics, mad in the sense they were a hoot rather than mad in the sense they wanted to cut my head off. Vegas did get a gun pointed at me but when they realised I wasn't american got invited back for a few smokes and a party
    Rabat was safe because we were protected as known friends of the family. I wouldn't have set foot in the area otherwise.

    I think the most unsafe I've felt was in New Orleans (pre-flood). Some idiot said to go a few blocks out of the tourist area in the Quarter. We ended up in a bar that was seriously edgy and had the vibe of a clubhouse that we weren't invited to.
    Precisely what I mean by going off the tourist area, new orleans the french quarter you are pretty safe, wander off and you need to know how to handle yourself
    Sadly even the French Quarter is no longer safe. In truth it was never “that” safe - but now the danger is overt almost everywhere

    A good friend of mine has lived in Nawlins for 15 years - and has now moved away for that reason

    The closest I’ve come to being shot - outside actual warzones - was NOLA. It is an extremely hostile place if you are unlucky

    Such a shame. It should be marvellous
    I have friends from new orleans that came over last year they would disagree with you, had more guns pointed at me in the uk by far than abroad....6 times in the uk once in vegas
    How on earth have you managed to have guns pointed at you 6 times in the UK?

    Laserquest?
    @Pagan2 is an armed robber, and it was the police who were pointing the guns at him.
    @Pagan2 is an adrenaline junky?
    Nope just lived the life with the hands I was dealt
    I've been to some interesting places - Algeria in their civil war, Somalia, Colombia, Yemen, Equatorial Guinea after the "Wonga" coup attempt, where the President who took power reputedly ate his deposed uncle's bollocks - but I have had ex SAS/ex French Foreign Legion Special Forces as close protection. So no real risk.
    My most "interesting" journey was between the Nairobi Club and the Lilian Towers hotel. The taxi was called for us by this very odd old colonial gentleman with who we had a meeting (for a legitimate business arrangement). The car that picked us up (this is circa 1985) was late 1960s Toyota Corona with a driver who when we got back into Nairobi didn't know the way to the Hotel (there weren't many Western Hotels in Nairobi in 1985). So the driver wanted to stop to pick up a random guy on a random street corner to help him with directions. My boss was a lot more worldly wiser than me and grabbed the driver around the neck calmly explaining if he stopped and let the guy in he would snap his neck. Remarkably the driver remembered the directions to the hotel. My boss released him from the neck hold only on arrival.

    I treated myself to a beer. My boss treated himself to a hooker.
    ie you boss had street smarts, apart from the hooker who probably gifted him an interesting std
  • RobDRobD Posts: 60,494
    Pagan2 said:

    rcs1000 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    rcs1000 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Leon said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    rcs1000 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    RobD said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    On topic -

    The tragedy of DOGE style slashing goes beyond the damage it will do, in the short term.

    For a political generation or two, all reasonable attempts to increase productivity in government will be tarred with this shite.

    The main saving the US DOGE seems to have made is the shuttering of USAID.

    That can't be done in the UK as between the asylum bills, Sunak’s cut, and Starmer’s cut, UK aid has already been shuttered.

    Good.

    The corrupt circlejerk of "charities" hiring the likes of David Miliband, who then lobby for taxpayers money to go to those charities, should never return.

    Taxpayers money should go on public services.

    Charity should be something people choose to donate to, not get taxed to go towards.

    If you donate to Water Aid, or World Vision, or Comic Relief, or CAFOD or anything else then all power to your elbow. I regularly do too. But that's a choice, it shouldn't be compelled by the State, and those donations shouldn't be funding ex-
    politicians who exist to lobby for more taxpayers money.
    International development is not charity

    Correctly implemented it address our strategic objectives, increases international security (by downregulating radicalism), builds alliances and creates new markets for commercial activities.
    As third world countries get richer the people in them are more able to afford people smugglers
    But the incentive for economic migration decreases.
    No, it doesn't.

    All economic data shows emigration increases as countries develop, until past the point they're classed as a developed country.

    Because migration is higher up the order of needs. It's a want to have, not a need to have. People who are too poor to afford food, shelter, travel or tourism aren't booking trips abroad.
    At some point it must. Why would I be an economic migrant to a poorer country?
    Pensioners move to spain all the time
    They are not 'economic migrants'.

    Edit: And they don't now, at least not from the UK since Brexit - it's not allowed for mere mortals.
    The has been no migration of retirees from the UK to Spain since Brexit?
    Ben is talking absolute bollocks, people went to settle in spain before the eu, they still do because countries like spain and portugal have put in place schemes to encourage them to do so.
    To be fair, a lot of them went to settle in Spain before the EU because Spain was (a) poor, (b) was desperate for people to come and bring their savings, and (c) didn't have an extradition treaty with the UK.
    Yes and only c has changed
    I’m in the Canary Islands right now and it doesn’t feel poor
    Nowhere feels poor when you stick to the tourist areas....I was in casablance morroco a few years back...didnt feel poor till I wandered of the tourist areas and got lost in the slums where the poverty was totally apparent
    When I was staying in Rabat, a number of years ago, the family put us up in the old house in the Old Town. They told all the neighbours about us - was a unique experience, since we were living, for a few days in the heart of a really ancient district. We were quite safe - but noticed family & friends keeping an eye on us.
    I will say I never felt in danger in those slum lands of either casablanca or vegas,,,,when residents realised you werent on some sort of poverty tour they were quite welcoming. In casablanca for example ended up drinking hot mint tea in a cafe with a load of mad islamics, mad in the sense they were a hoot rather than mad in the sense they wanted to cut my head off. Vegas did get a gun pointed at me but when they realised I wasn't american got invited back for a few smokes and a party
    Rabat was safe because we were protected as known friends of the family. I wouldn't have set foot in the area otherwise.

    I think the most unsafe I've felt was in New Orleans (pre-flood). Some idiot said to go a few blocks out of the tourist area in the Quarter. We ended up in a bar that was seriously edgy and had the vibe of a clubhouse that we weren't invited to.
    Precisely what I mean by going off the tourist area, new orleans the french quarter you are pretty safe, wander off and you need to know how to handle yourself
    Sadly even the French Quarter is no longer safe. In truth it was never “that” safe - but now the danger is overt almost everywhere

    A good friend of mine has lived in Nawlins for 15 years - and has now moved away for that reason

    The closest I’ve come to being shot - outside actual warzones - was NOLA. It is an extremely hostile place if you are unlucky

    Such a shame. It should be marvellous
    I have friends from new orleans that came over last year they would disagree with you, had more guns pointed at me in the uk by far than abroad....6 times in the uk once in vegas
    How on earth have you managed to have guns pointed at you 6 times in the UK?

    Laserquest?
    @Pagan2 is an armed robber, and it was the police who were pointing the guns at him.
    @Pagan2 is an adrenaline junky?
    Nope just lived the life with the hands I was dealt
    I've been to some interesting places - Algeria in their civil war, Somalia, Colombia, Yemen, Equatorial Guinea after the "Wonga" coup attempt, where the President who took power reputedly ate his deposed uncle's bollocks - but I have had ex SAS/ex French Foreign Legion Special Forces as close protection. So no real risk.
    It may sound strange but never felt at risk, if someone is pointing a gun at you but hasn't pulled the trigger they don't really want to shoot you
    Or they want to extract your Bitcoin password from you, before they shoot you.
    Well good luck as I dont have one, nor I expect do about 90 percent of people
    A bitcoin, or a password for them? ;)
  • CookieCookie Posts: 15,253
    edited June 8

    I've had a few whiskies with my wife on the Caledonian Sleeper leaving Euston (yes, London does have a railway station) and then retired to our sleeping compartment to have sex there - pre kids - before waking up, very hungover, in Edinburgh Waverley the next morning.

    Does that count?

    I've been hunting back through the thread without success to find oit what this pertains to. But if it's relevant, I was once lucky enough to be fellated on the Ffestiniog Mountain Railway.
    https://www.festrail.co.uk/about/
  • Pagan2Pagan2 Posts: 11,868
    rcs1000 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    rcs1000 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    rcs1000 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Leon said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    rcs1000 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    RobD said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    On topic -

    The tragedy of DOGE style slashing goes beyond the damage it will do, in the short term.

    For a political generation or two, all reasonable attempts to increase productivity in government will be tarred with this shite.

    The main saving the US DOGE seems to have made is the shuttering of USAID.

    That can't be done in the UK as between the asylum bills, Sunak’s cut, and Starmer’s cut, UK aid has already been shuttered.

    Good.

    The corrupt circlejerk of "charities" hiring the likes of David Miliband, who then lobby for taxpayers money to go to those charities, should never return.

    Taxpayers money should go on public services.

    Charity should be something people choose to donate to, not get taxed to go towards.

    If you donate to Water Aid, or World Vision, or Comic Relief, or CAFOD or anything else then all power to your elbow. I regularly do too. But that's a choice, it shouldn't be compelled by the State, and those donations shouldn't be funding ex-
    politicians who exist to lobby for more taxpayers money.
    International development is not charity

    Correctly implemented it address our strategic objectives, increases international security (by downregulating radicalism), builds alliances and creates new markets for commercial activities.
    As third world countries get richer the people in them are more able to afford people smugglers
    But the incentive for economic migration decreases.
    No, it doesn't.

    All economic data shows emigration increases as countries develop, until past the point they're classed as a developed country.

    Because migration is higher up the order of needs. It's a want to have, not a need to have. People who are too poor to afford food, shelter, travel or tourism aren't booking trips abroad.
    At some point it must. Why would I be an economic migrant to a poorer country?
    Pensioners move to spain all the time
    They are not 'economic migrants'.

    Edit: And they don't now, at least not from the UK since Brexit - it's not allowed for mere mortals.
    The has been no migration of retirees from the UK to Spain since Brexit?
    Ben is talking absolute bollocks, people went to settle in spain before the eu, they still do because countries like spain and portugal have put in place schemes to encourage them to do so.
    To be fair, a lot of them went to settle in Spain before the EU because Spain was (a) poor, (b) was desperate for people to come and bring their savings, and (c) didn't have an extradition treaty with the UK.
    Yes and only c has changed
    I’m in the Canary Islands right now and it doesn’t feel poor
    Nowhere feels poor when you stick to the tourist areas....I was in casablance morroco a few years back...didnt feel poor till I wandered of the tourist areas and got lost in the slums where the poverty was totally apparent
    When I was staying in Rabat, a number of years ago, the family put us up in the old house in the Old Town. They told all the neighbours about us - was a unique experience, since we were living, for a few days in the heart of a really ancient district. We were quite safe - but noticed family & friends keeping an eye on us.
    I will say I never felt in danger in those slum lands of either casablanca or vegas,,,,when residents realised you werent on some sort of poverty tour they were quite welcoming. In casablanca for example ended up drinking hot mint tea in a cafe with a load of mad islamics, mad in the sense they were a hoot rather than mad in the sense they wanted to cut my head off. Vegas did get a gun pointed at me but when they realised I wasn't american got invited back for a few smokes and a party
    Rabat was safe because we were protected as known friends of the family. I wouldn't have set foot in the area otherwise.

    I think the most unsafe I've felt was in New Orleans (pre-flood). Some idiot said to go a few blocks out of the tourist area in the Quarter. We ended up in a bar that was seriously edgy and had the vibe of a clubhouse that we weren't invited to.
    Precisely what I mean by going off the tourist area, new orleans the french quarter you are pretty safe, wander off and you need to know how to handle yourself
    Sadly even the French Quarter is no longer safe. In truth it was never “that” safe - but now the danger is overt almost everywhere

    A good friend of mine has lived in Nawlins for 15 years - and has now moved away for that reason

    The closest I’ve come to being shot - outside actual warzones - was NOLA. It is an extremely hostile place if you are unlucky

    Such a shame. It should be marvellous
    I have friends from new orleans that came over last year they would disagree with you, had more guns pointed at me in the uk by far than abroad....6 times in the uk once in vegas
    How on earth have you managed to have guns pointed at you 6 times in the UK?

    Laserquest?
    @Pagan2 is an armed robber, and it was the police who were pointing the guns at him.
    @Pagan2 is an adrenaline junky?
    Nope just lived the life with the hands I was dealt
    I've been to some interesting places - Algeria in their civil war, Somalia, Colombia, Yemen, Equatorial Guinea after the "Wonga" coup attempt, where the President who took power reputedly ate his deposed uncle's bollocks - but I have had ex SAS/ex French Foreign Legion Special Forces as close protection. So no real risk.
    It may sound strange but never felt at risk, if someone is pointing a gun at you but hasn't pulled the trigger they don't really want to shoot you
    Or they want to extract your Bitcoin password from you, before they shoot you.
    Well good luck as I dont have one, nor I expect do about 90 percent of people
    Good luck persuading the guys.

    And - if they refer to you as "Satoshi" - my apologies. I needed to get out of a tight jam, and it seemed like the easiest way out.
    Most people dont want to kill simple as that, give them a reason not to and they take it
  • MexicanpeteMexicanpete Posts: 32,189
    Pagan2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    rcs1000 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Leon said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    rcs1000 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    RobD said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    On topic -

    The tragedy of DOGE style slashing goes beyond the damage it will do, in the short term.

    For a political generation or two, all reasonable attempts to increase productivity in government will be tarred with this shite.

    The main saving the US DOGE seems to have made is the shuttering of USAID.

    That can't be done in the UK as between the asylum bills, Sunak’s cut, and Starmer’s cut, UK aid has already been shuttered.

    Good.

    The corrupt circlejerk of "charities" hiring the likes of David Miliband, who then lobby for taxpayers money to go to those charities, should never return.

    Taxpayers money should go on public services.

    Charity should be something people choose to donate to, not get taxed to go towards.

    If you donate to Water Aid, or World Vision, or Comic Relief, or CAFOD or anything else then all power to your elbow. I regularly do too. But that's a choice, it shouldn't be compelled by the State, and those donations shouldn't be funding ex-
    politicians who exist to lobby for more taxpayers money.
    International development is not charity

    Correctly implemented it address our strategic objectives, increases international security (by downregulating radicalism), builds alliances and creates new markets for commercial activities.
    As third world countries get richer the people in them are more able to afford people smugglers
    But the incentive for economic migration decreases.
    No, it doesn't.

    All economic data shows emigration increases as countries develop, until past the point they're classed as a developed country.

    Because migration is higher up the order of needs. It's a want to have, not a need to have. People who are too poor to afford food, shelter, travel or tourism aren't booking trips abroad.
    At some point it must. Why would I be an economic migrant to a poorer country?
    Pensioners move to spain all the time
    They are not 'economic migrants'.

    Edit: And they don't now, at least not from the UK since Brexit - it's not allowed for mere mortals.
    The has been no migration of retirees from the UK to Spain since Brexit?
    Ben is talking absolute bollocks, people went to settle in spain before the eu, they still do because countries like spain and portugal have put in place schemes to encourage them to do so.
    To be fair, a lot of them went to settle in Spain before the EU because Spain was (a) poor, (b) was desperate for people to come and bring their savings, and (c) didn't have an extradition treaty with the UK.
    Yes and only c has changed
    I’m in the Canary Islands right now and it doesn’t feel poor
    Nowhere feels poor when you stick to the tourist areas....I was in casablance morroco a few years back...didnt feel poor till I wandered of the tourist areas and got lost in the slums where the poverty was totally apparent
    When I was staying in Rabat, a number of years ago, the family put us up in the old house in the Old Town. They told all the neighbours about us - was a unique experience, since we were living, for a few days in the heart of a really ancient district. We were quite safe - but noticed family & friends keeping an eye on us.
    I will say I never felt in danger in those slum lands of either casablanca or vegas,,,,when residents realised you werent on some sort of poverty tour they were quite welcoming. In casablanca for example ended up drinking hot mint tea in a cafe with a load of mad islamics, mad in the sense they were a hoot rather than mad in the sense they wanted to cut my head off. Vegas did get a gun pointed at me but when they realised I wasn't american got invited back for a few smokes and a party
    Rabat was safe because we were protected as known friends of the family. I wouldn't have set foot in the area otherwise.

    I think the most unsafe I've felt was in New Orleans (pre-flood). Some idiot said to go a few blocks out of the tourist area in the Quarter. We ended up in a bar that was seriously edgy and had the vibe of a clubhouse that we weren't invited to.
    Precisely what I mean by going off the tourist area, new orleans the french quarter you are pretty safe, wander off and you need to know how to handle yourself
    Sadly even the French Quarter is no longer safe. In truth it was never “that” safe - but now the danger is overt almost everywhere

    A good friend of mine has lived in Nawlins for 15 years - and has now moved away for that reason

    The closest I’ve come to being shot - outside actual warzones - was NOLA. It is an extremely hostile place if you are unlucky

    Such a shame. It should be marvellous
    I have friends from new orleans that came over last year they would disagree with you, had more guns pointed at me in the uk by far than abroad....6 times in the uk once in vegas
    How on earth have you managed to have guns pointed at you 6 times in the UK?

    Laserquest?
    @Pagan2 is an armed robber, and it was the police who were pointing the guns at him.
    @Pagan2 is an adrenaline junky?
    Nope just lived the life with the hands I was dealt
    I've been to some interesting places - Algeria in their civil war, Somalia, Colombia, Yemen, Equatorial Guinea after the "Wonga" coup attempt, where the President who took power reputedly ate his deposed uncle's bollocks - but I have had ex SAS/ex French Foreign Legion Special Forces as close protection. So no real risk.
    My most "interesting" journey was between the Nairobi Club and the Lilian Towers hotel. The taxi was called for us by this very odd old colonial gentleman with who we had a meeting (for a legitimate business arrangement). The car that picked us up (this is circa 1985) was late 1960s Toyota Corona with a driver who when we got back into Nairobi didn't know the way to the Hotel (there weren't many Western Hotels in Nairobi in 1985). So the driver wanted to stop to pick up a random guy on a random street corner to help him with directions. My boss was a lot more worldly wiser than me and grabbed the driver around the neck calmly explaining if he stopped and let the guy in he would snap his neck. Remarkably the driver remembered the directions to the hotel. My boss released him from the neck hold only on arrival.

    I treated myself to a beer. My boss treated himself to a hooker.
    ie you boss had street smarts, apart from the hooker who probably gifted him an interesting std
    I suspect he was careful by then. I understand he had previously had an unfortunate health experience in Mogadishu.
  • MarqueeMarkMarqueeMark Posts: 55,046
    Cookie said:

    I've had a few whiskies with my wife on the Caledonian Sleeper leaving Euston (yes, London does have a railway station) and then retired to our sleeping compartment to have sex there - pre kids - before waking up, very hungover, in Edinburgh Waverley the next morning.

    Does that count?

    I've been hunting back through the thread without success to find oit what this pertains to. But if it's relevant, I was once lucky enough to be fellated on the Ffestiniog Mountain Railway.
    https://www.festrail.co.uk/about/
    I was once fellated on the M4 by a Japanese lady, whilst I was driving at over 120 mph.

    Not sure that can be relevent to anything.
  • TresTres Posts: 2,863
    Leon said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Leon said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Leon said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    rcs1000 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    RobD said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    On topic -

    The tragedy of DOGE style slashing goes beyond the damage it will do, in the short term.

    For a political generation or two, all reasonable attempts to increase productivity in government will be tarred with this shite.

    The main saving the US DOGE seems to have made is the shuttering of USAID.

    That can't be done in the UK as between the asylum bills, Sunak’s cut, and Starmer’s cut, UK aid has already been shuttered.

    Good.

    The corrupt circlejerk of "charities" hiring the likes of David Miliband, who then lobby for taxpayers money to go to those charities, should never return.

    Taxpayers money should go on public services.

    Charity should be something people choose to donate to, not get taxed to go towards.

    If you donate to Water Aid, or World Vision, or Comic Relief, or CAFOD or anything else then all power to your elbow. I regularly do too. But that's a choice, it shouldn't be compelled by the State, and those donations shouldn't be funding ex-
    politicians who exist to lobby for more taxpayers money.
    International development is not charity

    Correctly implemented it address our strategic objectives, increases international security (by downregulating radicalism), builds alliances and creates new markets for commercial activities.
    As third world countries get richer the people in them are more able to afford people smugglers
    But the incentive for economic migration decreases.
    No, it doesn't.

    All economic data shows emigration increases as countries develop, until past the point they're classed as a developed country.

    Because migration is higher up the order of needs. It's a want to have, not a need to have. People who are too poor to afford food, shelter, travel or tourism aren't booking trips abroad.
    At some point it must. Why would I be an economic migrant to a poorer country?
    Pensioners move to spain all the time
    They are not 'economic migrants'.

    Edit: And they don't now, at least not from the UK since Brexit - it's not allowed for mere mortals.
    The has been no migration of retirees from the UK to Spain since Brexit?
    Ben is talking absolute bollocks, people went to settle in spain before the eu, they still do because countries like spain and portugal have put in place schemes to encourage them to do so.
    To be fair, a lot of them went to settle in Spain before the EU because Spain was (a) poor, (b) was desperate for people to come and bring their savings, and (c) didn't have an extradition treaty with the UK.
    Yes and only c has changed
    I’m in the Canary Islands right now and it doesn’t feel poor
    Nowhere feels poor when you stick to the tourist areas....I was in casablance morroco a few years back...didnt feel poor till I wandered of the tourist areas and got lost in the slums where the poverty was totally apparent
    When I was staying in Rabat, a number of years ago, the family put us up in the old house in the Old Town. They told all the neighbours about us - was a unique experience, since we were living, for a few days in the heart of a really ancient district. We were quite safe - but noticed family & friends keeping an eye on us.
    I will say I never felt in danger in those slum lands of either casablanca or vegas,,,,when residents realised you werent on some sort of poverty tour they were quite welcoming. In casablanca for example ended up drinking hot mint tea in a cafe with a load of mad islamics, mad in the sense they were a hoot rather than mad in the sense they wanted to cut my head off. Vegas did get a gun pointed at me but when they realised I wasn't american got invited back for a few smokes and a party
    Rabat was safe because we were protected as known friends of the family. I wouldn't have set foot in the area otherwise.

    I think the most unsafe I've felt was in New Orleans (pre-flood). Some idiot said to go a few blocks out of the tourist area in the Quarter. We ended up in a bar that was seriously edgy and had the vibe of a clubhouse that we weren't invited to.
    Precisely what I mean by going off the tourist area, new orleans the french quarter you are pretty safe, wander off and you need to know how to handle yourself
    Sadly even the French Quarter is no longer safe. In truth it was never “that” safe - but now the danger is overt almost everywhere

    A good friend of mine has lived in Nawlins for 15 years - and has now moved away for that reason

    The closest I’ve come to being shot - outside actual warzones - was NOLA. It is an extremely hostile place if you are unlucky

    Such a shame. It should be marvellous
    I have friends from new orleans that came over last year they would disagree with you, had more guns pointed at me in the uk by far than abroad....6 times in the uk once in vegas
    Ok I’ll tell my friend he’s simply wrong. Even though

    1 he lives in New Orleans (or did)

    and also

    2. I’ve been to the city many times. It’s my favourite city in all the Americas - no joke - but on my last visit (2023) it felt obviously more dangerous than any other time
    I am currently chatting on discord with my friend from new orleans, she is laughing at you
    by chatting I mean voice chat we are watching a movie
    New Orelans is the 7th most dangerous city in the USA (for 2023)

    Given that the top 6 are total shitholes that no one foreign will ever visit (with the possible exception of Memphis for weirdos), that makes Nawlins the most dangerous American city that any European will likely encounter

    1 St. Louis, Missouri
    2 Birmingham, Alabama
    3 Baltimore, Maryland
    4 Memphis, Tennessee
    5 Detroit, Michigan
    6 Cleveland, Ohio
    7 New Orleans, Louisiana


    https://www.forbes.com/sites/laurabegleybloom/2023/01/31/report-ranks-americas-15-safest-and-most-dangerous-cities-for-2023/
    I been to 5 of those including NOLA, but the sketchiest place I've ever been uswise is Jackson, MS
  • carnforthcarnforth Posts: 6,236
    Alcaraz secures a final set tiebreak. I could not script a tennis match better than this.
  • Stark_DawningStark_Dawning Posts: 10,102
    Well, thank you PB. The level of knowledge this site imbues is legendary. For example, this evening I discovered that Windsor, the Berkshire town I've lived in since 1999, is more dangerous, gun-wise, than New Orleans. Best wishes. With that I depart. Good night.
  • Pagan2Pagan2 Posts: 11,868

    Cookie said:

    I've had a few whiskies with my wife on the Caledonian Sleeper leaving Euston (yes, London does have a railway station) and then retired to our sleeping compartment to have sex there - pre kids - before waking up, very hungover, in Edinburgh Waverley the next morning.

    Does that count?

    I've been hunting back through the thread without success to find oit what this pertains to. But if it's relevant, I was once lucky enough to be fellated on the Ffestiniog Mountain Railway.
    https://www.festrail.co.uk/about/
    I was once fellated on the M4 by a Japanese lady, whilst I was driving at over 120 mph.

    Not sure that can be relevent to anything.
    Were you doing 120 when it started or did you just accelerate as it progressed? If so could use it in defense especially if the fellation was involuntary
  • rcs1000rcs1000 Posts: 60,109
    Tres said:

    Leon said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Leon said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Leon said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    rcs1000 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    RobD said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    On topic -

    The tragedy of DOGE style slashing goes beyond the damage it will do, in the short term.

    For a political generation or two, all reasonable attempts to increase productivity in government will be tarred with this shite.

    The main saving the US DOGE seems to have made is the shuttering of USAID.

    That can't be done in the UK as between the asylum bills, Sunak’s cut, and Starmer’s cut, UK aid has already been shuttered.

    Good.

    The corrupt circlejerk of "charities" hiring the likes of David Miliband, who then lobby for taxpayers money to go to those charities, should never return.

    Taxpayers money should go on public services.

    Charity should be something people choose to donate to, not get taxed to go towards.

    If you donate to Water Aid, or World Vision, or Comic Relief, or CAFOD or anything else then all power to your elbow. I regularly do too. But that's a choice, it shouldn't be compelled by the State, and those donations shouldn't be funding ex-
    politicians who exist to lobby for more taxpayers money.
    International development is not charity

    Correctly implemented it address our strategic objectives, increases international security (by downregulating radicalism), builds alliances and creates new markets for commercial activities.
    As third world countries get richer the people in them are more able to afford people smugglers
    But the incentive for economic migration decreases.
    No, it doesn't.

    All economic data shows emigration increases as countries develop, until past the point they're classed as a developed country.

    Because migration is higher up the order of needs. It's a want to have, not a need to have. People who are too poor to afford food, shelter, travel or tourism aren't booking trips abroad.
    At some point it must. Why would I be an economic migrant to a poorer country?
    Pensioners move to spain all the time
    They are not 'economic migrants'.

    Edit: And they don't now, at least not from the UK since Brexit - it's not allowed for mere mortals.
    The has been no migration of retirees from the UK to Spain since Brexit?
    Ben is talking absolute bollocks, people went to settle in spain before the eu, they still do because countries like spain and portugal have put in place schemes to encourage them to do so.
    To be fair, a lot of them went to settle in Spain before the EU because Spain was (a) poor, (b) was desperate for people to come and bring their savings, and (c) didn't have an extradition treaty with the UK.
    Yes and only c has changed
    I’m in the Canary Islands right now and it doesn’t feel poor
    Nowhere feels poor when you stick to the tourist areas....I was in casablance morroco a few years back...didnt feel poor till I wandered of the tourist areas and got lost in the slums where the poverty was totally apparent
    When I was staying in Rabat, a number of years ago, the family put us up in the old house in the Old Town. They told all the neighbours about us - was a unique experience, since we were living, for a few days in the heart of a really ancient district. We were quite safe - but noticed family & friends keeping an eye on us.
    I will say I never felt in danger in those slum lands of either casablanca or vegas,,,,when residents realised you werent on some sort of poverty tour they were quite welcoming. In casablanca for example ended up drinking hot mint tea in a cafe with a load of mad islamics, mad in the sense they were a hoot rather than mad in the sense they wanted to cut my head off. Vegas did get a gun pointed at me but when they realised I wasn't american got invited back for a few smokes and a party
    Rabat was safe because we were protected as known friends of the family. I wouldn't have set foot in the area otherwise.

    I think the most unsafe I've felt was in New Orleans (pre-flood). Some idiot said to go a few blocks out of the tourist area in the Quarter. We ended up in a bar that was seriously edgy and had the vibe of a clubhouse that we weren't invited to.
    Precisely what I mean by going off the tourist area, new orleans the french quarter you are pretty safe, wander off and you need to know how to handle yourself
    Sadly even the French Quarter is no longer safe. In truth it was never “that” safe - but now the danger is overt almost everywhere

    A good friend of mine has lived in Nawlins for 15 years - and has now moved away for that reason

    The closest I’ve come to being shot - outside actual warzones - was NOLA. It is an extremely hostile place if you are unlucky

    Such a shame. It should be marvellous
    I have friends from new orleans that came over last year they would disagree with you, had more guns pointed at me in the uk by far than abroad....6 times in the uk once in vegas
    Ok I’ll tell my friend he’s simply wrong. Even though

    1 he lives in New Orleans (or did)

    and also

    2. I’ve been to the city many times. It’s my favourite city in all the Americas - no joke - but on my last visit (2023) it felt obviously more dangerous than any other time
    I am currently chatting on discord with my friend from new orleans, she is laughing at you
    by chatting I mean voice chat we are watching a movie
    New Orelans is the 7th most dangerous city in the USA (for 2023)

    Given that the top 6 are total shitholes that no one foreign will ever visit (with the possible exception of Memphis for weirdos), that makes Nawlins the most dangerous American city that any European will likely encounter

    1 St. Louis, Missouri
    2 Birmingham, Alabama
    3 Baltimore, Maryland
    4 Memphis, Tennessee
    5 Detroit, Michigan
    6 Cleveland, Ohio
    7 New Orleans, Louisiana


    https://www.forbes.com/sites/laurabegleybloom/2023/01/31/report-ranks-americas-15-safest-and-most-dangerous-cities-for-2023/
    I been to 5 of those including NOLA, but the sketchiest place I've ever been uswise is Jackson, MS
    I had a rather nice greek gyro wrap in Jackson.

    But, yeah, it was sketchy as hell. You knew you were in the poorest state in the US.
  • MalmesburyMalmesbury Posts: 54,933
    Pagan2 said:

    rcs1000 said:

    Leon said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Leon said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    rcs1000 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    RobD said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    On topic -

    The tragedy of DOGE style slashing goes beyond the damage it will do, in the short term.

    For a political generation or two, all reasonable attempts to increase productivity in government will be tarred with this shite.

    The main saving the US DOGE seems to have made is the shuttering of USAID.

    That can't be done in the UK as between the asylum bills, Sunak’s cut, and Starmer’s cut, UK aid has already been shuttered.

    Good.

    The corrupt circlejerk of "charities" hiring the likes of David Miliband, who then lobby for taxpayers money to go to those charities, should never return.

    Taxpayers money should go on public services.

    Charity should be something people choose to donate to, not get taxed to go towards.

    If you donate to Water Aid, or World Vision, or Comic Relief, or CAFOD or anything else then all power to your elbow. I regularly do too. But that's a choice, it shouldn't be compelled by the State, and those donations shouldn't be funding ex-
    politicians who exist to lobby for more taxpayers money.
    International development is not charity

    Correctly implemented it address our strategic objectives, increases international security (by downregulating radicalism), builds alliances and creates new markets for commercial activities.
    As third world countries get richer the people in them are more able to afford people smugglers
    But the incentive for economic migration decreases.
    No, it doesn't.

    All economic data shows emigration increases as countries develop, until past the point they're classed as a developed country.

    Because migration is higher up the order of needs. It's a want to have, not a need to have. People who are too poor to afford food, shelter, travel or tourism aren't booking trips abroad.
    At some point it must. Why would I be an economic migrant to a poorer country?
    Pensioners move to spain all the time
    They are not 'economic migrants'.

    Edit: And they don't now, at least not from the UK since Brexit - it's not allowed for mere mortals.
    The has been no migration of retirees from the UK to Spain since Brexit?
    Ben is talking absolute bollocks, people went to settle in spain before the eu, they still do because countries like spain and portugal have put in place schemes to encourage them to do so.
    To be fair, a lot of them went to settle in Spain before the EU because Spain was (a) poor, (b) was desperate for people to come and bring their savings, and (c) didn't have an extradition treaty with the UK.
    Yes and only c has changed
    I’m in the Canary Islands right now and it doesn’t feel poor
    Nowhere feels poor when you stick to the tourist areas....I was in casablance morroco a few years back...didnt feel poor till I wandered of the tourist areas and got lost in the slums where the poverty was totally apparent
    When I was staying in Rabat, a number of years ago, the family put us up in the old house in the Old Town. They told all the neighbours about us - was a unique experience, since we were living, for a few days in the heart of a really ancient district. We were quite safe - but noticed family & friends keeping an eye on us.
    I will say I never felt in danger in those slum lands of either casablanca or vegas,,,,when residents realised you werent on some sort of poverty tour they were quite welcoming. In casablanca for example ended up drinking hot mint tea in a cafe with a load of mad islamics, mad in the sense they were a hoot rather than mad in the sense they wanted to cut my head off. Vegas did get a gun pointed at me but when they realised I wasn't american got invited back for a few smokes and a party
    Rabat was safe because we were protected as known friends of the family. I wouldn't have set foot in the area otherwise.

    I think the most unsafe I've felt was in New Orleans (pre-flood). Some idiot said to go a few blocks out of the tourist area in the Quarter. We ended up in a bar that was seriously edgy and had the vibe of a clubhouse that we weren't invited to.
    Precisely what I mean by going off the tourist area, new orleans the french quarter you are pretty safe, wander off and you need to know how to handle yourself
    Sadly even the French Quarter is no longer safe. In truth it was never “that” safe - but now the danger is overt almost everywhere

    A good friend of mine has lived in Nawlins for 15 years - and has now moved away for that reason

    The closest I’ve come to being shot - outside actual warzones - was NOLA. It is an extremely hostile place if you are unlucky

    Such a shame. It should be marvellous
    I have friends from new orleans that came over last year they would disagree with you, had more guns pointed at me in the uk by far than abroad....6 times in the uk once in vegas
    Ok I’ll tell my friend he’s simply wrong. Even though

    1 he lives in New Orleans (or did)

    and also

    2. I’ve been to the city many times. It’s my favourite city in all the Americas - no joke - but on my last visit (2023) it felt obviously more dangerous than any other time
    New Orleans has been among the least safe places in the US for a long time: is it noticably worse than previously? I'd say it's worsened (just like SF worsened noticeably between 2020 and 2024) due to the Covid hangover. But I'd also say that (late 2024) I didn't feel unsafe around Bourbon Street beyond the usual risk of standing in other peoples' vomit or getting your pocket picked.
    Don't get me wrong I am not arguing new orleans is safe, but would also say no urban area is actually safe. As I said had guns in my face in slough, windsor, london and milton keynes here. only time in america was in vegas and then they took me to a party
    Milton Keynes?

    Then again, Oxford did have the Gloucester Arms for many years…. Wink, wink.
  • MarqueeMarkMarqueeMark Posts: 55,046
    Pagan2 said:

    Cookie said:

    I've had a few whiskies with my wife on the Caledonian Sleeper leaving Euston (yes, London does have a railway station) and then retired to our sleeping compartment to have sex there - pre kids - before waking up, very hungover, in Edinburgh Waverley the next morning.

    Does that count?

    I've been hunting back through the thread without success to find oit what this pertains to. But if it's relevant, I was once lucky enough to be fellated on the Ffestiniog Mountain Railway.
    https://www.festrail.co.uk/about/
    I was once fellated on the M4 by a Japanese lady, whilst I was driving at over 120 mph.

    Not sure that can be relevent to anything.
    Were you doing 120 when it started or did you just accelerate as it progressed? If so could use it in defense especially if the fellation was involuntary
    She has a thing about speed, officer...
  • DecrepiterJohnLDecrepiterJohnL Posts: 31,034
    rcs1000 said:

    Andy_JS said:

    Interesting.

    "Today, a British diplomat being posted to the Middle East will spend almost two years on full pay learning Arabic. That includes close to a year of immersion training in Jordan, with flights and accommodation paid for by the taxpayer. Yet last time I asked the FCDO for data, a full 54% will either fail or not take their exams. To put it crudely, it costs around £300,000 to train one person not to speak Arabic. Around a third of Mandarin and Russian students fail too, wasting millions of pounds even as the department’s budget is slashed." (£)

    https://unherd.com/2025/05/britains-diplomats-are-monolingual/

    And the alternative is? Not teaching people?

    I would also note that (a) the exams are famously extremely difficult, and that someone might speak -say- Russian pretty well by the end of it, just not well enough to conduct international diplomacy in it. And (b) many people retake the tests, and a lot of the data in that article is based on raw pass ratesm, which are therefore pretty misleading.
    One obvious alternative is to appoint people who already can speak Russian, which is taught at many private schools and some universities. Likewise Arabic, though this is perhaps rarer. @Dura_Ace is PB's Russian and Arabic expert. Does he fancy a job handing out Ferero Rocher?
  • LeonLeon Posts: 61,619

    Leon said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Leon said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Leon said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    rcs1000 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    RobD said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    On topic -

    The tragedy of DOGE style slashing goes beyond the damage it will do, in the short term.

    For a political generation or two, all reasonable attempts to increase productivity in government will be tarred with this shite.

    The main saving the US DOGE seems to have made is the shuttering of USAID.

    That can't be done in the UK as between the asylum bills, Sunak’s cut, and Starmer’s cut, UK aid has already been shuttered.

    Good.

    The corrupt circlejerk of "charities" hiring the likes of David Miliband, who then lobby for taxpayers money to go to those charities, should never return.

    Taxpayers money should go on public services.

    Charity should be something people choose to donate to, not get taxed to go towards.

    If you donate to Water Aid, or World Vision, or Comic Relief, or CAFOD or anything else then all power to your elbow. I regularly do too. But that's a choice, it shouldn't be compelled by the State, and those donations shouldn't be funding ex-
    politicians who exist to lobby for more taxpayers money.
    International development is not charity

    Correctly implemented it address our strategic objectives, increases international security (by downregulating radicalism), builds alliances and creates new markets for commercial activities.
    As third world countries get richer the people in them are more able to afford people smugglers
    But the incentive for economic migration decreases.
    No, it doesn't.

    All economic data shows emigration increases as countries develop, until past the point they're classed as a developed country.

    Because migration is higher up the order of needs. It's a want to have, not a need to have. People who are too poor to afford food, shelter, travel or tourism aren't booking trips abroad.
    At some point it must. Why would I be an economic migrant to a poorer country?
    Pensioners move to spain all the time
    They are not 'economic migrants'.

    Edit: And they don't now, at least not from the UK since Brexit - it's not allowed for mere mortals.
    The has been no migration of retirees from the UK to Spain since Brexit?
    Ben is talking absolute bollocks, people went to settle in spain before the eu, they still do because countries like spain and portugal have put in place schemes to encourage them to do so.
    To be fair, a lot of them went to settle in Spain before the EU because Spain was (a) poor, (b) was desperate for people to come and bring their savings, and (c) didn't have an extradition treaty with the UK.
    Yes and only c has changed
    I’m in the Canary Islands right now and it doesn’t feel poor
    Nowhere feels poor when you stick to the tourist areas....I was in casablance morroco a few years back...didnt feel poor till I wandered of the tourist areas and got lost in the slums where the poverty was totally apparent
    When I was staying in Rabat, a number of years ago, the family put us up in the old house in the Old Town. They told all the neighbours about us - was a unique experience, since we were living, for a few days in the heart of a really ancient district. We were quite safe - but noticed family & friends keeping an eye on us.
    I will say I never felt in danger in those slum lands of either casablanca or vegas,,,,when residents realised you werent on some sort of poverty tour they were quite welcoming. In casablanca for example ended up drinking hot mint tea in a cafe with a load of mad islamics, mad in the sense they were a hoot rather than mad in the sense they wanted to cut my head off. Vegas did get a gun pointed at me but when they realised I wasn't american got invited back for a few smokes and a party
    Rabat was safe because we were protected as known friends of the family. I wouldn't have set foot in the area otherwise.

    I think the most unsafe I've felt was in New Orleans (pre-flood). Some idiot said to go a few blocks out of the tourist area in the Quarter. We ended up in a bar that was seriously edgy and had the vibe of a clubhouse that we weren't invited to.
    Precisely what I mean by going off the tourist area, new orleans the french quarter you are pretty safe, wander off and you need to know how to handle yourself
    Sadly even the French Quarter is no longer safe. In truth it was never “that” safe - but now the danger is overt almost everywhere

    A good friend of mine has lived in Nawlins for 15 years - and has now moved away for that reason

    The closest I’ve come to being shot - outside actual warzones - was NOLA. It is an extremely hostile place if you are unlucky

    Such a shame. It should be marvellous
    I have friends from new orleans that came over last year they would disagree with you, had more guns pointed at me in the uk by far than abroad....6 times in the uk once in vegas
    Ok I’ll tell my friend he’s simply wrong. Even though

    1 he lives in New Orleans (or did)

    and also

    2. I’ve been to the city many times. It’s my favourite city in all the Americas - no joke - but on my last visit (2023) it felt obviously more dangerous than any other time
    I am currently chatting on discord with my friend from new orleans, she is laughing at you
    by chatting I mean voice chat we are watching a movie
    New Orelans is the 7th most dangerous city in the USA (for 2023)

    Given that the top 6 are total shitholes that no one foreign will ever visit (with the possible exception of Memphis for weirdos), that makes Nawlins the most dangerous American city that any European will likely encounter

    1 St. Louis, Missouri
    2 Birmingham, Alabama
    3 Baltimore, Maryland
    4 Memphis, Tennessee
    5 Detroit, Michigan
    6 Cleveland, Ohio
    7 New Orleans, Louisiana


    https://www.forbes.com/sites/laurabegleybloom/2023/01/31/report-ranks-americas-15-safest-and-most-dangerous-cities-for-2023/
    My wife and I had a dream of a music tour down the mississipi from Memphis to New Orleans.

    Maybe we're naive but safety didn't occur to us.

    We simply don't have to worry about that in the UK.
    Ah don’t worry about it. 99.3% of tourists will have no trouble. Just don’t go exploring in big cities as you might in Europe or Asia

    Travel! Do it!
  • Pagan2Pagan2 Posts: 11,868

    Pagan2 said:

    rcs1000 said:

    Leon said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Leon said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    rcs1000 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    RobD said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    On topic -

    The tragedy of DOGE style slashing goes beyond the damage it will do, in the short term.

    For a political generation or two, all reasonable attempts to increase productivity in government will be tarred with this shite.

    The main saving the US DOGE seems to have made is the shuttering of USAID.

    That can't be done in the UK as between the asylum bills, Sunak’s cut, and Starmer’s cut, UK aid has already been shuttered.

    Good.

    The corrupt circlejerk of "charities" hiring the likes of David Miliband, who then lobby for taxpayers money to go to those charities, should never return.

    Taxpayers money should go on public services.

    Charity should be something people choose to donate to, not get taxed to go towards.

    If you donate to Water Aid, or World Vision, or Comic Relief, or CAFOD or anything else then all power to your elbow. I regularly do too. But that's a choice, it shouldn't be compelled by the State, and those donations shouldn't be funding ex-
    politicians who exist to lobby for more taxpayers money.
    International development is not charity

    Correctly implemented it address our strategic objectives, increases international security (by downregulating radicalism), builds alliances and creates new markets for commercial activities.
    As third world countries get richer the people in them are more able to afford people smugglers
    But the incentive for economic migration decreases.
    No, it doesn't.

    All economic data shows emigration increases as countries develop, until past the point they're classed as a developed country.

    Because migration is higher up the order of needs. It's a want to have, not a need to have. People who are too poor to afford food, shelter, travel or tourism aren't booking trips abroad.
    At some point it must. Why would I be an economic migrant to a poorer country?
    Pensioners move to spain all the time
    They are not 'economic migrants'.

    Edit: And they don't now, at least not from the UK since Brexit - it's not allowed for mere mortals.
    The has been no migration of retirees from the UK to Spain since Brexit?
    Ben is talking absolute bollocks, people went to settle in spain before the eu, they still do because countries like spain and portugal have put in place schemes to encourage them to do so.
    To be fair, a lot of them went to settle in Spain before the EU because Spain was (a) poor, (b) was desperate for people to come and bring their savings, and (c) didn't have an extradition treaty with the UK.
    Yes and only c has changed
    I’m in the Canary Islands right now and it doesn’t feel poor
    Nowhere feels poor when you stick to the tourist areas....I was in casablance morroco a few years back...didnt feel poor till I wandered of the tourist areas and got lost in the slums where the poverty was totally apparent
    When I was staying in Rabat, a number of years ago, the family put us up in the old house in the Old Town. They told all the neighbours about us - was a unique experience, since we were living, for a few days in the heart of a really ancient district. We were quite safe - but noticed family & friends keeping an eye on us.
    I will say I never felt in danger in those slum lands of either casablanca or vegas,,,,when residents realised you werent on some sort of poverty tour they were quite welcoming. In casablanca for example ended up drinking hot mint tea in a cafe with a load of mad islamics, mad in the sense they were a hoot rather than mad in the sense they wanted to cut my head off. Vegas did get a gun pointed at me but when they realised I wasn't american got invited back for a few smokes and a party
    Rabat was safe because we were protected as known friends of the family. I wouldn't have set foot in the area otherwise.

    I think the most unsafe I've felt was in New Orleans (pre-flood). Some idiot said to go a few blocks out of the tourist area in the Quarter. We ended up in a bar that was seriously edgy and had the vibe of a clubhouse that we weren't invited to.
    Precisely what I mean by going off the tourist area, new orleans the french quarter you are pretty safe, wander off and you need to know how to handle yourself
    Sadly even the French Quarter is no longer safe. In truth it was never “that” safe - but now the danger is overt almost everywhere

    A good friend of mine has lived in Nawlins for 15 years - and has now moved away for that reason

    The closest I’ve come to being shot - outside actual warzones - was NOLA. It is an extremely hostile place if you are unlucky

    Such a shame. It should be marvellous
    I have friends from new orleans that came over last year they would disagree with you, had more guns pointed at me in the uk by far than abroad....6 times in the uk once in vegas
    Ok I’ll tell my friend he’s simply wrong. Even though

    1 he lives in New Orleans (or did)

    and also

    2. I’ve been to the city many times. It’s my favourite city in all the Americas - no joke - but on my last visit (2023) it felt obviously more dangerous than any other time
    New Orleans has been among the least safe places in the US for a long time: is it noticably worse than previously? I'd say it's worsened (just like SF worsened noticeably between 2020 and 2024) due to the Covid hangover. But I'd also say that (late 2024) I didn't feel unsafe around Bourbon Street beyond the usual risk of standing in other peoples' vomit or getting your pocket picked.
    Don't get me wrong I am not arguing new orleans is safe, but would also say no urban area is actually safe. As I said had guns in my face in slough, windsor, london and milton keynes here. only time in america was in vegas and then they took me to a party
    Milton Keynes?

    Then again, Oxford did have the Gloucester Arms for many years…. Wink, wink.
    Anywhere you live danger is relevant to the people you hang out with
  • DecrepiterJohnLDecrepiterJohnL Posts: 31,034
    rcs1000 said:

    Leon said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Leon said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Leon said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    rcs1000 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    RobD said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    On topic -

    The tragedy of DOGE style slashing goes beyond the damage it will do, in the short term.

    For a political generation or two, all reasonable attempts to increase productivity in government will be tarred with this shite.

    The main saving the US DOGE seems to have made is the shuttering of USAID.

    That can't be done in the UK as between the asylum bills, Sunak’s cut, and Starmer’s cut, UK aid has already been shuttered.

    Good.

    The corrupt circlejerk of "charities" hiring the likes of David Miliband, who then lobby for taxpayers money to go to those charities, should never return.

    Taxpayers money should go on public services.

    Charity should be something people choose to donate to, not get taxed to go towards.

    If you donate to Water Aid, or World Vision, or Comic Relief, or CAFOD or anything else then all power to your elbow. I regularly do too. But that's a choice, it shouldn't be compelled by the State, and those donations shouldn't be funding ex-
    politicians who exist to lobby for more taxpayers money.
    International development is not charity

    Correctly implemented it address our strategic objectives, increases international security (by downregulating radicalism), builds alliances and creates new markets for commercial activities.
    As third world countries get richer the people in them are more able to afford people smugglers
    But the incentive for economic migration decreases.
    No, it doesn't.

    All economic data shows emigration increases as countries develop, until past the point they're classed as a developed country.

    Because migration is higher up the order of needs. It's a want to have, not a need to have. People who are too poor to afford food, shelter, travel or tourism aren't booking trips abroad.
    At some point it must. Why would I be an economic migrant to a poorer country?
    Pensioners move to spain all the time
    They are not 'economic migrants'.

    Edit: And they don't now, at least not from the UK since Brexit - it's not allowed for mere mortals.
    The has been no migration of retirees from the UK to Spain since Brexit?
    Ben is talking absolute bollocks, people went to settle in spain before the eu, they still do because countries like spain and portugal have put in place schemes to encourage them to do so.
    To be fair, a lot of them went to settle in Spain before the EU because Spain was (a) poor, (b) was desperate for people to come and bring their savings, and (c) didn't have an extradition treaty with the UK.
    Yes and only c has changed
    I’m in the Canary Islands right now and it doesn’t feel poor
    Nowhere feels poor when you stick to the tourist areas....I was in casablance morroco a few years back...didnt feel poor till I wandered of the tourist areas and got lost in the slums where the poverty was totally apparent
    When I was staying in Rabat, a number of years ago, the family put us up in the old house in the Old Town. They told all the neighbours about us - was a unique experience, since we were living, for a few days in the heart of a really ancient district. We were quite safe - but noticed family & friends keeping an eye on us.
    I will say I never felt in danger in those slum lands of either casablanca or vegas,,,,when residents realised you werent on some sort of poverty tour they were quite welcoming. In casablanca for example ended up drinking hot mint tea in a cafe with a load of mad islamics, mad in the sense they were a hoot rather than mad in the sense they wanted to cut my head off. Vegas did get a gun pointed at me but when they realised I wasn't american got invited back for a few smokes and a party
    Rabat was safe because we were protected as known friends of the family. I wouldn't have set foot in the area otherwise.

    I think the most unsafe I've felt was in New Orleans (pre-flood). Some idiot said to go a few blocks out of the tourist area in the Quarter. We ended up in a bar that was seriously edgy and had the vibe of a clubhouse that we weren't invited to.
    Precisely what I mean by going off the tourist area, new orleans the french quarter you are pretty safe, wander off and you need to know how to handle yourself
    Sadly even the French Quarter is no longer safe. In truth it was never “that” safe - but now the danger is overt almost everywhere

    A good friend of mine has lived in Nawlins for 15 years - and has now moved away for that reason

    The closest I’ve come to being shot - outside actual warzones - was NOLA. It is an extremely hostile place if you are unlucky

    Such a shame. It should be marvellous
    I have friends from new orleans that came over last year they would disagree with you, had more guns pointed at me in the uk by far than abroad....6 times in the uk once in vegas
    Ok I’ll tell my friend he’s simply wrong. Even though

    1 he lives in New Orleans (or did)

    and also

    2. I’ve been to the city many times. It’s my favourite city in all the Americas - no joke - but on my last visit (2023) it felt obviously more dangerous than any other time
    I am currently chatting on discord with my friend from new orleans, she is laughing at you
    by chatting I mean voice chat we are watching a movie
    New Orelans is the 7th most dangerous city in the USA (for 2023)

    Given that the top 6 are total shitholes that no one foreign will ever visit (with the possible exception of Memphis for weirdos), that makes Nawlins the most dangerous American city that any European will likely encounter

    1 St. Louis, Missouri
    2 Birmingham, Alabama
    3 Baltimore, Maryland
    4 Memphis, Tennessee
    5 Detroit, Michigan
    6 Cleveland, Ohio
    7 New Orleans, Louisiana


    https://www.forbes.com/sites/laurabegleybloom/2023/01/31/report-ranks-americas-15-safest-and-most-dangerous-cities-for-2023/
    Birmingham is on a big upswing right now. I think it was in the top three cities in the US for economic growth last year.
    Any particular reason? A new MAGA hat factory?
  • MexicanpeteMexicanpete Posts: 32,189

    Cookie said:

    I've had a few whiskies with my wife on the Caledonian Sleeper leaving Euston (yes, London does have a railway station) and then retired to our sleeping compartment to have sex there - pre kids - before waking up, very hungover, in Edinburgh Waverley the next morning.

    Does that count?

    I've been hunting back through the thread without success to find oit what this pertains to. But if it's relevant, I was once lucky enough to be fellated on the Ffestiniog Mountain Railway.
    https://www.festrail.co.uk/about/
    I was once fellated on the M4 by a Japanese lady, whilst I was driving at over 120 mph.

    Not sure that can be relevent to anything.
    That would result in a custodial sentences in Starmer's Britain.

    3 points and a modest careless driving fine for the fellatio and 18 months in Pentonville for the 120 mph offence
  • rcs1000rcs1000 Posts: 60,109

    rcs1000 said:

    Andy_JS said:

    Interesting.

    "Today, a British diplomat being posted to the Middle East will spend almost two years on full pay learning Arabic. That includes close to a year of immersion training in Jordan, with flights and accommodation paid for by the taxpayer. Yet last time I asked the FCDO for data, a full 54% will either fail or not take their exams. To put it crudely, it costs around £300,000 to train one person not to speak Arabic. Around a third of Mandarin and Russian students fail too, wasting millions of pounds even as the department’s budget is slashed." (£)

    https://unherd.com/2025/05/britains-diplomats-are-monolingual/

    And the alternative is? Not teaching people?

    I would also note that (a) the exams are famously extremely difficult, and that someone might speak -say- Russian pretty well by the end of it, just not well enough to conduct international diplomacy in it. And (b) many people retake the tests, and a lot of the data in that article is based on raw pass ratesm, which are therefore pretty misleading.
    One obvious alternative is to appoint people who already can speak Russian, which is taught at many private schools and some universities. Likewise Arabic, though this is perhaps rarer. @Dura_Ace is PB's Russian and Arabic expert. Does he fancy a job handing out Ferero Rocher?
    The number of people graduating UK universities with Russian or Arabic degrees is tiny.
  • LeonLeon Posts: 61,619
    Cookie said:

    I've had a few whiskies with my wife on the Caledonian Sleeper leaving Euston (yes, London does have a railway station) and then retired to our sleeping compartment to have sex there - pre kids - before waking up, very hungover, in Edinburgh Waverley the next morning.

    Does that count?

    I've been hunting back through the thread without success to find oit what this pertains to. But if it's relevant, I was once lucky enough to be fellated on the Ffestiniog Mountain Railway.
    https://www.festrail.co.uk/about/
    This deserves a dozen likes. It is Why PB Exists
  • FoxyFoxy Posts: 51,875

    Pagan2 said:

    rcs1000 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Leon said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    rcs1000 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    RobD said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    On topic -

    The tragedy of DOGE style slashing goes beyond the damage it will do, in the short term.

    For a political generation or two, all reasonable attempts to increase productivity in government will be tarred with this shite.

    The main saving the US DOGE seems to have made is the shuttering of USAID.

    That can't be done in the UK as between the asylum bills, Sunak’s cut, and Starmer’s cut, UK aid has already been shuttered.

    Good.

    The corrupt circlejerk of "charities" hiring the likes of David Miliband, who then lobby for taxpayers money to go to those charities, should never return.

    Taxpayers money should go on public services.

    Charity should be something people choose to donate to, not get taxed to go towards.

    If you donate to Water Aid, or World Vision, or Comic Relief, or CAFOD or anything else then all power to your elbow. I regularly do too. But that's a choice, it shouldn't be compelled by the State, and those donations shouldn't be funding ex-
    politicians who exist to lobby for more taxpayers money.
    International development is not charity

    Correctly implemented it address our strategic objectives, increases international security (by downregulating radicalism), builds alliances and creates new markets for commercial activities.
    As third world countries get richer the people in them are more able to afford people smugglers
    But the incentive for economic migration decreases.
    No, it doesn't.

    All economic data shows emigration increases as countries develop, until past the point they're classed as a developed country.

    Because migration is higher up the order of needs. It's a want to have, not a need to have. People who are too poor to afford food, shelter, travel or tourism aren't booking trips abroad.
    At some point it must. Why would I be an economic migrant to a poorer country?
    Pensioners move to spain all the time
    They are not 'economic migrants'.

    Edit: And they don't now, at least not from the UK since Brexit - it's not allowed for mere mortals.
    The has been no migration of retirees from the UK to Spain since Brexit?
    Ben is talking absolute bollocks, people went to settle in spain before the eu, they still do because countries like spain and portugal have put in place schemes to encourage them to do so.
    To be fair, a lot of them went to settle in Spain before the EU because Spain was (a) poor, (b) was desperate for people to come and bring their savings, and (c) didn't have an extradition treaty with the UK.
    Yes and only c has changed
    I’m in the Canary Islands right now and it doesn’t feel poor
    Nowhere feels poor when you stick to the tourist areas....I was in casablance morroco a few years back...didnt feel poor till I wandered of the tourist areas and got lost in the slums where the poverty was totally apparent
    When I was staying in Rabat, a number of years ago, the family put us up in the old house in the Old Town. They told all the neighbours about us - was a unique experience, since we were living, for a few days in the heart of a really ancient district. We were quite safe - but noticed family & friends keeping an eye on us.
    I will say I never felt in danger in those slum lands of either casablanca or vegas,,,,when residents realised you werent on some sort of poverty tour they were quite welcoming. In casablanca for example ended up drinking hot mint tea in a cafe with a load of mad islamics, mad in the sense they were a hoot rather than mad in the sense they wanted to cut my head off. Vegas did get a gun pointed at me but when they realised I wasn't american got invited back for a few smokes and a party
    Rabat was safe because we were protected as known friends of the family. I wouldn't have set foot in the area otherwise.

    I think the most unsafe I've felt was in New Orleans (pre-flood). Some idiot said to go a few blocks out of the tourist area in the Quarter. We ended up in a bar that was seriously edgy and had the vibe of a clubhouse that we weren't invited to.
    Precisely what I mean by going off the tourist area, new orleans the french quarter you are pretty safe, wander off and you need to know how to handle yourself
    Sadly even the French Quarter is no longer safe. In truth it was never “that” safe - but now the danger is overt almost everywhere

    A good friend of mine has lived in Nawlins for 15 years - and has now moved away for that reason

    The closest I’ve come to being shot - outside actual warzones - was NOLA. It is an extremely hostile place if you are unlucky

    Such a shame. It should be marvellous
    I have friends from new orleans that came over last year they would disagree with you, had more guns pointed at me in the uk by far than abroad....6 times in the uk once in vegas
    How on earth have you managed to have guns pointed at you 6 times in the UK?

    Laserquest?
    @Pagan2 is an armed robber, and it was the police who were pointing the guns at him.
    @Pagan2 is an adrenaline junky?
    Nope just lived the life with the hands I was dealt
    I've been to some interesting places - Algeria in their civil war, Somalia, Colombia, Yemen, Equatorial Guinea after the "Wonga" coup attempt, where the President who took power reputedly ate his deposed uncle's bollocks - but I have had ex SAS/ex French Foreign Legion Special Forces as close protection. So no real risk.
    My most "interesting" journey was between the Nairobi Club and the Lilian Towers hotel. The taxi was called for us by this very odd old colonial gentleman with who we had a meeting (for a legitimate business arrangement). The car that picked us up (this is circa 1985) was late 1960s Toyota Corona with a driver who when we got back into Nairobi didn't know the way to the Hotel (there weren't many Western Hotels in Nairobi in 1985). So the driver wanted to stop to pick up a random guy on a random street corner to help him with directions. My boss was a lot more worldly wiser than me and grabbed the driver around the neck calmly explaining if he stopped and let the guy in he would snap his neck. Remarkably the driver remembered the directions to the hotel. My boss released him from the neck hold only on arrival.

    I treated myself to a beer. My boss treated himself to a hooker.
    In 1985, before antiretrovirals were invented, the hooker would have been far more dangerous than the passenger.

    I went to Nairobi on my honeymoon and had quite a pleasant wander through the city centre. There's some striking modernist architecture and a fascinating railway museum. We did take a taxi after dark though.
  • FairlieredFairliered Posts: 5,811
    rcs1000 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Leon said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    rcs1000 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    RobD said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    On topic -

    The tragedy of DOGE style slashing goes beyond the damage it will do, in the short term.

    For a political generation or two, all reasonable attempts to increase productivity in government will be tarred with this shite.

    The main saving the US DOGE seems to have made is the shuttering of USAID.

    That can't be done in the UK as between the asylum bills, Sunak’s cut, and Starmer’s cut, UK aid has already been shuttered.

    Good.

    The corrupt circlejerk of "charities" hiring the likes of David Miliband, who then lobby for taxpayers money to go to those charities, should never return.

    Taxpayers money should go on public services.

    Charity should be something people choose to donate to, not get taxed to go towards.

    If you donate to Water Aid, or World Vision, or Comic Relief, or CAFOD or anything else then all power to your elbow. I regularly do too. But that's a choice, it shouldn't be compelled by the State, and those donations shouldn't be funding ex-
    politicians who exist to lobby for more taxpayers money.
    International development is not charity

    Correctly implemented it address our strategic objectives, increases international security (by downregulating radicalism), builds alliances and creates new markets for commercial activities.
    As third world countries get richer the people in them are more able to afford people smugglers
    But the incentive for economic migration decreases.
    No, it doesn't.

    All economic data shows emigration increases as countries develop, until past the point they're classed as a developed country.

    Because migration is higher up the order of needs. It's a want to have, not a need to have. People who are too poor to afford food, shelter, travel or tourism aren't booking trips abroad.
    At some point it must. Why would I be an economic migrant to a poorer country?
    Pensioners move to spain all the time
    They are not 'economic migrants'.

    Edit: And they don't now, at least not from the UK since Brexit - it's not allowed for mere mortals.
    The has been no migration of retirees from the UK to Spain since Brexit?
    Ben is talking absolute bollocks, people went to settle in spain before the eu, they still do because countries like spain and portugal have put in place schemes to encourage them to do so.
    To be fair, a lot of them went to settle in Spain before the EU because Spain was (a) poor, (b) was desperate for people to come and bring their savings, and (c) didn't have an extradition treaty with the UK.
    Yes and only c has changed
    I’m in the Canary Islands right now and it doesn’t feel poor
    Nowhere feels poor when you stick to the tourist areas....I was in casablance morroco a few years back...didnt feel poor till I wandered of the tourist areas and got lost in the slums where the poverty was totally apparent
    When I was staying in Rabat, a number of years ago, the family put us up in the old house in the Old Town. They told all the neighbours about us - was a unique experience, since we were living, for a few days in the heart of a really ancient district. We were quite safe - but noticed family & friends keeping an eye on us.
    I will say I never felt in danger in those slum lands of either casablanca or vegas,,,,when residents realised you werent on some sort of poverty tour they were quite welcoming. In casablanca for example ended up drinking hot mint tea in a cafe with a load of mad islamics, mad in the sense they were a hoot rather than mad in the sense they wanted to cut my head off. Vegas did get a gun pointed at me but when they realised I wasn't american got invited back for a few smokes and a party
    Rabat was safe because we were protected as known friends of the family. I wouldn't have set foot in the area otherwise.

    I think the most unsafe I've felt was in New Orleans (pre-flood). Some idiot said to go a few blocks out of the tourist area in the Quarter. We ended up in a bar that was seriously edgy and had the vibe of a clubhouse that we weren't invited to.
    Precisely what I mean by going off the tourist area, new orleans the french quarter you are pretty safe, wander off and you need to know how to handle yourself
    Sadly even the French Quarter is no longer safe. In truth it was never “that” safe - but now the danger is overt almost everywhere

    A good friend of mine has lived in Nawlins for 15 years - and has now moved away for that reason

    The closest I’ve come to being shot - outside actual warzones - was NOLA. It is an extremely hostile place if you are unlucky

    Such a shame. It should be marvellous
    I have friends from new orleans that came over last year they would disagree with you, had more guns pointed at me in the uk by far than abroad....6 times in the uk once in vegas
    How on earth have you managed to have guns pointed at you 6 times in the UK?

    Laserquest?
    @Pagan2 is an armed robber, and it was the police who were pointing the guns at him.
    Remind me again, @rcs1000, who’s the moderator who was complaining about posters saying not nice things about other posters?
  • BarnesianBarnesian Posts: 9,183
    What a match!!
  • PulpstarPulpstar Posts: 79,529
    Brilliant.
  • MarqueeMarkMarqueeMark Posts: 55,046
    edited June 8

    Cookie said:

    I've had a few whiskies with my wife on the Caledonian Sleeper leaving Euston (yes, London does have a railway station) and then retired to our sleeping compartment to have sex there - pre kids - before waking up, very hungover, in Edinburgh Waverley the next morning.

    Does that count?

    I've been hunting back through the thread without success to find oit what this pertains to. But if it's relevant, I was once lucky enough to be fellated on the Ffestiniog Mountain Railway.
    https://www.festrail.co.uk/about/
    I was once fellated on the M4 by a Japanese lady, whilst I was driving at over 120 mph.

    Not sure that can be relevent to anything.
    That would result in a custodial sentences in Starmer's Britain.

    3 points and a modest careless driving fine for the fellatio and 18 months in Pentonville for the 120 mph offence
    Yeah, but the street cred on C Block....

    I did once drive much faster on the M4, when challenged to a race by a Ford Escort Cosworth. He had the acceleration, but I had the top speed, as I kept reeling him in over 8 junctions.

    As I pulled over to turn off at junction 12, the Cosworth pulled level, the passenger window rolled down - and got a cheery wave of appreciation from the passenger, Nigel Mansell.
  • rkrkrkrkrkrk Posts: 8,704
    FT reporting that the Wealth and Mid-Size business compliance team doubled its tax take last year to £1.5bn. Includes a £652m settlement with Bernie Ecclestone but up year on year even without that. Excellent news. NAO estimates tax evasion probably higher than previously thought.
  • rcs1000rcs1000 Posts: 60,109

    rcs1000 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Leon said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    rcs1000 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    RobD said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    On topic -

    The tragedy of DOGE style slashing goes beyond the damage it will do, in the short term.

    For a political generation or two, all reasonable attempts to increase productivity in government will be tarred with this shite.

    The main saving the US DOGE seems to have made is the shuttering of USAID.

    That can't be done in the UK as between the asylum bills, Sunak’s cut, and Starmer’s cut, UK aid has already been shuttered.

    Good.

    The corrupt circlejerk of "charities" hiring the likes of David Miliband, who then lobby for taxpayers money to go to those charities, should never return.

    Taxpayers money should go on public services.

    Charity should be something people choose to donate to, not get taxed to go towards.

    If you donate to Water Aid, or World Vision, or Comic Relief, or CAFOD or anything else then all power to your elbow. I regularly do too. But that's a choice, it shouldn't be compelled by the State, and those donations shouldn't be funding ex-
    politicians who exist to lobby for more taxpayers money.
    International development is not charity

    Correctly implemented it address our strategic objectives, increases international security (by downregulating radicalism), builds alliances and creates new markets for commercial activities.
    As third world countries get richer the people in them are more able to afford people smugglers
    But the incentive for economic migration decreases.
    No, it doesn't.

    All economic data shows emigration increases as countries develop, until past the point they're classed as a developed country.

    Because migration is higher up the order of needs. It's a want to have, not a need to have. People who are too poor to afford food, shelter, travel or tourism aren't booking trips abroad.
    At some point it must. Why would I be an economic migrant to a poorer country?
    Pensioners move to spain all the time
    They are not 'economic migrants'.

    Edit: And they don't now, at least not from the UK since Brexit - it's not allowed for mere mortals.
    The has been no migration of retirees from the UK to Spain since Brexit?
    Ben is talking absolute bollocks, people went to settle in spain before the eu, they still do because countries like spain and portugal have put in place schemes to encourage them to do so.
    To be fair, a lot of them went to settle in Spain before the EU because Spain was (a) poor, (b) was desperate for people to come and bring their savings, and (c) didn't have an extradition treaty with the UK.
    Yes and only c has changed
    I’m in the Canary Islands right now and it doesn’t feel poor
    Nowhere feels poor when you stick to the tourist areas....I was in casablance morroco a few years back...didnt feel poor till I wandered of the tourist areas and got lost in the slums where the poverty was totally apparent
    When I was staying in Rabat, a number of years ago, the family put us up in the old house in the Old Town. They told all the neighbours about us - was a unique experience, since we were living, for a few days in the heart of a really ancient district. We were quite safe - but noticed family & friends keeping an eye on us.
    I will say I never felt in danger in those slum lands of either casablanca or vegas,,,,when residents realised you werent on some sort of poverty tour they were quite welcoming. In casablanca for example ended up drinking hot mint tea in a cafe with a load of mad islamics, mad in the sense they were a hoot rather than mad in the sense they wanted to cut my head off. Vegas did get a gun pointed at me but when they realised I wasn't american got invited back for a few smokes and a party
    Rabat was safe because we were protected as known friends of the family. I wouldn't have set foot in the area otherwise.

    I think the most unsafe I've felt was in New Orleans (pre-flood). Some idiot said to go a few blocks out of the tourist area in the Quarter. We ended up in a bar that was seriously edgy and had the vibe of a clubhouse that we weren't invited to.
    Precisely what I mean by going off the tourist area, new orleans the french quarter you are pretty safe, wander off and you need to know how to handle yourself
    Sadly even the French Quarter is no longer safe. In truth it was never “that” safe - but now the danger is overt almost everywhere

    A good friend of mine has lived in Nawlins for 15 years - and has now moved away for that reason

    The closest I’ve come to being shot - outside actual warzones - was NOLA. It is an extremely hostile place if you are unlucky

    Such a shame. It should be marvellous
    I have friends from new orleans that came over last year they would disagree with you, had more guns pointed at me in the uk by far than abroad....6 times in the uk once in vegas
    How on earth have you managed to have guns pointed at you 6 times in the UK?

    Laserquest?
    @Pagan2 is an armed robber, and it was the police who were pointing the guns at him.
    Remind me again, @rcs1000, who’s the moderator who was complaining about posters saying not nice things about other posters?
    I said he was an armed robber! That's like the royalty of lockup.
  • Andy_JSAndy_JS Posts: 35,428
    Sinner had 3 championship points. That's tough to lose.
  • FairlieredFairliered Posts: 5,811
    Cookie said:

    I've had a few whiskies with my wife on the Caledonian Sleeper leaving Euston (yes, London does have a railway station) and then retired to our sleeping compartment to have sex there - pre kids - before waking up, very hungover, in Edinburgh Waverley the next morning.

    Does that count?

    I've been hunting back through the thread without success to find oit what this pertains to. But if it's relevant, I was once lucky enough to be fellated on the Ffestiniog Mountain Railway.
    https://www.festrail.co.uk/about/
    Was it extra fun when you went over the shoogly points?
  • rcs1000rcs1000 Posts: 60,109

    rcs1000 said:

    Leon said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Leon said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Leon said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    rcs1000 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    RobD said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    On topic -

    The tragedy of DOGE style slashing goes beyond the damage it will do, in the short term.

    For a political generation or two, all reasonable attempts to increase productivity in government will be tarred with this shite.

    The main saving the US DOGE seems to have made is the shuttering of USAID.

    That can't be done in the UK as between the asylum bills, Sunak’s cut, and Starmer’s cut, UK aid has already been shuttered.

    Good.

    The corrupt circlejerk of "charities" hiring the likes of David Miliband, who then lobby for taxpayers money to go to those charities, should never return.

    Taxpayers money should go on public services.

    Charity should be something people choose to donate to, not get taxed to go towards.

    If you donate to Water Aid, or World Vision, or Comic Relief, or CAFOD or anything else then all power to your elbow. I regularly do too. But that's a choice, it shouldn't be compelled by the State, and those donations shouldn't be funding ex-
    politicians who exist to lobby for more taxpayers money.
    International development is not charity

    Correctly implemented it address our strategic objectives, increases international security (by downregulating radicalism), builds alliances and creates new markets for commercial activities.
    As third world countries get richer the people in them are more able to afford people smugglers
    But the incentive for economic migration decreases.
    No, it doesn't.

    All economic data shows emigration increases as countries develop, until past the point they're classed as a developed country.

    Because migration is higher up the order of needs. It's a want to have, not a need to have. People who are too poor to afford food, shelter, travel or tourism aren't booking trips abroad.
    At some point it must. Why would I be an economic migrant to a poorer country?
    Pensioners move to spain all the time
    They are not 'economic migrants'.

    Edit: And they don't now, at least not from the UK since Brexit - it's not allowed for mere mortals.
    The has been no migration of retirees from the UK to Spain since Brexit?
    Ben is talking absolute bollocks, people went to settle in spain before the eu, they still do because countries like spain and portugal have put in place schemes to encourage them to do so.
    To be fair, a lot of them went to settle in Spain before the EU because Spain was (a) poor, (b) was desperate for people to come and bring their savings, and (c) didn't have an extradition treaty with the UK.
    Yes and only c has changed
    I’m in the Canary Islands right now and it doesn’t feel poor
    Nowhere feels poor when you stick to the tourist areas....I was in casablance morroco a few years back...didnt feel poor till I wandered of the tourist areas and got lost in the slums where the poverty was totally apparent
    When I was staying in Rabat, a number of years ago, the family put us up in the old house in the Old Town. They told all the neighbours about us - was a unique experience, since we were living, for a few days in the heart of a really ancient district. We were quite safe - but noticed family & friends keeping an eye on us.
    I will say I never felt in danger in those slum lands of either casablanca or vegas,,,,when residents realised you werent on some sort of poverty tour they were quite welcoming. In casablanca for example ended up drinking hot mint tea in a cafe with a load of mad islamics, mad in the sense they were a hoot rather than mad in the sense they wanted to cut my head off. Vegas did get a gun pointed at me but when they realised I wasn't american got invited back for a few smokes and a party
    Rabat was safe because we were protected as known friends of the family. I wouldn't have set foot in the area otherwise.

    I think the most unsafe I've felt was in New Orleans (pre-flood). Some idiot said to go a few blocks out of the tourist area in the Quarter. We ended up in a bar that was seriously edgy and had the vibe of a clubhouse that we weren't invited to.
    Precisely what I mean by going off the tourist area, new orleans the french quarter you are pretty safe, wander off and you need to know how to handle yourself
    Sadly even the French Quarter is no longer safe. In truth it was never “that” safe - but now the danger is overt almost everywhere

    A good friend of mine has lived in Nawlins for 15 years - and has now moved away for that reason

    The closest I’ve come to being shot - outside actual warzones - was NOLA. It is an extremely hostile place if you are unlucky

    Such a shame. It should be marvellous
    I have friends from new orleans that came over last year they would disagree with you, had more guns pointed at me in the uk by far than abroad....6 times in the uk once in vegas
    Ok I’ll tell my friend he’s simply wrong. Even though

    1 he lives in New Orleans (or did)

    and also

    2. I’ve been to the city many times. It’s my favourite city in all the Americas - no joke - but on my last visit (2023) it felt obviously more dangerous than any other time
    I am currently chatting on discord with my friend from new orleans, she is laughing at you
    by chatting I mean voice chat we are watching a movie
    New Orelans is the 7th most dangerous city in the USA (for 2023)

    Given that the top 6 are total shitholes that no one foreign will ever visit (with the possible exception of Memphis for weirdos), that makes Nawlins the most dangerous American city that any European will likely encounter

    1 St. Louis, Missouri
    2 Birmingham, Alabama
    3 Baltimore, Maryland
    4 Memphis, Tennessee
    5 Detroit, Michigan
    6 Cleveland, Ohio
    7 New Orleans, Louisiana


    https://www.forbes.com/sites/laurabegleybloom/2023/01/31/report-ranks-americas-15-safest-and-most-dangerous-cities-for-2023/
    Birmingham is on a big upswing right now. I think it was in the top three cities in the US for economic growth last year.
    Any particular reason? A new MAGA hat factory?
    Good university, decent food scene and very low cost of living. We're probably opening an office there, because we can get good data science staff at a fraction of the cost of the West Coast.
  • MalmesburyMalmesbury Posts: 54,933
    Pagan2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    rcs1000 said:

    Leon said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Leon said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    rcs1000 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    RobD said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    On topic -

    The tragedy of DOGE style slashing goes beyond the damage it will do, in the short term.

    For a political generation or two, all reasonable attempts to increase productivity in government will be tarred with this shite.

    The main saving the US DOGE seems to have made is the shuttering of USAID.

    That can't be done in the UK as between the asylum bills, Sunak’s cut, and Starmer’s cut, UK aid has already been shuttered.

    Good.

    The corrupt circlejerk of "charities" hiring the likes of David Miliband, who then lobby for taxpayers money to go to those charities, should never return.

    Taxpayers money should go on public services.

    Charity should be something people choose to donate to, not get taxed to go towards.

    If you donate to Water Aid, or World Vision, or Comic Relief, or CAFOD or anything else then all power to your elbow. I regularly do too. But that's a choice, it shouldn't be compelled by the State, and those donations shouldn't be funding ex-
    politicians who exist to lobby for more taxpayers money.
    International development is not charity

    Correctly implemented it address our strategic objectives, increases international security (by downregulating radicalism), builds alliances and creates new markets for commercial activities.
    As third world countries get richer the people in them are more able to afford people smugglers
    But the incentive for economic migration decreases.
    No, it doesn't.

    All economic data shows emigration increases as countries develop, until past the point they're classed as a developed country.

    Because migration is higher up the order of needs. It's a want to have, not a need to have. People who are too poor to afford food, shelter, travel or tourism aren't booking trips abroad.
    At some point it must. Why would I be an economic migrant to a poorer country?
    Pensioners move to spain all the time
    They are not 'economic migrants'.

    Edit: And they don't now, at least not from the UK since Brexit - it's not allowed for mere mortals.
    The has been no migration of retirees from the UK to Spain since Brexit?
    Ben is talking absolute bollocks, people went to settle in spain before the eu, they still do because countries like spain and portugal have put in place schemes to encourage them to do so.
    To be fair, a lot of them went to settle in Spain before the EU because Spain was (a) poor, (b) was desperate for people to come and bring their savings, and (c) didn't have an extradition treaty with the UK.
    Yes and only c has changed
    I’m in the Canary Islands right now and it doesn’t feel poor
    Nowhere feels poor when you stick to the tourist areas....I was in casablance morroco a few years back...didnt feel poor till I wandered of the tourist areas and got lost in the slums where the poverty was totally apparent
    When I was staying in Rabat, a number of years ago, the family put us up in the old house in the Old Town. They told all the neighbours about us - was a unique experience, since we were living, for a few days in the heart of a really ancient district. We were quite safe - but noticed family & friends keeping an eye on us.
    I will say I never felt in danger in those slum lands of either casablanca or vegas,,,,when residents realised you werent on some sort of poverty tour they were quite welcoming. In casablanca for example ended up drinking hot mint tea in a cafe with a load of mad islamics, mad in the sense they were a hoot rather than mad in the sense they wanted to cut my head off. Vegas did get a gun pointed at me but when they realised I wasn't american got invited back for a few smokes and a party
    Rabat was safe because we were protected as known friends of the family. I wouldn't have set foot in the area otherwise.

    I think the most unsafe I've felt was in New Orleans (pre-flood). Some idiot said to go a few blocks out of the tourist area in the Quarter. We ended up in a bar that was seriously edgy and had the vibe of a clubhouse that we weren't invited to.
    Precisely what I mean by going off the tourist area, new orleans the french quarter you are pretty safe, wander off and you need to know how to handle yourself
    Sadly even the French Quarter is no longer safe. In truth it was never “that” safe - but now the danger is overt almost everywhere

    A good friend of mine has lived in Nawlins for 15 years - and has now moved away for that reason

    The closest I’ve come to being shot - outside actual warzones - was NOLA. It is an extremely hostile place if you are unlucky

    Such a shame. It should be marvellous
    I have friends from new orleans that came over last year they would disagree with you, had more guns pointed at me in the uk by far than abroad....6 times in the uk once in vegas
    Ok I’ll tell my friend he’s simply wrong. Even though

    1 he lives in New Orleans (or did)

    and also

    2. I’ve been to the city many times. It’s my favourite city in all the Americas - no joke - but on my last visit (2023) it felt obviously more dangerous than any other time
    New Orleans has been among the least safe places in the US for a long time: is it noticably worse than previously? I'd say it's worsened (just like SF worsened noticeably between 2020 and 2024) due to the Covid hangover. But I'd also say that (late 2024) I didn't feel unsafe around Bourbon Street beyond the usual risk of standing in other peoples' vomit or getting your pocket picked.
    Don't get me wrong I am not arguing new orleans is safe, but would also say no urban area is actually safe. As I said had guns in my face in slough, windsor, london and milton keynes here. only time in america was in vegas and then they took me to a party
    Milton Keynes?

    Then again, Oxford did have the Gloucester Arms for many years…. Wink, wink.
    Anywhere you live danger is relevant to the people you hang out with
    The Gloc was actually safe, because the inhabitants (there from opening to closing) had as Rule One - Not In The Pub.

    For a while, the centre of Oxford became a bit of a war zone, with the City Council *encouraging* vertical drinking establishments… who would have thought having three of them on the same intersection, so the crowds collided at chucking out, would be a problem?

    Never saw a fight there - but missed one, because my head was turned the wrong way.

  • MexicanpeteMexicanpete Posts: 32,189
    Foxy said:

    Pagan2 said:

    rcs1000 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Leon said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    rcs1000 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    RobD said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    On topic -

    The tragedy of DOGE style slashing goes beyond the damage it will do, in the short term.

    For a political generation or two, all reasonable attempts to increase productivity in government will be tarred with this shite.

    The main saving the US DOGE seems to have made is the shuttering of USAID.

    That can't be done in the UK as between the asylum bills, Sunak’s cut, and Starmer’s cut, UK aid has already been shuttered.

    Good.

    The corrupt circlejerk of "charities" hiring the likes of David Miliband, who then lobby for taxpayers money to go to those charities, should never return.

    Taxpayers money should go on public services.

    Charity should be something people choose to donate to, not get taxed to go towards.

    If you donate to Water Aid, or World Vision, or Comic Relief, or CAFOD or anything else then all power to your elbow. I regularly do too. But that's a choice, it shouldn't be compelled by the State, and those donations shouldn't be funding ex-
    politicians who exist to lobby for more taxpayers money.
    International development is not charity

    Correctly implemented it address our strategic objectives, increases international security (by downregulating radicalism), builds alliances and creates new markets for commercial activities.
    As third world countries get richer the people in them are more able to afford people smugglers
    But the incentive for economic migration decreases.
    No, it doesn't.

    All economic data shows emigration increases as countries develop, until past the point they're classed as a developed country.

    Because migration is higher up the order of needs. It's a want to have, not a need to have. People who are too poor to afford food, shelter, travel or tourism aren't booking trips abroad.
    At some point it must. Why would I be an economic migrant to a poorer country?
    Pensioners move to spain all the time
    They are not 'economic migrants'.

    Edit: And they don't now, at least not from the UK since Brexit - it's not allowed for mere mortals.
    The has been no migration of retirees from the UK to Spain since Brexit?
    Ben is talking absolute bollocks, people went to settle in spain before the eu, they still do because countries like spain and portugal have put in place schemes to encourage them to do so.
    To be fair, a lot of them went to settle in Spain before the EU because Spain was (a) poor, (b) was desperate for people to come and bring their savings, and (c) didn't have an extradition treaty with the UK.
    Yes and only c has changed
    I’m in the Canary Islands right now and it doesn’t feel poor
    Nowhere feels poor when you stick to the tourist areas....I was in casablance morroco a few years back...didnt feel poor till I wandered of the tourist areas and got lost in the slums where the poverty was totally apparent
    When I was staying in Rabat, a number of years ago, the family put us up in the old house in the Old Town. They told all the neighbours about us - was a unique experience, since we were living, for a few days in the heart of a really ancient district. We were quite safe - but noticed family & friends keeping an eye on us.
    I will say I never felt in danger in those slum lands of either casablanca or vegas,,,,when residents realised you werent on some sort of poverty tour they were quite welcoming. In casablanca for example ended up drinking hot mint tea in a cafe with a load of mad islamics, mad in the sense they were a hoot rather than mad in the sense they wanted to cut my head off. Vegas did get a gun pointed at me but when they realised I wasn't american got invited back for a few smokes and a party
    Rabat was safe because we were protected as known friends of the family. I wouldn't have set foot in the area otherwise.

    I think the most unsafe I've felt was in New Orleans (pre-flood). Some idiot said to go a few blocks out of the tourist area in the Quarter. We ended up in a bar that was seriously edgy and had the vibe of a clubhouse that we weren't invited to.
    Precisely what I mean by going off the tourist area, new orleans the french quarter you are pretty safe, wander off and you need to know how to handle yourself
    Sadly even the French Quarter is no longer safe. In truth it was never “that” safe - but now the danger is overt almost everywhere

    A good friend of mine has lived in Nawlins for 15 years - and has now moved away for that reason

    The closest I’ve come to being shot - outside actual warzones - was NOLA. It is an extremely hostile place if you are unlucky

    Such a shame. It should be marvellous
    I have friends from new orleans that came over last year they would disagree with you, had more guns pointed at me in the uk by far than abroad....6 times in the uk once in vegas
    How on earth have you managed to have guns pointed at you 6 times in the UK?

    Laserquest?
    @Pagan2 is an armed robber, and it was the police who were pointing the guns at him.
    @Pagan2 is an adrenaline junky?
    Nope just lived the life with the hands I was dealt
    I've been to some interesting places - Algeria in their civil war, Somalia, Colombia, Yemen, Equatorial Guinea after the "Wonga" coup attempt, where the President who took power reputedly ate his deposed uncle's bollocks - but I have had ex SAS/ex French Foreign Legion Special Forces as close protection. So no real risk.
    My most "interesting" journey was between the Nairobi Club and the Lilian Towers hotel. The taxi was called for us by this very odd old colonial gentleman with who we had a meeting (for a legitimate business arrangement). The car that picked us up (this is circa 1985) was late 1960s Toyota Corona with a driver who when we got back into Nairobi didn't know the way to the Hotel (there weren't many Western Hotels in Nairobi in 1985). So the driver wanted to stop to pick up a random guy on a random street corner to help him with directions. My boss was a lot more worldly wiser than me and grabbed the driver around the neck calmly explaining if he stopped and let the guy in he would snap his neck. Remarkably the driver remembered the directions to the hotel. My boss released him from the neck hold only on arrival.

    I treated myself to a beer. My boss treated himself to a hooker.
    In 1985, before antiretrovirals were invented, the hooker would have been far more dangerous than the passenger.

    I went to Nairobi on my honeymoon and had quite a pleasant wander through the city centre. There's some striking modernist architecture and a fascinating railway museum. We did take a taxi after dark though.
    I suspect a dose of "the big disease with the little name" would have taken a few years to work to it's outcome. I think these two had plans that evening. I had sfa of value but my companion had a Patel Phillipe watch on his wrist.
  • MalmesburyMalmesbury Posts: 54,933

    rcs1000 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Leon said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    rcs1000 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    RobD said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    On topic -

    The tragedy of DOGE style slashing goes beyond the damage it will do, in the short term.

    For a political generation or two, all reasonable attempts to increase productivity in government will be tarred with this shite.

    The main saving the US DOGE seems to have made is the shuttering of USAID.

    That can't be done in the UK as between the asylum bills, Sunak’s cut, and Starmer’s cut, UK aid has already been shuttered.

    Good.

    The corrupt circlejerk of "charities" hiring the likes of David Miliband, who then lobby for taxpayers money to go to those charities, should never return.

    Taxpayers money should go on public services.

    Charity should be something people choose to donate to, not get taxed to go towards.

    If you donate to Water Aid, or World Vision, or Comic Relief, or CAFOD or anything else then all power to your elbow. I regularly do too. But that's a choice, it shouldn't be compelled by the State, and those donations shouldn't be funding ex-
    politicians who exist to lobby for more taxpayers money.
    International development is not charity

    Correctly implemented it address our strategic objectives, increases international security (by downregulating radicalism), builds alliances and creates new markets for commercial activities.
    As third world countries get richer the people in them are more able to afford people smugglers
    But the incentive for economic migration decreases.
    No, it doesn't.

    All economic data shows emigration increases as countries develop, until past the point they're classed as a developed country.

    Because migration is higher up the order of needs. It's a want to have, not a need to have. People who are too poor to afford food, shelter, travel or tourism aren't booking trips abroad.
    At some point it must. Why would I be an economic migrant to a poorer country?
    Pensioners move to spain all the time
    They are not 'economic migrants'.

    Edit: And they don't now, at least not from the UK since Brexit - it's not allowed for mere mortals.
    The has been no migration of retirees from the UK to Spain since Brexit?
    Ben is talking absolute bollocks, people went to settle in spain before the eu, they still do because countries like spain and portugal have put in place schemes to encourage them to do so.
    To be fair, a lot of them went to settle in Spain before the EU because Spain was (a) poor, (b) was desperate for people to come and bring their savings, and (c) didn't have an extradition treaty with the UK.
    Yes and only c has changed
    I’m in the Canary Islands right now and it doesn’t feel poor
    Nowhere feels poor when you stick to the tourist areas....I was in casablance morroco a few years back...didnt feel poor till I wandered of the tourist areas and got lost in the slums where the poverty was totally apparent
    When I was staying in Rabat, a number of years ago, the family put us up in the old house in the Old Town. They told all the neighbours about us - was a unique experience, since we were living, for a few days in the heart of a really ancient district. We were quite safe - but noticed family & friends keeping an eye on us.
    I will say I never felt in danger in those slum lands of either casablanca or vegas,,,,when residents realised you werent on some sort of poverty tour they were quite welcoming. In casablanca for example ended up drinking hot mint tea in a cafe with a load of mad islamics, mad in the sense they were a hoot rather than mad in the sense they wanted to cut my head off. Vegas did get a gun pointed at me but when they realised I wasn't american got invited back for a few smokes and a party
    Rabat was safe because we were protected as known friends of the family. I wouldn't have set foot in the area otherwise.

    I think the most unsafe I've felt was in New Orleans (pre-flood). Some idiot said to go a few blocks out of the tourist area in the Quarter. We ended up in a bar that was seriously edgy and had the vibe of a clubhouse that we weren't invited to.
    Precisely what I mean by going off the tourist area, new orleans the french quarter you are pretty safe, wander off and you need to know how to handle yourself
    Sadly even the French Quarter is no longer safe. In truth it was never “that” safe - but now the danger is overt almost everywhere

    A good friend of mine has lived in Nawlins for 15 years - and has now moved away for that reason

    The closest I’ve come to being shot - outside actual warzones - was NOLA. It is an extremely hostile place if you are unlucky

    Such a shame. It should be marvellous
    I have friends from new orleans that came over last year they would disagree with you, had more guns pointed at me in the uk by far than abroad....6 times in the uk once in vegas
    How on earth have you managed to have guns pointed at you 6 times in the UK?

    Laserquest?
    @Pagan2 is an armed robber, and it was the police who were pointing the guns at him.
    Remind me again, @rcs1000, who’s the moderator who was complaining about posters saying not nice things about other posters?
    Isn’t it rather bigoted against the Legally Challenged Community, to associate armed robbery with poor behaviour?
  • Pagan2Pagan2 Posts: 11,868
    rcs1000 said:

    rcs1000 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Leon said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    rcs1000 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    RobD said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    On topic -

    The tragedy of DOGE style slashing goes beyond the damage it will do, in the short term.

    For a political generation or two, all reasonable attempts to increase productivity in government will be tarred with this shite.

    The main saving the US DOGE seems to have made is the shuttering of USAID.

    That can't be done in the UK as between the asylum bills, Sunak’s cut, and Starmer’s cut, UK aid has already been shuttered.

    Good.

    The corrupt circlejerk of "charities" hiring the likes of David Miliband, who then lobby for taxpayers money to go to those charities, should never return.

    Taxpayers money should go on public services.

    Charity should be something people choose to donate to, not get taxed to go towards.

    If you donate to Water Aid, or World Vision, or Comic Relief, or CAFOD or anything else then all power to your elbow. I regularly do too. But that's a choice, it shouldn't be compelled by the State, and those donations shouldn't be funding ex-
    politicians who exist to lobby for more taxpayers money.
    International development is not charity

    Correctly implemented it address our strategic objectives, increases international security (by downregulating radicalism), builds alliances and creates new markets for commercial activities.
    As third world countries get richer the people in them are more able to afford people smugglers
    But the incentive for economic migration decreases.
    No, it doesn't.

    All economic data shows emigration increases as countries develop, until past the point they're classed as a developed country.

    Because migration is higher up the order of needs. It's a want to have, not a need to have. People who are too poor to afford food, shelter, travel or tourism aren't booking trips abroad.
    At some point it must. Why would I be an economic migrant to a poorer country?
    Pensioners move to spain all the time
    They are not 'economic migrants'.

    Edit: And they don't now, at least not from the UK since Brexit - it's not allowed for mere mortals.
    The has been no migration of retirees from the UK to Spain since Brexit?
    Ben is talking absolute bollocks, people went to settle in spain before the eu, they still do because countries like spain and portugal have put in place schemes to encourage them to do so.
    To be fair, a lot of them went to settle in Spain before the EU because Spain was (a) poor, (b) was desperate for people to come and bring their savings, and (c) didn't have an extradition treaty with the UK.
    Yes and only c has changed
    I’m in the Canary Islands right now and it doesn’t feel poor
    Nowhere feels poor when you stick to the tourist areas....I was in casablance morroco a few years back...didnt feel poor till I wandered of the tourist areas and got lost in the slums where the poverty was totally apparent
    When I was staying in Rabat, a number of years ago, the family put us up in the old house in the Old Town. They told all the neighbours about us - was a unique experience, since we were living, for a few days in the heart of a really ancient district. We were quite safe - but noticed family & friends keeping an eye on us.
    I will say I never felt in danger in those slum lands of either casablanca or vegas,,,,when residents realised you werent on some sort of poverty tour they were quite welcoming. In casablanca for example ended up drinking hot mint tea in a cafe with a load of mad islamics, mad in the sense they were a hoot rather than mad in the sense they wanted to cut my head off. Vegas did get a gun pointed at me but when they realised I wasn't american got invited back for a few smokes and a party
    Rabat was safe because we were protected as known friends of the family. I wouldn't have set foot in the area otherwise.

    I think the most unsafe I've felt was in New Orleans (pre-flood). Some idiot said to go a few blocks out of the tourist area in the Quarter. We ended up in a bar that was seriously edgy and had the vibe of a clubhouse that we weren't invited to.
    Precisely what I mean by going off the tourist area, new orleans the french quarter you are pretty safe, wander off and you need to know how to handle yourself
    Sadly even the French Quarter is no longer safe. In truth it was never “that” safe - but now the danger is overt almost everywhere

    A good friend of mine has lived in Nawlins for 15 years - and has now moved away for that reason

    The closest I’ve come to being shot - outside actual warzones - was NOLA. It is an extremely hostile place if you are unlucky

    Such a shame. It should be marvellous
    I have friends from new orleans that came over last year they would disagree with you, had more guns pointed at me in the uk by far than abroad....6 times in the uk once in vegas
    How on earth have you managed to have guns pointed at you 6 times in the UK?

    Laserquest?
    @Pagan2 is an armed robber, and it was the police who were pointing the guns at him.
    Remind me again, @rcs1000, who’s the moderator who was complaining about posters saying not nice things about other posters?
    I said he was an armed robber! That's like the royalty of lockup.
    I was actually offended by being called an armed robber...there are far better ways of making illegal money and not that stupid nods
  • FairlieredFairliered Posts: 5,811
    rcs1000 said:

    rcs1000 said:

    Leon said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Leon said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Leon said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    rcs1000 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    RobD said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    On topic -

    The tragedy of DOGE style slashing goes beyond the damage it will do, in the short term.

    For a political generation or two, all reasonable attempts to increase productivity in government will be tarred with this shite.

    The main saving the US DOGE seems to have made is the shuttering of USAID.

    That can't be done in the UK as between the asylum bills, Sunak’s cut, and Starmer’s cut, UK aid has already been shuttered.

    Good.

    The corrupt circlejerk of "charities" hiring the likes of David Miliband, who then lobby for taxpayers money to go to those charities, should never return.

    Taxpayers money should go on public services.

    Charity should be something people choose to donate to, not get taxed to go towards.

    If you donate to Water Aid, or World Vision, or Comic Relief, or CAFOD or anything else then all power to your elbow. I regularly do too. But that's a choice, it shouldn't be compelled by the State, and those donations shouldn't be funding ex-
    politicians who exist to lobby for more taxpayers money.
    International development is not charity

    Correctly implemented it address our strategic objectives, increases international security (by downregulating radicalism), builds alliances and creates new markets for commercial activities.
    As third world countries get richer the people in them are more able to afford people smugglers
    But the incentive for economic migration decreases.
    No, it doesn't.

    All economic data shows emigration increases as countries develop, until past the point they're classed as a developed country.

    Because migration is higher up the order of needs. It's a want to have, not a need to have. People who are too poor to afford food, shelter, travel or tourism aren't booking trips abroad.
    At some point it must. Why would I be an economic migrant to a poorer country?
    Pensioners move to spain all the time
    They are not 'economic migrants'.

    Edit: And they don't now, at least not from the UK since Brexit - it's not allowed for mere mortals.
    The has been no migration of retirees from the UK to Spain since Brexit?
    Ben is talking absolute bollocks, people went to settle in spain before the eu, they still do because countries like spain and portugal have put in place schemes to encourage them to do so.
    To be fair, a lot of them went to settle in Spain before the EU because Spain was (a) poor, (b) was desperate for people to come and bring their savings, and (c) didn't have an extradition treaty with the UK.
    Yes and only c has changed
    I’m in the Canary Islands right now and it doesn’t feel poor
    Nowhere feels poor when you stick to the tourist areas....I was in casablance morroco a few years back...didnt feel poor till I wandered of the tourist areas and got lost in the slums where the poverty was totally apparent
    When I was staying in Rabat, a number of years ago, the family put us up in the old house in the Old Town. They told all the neighbours about us - was a unique experience, since we were living, for a few days in the heart of a really ancient district. We were quite safe - but noticed family & friends keeping an eye on us.
    I will say I never felt in danger in those slum lands of either casablanca or vegas,,,,when residents realised you werent on some sort of poverty tour they were quite welcoming. In casablanca for example ended up drinking hot mint tea in a cafe with a load of mad islamics, mad in the sense they were a hoot rather than mad in the sense they wanted to cut my head off. Vegas did get a gun pointed at me but when they realised I wasn't american got invited back for a few smokes and a party
    Rabat was safe because we were protected as known friends of the family. I wouldn't have set foot in the area otherwise.

    I think the most unsafe I've felt was in New Orleans (pre-flood). Some idiot said to go a few blocks out of the tourist area in the Quarter. We ended up in a bar that was seriously edgy and had the vibe of a clubhouse that we weren't invited to.
    Precisely what I mean by going off the tourist area, new orleans the french quarter you are pretty safe, wander off and you need to know how to handle yourself
    Sadly even the French Quarter is no longer safe. In truth it was never “that” safe - but now the danger is overt almost everywhere

    A good friend of mine has lived in Nawlins for 15 years - and has now moved away for that reason

    The closest I’ve come to being shot - outside actual warzones - was NOLA. It is an extremely hostile place if you are unlucky

    Such a shame. It should be marvellous
    I have friends from new orleans that came over last year they would disagree with you, had more guns pointed at me in the uk by far than abroad....6 times in the uk once in vegas
    Ok I’ll tell my friend he’s simply wrong. Even though

    1 he lives in New Orleans (or did)

    and also

    2. I’ve been to the city many times. It’s my favourite city in all the Americas - no joke - but on my last visit (2023) it felt obviously more dangerous than any other time
    I am currently chatting on discord with my friend from new orleans, she is laughing at you
    by chatting I mean voice chat we are watching a movie
    New Orelans is the 7th most dangerous city in the USA (for 2023)

    Given that the top 6 are total shitholes that no one foreign will ever visit (with the possible exception of Memphis for weirdos), that makes Nawlins the most dangerous American city that any European will likely encounter

    1 St. Louis, Missouri
    2 Birmingham, Alabama
    3 Baltimore, Maryland
    4 Memphis, Tennessee
    5 Detroit, Michigan
    6 Cleveland, Ohio
    7 New Orleans, Louisiana


    https://www.forbes.com/sites/laurabegleybloom/2023/01/31/report-ranks-americas-15-safest-and-most-dangerous-cities-for-2023/
    Birmingham is on a big upswing right now. I think it was in the top three cities in the US for economic growth last year.
    Any particular reason? A new MAGA hat factory?
    Good university, decent food scene and very low cost of living. We're probably opening an office there, because we can get good data science staff at a fraction of the cost of the West Coast.
    Plus, somewhere to escape to when Trump invades California.
  • FoxyFoxy Posts: 51,875
    rcs1000 said:

    Tres said:

    Leon said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Leon said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Leon said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    rcs1000 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    RobD said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    On topic -

    The tragedy of DOGE style slashing goes beyond the damage it will do, in the short term.

    For a political generation or two, all reasonable attempts to increase productivity in government will be tarred with this shite.

    The main saving the US DOGE seems to have made is the shuttering of USAID.

    That can't be done in the UK as between the asylum bills, Sunak’s cut, and Starmer’s cut, UK aid has already been shuttered.

    Good.

    The corrupt circlejerk of "charities" hiring the likes of David Miliband, who then lobby for taxpayers money to go to those charities, should never return.

    Taxpayers money should go on public services.

    Charity should be something people choose to donate to, not get taxed to go towards.

    If you donate to Water Aid, or World Vision, or Comic Relief, or CAFOD or anything else then all power to your elbow. I regularly do too. But that's a choice, it shouldn't be compelled by the State, and those donations shouldn't be funding ex-
    politicians who exist to lobby for more taxpayers money.
    International development is not charity

    Correctly implemented it address our strategic objectives, increases international security (by downregulating radicalism), builds alliances and creates new markets for commercial activities.
    As third world countries get richer the people in them are more able to afford people smugglers
    But the incentive for economic migration decreases.
    No, it doesn't.

    All economic data shows emigration increases as countries develop, until past the point they're classed as a developed country.

    Because migration is higher up the order of needs. It's a want to have, not a need to have. People who are too poor to afford food, shelter, travel or tourism aren't booking trips abroad.
    At some point it must. Why would I be an economic migrant to a poorer country?
    Pensioners move to spain all the time
    They are not 'economic migrants'.

    Edit: And they don't now, at least not from the UK since Brexit - it's not allowed for mere mortals.
    The has been no migration of retirees from the UK to Spain since Brexit?
    Ben is talking absolute bollocks, people went to settle in spain before the eu, they still do because countries like spain and portugal have put in place schemes to encourage them to do so.
    To be fair, a lot of them went to settle in Spain before the EU because Spain was (a) poor, (b) was desperate for people to come and bring their savings, and (c) didn't have an extradition treaty with the UK.
    Yes and only c has changed
    I’m in the Canary Islands right now and it doesn’t feel poor
    Nowhere feels poor when you stick to the tourist areas....I was in casablance morroco a few years back...didnt feel poor till I wandered of the tourist areas and got lost in the slums where the poverty was totally apparent
    When I was staying in Rabat, a number of years ago, the family put us up in the old house in the Old Town. They told all the neighbours about us - was a unique experience, since we were living, for a few days in the heart of a really ancient district. We were quite safe - but noticed family & friends keeping an eye on us.
    I will say I never felt in danger in those slum lands of either casablanca or vegas,,,,when residents realised you werent on some sort of poverty tour they were quite welcoming. In casablanca for example ended up drinking hot mint tea in a cafe with a load of mad islamics, mad in the sense they were a hoot rather than mad in the sense they wanted to cut my head off. Vegas did get a gun pointed at me but when they realised I wasn't american got invited back for a few smokes and a party
    Rabat was safe because we were protected as known friends of the family. I wouldn't have set foot in the area otherwise.

    I think the most unsafe I've felt was in New Orleans (pre-flood). Some idiot said to go a few blocks out of the tourist area in the Quarter. We ended up in a bar that was seriously edgy and had the vibe of a clubhouse that we weren't invited to.
    Precisely what I mean by going off the tourist area, new orleans the french quarter you are pretty safe, wander off and you need to know how to handle yourself
    Sadly even the French Quarter is no longer safe. In truth it was never “that” safe - but now the danger is overt almost everywhere

    A good friend of mine has lived in Nawlins for 15 years - and has now moved away for that reason

    The closest I’ve come to being shot - outside actual warzones - was NOLA. It is an extremely hostile place if you are unlucky

    Such a shame. It should be marvellous
    I have friends from new orleans that came over last year they would disagree with you, had more guns pointed at me in the uk by far than abroad....6 times in the uk once in vegas
    Ok I’ll tell my friend he’s simply wrong. Even though

    1 he lives in New Orleans (or did)

    and also

    2. I’ve been to the city many times. It’s my favourite city in all the Americas - no joke - but on my last visit (2023) it felt obviously more dangerous than any other time
    I am currently chatting on discord with my friend from new orleans, she is laughing at you
    by chatting I mean voice chat we are watching a movie
    New Orelans is the 7th most dangerous city in the USA (for 2023)

    Given that the top 6 are total shitholes that no one foreign will ever visit (with the possible exception of Memphis for weirdos), that makes Nawlins the most dangerous American city that any European will likely encounter

    1 St. Louis, Missouri
    2 Birmingham, Alabama
    3 Baltimore, Maryland
    4 Memphis, Tennessee
    5 Detroit, Michigan
    6 Cleveland, Ohio
    7 New Orleans, Louisiana


    https://www.forbes.com/sites/laurabegleybloom/2023/01/31/report-ranks-americas-15-safest-and-most-dangerous-cities-for-2023/
    I been to 5 of those including NOLA, but the sketchiest place I've ever been uswise is Jackson, MS
    I had a rather nice greek gyro wrap in Jackson.

    But, yeah, it was sketchy as hell. You knew you were in the poorest state in the US.
    I remember stopping for some soul-food in a suburb of Vegas and getting some funny looks. Mrs Foxy and I were the only white people in the place. We had a lovely meal, and the servers were very hospitable and it wasn't dangerous, more that no white American would have gone in the place.
  • solarflaresolarflare Posts: 3,991

    Cookie said:

    I've had a few whiskies with my wife on the Caledonian Sleeper leaving Euston (yes, London does have a railway station) and then retired to our sleeping compartment to have sex there - pre kids - before waking up, very hungover, in Edinburgh Waverley the next morning.

    Does that count?

    I've been hunting back through the thread without success to find oit what this pertains to. But if it's relevant, I was once lucky enough to be fellated on the Ffestiniog Mountain Railway.
    https://www.festrail.co.uk/about/
    I was once fellated on the M4 by a Japanese lady, whilst I was driving at over 120 mph.

    Not sure that can be relevent to anything.
    With upcoming regulations and technology, the car will ensure that no more than 70 is possible, if that helps.
  • RobDRobD Posts: 60,494

    Cookie said:

    I've had a few whiskies with my wife on the Caledonian Sleeper leaving Euston (yes, London does have a railway station) and then retired to our sleeping compartment to have sex there - pre kids - before waking up, very hungover, in Edinburgh Waverley the next morning.

    Does that count?

    I've been hunting back through the thread without success to find oit what this pertains to. But if it's relevant, I was once lucky enough to be fellated on the Ffestiniog Mountain Railway.
    https://www.festrail.co.uk/about/
    I was once fellated on the M4 by a Japanese lady, whilst I was driving at over 120 mph.

    Not sure that can be relevent to anything.
    With upcoming regulations and technology, the car will ensure that no more than 70 is possible, if that helps.
    70 times being fellated? Is that per trip, or over the lifetime of the car?
  • Pagan2Pagan2 Posts: 11,868
    Foxy said:

    rcs1000 said:

    Tres said:

    Leon said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Leon said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Leon said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    rcs1000 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    RobD said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    On topic -

    The tragedy of DOGE style slashing goes beyond the damage it will do, in the short term.

    For a political generation or two, all reasonable attempts to increase productivity in government will be tarred with this shite.

    The main saving the US DOGE seems to have made is the shuttering of USAID.

    That can't be done in the UK as between the asylum bills, Sunak’s cut, and Starmer’s cut, UK aid has already been shuttered.

    Good.

    The corrupt circlejerk of "charities" hiring the likes of David Miliband, who then lobby for taxpayers money to go to those charities, should never return.

    Taxpayers money should go on public services.

    Charity should be something people choose to donate to, not get taxed to go towards.

    If you donate to Water Aid, or World Vision, or Comic Relief, or CAFOD or anything else then all power to your elbow. I regularly do too. But that's a choice, it shouldn't be compelled by the State, and those donations shouldn't be funding ex-
    politicians who exist to lobby for more taxpayers money.
    International development is not charity

    Correctly implemented it address our strategic objectives, increases international security (by downregulating radicalism), builds alliances and creates new markets for commercial activities.
    As third world countries get richer the people in them are more able to afford people smugglers
    But the incentive for economic migration decreases.
    No, it doesn't.

    All economic data shows emigration increases as countries develop, until past the point they're classed as a developed country.

    Because migration is higher up the order of needs. It's a want to have, not a need to have. People who are too poor to afford food, shelter, travel or tourism aren't booking trips abroad.
    At some point it must. Why would I be an economic migrant to a poorer country?
    Pensioners move to spain all the time
    They are not 'economic migrants'.

    Edit: And they don't now, at least not from the UK since Brexit - it's not allowed for mere mortals.
    The has been no migration of retirees from the UK to Spain since Brexit?
    Ben is talking absolute bollocks, people went to settle in spain before the eu, they still do because countries like spain and portugal have put in place schemes to encourage them to do so.
    To be fair, a lot of them went to settle in Spain before the EU because Spain was (a) poor, (b) was desperate for people to come and bring their savings, and (c) didn't have an extradition treaty with the UK.
    Yes and only c has changed
    I’m in the Canary Islands right now and it doesn’t feel poor
    Nowhere feels poor when you stick to the tourist areas....I was in casablance morroco a few years back...didnt feel poor till I wandered of the tourist areas and got lost in the slums where the poverty was totally apparent
    When I was staying in Rabat, a number of years ago, the family put us up in the old house in the Old Town. They told all the neighbours about us - was a unique experience, since we were living, for a few days in the heart of a really ancient district. We were quite safe - but noticed family & friends keeping an eye on us.
    I will say I never felt in danger in those slum lands of either casablanca or vegas,,,,when residents realised you werent on some sort of poverty tour they were quite welcoming. In casablanca for example ended up drinking hot mint tea in a cafe with a load of mad islamics, mad in the sense they were a hoot rather than mad in the sense they wanted to cut my head off. Vegas did get a gun pointed at me but when they realised I wasn't american got invited back for a few smokes and a party
    Rabat was safe because we were protected as known friends of the family. I wouldn't have set foot in the area otherwise.

    I think the most unsafe I've felt was in New Orleans (pre-flood). Some idiot said to go a few blocks out of the tourist area in the Quarter. We ended up in a bar that was seriously edgy and had the vibe of a clubhouse that we weren't invited to.
    Precisely what I mean by going off the tourist area, new orleans the french quarter you are pretty safe, wander off and you need to know how to handle yourself
    Sadly even the French Quarter is no longer safe. In truth it was never “that” safe - but now the danger is overt almost everywhere

    A good friend of mine has lived in Nawlins for 15 years - and has now moved away for that reason

    The closest I’ve come to being shot - outside actual warzones - was NOLA. It is an extremely hostile place if you are unlucky

    Such a shame. It should be marvellous
    I have friends from new orleans that came over last year they would disagree with you, had more guns pointed at me in the uk by far than abroad....6 times in the uk once in vegas
    Ok I’ll tell my friend he’s simply wrong. Even though

    1 he lives in New Orleans (or did)

    and also

    2. I’ve been to the city many times. It’s my favourite city in all the Americas - no joke - but on my last visit (2023) it felt obviously more dangerous than any other time
    I am currently chatting on discord with my friend from new orleans, she is laughing at you
    by chatting I mean voice chat we are watching a movie
    New Orelans is the 7th most dangerous city in the USA (for 2023)

    Given that the top 6 are total shitholes that no one foreign will ever visit (with the possible exception of Memphis for weirdos), that makes Nawlins the most dangerous American city that any European will likely encounter

    1 St. Louis, Missouri
    2 Birmingham, Alabama
    3 Baltimore, Maryland
    4 Memphis, Tennessee
    5 Detroit, Michigan
    6 Cleveland, Ohio
    7 New Orleans, Louisiana


    https://www.forbes.com/sites/laurabegleybloom/2023/01/31/report-ranks-americas-15-safest-and-most-dangerous-cities-for-2023/
    I been to 5 of those including NOLA, but the sketchiest place I've ever been uswise is Jackson, MS
    I had a rather nice greek gyro wrap in Jackson.

    But, yeah, it was sketchy as hell. You knew you were in the poorest state in the US.
    I remember stopping for some soul-food in a suburb of Vegas and getting some funny looks. Mrs Foxy and I were the only white people in the place. We had a lovely meal, and the servers were very hospitable and it wasn't dangerous, more that no white American would have gone in the place.
    Generally my experience of places you shouldn't go is "No problem when they realise you arent on some "taking the piss mission""....when myself and my girlfriend ended up in a cafe in the slums of casablanca...she was the only woman in there...she had a scarf over her head as we planned to visit the mosque....yes they were a little shocked a woman was in there at first but we spent a couple of hours there and after the intial surprise they were really friendly we all ended up on one table chatting away
  • TheuniondivvieTheuniondivvie Posts: 43,829
    edited June 8
    .

    Foxy said:

    Pagan2 said:

    rcs1000 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Leon said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    rcs1000 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    RobD said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    On topic -

    The tragedy of DOGE style slashing goes beyond the damage it will do, in the short term.

    For a political generation or two, all reasonable attempts to increase productivity in government will be tarred with this shite.

    The main saving the US DOGE seems to have made is the shuttering of USAID.

    That can't be done in the UK as between the asylum bills, Sunak’s cut, and Starmer’s cut, UK aid has already been shuttered.

    Good.

    The corrupt circlejerk of "charities" hiring the likes of David Miliband, who then lobby for taxpayers money to go to those charities, should never return.

    Taxpayers money should go on public services.

    Charity should be something people choose to donate to, not get taxed to go towards.

    If you donate to Water Aid, or World Vision, or Comic Relief, or CAFOD or anything else then all power to your elbow. I regularly do too. But that's a choice, it shouldn't be compelled by the State, and those donations shouldn't be funding ex-
    politicians who exist to lobby for more taxpayers money.
    International development is not charity

    Correctly implemented it address our strategic objectives, increases international security (by downregulating radicalism), builds alliances and creates new markets for commercial activities.
    As third world countries get richer the people in them are more able to afford people smugglers
    But the incentive for economic migration decreases.
    No, it doesn't.

    All economic data shows emigration increases as countries develop, until past the point they're classed as a developed country.

    Because migration is higher up the order of needs. It's a want to have, not a need to have. People who are too poor to afford food, shelter, travel or tourism aren't booking trips abroad.
    At some point it must. Why would I be an economic migrant to a poorer country?
    Pensioners move to spain all the time
    They are not 'economic migrants'.

    Edit: And they don't now, at least not from the UK since Brexit - it's not allowed for mere mortals.
    The has been no migration of retirees from the UK to Spain since Brexit?
    Ben is talking absolute bollocks, people went to settle in spain before the eu, they still do because countries like spain and portugal have put in place schemes to encourage them to do so.
    To be fair, a lot of them went to settle in Spain before the EU because Spain was (a) poor, (b) was desperate for people to come and bring their savings, and (c) didn't have an extradition treaty with the UK.
    Yes and only c has changed
    I’m in the Canary Islands right now and it doesn’t feel poor
    Nowhere feels poor when you stick to the tourist areas....I was in casablance morroco a few years back...didnt feel poor till I wandered of the tourist areas and got lost in the slums where the poverty was totally apparent
    When I was staying in Rabat, a number of years ago, the family put us up in the old house in the Old Town. They told all the neighbours about us - was a unique experience, since we were living, for a few days in the heart of a really ancient district. We were quite safe - but noticed family & friends keeping an eye on us.
    I will say I never felt in danger in those slum lands of either casablanca or vegas,,,,when residents realised you werent on some sort of poverty tour they were quite welcoming. In casablanca for example ended up drinking hot mint tea in a cafe with a load of mad islamics, mad in the sense they were a hoot rather than mad in the sense they wanted to cut my head off. Vegas did get a gun pointed at me but when they realised I wasn't american got invited back for a few smokes and a party
    Rabat was safe because we were protected as known friends of the family. I wouldn't have set foot in the area otherwise.

    I think the most unsafe I've felt was in New Orleans (pre-flood). Some idiot said to go a few blocks out of the tourist area in the Quarter. We ended up in a bar that was seriously edgy and had the vibe of a clubhouse that we weren't invited to.
    Precisely what I mean by going off the tourist area, new orleans the french quarter you are pretty safe, wander off and you need to know how to handle yourself
    Sadly even the French Quarter is no longer safe. In truth it was never “that” safe - but now the danger is overt almost everywhere

    A good friend of mine has lived in Nawlins for 15 years - and has now moved away for that reason

    The closest I’ve come to being shot - outside actual warzones - was NOLA. It is an extremely hostile place if you are unlucky

    Such a shame. It should be marvellous
    I have friends from new orleans that came over last year they would disagree with you, had more guns pointed at me in the uk by far than abroad....6 times in the uk once in vegas
    How on earth have you managed to have guns pointed at you 6 times in the UK?

    Laserquest?
    @Pagan2 is an armed robber, and it was the police who were pointing the guns at him.
    @Pagan2 is an adrenaline junky?
    Nope just lived the life with the hands I was dealt
    I've been to some interesting places - Algeria in their civil war, Somalia, Colombia, Yemen, Equatorial Guinea after the "Wonga" coup attempt, where the President who took power reputedly ate his deposed uncle's bollocks - but I have had ex SAS/ex French Foreign Legion Special Forces as close protection. So no real risk.
    My most "interesting" journey was between the Nairobi Club and the Lilian Towers hotel. The taxi was called for us by this very odd old colonial gentleman with who we had a meeting (for a legitimate business arrangement). The car that picked us up (this is circa 1985) was late 1960s Toyota Corona with a driver who when we got back into Nairobi didn't know the way to the Hotel (there weren't many Western Hotels in Nairobi in 1985). So the driver wanted to stop to pick up a random guy on a random street corner to help him with directions. My boss was a lot more worldly wiser than me and grabbed the driver around the neck calmly explaining if he stopped and let the guy in he would snap his neck. Remarkably the driver remembered the directions to the hotel. My boss released him from the neck hold only on arrival.

    I treated myself to a beer. My boss treated himself to a hooker.
    In 1985, before antiretrovirals were invented, the hooker would have been far more dangerous than the passenger.

    I went to Nairobi on my honeymoon and had quite a pleasant wander through the city centre. There's some striking modernist architecture and a fascinating railway museum. We did take a taxi after dark though.
    I suspect a dose of "the big disease with the little name" would have taken a few years to work to it's outcome. I think these two had plans that evening. I had sfa of value but my companion had a Patel Phillipe watch on his wrist.
    Indian knock-off?
  • MexicanpeteMexicanpete Posts: 32,189

    Cookie said:

    I've had a few whiskies with my wife on the Caledonian Sleeper leaving Euston (yes, London does have a railway station) and then retired to our sleeping compartment to have sex there - pre kids - before waking up, very hungover, in Edinburgh Waverley the next morning.

    Does that count?

    I've been hunting back through the thread without success to find oit what this pertains to. But if it's relevant, I was once lucky enough to be fellated on the Ffestiniog Mountain Railway.
    https://www.festrail.co.uk/about/
    I was once fellated on the M4 by a Japanese lady, whilst I was driving at over 120 mph.

    Not sure that can be relevent to anything.
    That would result in a custodial sentences in Starmer's Britain.

    3 points and a modest careless driving fine for the fellatio and 18 months in Pentonville for the 120 mph offence
    Yeah, but the street cred on C Block....

    I did once drive much faster on the M4, when challenged to a race by a Ford Escort Cosworth. He had the acceleration, but I had the top speed, as I kept reeling him in over 8 junctions.

    As I pulled over to turn off at junction 12, the Cosworth pulled level, the passenger window rolled down - and got a cheery wave of appreciation from the passenger, Nigel Mansell.
    Back in the day it was always wise to set the cruise control to 99 on a motorway because a hundred was a ban. 85 on a Motorway I felt was more than enough, although not enough for Cavalier drivers of the day. I wasn't averse to keeping up with fast machines on curvier journeys. When I had the Capris including the 2.8 on anything but a straight road an MG Metro could lose me. The Alfa GTV6 was a much better prospect. However my finest hour was a tussle with a Porsche 944 in a new Mk 3 Escort Ghia. I was coming out of Banbury on my way to Evesham and was flashed by the Porsche so I indicated and let him pass, but I thought I wonder if I could keep up. I did so easily, and he was clearly trying to lose me because when he turned off towards Southam he was tooting his horn and was waving from the sunroof. He'd had some fun.

    These days I drive like an old woman.
  • MarqueeMarkMarqueeMark Posts: 55,046
    Pagan2 said:

    Foxy said:

    rcs1000 said:

    Tres said:

    Leon said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Leon said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Leon said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    rcs1000 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    RobD said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    On topic -

    The tragedy of DOGE style slashing goes beyond the damage it will do, in the short term.

    For a political generation or two, all reasonable attempts to increase productivity in government will be tarred with this shite.

    The main saving the US DOGE seems to have made is the shuttering of USAID.

    That can't be done in the UK as between the asylum bills, Sunak’s cut, and Starmer’s cut, UK aid has already been shuttered.

    Good.

    The corrupt circlejerk of "charities" hiring the likes of David Miliband, who then lobby for taxpayers money to go to those charities, should never return.

    Taxpayers money should go on public services.

    Charity should be something people choose to donate to, not get taxed to go towards.

    If you donate to Water Aid, or World Vision, or Comic Relief, or CAFOD or anything else then all power to your elbow. I regularly do too. But that's a choice, it shouldn't be compelled by the State, and those donations shouldn't be funding ex-
    politicians who exist to lobby for more taxpayers money.
    International development is not charity

    Correctly implemented it address our strategic objectives, increases international security (by downregulating radicalism), builds alliances and creates new markets for commercial activities.
    As third world countries get richer the people in them are more able to afford people smugglers
    But the incentive for economic migration decreases.
    No, it doesn't.

    All economic data shows emigration increases as countries develop, until past the point they're classed as a developed country.

    Because migration is higher up the order of needs. It's a want to have, not a need to have. People who are too poor to afford food, shelter, travel or tourism aren't booking trips abroad.
    At some point it must. Why would I be an economic migrant to a poorer country?
    Pensioners move to spain all the time
    They are not 'economic migrants'.

    Edit: And they don't now, at least not from the UK since Brexit - it's not allowed for mere mortals.
    The has been no migration of retirees from the UK to Spain since Brexit?
    Ben is talking absolute bollocks, people went to settle in spain before the eu, they still do because countries like spain and portugal have put in place schemes to encourage them to do so.
    To be fair, a lot of them went to settle in Spain before the EU because Spain was (a) poor, (b) was desperate for people to come and bring their savings, and (c) didn't have an extradition treaty with the UK.
    Yes and only c has changed
    I’m in the Canary Islands right now and it doesn’t feel poor
    Nowhere feels poor when you stick to the tourist areas....I was in casablance morroco a few years back...didnt feel poor till I wandered of the tourist areas and got lost in the slums where the poverty was totally apparent
    When I was staying in Rabat, a number of years ago, the family put us up in the old house in the Old Town. They told all the neighbours about us - was a unique experience, since we were living, for a few days in the heart of a really ancient district. We were quite safe - but noticed family & friends keeping an eye on us.
    I will say I never felt in danger in those slum lands of either casablanca or vegas,,,,when residents realised you werent on some sort of poverty tour they were quite welcoming. In casablanca for example ended up drinking hot mint tea in a cafe with a load of mad islamics, mad in the sense they were a hoot rather than mad in the sense they wanted to cut my head off. Vegas did get a gun pointed at me but when they realised I wasn't american got invited back for a few smokes and a party
    Rabat was safe because we were protected as known friends of the family. I wouldn't have set foot in the area otherwise.

    I think the most unsafe I've felt was in New Orleans (pre-flood). Some idiot said to go a few blocks out of the tourist area in the Quarter. We ended up in a bar that was seriously edgy and had the vibe of a clubhouse that we weren't invited to.
    Precisely what I mean by going off the tourist area, new orleans the french quarter you are pretty safe, wander off and you need to know how to handle yourself
    Sadly even the French Quarter is no longer safe. In truth it was never “that” safe - but now the danger is overt almost everywhere

    A good friend of mine has lived in Nawlins for 15 years - and has now moved away for that reason

    The closest I’ve come to being shot - outside actual warzones - was NOLA. It is an extremely hostile place if you are unlucky

    Such a shame. It should be marvellous
    I have friends from new orleans that came over last year they would disagree with you, had more guns pointed at me in the uk by far than abroad....6 times in the uk once in vegas
    Ok I’ll tell my friend he’s simply wrong. Even though

    1 he lives in New Orleans (or did)

    and also

    2. I’ve been to the city many times. It’s my favourite city in all the Americas - no joke - but on my last visit (2023) it felt obviously more dangerous than any other time
    I am currently chatting on discord with my friend from new orleans, she is laughing at you
    by chatting I mean voice chat we are watching a movie
    New Orelans is the 7th most dangerous city in the USA (for 2023)

    Given that the top 6 are total shitholes that no one foreign will ever visit (with the possible exception of Memphis for weirdos), that makes Nawlins the most dangerous American city that any European will likely encounter

    1 St. Louis, Missouri
    2 Birmingham, Alabama
    3 Baltimore, Maryland
    4 Memphis, Tennessee
    5 Detroit, Michigan
    6 Cleveland, Ohio
    7 New Orleans, Louisiana


    https://www.forbes.com/sites/laurabegleybloom/2023/01/31/report-ranks-americas-15-safest-and-most-dangerous-cities-for-2023/
    I been to 5 of those including NOLA, but the sketchiest place I've ever been uswise is Jackson, MS
    I had a rather nice greek gyro wrap in Jackson.

    But, yeah, it was sketchy as hell. You knew you were in the poorest state in the US.
    I remember stopping for some soul-food in a suburb of Vegas and getting some funny looks. Mrs Foxy and I were the only white people in the place. We had a lovely meal, and the servers were very hospitable and it wasn't dangerous, more that no white American would have gone in the place.
    Generally my experience of places you shouldn't go is "No problem when they realise you arent on some "taking the piss mission""....when myself and my girlfriend ended up in a cafe in the slums of casablanca...she was the only woman in there...she had a scarf over her head as we planned to visit the mosque....yes they were a little shocked a woman was in there at first but we spent a couple of hours there and after the intial surprise they were really friendly we all ended up on one table chatting away
    Remember going to a restaurant in Casablanca, that over the course of the evening changed into a drinking den then a dancefloor then a bordello...
  • carnforthcarnforth Posts: 6,236

    Foxy said:

    Pagan2 said:

    rcs1000 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Leon said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    rcs1000 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    RobD said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    On topic -

    The tragedy of DOGE style slashing goes beyond the damage it will do, in the short term.

    For a political generation or two, all reasonable attempts to increase productivity in government will be tarred with this shite.

    The main saving the US DOGE seems to have made is the shuttering of USAID.

    That can't be done in the UK as between the asylum bills, Sunak’s cut, and Starmer’s cut, UK aid has already been shuttered.

    Good.

    The corrupt circlejerk of "charities" hiring the likes of David Miliband, who then lobby for taxpayers money to go to those charities, should never return.

    Taxpayers money should go on public services.

    Charity should be something people choose to donate to, not get taxed to go towards.

    If you donate to Water Aid, or World Vision, or Comic Relief, or CAFOD or anything else then all power to your elbow. I regularly do too. But that's a choice, it shouldn't be compelled by the State, and those donations shouldn't be funding ex-
    politicians who exist to lobby for more taxpayers money.
    International development is not charity

    Correctly implemented it address our strategic objectives, increases international security (by downregulating radicalism), builds alliances and creates new markets for commercial activities.
    As third world countries get richer the people in them are more able to afford people smugglers
    But the incentive for economic migration decreases.
    No, it doesn't.

    All economic data shows emigration increases as countries develop, until past the point they're classed as a developed country.

    Because migration is higher up the order of needs. It's a want to have, not a need to have. People who are too poor to afford food, shelter, travel or tourism aren't booking trips abroad.
    At some point it must. Why would I be an economic migrant to a poorer country?
    Pensioners move to spain all the time
    They are not 'economic migrants'.

    Edit: And they don't now, at least not from the UK since Brexit - it's not allowed for mere mortals.
    The has been no migration of retirees from the UK to Spain since Brexit?
    Ben is talking absolute bollocks, people went to settle in spain before the eu, they still do because countries like spain and portugal have put in place schemes to encourage them to do so.
    To be fair, a lot of them went to settle in Spain before the EU because Spain was (a) poor, (b) was desperate for people to come and bring their savings, and (c) didn't have an extradition treaty with the UK.
    Yes and only c has changed
    I’m in the Canary Islands right now and it doesn’t feel poor
    Nowhere feels poor when you stick to the tourist areas....I was in casablance morroco a few years back...didnt feel poor till I wandered of the tourist areas and got lost in the slums where the poverty was totally apparent
    When I was staying in Rabat, a number of years ago, the family put us up in the old house in the Old Town. They told all the neighbours about us - was a unique experience, since we were living, for a few days in the heart of a really ancient district. We were quite safe - but noticed family & friends keeping an eye on us.
    I will say I never felt in danger in those slum lands of either casablanca or vegas,,,,when residents realised you werent on some sort of poverty tour they were quite welcoming. In casablanca for example ended up drinking hot mint tea in a cafe with a load of mad islamics, mad in the sense they were a hoot rather than mad in the sense they wanted to cut my head off. Vegas did get a gun pointed at me but when they realised I wasn't american got invited back for a few smokes and a party
    Rabat was safe because we were protected as known friends of the family. I wouldn't have set foot in the area otherwise.

    I think the most unsafe I've felt was in New Orleans (pre-flood). Some idiot said to go a few blocks out of the tourist area in the Quarter. We ended up in a bar that was seriously edgy and had the vibe of a clubhouse that we weren't invited to.
    Precisely what I mean by going off the tourist area, new orleans the french quarter you are pretty safe, wander off and you need to know how to handle yourself
    Sadly even the French Quarter is no longer safe. In truth it was never “that” safe - but now the danger is overt almost everywhere

    A good friend of mine has lived in Nawlins for 15 years - and has now moved away for that reason

    The closest I’ve come to being shot - outside actual warzones - was NOLA. It is an extremely hostile place if you are unlucky

    Such a shame. It should be marvellous
    I have friends from new orleans that came over last year they would disagree with you, had more guns pointed at me in the uk by far than abroad....6 times in the uk once in vegas
    How on earth have you managed to have guns pointed at you 6 times in the UK?

    Laserquest?
    @Pagan2 is an armed robber, and it was the police who were pointing the guns at him.
    @Pagan2 is an adrenaline junky?
    Nope just lived the life with the hands I was dealt
    I've been to some interesting places - Algeria in their civil war, Somalia, Colombia, Yemen, Equatorial Guinea after the "Wonga" coup attempt, where the President who took power reputedly ate his deposed uncle's bollocks - but I have had ex SAS/ex French Foreign Legion Special Forces as close protection. So no real risk.
    My most "interesting" journey was between the Nairobi Club and the Lilian Towers hotel. The taxi was called for us by this very odd old colonial gentleman with who we had a meeting (for a legitimate business arrangement). The car that picked us up (this is circa 1985) was late 1960s Toyota Corona with a driver who when we got back into Nairobi didn't know the way to the Hotel (there weren't many Western Hotels in Nairobi in 1985). So the driver wanted to stop to pick up a random guy on a random street corner to help him with directions. My boss was a lot more worldly wiser than me and grabbed the driver around the neck calmly explaining if he stopped and let the guy in he would snap his neck. Remarkably the driver remembered the directions to the hotel. My boss released him from the neck hold only on arrival.

    I treated myself to a beer. My boss treated himself to a hooker.
    In 1985, before antiretrovirals were invented, the hooker would have been far more dangerous than the passenger.

    I went to Nairobi on my honeymoon and had quite a pleasant wander through the city centre. There's some striking modernist architecture and a fascinating railway museum. We did take a taxi after dark though.
    I suspect a dose of "the big disease with the little name" would have taken a few years to work to it's outcome. I think these two had plans that evening. I had sfa of value but my companion had a Patel Phillipe watch on his wrist.
    Patel Philippe is a genius Freudian slip.
  • carnforthcarnforth Posts: 6,236
    carnforth said:

    Foxy said:

    Pagan2 said:

    rcs1000 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Leon said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    rcs1000 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    RobD said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    On topic -

    The tragedy of DOGE style slashing goes beyond the damage it will do, in the short term.

    For a political generation or two, all reasonable attempts to increase productivity in government will be tarred with this shite.

    The main saving the US DOGE seems to have made is the shuttering of USAID.

    That can't be done in the UK as between the asylum bills, Sunak’s cut, and Starmer’s cut, UK aid has already been shuttered.

    Good.

    The corrupt circlejerk of "charities" hiring the likes of David Miliband, who then lobby for taxpayers money to go to those charities, should never return.

    Taxpayers money should go on public services.

    Charity should be something people choose to donate to, not get taxed to go towards.

    If you donate to Water Aid, or World Vision, or Comic Relief, or CAFOD or anything else then all power to your elbow. I regularly do too. But that's a choice, it shouldn't be compelled by the State, and those donations shouldn't be funding ex-
    politicians who exist to lobby for more taxpayers money.
    International development is not charity

    Correctly implemented it address our strategic objectives, increases international security (by downregulating radicalism), builds alliances and creates new markets for commercial activities.
    As third world countries get richer the people in them are more able to afford people smugglers
    But the incentive for economic migration decreases.
    No, it doesn't.

    All economic data shows emigration increases as countries develop, until past the point they're classed as a developed country.

    Because migration is higher up the order of needs. It's a want to have, not a need to have. People who are too poor to afford food, shelter, travel or tourism aren't booking trips abroad.
    At some point it must. Why would I be an economic migrant to a poorer country?
    Pensioners move to spain all the time
    They are not 'economic migrants'.

    Edit: And they don't now, at least not from the UK since Brexit - it's not allowed for mere mortals.
    The has been no migration of retirees from the UK to Spain since Brexit?
    Ben is talking absolute bollocks, people went to settle in spain before the eu, they still do because countries like spain and portugal have put in place schemes to encourage them to do so.
    To be fair, a lot of them went to settle in Spain before the EU because Spain was (a) poor, (b) was desperate for people to come and bring their savings, and (c) didn't have an extradition treaty with the UK.
    Yes and only c has changed
    I’m in the Canary Islands right now and it doesn’t feel poor
    Nowhere feels poor when you stick to the tourist areas....I was in casablance morroco a few years back...didnt feel poor till I wandered of the tourist areas and got lost in the slums where the poverty was totally apparent
    When I was staying in Rabat, a number of years ago, the family put us up in the old house in the Old Town. They told all the neighbours about us - was a unique experience, since we were living, for a few days in the heart of a really ancient district. We were quite safe - but noticed family & friends keeping an eye on us.
    I will say I never felt in danger in those slum lands of either casablanca or vegas,,,,when residents realised you werent on some sort of poverty tour they were quite welcoming. In casablanca for example ended up drinking hot mint tea in a cafe with a load of mad islamics, mad in the sense they were a hoot rather than mad in the sense they wanted to cut my head off. Vegas did get a gun pointed at me but when they realised I wasn't american got invited back for a few smokes and a party
    Rabat was safe because we were protected as known friends of the family. I wouldn't have set foot in the area otherwise.

    I think the most unsafe I've felt was in New Orleans (pre-flood). Some idiot said to go a few blocks out of the tourist area in the Quarter. We ended up in a bar that was seriously edgy and had the vibe of a clubhouse that we weren't invited to.
    Precisely what I mean by going off the tourist area, new orleans the french quarter you are pretty safe, wander off and you need to know how to handle yourself
    Sadly even the French Quarter is no longer safe. In truth it was never “that” safe - but now the danger is overt almost everywhere

    A good friend of mine has lived in Nawlins for 15 years - and has now moved away for that reason

    The closest I’ve come to being shot - outside actual warzones - was NOLA. It is an extremely hostile place if you are unlucky

    Such a shame. It should be marvellous
    I have friends from new orleans that came over last year they would disagree with you, had more guns pointed at me in the uk by far than abroad....6 times in the uk once in vegas
    How on earth have you managed to have guns pointed at you 6 times in the UK?

    Laserquest?
    @Pagan2 is an armed robber, and it was the police who were pointing the guns at him.
    @Pagan2 is an adrenaline junky?
    Nope just lived the life with the hands I was dealt
    I've been to some interesting places - Algeria in their civil war, Somalia, Colombia, Yemen, Equatorial Guinea after the "Wonga" coup attempt, where the President who took power reputedly ate his deposed uncle's bollocks - but I have had ex SAS/ex French Foreign Legion Special Forces as close protection. So no real risk.
    My most "interesting" journey was between the Nairobi Club and the Lilian Towers hotel. The taxi was called for us by this very odd old colonial gentleman with who we had a meeting (for a legitimate business arrangement). The car that picked us up (this is circa 1985) was late 1960s Toyota Corona with a driver who when we got back into Nairobi didn't know the way to the Hotel (there weren't many Western Hotels in Nairobi in 1985). So the driver wanted to stop to pick up a random guy on a random street corner to help him with directions. My boss was a lot more worldly wiser than me and grabbed the driver around the neck calmly explaining if he stopped and let the guy in he would snap his neck. Remarkably the driver remembered the directions to the hotel. My boss released him from the neck hold only on arrival.

    I treated myself to a beer. My boss treated himself to a hooker.
    In 1985, before antiretrovirals were invented, the hooker would have been far more dangerous than the passenger.

    I went to Nairobi on my honeymoon and had quite a pleasant wander through the city centre. There's some striking modernist architecture and a fascinating railway museum. We did take a taxi after dark though.
    I suspect a dose of "the big disease with the little name" would have taken a few years to work to it's outcome. I think these two had plans that evening. I had sfa of value but my companion had a Patel Phillipe watch on his wrist.
    Patel Philippe is a genius Freudian slip.
    For context, more than 90% of Rolexes are fake, so probably the same for Patek.
  • FoxyFoxy Posts: 51,875

    Pagan2 said:

    Foxy said:

    rcs1000 said:

    Tres said:

    Leon said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Leon said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Leon said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    rcs1000 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    RobD said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    On topic -

    The tragedy of DOGE style slashing goes beyond the damage it will do, in the short term.

    For a political generation or two, all reasonable attempts to increase productivity in government will be tarred with this shite.

    The main saving the US DOGE seems to have made is the shuttering of USAID.

    That can't be done in the UK as between the asylum bills, Sunak’s cut, and Starmer’s cut, UK aid has already been shuttered.

    Good.

    The corrupt circlejerk of "charities" hiring the likes of David Miliband, who then lobby for taxpayers money to go to those charities, should never return.

    Taxpayers money should go on public services.

    Charity should be something people choose to donate to, not get taxed to go towards.

    If you donate to Water Aid, or World Vision, or Comic Relief, or CAFOD or anything else then all power to your elbow. I regularly do too. But that's a choice, it shouldn't be compelled by the State, and those donations shouldn't be funding ex-
    politicians who exist to lobby for more taxpayers money.
    International development is not charity

    Correctly implemented it address our strategic objectives, increases international security (by downregulating radicalism), builds alliances and creates new markets for commercial activities.
    As third world countries get richer the people in them are more able to afford people smugglers
    But the incentive for economic migration decreases.
    No, it doesn't.

    All economic data shows emigration increases as countries develop, until past the point they're classed as a developed country.

    Because migration is higher up the order of needs. It's a want to have, not a need to have. People who are too poor to afford food, shelter, travel or tourism aren't booking trips abroad.
    At some point it must. Why would I be an economic migrant to a poorer country?
    Pensioners move to spain all the time
    They are not 'economic migrants'.

    Edit: And they don't now, at least not from the UK since Brexit - it's not allowed for mere mortals.
    The has been no migration of retirees from the UK to Spain since Brexit?
    Ben is talking absolute bollocks, people went to settle in spain before the eu, they still do because countries like spain and portugal have put in place schemes to encourage them to do so.
    To be fair, a lot of them went to settle in Spain before the EU because Spain was (a) poor, (b) was desperate for people to come and bring their savings, and (c) didn't have an extradition treaty with the UK.
    Yes and only c has changed
    I’m in the Canary Islands right now and it doesn’t feel poor
    Nowhere feels poor when you stick to the tourist areas....I was in casablance morroco a few years back...didnt feel poor till I wandered of the tourist areas and got lost in the slums where the poverty was totally apparent
    When I was staying in Rabat, a number of years ago, the family put us up in the old house in the Old Town. They told all the neighbours about us - was a unique experience, since we were living, for a few days in the heart of a really ancient district. We were quite safe - but noticed family & friends keeping an eye on us.
    I will say I never felt in danger in those slum lands of either casablanca or vegas,,,,when residents realised you werent on some sort of poverty tour they were quite welcoming. In casablanca for example ended up drinking hot mint tea in a cafe with a load of mad islamics, mad in the sense they were a hoot rather than mad in the sense they wanted to cut my head off. Vegas did get a gun pointed at me but when they realised I wasn't american got invited back for a few smokes and a party
    Rabat was safe because we were protected as known friends of the family. I wouldn't have set foot in the area otherwise.

    I think the most unsafe I've felt was in New Orleans (pre-flood). Some idiot said to go a few blocks out of the tourist area in the Quarter. We ended up in a bar that was seriously edgy and had the vibe of a clubhouse that we weren't invited to.
    Precisely what I mean by going off the tourist area, new orleans the french quarter you are pretty safe, wander off and you need to know how to handle yourself
    Sadly even the French Quarter is no longer safe. In truth it was never “that” safe - but now the danger is overt almost everywhere

    A good friend of mine has lived in Nawlins for 15 years - and has now moved away for that reason

    The closest I’ve come to being shot - outside actual warzones - was NOLA. It is an extremely hostile place if you are unlucky

    Such a shame. It should be marvellous
    I have friends from new orleans that came over last year they would disagree with you, had more guns pointed at me in the uk by far than abroad....6 times in the uk once in vegas
    Ok I’ll tell my friend he’s simply wrong. Even though

    1 he lives in New Orleans (or did)

    and also

    2. I’ve been to the city many times. It’s my favourite city in all the Americas - no joke - but on my last visit (2023) it felt obviously more dangerous than any other time
    I am currently chatting on discord with my friend from new orleans, she is laughing at you
    by chatting I mean voice chat we are watching a movie
    New Orelans is the 7th most dangerous city in the USA (for 2023)

    Given that the top 6 are total shitholes that no one foreign will ever visit (with the possible exception of Memphis for weirdos), that makes Nawlins the most dangerous American city that any European will likely encounter

    1 St. Louis, Missouri
    2 Birmingham, Alabama
    3 Baltimore, Maryland
    4 Memphis, Tennessee
    5 Detroit, Michigan
    6 Cleveland, Ohio
    7 New Orleans, Louisiana


    https://www.forbes.com/sites/laurabegleybloom/2023/01/31/report-ranks-americas-15-safest-and-most-dangerous-cities-for-2023/
    I been to 5 of those including NOLA, but the sketchiest place I've ever been uswise is Jackson, MS
    I had a rather nice greek gyro wrap in Jackson.

    But, yeah, it was sketchy as hell. You knew you were in the poorest state in the US.
    I remember stopping for some soul-food in a suburb of Vegas and getting some funny looks. Mrs Foxy and I were the only white people in the place. We had a lovely meal, and the servers were very hospitable and it wasn't dangerous, more that no white American would have gone in the place.
    Generally my experience of places you shouldn't go is "No problem when they realise you arent on some "taking the piss mission""....when myself and my girlfriend ended up in a cafe in the slums of casablanca...she was the only woman in there...she had a scarf over her head as we planned to visit the mosque....yes they were a little shocked a woman was in there at first but we spent a couple of hours there and after the intial surprise they were really friendly we all ended up on one table chatting away
    Remember going to a restaurant in Casablanca, that over the course of the evening changed into a drinking den then a dancefloor then a bordello...
    Round up the usual suspects!
  • xyzxyzxyzxyzxyzxyz Posts: 111
    rkrkrk said:

    FT reporting that the Wealth and Mid-Size business compliance team doubled its tax take last year to £1.5bn. Includes a £652m settlement with Bernie Ecclestone but up year on year even without that. Excellent news. NAO estimates tax evasion probably higher than previously thought.

    Common Reporting Standard. Every securities broker, futures broker and crypto exchange worldwide has to report account balance, sales and dividends to the OECD once a year. Started in 2017. Tax authorities can buy the data of their citizens for $70.
  • LeonLeon Posts: 61,619
    edited June 8

    Cookie said:

    I've had a few whiskies with my wife on the Caledonian Sleeper leaving Euston (yes, London does have a railway station) and then retired to our sleeping compartment to have sex there - pre kids - before waking up, very hungover, in Edinburgh Waverley the next morning.

    Does that count?

    I've been hunting back through the thread without success to find oit what this pertains to. But if it's relevant, I was once lucky enough to be fellated on the Ffestiniog Mountain Railway.
    https://www.festrail.co.uk/about/
    I was once fellated on the M4 by a Japanese lady, whilst I was driving at over 120 mph.

    Not sure that can be relevent to anything.
    That would result in a custodial sentences in Starmer's Britain.

    3 points and a modest careless driving fine for the fellatio and 18 months in Pentonville for the 120 mph offence
    Yeah, but the street cred on C Block....

    I did once drive much faster on the M4, when challenged to a race by a Ford Escort Cosworth. He had the acceleration, but I had the top speed, as I kept reeling him in over 8 junctions.

    As I pulled over to turn off at junction 12, the Cosworth pulled level, the passenger window rolled down - and got a cheery wave of appreciation from the passenger, Nigel Mansell.
    Back in the day it was always wise to set the cruise control to 99 on a motorway because a hundred was a ban. 85 on a Motorway I felt was more than enough, although not enough for Cavalier drivers of the day. I wasn't averse to keeping up with fast machines on curvier journeys. When I had the Capris including the 2.8 on anything but a straight road an MG Metro could lose me. The Alfa GTV6 was a much better prospect. However my finest hour was a tussle with a Porsche 944 in a new Mk 3 Escort Ghia. I was coming out of Banbury on my way to Evesham and was flashed by the Porsche so I indicated and let him pass, but I thought I wonder if I could keep up. I did so easily, and he was clearly trying to lose me because when he turned off towards Southam he was tooting his horn and was waving from the sunroof. He'd had some fun.

    These days I drive like an old woman.
    But still. You had that moment! Nearly but not outdoing a Porsche 944 on the road straight out of Banbury - not even diverting to Bicester - and driving thereon to Evesham

    It doesn't get better than that. Every life has it peaks, and that was yours. As you rightly say it was your "finest moment". And, honestly? - Chapeau
  • Pagan2Pagan2 Posts: 11,868
    As we are talking about this sort of thing an experience from vegas where I worked occasionally. 9am sitting in starbucks across from my hotel.....guy comes out with a coffee looking round for a table.....I have three spare seats at my table so I wave him over and point it out.....he was hey are you sure I am black and got friends coming...I am thinking what the fuck should it matter?
  • kinabalukinabalu Posts: 45,584
    Totally ridiculous French final. Privilege to watch.
  • MexicanpeteMexicanpete Posts: 32,189

    .

    Foxy said:

    Pagan2 said:

    rcs1000 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Leon said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    rcs1000 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    RobD said:

    Pagan2 said:

    Pagan2 said:

    On topic -

    The tragedy of DOGE style slashing goes beyond the damage it will do, in the short term.

    For a political generation or two, all reasonable attempts to increase productivity in government will be tarred with this shite.

    The main saving the US DOGE seems to have made is the shuttering of USAID.

    That can't be done in the UK as between the asylum bills, Sunak’s cut, and Starmer’s cut, UK aid has already been shuttered.

    Good.

    The corrupt circlejerk of "charities" hiring the likes of David Miliband, who then lobby for taxpayers money to go to those charities, should never return.

    Taxpayers money should go on public services.

    Charity should be something people choose to donate to, not get taxed to go towards.

    If you donate to Water Aid, or World Vision, or Comic Relief, or CAFOD or anything else then all power to your elbow. I regularly do too. But that's a choice, it shouldn't be compelled by the State, and those donations shouldn't be funding ex-
    politicians who exist to lobby for more taxpayers money.
    International development is not charity

    Correctly implemented it address our strategic objectives, increases international security (by downregulating radicalism), builds alliances and creates new markets for commercial activities.
    As third world countries get richer the people in them are more able to afford people smugglers
    But the incentive for economic migration decreases.
    No, it doesn't.

    All economic data shows emigration increases as countries develop, until past the point they're classed as a developed country.

    Because migration is higher up the order of needs. It's a want to have, not a need to have. People who are too poor to afford food, shelter, travel or tourism aren't booking trips abroad.
    At some point it must. Why would I be an economic migrant to a poorer country?
    Pensioners move to spain all the time
    They are not 'economic migrants'.

    Edit: And they don't now, at least not from the UK since Brexit - it's not allowed for mere mortals.
    The has been no migration of retirees from the UK to Spain since Brexit?
    Ben is talking absolute bollocks, people went to settle in spain before the eu, they still do because countries like spain and portugal have put in place schemes to encourage them to do so.
    To be fair, a lot of them went to settle in Spain before the EU because Spain was (a) poor, (b) was desperate for people to come and bring their savings, and (c) didn't have an extradition treaty with the UK.
    Yes and only c has changed
    I’m in the Canary Islands right now and it doesn’t feel poor
    Nowhere feels poor when you stick to the tourist areas....I was in casablance morroco a few years back...didnt feel poor till I wandered of the tourist areas and got lost in the slums where the poverty was totally apparent
    When I was staying in Rabat, a number of years ago, the family put us up in the old house in the Old Town. They told all the neighbours about us - was a unique experience, since we were living, for a few days in the heart of a really ancient district. We were quite safe - but noticed family & friends keeping an eye on us.
    I will say I never felt in danger in those slum lands of either casablanca or vegas,,,,when residents realised you werent on some sort of poverty tour they were quite welcoming. In casablanca for example ended up drinking hot mint tea in a cafe with a load of mad islamics, mad in the sense they were a hoot rather than mad in the sense they wanted to cut my head off. Vegas did get a gun pointed at me but when they realised I wasn't american got invited back for a few smokes and a party
    Rabat was safe because we were protected as known friends of the family. I wouldn't have set foot in the area otherwise.

    I think the most unsafe I've felt was in New Orleans (pre-flood). Some idiot said to go a few blocks out of the tourist area in the Quarter. We ended up in a bar that was seriously edgy and had the vibe of a clubhouse that we weren't invited to.
    Precisely what I mean by going off the tourist area, new orleans the french quarter you are pretty safe, wander off and you need to know how to handle yourself
    Sadly even the French Quarter is no longer safe. In truth it was never “that” safe - but now the danger is overt almost everywhere

    A good friend of mine has lived in Nawlins for 15 years - and has now moved away for that reason

    The closest I’ve come to being shot - outside actual warzones - was NOLA. It is an extremely hostile place if you are unlucky

    Such a shame. It should be marvellous
    I have friends from new orleans that came over last year they would disagree with you, had more guns pointed at me in the uk by far than abroad....6 times in the uk once in vegas
    How on earth have you managed to have guns pointed at you 6 times in the UK?

    Laserquest?
    @Pagan2 is an armed robber, and it was the police who were pointing the guns at him.
    @Pagan2 is an adrenaline junky?
    Nope just lived the life with the hands I was dealt
    I've been to some interesting places - Algeria in their civil war, Somalia, Colombia, Yemen, Equatorial Guinea after the "Wonga" coup attempt, where the President who took power reputedly ate his deposed uncle's bollocks - but I have had ex SAS/ex French Foreign Legion Special Forces as close protection. So no real risk.
    My most "interesting" journey was between the Nairobi Club and the Lilian Towers hotel. The taxi was called for us by this very odd old colonial gentleman with who we had a meeting (for a legitimate business arrangement). The car that picked us up (this is circa 1985) was late 1960s Toyota Corona with a driver who when we got back into Nairobi didn't know the way to the Hotel (there weren't many Western Hotels in Nairobi in 1985). So the driver wanted to stop to pick up a random guy on a random street corner to help him with directions. My boss was a lot more worldly wiser than me and grabbed the driver around the neck calmly explaining if he stopped and let the guy in he would snap his neck. Remarkably the driver remembered the directions to the hotel. My boss released him from the neck hold only on arrival.

    I treated myself to a beer. My boss treated himself to a hooker.
    In 1985, before antiretrovirals were invented, the hooker would have been far more dangerous than the passenger.

    I went to Nairobi on my honeymoon and had quite a pleasant wander through the city centre. There's some striking modernist architecture and a fascinating railway museum. We did take a taxi after dark though.
    I suspect a dose of "the big disease with the little name" would have taken a few years to work to it's outcome. I think these two had plans that evening. I had sfa of value but my companion had a Patel Phillipe watch on his wrist.
    Indian knock-off?
    Genuine.
  • SandyRentoolSandyRentool Posts: 23,013
    Winning from two sets down.

    Quite an Escape from Alcaraz.


    (I'll get my Sergio Tacchini tracksuit top.)
  • RogerRoger Posts: 20,662
    edited June 8
    A Spanish winner and an Italian the closest ever runner-up in the longest match possibly ever in Paris and each gave their winner and loser speech in English. That's our contribution. we really must rejoin this gang. it's madness being out
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