Reform UK are looking at organising in Northern Ireland, despite it's (somewhat on again, off again) cooperation agreement with TUV. (UKIP previously organised in NI and had 1 MLA after a defection from the UUP.)
Could Starmer fall in next two weeks? He says he's pressing on with PIP reform.
I suggested this a while back and got a firm 'no' Its probably no now?
If the voting is close it will depend on how the Tories play it. Iain Duncan Smith could have brought down Blair over Iraq, but didn't - cost my MP Tim Collins his seat.
I imagine if there is any danger of the vote not passing Santa's little yellow helpers will make sure Starmer doesn't fall.
Could Starmer fall in next two weeks? He says he's pressing on with PIP reform.
I suggested this a while back and got a firm 'no' Its probably no now?
If the voting is close it will depend on how the Tories play it. Iain Duncan Smith could have brought down Blair over Iraq, but didn't - cost my MP Tim Collins his seat.
I imagine if there is any danger of the vote not passing Santa's little yellow helpers will make sure Starmer doesn't fall.
LDs wont back it. They are very firmly against welfare cuts
Could Starmer fall in next two weeks? He says he's pressing on with PIP reform.
Honestly? No.
Its the art of leadership. If he wants to push it through he needs to bring enough of his party with him. If that needs the whips to do their thing, if it needs promises for down the line, then so be it. You cannot just back down every time it gets tough.
Wasn't that the one with all the wickets on No Balls that weren't picked up by the umpire?
And some dubious markings on one side of the ball...
Certainly a lot of reverse swing that day.
It was the new ball that did the trick. The ball to Thorpe swung in then moved away off the pitch. Whether it was achieved through dubious means, it was still brilliant from Waqar.
Could Starmer fall in next two weeks? He says he's pressing on with PIP reform.
I suggested this a while back and got a firm 'no' Its probably no now?
If the voting is close it will depend on how the Tories play it. Iain Duncan Smith could have brought down Blair over Iraq, but didn't - cost my MP Tim Collins his seat.
I imagine if there is any danger of the vote not passing Santa's little yellow helpers will make sure Starmer doesn't fall.
LDs wont back it. They are very firmly against welfare cuts
Davey knows about the problems of the long-term sick from personal experience.
Could Starmer fall in next two weeks? He says he's pressing on with PIP reform.
More likely its the end of Kendall and maybe Reeves Loyalty to Starmerism only lasts as long as the pay cheques it turns out - Lou Haigh signed the amendment
Wasn't that the one with all the wickets on No Balls that weren't picked up by the umpire?
And some dubious markings on one side of the ball...
Certainly a lot of reverse swing that day.
It was the new ball that did the trick. The ball to Thorpe swung in then moved away off the pitch. Whether it was achieved through dubious means, it was still brilliant from Waqar.
Brilliant bowling from a brilliant bowler. But the no-balls shook my confidence in umpires that day (and I think led to Sheppard stepping down not long after).
TBF to him, even umpiring in local cricket its tough to watch for the no-ball and then re-adjust to look down the pitch. The use of cameras now is so much better for the top level of the game.
NEW: Tory shadow cabinet wrapped today with no consensus on how they should vote in the government's welfare package next week.
Some wanted to support principle of cutting welfare, others wanted to oppose in hope Bill would fall.
Badenoch agreed to take it all away and decide.
They are waiting to see if Labour plough on and what will hurt them most
Be interesting if their assessment of what would hurt Labour most would be Conservatives voting for the government in a vote of no confidence.
If i were them i'd st least abstain on the amendment and stay the hell away from the blowback
As I said in another comment, not bringing down Blair was IDS's biggest blunder. Vote against the government, Statesmanship can wait, the chance to topple the worst leader since 1685 won't.
I was interested to read an article about "Sick Societies" online, which cross-referenced Duddies Branch, with Tasmania, and Aztec Mexico, (a society you've also written about), as being societies which were all engaged in completely self-destructive behaviour.
That’s the book I’m reading. Dry in places but wildly compelling in others
I’ve long been interested in cultural/civilsational regression
There’s a lovely example in tiny Kilfenora cathedral on the Burren in County Clare
Outside the cathedral there are some 13th century gravestones with quite fine carving and stonework. Inside they have stuff from the 15th century and it’s like they got drunk children to do it. Way beyond “bad”. Laughably poor
The Burren is isolated. Somehow in those 2 centuries the local Irish forgot how to carve and anyone who could do it moved away
Trajan’s Column in Rome shows a similar decline in one single object
There are societies which are politically self-destructive (much of 16th and 17th century Europe, the Eastern Empire in the 14th century), yet are still quite culturally outstanding. But, there's something that goes terribly wrong, with societies where people forget how to do even very basic things, or else their leaders engage in stupid behaviours (like mass human sacrifice), that make those elites hated, and undermine their ability to defend themselves.
I expect post Roman Britain was one of those sick societies. I imagine it being rather like the world of Mad Max.
I’ve also been reading about medieval England and the Vikings - to go with my trip to the Faroes
Even in the 8-9th century the Norse AND Anglo Saxons were treading around the Roman ruins in awe, wondering who could possibly have erected these incredible structures. Gods or giants possibly
Apparently it gave them all a sense of decline and inadequacy
St Bede, 7th/8th century, knew quite well about the Romans in Britain and a fair bit about their history, decline and disappearance, and what replaced them.
Could Starmer fall in next two weeks? He says he's pressing on with PIP reform.
I suggested this a while back and got a firm 'no' Its probably no now?
If the voting is close it will depend on how the Tories play it. Iain Duncan Smith could have brought down Blair over Iraq, but didn't - cost my MP Tim Collins his seat.
I imagine if there is any danger of the vote not passing Santa's little yellow helpers will make sure Starmer doesn't fall.
LDs wont back it. They are very firmly against welfare cuts
Davey knows about the problems of the long-term sick from personal experience.
Being a life-long LibDem equates to a long-term sickness?
Interesting interview with the guy running against Cuomo for the Democratic nomination in NY.
He's a 'democratic socialist', whatever that means in US terms, but seems to have become a bit more of a pragmatist recently. He's certainly an excellent campaigner.
Given the reception to yesterday's podcast and post, I’m publishing the transcript of my 37-minute weekend conversation with Zohran Mamdani.
What I liked: He’s a charismatic person who handles criticism well and insists that, in his words, “I care most about outcomes,” not ideology—which demonstrates, if nothing else, exquisitely well-targeted political rhetoric.
What I didn’t quite like: Mamdani’s views on housing and policing have moderated in the last few years, but I think his policy instinct to solve every problem with costly state price regulation (rent freezes, $60 million public grocery stores) is a bad fit for a high-tax city that already spends more per capita than anywhere else in America
What I don’t know: Is he a good executive? Can he manage people and systems? Will he surround himself with smart ppl who check his worst instincts (every problem —> price regulation, costly new state initiative) and feed his best ones (charisma, curiosity, commitment to public excellence)? https://x.com/DKThomp/status/1937483677379838064
Given Cuomo's past scandals and general dislikeability, he's got a 50/50 chance of winning.
Could Starmer fall in next two weeks? He says he's pressing on with PIP reform.
I suggested this a while back and got a firm 'no' Its probably no now?
If the voting is close it will depend on how the Tories play it. Iain Duncan Smith could have brought down Blair over Iraq, but didn't - cost my MP Tim Collins his seat.
I imagine if there is any danger of the vote not passing Santa's little yellow helpers will make sure Starmer doesn't fall.
LDs wont back it. They are very firmly against welfare cuts
Davey knows about the problems of the long-term sick from personal experience.
Being a life-long LibDem equates to a long-term sickness?
(Yes, I know the serious message in your post.)
Just demonstrates how careful one has to be on the site. There's always someone with a quick mind and a ready post!
Wasn't that the one with all the wickets on No Balls that weren't picked up by the umpire?
And some dubious markings on one side of the ball...
Certainly a lot of reverse swing that day.
It was the new ball that did the trick. The ball to Thorpe swung in then moved away off the pitch. Whether it was achieved through dubious means, it was still brilliant from Waqar.
Brilliant bowling from a brilliant bowler. But the no-balls shook my confidence in umpires that day (and I think led to Sheppard stepping down not long after).
TBF to him, even umpiring in local cricket its tough to watch for the no-ball and then re-adjust to look down the pitch. The use of cameras now is so much better for the top level of the game.
He umpired tests for another four years.
He nearly did quit after the match but several people including the England team told him not to.
Wasn't that the one with all the wickets on No Balls that weren't picked up by the umpire?
And some dubious markings on one side of the ball...
Certainly a lot of reverse swing that day.
It was the new ball that did the trick. The ball to Thorpe swung in then moved away off the pitch. Whether it was achieved through dubious means, it was still brilliant from Waqar.
Brilliant bowling from a brilliant bowler. But the no-balls shook my confidence in umpires that day (and I think led to Sheppard stepping down not long after).
TBF to him, even umpiring in local cricket its tough to watch for the no-ball and then re-adjust to look down the pitch. The use of cameras now is so much better for the top level of the game.
He umpired tests for another four years.
He nearly did quit after the match but several people including the England team told him not to.
And he was nowhere near Bucknor levels of terrible
Wasn't that the one with all the wickets on No Balls that weren't picked up by the umpire?
And some dubious markings on one side of the ball...
Certainly a lot of reverse swing that day.
It was the new ball that did the trick. The ball to Thorpe swung in then moved away off the pitch. Whether it was achieved through dubious means, it was still brilliant from Waqar.
Brilliant bowling from a brilliant bowler. But the no-balls shook my confidence in umpires that day (and I think led to Sheppard stepping down not long after).
TBF to him, even umpiring in local cricket its tough to watch for the no-ball and then re-adjust to look down the pitch. The use of cameras now is so much better for the top level of the game.
He umpired tests for another four years.
He nearly did quit after the match but several people including the England team told him not to.
And he was nowhere near Bucknor levels of terrible
It's a weird thing that cricket has old umpires rather than young ones.
Wasn't that the one with all the wickets on No Balls that weren't picked up by the umpire?
And some dubious markings on one side of the ball...
Certainly a lot of reverse swing that day.
It was the new ball that did the trick. The ball to Thorpe swung in then moved away off the pitch. Whether it was achieved through dubious means, it was still brilliant from Waqar.
Brilliant bowling from a brilliant bowler. But the no-balls shook my confidence in umpires that day (and I think led to Sheppard stepping down not long after).
TBF to him, even umpiring in local cricket its tough to watch for the no-ball and then re-adjust to look down the pitch. The use of cameras now is so much better for the top level of the game.
He umpired tests for another four years.
He nearly did quit after the match but several people including the England team told him not to.
And he was nowhere near Bucknor levels of terrible
It's a weird thing that cricket has old umpires rather than young ones.
The big difference between soccer is ex players become umpires which skews the age profile.
I was interested to read an article about "Sick Societies" online, which cross-referenced Duddies Branch, with Tasmania, and Aztec Mexico, (a society you've also written about), as being societies which were all engaged in completely self-destructive behaviour.
That’s the book I’m reading. Dry in places but wildly compelling in others
I’ve long been interested in cultural/civilsational regression
There’s a lovely example in tiny Kilfenora cathedral on the Burren in County Clare
Outside the cathedral there are some 13th century gravestones with quite fine carving and stonework. Inside they have stuff from the 15th century and it’s like they got drunk children to do it. Way beyond “bad”. Laughably poor
The Burren is isolated. Somehow in those 2 centuries the local Irish forgot how to carve and anyone who could do it moved away
Trajan’s Column in Rome shows a similar decline in one single object
There are societies which are politically self-destructive (much of 16th and 17th century Europe, the Eastern Empire in the 14th century), yet are still quite culturally outstanding. But, there's something that goes terribly wrong, with societies where people forget how to do even very basic things, or else their leaders engage in stupid behaviours (like mass human sacrifice), that make those elites hated, and undermine their ability to defend themselves.
I expect post Roman Britain was one of those sick societies. I imagine it being rather like the world of Mad Max.
I’ve also been reading about medieval England and the Vikings - to go with my trip to the Faroes
Even in the 8-9th century the Norse AND Anglo Saxons were treading around the Roman ruins in awe, wondering who could possibly have erected these incredible structures. Gods or giants possibly
Apparently it gave them all a sense of decline and inadequacy
St Bede, 7th/8th century, knew quite well about the Romans in Britain and a fair bit about their history, decline and disappearance, and what replaced them.
Indeed. But much western knowledge was locked away in monasteries and another lot held by the Arab world waiting to be relearned later. It wasnt disseminated and ordinary folk, even the partially educated, almost certainly hadn't a clue.
Wasn't that the one with all the wickets on No Balls that weren't picked up by the umpire?
And some dubious markings on one side of the ball...
Certainly a lot of reverse swing that day.
It was the new ball that did the trick. The ball to Thorpe swung in then moved away off the pitch. Whether it was achieved through dubious means, it was still brilliant from Waqar.
Brilliant bowling from a brilliant bowler. But the no-balls shook my confidence in umpires that day (and I think led to Sheppard stepping down not long after).
TBF to him, even umpiring in local cricket its tough to watch for the no-ball and then re-adjust to look down the pitch. The use of cameras now is so much better for the top level of the game.
He umpired tests for another four years.
He nearly did quit after the match but several people including the England team told him not to.
And he was nowhere near Bucknor levels of terrible
It's a weird thing that cricket has old umpires rather than young ones.
Used to be former players in large part. Of the youngest test umpires, the six youngest were all 19th century and in recent times (millenium) only Simon Taufel debuted under 30!
Wasn't that the one with all the wickets on No Balls that weren't picked up by the umpire?
And some dubious markings on one side of the ball...
Certainly a lot of reverse swing that day.
It was the new ball that did the trick. The ball to Thorpe swung in then moved away off the pitch. Whether it was achieved through dubious means, it was still brilliant from Waqar.
Brilliant bowling from a brilliant bowler. But the no-balls shook my confidence in umpires that day (and I think led to Sheppard stepping down not long after).
TBF to him, even umpiring in local cricket its tough to watch for the no-ball and then re-adjust to look down the pitch. The use of cameras now is so much better for the top level of the game.
He umpired tests for another four years.
He nearly did quit after the match but several people including the England team told him not to.
And he was nowhere near Bucknor levels of terrible
It's a weird thing that cricket has old umpires rather than young ones.
The big difference between soccer is ex players become umpires which skews the age profile.
Being a football referee requires a lot more energy that being a cricket umpire. An ex-player being an umpire also brings, I suggest, more respect from the players.
Wasn't that the one with all the wickets on No Balls that weren't picked up by the umpire?
And some dubious markings on one side of the ball...
Certainly a lot of reverse swing that day.
It was the new ball that did the trick. The ball to Thorpe swung in then moved away off the pitch. Whether it was achieved through dubious means, it was still brilliant from Waqar.
Brilliant bowling from a brilliant bowler. But the no-balls shook my confidence in umpires that day (and I think led to Sheppard stepping down not long after).
TBF to him, even umpiring in local cricket its tough to watch for the no-ball and then re-adjust to look down the pitch. The use of cameras now is so much better for the top level of the game.
He umpired tests for another four years.
He nearly did quit after the match but several people including the England team told him not to.
Ah - false memory. I think he was affected by it though.
I was interested to read an article about "Sick Societies" online, which cross-referenced Duddies Branch, with Tasmania, and Aztec Mexico, (a society you've also written about), as being societies which were all engaged in completely self-destructive behaviour.
That’s the book I’m reading. Dry in places but wildly compelling in others
I’ve long been interested in cultural/civilsational regression
There’s a lovely example in tiny Kilfenora cathedral on the Burren in County Clare
Outside the cathedral there are some 13th century gravestones with quite fine carving and stonework. Inside they have stuff from the 15th century and it’s like they got drunk children to do it. Way beyond “bad”. Laughably poor
The Burren is isolated. Somehow in those 2 centuries the local Irish forgot how to carve and anyone who could do it moved away
Trajan’s Column in Rome shows a similar decline in one single object
There are societies which are politically self-destructive (much of 16th and 17th century Europe, the Eastern Empire in the 14th century), yet are still quite culturally outstanding. But, there's something that goes terribly wrong, with societies where people forget how to do even very basic things, or else their leaders engage in stupid behaviours (like mass human sacrifice), that make those elites hated, and undermine their ability to defend themselves.
I expect post Roman Britain was one of those sick societies. I imagine it being rather like the world of Mad Max.
I’ve also been reading about medieval England and the Vikings - to go with my trip to the Faroes
Even in the 8-9th century the Norse AND Anglo Saxons were treading around the Roman ruins in awe, wondering who could possibly have erected these incredible structures. Gods or giants possibly
Apparently it gave them all a sense of decline and inadequacy
St Bede, 7th/8th century, knew quite well about the Romans in Britain and a fair bit about their history, decline and disappearance, and what replaced them.
Indeed. But much western knowledge was locked away in monasteries and another lot held by the Arab world waiting to be relearned later. It wasnt disseminated and ordinary folk, even the partially educated, almost certainly hadn't a clue.
The failure of the West to associate with learned Arabs, and vice versa, was a triumph of religious bigotry and a great handicap to the development of civilisation.
Wasn't that the one with all the wickets on No Balls that weren't picked up by the umpire?
And some dubious markings on one side of the ball...
Certainly a lot of reverse swing that day.
It was the new ball that did the trick. The ball to Thorpe swung in then moved away off the pitch. Whether it was achieved through dubious means, it was still brilliant from Waqar.
Brilliant bowling from a brilliant bowler. But the no-balls shook my confidence in umpires that day (and I think led to Sheppard stepping down not long after).
TBF to him, even umpiring in local cricket its tough to watch for the no-ball and then re-adjust to look down the pitch. The use of cameras now is so much better for the top level of the game.
He umpired tests for another four years.
He nearly did quit after the match but several people including the England team told him not to.
And he was nowhere near Bucknor levels of terrible
It's a weird thing that cricket has old umpires rather than young ones.
The big difference between soccer is ex players become umpires which skews the age profile.
Being a football referee requires a lot more energy that being a cricket umpire. An ex-player being an umpire also brings, I suggest, more respect from the players.
I once had the honour of umpiring a game alongside Bomber Wells. One of the greats of Gloucester cricket.
Wasn't that the one with all the wickets on No Balls that weren't picked up by the umpire?
And some dubious markings on one side of the ball...
Certainly a lot of reverse swing that day.
It was the new ball that did the trick. The ball to Thorpe swung in then moved away off the pitch. Whether it was achieved through dubious means, it was still brilliant from Waqar.
Brilliant bowling from a brilliant bowler. But the no-balls shook my confidence in umpires that day (and I think led to Sheppard stepping down not long after).
TBF to him, even umpiring in local cricket its tough to watch for the no-ball and then re-adjust to look down the pitch. The use of cameras now is so much better for the top level of the game.
He umpired tests for another four years.
He nearly did quit after the match but several people including the England team told him not to.
And he was nowhere near Bucknor levels of terrible
It's a weird thing that cricket has old umpires rather than young ones.
The big difference between soccer is ex players become umpires which skews the age profile.
Being a football referee requires a lot more energy that being a cricket umpire. An ex-player being an umpire also brings, I suggest, more respect from the players.
I once had the honour of umpiring a game alongside Bomber Wells. One of the greats of Gloucester cricket.
The trick is to be able to flatter without openly humiliating yourself. Rutte clearly hasn't mastered that trick.
It might at some point prove to have fatally weakened his position as Secretary General. No one wants to be represented by a poodle.
Flattery is considered the best approach to dealing with Trump, but it comes at a high price. You lose respect and dignity if you do it, and you damage the office and the institution you represent. Sometimes, that price is bigger than whatever you hope to achieve with flattery. https://x.com/jakluge/status/1937532858622677445
Wasn't that the one with all the wickets on No Balls that weren't picked up by the umpire?
And some dubious markings on one side of the ball...
Certainly a lot of reverse swing that day.
It was the new ball that did the trick. The ball to Thorpe swung in then moved away off the pitch. Whether it was achieved through dubious means, it was still brilliant from Waqar.
Brilliant bowling from a brilliant bowler. But the no-balls shook my confidence in umpires that day (and I think led to Sheppard stepping down not long after).
TBF to him, even umpiring in local cricket its tough to watch for the no-ball and then re-adjust to look down the pitch. The use of cameras now is so much better for the top level of the game.
He umpired tests for another four years.
He nearly did quit after the match but several people including the England team told him not to.
And he was nowhere near Bucknor levels of terrible
It's a weird thing that cricket has old umpires rather than young ones.
The big difference between soccer is ex players become umpires which skews the age profile.
Being a football referee requires a lot more energy that being a cricket umpire. An ex-player being an umpire also brings, I suggest, more respect from the players.
I once had the honour of umpiring a game alongside Bomber Wells. One of the greats of Gloucester cricket.
998 First Class wickets: he must have been gutted not to get two more.
Apparently not, according to Wikipedia:
Although he took 998 wickets in first-class cricket he declined the opportunity to play in the last game of his final first-class season in 1965. He thought he had 999 wickets. "Lots of people have taken 1000 wickets, he told the Notts captain. Nobody has taken 999."
The trick is to be able to flatter without openly humiliating yourself. Rutte clearly hasn't mastered that trick.
It might at some point prove to have fatally weakened his position as Secretary General. No one wants to be represented by a poodle. P Flattery is considered the best approach to dealing with Trump, but it comes at a high price. You lose respect and dignity if you do it, and you damage the office and the institution you represent. Sometimes, that price is bigger than whatever you hope to achieve with flattery. https://x.com/jakluge/status/1937532858622677445
Keir Starmer 'walks this line'. I don't know how Johnny would have done it if he was PM of the United Kingdom rather than a white American singer-songwriter heavily influenced by both the blues and country music.
I was interested to read an article about "Sick Societies" online, which cross-referenced Duddies Branch, with Tasmania, and Aztec Mexico, (a society you've also written about), as being societies which were all engaged in completely self-destructive behaviour.
That’s the book I’m reading. Dry in places but wildly compelling in others
I’ve long been interested in cultural/civilsational regression
There’s a lovely example in tiny Kilfenora cathedral on the Burren in County Clare
Outside the cathedral there are some 13th century gravestones with quite fine carving and stonework. Inside they have stuff from the 15th century and it’s like they got drunk children to do it. Way beyond “bad”. Laughably poor
The Burren is isolated. Somehow in those 2 centuries the local Irish forgot how to carve and anyone who could do it moved away
Trajan’s Column in Rome shows a similar decline in one single object
There are societies which are politically self-destructive (much of 16th and 17th century Europe, the Eastern Empire in the 14th century), yet are still quite culturally outstanding. But, there's something that goes terribly wrong, with societies where people forget how to do even very basic things, or else their leaders engage in stupid behaviours (like mass human sacrifice), that make those elites hated, and undermine their ability to defend themselves.
I expect post Roman Britain was one of those sick societies. I imagine it being rather like the world of Mad Max.
I’ve also been reading about medieval England and the Vikings - to go with my trip to the Faroes
Even in the 8-9th century the Norse AND Anglo Saxons were treading around the Roman ruins in awe, wondering who could possibly have erected these incredible structures. Gods or giants possibly
Apparently it gave them all a sense of decline and inadequacy
St Bede, 7th/8th century, knew quite well about the Romans in Britain and a fair bit about their history, decline and disappearance, and what replaced them.
Interesting. Am planning a trip to Jarrow to check him out. He's usually referred to as the Venerable Bede. Have always thought it made it almost worthwhile to become an Archdeacon just to get that title.
Whether the senile old man at Pennsylvania Avenue Care Home does, is another matter.
Meanwhile, another couple of Democrat septuagenarians in Congress announce in the last week that they'd be running again.
US Democratic politicians in office are always keen to feather their own nests and enthusiastically cooperate with Republicans/Fascists/whatever. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7f_V9zZNzTY (19 mins)
The trick is to be able to flatter without openly humiliating yourself. Rutte clearly hasn't mastered that trick.
It might at some point prove to have fatally weakened his position as Secretary General. No one wants to be represented by a poodle.
Flattery is considered the best approach to dealing with Trump, but it comes at a high price. You lose respect and dignity if you do it, and you damage the office and the institution you represent. Sometimes, that price is bigger than whatever you hope to achieve with flattery. https://x.com/jakluge/status/1937532858622677445
Comments
Reform UK are looking at organising in Northern Ireland, despite it's (somewhat on again, off again) cooperation agreement with TUV. (UKIP previously organised in NI and had 1 MLA after a defection from the UUP.)
https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/pakistan-tour-of-england-2001-61459/england-vs-pakistan-2nd-test-63933/full-scorecard
I imagine if there is any danger of the vote not passing Santa's little yellow helpers will make sure Starmer doesn't fall.
Loyalty to Starmerism only lasts as long as the pay cheques it turns out - Lou Haigh signed the amendment
TBF to him, even umpiring in local cricket its tough to watch for the no-ball and then re-adjust to look down the pitch. The use of cameras now is so much better for the top level of the game.
(Yes, I know the serious message in your post.)
He's a 'democratic socialist', whatever that means in US terms, but seems to have become a bit more of a pragmatist recently. He's certainly an excellent campaigner.
Given the reception to yesterday's podcast and post, I’m publishing the transcript of my 37-minute weekend conversation with Zohran Mamdani.
What I liked: He’s a charismatic person who handles criticism well and insists that, in his words, “I care most about outcomes,” not ideology—which demonstrates, if nothing else, exquisitely well-targeted political rhetoric.
What I didn’t quite like: Mamdani’s views on housing and policing have moderated in the last few years, but I think his policy instinct to solve every problem with costly state price regulation (rent freezes, $60 million public grocery stores) is a bad fit for a high-tax city that already spends more per capita than anywhere else in America
What I don’t know: Is he a good executive? Can he manage people and systems? Will he surround himself with smart ppl who check his worst instincts (every problem —> price regulation, costly new state initiative) and feed his best ones (charisma, curiosity, commitment to public excellence)?
https://x.com/DKThomp/status/1937483677379838064
Given Cuomo's past scandals and general dislikeability, he's got a 50/50 chance of winning.
He nearly did quit after the match but several people including the England team told him not to.
I'm calling on the Government to urgently rethink its proposed changes to welfare.
Analysis of the proposals shows that the impact will be substantial, destroying the financial safety net for too many disabled Londoners
England pissing it.
India shat the bed.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bomber_Wells
Think of the band New Order and their seminal track. True Faith 👍
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H-aibUV-Ltg
Zero credit.
Rutte clearly hasn't mastered that trick.
It might at some point prove to have fatally weakened his position as Secretary General. No one wants to be represented by a poodle.
Flattery is considered the best approach to dealing with Trump, but it comes at a high price. You lose respect and dignity if you do it, and you damage the office and the institution you represent. Sometimes, that price is bigger than whatever you hope to achieve with flattery.
https://x.com/jakluge/status/1937532858622677445
When have we heard that before...
Although he took 998 wickets in first-class cricket he declined the opportunity to play in the last game of his final first-class season in 1965. He thought he had 999 wickets. "Lots of people have taken 1000 wickets, he told the Notts captain. Nobody has taken 999."
I hesitate to crow, for now.
Anybody who doesn't love this cricket thing, go and collect your French citizenship.
Why can't he be called the more amenable and straightforward "Pants"?
Or add a colon: "Pants: on fire"
We either win or we collapse.
Labour backbenchers at it again.
Our tail is better than theirs.
Just over 60 needed with 5 wickets to go.
Keep the faith NigelB
He's usually referred to as the Venerable Bede. Have always thought it made it almost worthwhile to become an Archdeacon just to get that title.
I saw England go from 147/4 to 150 all out (and that was thanks to a gritty single from Devon Malcolm.)
https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/england-tour-of-australia-1990-91-61737/australia-vs-england-2nd-test-63544/full-scorecard
Eg India are a one man band. They're just ...
I presume we all agree that it shouldn't be allowed..
Greatest 9, 10, Jack ever
And if it was a same-sex marriage, or one of the two had been sterilised, there'd be nothing to worry about in health terms either.