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
I presume we all agree that it shouldn't be allowed..
I have no idea, but SFAIK it has never been illegal or especially frowned upon in England. At least one Trollope novel hangs upon the thought (Can You Forgive Her - highly recommended). And any student of regal genealogy will meet it. William III and Mary being an example. And as anyone who has read the end page of the Book of Common Prayer during a dull sermon will know, it is not forbidden in the 'Table of Kindred and Affinity'. Unlike marrying your grandmother, which is.
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
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
There is flattery and abject butt slurping
Sounds a great party! Whereabouts??
Hmmm
I mean for the guys that like the butt slurping. Not an upstanding fella like me lol
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.
Bede was not an archdeacon and achieved the title by miraculous means, direct from angels. If he had been an archdeacon he wopuld have been too busy writing reports on church heating systems for the DAC to bother with the Historia ecclesiastica gentis Anglorum.
I presume we all agree that it shouldn't be allowed..
I don't believe any of the political parties are running on a platform of criminalising cousin marriage.
I'm surprised that Reform aren't
I suspect that they will, and it'll be popular
I can imagine it being the sort of thing that Kemi would go for too
But my point was that I'd be astonished to see any regular PBer try to make a real case for first cousin marriage
I can imagine a few "Well, Royal Family" non arguments
I guess the case for it is that we tend not to make things illegal in this country unless there's a very good reason for it. Having children with your cousin raises the risk of health problems in children, but so do other things like having children later in life. How enforceable is it? Are you going to jail people for having sex with their cousin? What are you going to do about people already married? I'm not in favour of cousin marriage BTW, I'm just not convinced prohibition will be an effective strategy. Things like targeted information campaigns seem a better way to go. It feels like there's a fair amount of prejudice involved here, ie it's based more on who's doing it than what they're doing.
Some of the 'red rose in my bio' X posters are throwing their toys out of the pram over the rebellion 'just collapse the government and make them live under Reform' teeheehee
NEW: Kemi Badenoch says the Tories will lend support to the welfare bill if PM commits to three conditions: bringing down welfare budget, getting people back to work, and promising no new tax rises. The last of those is impossible for the government to deliver.
NEW: Kemi Badenoch says the Tories will lend support to the welfare bill if PM commits to three conditions: bringing down welfare budget, getting people back to work, and promising no new tax rises. The last of those is impossible for the government to deliver.
Meaningless unless he signs a formal agreement. Which he won't. So they'll look ridiculous if they now support it based on 'yeah, sure guys'
However, the judge also ruled "Anthropic's copying and storage of more than 7 million pirated books in a 'central library' infringed the authors' copyrights and was not fair use." The judge ordered a trial to determine how much "Anthropic owes for the infringement."
I presume we all agree that it shouldn't be allowed..
A year ago I thought that assisted suicide was highly unlikely to be legalised. A month ago I though the abortion 24-wk limit was a boundary loved by few but accepted by most, and that abortion would not feature in British politics. The way things are going, I assume somebody will attempt to loosen the legal taboos regarding cousin marriage.
I presume we all agree that it shouldn't be allowed..
I don't believe any of the political parties are running on a platform of criminalising cousin marriage.
I'm surprised that Reform aren't
I suspect that they will, and it'll be popular
I can imagine it being the sort of thing that Kemi would go for too
But my point was that I'd be astonished to see any regular PBer try to make a real case for first cousin marriage
I can imagine a few "Well, Royal Family" non arguments
I guess the case for it is that we tend not to make things illegal in this country unless there's a very good reason for it. Having children with your cousin raises the risk of health problems in children, but so do other things like having children later in life. How enforceable is it? Are you going to jail people for having sex with their cousin? What are you going to do about people already married? I'm not in favour of cousin marriage BTW, I'm just not convinced prohibition will be an effective strategy. Things like targeted information campaigns seem a better way to go. It feels like there's a fair amount of prejudice involved here, ie it's based more on who's doing it than what they're doing.
I think the “who’s doing it” factor is also influenced by the level of arranged (forced) and underage marriage that happens among that same “who”
I hope that sort of marriage isn’t something that you support
I presume we all agree that it shouldn't be allowed..
I don't believe any of the political parties are running on a platform of criminalising cousin marriage.
I'm surprised that Reform aren't
I suspect that they will, and it'll be popular
I can imagine it being the sort of thing that Kemi would go for too
But my point was that I'd be astonished to see any regular PBer try to make a real case for first cousin marriage
I can imagine a few "Well, Royal Family" non arguments
I guess the case for it is that we tend not to make things illegal in this country unless there's a very good reason for it. Having children with your cousin raises the risk of health problems in children, but so do other things like having children later in life. How enforceable is it? Are you going to jail people for having sex with their cousin? What are you going to do about people already married? I'm not in favour of cousin marriage BTW, I'm just not convinced prohibition will be an effective strategy. Things like targeted information campaigns seem a better way to go. It feels like there's a fair amount of prejudice involved here, ie it's based more on who's doing it than what they're doing.
Partly it's the immigration angle. Apparently in some working class pakistani communties not only is cousin marriage preferred, but how do you find a suitable virginal bride? Make sure she's from the village back home and has been, er, carefully inspected by the family.
I presume we all agree that it shouldn't be allowed..
I don't believe any of the political parties are running on a platform of criminalising cousin marriage.
I'm surprised that Reform aren't
I suspect that they will, and it'll be popular
I can imagine it being the sort of thing that Kemi would go for too
But my point was that I'd be astonished to see any regular PBer try to make a real case for first cousin marriage
I can imagine a few "Well, Royal Family" non arguments
I guess the case for it is that we tend not to make things illegal in this country unless there's a very good reason for it. Having children with your cousin raises the risk of health problems in children, but so do other things like having children later in life. How enforceable is it? Are you going to jail people for having sex with their cousin? What are you going to do about people already married? I'm not in favour of cousin marriage BTW, I'm just not convinced prohibition will be an effective strategy. Things like targeted information campaigns seem a better way to go. It feels like there's a fair amount of prejudice involved here, ie it's based more on who's doing it than what they're doing.
I think the “who’s doing it” factor is also influenced by the level of arranged (forced) and underage marriage that happens among that same “who”
I hope that sort of marriage isn’t something that you support
I presume we all agree that it shouldn't be allowed..
I don't believe any of the political parties are running on a platform of criminalising cousin marriage.
I'm surprised that Reform aren't
I suspect that they will, and it'll be popular
I can imagine it being the sort of thing that Kemi would go for too
But my point was that I'd be astonished to see any regular PBer try to make a real case for first cousin marriage
I can imagine a few "Well, Royal Family" non arguments
I guess the case for it is that we tend not to make things illegal in this country unless there's a very good reason for it. Having children with your cousin raises the risk of health problems in children, but so do other things like having children later in life. How enforceable is it? Are you going to jail people for having sex with their cousin? What are you going to do about people already married? I'm not in favour of cousin marriage BTW, I'm just not convinced prohibition will be an effective strategy. Things like targeted information campaigns seem a better way to go. It feels like there's a fair amount of prejudice involved here, ie it's based more on who's doing it than what they're doing.
I think the “who’s doing it” factor is also influenced by the level of arranged (forced) and underage marriage that happens among that same “who”
I hope that sort of marriage isn’t something that you support
That would be too far woke
Marriage of first cousins in the UK has basically always been legal, and was formalised in the Marriage Act of 1835, which listed those relatives to whom you were not allowed to marry.
The bar for banning anything needs to be a high one. I don't think the fact it's a bit "icky" clears that bar.
Acting Navy Chief warns US is using missile interceptors “at an alarming rate” in Mideast.
Senator Brian Schatz (D-HI): “The latest round of conflict in the Middle East utilized, large amounts of munitions to defend Israel from Iranian strikes. Does the Navy currently have all the SM3s it needs for global threats?” ADMIRAL JAMES KILBY / NAVAL OPERATIONS ACTING CHIEF: “I'll take this. We do, sir, but we are to your point, using them at an alarming rate. As you know, those are, missiles procured by the Missile Defense Agency and then delivered to the Navy for our use. And we are using them quite effectively in the defense of Israel.” https://x.com/JenGriffinFNC/status/1937534289186369795
I presume we all agree that it shouldn't be allowed..
I don't believe any of the political parties are running on a platform of criminalising cousin marriage.
I'm surprised that Reform aren't
I suspect that they will, and it'll be popular
I can imagine it being the sort of thing that Kemi would go for too
But my point was that I'd be astonished to see any regular PBer try to make a real case for first cousin marriage
I can imagine a few "Well, Royal Family" non arguments
I guess the case for it is that we tend not to make things illegal in this country unless there's a very good reason for it. Having children with your cousin raises the risk of health problems in children, but so do other things like having children later in life. How enforceable is it? Are you going to jail people for having sex with their cousin? What are you going to do about people already married? I'm not in favour of cousin marriage BTW, I'm just not convinced prohibition will be an effective strategy. Things like targeted information campaigns seem a better way to go. It feels like there's a fair amount of prejudice involved here, ie it's based more on who's doing it than what they're doing.
I think the “who’s doing it” factor is also influenced by the level of arranged (forced) and underage marriage that happens among that same “who”
I hope that sort of marriage isn’t something that you support
That would be too far woke
Marriage of first cousins in the UK has basically always been legal, and was formalised in the Marriage Act of 1835, which listed those relatives to whom you were not allowed to marry.
The bar for banning anything needs to be a high one. I don't think the fact it's a bit "icky" clears that bar.
From 2005:
"Birmingham primary care trust estimates that one in 10 of all children born to first-cousin marriages in the city's Pakistani community either dies in infancy or goes on to suffer serious disability as a result of recessive genetic disorders."
Acting Navy Chief warns US is using missile interceptors “at an alarming rate” in Mideast.
Senator Brian Schatz (D-HI): “The latest round of conflict in the Middle East utilized, large amounts of munitions to defend Israel from Iranian strikes. Does the Navy currently have all the SM3s it needs for global threats?” ADMIRAL JAMES KILBY / NAVAL OPERATIONS ACTING CHIEF: “I'll take this. We do, sir, but we are to your point, using them at an alarming rate. As you know, those are, missiles procured by the Missile Defense Agency and then delivered to the Navy for our use. And we are using them quite effectively in the defense of Israel.” https://x.com/JenGriffinFNC/status/1937534289186369795
I presume we all agree that it shouldn't be allowed..
I don't believe any of the political parties are running on a platform of criminalising cousin marriage.
I'm surprised that Reform aren't
I suspect that they will, and it'll be popular
I can imagine it being the sort of thing that Kemi would go for too
But my point was that I'd be astonished to see any regular PBer try to make a real case for first cousin marriage
I can imagine a few "Well, Royal Family" non arguments
I guess the case for it is that we tend not to make things illegal in this country unless there's a very good reason for it. Having children with your cousin raises the risk of health problems in children, but so do other things like having children later in life. How enforceable is it? Are you going to jail people for having sex with their cousin? What are you going to do about people already married? I'm not in favour of cousin marriage BTW, I'm just not convinced prohibition will be an effective strategy. Things like targeted information campaigns seem a better way to go. It feels like there's a fair amount of prejudice involved here, ie it's based more on who's doing it than what they're doing.
I think the “who’s doing it” factor is also influenced by the level of arranged (forced) and underage marriage that happens among that same “who”
I hope that sort of marriage isn’t something that you support
That would be too far woke
As far as I understand it we already have laws against forced and child marriage, so I'd suggest devoting resources to enforcing those rather than giving the police more shit to deal with. There's too many people desperate to ban things.
Looks like Kemi wants a despatch box commitment to no tax rises to get Tory support. SKS in a real pincer here. I think his only way out is to pull the bill and agree to await the Impact assessments and commit to a full consultation with disabled people. And maybe shuffle out Kendall to a different role.
Young children were hired as extras for a public film shoot starring a paedophile, the BBC has learned.
About 200 children and young women played fans alongside Jacky Jhaj, 38, who is on the sex offenders register, in London's Leicester Square.
In 2016 he was jailed for four years, having been found guilty of four counts of sexual activity with two 15-year-olds after posing as a film producer.
Casting agencies say actors were kept safe and children had chaperones.
The BBC has been told by two cast members that they were not made aware of the real identity of Jhaj, of west London.
I presume we all agree that it shouldn't be allowed..
I don't believe any of the political parties are running on a platform of criminalising cousin marriage.
I'm surprised that Reform aren't
I suspect that they will, and it'll be popular
I can imagine it being the sort of thing that Kemi would go for too
But my point was that I'd be astonished to see any regular PBer try to make a real case for first cousin marriage
I can imagine a few "Well, Royal Family" non arguments
I guess the case for it is that we tend not to make things illegal in this country unless there's a very good reason for it. Having children with your cousin raises the risk of health problems in children, but so do other things like having children later in life. How enforceable is it? Are you going to jail people for having sex with their cousin? What are you going to do about people already married? I'm not in favour of cousin marriage BTW, I'm just not convinced prohibition will be an effective strategy. Things like targeted information campaigns seem a better way to go. It feels like there's a fair amount of prejudice involved here, ie it's based more on who's doing it than what they're doing.
I think the “who’s doing it” factor is also influenced by the level of arranged (forced) and underage marriage that happens among that same “who”
I hope that sort of marriage isn’t something that you support
That would be too far woke
Marriage of first cousins in the UK has basically always been legal, and was formalised in the Marriage Act of 1835, which listed those relatives to whom you were not allowed to marry.
The bar for banning anything needs to be a high one. I don't think the fact it's a bit "icky" clears that bar.
I presume we all agree that it shouldn't be allowed..
I don't believe any of the political parties are running on a platform of criminalising cousin marriage.
I'm surprised that Reform aren't
I suspect that they will, and it'll be popular
I can imagine it being the sort of thing that Kemi would go for too
But my point was that I'd be astonished to see any regular PBer try to make a real case for first cousin marriage
I can imagine a few "Well, Royal Family" non arguments
I guess the case for it is that we tend not to make things illegal in this country unless there's a very good reason for it. Having children with your cousin raises the risk of health problems in children, but so do other things like having children later in life. How enforceable is it? Are you going to jail people for having sex with their cousin? What are you going to do about people already married? I'm not in favour of cousin marriage BTW, I'm just not convinced prohibition will be an effective strategy. Things like targeted information campaigns seem a better way to go. It feels like there's a fair amount of prejudice involved here, ie it's based more on who's doing it than what they're doing.
I think the “who’s doing it” factor is also influenced by the level of arranged (forced) and underage marriage that happens among that same “who”
I hope that sort of marriage isn’t something that you support
That would be too far woke
Marriage of first cousins in the UK has basically always been legal, and was formalised in the Marriage Act of 1835, which listed those relatives to whom you were not allowed to marry.
The bar for banning anything needs to be a high one. I don't think the fact it's a bit "icky" clears that bar.
Didn't people used to need a Papal dispensation for marriages up to a very high number of cousins - think it might have been including fifth cousins at one point, because they misinterpreted the Roman rules.
So it might not have been illegal in civil law, but I'm sure it was contrary to canon law.
Young children were hired as extras for a public film shoot starring a paedophile, the BBC has learned.
About 200 children and young women played fans alongside Jacky Jhaj, 38, who is on the sex offenders register, in London's Leicester Square.
In 2016 he was jailed for four years, having been found guilty of four counts of sexual activity with two 15-year-olds after posing as a film producer.
Casting agencies say actors were kept safe and children had chaperones.
The BBC has been told by two cast members that they were not made aware of the real identity of Jhaj, of west London.
I've read both articles and still have no idea what his deal is. Do the "films" exist? Or is it just for him? How is he so rich?
> Labour MPs I have heard so far opposing their own government, including on R4 Today this morning have had nothing to say, and weren't asked, about their plans for funding their costly thoughts. Are they under the illusion this is someone else's problem?
Their line is that they're not actually opposing the government, while voting against it.
Their illusion seems to involve some version of cakeism.
I'd actually be interested in Nick's take on this. While I assume that he's likely also to oppose the legislation, how does he see the alternative ? <
I'd oppose sticking to the manifesto as rigidly (it's not impressing voters, and why should it with the world changing so qjuickly?), and also oppose blowing money on the military. I'm still chair of my CLP, but without enthusiasm.
Young children were hired as extras for a public film shoot starring a paedophile, the BBC has learned.
About 200 children and young women played fans alongside Jacky Jhaj, 38, who is on the sex offenders register, in London's Leicester Square.
In 2016 he was jailed for four years, having been found guilty of four counts of sexual activity with two 15-year-olds after posing as a film producer.
Casting agencies say actors were kept safe and children had chaperones.
The BBC has been told by two cast members that they were not made aware of the real identity of Jhaj, of west London.
I've read both articles and still have no idea what his deal is. Do the "films" exist? Or is it just for him? How is he so rich?
Test Cricket is a dying sport, but it at least survives for a few more years with matches like this.
And also, something about politics or whatever I guess.
Test Cricket isn't dying, there's just 4 decent Test cricket nations and thankfully unlike the 90s we're one of them.
England facing India then Australia this year is not bad for Tests.
4 good teams is a sign of a dying sport. Even in those nations are most interested in Test format? Wish it were not so, but we should enjoy it while we can,
> Labour MPs I have heard so far opposing their own government, including on R4 Today this morning have had nothing to say, and weren't asked, about their plans for funding their costly thoughts. Are they under the illusion this is someone else's problem?
Their line is that they're not actually opposing the government, while voting against it.
Their illusion seems to involve some version of cakeism.
I'd actually be interested in Nick's take on this. While I assume that he's likely also to oppose the legislation, how does he see the alternative ? <
I'd oppose sticking to the manifesto as rigidly (it's not impressing voters, and why should it with the world changing so qjuickly?), and also oppose blowing money on the military. I'm still chair of my CLP, but without enthusiasm.
I'm not opposed to more spending on defence, but we need things like prisons, resevoirs, and to make things like courts actually functioning more efficiently as more immediate concerns.
The stereotype will be that most defence spending will be illusory or wasted on white elephants anyway.
"What a time to be alive with a POTUS dropping the F bomb so publicly."
I don't think sexual swearwords are the taboos they used to be. Taboos have changed.
In the Middle Ages, the worst curse-words were religious, because everyone was terrified that using them could send whole cities to burn in eternity. In the Victorian period the worst such words were sexual, because of social neuroses about sex. Now they are racial, because white Americans are crippled by guilt that a large part of their country was founded on slavery and all of it on the dispossession of its existing inhabitants (like every other state in history).
Had Trump dropped the N-bomb rather than the F-bomb, I imagine the reaction would have been much more explosive.
In fact of course having these hangups is hugely damaging - they prevent free discussion of different viewpoints. In the Middle Ages, people were burned at the stake for trivial religious differences. In the Victorian period, women were so terrified of appearing immodest that some would die rather than discuss medical symptoms with their doctors. Our over-sensitivity about racial matters has analogous, damaging effects today.
Looks like Kemi wants a despatch box commitment to no tax rises to get Tory support. SKS in a real pincer here. I think his only way out is to pull the bill and agree to await the Impact assessments and commit to a full consultation with disabled people. And maybe shuffle out Kendall to a different role.
Actually one of the first astute, strategic moves I’ve seen Badenoch play. Yes, it’s playing politics, but walking into unconditional support would probably have been a bit of a misstep.
It leaves Starmer in an incredibly difficult position. I don’t quite see how he can avoid pulling the bill now, or significantly watering it down. Which means Reeves comes back with the begging bowl in the Autumn.
> Labour MPs I have heard so far opposing their own government, including on R4 Today this morning have had nothing to say, and weren't asked, about their plans for funding their costly thoughts. Are they under the illusion this is someone else's problem?
Their line is that they're not actually opposing the government, while voting against it.
Their illusion seems to involve some version of cakeism.
I'd actually be interested in Nick's take on this. While I assume that he's likely also to oppose the legislation, how does he see the alternative ? <
I'd oppose sticking to the manifesto as rigidly (it's not impressing voters, and why should it with the world changing so qjuickly?), and also oppose blowing money on the military. I'm still chair of my CLP, but without enthusiasm.
The event horizon of Cakeism is when you use terrorism to oppose yourself.
Comments
If Pat Pocock was a bit younger.........
I suspect that they will, and it'll be popular
I can imagine it being the sort of thing that Kemi would go for too
But my point was that I'd be astonished to see any regular PBer try to make a real case for first cousin marriage
I can imagine a few "Well, Royal Family" non arguments
Under 50 required now.
NEW: Kemi Badenoch says the Tories will lend support to the welfare bill if PM commits to three conditions: bringing down welfare budget, getting people back to work, and promising no new tax rises. The last of those is impossible for the government to deliver.
It’s clean, crisp, strong (6% abv), and just hoppy enough
And so easy to drink, I’m on my third already
https://x.com/AndrewCurran_/status/1937512454835306974
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-14842359/Norwegian-tourist-21-barred-entering-US-ICE-guards-meme.html
That's a big deal.
These days, of course, one could pre-screen for risk of a lot of things.
The concept still makes me a bit sick though, when I think of my cousins
https://x.com/LongTimeHistory/status/1937527817417191599
ICE forces U.S. Army Purple Heart veteran to deport—after taking 2 bullets in combat.
Sae Joon Park "miraculously" survived being shot in spine—then given 3 weeks to deport to South Korea.
Will miss dying mother's funeral—then his daughter's wedding.
Was legally in U.S. under deferred action as a Purple Heart veteran—after getting clean from a drug addiction arrest brought on by PTSD.
"People were saying 'You took two bullets for this country. Like you’re more American than most of the Americans living in America,'" he explained.
I hope that sort of marriage isn’t something that you support
That would be too far woke
https://x.com/allenanalysis/status/1937518604372639905
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c0l4z2z7rk4o
Everything about this is odd. I suspect we will have to wait a while to find out what it was actually all about.
Donald Trump military record for America - two bone spurs...
Not sure why that makes it more relevant?
No one puts such an asterisk against batsmen's records.
The bar for banning anything needs to be a high one. I don't think the fact it's a bit "icky" clears that bar.
Root 66
FABULOUS TEST!!!
Never doubted him.
And also, something about politics or whatever I guess.
Acting Navy Chief warns US is using missile interceptors “at an alarming rate” in Mideast.
Senator Brian Schatz (D-HI): “The latest round of conflict in the Middle East utilized, large amounts of munitions to defend Israel from Iranian strikes. Does the Navy currently have all the SM3s it needs for global threats?”
ADMIRAL JAMES KILBY / NAVAL OPERATIONS ACTING CHIEF: “I'll take this. We do, sir, but we are to your point, using them at an alarming rate. As you know, those are, missiles procured by the Missile Defense Agency and then delivered to the Navy for our use. And we are using them quite effectively in the defense of Israel.”
https://x.com/JenGriffinFNC/status/1937534289186369795
England facing India then Australia this year is not bad for Tests.
"Birmingham primary care trust estimates that one in 10 of all children born to first-cousin marriages in the city's Pakistani community either dies in infancy or goes on to suffer serious disability as a result of recessive genetic disorders."
https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2005/nov/16/immigrationpolicy.politics
There's too many people desperate to ban things.
"British man charged over 'wedding' with child, 9, at Disneyland Paris"
"BFMTV reported that the "mock wedding" may have cost organiser more than €130,000 (£110,000).
Mr Bladier's statement said that the British man "was reportedly convicted in the past, including for offences of a sexual nature against minors."
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c0l4z2z7rk4o
He hired Eurodisney for a couple of hours, and hired 100 extras as guests.
I think his only way out is to pull the bill and agree to await the Impact assessments and commit to a full consultation with disabled people. And maybe shuffle out Kendall to a different role.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-67483902
Young children were hired as extras for a public film shoot starring a paedophile, the BBC has learned.
About 200 children and young women played fans alongside Jacky Jhaj, 38, who is on the sex offenders register, in London's Leicester Square.
In 2016 he was jailed for four years, having been found guilty of four counts of sexual activity with two 15-year-olds after posing as a film producer.
Casting agencies say actors were kept safe and children had chaperones.
The BBC has been told by two cast members that they were not made aware of the real identity of Jhaj, of west London.
https://x.com/clashreport/status/1937565667638559193?s=61
https://x.com/osint613/status/1937506484604014703?s=61
So it might not have been illegal in civil law, but I'm sure it was contrary to canon law.
algarkirk said:
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Labour MPs I have heard so far opposing their own government, including on R4 Today this morning have had nothing to say, and weren't asked, about their plans for funding their costly thoughts. Are they under the illusion this is someone else's problem?
Their line is that they're not actually opposing the government, while voting against it.
Their illusion seems to involve some version of cakeism.
I'd actually be interested in Nick's take on this. While I assume that he's likely also to oppose the legislation, how does he see the alternative ? <
I'd oppose sticking to the manifesto as rigidly (it's not impressing voters, and why should it with the world changing so qjuickly?), and also oppose blowing money on the military. I'm still chair of my CLP, but without enthusiasm.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-13803687/Fake-film-premieres-funerals-coffins-exploding-BBC-lorry-Paedophile-Jacky-Jhajs-bizarre-catalogue-stunts.html
The stereotype will be that most defence spending will be illusory or wasted on white elephants anyway.
I don't think sexual swearwords are the taboos they used to be. Taboos have changed.
In the Middle Ages, the worst curse-words were religious, because everyone was terrified that using them could send whole cities to burn in eternity.
In the Victorian period the worst such words were sexual, because of social neuroses about sex.
Now they are racial, because white Americans are crippled by guilt that a large part of their country was founded on slavery and all of it on the dispossession of its existing inhabitants (like every other state in history).
Had Trump dropped the N-bomb rather than the F-bomb, I imagine the reaction would have been much more explosive.
In fact of course having these hangups is hugely damaging - they prevent free discussion of different viewpoints. In the Middle Ages, people were burned at the stake for trivial religious differences. In the Victorian period, women were so terrified of appearing immodest that some would die rather than discuss medical symptoms with their doctors. Our over-sensitivity about racial matters has analogous, damaging effects today.
It leaves Starmer in an incredibly difficult position. I don’t quite see how he can avoid pulling the bill now, or significantly watering it down. Which means Reeves comes back with the begging bowl in the Autumn.