Breaking News: President Trump is having the White House’s entire East Wing demolished to make way for his $200 million ballroom. The project is far more extensive than he initially let on.
Could have been worse, could have been a golf course.
Is any of this legal?
"I will MAKE it legal!"
Aaron Rupar @atrupar · 6h Scalise on Trump demolishing the East Wing of the White House: "Adding a ballroom -- that's gonna be a grand place that only maybe for maybe two years he gets to enjoy, but every president after President Trump will be able to enjoy. And paid for privately."
(I did not know that the former MLA for Caerphilly where we have the by-election is thought to have killed himself. We do not have a verdict yet, but at the inquest it was stated he was found hanging.)
It seems to be media guidelines these days that when public figures kill themselves e.g. Ricky Hatton, Graham Thorpe, they do not report they found them hanged etc in the immediate aftermaft. There is instead a certain set of phrases they use that if you know what you are looking for it means they did, but they do everything to avoid directly saying so.
Not saying its good or bad, but it is something I have noticed in recent years.
It comes from the Samaritans media guidelines, here:
They are interesting, whether it's helpful or not I'm not sure how you'd test, but in a hyper-connected age where information crosses the planet practically instantaneously I don't think there's anything wrong with sometimes taking a longer time about sensitive things.
I'm not sure it's any of our business about how Ricky Hatton died. I often wonder about the phrase " in the public interest". I don't think we have a right to know as members of the public.
“In the public interest” != “the public is interested”
News: Secretary Bessent just now to reporters: "We are going to announce, either after the close this afternoon or first thing tomorrow morning, a substantial pickup in Russia sanctions."
What on earth did Putin say in this phone call? Did he diss Trump's mother or something?
At a random guess, did what he did to Biden x times.
Threatened to use tactical nuclear weapons and/or attack Western infrastructure.
In this case over the possible supply of Tomahawk missiles.
Tomahawks are a bit of a thing in Russia - the media there in the 80s spent lots of time building up the reputation of the nuclear version as particularly dastardly and evil.
Breaking News: President Trump is having the White House’s entire East Wing demolished to make way for his $200 million ballroom. The project is far more extensive than he initially let on.
Could have been worse, could have been a golf course.
Is any of this legal?
"I will MAKE it legal!"
Aaron Rupar @atrupar · 6h Scalise on Trump demolishing the East Wing of the White House: "Adding a ballroom -- that's gonna be a grand place that only maybe for maybe two years he gets to enjoy, but every president after President Trump will be able to enjoy. And paid for privately."
Presumably he's not demolishing the entire East Wing as the presidential bunker is underneath it.
The two-story East Wing[4][5] was added to the White House in 1942 primarily to cover the construction of an underground bunker, now known as the Presidential Emergency Operations Center (PEOC). Around the same time, Theodore Roosevelt's coatroom became the White House Family Theater. Later, offices for correspondence, calligraphers and the social secretary were placed in the East Wing.
Breaking News: President Trump is having the White House’s entire East Wing demolished to make way for his $200 million ballroom. The project is far more extensive than he initially let on.
Could have been worse, could have been a golf course.
Is any of this legal?
"I will MAKE it legal!"
Aaron Rupar @atrupar · 6h Scalise on Trump demolishing the East Wing of the White House: "Adding a ballroom -- that's gonna be a grand place that only maybe for maybe two years he gets to enjoy, but every president after President Trump will be able to enjoy. And paid for privately."
Presumably he's not demolishing the entire East Wing as the presidential bunker is underneath it.
The two-story East Wing[4][5] was added to the White House in 1942 primarily to cover the construction of an underground bunker, now known as the Presidential Emergency Operations Center (PEOC). Around the same time, Theodore Roosevelt's coatroom became the White House Family Theater. Later, offices for correspondence, calligraphers and the social secretary were placed in the East Wing.
That's why he hates the East Wing. It was built by Antifa.
@USTreasury Treasury is imposing further sanctions as a result of Russia’s lack of serious commitment to a peace process to end the war in Ukraine. Today’s actions increase pressure on Russia’s energy sector and degrade the Kremlin’s ability to raise revenue for its war machine and support its weakened economy. The United States will continue to advocate for a peaceful resolution to the war, and a permanent peace depends entirely on Russia’s willingness to negotiate in good faith.
Breaking News: President Trump is having the White House’s entire East Wing demolished to make way for his $200 million ballroom. The project is far more extensive than he initially let on.
Could have been worse, could have been a golf course.
Is any of this legal?
"I will MAKE it legal!"
Aaron Rupar @atrupar · 6h Scalise on Trump demolishing the East Wing of the White House: "Adding a ballroom -- that's gonna be a grand place that only maybe for maybe two years he gets to enjoy, but every president after President Trump will be able to enjoy. And paid for privately."
Presumably he's not demolishing the entire East Wing as the presidential bunker is underneath it.
The two-story East Wing[4][5] was added to the White House in 1942 primarily to cover the construction of an underground bunker, now known as the Presidential Emergency Operations Center (PEOC). Around the same time, Theodore Roosevelt's coatroom became the White House Family Theater. Later, offices for correspondence, calligraphers and the social secretary were placed in the East Wing.
That's why he hates the East Wing. It was built by Antifa.
Used my image quota, but this article has a picture of Trump pointing to a model:
Bessent: “Now is the time to stop the killing and for an immediate ceasefire. Given President Putin’s refusal to end this senseless war, Treasury is sanctioning Russia’s two largest oil companies that fund the Kremlin’s war machine. Treasury is prepared to take further action if necessary to support President Trump’s effort to end yet another war. We encourage our allies to join us in and adhere to these sanctions.”
Rosneft accounts for about 40% or Russian oil production. The company’s CEO, Igor Sechin, is a close ally of Putin and is regularly referred to as “Darth Vader” in Russia.
(I did not know that the former MLA for Caerphilly where we have the by-election is thought to have killed himself. We do not have a verdict yet, but at the inquest it was stated he was found hanging.)
It seems to be media guidelines these days that when public figures kill themselves e.g. Ricky Hatton, Graham Thorpe, they do not report they found them hanged etc in the immediate aftermaft. There is instead a certain set of phrases they use that if you know what you are looking for it means they did, but they do everything to avoid directly saying so.
Not saying its good or bad, but it is something I have noticed in recent years.
It comes from the Samaritans media guidelines, here:
They are interesting, whether it's helpful or not I'm not sure how you'd test, but in a hyper-connected age where information crosses the planet practically instantaneously I don't think there's anything wrong with sometimes taking a longer time about sensitive things.
I'm not sure it's any of our business about how Ricky Hatton died. I often wonder about the phrase " in the public interest". I don't think we have a right to know as members of the public.
“In the public interest” != “the public is interested”
Every Brilliant Thing, a fantastic play, deals with this in some detail. The advice is very specific. One shouldn't say people are"successful" in committing suicide, or at all speculate on the reasons.
In the play, they take some time out to read aloud the Samaritans' guidance on this and it's very compelling.
Well the public need some lessons on our constitution then in how to implement their anti Andrew Windsor sentiments. First he is no longer a working royal, nor does he use his Duke of York or HRH titles.
Second, to formally remove his Dukedom and title of Prince would certainly require an Act of Parliament which would also remove his place in the line of succession too. The King alone can’t do that. Much as Edward VIII’s place in the line of succession was formally removed by parliament along with his title of King by Parliament in the last century. That would likely come if Andrew received a criminal conviction for his alleged sexual act with Giuffre.
In any case given two presidents of the US Republic, Trump and Clinton met Epstein, unlike our King or Prince William and given former Presidents of the French and Brazilian republics are now in jail the argument for a republic over a constitutional monarchy is weaker than ever
The public need no lessons on decency, Prince Andrew fails on every aspect and your pathetic attempt to play down this is not a good look
He should be stripped of all his titles and sent into exile
If it takes an act of parliament so be it
He hasn’t actually broken UK law though. The accusations are all events that took place on British soil with a woman over the age of consent.
His actions are sleazy and reprehensible, but if we started punishing people for that…
You seem to be trying to excuse him
Have you read Virginia Giuffre book ?
Does innocent until proven guilty not apply to him?
Innocent men often pay their accusers £12 million to shut up and drop their allegations.
Do we now have to accept any out of court settlement that has been made by individuals or corporations are an admission of guilt by the settlor?
No, but £12m is not a typical out of court settlement. And there is corroboration he has lied.
Is there a handy guide for what is typical for different alleged crimes factoring who is settling? Do we have other examples of famous people settling with accusers to compare to? Or are we just saying things because Andrew is unpleasant and shitty (he really is very)?
Whatever, it's been a fall of mighty proportions. We all remember that handsome young pilot, back from the Falklands, walking in the victory parade with a twinkle in his eye and a rose between his teeth. And now look. Old, fat, disgraced. No twinkles. No roses.
Let's hope no one wants to go after ex investment bankers who have made good and are now, ergo, class traitors.
We'll see what's in the budget. I'm getting nervous.
Don't sweat it. You've enough cash to ride it out and still appear as a left wing hero to your old mates up North.
A class traitor can't be a left wing hero. Not even I can pull off that one. But thank you.
Tricky isn't it. But I can understand why living in Hampstead is a prize that supercedes political principles.
I know it's just basically wrong that I haven't become a tory. Maybe one day I'll see the light. Certainly you're very persuasive.
Please don't become a Tory. We (old school Tories) don't want you.
But you could easily in accordance with your principles give away your worldly wealth including selling up in Hampstead in order to benefit those less fortunate than you.
Because as it stands, you are part of the hated and entitled elite. And that won't do, now, will it.
Another fantastic episode of The Traitors tonight.
I bloody love Jonathan Ross. His chat show is very much underrated in particular as his knowledge of films is encyclopedic and that very much informed his interviews.
Breaking News: President Trump is having the White House’s entire East Wing demolished to make way for his $200 million ballroom. The project is far more extensive than he initially let on.
Could have been worse, could have been a golf course.
Is any of this legal?
"I will MAKE it legal!"
Aaron Rupar @atrupar · 6h Scalise on Trump demolishing the East Wing of the White House: "Adding a ballroom -- that's gonna be a grand place that only maybe for maybe two years he gets to enjoy, but every president after President Trump will be able to enjoy. And paid for privately."
Presumably he's not demolishing the entire East Wing as the presidential bunker is underneath it.
The two-story East Wing[4][5] was added to the White House in 1942 primarily to cover the construction of an underground bunker, now known as the Presidential Emergency Operations Center (PEOC). Around the same time, Theodore Roosevelt's coatroom became the White House Family Theater. Later, offices for correspondence, calligraphers and the social secretary were placed in the East Wing.
That's why he hates the East Wing. It was built by Antifa.
Used my image quota, but this article has a picture of Trump pointing to a model:
Breaking News: President Trump is having the White House’s entire East Wing demolished to make way for his $200 million ballroom. The project is far more extensive than he initially let on.
Could have been worse, could have been a golf course.
Is any of this legal?
"I will MAKE it legal!"
Aaron Rupar @atrupar · 6h Scalise on Trump demolishing the East Wing of the White House: "Adding a ballroom -- that's gonna be a grand place that only maybe for maybe two years he gets to enjoy, but every president after President Trump will be able to enjoy. And paid for privately."
Presumably he's not demolishing the entire East Wing as the presidential bunker is underneath it.
The two-story East Wing[4][5] was added to the White House in 1942 primarily to cover the construction of an underground bunker, now known as the Presidential Emergency Operations Center (PEOC). Around the same time, Theodore Roosevelt's coatroom became the White House Family Theater. Later, offices for correspondence, calligraphers and the social secretary were placed in the East Wing.
That's why he hates the East Wing. It was built by Antifa.
Used my image quota, but this article has a picture of Trump pointing to a model:
Breaking News: President Trump is having the White House’s entire East Wing demolished to make way for his $200 million ballroom. The project is far more extensive than he initially let on.
Could have been worse, could have been a golf course.
Is any of this legal?
"I will MAKE it legal!"
Aaron Rupar @atrupar · 6h Scalise on Trump demolishing the East Wing of the White House: "Adding a ballroom -- that's gonna be a grand place that only maybe for maybe two years he gets to enjoy, but every president after President Trump will be able to enjoy. And paid for privately."
Presumably he's not demolishing the entire East Wing as the presidential bunker is underneath it.
The two-story East Wing[4][5] was added to the White House in 1942 primarily to cover the construction of an underground bunker, now known as the Presidential Emergency Operations Center (PEOC). Around the same time, Theodore Roosevelt's coatroom became the White House Family Theater. Later, offices for correspondence, calligraphers and the social secretary were placed in the East Wing.
That's why he hates the East Wing. It was built by Antifa.
Used my image quota, but this article has a picture of Trump pointing to a model:
Looks like the ballroom replaces the whole east wing there.
It's pretty hideous. Perhaps the Yanks will invite us back to burn it again, for old times sake.
Nuke it from orbit. Only way to be sure...
The bigger story is Trump proposing the government give him $230 million. It is hard to think of a comparable level of corruption in a supposed democracy.
Trump on his plans to demolish the East Wing to construct his ballroom: "I haven't been transparent? Really? I've shown this to everybody that would listen."
While you are discussing one example of a general problem, here's another that you may find instructive:
Edward Bernard Patrick Murray (born May 2, 1955) is an American politician from the state of Washington who most recently served as the 53rd mayor of Seattle from 2014 to 2017. A Democrat, he was previously a state legislator, first with the Washington State House of Representatives from 1996 to 2007, then the Washington State Senate from 2007 to 2013.
In 2017, Murray faced multiple allegations of child abuse, rape and sexual molestation, including from a family member and his adopted son. He denies the allegations.[2] Murray resigned as mayor of Seattle on September 12, 2017.
Two observations that have intrigued me ever since I read about these accusations: First, the Seattle Times knew about the earlier allegations in Portland, before Murray moved to Seattle, but chose not to tell readers about them, until the scandal with the lawsuit by the underage prostitute. (The newspaper had earlier published an article on a gay newspaper that accepted ads seeking sex with boys.)
Second, the first Seattle accuser won his lawsuit -- and promptly took the money, bought drugs to celebrate, and overdosed.
(I seem to recall that the city of Seattle paid the first open accuser, but could be wrong about that.)
Oliver Cromwell was a disaster for the Republican movement in England. His military dictatorship was so unloved by the end that, after his death, it vanished virtually without a trace and Charles II was restored in a mood of full vengeful royalist reaction. Republicanism was associated with a standing army, high taxes, erosion of civil liberties and attacks on the Church of England. Even a century later "Republican" was still an insult hurled at, and denied by, extreme Whigs.
Oliver Cromwell was a disaster for the Republican movement in England. His military dictatorship was so unloved by the end that, after his death, it vanished virtually without a trace and Charles II was restored in a mood of full vengeful royalist reaction. Republicanism was associated with a standing army, high taxes, erosion of civil liberties and attacks on the Church of England. Even a century later "Republican" was still an insult hurled at, and denied by, extreme Whigs.
Of course, you are right. But there's nothing wrong with a fully democratic Republic.
Another fantastic episode of The Traitors tonight.
Isn't it brilliant? We know some people are manipulating us, lying to us and controlling the narrative. And everyone has an idea exactly who it is. We're almost always looking in the wrong places and are all too eager to pile into a witch hunt for a scapegoat. Your ordinary Faithful swirls in a morass of deflection and misinformation trying not to be murdered while the Traitors have a good laugh at how clever they are. As a metaphor for our times it can't be beaten.
BBC News: "good news for the chancellor that inflation has stayed at 3.8%". Not really, it ought to be no higher than 2%.
Indeed but crucially it is below the 4.8% rise in average earnings
Pensioners though will get 4.8% next April through the idiotic and unsustainable triple lock
Though the state pension is below the minimum wage now of course, let alone average earnings.
It looks like those with significant private pensions will be taxed more by Reeves anyway
Re your second point @hyufd how do you think she will do that? I can't see a mechanism, although I might be having a blind spot.
Reduce tax free lump sum for one, move from salary sacrifice, change the ability for top earners to get higher rate reliefs.
It’s all small stuff. Won’t yield the tens of billions
The total net cost of all pension tax relief is estimated to be £48.7 billion in the 2022/23 tax year.
A very large proportion of this multi-billion-pound relief goes to higher and additional-rate taxpayers, as they contribute more to pensions and receive relief at a higher rate (40% or 45%)
Reducing the higher rate to 20% would save about £14.5 billion. pa It's not small stuff. I think she should do it.
Didn’t realise it was that much, she should give it serious thought.
Labour are screwed anyway. They may as well be bold and reformative. Look at merging NI with tax as suggested by KJH.
No, we need a more contributory welfare state not less,
Ringfence NI payments to fund the state pension and JSA and also make over 65s pay NI too and then use the extra funds to help fund social care
I have previously opined that we should have been required to pay back our furlough payments on an interest free, or nominal interest basis. Your party loved a free bung until it didn't.
Likewise anyone supplying dodgy PPE should be personally chased down without hiding behind limited liability. Your party loved a grift, and probably still does.
Since her rather tin eared ‘thanks for the birthday wishes’ tweet while enjoying some opulence it’s all gone quiet on the odious Medpro lot.
I’d guess we won’t get our cash back and would have been better settling for the 23 million offered.
In the meantime HMRC will be targetting people selling items on eBay and Vinted and helping themselves to cash from their account.
I was shocked a couple of years ago to discover I had to pay VAT on my Chinese tat (not PPE) from AliExpress.
Was it high value ?
No, things like a Dyson and G Tech battery and filters, Chinese car parts, T shirts, real low value stuff. My point was it used to be free. Same with Chinese product from China on eBay. It's cost plus shipping probably for a few years.
Breaking News: President Trump is having the White House’s entire East Wing demolished to make way for his $200 million ballroom. The project is far more extensive than he initially let on.
Could have been worse, could have been a golf course.
Is any of this legal?
"I will MAKE it legal!"
Aaron Rupar @atrupar · 6h Scalise on Trump demolishing the East Wing of the White House: "Adding a ballroom -- that's gonna be a grand place that only maybe for maybe two years he gets to enjoy, but every president after President Trump will be able to enjoy. And paid for privately."
Presumably he's not demolishing the entire East Wing as the presidential bunker is underneath it.
The two-story East Wing[4][5] was added to the White House in 1942 primarily to cover the construction of an underground bunker, now known as the Presidential Emergency Operations Center (PEOC). Around the same time, Theodore Roosevelt's coatroom became the White House Family Theater. Later, offices for correspondence, calligraphers and the social secretary were placed in the East Wing.
That's why he hates the East Wing. It was built by Antifa.
Used my image quota, but this article has a picture of Trump pointing to a model:
Looks like the ballroom replaces the whole east wing there.
It's pretty hideous. Perhaps the Yanks will invite us back to burn it again, for old times sake.
Nuke it from orbit. Only way to be sure...
The bigger story is Trump proposing the government give him $230 million. It is hard to think of a comparable level of corruption in a supposed democracy.
Another fantastic episode of The Traitors tonight.
It's brilliant, but it does show the limits of discussion and voting as a means of getting to the truth.
Random chance over the four banishments would have had a 60% chance of picking a traitor so far.
So yes, they're currently performing worse, after long debates, than a random number generator would be expected to.
It isn't random though, is it? Traitors have access to perfect information. Faithfuls are groping in the dark being steered to the wrong call. Like I said. Great metaphor.
Oliver Cromwell was a disaster for the Republican movement in England. His military dictatorship was so unloved by the end that, after his death, it vanished virtually without a trace and Charles II was restored in a mood of full vengeful royalist reaction. Republicanism was associated with a standing army, high taxes, erosion of civil liberties and attacks on the Church of England. Even a century later "Republican" was still an insult hurled at, and denied by, extreme Whigs.
Of course, you are right. But there's nothing wrong with a fully democratic Republic.
Tonight's cliffhanger. Who to blame? Dark skinned intellectual or chippy, emotional Scot? Neither. It's the media elite, homosexual and woke GenZ who are really running the show.
Rory Stewart has finally said something I agree with, on Newsnight.
Well don't keep us in suspenders! What was it?
Basically stop wasting time too much time talking about who Prince Andrew slept with 20 years ago when no evidence it was illegal and he paid millions for his lease and focus on Trump and Ukraine and climate and Gaza and other important global issues
Another fantastic episode of The Traitors tonight.
It's brilliant, but it does show the limits of discussion and voting as a means of getting to the truth.
Random chance over the four banishments would have had a 60% chance of picking a traitor so far.
So yes, they're currently performing worse, after long debates, than a random number generator would be expected to.
It isn't random though, is it? Traitors have access to perfect information. Faithfuls are groping in the dark being steered to the wrong call. Like I said. Great metaphor.
True. I just enjoy how much conviction some of them have based on very little information.
Only two more banishments to dodge until the traitors are 50% of the remaining players and more or less have the game in that bag.
Oliver Cromwell was a disaster for the Republican movement in England. His military dictatorship was so unloved by the end that, after his death, it vanished virtually without a trace and Charles II was restored in a mood of full vengeful royalist reaction. Republicanism was associated with a standing army, high taxes, erosion of civil liberties and attacks on the Church of England. Even a century later "Republican" was still an insult hurled at, and denied by, extreme Whigs.
The section on this period in the R4 version of "This Sceptred Isle" is the only reason I know about any of this. My history classes taught me naff-all about it.
I wish the BBC hadn't deleted it from online access. Really - of all the vandalism they do - deleting radio shows is one of the worst things. It was a fantastic resource - and for the sake of a few quid a year - gone. Probably cost more to make the decision than it would ever save in ongoing costs.
If anyone wants to depress themselves. Glad I 'pirated it' (as in paid my license fee and downloaded it) now.
Edit: just to say - I used to recommend it to all sorts of people from around the world to learn about British history - mostly foreign students who were curious. So ... that's just made me extra sad.
Another fantastic episode of The Traitors tonight.
It's brilliant, but it does show the limits of discussion and voting as a means of getting to the truth.
Random chance over the four banishments would have had a 60% chance of picking a traitor so far.
So yes, they're currently performing worse, after long debates, than a random number generator would be expected to.
It isn't random though, is it? Traitors have access to perfect information. Faithfuls are groping in the dark being steered to the wrong call. Like I said. Great metaphor.
True. I just enjoy how much conviction some of them have based on very little information.
Only two more banishments to dodge until the traitors are 50% of the remaining players and more or less have the game in that bag.
If even one person watches this and concludes "I don't know what I'm talking about based on my "100%" bestie's idiotic ideas" then it deserves the Nobel Peace Prize. 100%.
Next Democratic candidate for president. Those prices will drop if they set up a committee and at least one of them I think will and follow through on a run. Its all highly speculative at this point but wouldnt take much to pay off
Seen worse bets. Despite what may be a common perception, the Democrat leaning masses will go centerist.
Another fantastic episode of The Traitors tonight.
It's brilliant, but it does show the limits of discussion and voting as a means of getting to the truth.
Stephen Fry's idea to vote without discussing anything last week was probably the most logical and rational way of doing things, but it wouldn't have been very interesting for viewers.
Next Democratic candidate for president. Those prices will drop if they set up a committee and at least one of them I think will and follow through on a run. Its all highly speculative at this point but wouldnt take much to pay off
Seen worse bets. Despite what may be a common perception, the Democrat leaning masses will go centerist.
I don't think Fetterman's health is good enough for a Presidential campaign. I'm not even convinced he's going to be able to make another Senate run.
Breaking News: President Trump is having the White House’s entire East Wing demolished to make way for his $200 million ballroom. The project is far more extensive than he initially let on.
Could have been worse, could have been a golf course.
Is any of this legal?
"I will MAKE it legal!"
Aaron Rupar @atrupar · 6h Scalise on Trump demolishing the East Wing of the White House: "Adding a ballroom -- that's gonna be a grand place that only maybe for maybe two years he gets to enjoy, but every president after President Trump will be able to enjoy. And paid for privately."
Presumably he's not demolishing the entire East Wing as the presidential bunker is underneath it.
The two-story East Wing[4][5] was added to the White House in 1942 primarily to cover the construction of an underground bunker, now known as the Presidential Emergency Operations Center (PEOC). Around the same time, Theodore Roosevelt's coatroom became the White House Family Theater. Later, offices for correspondence, calligraphers and the social secretary were placed in the East Wing.
That's why he hates the East Wing. It was built by Antifa.
Used my image quota, but this article has a picture of Trump pointing to a model:
Looks like the ballroom replaces the whole east wing there.
It's pretty hideous. Perhaps the Yanks will invite us back to burn it again, for old times sake.
Nuke it from orbit. Only way to be sure...
The bigger story is Trump proposing the government give him $230 million. It is hard to think of a comparable level of corruption in a supposed democracy.
Apart from the previous thing he did, and the one before that...
His crypto-grifting has been immense.
And causing markets to spike and crash depending on his supposedly "random" tariff announcements. Being on the inside of those decisions must be very lucrative. Especially if you are a billionaire.
You do have to wonder whether a veangeful reaction coming in afterwards will strip an awful lot of people of their liberty. As well as every billion they own.
News: Secretary Bessent just now to reporters: "We are going to announce, either after the close this afternoon or first thing tomorrow morning, a substantial pickup in Russia sanctions."
What on earth did Putin say in this phone call? Did he diss Trump's mother or something?
At a random guess, did what he did to Biden x times.
Threatened to use tactical nuclear weapons and/or attack Western infrastructure.
In this case over the possible supply of Tomahawk missiles.
Tomahawks are a bit of a thing in Russia - the media there in the 80s spent lots of time building up the reputation of the nuclear version as particularly dastardly and evil.
That’s very true, the word Tomahawk in Russia will have long-standing nuclear connotations, even though obviously any that end up in Ukraine would be very conventional in nature.
Breaking News: President Trump is having the White House’s entire East Wing demolished to make way for his $200 million ballroom. The project is far more extensive than he initially let on.
Could have been worse, could have been a golf course.
Is any of this legal?
"I will MAKE it legal!"
Aaron Rupar @atrupar · 6h Scalise on Trump demolishing the East Wing of the White House: "Adding a ballroom -- that's gonna be a grand place that only maybe for maybe two years he gets to enjoy, but every president after President Trump will be able to enjoy. And paid for privately."
Presumably he's not demolishing the entire East Wing as the presidential bunker is underneath it.
The two-story East Wing[4][5] was added to the White House in 1942 primarily to cover the construction of an underground bunker, now known as the Presidential Emergency Operations Center (PEOC). Around the same time, Theodore Roosevelt's coatroom became the White House Family Theater. Later, offices for correspondence, calligraphers and the social secretary were placed in the East Wing.
That's why he hates the East Wing. It was built by Antifa.
What are his plan's for President Bartlet's West Wing? That must represent everything he hates...
Another fantastic episode of The Traitors tonight.
Isn't it brilliant? We know some people are manipulating us, lying to us and controlling the narrative. And everyone has an idea exactly who it is. We're almost always looking in the wrong places and are all too eager to pile into a witch hunt for a scapegoat. Your ordinary Faithful swirls in a morass of deflection and misinformation trying not to be murdered while the Traitors have a good laugh at how clever they are. As a metaphor for our times it can't be beaten.
And when they do find a Traitor, the Traitors get to recruit a Faithful to their ranks. (Or else, that Faithful gets murdered.)
Making the Faithful even more paranoid about who can be trusted.
(I can see JR getting removed. But at least one of Cat, Alan and whoever they recruit looks good to be there at the end...)
Following Wednesday's developments in the Inquiry into the thing we cannot talk about, there must be a fair chance of a minor reshuffle today, a job-swap between junior ministers with no-one being sacked. The government needs to regain control and this is the cleanest way. That and finding some judges with time on their hands.
Yearly announcement from the past 25 years...Home Office not fit for purpose.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has said her department is "not yet fit for purpose" after an internal report labelled it dysfunctional and detached from its core functions.
The department had attempted for more than two years to keep secret the highly critical report, written by the former Home Office special adviser Nick Timothy. It was released only after a legal challenge by The Times.
Celebrity Traitors hit by leak as insider unveils who wins BBC show after huge betrayal EXCLUSIVE: The Celebrity Traitors has been rocked by a leak after an insider revealed who wins the BBC show — sparking panic at the BBC as they fear the spoiler could ruin finale for fans https://www.dailystar.co.uk/tv/the-traitors-bbc-series-leak-36116049
PB Traitors fans should stay away from gossip sites.
In all seriousness, there are only two good reasons for having a wood burner:
1) If you have a garden or other open area with lots of trees in it that will provide you with adequate fuel (and that also requires space to store it for a longish period while it seasons);
2) If your only have one other source of power, namely electricity, and you don't want to be left without any means of heating or cooking during a power cut.
‘The police weren’t interested’: what’s driving the rise in private prosecutions? ... Theresa May’s decision to axe 21,000 police officers while she was home secretary. ... Between 2010 and 2014, after the coalition government ordered the MoJ to slash its budget by almost a quarter, the CPS lost 22% of its solicitors and 28% of its barristers. From 2010 to 2019, the MoJ closed more than half of all the courts in England and Wales, and sold off many court buildings. There are now almost 400,000 criminal cases waiting to be heard in England and Wales. ... the coalition government’s decision to make stealing goods under £200 into a “summary offence”, which carry shorter sentences, had effectively given criminals a free pass. “These thieves aren’t stupid,” said Neville, the former Met detective. “Why nick £200 when you can nick £199 five times?” ... The victims and courts bill currently making its way through parliament contains an explosive detail that could topple the entire business model. It proposes that lawyers should only be awarded “reasonably sufficient” costs from central funds. https://www.theguardian.com/news/ng-interactive/2025/oct/23/the-police-werent-interested-whats-driving-the-rise-in-private-prosecutions
‘The police weren’t interested’: what’s driving the rise in private prosecutions? ... Theresa May’s decision to axe 21,000 police officers while she was home secretary. ... Between 2010 and 2014, after the coalition government ordered the MoJ to slash its budget by almost a quarter, the CPS lost 22% of its solicitors and 28% of its barristers. From 2010 to 2019, the MoJ closed more than half of all the courts in England and Wales, and sold off many court buildings. There are now almost 400,000 criminal cases waiting to be heard in England and Wales. ... the coalition government’s decision to make stealing goods under £200 into a “summary offence”, which carry shorter sentences, had effectively given criminals a free pass. “These thieves aren’t stupid,” said Neville, the former Met detective. “Why nick £200 when you can nick £199 five times?” ... The victims and courts bill currently making its way through parliament contains an explosive detail that could topple the entire business model. It proposes that lawyers should only be awarded “reasonably sufficient” costs from central funds. https://www.theguardian.com/news/ng-interactive/2025/oct/23/the-police-werent-interested-whats-driving-the-rise-in-private-prosecutions
Even though this has now been changed, the cat is out of the bag. Thieves have realised nobody is going to stop them, the police will never come looking for them, there is nothing to fear. And even if they do get caught, we are going to move to a system where a sentence for less than a year (which I am sure makes up a huge percentage of a tiny fraction who are ever caught) won't ever go to jail.
The department had attempted for more than two years to keep secret the highly critical report, written by the former Home Office special adviser Nick Timothy. It was released only after a legal challenge by The Times.
Time for another shake down....how many millions more this time?
France is backing away from a recent commitment to intervene more forcefully at sea to stop small boats from crossing the English Channel, according to multiple sources contacted by the BBC.
While the man in charge of border security in the UK, Martin Hewitt, has already expressed "frustration" at French delays, the BBC has now heard from a number of sources in France that promises of a new "maritime doctrine" - which would see patrol boats attempt to intercept inflatable boats and pull them back to shore – are hollow.
"It's just a political stunt. It's much blah-blah," said one figure closely linked to French maritime security.
Charity skydives to raise money for the NHS cost more in fixing associated injuries than they raise.
Look at pb last week. Society points fingers at us oldies and fatties but it is the keen, super-fit, outdoorsy @BlancheLivermore and @JosiasJessop in the tender care of Foxy's mates at the local infirmary. Physical exercise – why take the risk?
Charity skydives to raise money for the NHS cost more in fixing associated injuries than they raise.
Look at pb last week. Society points fingers at us oldies and fatties but it is the keen, super-fit, outdoorsy @BlancheLivermore and @JosiasJessop in the tender care of Foxy's mates at the local infirmary. Physical exercise – why take the risk?
War Exercise...huh...yeah...what it is good for....absolutely nothin'.
Time for another shake down....how many millions more this time?
France is backing away from a recent commitment to intervene more forcefully at sea to stop small boats from crossing the English Channel, according to multiple sources contacted by the BBC.
While the man in charge of border security in the UK, Martin Hewitt, has already expressed "frustration" at French delays, the BBC has now heard from a number of sources in France that promises of a new "maritime doctrine" - which would see patrol boats attempt to intercept inflatable boats and pull them back to shore – are hollow.
"It's just a political stunt. It's much blah-blah," said one figure closely linked to French maritime security.
‘The police weren’t interested’: what’s driving the rise in private prosecutions? ... Theresa May’s decision to axe 21,000 police officers while she was home secretary. ... Between 2010 and 2014, after the coalition government ordered the MoJ to slash its budget by almost a quarter, the CPS lost 22% of its solicitors and 28% of its barristers. From 2010 to 2019, the MoJ closed more than half of all the courts in England and Wales, and sold off many court buildings. There are now almost 400,000 criminal cases waiting to be heard in England and Wales. ... the coalition government’s decision to make stealing goods under £200 into a “summary offence”, which carry shorter sentences, had effectively given criminals a free pass. “These thieves aren’t stupid,” said Neville, the former Met detective. “Why nick £200 when you can nick £199 five times?” ... The victims and courts bill currently making its way through parliament contains an explosive detail that could topple the entire business model. It proposes that lawyers should only be awarded “reasonably sufficient” costs from central funds. https://www.theguardian.com/news/ng-interactive/2025/oct/23/the-police-werent-interested-whats-driving-the-rise-in-private-prosecutions
Even though this has now been changed, the cat is out of the bag. Thieves have realised nobody is going to stop them, the police will never come looking for them, there is nothing to fear. And even if they do get caught, we are going to move to a system where a sentence for less than a year (which I am sure makes up a huge percentage of a tiny fraction who are ever caught) won't ever go to jail.
It is also counter-productive in another way, because the system encourages new villains to try their luck at small-scale fare dodging or shoplifting, then lets scrotes to climb the greasy pole of crime with no apparent sanction, until one day someone is killed and suddenly there are enough coppers to collect and review CCTV, swab for DNA evidence, and the deluded baddies are looking at a long holiday at one of His Majesty's Hotels (which according to the public prints are largely run by inmates rather than screws).
The department had attempted for more than two years to keep secret the highly critical report, written by the former Home Office special adviser Nick Timothy. It was released only after a legal challenge by The Times.
Timothy thinks that Civil Servants not wanting to work on Bravermans immigration agenda is being "detached from reality". I dont blame them at all. I wouldn't want to do so either, and would seek work elsewhere. Its Braverman who is detached from reality.
Not as much as Lam is though. Her proposal to deport 3.5 million people with ILR by reason of "cultural cohrrence" is really quite extraordinary. Going onto an income of less than £38 000 for six months is grounds for deportation, including it seems maternity or parenting leave.
‘The police weren’t interested’: what’s driving the rise in private prosecutions? ... Theresa May’s decision to axe 21,000 police officers while she was home secretary. ... Between 2010 and 2014, after the coalition government ordered the MoJ to slash its budget by almost a quarter, the CPS lost 22% of its solicitors and 28% of its barristers. From 2010 to 2019, the MoJ closed more than half of all the courts in England and Wales, and sold off many court buildings. There are now almost 400,000 criminal cases waiting to be heard in England and Wales. ... the coalition government’s decision to make stealing goods under £200 into a “summary offence”, which carry shorter sentences, had effectively given criminals a free pass. “These thieves aren’t stupid,” said Neville, the former Met detective. “Why nick £200 when you can nick £199 five times?” ... The victims and courts bill currently making its way through parliament contains an explosive detail that could topple the entire business model. It proposes that lawyers should only be awarded “reasonably sufficient” costs from central funds. https://www.theguardian.com/news/ng-interactive/2025/oct/23/the-police-werent-interested-whats-driving-the-rise-in-private-prosecutions
Even though this has now been changed, the cat is out of the bag. Thieves have realised nobody is going to stop them, the police will never come looking for them, there is nothing to fear. And even if they do get caught, we are going to move to a system where a sentence for less than a year (which I am sure makes up a huge percentage of a tiny fraction who are ever caught) won't ever go to jail.
It is also counter-productive in another way, because the system encourages new villains to try their luck at small-scale fare dodging or shoplifting, then lets scrotes to climb the greasy pole of crime with no apparent sanction, until one day someone is killed and suddenly there are enough coppers to collect and review CCTV, swab for DNA evidence, and the deluded baddies are looking at a long holiday at one of His Majesty's Hotels (which according to the public prints are largely run by inmates rather than screws).
Whereas picking up the little scrotes when they’re 14 or 15, and taking them back to their Mum in a Panda car to ask her to pay for the items stolen, would often be enough to divert them towards a different life.
This is what happened to my friend’s sister back in the ‘90s. It wouldn’t work on the hardened criminals in gangs, but it definitely does work on the petty teenage tea leaves.
Charity skydives to raise money for the NHS cost more in fixing associated injuries than they raise.
Look at pb last week. Society points fingers at us oldies and fatties but it is the keen, super-fit, outdoorsy @BlancheLivermore and @JosiasJessop in the tender care of Foxy's mates at the local infirmary. Physical exercise – why take the risk?
Today certainly looks a good choice for a sofa day.
The department had attempted for more than two years to keep secret the highly critical report, written by the former Home Office special adviser Nick Timothy. It was released only after a legal challenge by The Times.
Timothy thinks that Civil Servants not wanting to work on Bravermans immigration agenda is being "detached from reality". I dont blame them at all. I wouldn't want to do so either, and would seek work elsewhere. Its Braverman who is detached from reality.
Not as much as Lam is though. Her proposal to deport 3.5 million people with ILR by reason of "cultural cohrrence" is really quite extraordinary. Going onto an income of less than £38 000 for six months is grounds for deportation, including it seems maternity or parenting leave.
She wants to deport about half my department of 250 people or their immediate families. It is madness.
The woman is insane and loathsome at the same time . The human cost of this policy is horrific . The economic cost would trash the economy and devastate public services . The media should have been all over this . How are these people supposed to cope now with knowing the next election could decide whether they get deported ?
The department had attempted for more than two years to keep secret the highly critical report, written by the former Home Office special adviser Nick Timothy. It was released only after a legal challenge by The Times.
Timothy thinks that Civil Servants not wanting to work on Bravermans immigration agenda is being "detached from reality". I dont blame them at all. I wouldn't want to do so either, and would seek work elsewhere. Its Braverman who is detached from reality.
Not as much as Lam is though. Her proposal to deport 3.5 million people with ILR by reason of "cultural cohrrence" is really quite extraordinary. Going onto an income of less than £38 000 for six months is grounds for deportation, including it seems maternity or parenting leave.
She wants to deport about half my department of 250 people or their immediate families. It is madness.
The woman is insane and loathsome at the same time . The human cost of this policy is horrific . The economic cost would trash the economy and devastate public services . The media should have been all over this . How are these people supposed to cope now with knowing the next election could decide whether they get deported .
Has Badenoch responded? She should slap this madness down.
Breaking News: President Trump is having the White House’s entire East Wing demolished to make way for his $200 million ballroom. The project is far more extensive than he initially let on.
Could have been worse, could have been a golf course.
Is any of this legal?
"I will MAKE it legal!"
Aaron Rupar @atrupar · 6h Scalise on Trump demolishing the East Wing of the White House: "Adding a ballroom -- that's gonna be a grand place that only maybe for maybe two years he gets to enjoy, but every president after President Trump will be able to enjoy. And paid for privately."
Presumably he's not demolishing the entire East Wing as the presidential bunker is underneath it.
The two-story East Wing[4][5] was added to the White House in 1942 primarily to cover the construction of an underground bunker, now known as the Presidential Emergency Operations Center (PEOC). Around the same time, Theodore Roosevelt's coatroom became the White House Family Theater. Later, offices for correspondence, calligraphers and the social secretary were placed in the East Wing.
That's why he hates the East Wing. It was built by Antifa.
Used my image quota, but this article has a picture of Trump pointing to a model:
Looks like the ballroom replaces the whole east wing there.
It's pretty hideous. Perhaps the Yanks will invite us back to burn it again, for old times sake.
Nuke it from orbit. Only way to be sure...
The bigger story is Trump proposing the government give him $230 million. It is hard to think of a comparable level of corruption in a supposed democracy.
Apart from the previous thing he did, and the one before that...
His crypto-grifting has been immense.
And causing markets to spike and crash depending on his supposedly "random" tariff announcements. Being on the inside of those decisions must be very lucrative. Especially if you are a billionaire.
You do have to wonder whether a veangeful reaction coming in afterwards will strip an awful lot of people of their liberty. As well as every billion they own.
There comes a point with a corrupt government where it simply dare not leave office, for the reasons you suggest. It's possible that the USA has passed that point already.
The department had attempted for more than two years to keep secret the highly critical report, written by the former Home Office special adviser Nick Timothy. It was released only after a legal challenge by The Times.
Timothy thinks that Civil Servants not wanting to work on Bravermans immigration agenda is being "detached from reality". I dont blame them at all. I wouldn't want to do so either, and would seek work elsewhere. Its Braverman who is detached from reality.
Not as much as Lam is though. Her proposal to deport 3.5 million people with ILR by reason of "cultural cohrrence" is really quite extraordinary. Going onto an income of less than £38 000 for six months is grounds for deportation, including it seems maternity or parenting leave.
She wants to deport about half my department of 250 people or their immediate families. It is madness.
The woman is insane and loathsome at the same time . The human cost of this policy is horrific . The economic cost would trash the economy and devastate public services . The media should have been all over this . How are these people supposed to cope now with knowing the next election could decide whether they get deported ?
The department had attempted for more than two years to keep secret the highly critical report, written by the former Home Office special adviser Nick Timothy. It was released only after a legal challenge by The Times.
Timothy thinks that Civil Servants not wanting to work on Bravermans immigration agenda is being "detached from reality". I dont blame them at all. I wouldn't want to do so either, and would seek work elsewhere. Its Braverman who is detached from reality.
Not as much as Lam is though. Her proposal to deport 3.5 million people with ILR by reason of "cultural cohrrence" is really quite extraordinary. Going onto an income of less than £38 000 for six months is grounds for deportation, including it seems maternity or parenting leave.
She wants to deport about half my department of 250 people or their immediate families. It is madness.
The woman is insane and loathsome at the same time . The human cost of this policy is horrific . The economic cost would trash the economy and devastate public services . The media should have been all over this . How are these people supposed to cope now with knowing the next election could decide whether they get deported .
Has Badenoch responded? She should slap this madness down.
No not a word . There should be a campaign to ensure as many of those able to get British citizenship can and they should make sure they vote and remember which parties wanted to deport them .
‘The police weren’t interested’: what’s driving the rise in private prosecutions? ... Theresa May’s decision to axe 21,000 police officers while she was home secretary. ... Between 2010 and 2014, after the coalition government ordered the MoJ to slash its budget by almost a quarter, the CPS lost 22% of its solicitors and 28% of its barristers. From 2010 to 2019, the MoJ closed more than half of all the courts in England and Wales, and sold off many court buildings. There are now almost 400,000 criminal cases waiting to be heard in England and Wales. ... the coalition government’s decision to make stealing goods under £200 into a “summary offence”, which carry shorter sentences, had effectively given criminals a free pass. “These thieves aren’t stupid,” said Neville, the former Met detective. “Why nick £200 when you can nick £199 five times?” ... The victims and courts bill currently making its way through parliament contains an explosive detail that could topple the entire business model. It proposes that lawyers should only be awarded “reasonably sufficient” costs from central funds. https://www.theguardian.com/news/ng-interactive/2025/oct/23/the-police-werent-interested-whats-driving-the-rise-in-private-prosecutions
Even though this has now been changed, the cat is out of the bag. Thieves have realised nobody is going to stop them, the police will never come looking for them, there is nothing to fear. And even if they do get caught, we are going to move to a system where a sentence for less than a year (which I am sure makes up a huge percentage of a tiny fraction who are ever caught) won't ever go to jail.
Is it beyond the wit of man to come up with an effective 21st century punishment that doesn't involve free food, accomodation that acts as a crime university for those starting out?
Don't get me wrong, very serious crimes need jail time for public protection alone, as well as punishment.
For thieves and the like, can we be a little more inventive? A spot fine of 10x the value of what you sold, to be deducted from any future salary or public benefits, for example. With an increasing multiple for repeat offenders.
It should be aim to be almost as quick as giving a parking ticket.
The department had attempted for more than two years to keep secret the highly critical report, written by the former Home Office special adviser Nick Timothy. It was released only after a legal challenge by The Times.
Timothy thinks that Civil Servants not wanting to work on Bravermans immigration agenda is being "detached from reality". I dont blame them at all. I wouldn't want to do so either, and would seek work elsewhere. Its Braverman who is detached from reality.
Not as much as Lam is though. Her proposal to deport 3.5 million people with ILR by reason of "cultural cohrrence" is really quite extraordinary. Going onto an income of less than £38 000 for six months is grounds for deportation, including it seems maternity or parenting leave.
She wants to deport about half my department of 250 people or their immediate families. It is madness.
If you look at the details of the bill, the sponsor is Chris Philp. Why everyone is piling on Lam is a bit odd as everyone points out she is a junior unlike Philp and Cleverly.
For background, these are the changes to the immigration laws since 1983. There are also a number of different types of British passport and status that emerge from this farrago of legislation which will have to be dealt with too. But lets leave it to Simple Simon Farage to give us a quick summary of how he'll change the law (again) and deal with the legal challenges to the changes that will emerge.
I've spent much of my life marching into bothies and getting a roaring fire going in sub-zero temperatures, and many of us who grew up in rural Scotland have them in our living rooms too. We've always accepted that there is a cost to our lungs for that.
Given we have a public health service, and the posh bits of Edinburgh are reverting back to the 18th Century, I think they are due some regulation. I hope they don't slap a universal tax/regulation on them but stick to urban areas where the cost/benefit is out of whack.
‘The police weren’t interested’: what’s driving the rise in private prosecutions? ... Theresa May’s decision to axe 21,000 police officers while she was home secretary. ... Between 2010 and 2014, after the coalition government ordered the MoJ to slash its budget by almost a quarter, the CPS lost 22% of its solicitors and 28% of its barristers. From 2010 to 2019, the MoJ closed more than half of all the courts in England and Wales, and sold off many court buildings. There are now almost 400,000 criminal cases waiting to be heard in England and Wales. ... the coalition government’s decision to make stealing goods under £200 into a “summary offence”, which carry shorter sentences, had effectively given criminals a free pass. “These thieves aren’t stupid,” said Neville, the former Met detective. “Why nick £200 when you can nick £199 five times?” ... The victims and courts bill currently making its way through parliament contains an explosive detail that could topple the entire business model. It proposes that lawyers should only be awarded “reasonably sufficient” costs from central funds. https://www.theguardian.com/news/ng-interactive/2025/oct/23/the-police-werent-interested-whats-driving-the-rise-in-private-prosecutions
Even though this has now been changed, the cat is out of the bag. Thieves have realised nobody is going to stop them, the police will never come looking for them, there is nothing to fear. And even if they do get caught, we are going to move to a system where a sentence for less than a year (which I am sure makes up a huge percentage of a tiny fraction who are ever caught) won't ever go to jail.
Is it beyond the wit of man to come up with an effective 21st century punishment that doesn't involve free food, accomodation that acts as a crime university for those starting out?
Don't get me wrong, very serious crimes need jail time for public protection alone, as well as punishment.
For thieves and the like, can we be a little more inventive? A spot fine of 10x the value of what you sold, to be deducted from any future salary or public benefits, for example. With an increasing multiple for repeat offenders.
It should be aim to be almost as quick as giving a parking ticket.
Surely they would just demand Crown Court trials under those circumstances which would slow everything up even more?
The department had attempted for more than two years to keep secret the highly critical report, written by the former Home Office special adviser Nick Timothy. It was released only after a legal challenge by The Times.
Timothy thinks that Civil Servants not wanting to work on Bravermans immigration agenda is being "detached from reality". I dont blame them at all. I wouldn't want to do so either, and would seek work elsewhere. Its Braverman who is detached from reality.
Not as much as Lam is though. Her proposal to deport 3.5 million people with ILR by reason of "cultural cohrrence" is really quite extraordinary. Going onto an income of less than £38 000 for six months is grounds for deportation, including it seems maternity or parenting leave.
She wants to deport about half my department of 250 people or their immediate families. It is madness.
The woman is insane and loathsome at the same time . The human cost of this policy is horrific . The economic cost would trash the economy and devastate public services . The media should have been all over this . How are these people supposed to cope now with knowing the next election could decide whether they get deported ?
Performative cruelty wins votes.
I guess we will see. I still have hope the UK will be better than US in this regard.
The department had attempted for more than two years to keep secret the highly critical report, written by the former Home Office special adviser Nick Timothy. It was released only after a legal challenge by The Times.
Timothy thinks that Civil Servants not wanting to work on Bravermans immigration agenda is being "detached from reality". I dont blame them at all. I wouldn't want to do so either, and would seek work elsewhere. Its Braverman who is detached from reality.
Not as much as Lam is though. Her proposal to deport 3.5 million people with ILR by reason of "cultural cohrrence" is really quite extraordinary. Going onto an income of less than £38 000 for six months is grounds for deportation, including it seems maternity or parenting leave.
She wants to deport about half my department of 250 people or their immediate families. It is madness.
If you look at the details of the bill, the sponsor is Chris Philp. Why everyone is piling on Lam is a bit odd as everyone points out she is a junior unlike Philp and Cleverly.
Q: How does the country have a sensible discussion about this issue and others without it descending into ad hominin attacks and misapplied quotes.
The video is from Lam, she is an Opposition whip and sometimes spoken of as potential Conservative leader. She isnt just some random MP. This is her video:
‘The police weren’t interested’: what’s driving the rise in private prosecutions? ... Theresa May’s decision to axe 21,000 police officers while she was home secretary. ... Between 2010 and 2014, after the coalition government ordered the MoJ to slash its budget by almost a quarter, the CPS lost 22% of its solicitors and 28% of its barristers. From 2010 to 2019, the MoJ closed more than half of all the courts in England and Wales, and sold off many court buildings. There are now almost 400,000 criminal cases waiting to be heard in England and Wales. ... the coalition government’s decision to make stealing goods under £200 into a “summary offence”, which carry shorter sentences, had effectively given criminals a free pass. “These thieves aren’t stupid,” said Neville, the former Met detective. “Why nick £200 when you can nick £199 five times?” ... The victims and courts bill currently making its way through parliament contains an explosive detail that could topple the entire business model. It proposes that lawyers should only be awarded “reasonably sufficient” costs from central funds. https://www.theguardian.com/news/ng-interactive/2025/oct/23/the-police-werent-interested-whats-driving-the-rise-in-private-prosecutions
Even though this has now been changed, the cat is out of the bag. Thieves have realised nobody is going to stop them, the police will never come looking for them, there is nothing to fear. And even if they do get caught, we are going to move to a system where a sentence for less than a year (which I am sure makes up a huge percentage of a tiny fraction who are ever caught) won't ever go to jail.
Is it beyond the wit of man to come up with an effective 21st century punishment that doesn't involve free food, accomodation that acts as a crime university for those starting out?
Don't get me wrong, very serious crimes need jail time for public protection alone, as well as punishment.
For thieves and the like, can we be a little more inventive? A spot fine of 10x the value of what you sold, to be deducted from any future salary or public benefits, for example. With an increasing multiple for repeat offenders.
It should be aim to be almost as quick as giving a parking ticket.
Huge use of ankle tags monitored by AI. Offenders are fitted with ankle tags with high pitched alarms. Their place of work and home (and if no other family living with them a supermarket) are entered into the system which works out an approved route which the offender has to follow for duration of sentence.
Deviation from route and permitted places sets off alarm. Repeat offences end in jail time. Period of tagging prevents them from going to pubs, cafes, cinema, mates houses etc etc so restricts life as punishment, reduces their chances of getting into trouble by restricting where they can go.
The department had attempted for more than two years to keep secret the highly critical report, written by the former Home Office special adviser Nick Timothy. It was released only after a legal challenge by The Times.
Timothy thinks that Civil Servants not wanting to work on Bravermans immigration agenda is being "detached from reality". I dont blame them at all. I wouldn't want to do so either, and would seek work elsewhere. Its Braverman who is detached from reality.
Not as much as Lam is though. Her proposal to deport 3.5 million people with ILR by reason of "cultural cohrrence" is really quite extraordinary. Going onto an income of less than £38 000 for six months is grounds for deportation, including it seems maternity or parenting leave.
She wants to deport about half my department of 250 people or their immediate families. It is madness.
If you look at the details of the bill, the sponsor is Chris Philp. Why everyone is piling on Lam is a bit odd as everyone points out she is a junior unlike Philp and Cleverly.
Q: How does the country have a sensible discussion about this issue and others without it descending into ad hominin attacks and misapplied quotes.
The weird thing is that both the bill and Lam's videos have been in the public domain for months.
Badenoch can't really condemn what la Lam said, because it's basically party policy. Nobody else made a fuss, because nobody noticed. It was only that Sunday Times interview that made anyone bother to check.
'My teenage daughter fell victim to a satanic online group – and I felt powerless to help'
The online safety act may not be the answer, but what is?
Hardware control rather than software control is the only answer. Children are always going to be more tech savvy than their parents so trying to impose restrictions once the child has a device in their hands is going to be futile and just inconvenience the wrong people. I think smartphones should be banned for under 16s. After that, as much as I hate to make any assumptions in this case, it really requires strong and engaged parenting.
The department had attempted for more than two years to keep secret the highly critical report, written by the former Home Office special adviser Nick Timothy. It was released only after a legal challenge by The Times.
Timothy thinks that Civil Servants not wanting to work on Bravermans immigration agenda is being "detached from reality". I dont blame them at all. I wouldn't want to do so either, and would seek work elsewhere. Its Braverman who is detached from reality.
Not as much as Lam is though. Her proposal to deport 3.5 million people with ILR by reason of "cultural cohrrence" is really quite extraordinary. Going onto an income of less than £38 000 for six months is grounds for deportation, including it seems maternity or parenting leave.
She wants to deport about half my department of 250 people or their immediate families. It is madness.
If you look at the details of the bill, the sponsor is Chris Philp. Why everyone is piling on Lam is a bit odd as everyone points out she is a junior unlike Philp and Cleverly.
Q: How does the country have a sensible discussion about this issue and others without it descending into ad hominin attacks and misapplied quotes.
The weird thing is that both the bill and Lam's videos have been in the public domain for months.
Badenoch can't really condemn what la Lam said, because it's basically party policy. Nobody else made a fuss, because nobody noticed. It was only that Sunday Times interview that made anyone bother to check.
That's how bad things are for the Conservatives.
Hacker: I reviewed all ten of London's main newspapers and not a good word about me in nine of them.
Woolley: But the tenth was better?
Hacker: The tenth was worse. It didn't mention me at all!
'My teenage daughter fell victim to a satanic online group – and I felt powerless to help'
The online safety act may not be the answer, but what is?
The more I read about the statistics of young teenagers and the harm of being 'constantly online' via access to smartphones on mental health and a large number of other developmental areas, the worse it becomes.
It's not great for adults, but teenagers seem to be particularly susceptible given it is at a critical part of their development. Current research seems to suggest the harm is very statistically significant.
I wonder if we, as a society, need to start treating smartphones like tobacco or alcohol. Only available to those say aged 16 or older. The default for younger children, once old enough to have some independence going to school alone etc, should be feature phones with calling and texting only.
Yes they will still have access to home computers or tablets etc, but that is much more easily supervised and time limited. And the increase in harm has specifically been since smartphones became prevalent.
Comments
Aaron Rupar
@atrupar
·
6h
Scalise on Trump demolishing the East Wing of the White House: "Adding a ballroom -- that's gonna be a grand place that only maybe for maybe two years he gets to enjoy, but every president after President Trump will be able to enjoy. And paid for privately."
https://x.com/atrupar/status/1980997898213998826
Threatened to use tactical nuclear weapons and/or attack Western infrastructure.
In this case over the possible supply of Tomahawk missiles.
Tomahawks are a bit of a thing in Russia - the media there in the 80s spent lots of time building up the reputation of the nuclear version as particularly dastardly and evil.
The two-story East Wing[4][5] was added to the White House in 1942 primarily to cover the construction of an underground bunker, now known as the Presidential Emergency Operations Center (PEOC). Around the same time, Theodore Roosevelt's coatroom became the White House Family Theater. Later, offices for correspondence, calligraphers and the social secretary were placed in the East Wing.
Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control is imposing sanctions on Rosneft and Lukoil.
OFAC is also designating a number of Russia-based Rosneft and Lukoil subsidiaries.
Treasury is imposing further sanctions as a result of Russia’s lack of serious commitment to a peace process to end the war in Ukraine. Today’s actions increase pressure on Russia’s energy sector and degrade the Kremlin’s ability to raise revenue for its war machine and support its weakened economy. The United States will continue to advocate for a peaceful resolution to the war, and a permanent peace depends entirely on Russia’s willingness to negotiate in good faith.
https://edition.cnn.com/2025/10/22/politics/white-house-east-wing-demolition-trump
Looks like the ballroom replaces the whole east wing there.
Bessent: “Now is the time to stop the killing and for an immediate ceasefire. Given President Putin’s refusal to end this senseless war, Treasury is sanctioning Russia’s two largest oil companies that fund the Kremlin’s war machine. Treasury is prepared to take further action if necessary to support President Trump’s effort to end yet another war. We encourage our allies to join us in and adhere to these sanctions.”
Rosneft accounts for about 40% or Russian oil production. The company’s CEO, Igor Sechin, is a close ally of Putin and is regularly referred to as “Darth Vader” in Russia.
In the play, they take some time out to read aloud the Samaritans' guidance on this and it's very compelling.
But you could easily in accordance with your principles give away your worldly wealth including selling up in Hampstead in order to benefit those less fortunate than you.
Because as it stands, you are part of the hated and entitled elite. And that won't do, now, will it.
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/oct/22/zack-polanski-green-party-britain
New: The whole East Wing will be torn down, with demolition wrapping by this weekend,
@CBSNews
's
@weijia
reports
Trump: "We did the Middle East plus seven, so we did seven different wars. All these wars I did. We have one left. It'll be nine."
The asylum seeker claims it was ‘unsafe’ for him to stay in France — as the number of Channel crossings so far this year surpasses total for 2024
https://www.thetimes.com/article/63639b13-3f9a-402a-becb-8d2a37f0b3ee?shareToken=44a99701086c4e12e67e8cd87df22d48
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/trump-justice-dept-for-230-million-claims-past-criminal-cases/
Trump on his plans to demolish the East Wing to construct his ballroom: "I haven't been transparent? Really? I've shown this to everybody that would listen."
Two observations that have intrigued me ever since I read about these accusations: First, the Seattle Times knew about the earlier allegations in Portland, before Murray moved to Seattle, but chose not to tell readers about them, until the scandal with the lawsuit by the underage prostitute. (The newspaper had earlier published an article on a gay newspaper that accepted ads seeking sex with boys.)
Second, the first Seattle accuser won his lawsuit -- and promptly took the money, bought drugs to celebrate, and overdosed.
(I seem to recall that the city of Seattle paid the first open accuser, but could be wrong about that.)
We know some people are manipulating us, lying to us and controlling the narrative.
And everyone has an idea exactly who it is.
We're almost always looking in the wrong places and are all too eager to pile into a witch hunt for a scapegoat.
Your ordinary Faithful swirls in a morass of deflection and misinformation trying not to be murdered while the Traitors have a good laugh at how clever they are.
As a metaphor for our times it can't be beaten.
So yes, they're currently performing worse, after long debates, than a random number generator would be expected to.
Traitors have access to perfect information. Faithfuls are groping in the dark being steered to the wrong call.
Like I said. Great metaphor.
Neither. It's the media elite, homosexual and woke GenZ who are really running the show.
Only two more banishments to dodge until the traitors are 50% of the remaining players and more or less have the game in that bag.
I wish the BBC hadn't deleted it from online access. Really - of all the vandalism they do - deleting radio shows is one of the worst things. It was a fantastic resource - and for the sake of a few quid a year - gone. Probably cost more to make the decision than it would ever save in ongoing costs.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b009t23k/episodes/guide
If anyone wants to depress themselves. Glad I 'pirated it' (as in paid my license fee and downloaded it) now.
Edit: just to say - I used to recommend it to all sorts of people from around the world to learn about British history - mostly foreign students who were curious. So ... that's just made me extra sad.
100%.
John Fetterman 50/1
Next Democratic candidate for president. Those prices will drop if they set up a committee and at least one of them I think will and follow through on a run. Its all highly speculative at this point but wouldnt take much to pay off
Seen worse bets. Despite what may be a common perception, the Democrat leaning masses will go centerist.
And causing markets to spike and crash depending on his supposedly "random" tariff announcements. Being on the inside of those decisions must be very lucrative. Especially if you are a billionaire.
You do have to wonder whether a veangeful reaction coming in afterwards will strip an awful lot of people of their liberty. As well as every billion they own.
Oh to be a fly on the wall for what Trump and Putin said to each other last week, then for what Lavrov and Rubio said only 48 hours ago.
Meanwhile Ukraine is bombing oil facilities and weapons factories, while Russia is bombing kindergartens and apartment blocks.
Making the Faithful even more paranoid about who can be trusted.
(I can see JR getting removed. But at least one of Cat, Alan and whoever they recruit looks good to be there at the end...)
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has said her department is "not yet fit for purpose" after an internal report labelled it dysfunctional and detached from its core functions.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/clyl20gw4y2o
Myanmar's army is taking back territory with relentless air strikes – and China's help
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c051m0jn392o
Home Office ‘detached from reality on immigration’, says report
https://www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/article/home-office-shabana-mahmood-secret-report-x8qwlw262
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cp8ylgz198no
EXCLUSIVE: The Celebrity Traitors has been rocked by a leak after an insider revealed who wins the BBC show — sparking panic at the BBC as they fear the spoiler could ruin finale for fans
https://www.dailystar.co.uk/tv/the-traitors-bbc-series-leak-36116049
PB Traitors fans should stay away from gossip sites.
Use of wood-burning stoves and fires in homes is mostly unnecessary and their toxic pollution costs the NHS millions
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/oct/23/wood-burners-linked-to-2500-deaths-a-year-in-the-uk-analysis-finds
In all seriousness, there are only two good reasons for having a wood burner:
1) If you have a garden or other open area with lots of trees in it that will provide you with adequate fuel (and that also requires space to store it for a longish period while it seasons);
2) If your only have one other source of power, namely electricity, and you don't want to be left without any means of heating or cooking during a power cut.
Charity skydives to raise money for the NHS cost more in fixing associated injuries than they raise.
...
Theresa May’s decision to axe 21,000 police officers while she was home secretary.
...
Between 2010 and 2014, after the coalition government ordered the MoJ to slash its budget by almost a quarter, the CPS lost 22% of its solicitors and 28% of its barristers. From 2010 to 2019, the MoJ closed more than half of all the courts in England and Wales, and sold off many court buildings. There are now almost 400,000 criminal cases waiting to be heard in England and Wales.
...
the coalition government’s decision to make stealing goods under £200 into a “summary offence”, which carry shorter sentences, had effectively given criminals a free pass. “These thieves aren’t stupid,” said Neville, the former Met detective. “Why nick £200 when you can nick £199 five times?”
...
The victims and courts bill currently making its way through parliament contains an explosive detail that could topple the entire business model. It proposes that lawyers should only be awarded “reasonably sufficient” costs from central funds.
https://www.theguardian.com/news/ng-interactive/2025/oct/23/the-police-werent-interested-whats-driving-the-rise-in-private-prosecutions
It’s been said for as long as I can remember (mid-Thatcher) that it was a place good ministers were sent to die.
France is backing away from a recent commitment to intervene more forcefully at sea to stop small boats from crossing the English Channel, according to multiple sources contacted by the BBC.
While the man in charge of border security in the UK, Martin Hewitt, has already expressed "frustration" at French delays, the BBC has now heard from a number of sources in France that promises of a new "maritime doctrine" - which would see patrol boats attempt to intercept inflatable boats and pull them back to shore – are hollow.
"It's just a political stunt. It's much blah-blah," said one figure closely linked to French maritime security.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cn8vr95n5n3o
They did it that one time when BBC News came to film before back to watching passively from the shore.
WarExercise...huh...yeah...what it is good for....absolutely nothin'.Not as much as Lam is though. Her proposal to deport 3.5 million people with ILR by reason of "cultural cohrrence" is really quite extraordinary. Going onto an income of less than £38 000 for six months is grounds for deportation, including it seems maternity or parenting leave.
https://bsky.app/profile/sundersays.bsky.social/post/3m3qmf2ippk2e
She wants to deport about half my department of 250 people or their immediate families. It is madness.
This is what happened to my friend’s sister back in the ‘90s. It wouldn’t work on the hardened criminals in gangs, but it definitely does work on the petty teenage tea leaves.
https://x.com/osinttechnical/status/1981220764914503904
Ukraine’s own special sanctions on Rosneft adding to those of the US.
Don't get me wrong, very serious crimes need jail time for public protection alone, as well as punishment.
For thieves and the like, can we be a little more inventive? A spot fine of 10x the value of what you sold, to be deducted from any future salary or public benefits, for example. With an increasing multiple for repeat offenders.
It should be aim to be almost as quick as giving a parking ticket.
https://bills.parliament.uk/bills/3970
Q: How does the country have a sensible discussion about this issue and others without it descending into ad hominin attacks and misapplied quotes.
'My teenage daughter fell victim to a satanic online group – and I felt powerless to help'
The online safety act may not be the answer, but what is?
https://www.ein.org.uk/blog/policy-and-legislative-changes-affecting-migration-uk-timeline-1983-2024
Given we have a public health service, and the posh bits of Edinburgh are reverting back to the 18th Century, I think they are due some regulation. I hope they don't slap a universal tax/regulation on them but stick to urban areas where the cost/benefit is out of whack.
We all know what not to talk about, right?
*looks around apprehensively for the ban hammer*
https://x.com/Katie_Lam_MP/status/1958837268614914361
Deviation from route and permitted places sets off alarm. Repeat offences end in jail time. Period of tagging prevents them from going to pubs, cafes, cinema, mates houses etc etc so restricts life as punishment, reduces their chances of getting into trouble by restricting where they can go.
Badenoch can't really condemn what la Lam said, because it's basically party policy. Nobody else made a fuss, because nobody noticed. It was only that Sunday Times interview that made anyone bother to check.
That's how bad things are for the Conservatives.
Woolley: But the tenth was better?
Hacker: The tenth was worse. It didn't mention me at all!
It's not great for adults, but teenagers seem to be particularly susceptible given it is at a critical part of their development. Current research seems to suggest the harm is very statistically significant.
I wonder if we, as a society, need to start treating smartphones like tobacco or alcohol. Only available to those say aged 16 or older. The default for younger children, once old enough to have some independence going to school alone etc, should be feature phones with calling and texting only.
Yes they will still have access to home computers or tablets etc, but that is much more easily supervised and time limited. And the increase in harm has specifically been since smartphones became prevalent.